Other Women

by Jean Levy

From the author of What Was Lost…

Sophie thought she and Jonah were happy, bringing up their small daughter, until one summer's day, she discovers that Jonah is far from the man she thought he was. Sam - an attractive English teacher - seems to offer her some comfort, and new friendships are a support.

But is Sam really who he says he is? Where have her new friends appeared from? Is anyone telling the truth? As Jonah's lies threaten Sophie and her daughter, can anyone be trusted?

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2020

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com

Sophie lives in a small house with her partner Jonah and their one-year-old daughter Laura. One afternoon Jonah arrives home, grabs a suitcase, and starts packing his things. He tells Sophie that he is leaving her and that there is another woman.

Whilst he is packing his things into his car parked outside their home on a busy street, Sophie trips chasing after him, knocking Jonah into the road and smacking his head on his toolbox that he put on the floor whilst he put his case in the car. It also causes the cars coming past to swerve and a crash ensues and cyclist Sam is hurt.

Jonah is taken to the hospital unconscious and missing an ear. He has fractured his skull and is needing to go straight to surgery. The police come to question Sophie and take some details of Jonah’s. They soon discover that Jonah isn’t his real name and that he has been leading more than a double life with Sophie.

Sam the man injured on the bike is offered help by Sophie and returns a few days later to see how she is, but who really is Sam. Plus who is the woman that has told the police she witnessed the incident, where did she come from and who are the men coming to Sophie’s door looking for her partner?

One thing is for certain, Sophie has been lied to by her now ex-partner but is those rallying around her in her time of need lying to her too?

Other Women is a breath-taking novel that went in a completely different direction to where I thought it was heading. I don’t want to say anymore or I risk giving the plot away but let’s just say there are chapters titled ‘Disembowelment’, ‘Tales of the River Bank’, and ‘In the Air’ amongst many more. They are chapters that are not about Sophie and her situation but about something more sinister that ties in with the plot.

This is one of those books that once you begin to read you just have to keep on going as you need to know what is happening. I wanted to know about Jonah’s life but also about these new people in Sophie’s life. What did they want, why were they there, and would their lies come out of be forever hidden?

The book is quite intense and had me on the edge of my seat at times. I wanted to rush through it but also to savour it as I was enjoying it so much. I actually read it in one day as I just couldn’t put it down for long before I had to go back to it.

Jean Levy has created a powerful thriller that just when you thought you had got all the details threw something else into the mix. The whole book is just perfect. The pace was just right, the characters realistic enough for you to care about them, and the plotline frightening. It is hard to ever trust again when you have been lied to, but what if your whole world was one big lie, then what would you do and who would you turn to?

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

So you think life is fine and dandy until your partner of 5 years comes home and starts packing, abandoning you with a small child. What do you do? You want answers right?! Sophie definitely did when Jonah came home and packed his bags. Why? has to be the biggest one right?! Did he ever love her? But the more Sophie digs into the why, the more lies she finds…

What a twisted web of deceit Jonah wove. With each chapter came a revelation of how secretive and how much of a compulsive liar this man is. Did anyone truly know the real Jonah? This man made my skin crawl with his level of deceit. If I were Sophie, I’d want to be as far away from this snake as possible but life doesn’t always give us what we want … and despite his betrayal, Sophie is still linked to Jonah with their cute daughter.

With all those around Sophie keeping secrets from her, my heart went out to her. She’s a good and trusting person; people like that shouldn’t be taken advantage of but oh so often they are. As I read, soooooo many questions bounced around my intrigued brain … none of which I’d want to share for fear of spoiling any part of this addictive taught psychological thriller. Levy has devised such a twisted tale of betrayal and trust with a rather unexpected climax. This is an another author going on my watch list for sure!

[Kaya McConnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

so much potential in the beginning and then dragged in the end, didn’t like any of the characters, sophie is so useless

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope sorry, I’m at 75 % and just can’t anymore. The plot is simple but written in such a way that it becomes really confusing.

[Katia St Vincent · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5/5 Not an awful book, but it wasn’t for me. I found that too much information was given too early, and because of that, I found that the middle was dragging. I also found the book very predictable..

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that grabs you from the get go and doesn't let up until the end! And I loved every minute of this twisty, dark and snappy thriller! Alarm bells went off in my head about most of the characters at some point and just when I think I'd worked out where the story was going to take me... wrong!!

There are stories within the story here to keep you on your toes and the suspense never lets up. From the dead body uncovered in the woods after a storm, to a married couple having a domestic until an accident shatters an illusion of a life shared. And that's when the fun (!) starts!!

I loved the introduction of characters to the storyline of Sophie as she starts to uncover the truth about her marriage. As new people enter her life she wonders how more messed up the situation she finds herself in can get, and shows just how normal family life soon can become dark and dangerous!

The story races along at a great pace and it's full of twists, turns and deceptions - just showing that even those you think you know so well can have their secrets - and not all secrets are good ones!!

A fabulous read and I cannot wait to see what Jean Levy has in store for us next as she's fast becoming one of my favourite authors!

[Pgchuis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quite a good read, despite the plot being completely bonkers. Nothing any of the female characters did made any sense at all. Sophie, the heroine, has lived with Jonah for the past 5 years without working out that he also has another family, with whom he spends all those weeks he is away on business trips. She has also failed to spot that his real name is Robert Perrin, despite the fact that this is the name on his driving licence and other official documents. Once all this is revealed, she decides to allow him to stay in her home while recovering from an accident, because he is the father of their daughter. This is despite the fact that he has shown no desire to see their daughter and was leaving Sophie for a new mistress. Her house is empty, because mere days after first meeting him on the occasion of Robert's accident, she has shacked up with the mysterious Sam, and stops taking the pill.

I could go on, but I won't. For the first half I was carried along by the writing and the unfolding of the mystery, but by the second half I was having to accommodate so much nonsense that it all became a bit much.

[Sarah Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down, full of twists and turns I didn’t see coming.

[Sam Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg what a book!!!
I loved this read so much I didn’t want to put it down I was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it wishing the time away to get back to it.
I loved the storyline and all the twists along the way brilliant can’t wait to read more by Jean levy.
Brilliant :)

[Aimee Blyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little more of a complicated read and dragged on at times but still enjoyed the storyline! However the main character was an odd one, why you’d trust someone that quick I don’t know!

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Other Women is a fairly slow-burning novel, life actually changes quickly for the main character, Sophie. At the start of the book she is living with her partner of five years, Jonah and they are raising their infant daughter, Laura in what seems to be a fairly settled - albeit very much on his terms - relationship. When he makes a shock announcement, which is shortly followed by a terrible accident, things unravel very quickly for Sophie as she discovers that much of what she thought she knew was actually a lie.
Other Women is a story about secrets and lies and as I don't want to give anything away it's not that easy to review! Some of the revelations are more surprising than others, some are concealed from Sophie, in particular for longer than they are the reader, and there are a few I guessed - although Jean Levy's cleverly laid trail of crumbs led me there - and I was totally blindsided by something that comes to light only towards the end of the novel.
The speed at which Sophie's life changes isn't just limited to the disclosures regarding Jonah's lies and the relationship that develops between her and Sam is perhaps surprisingly hasty considering everything she is going through. That said, it seems as though she is the sort of person to fall hard and fast for somebody so while it may not necessarily appear to be the most rational course of action, it does fit with her character, and she deserves somebody like Sam who is an immensely likeable, supportive man.
There is a police investigation taking place throughout Other Women but it would do this engrossing novel a disservice to describe it as just crime fiction. It is also a book about relationships, love, lies and secrets. One of the highlights for me is that the women featured are flawed - they make mistakes, act irrationally and in the case of Sophie's best friend, Katie say things that are sometimes wildly inappropriate but they are never merely cast as victims and have an inner strength which results in some surprising alliances. For much of the book, Jonah is talked about rather than actually appearing on the page; right from the start, Jean Levy makes it clear that he is manipulative and controlling and it's to her credit that his apparent appeal is totally believable.
There are a few tense and dramatic scenes in Other Women but interspersed between the longer chapters following the main narrative, there are snippets of conversations between members of a sinister organisation and it was these moments which I found especially chilling. Sam isn't all he seems to be either although he is undoubtedly genuine and I suspect that this isn't the last we see of him, I certainly hope that's the case because there is definitely still yet more to be revealed regarding the disturbing practices that are occurring behind the scenes here.
Jean Levy's strong and engaging authorial voice is felt throughout Other Women and I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written book; the riveting plot twists and turns, the dialogue often sparkles with humour amidst the drama and the characters are compelling and authentic. Very highly recommended.

[Sophie Houston]

I'm dumbfounded. How on earth did this hot mess ever get published? Eastern European women being forced into surrogacy, and in one case dying from a botched Caesarean, do NOT belong in a book alongside flippant 'meet-cute-love-at-first-sight' chick-lit characters (one of whom deliberately gets pregnant by the undercover cop within about five minutes of meeting him); said UC cop who lies his way into a relationship (I hope none of the real-life victims of such despicable behaviour ever read this book), quotes poetry and seems, along with his twin brother, to be inexplicably rich; a cookie-cutter set of Bad Men (two of whom drop their aitches so we know they're working-class - *so* original!), and a 'plot' that seems to have been thought up in a particularly wild fever dream.

The really annoying thing? The first page is actually rather well-written, so like a fool I bought another book by the author, which I shall probably burn as soon as it arrives. (Oh, and she can neither spell nor punctuate, just to add even more joy.)

Appalling waste of paper.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many relationships have secrets, and the relationships in this novel have more than most with multiple identities and big conspiracies. Sophie is a young woman with a lot - a partner, a baby and a secure home. All of this is threatened on one traumatic morning as an accident leads to a set of repercussions surrounding Jonah, about whom nothing can be assumed. This is a confident and powerful story of hidden motives and deception which is compelling reading. It succeeds mainly because it is Sophie’s story, as she is plunged into terrible situations where she rightly does not know who to trust. As Sam, a trustworthy English lecturer and potential partner becomes involved along with his equally attractive brother, was he really just in the right place at the right time? What is the connection with a highly lucrative scheme and a dead body in a wood? Can Sophie protect herself and her child in the face of a practiced deceiver with a complex secret life? I found this a stunning read which kept me awake for all the right reasons as I became so involved in the story of Sophie and the twists and turns of her life. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this well written book.

Sophie and Jonah have been together for five years as the novel begins on a normal day in mid August. While he can be difficult to live with, detesting any sort of scent or smell and working away from home for extended periods, Sophie is stunned when he quietly states that he is leaving her and moving out of the house. As she tries to reason with him, to discover what has prompted this move, she falls and pushes him against a toolbox into the road. His ear is severed, but worse is a head injury which means that he is rushed into surgery and intensive care. A passing stranger, Sam, appears with a damaged bike and the offer of help. Suzie is a young woman who also offers assistance as Sophie tries to cope with a departing partner who has sustained severe injuries and a small child. When further revelations destabilise Sophie’s entire life, Sam is a constant source of support and more, but can he be trusted?

This is a mature and exciting thriller which has lots of elements that maintain the tension building to an exciting climax. There is mystery over a criminal scheme which explains the involvement of several characters. I enjoyed the dialogue throughout this book, especially between Sam and Sophie which often suggests an endearing sense of humour. The surprises, twists and turns in this novel are genuinely disconcerting, as Levy carefully maintains the tensions and revelations throughout, and the reader makes discoveries alongside Sophie. This is a carefully constructed thriller based on a very human story and the narrative is controlled and feels realistic. I greatly enjoyed this book, finding it lively and exciting. The characters are strongly and consistently drawn, with a great sense of life and depth. I strongly recommend this book to those who enjoy a crime and mystery novel, and also those who want a human interest story.

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance this seemed like a book that was right up my street. A psychological/domestic thriller with lots of secrets and mysterious people turning up in Sophie's life. I wasn't wrong - I loved it!

At the beginning of the book Sophie is happy with her life. She lives with Jonah in a house that was once her mother's. They have a baby, Laura, and all is good. However, all that is rapidly smashed to pieces as Sophie discovers that Jonah isn't quite all he says he is. Jonah's dodgy dealings bring Sam and Suzie to her door, people whom she trusts and likes, but are they all they seem? Can they really be trusted? Sophie is about to go on quite a steep journey of discovery!

One thing that struck me immediately about Jean Levy's writing was her attention to detail, the fact that she gives a lot of information about each character and what they are doing, and that was something that I particularly enjoyed. I felt able to immerse myself into Sophie's life and follow her negotiations of the rollercoaster twists and turns her life takes as it goes from completely ordinary to bewilderingly complex.

I also really enjoyed the domestic nature of it. Whilst there are brief snippets that give clues as to what criminal activities Jonah was actually up to, this is essentially a story of how a woman gets her life back after being betrayed. I loved Sophie. At times I wanted to shake her for caring about things so much, and for being a bit reckless when she shouldn't have been, but I thought she was actually very brave, a bit feisty and a genuinely nice person.

And then, amongst all the domestic drama, police investigations and dodgy dealings, we are treated to little bursts of humour that made me smile. Levy employs a dry wit at times that I really enjoyed.

I thought this was a brilliant read. It really thrust me into the heart of the action, I enjoyed the characterisations (particularly Sam who is just divine!) and the unfolding mystery, and it's just a really cracking story. I definitely want to go back and read Levy's first novel now.

[Tracy Shephard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie thinks everything is going along perfectly in her life with Jonah and young daughter Laura, but when he tells her he is leaving her, she finds things are not as simple as him just leaving.

Other Women is a good read. I loved how the story drip fed the secrets that Jonah kept from Sophie and all the drama that came with them.

There is a story within a story within the pages of this book, each one ties in beautifully, and while it seems, a little far fetched, the plot also has a certain kind of realness to it.

Jean Levy is a fabulous storyteller. I was hooked rather quickly and read this book in one sitting.  My opinion of Sophie kept changing, one minute I thought she was a door mat who was hanging on to her sanity for dear life and the next I wondered how she kept it together for herself and her daughter.

Each character offered something to the tale, and I loved how the book started and finished. It really is a book worth reading.

[Chloe Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this book. The perfect mystery/thriller. Had me hooked from the very beginning, wanting to know how things linked to each other and what on earth was going on. I had so many theories! I instantly liked Sophie and I have no idea how she stayed so calm given the situation! The only thing I struggled with slightly is that given everything she had been through and all the being lied to etc, her and Sam happened literally overnight!! It just seemed very, very quick. I get that there wouldn’t have been a story without it but to me it felt slightly unrealistic that she would fall for someone else so soon after having the world swept from underneath her. I did love how it kept me guessing all the way through, and how it had the other chapters weaved in which kept revealing more and more about the ‘operation’ that was taking place. Overall, a really good, intriguing thriller.

[Michelle. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tuve que obligarme a seguir leyendo durante las primeras 100 páginas, me decía a mí misma "seguro en algún momento se pone bueno" y sí, mi intuición no falló esta vez. Aunque si bien unas cosas son predecibles por todos los datos que te dan al principio, hay otras que sí que no se ven venir.
Un libro que nos deja ver cómo se ve una relación llena de manipulaciones, de cómo un hombre puede ser tan ruin y cómo la mujer puede llegar a ser tan ingenua (y no solamente ella), de cómo puede llegar a ser el mundo en el que vivimos.
Aunque el final me deja a desear un poquito más, supongo que lo podemos tomar como "abierto" en caso de que la autora quiera hacer una secuela.


☆: 8|10

[Michelle Tran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is definitely worth a read. I do think that the author does a good job at keeping the story suspenseful and there's some small comedic bits sprinkled throughout. My main criticism is that the story has elements that are definitely not realistic at all, I was able to sort of wave off the less realistic bits off but if you are very detail oriented this will not be the book for you.

[Debi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just don't know. What was I reading?? Baby trafficking?? Not sure. Nothing really answered. What was Sam really up to? From last sentence, I don't know. They commit to no more lies, then lie. Throw in a Mom with dementia for a paragraph read?? What was Jonah really up to - don't know? Who was Zane? and Rosemary - don't really know?? As a first read for 2024, it best get better from here on!!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains spoilers!!!






Very gripping, some good twists and turns, however knowing who Sam was from the start took some of the intrigue away for me, I'd rather as the reader have found out when Sophie did. Also ridiculous that they moved in together and professed their love about 3 days after the accident and that Sophie immediately came off the pill without telling Sam ! All in all a good easy read thriller

[Gaby (GNTxREADs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book opens with a dramatic scene which left me wondering if I had even picked up the right book! This stand out opening draws the reader in with curiosity to find out how these two events can possibly be linked. Right from the start I was completely invested in Sophie as a main character, and immediately I wanted to know everything about her, Jonah, and their daughter Laura.

But as truths are revealed, and there's evidence to suggest that Jonah was not quite who we first thought, I found myself feeling wary of everyone. The reality of family life is torn apart leaving us asking "who can be trusted now?". As Sophie navigates her way through these lies, she forms new relationships and finds she is not alone. 

In some parts of the story I was left wanting more, but I was largely hooked for most of the book. I think the chapters which take your breath away are impactful, but also left me craving more heart pulsing moments. However, as I read on, I realised there was so much more to be experienced between the lines.

Deception lies at the heart of this novel which makes it for a head turning read throughout. The connections between different women and their experiences feels somewhat vulnerable, yet also empowering simultaneously. Jean Levy does a fantastic job at developing characters whom demand your attention, yet leave you feeling suspicious and guarded throughout.

There is so much more from this book than the synopsis initially suggests, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! I gave it a four star review on Goodreads, and will be dashing to go pick up a copy of Jean Levy's previous title What Was Lost soon!

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow start, but I'm glad I persisted. As the story unfolds, there are some interesting twists.
However, I am confused by the random interludes between chapters. Some are written almost as if they should be a screen play direction rather than additional Info. I also found the ending disappointing it seems to be rather abrupt and anti climactic.

[Helen Waring · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Jean Levy’s second book and she again shows herself to be an expert in weaving a plot that takes unexpressed twists and turns. I did not enjoy it as much as her first novel but it was still a thoroughly engaging read. Characters are drawn out slowly and you are forced to reconsider your first impressions or judgements.

[Cache Me If You Can · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but I wasn't completely hooked and eager to keep reading. Almost felt like two separate books or stories that were mashed together so the characters kept doing ridiculous things to make it work or weren't doing things which they obviously would/should have done. A few too many things felt kind of unresolved or rushed or like they didn't need to be there in the first place.

[Emily Voce · Rating 1 out of 5]

Storyline was so cliche, too cringey

[Grace Bondaroff · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF it at 47 pages as the plot and twists were too obvious

[Annette Brampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

A really hard one to finish.. no suspense and very very dull plot.

[JoAnne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get into it

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow