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Only Ever Her
“Unputdownable!” —Robyn Carr, New York Times bestselling author
Annie Taft’s wedding is four days away, and it will be one of the grandest anyone can remember in her small South Carolina town. Preparations are in order. Friends and family are gathering in anticipation. Everything is going according to plan. Except that Annie herself has vanished. Did she have second thoughts? Or has something much worse happened to the bride-to-be?
While her loved ones frantically try to track her down, they’re forced to grapple with their own secrets—secrets with the power to reframe entire relationships, leaving each to wonder how well they really knew Annie and how well they know themselves.
Annie Taft’s wedding is four days away, and it will be one of the grandest anyone can remember in her small South Carolina town. Preparations are in order. Friends and family are gathering in anticipation. Everything is going according to plan. Except that Annie herself has vanished. Did she have second thoughts? Or has something much worse happened to the bride-to-be?
While her loved ones frantically try to track her down, they’re forced to grapple with their own secrets—secrets with the power to reframe entire relationships, leaving each to wonder how well they really knew Annie and how well they know themselves.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2019
2301 people are currently reading
7521 people want to read
About the author
Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
20 books1,082 followersMarybeth Mayhew Whalen is the author of When We Were Worthy, The Things We Wish Were True and five previous novels. She speaks to women's groups around the US. She is the co-founder of the popular women's fiction site, She Reads www.shereads.org. Marybeth and her husband Curt have been married for 26 years and are the parents of six children. The family lives in North Carolina. Marybeth spends most of her time in the grocery store but occasionally escapes long enough to scribble some words. She is always at work on her next novel. You can find her at www.marybethwhalen.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 475 reviews
December 18, 2018
My favorite novel by Marybeth yet! Now available to request via NetGalley. <3
May 6, 2019
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
Contemporary suspense drama told from several viewpoints surrounding the mysterious disappearance of a local woman; only days before her wedding. Runaway Bride? Or is it possible that this is somehow connected to the recent release of the man convicted of murdering the bride's mother twenty three years ago.
Honestly, I felt torn between DNFing and continuing the book. Since I received this as an ARC, I felt I owed it to the author to give the entire story a shot. Admittedly, I was hooked in the beginning and there are some great choices of suspects. But I feel the second half of the story fizzled to a lukewarm ending and the revelations didn't really leave me satisfied. Love that cover though!
A set of bookclub questions and a recipe are included in the book. Thanks to the author, Marybeth Mayhew Whalen for a list of her book writing music playlist listed in her acknowledgment section.
Goodreads Review 04/05/19
Expected Publication 07/05/19
Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
Contemporary suspense drama told from several viewpoints surrounding the mysterious disappearance of a local woman; only days before her wedding. Runaway Bride? Or is it possible that this is somehow connected to the recent release of the man convicted of murdering the bride's mother twenty three years ago.
Honestly, I felt torn between DNFing and continuing the book. Since I received this as an ARC, I felt I owed it to the author to give the entire story a shot. Admittedly, I was hooked in the beginning and there are some great choices of suspects. But I feel the second half of the story fizzled to a lukewarm ending and the revelations didn't really leave me satisfied. Love that cover though!
A set of bookclub questions and a recipe are included in the book. Thanks to the author, Marybeth Mayhew Whalen for a list of her book writing music playlist listed in her acknowledgment section.
Goodreads Review 04/05/19
Expected Publication 07/05/19
May 10, 2019
In Only Ever Her a small South Carolina town is in despair as a young bride, Annie, disappears just days before her wedding. Where did she go? Why is she gone? Was this intentional or is foul play involved? Lots of unanswered questions loom as her family (Aunt Faye and cousin Clary), friends (Tracey and Kenny), fiancé (Scott), and local community (Sheriff Hal York and reporter, Laurel) try to figure out what happened. Interestingly enough, the man who served more than 20 years in prison for allegedly murdering Annie’s mother is also released during the time of Annie’s sudden disappearance.
This story is a mystery but far from a thriller. Most of the main characters are hiding at least one secret but the book is, for the most part, fairly predictable. There was one twist revealed near the end of the story that I did not see coming. The overall pace bordered on slow, and the character development could have been a little better.
Only Ever Her is the second book I’ve read by Whalen. I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as When We Were Worthy. I have one other book by Whalen currently on my TBR list and while I didn’t love this one, I would still read more from her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story is a mystery but far from a thriller. Most of the main characters are hiding at least one secret but the book is, for the most part, fairly predictable. There was one twist revealed near the end of the story that I did not see coming. The overall pace bordered on slow, and the character development could have been a little better.
Only Ever Her is the second book I’ve read by Whalen. I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as When We Were Worthy. I have one other book by Whalen currently on my TBR list and while I didn’t love this one, I would still read more from her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2019
I've read one other book by Marybeth Mayhew Walen and I wasn't a fan of it. I was super excited to get my hands on this one because I've heard raving things but unfortunately this missed the mark completely for me.
I thought this was incredibly boring and should have DNF this book honestly. Ugh... just couldn't connect to the characters or storyline whatsoever!
I got to about 55 percent and then skimmed the rest of the story. There was lack of character development for Annie the main character but also there were so many characters and it jumped around way too much. I was confused and just annoyed.
I found it to be slow, confusing, and lacked any depth in my opinion. I would not recommend to mystery and suspense fans.
2 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 5/7/19
Published to Goodreads: 3/3/19
I thought this was incredibly boring and should have DNF this book honestly. Ugh... just couldn't connect to the characters or storyline whatsoever!
I got to about 55 percent and then skimmed the rest of the story. There was lack of character development for Annie the main character but also there were so many characters and it jumped around way too much. I was confused and just annoyed.
I found it to be slow, confusing, and lacked any depth in my opinion. I would not recommend to mystery and suspense fans.
2 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 5/7/19
Published to Goodreads: 3/3/19
May 16, 2021
2.5
I read Marybeth Mayhew Whalen's book, "When We Were Worthy" and really enjoyed that one. This one was lacking depth for me. The writing itself is good and easy to follow it was just the story that did not resonate with me. I feel it started off pretty good but I admit that I started skimming towards the end. I wanted to find out what happened to Annie. I guess I just did not like the characters very much. I thought adding Faye's 7-Up Chicken Salad Recipe at the end of the book was a nice thought.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for granting me the opportunity to read this Advanced Reader Copy.
I read Marybeth Mayhew Whalen's book, "When We Were Worthy" and really enjoyed that one. This one was lacking depth for me. The writing itself is good and easy to follow it was just the story that did not resonate with me. I feel it started off pretty good but I admit that I started skimming towards the end. I wanted to find out what happened to Annie. I guess I just did not like the characters very much. I thought adding Faye's 7-Up Chicken Salad Recipe at the end of the book was a nice thought.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for granting me the opportunity to read this Advanced Reader Copy.
May 29, 2019
Favorite Quotes:
Louise is one of the richest women in town but not one of the smartest. She was once quite the beauty, but that ship has sailed. She spends most of her time standing on the dock waving a hanky, begging it to come back to her. Which means she spends a lot of time in Faye’s salon.
She has always respected and feared lawyers, as if they possess something she never could, some special insight into truth and justice, a gift bestowed on them at birth, like a pitching arm or a brilliant mind.
She is standing by Faye’s elbow, annoyingly close. Faye can smell the determination on her like alcohol on a barfly.
Faye has already grown to hate that word, missing, the snakelike quality of it, the way people’s tongues get stuck on the S’s. It makes her unfairly angry at Millicent for saying it just like that, a hiss instead of a word… She is already anticipating tragedy, tasting it on her tongue like the ham that comes with funerals.
He’s heard you don’t have to let cops in unless they have a warrant, so he has no intention of throwing open his door, of saying, Come on in, fellas. Cops are like vampires; they have to be invited in, but once you invite them in, they have the power.
My Review:
I waffled a bit in how to rate this tautly written, absorbing, and well-crafted book. Yet when looking at my marked quotes, my indecision promptly evaporated as the sublime quality of Ms. Whalen’s writing removed all doubt. The evolution of the story was incrementally slow and told with a multiple POV, yet all the pieces proved to be necessary and an increasing level of tension and additional layers of intrigue steadily inched forward with each compelling chapter. I feared many loose ends – silly me! This cunning and cleverly perceptive wordsmith wrapped them all up rather neatly, and for the most part, unexpectedly. Lesson learned, I unswervingly pledge I will never second-guess her extraordinarily nimble skill for subterfuge again.
Louise is one of the richest women in town but not one of the smartest. She was once quite the beauty, but that ship has sailed. She spends most of her time standing on the dock waving a hanky, begging it to come back to her. Which means she spends a lot of time in Faye’s salon.
She has always respected and feared lawyers, as if they possess something she never could, some special insight into truth and justice, a gift bestowed on them at birth, like a pitching arm or a brilliant mind.
She is standing by Faye’s elbow, annoyingly close. Faye can smell the determination on her like alcohol on a barfly.
Faye has already grown to hate that word, missing, the snakelike quality of it, the way people’s tongues get stuck on the S’s. It makes her unfairly angry at Millicent for saying it just like that, a hiss instead of a word… She is already anticipating tragedy, tasting it on her tongue like the ham that comes with funerals.
He’s heard you don’t have to let cops in unless they have a warrant, so he has no intention of throwing open his door, of saying, Come on in, fellas. Cops are like vampires; they have to be invited in, but once you invite them in, they have the power.
My Review:
I waffled a bit in how to rate this tautly written, absorbing, and well-crafted book. Yet when looking at my marked quotes, my indecision promptly evaporated as the sublime quality of Ms. Whalen’s writing removed all doubt. The evolution of the story was incrementally slow and told with a multiple POV, yet all the pieces proved to be necessary and an increasing level of tension and additional layers of intrigue steadily inched forward with each compelling chapter. I feared many loose ends – silly me! This cunning and cleverly perceptive wordsmith wrapped them all up rather neatly, and for the most part, unexpectedly. Lesson learned, I unswervingly pledge I will never second-guess her extraordinarily nimble skill for subterfuge again.
May 13, 2019
Hmmm... where to start? This was a well done character driven women’s fiction story. This was not a thriller, and I along with many other readers (I think) went into this with that expectation. So when you pick this one up please keep in mind this is a slower story that is all about the characters. There is a bit of a mystery but it’s not twisted or jaw dropping or anything like that. Marybeth Mayhew Whalen did a great job of creating that southern small town vibe.
Three days before Annie is supposed to get married she disappears. Is it cold feet? But how could that be she is marrying the perfect man. Does it have something to do with her mother’s murder over 20 years ago? Especially now that the convicted murderer has been found to be wrongly accused, and is being let out of jail?The book bounces around between multiple characters, all of them with a connection to Annie. We also get Annie’s perspective before she disappears. What transpires is a complex web of lives that intersect and intertwine. Reading this book was like unraveling these characters secrets and guilt.
Even though I guess you would say Annie is the main character of this book, I was much more drawn to Faye and Clary. Faye is Annie’s aunt she owns a beauty shop and I thought this gave the book a bit of a Steel Magnolia vibe. I found her unconventional relationship both touching and heartbreaking. Clary was a bit odd but endearing, I liked her bond with the doves. There really was a lot going on in this book, and we only scratched the surface on a lot of it. I did truly enjoy this book, however I believe that if there were fewer characters and a little less going on I may have enjoyed it even more. Simply put this was a well told character driven story with a dab of Mystery and a heap of heart.
*** thanks to Lake Union for my copy of this book ***
Three days before Annie is supposed to get married she disappears. Is it cold feet? But how could that be she is marrying the perfect man. Does it have something to do with her mother’s murder over 20 years ago? Especially now that the convicted murderer has been found to be wrongly accused, and is being let out of jail?The book bounces around between multiple characters, all of them with a connection to Annie. We also get Annie’s perspective before she disappears. What transpires is a complex web of lives that intersect and intertwine. Reading this book was like unraveling these characters secrets and guilt.
Even though I guess you would say Annie is the main character of this book, I was much more drawn to Faye and Clary. Faye is Annie’s aunt she owns a beauty shop and I thought this gave the book a bit of a Steel Magnolia vibe. I found her unconventional relationship both touching and heartbreaking. Clary was a bit odd but endearing, I liked her bond with the doves. There really was a lot going on in this book, and we only scratched the surface on a lot of it. I did truly enjoy this book, however I believe that if there were fewer characters and a little less going on I may have enjoyed it even more. Simply put this was a well told character driven story with a dab of Mystery and a heap of heart.
*** thanks to Lake Union for my copy of this book ***
May 16, 2019
I’ve read two other books by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, and they were character-driven, emotional, and so easy to read. Only Ever Her follows suit with those things, and I think she’s topped herself. It’s important to know ahead of time that the characters are indeed the center of this story with a touch of suspense.
Annie Taft lives in small-town South Carolina. Her wedding is only four days away, and it’s set to be a grand affair. Everyone’s talking about it. But then Annie vanishes, and now everyone is talking about that.
Did she get cold feet, or is has something happened to Annie?
More and more, it seems like someone may have hurt Annie, and the list of suspects is getting longer. As her family and friends continue to search for her and for answers, secrets are unearthed that make them question what they know about each other and Annie.
Whalen skillfully portrays this atmospheric small town and the sense of community within it. I enjoyed getting to know Annie’s aunt Faye. Her beauty parlor was a fun element. There were many quirky characters to get to know here and a satisfying ending. In the end, Only Ever Her is about how a community comes together in the wake of tragedy.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Annie Taft lives in small-town South Carolina. Her wedding is only four days away, and it’s set to be a grand affair. Everyone’s talking about it. But then Annie vanishes, and now everyone is talking about that.
Did she get cold feet, or is has something happened to Annie?
More and more, it seems like someone may have hurt Annie, and the list of suspects is getting longer. As her family and friends continue to search for her and for answers, secrets are unearthed that make them question what they know about each other and Annie.
Whalen skillfully portrays this atmospheric small town and the sense of community within it. I enjoyed getting to know Annie’s aunt Faye. Her beauty parlor was a fun element. There were many quirky characters to get to know here and a satisfying ending. In the end, Only Ever Her is about how a community comes together in the wake of tragedy.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
May 26, 2019
Thank you to Lakeview Publishing and Netgally for the opportunity to read this book!
This is a womens fiction book reminding me of the old "Peyton Place" novel with small town secrets and gossip and prejudices especially if a character was not born or raised in the town.
Annie is getting married in a few days and is quite overwhelmed with all the preparations and emotions that go hand in hand with a big wedding and also is carrying some secrets that have her majorly stressed and she feels she must not share them with anyone since she feels noone will understand and will judge her harshly.
Lo and behold, the bride seems to have disappeared four days before her big day! Is Annie a runaway bride? Did something happen to Annie or is she the victim of foul play?
I'm sorry to say this book just didn't work for me. It seemed to promise some mystery but the suspense seemed to be missing. The story was so character driven that it weighed the story down for me. There was too much information on some of the characters and not enough on others. There was a nice little twist towards the end of the book but for myself it was "too little too late". Many readers may enjoy this book so I still recommend it for those who enjoy a lot of drama.
I have given this book a rating of 2 1/2 🌟🌟✴
This is a womens fiction book reminding me of the old "Peyton Place" novel with small town secrets and gossip and prejudices especially if a character was not born or raised in the town.
Annie is getting married in a few days and is quite overwhelmed with all the preparations and emotions that go hand in hand with a big wedding and also is carrying some secrets that have her majorly stressed and she feels she must not share them with anyone since she feels noone will understand and will judge her harshly.
Lo and behold, the bride seems to have disappeared four days before her big day! Is Annie a runaway bride? Did something happen to Annie or is she the victim of foul play?
I'm sorry to say this book just didn't work for me. It seemed to promise some mystery but the suspense seemed to be missing. The story was so character driven that it weighed the story down for me. There was too much information on some of the characters and not enough on others. There was a nice little twist towards the end of the book but for myself it was "too little too late". Many readers may enjoy this book so I still recommend it for those who enjoy a lot of drama.
I have given this book a rating of 2 1/2 🌟🌟✴
April 5, 2019
I received a free e-copy of Only Ever Her by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen from NetGalley for my honest review.
I really feel bad when I don't connect with a book and have to leave an ehhh review. I feel bad as I can only imagine, being an author, and all the love, hope and work they put into their writing. With that said I am sorry to say that I just didn't connect with this book. I do appreciate the opportunity to read it and I do see that several other people really enjoyed it so don't let my review keep you from picking it up and enjoying it.
Annie, was found wandering the town as a little girl. Her mother was murdered. The entire town got caught up in her life and her growing up and she became a very loved person in her community. Anne is grown now and is getting married. The town is so excited for her. Then just days before her wedding, she goes missing. Her disappearance happens at the same time as her mom's killer's prison release date. Coincidence or not? Lots of characters and so many suspects, but who is really responsible?
I really feel bad when I don't connect with a book and have to leave an ehhh review. I feel bad as I can only imagine, being an author, and all the love, hope and work they put into their writing. With that said I am sorry to say that I just didn't connect with this book. I do appreciate the opportunity to read it and I do see that several other people really enjoyed it so don't let my review keep you from picking it up and enjoying it.
Annie, was found wandering the town as a little girl. Her mother was murdered. The entire town got caught up in her life and her growing up and she became a very loved person in her community. Anne is grown now and is getting married. The town is so excited for her. Then just days before her wedding, she goes missing. Her disappearance happens at the same time as her mom's killer's prison release date. Coincidence or not? Lots of characters and so many suspects, but who is really responsible?
May 24, 2019
What is it about small southern towns that appeals to me so greatly?! Throw in a light mystery and a whole bunch of secrets and I’m all in!
The characters are the driving force in this, much as was the case in her previous book, When We Were Worthy, and there’s just something about a character driven tale that speaks to me in a deep way. This one focuses a lot on community and how people come together and support each other during hard times and there are several perspectives that offer you a birds eye POV of what’s really going on in the town, and there is an awful going on. My favorite two characters were Annie’s aunt Faye and her cousin Clary, Faye was larger than life and so loving and Clary was quirky and wildly unique.
This starts out on the slower side but if you look at it like a slow unraveling of both the book itself and the mystery, I think you’ll be satisfied in the end because I sure was. Recommended to fans of character driven stories about life during hard times told with plenty of heart.
Only Ever Her in three words: Heartfelt, Endearing and Subtle
The characters are the driving force in this, much as was the case in her previous book, When We Were Worthy, and there’s just something about a character driven tale that speaks to me in a deep way. This one focuses a lot on community and how people come together and support each other during hard times and there are several perspectives that offer you a birds eye POV of what’s really going on in the town, and there is an awful going on. My favorite two characters were Annie’s aunt Faye and her cousin Clary, Faye was larger than life and so loving and Clary was quirky and wildly unique.
This starts out on the slower side but if you look at it like a slow unraveling of both the book itself and the mystery, I think you’ll be satisfied in the end because I sure was. Recommended to fans of character driven stories about life during hard times told with plenty of heart.
Only Ever Her in three words: Heartfelt, Endearing and Subtle
May 15, 2019
Only Ever Her by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen was a book that I was hooked on - in the beginning. Unfortunately for me it became a but slow and the story started to drag. The ending was a disappointment for me as well.. The story sounded like one that I was going to really get lost in but it just did not continue. All the characters had their secrets that start to come out and take away from the main story of the missing bride.
Annie Taft is getting married - and it is to be the wedding of the year. Annie is somewhat a celebrity in her hometown - when she was 3 her mother was murdered and her testimony put a man away. But he is getting out - and then Annie goes missing. Has she got cold feet or has something happened to her?
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
Annie Taft is getting married - and it is to be the wedding of the year. Annie is somewhat a celebrity in her hometown - when she was 3 her mother was murdered and her testimony put a man away. But he is getting out - and then Annie goes missing. Has she got cold feet or has something happened to her?
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
May 26, 2019
Thank you to Lakeview Publishing and Netgally for the opportunity to read this book!
This is a womens fiction book reminding me of the old "Peyton Place" novel with small town secrets and gossip and prejudices especially if a character was not born or raised in the town.
Annie is getting married in a few days and is quite overwhelmed with all the preparations and emotions that go hand in hand with a big wedding and also is carrying some secrets that have her majorly stressed and she feels she must not share them with anyone since she feels noone will understand and will judge her harshly.
Lo and behold the bride seems to disappear four days before her big day! Is Annie a runaway bride? Did something happen to Annie or is she the victim of foul play?
I'm sorry to say this book just didn't work for me. It seemed to promise some mystery but the suspense just seemed to be missing. The story was so character driven that it weighed the story down for me. There was too much information on some of the characters and not enough on others. There was a nice little twist towards the end of the book but for myself it was "too little too late". Many readers may enjoy this book so I still recommend it for those who enjoy a lot of drama.
I have given this book a rating of 2 1/2 🌟🌟✴
This is a womens fiction book reminding me of the old "Peyton Place" novel with small town secrets and gossip and prejudices especially if a character was not born or raised in the town.
Annie is getting married in a few days and is quite overwhelmed with all the preparations and emotions that go hand in hand with a big wedding and also is carrying some secrets that have her majorly stressed and she feels she must not share them with anyone since she feels noone will understand and will judge her harshly.
Lo and behold the bride seems to disappear four days before her big day! Is Annie a runaway bride? Did something happen to Annie or is she the victim of foul play?
I'm sorry to say this book just didn't work for me. It seemed to promise some mystery but the suspense just seemed to be missing. The story was so character driven that it weighed the story down for me. There was too much information on some of the characters and not enough on others. There was a nice little twist towards the end of the book but for myself it was "too little too late". Many readers may enjoy this book so I still recommend it for those who enjoy a lot of drama.
I have given this book a rating of 2 1/2 🌟🌟✴
May 1, 2019
Annie Taft is 26, ready to marry Scott Hanson, and move somewhere fresh. Away from the town of Ludlow, where she is known as the daughter of the murdered woman. Cordell Lewis was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Annie's mother, Lydia Taft--largely on the word of Annie, who was only three. But his lawyer is advocating for a new trial--and Cordell's release. It's now four days before Annie's wedding; Cordell is out of jail, and Annie has disappeared. At first, Annie's aunt, Faye, who has raised her niece since the age of three, thinks she has hidden away due to nerves. But as the wedding date inches closer, Faye and her daughter, Clary, realize something is amiss. Was it Cordell, seeking revenge after all this time? Or someone who knows Annie well?
"Some people hear their mother's voices in their heads, but Annie hears her aunt's, the closest thing she has to a mother."
This book wasn't anything like what I was expecting, and honestly, it was a rather strange tale, but it was still rather interesting. It's a character-driven read, not a suspense novel, but wow, I got really attached to some of these characters. I picked this one up based solely on the strength of the last Marybeth Mayhew Whalen novel I read, WHEN WE WERE WORTHY. She has a real knack for capturing her characters: they jump off they page and stick with you. In particular, I fell hard for Faye and Clary in this one. And, of course, there was Annie, who was always there, motivating nearly every character:
"She has to make the town happy, like she always has. It is her act of service, her offering on behalf of the greater good. When you're the only survivor of the town's darkest moment, you do whatever you can to bring light."
There are a lot of narrators in the novel, but together they expertly show the web and ties of a small town, where it seems everyone has a secret of some sorts. I thought the beginning of the book was a bit slow, but it picked up in the second half, becoming rather dramatic and suspenseful. It's also an emotional read, as you become more and more invested in the characters. I expected more with Annie's storyline and disappearance--the ending sort of fizzled there for me. The more compelling piece is truly her mother's murder and its aftermath, especially on Faye.
Still, this was an interesting and poignant read featuring some excellent characters. While it was a bit slow to start, I found myself quite immersed in the second half. I really enjoy what Whalen can do with her small town personalities. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley; it is available everyone as of 05/07/2019.
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"Some people hear their mother's voices in their heads, but Annie hears her aunt's, the closest thing she has to a mother."
This book wasn't anything like what I was expecting, and honestly, it was a rather strange tale, but it was still rather interesting. It's a character-driven read, not a suspense novel, but wow, I got really attached to some of these characters. I picked this one up based solely on the strength of the last Marybeth Mayhew Whalen novel I read, WHEN WE WERE WORTHY. She has a real knack for capturing her characters: they jump off they page and stick with you. In particular, I fell hard for Faye and Clary in this one. And, of course, there was Annie, who was always there, motivating nearly every character:
"She has to make the town happy, like she always has. It is her act of service, her offering on behalf of the greater good. When you're the only survivor of the town's darkest moment, you do whatever you can to bring light."
There are a lot of narrators in the novel, but together they expertly show the web and ties of a small town, where it seems everyone has a secret of some sorts. I thought the beginning of the book was a bit slow, but it picked up in the second half, becoming rather dramatic and suspenseful. It's also an emotional read, as you become more and more invested in the characters. I expected more with Annie's storyline and disappearance--the ending sort of fizzled there for me. The more compelling piece is truly her mother's murder and its aftermath, especially on Faye.
Still, this was an interesting and poignant read featuring some excellent characters. While it was a bit slow to start, I found myself quite immersed in the second half. I really enjoy what Whalen can do with her small town personalities. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley; it is available everyone as of 05/07/2019.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Google+ ~ Instagram ~ Smashbomb
April 23, 2019
Annie's mother was murdered when she was three years old. Her Aunt has been her caretaker since then. Now, Annie is all grown up and preparing for her wedding. With her wedding to Scott days away, Annie goes missing!
There were a few good points to the novel. The small town setting felt very Steel Magnolias with the hair salon and the town gossip. Laurel and Clary's stories were interesting and kept me going to the end of the book.
I found myself DESPERATE to know more about almost all of the characters in this book. There was a huge lack of character development. Some of the characters did get more attention, and that made them more interesting in the story. Annie wasn't developed enough for me to care about what happened to her. And the parts that included Annie had her so unlike able, it was hard to care anyway. I wasn't buying it from most of the people that they were that concerned with her disappearance either. Most seemed more involved with their own lives and their own problems.
Kenny was one of the more like able characters, but it was off-putting how his girlfriend was not given a voice, neither was she named until the end of the book. I didn't understand why Annie needed Kenny to be a secret friend to her. I wasn't buying it. Even more off-putting was that Scott, Annie's fiance, has no voice as well. We are only told about Scott. We never get to know him at all. We don't know how he feels, we don't know what he thinks. Nothing. We only see his actions through the descriptions that other characters give. I thought that was a strange choice.
The reveal of where Annie went was a letdown. It was kind of lame. It didn't feel satisfying.
I also think that the blurb on the back is misleading. It makes it sound like this will be a thriller. But it doesn't read like that at all.
This could have been a better book if there were more meat to the characters and if the entire novel itself had more development.
Thank you to Little Bird Publicity and Lake Union Publishing for a review copy of Only Ever Her in exchange for an honest review.
There were a few good points to the novel. The small town setting felt very Steel Magnolias with the hair salon and the town gossip. Laurel and Clary's stories were interesting and kept me going to the end of the book.
I found myself DESPERATE to know more about almost all of the characters in this book. There was a huge lack of character development. Some of the characters did get more attention, and that made them more interesting in the story. Annie wasn't developed enough for me to care about what happened to her. And the parts that included Annie had her so unlike able, it was hard to care anyway. I wasn't buying it from most of the people that they were that concerned with her disappearance either. Most seemed more involved with their own lives and their own problems.
Kenny was one of the more like able characters, but it was off-putting how his girlfriend was not given a voice, neither was she named until the end of the book. I didn't understand why Annie needed Kenny to be a secret friend to her. I wasn't buying it. Even more off-putting was that Scott, Annie's fiance, has no voice as well. We are only told about Scott. We never get to know him at all. We don't know how he feels, we don't know what he thinks. Nothing. We only see his actions through the descriptions that other characters give. I thought that was a strange choice.
The reveal of where Annie went was a letdown. It was kind of lame. It didn't feel satisfying.
I also think that the blurb on the back is misleading. It makes it sound like this will be a thriller. But it doesn't read like that at all.
This could have been a better book if there were more meat to the characters and if the entire novel itself had more development.
Thank you to Little Bird Publicity and Lake Union Publishing for a review copy of Only Ever Her in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2019
I'm not really sure what my opinion on this book is. It's a bit complicated, and I'm somewhere in the middle between liking it and not.
I found the characters intriguing, but at the same time I lost myself between all the POVs and as much as I thought a character was interesting, all the switching between everyone was a bit frustrating as it minimized the tension the previous entry was building. That's something that happened all throughout this book for me, every time I felt as though the tension in the atmosphere rose it was suddenly gone.
I also found that the switching between so many characters didn't give enough time for me to connect to one, but at the same time, I thought the writing style was interesting. I felt as though the mystery was set up well, but the roller coaster of ups and downs when it came to the tension took away from the overall experience, and the ending left me wishing it was all different.
I feel like the idea behind this book wasn't executed to my liking. Maybe I'm just reading it at a completely wrong time, and I'm open to giving it a shot later on, but as it stands now this is a three star for me. I enjoyed reading this book for what it was, but it didn't wow me.
*Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
*Rating: 3/5 stars
I found the characters intriguing, but at the same time I lost myself between all the POVs and as much as I thought a character was interesting, all the switching between everyone was a bit frustrating as it minimized the tension the previous entry was building. That's something that happened all throughout this book for me, every time I felt as though the tension in the atmosphere rose it was suddenly gone.
I also found that the switching between so many characters didn't give enough time for me to connect to one, but at the same time, I thought the writing style was interesting. I felt as though the mystery was set up well, but the roller coaster of ups and downs when it came to the tension took away from the overall experience, and the ending left me wishing it was all different.
I feel like the idea behind this book wasn't executed to my liking. Maybe I'm just reading it at a completely wrong time, and I'm open to giving it a shot later on, but as it stands now this is a three star for me. I enjoyed reading this book for what it was, but it didn't wow me.
*Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
*Rating: 3/5 stars
May 20, 2019
Whoa! Cover!
Update
I'm feeling generous today, so 4 stars!
Update
I'm feeling generous today, so 4 stars!
March 3, 2019
Also available on the WondrousBooks blog.
Only Ever Her promises a suspenseful story about the search of a woman who goes missing days before her wedding and right after the man who went to prison for killing her mother gets released.
Except, that this book is not suspenseful and is not even really about the search of the missing bride.
Instead, the story jumps from character to character in a small town full of people who are not living their best life. From the girl who is trying to be everyone's darling by making herself unhappy, to her aunt who is trying to substitute the girl's dead mother, to a journalist who's unsuccessfully trying to fulfill her dream and so on.
The first thing worth mentioning about Only Ever Her is that it's not really a thriller. Sure, the main story is that Annie is missing, but what is actually going on is that we're learning more about the different people around her, than being a part of a frantic search for her. That could be okay had the characters been more compelling... but they weren't. I didn't like a single person in this book. They all acted strangely and irrationally. Each one of them had at least one opportunity to do what they want and they all did not take it, because... um... you know, reasons.
It's not even that the book was terrible or anything of the sort. It just didn't stir anything in me. I believe I will forget that I ever read it in a couple of months.
Only Ever Her promises a suspenseful story about the search of a woman who goes missing days before her wedding and right after the man who went to prison for killing her mother gets released.
Except, that this book is not suspenseful and is not even really about the search of the missing bride.
Instead, the story jumps from character to character in a small town full of people who are not living their best life. From the girl who is trying to be everyone's darling by making herself unhappy, to her aunt who is trying to substitute the girl's dead mother, to a journalist who's unsuccessfully trying to fulfill her dream and so on.
The first thing worth mentioning about Only Ever Her is that it's not really a thriller. Sure, the main story is that Annie is missing, but what is actually going on is that we're learning more about the different people around her, than being a part of a frantic search for her. That could be okay had the characters been more compelling... but they weren't. I didn't like a single person in this book. They all acted strangely and irrationally. Each one of them had at least one opportunity to do what they want and they all did not take it, because... um... you know, reasons.
It's not even that the book was terrible or anything of the sort. It just didn't stir anything in me. I believe I will forget that I ever read it in a couple of months.
October 2, 2019
I am utterly obsessed with this cover and title. Sooooooo pretty. It looks like a totally awesome Beauty and the Beast retelling.
But it is, in fact, a contemporary suspense drama. And I am just not a huge fan of contemporary suspense. So maybe this book just wasn't for me. Too much melodrama.
It started off pretty great. As a three-year-old, Annie identified her Mom's murderer and put him away for life. Now she is all grown up and getting married in the same small town she grew up in. Except with only a few days to go before her wedding, Annie learns her Mother's murderer has been released from prison.
The next day, Annie disappears.
Exciting right? Ehhhh. There are lots of switching viewpoints: Annie herself, her cousin, her aunt, her high school nemesis, her secret boyfriend. And each of these viewpoints comes mired in secrets. But...can I say...not interesting secrets? Just melodramatic affairs that make you wonder how so many people can hide so much stuff in the same small town.
Except scratch that, because it actually sounds like an interesting analysis about how we all pretend to be something we're not. And this isn't that.
I like the resolution but honestly it wrapped up too quickly. The only POV I felt a particular interest in was high school nemesis turned reporter, and honestly, I was mostly interested in her because I feel like she has a possible sexual harassment lawsuit against her boss. Oh wait, that was a romance...?
I sound so negative. This really wasn't a terrible read. I stayed up past my bedtime to finish. I just really don't think I will remember much about it besides the gorgeous cover.
But again...not really my genre of choice.
But it is, in fact, a contemporary suspense drama. And I am just not a huge fan of contemporary suspense. So maybe this book just wasn't for me. Too much melodrama.
It started off pretty great. As a three-year-old, Annie identified her Mom's murderer and put him away for life. Now she is all grown up and getting married in the same small town she grew up in. Except with only a few days to go before her wedding, Annie learns her Mother's murderer has been released from prison.
The next day, Annie disappears.
Exciting right? Ehhhh. There are lots of switching viewpoints: Annie herself, her cousin, her aunt, her high school nemesis, her secret boyfriend. And each of these viewpoints comes mired in secrets. But...can I say...not interesting secrets? Just melodramatic affairs that make you wonder how so many people can hide so much stuff in the same small town.
Except scratch that, because it actually sounds like an interesting analysis about how we all pretend to be something we're not. And this isn't that.
I like the resolution but honestly it wrapped up too quickly. The only POV I felt a particular interest in was high school nemesis turned reporter, and honestly, I was mostly interested in her because I feel like she has a possible sexual harassment lawsuit against her boss. Oh wait, that was a romance...?
I sound so negative. This really wasn't a terrible read. I stayed up past my bedtime to finish. I just really don't think I will remember much about it besides the gorgeous cover.
But again...not really my genre of choice.
May 7, 2019
Annie Taft is getting married in 4 days and everyone is working hard on preparations. That is...until the bride disappears. Is this a case of cold feet or is something more sinister at play?
This is not a thriller but a slow burn novel about secrets. There are a lot of characters, none that really stood out to me. I needed more character development, particularly for Annie. There was a disconnect for me with the characters and overall, left me feeling disgruntled about the plot. There is a mystery within the mystery and while both are given closure, it left me wanting more. Thank you @amazon for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
This is not a thriller but a slow burn novel about secrets. There are a lot of characters, none that really stood out to me. I needed more character development, particularly for Annie. There was a disconnect for me with the characters and overall, left me feeling disgruntled about the plot. There is a mystery within the mystery and while both are given closure, it left me wanting more. Thank you @amazon for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
May 9, 2019
Review coming!
December 28, 2018
This novel had an excellent recipe for great suspense—the bride goes missing days before the wedding. Man accused of killing the bride's mother released from prison. However, it fell short for most of the storyline. I know the author was setting us up for more, as we continued with each character. With each character’s chapters, we would learn a bit more of each one’s drama, and a secret each were harboring.
I would of like to had more time with Annie, the missing bride. I felt we didn’t learn much about her. And what I did learn, I’m not sure I was all that impressed with her…or cared if she was missing. Why couldn’t she love Kenny and be with him? That, I didn’t understand, and it put a bad taste in my mouth as to maybe she thought she was too good for him.
Annie first meets with a lawyer, who is releasing the man accused of murdering her mother twenty-three years ago, due to evidence that was never released in the trial. She meets with Kenny, not sure why, but we find out at the end of the book. This is the beginning, and she’s now missing. Her cousin, Clary, and Aunt her raised her, Faye both struggle with their secrets while searching for the missing Annie. A sheriff, Hal, and reporter and close family friend, Laurel are also caught up in the investigation.
I almost gave up but trekked on. I was ready for the predictable: what or who was guilty and was pretty much on track with that. I was afraid the story would leave us hanging with the real murderer of Lydia, the bride’s, Annie's mother. Of which was a shocker. And though this part of the book had me glued—the last few chapters, the big reveal gave little, due to the fact he was never really a character in the novel.
I did feel the southern closeness of these characters and at times felt confused as to who was related to who. And at times felt the main characters wanted more from each other than they were willing to give. But that was due to the secrets the author had them keep up until the end. Which in all reality, are everyday secrets we all have.
I would of like to had more time with Annie, the missing bride. I felt we didn’t learn much about her. And what I did learn, I’m not sure I was all that impressed with her…or cared if she was missing. Why couldn’t she love Kenny and be with him? That, I didn’t understand, and it put a bad taste in my mouth as to maybe she thought she was too good for him.
Annie first meets with a lawyer, who is releasing the man accused of murdering her mother twenty-three years ago, due to evidence that was never released in the trial. She meets with Kenny, not sure why, but we find out at the end of the book. This is the beginning, and she’s now missing. Her cousin, Clary, and Aunt her raised her, Faye both struggle with their secrets while searching for the missing Annie. A sheriff, Hal, and reporter and close family friend, Laurel are also caught up in the investigation.
I almost gave up but trekked on. I was ready for the predictable: what or who was guilty and was pretty much on track with that. I was afraid the story would leave us hanging with the real murderer of Lydia, the bride’s, Annie's mother. Of which was a shocker. And though this part of the book had me glued—the last few chapters, the big reveal gave little, due to the fact he was never really a character in the novel.
I did feel the southern closeness of these characters and at times felt confused as to who was related to who. And at times felt the main characters wanted more from each other than they were willing to give. But that was due to the secrets the author had them keep up until the end. Which in all reality, are everyday secrets we all have.
May 21, 2019
My first read by Whalen and I wouldn't quite categorize this in the thriller category - but more as a contemporary mystery. This is a very character driven story. We get several different POVs that was a lot to take in at first. Once I got myself under control, I definitely became quite involved with the story. This book does move a bit at a slow to moderate pace. Normally this would cause my attention to wane, but in this case I was pretty well into needing to know what was going on. Where did Annie go?
My favorite character was Clary and her doves. There's a lot of symbolism I got from her chapters and that final scene really did get to my heart. Ba-dum-sigh. Honestly, it was compelling to read all the narrators voices. This really gave a full look at how small towns work. I always find this fascinating since while my Dad is from a small town and it's strange to visit there at times, I've always grown up and lived in large cities. I don't know if it's better to have someone always know everyone's business or to have more anonymity.
Honestly, the mystery itself isn't what makes this book. If I based it solely on this part, I probably would have ranked this a little bit lower as I felt this was more background. It's the characters and their interactions and what they bring to the story and the mystery that makes this book worth reading. If you love character driven books, then this will definitely be a story for you. Understand that it does start a bit slow but picks up in the second half.
Thanks so Lake Union Publishing and TLC Book Tours for this copy.
My favorite character was Clary and her doves. There's a lot of symbolism I got from her chapters and that final scene really did get to my heart. Ba-dum-sigh. Honestly, it was compelling to read all the narrators voices. This really gave a full look at how small towns work. I always find this fascinating since while my Dad is from a small town and it's strange to visit there at times, I've always grown up and lived in large cities. I don't know if it's better to have someone always know everyone's business or to have more anonymity.
Honestly, the mystery itself isn't what makes this book. If I based it solely on this part, I probably would have ranked this a little bit lower as I felt this was more background. It's the characters and their interactions and what they bring to the story and the mystery that makes this book worth reading. If you love character driven books, then this will definitely be a story for you. Understand that it does start a bit slow but picks up in the second half.
Thanks so Lake Union Publishing and TLC Book Tours for this copy.
May 1, 2019
Only Ever Her⭐️
With weddings and murder there is little Annie can do to keep her clam so with the wedding coming closer and Annies disappearance everything is questioned.
The prologue was amazing but the rest of the story had a different voice, many voices and none of them were as intriguing.
We follow alot of different people I think that if we were to only see two perspectives and just get more of them i would have really enjoyed this but I was trying to remeber who peope were and what their relation to Kenny was and if they were crazy or not.
Thank you so much to Lake Union Publishing via netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of Only Ever Her by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen. This will be released on may 7, 2019
All opinions are my own.
With weddings and murder there is little Annie can do to keep her clam so with the wedding coming closer and Annies disappearance everything is questioned.
The prologue was amazing but the rest of the story had a different voice, many voices and none of them were as intriguing.
We follow alot of different people I think that if we were to only see two perspectives and just get more of them i would have really enjoyed this but I was trying to remeber who peope were and what their relation to Kenny was and if they were crazy or not.
Thank you so much to Lake Union Publishing via netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of Only Ever Her by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen. This will be released on may 7, 2019
All opinions are my own.
May 12, 2019
#FirstLine ~ He tugs at his collar and takes a swig of tepid coffee.
A slow burn mystery that creates more intrigue than it does suspense. It was an enjoyable read and one that has depth both in story and characters. Worth the read.
A slow burn mystery that creates more intrigue than it does suspense. It was an enjoyable read and one that has depth both in story and characters. Worth the read.
May 8, 2019
I love a good mystery, I’m always willing to dive into a new thriller, and upon seeing Only Ever Her I was ready for another thrilling mystery that would have me hooked throughout. With Marybeth Mayhew Whalen being a name I recognised, one I’d been meaning to read for a while, I was getting myself a new mystery and finally able to put a tick next to the name.
Although I had fun with this one, it wasn’t quite what I had been expecting. As I’ve mentioned, I was ready for a thrilling mystery. Although there was a bit of mystery to this story, it felt more like a drama with a mystery underneath. It was more about the drama of the town, the secrets and the hidden details, than the big mystery I had been expecting.
Even though this one wasn’t quite the kind of story I had anticipated, I found myself devouring it in no time at all. It was a story I had to complete in a single sitting, once I had the details I needed to see how they all came together. I wanted answers, I was curious to see how things played out, and even when I worked things out I had fun watching the events and the effects.
It’s a nice and easy read, one that is great for a quick read, and I’ll certainly give more of the author’s work a read in the future.
Although I had fun with this one, it wasn’t quite what I had been expecting. As I’ve mentioned, I was ready for a thrilling mystery. Although there was a bit of mystery to this story, it felt more like a drama with a mystery underneath. It was more about the drama of the town, the secrets and the hidden details, than the big mystery I had been expecting.
Even though this one wasn’t quite the kind of story I had anticipated, I found myself devouring it in no time at all. It was a story I had to complete in a single sitting, once I had the details I needed to see how they all came together. I wanted answers, I was curious to see how things played out, and even when I worked things out I had fun watching the events and the effects.
It’s a nice and easy read, one that is great for a quick read, and I’ll certainly give more of the author’s work a read in the future.
February 5, 2019
Ugh, it pains me to write this review. I absolutely loved Whalen’s “When We Were Worthy.” So, I was excited to receive an advanced reader’s copy of her newest one, coming out in May. However, I did not like it as much as I was hoping I would.
“Only Ever Her” is about a bride who disappears and everyone is trying to figure out what happened to her. Did she leave on her own? Or did something more sinister happen? It definitely reads more like fiction than mystery/thriller, which I thought worked well. It did take several pages for me to actually get into the story. It was very slow moving. The story is told in several characters’ points of view which made it hard to keep track of everyone. By time I got to the halfway point, I just skimmed to see how it would end. I didn’t care for the ending at all. Once the mystery was revealed, I thought ‘Is that it?’ I felt there could have been several different ways to end the book, that would have made a better story. I know many people who enjoyed it so I may be in the minority.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
“Only Ever Her” is about a bride who disappears and everyone is trying to figure out what happened to her. Did she leave on her own? Or did something more sinister happen? It definitely reads more like fiction than mystery/thriller, which I thought worked well. It did take several pages for me to actually get into the story. It was very slow moving. The story is told in several characters’ points of view which made it hard to keep track of everyone. By time I got to the halfway point, I just skimmed to see how it would end. I didn’t care for the ending at all. Once the mystery was revealed, I thought ‘Is that it?’ I felt there could have been several different ways to end the book, that would have made a better story. I know many people who enjoyed it so I may be in the minority.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2019
For full review - The Limit of Books Does Not Exist
This was my first read by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen and sadly I wasn’t impressed. The story was intriguing and I enjoyed how the past and present seemed to link up, but sadly the characters did it in.
Annie is suppose to be this flawless main character who lost her mother at a young age. She has her secrets, but she is getting married to a great guy. I hated Annie. She was just so flaky and used people to get what she wanted. She didn’t care about others and only focused on herself. So when she disappeared, I was thrilled.
The rest of the book focused on 4 other characters (Annie’s aunt, Annie’s cousin, a reporter who attended school with Annie and Annie’s closest friend). I didn’t care for any of them and it was annoying to have the novel skip back and forth between so many characters.
Such a beautiful cover, but sadly not a book I enjoyed.
Thank you to Netgallery and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first read by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen and sadly I wasn’t impressed. The story was intriguing and I enjoyed how the past and present seemed to link up, but sadly the characters did it in.
Annie is suppose to be this flawless main character who lost her mother at a young age. She has her secrets, but she is getting married to a great guy. I hated Annie. She was just so flaky and used people to get what she wanted. She didn’t care about others and only focused on herself. So when she disappeared, I was thrilled.
The rest of the book focused on 4 other characters (Annie’s aunt, Annie’s cousin, a reporter who attended school with Annie and Annie’s closest friend). I didn’t care for any of them and it was annoying to have the novel skip back and forth between so many characters.
Such a beautiful cover, but sadly not a book I enjoyed.
Thank you to Netgallery and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 5, 2019
Thank you Lake Union for my copy of Only Ever Her in exchange for my honest review.
My first Whalen book and won't be my last - I truly enjoyed her writing.
A slow burning tale with a lot of character development this was an extremely light and quick read. Told in alternating points of views by various characters, this take of family drama will keep you engaged enough cover to cover.
This book was more of a women's fiction/light mystery; I would recommend it more to fans of family/domestic with light suspense.
My first Whalen book and won't be my last - I truly enjoyed her writing.
A slow burning tale with a lot of character development this was an extremely light and quick read. Told in alternating points of views by various characters, this take of family drama will keep you engaged enough cover to cover.
This book was more of a women's fiction/light mystery; I would recommend it more to fans of family/domestic with light suspense.
December 26, 2018
Oh my goodness I cannot wait for y’all to read Marybeth Mayhew Whalen’s newest book in May. This was the perfect blend of general fiction and mystery/thriller. I was fully invested in all of the characters’s storylines and I couldn’t wait to find out how everything ended. Y’all, this one was soooo good!!!
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