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The Bride
The moment Joanna told me she was engaged, I had this awful feeling that something was wrong.
We used to speak on the phone every day. Growing up I spent more time at her house than I did at my own. I’d always imagined what it would be like to see her get married, and now I didn’t even know her fiancé’s name.
She asked me to come and meet Mark and I intended to tell her to slow down. You can’t know someone for a month and be sure that you want to spend the rest of your lives together.
When I got to Joanna’s front door, only Mark was there. He was charming and gorgeous and nothing but nice to me, and I started to understand.
And then he told me that Joanna was missing.
We used to speak on the phone every day. Growing up I spent more time at her house than I did at my own. I’d always imagined what it would be like to see her get married, and now I didn’t even know her fiancé’s name.
She asked me to come and meet Mark and I intended to tell her to slow down. You can’t know someone for a month and be sure that you want to spend the rest of your lives together.
When I got to Joanna’s front door, only Mark was there. He was charming and gorgeous and nothing but nice to me, and I started to understand.
And then he told me that Joanna was missing.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2020
1006 people are currently reading
1440 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Clarke
24 books225 followersWendy Clarke has had over three hundred short stories published in national women’s magazines. With a degree in psychology, and intrigued with how the human mind can affect behaviour, it was inevitable she would eventually want to explore her darker side. What She Saw is her debut psychological thriller, published by Bookouture. Wendy lives with her husband, cat and step-dog in Sussex and when not writing is usually dancing, singing or watching any programme that involves food!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
May 18, 2020
Well, that was a whirlwind of a novel. I had no idea what was going on until the final reveal. Yes, I knew something was off, but I had no idea what exactly.
Alice has just broken up with her fiancé, and grieving her lost relationship, she agrees to go and visit her best friend Joanna. However Joanna isn't there when she arrives, and she's left with Mark, Joanna's fiancé, whom she has never met before. After dodging Alice's questions for a while Mark finally reveals that Joanna is missing. So begins Alice's search for her friend, with Mark for some reason reluctant to go to the police. As the answers slowly reveal themselves I for one can honestly say I didn't see them coming.
Twisty and turny, The Bride is a psychological thriller that will keep you glued to the pages.. It only has a handful of characters, and you'll find yourself second guessing yourself, and changing your mind about them, throughout. The setting, a luxury apartment building on the Thames, with only a few residents, and the rest of the building empty, adds well to the atmosphere. You know something isn't right, but can't quite pick what it is. This is my frst book by the author, but I'll be sure to look out her other works on the basis of this book.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Alice has just broken up with her fiancé, and grieving her lost relationship, she agrees to go and visit her best friend Joanna. However Joanna isn't there when she arrives, and she's left with Mark, Joanna's fiancé, whom she has never met before. After dodging Alice's questions for a while Mark finally reveals that Joanna is missing. So begins Alice's search for her friend, with Mark for some reason reluctant to go to the police. As the answers slowly reveal themselves I for one can honestly say I didn't see them coming.
Twisty and turny, The Bride is a psychological thriller that will keep you glued to the pages.. It only has a handful of characters, and you'll find yourself second guessing yourself, and changing your mind about them, throughout. The setting, a luxury apartment building on the Thames, with only a few residents, and the rest of the building empty, adds well to the atmosphere. You know something isn't right, but can't quite pick what it is. This is my frst book by the author, but I'll be sure to look out her other works on the basis of this book.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2020
Chilling and twisted. Wendy Clarke has written an atmospheric and entertaining thriller. Alice has been made redundant from her job and now her live in boyfriend has informed her he has got another woman pregnant. When her old BFF Joanna reaches out after 10 years to tell her that she is engaged it couldn’t come at a better time. Alice is excited that they could possibly finally repair the friendship and she is in need of a change of scenery. When Alice arrives at Joanna‘s upscale apartment there is no Joanna just her fiancé Mark. Mark is charming and welcoming and informs Alice that Joanna is away attending a course, but why would Joanna invite Alice to visit when she wouldn’t be there? A spooky apartment building, a creepy Watchmen, a missing Bestie, a concerned fiancé, an angry stepson, Secrets, lies, twists, and turns.
This story had a definite creepy claustrophobic vibe to it. The setting of this upscale modern apartment building in the middle of this run down dark area with cranes and crumbling buildings was so vividly brought to the pages. I think this definitely brought a little extra something something to the story. The book does start out a bit slow, but it completely worked for me because it was such an atmospheric tale. Alice’s claustrophobic panic attacks were palpable. The second half of the story definitely ramped up in intensity and I was very surprised by the ending. And that epilogue?Wow!
This book in emojis 🚧 🏗 🏭 📹 🗝 🚪 💰 🚨
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
This story had a definite creepy claustrophobic vibe to it. The setting of this upscale modern apartment building in the middle of this run down dark area with cranes and crumbling buildings was so vividly brought to the pages. I think this definitely brought a little extra something something to the story. The book does start out a bit slow, but it completely worked for me because it was such an atmospheric tale. Alice’s claustrophobic panic attacks were palpable. The second half of the story definitely ramped up in intensity and I was very surprised by the ending. And that epilogue?Wow!
This book in emojis 🚧 🏗 🏭 📹 🗝 🚪 💰 🚨
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
April 25, 2020
This is an ARC Review - release date is 20 May 2020
I love a good psychological thriller as much as the next girl and I get really excited when I find one that keeps me on my toes. Unfortunately, this book didn’t do that for me. I felt like the author was trying to hard and that the twists and turns the book took felt a bit too forced. The main character Alice was also hard to like. I found her to be a bit too whiny and the ending wasn’t very satisfying. The book did have some potential at the beginning but the spark just faded out for me.
I love a good psychological thriller as much as the next girl and I get really excited when I find one that keeps me on my toes. Unfortunately, this book didn’t do that for me. I felt like the author was trying to hard and that the twists and turns the book took felt a bit too forced. The main character Alice was also hard to like. I found her to be a bit too whiny and the ending wasn’t very satisfying. The book did have some potential at the beginning but the spark just faded out for me.
April 24, 2020
This was like a book in two parts. The first half was very slow, nothing much happened. We Follow Alice as she whines and snivels her way home, through a fight with her fiancé and then on to visit her former best friend, Joanna who, out of the blue, wants Alice to visit her in London and meet her fiancé, Mike. But when she arrives, Jo isn’t there. Mike lets her into the very upmarket but spartan apartment and tells her that Joanna is on a course. He invites Alice to stay until Jo returns.
But time stretches on and Jo does not return. Of course things are not as they seem. The second half of the book has a bit more happening and enough twists to make your head spin. Who is lying? Who is fooling who? But in the end, as realism fell right off a cliff I thought it was all a bit too much. A quick, light read. Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my review copy.
But time stretches on and Jo does not return. Of course things are not as they seem. The second half of the book has a bit more happening and enough twists to make your head spin. Who is lying? Who is fooling who? But in the end, as realism fell right off a cliff I thought it was all a bit too much. A quick, light read. Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my review copy.
May 19, 2020
I know I always say sometimes we as readers have to allow a pinch of salt when reading a story but with this one I needed a bucket full, I just couldnt get past the premise that Alice receives a txt out of the blue from her ex BFF Joanna to go and meet her hubby to be that weekend and stay with them, off Alice goes and when she arrives Mark, the hubby to be, is unaware of her visit and Joanna is ‘away on a course’ and also is not replying to any of Alice’s texts or messages ( after the initial come and stay text ) so what would any of us do?, of course we would leave asap and tell someone, but no, Alice ‘decides’ to stay, with this stranger in his apartment with no further contact from Joanna,it just wouldn’t happen
And then Alice’s mobile goes flat and guess what?, her charger doesnt work and ao she cant contact anyone even if she wanted to, Mark then goes ‘away’ for a few days but leaves ‘no contact number’ for himself ( on the off chance Alice leaves the apartment and can buy a new chatger ) BUT Alice stays there, on her own in this mans apartment, ridiculous
The plot gets better when we find out the history of Joanna and Alice and where Mark fits into it all but by that time I was just keen for it to end
However got to say the descriptions of Alice’s claustrophobia and panic on a plane and in a locked garage are spot on and wonderfully written and also the descriptions of the old docks where Mark has his apartment are vivid and atmospheric and chilling
All in all not for me tbh but look forward to the authors next book
2 Stars
4/10
And then Alice’s mobile goes flat and guess what?, her charger doesnt work and ao she cant contact anyone even if she wanted to, Mark then goes ‘away’ for a few days but leaves ‘no contact number’ for himself ( on the off chance Alice leaves the apartment and can buy a new chatger ) BUT Alice stays there, on her own in this mans apartment, ridiculous
The plot gets better when we find out the history of Joanna and Alice and where Mark fits into it all but by that time I was just keen for it to end
However got to say the descriptions of Alice’s claustrophobia and panic on a plane and in a locked garage are spot on and wonderfully written and also the descriptions of the old docks where Mark has his apartment are vivid and atmospheric and chilling
All in all not for me tbh but look forward to the authors next book
2 Stars
4/10
April 25, 2020
4.8 stars rounding it to 5.0 stars
OMG what did I just read! I never even thought it to be like this. This book keeps me pulled in. The first chapter is curious enough to keep you reading. The twist always go higher and higher until it blast! Definitely unexpected.
Alice's life is a mess. From her horrible experience with meeting her father, to her plane experience, up to her and Drew's break up. Everything is a mess and she only need a comfort from one person, Joanna. Luckily, she was invited to go to her place to meet her fiancee. However she is not there. Not to mention the place is out of nowhere.
I love that this book only has Alice and Joanna's point of view. I love it when point of views only focuses on few people to only pull the attention to them. I also love the fact that there are only few characters here. Not complicated to remember.
The twist is definitely commendable, and noteworthy! I never even thought! Though there are things which I made a correct guess but I still didn't expect the happenings. It's a shock! A bomb!
Why not 5.00 stars? It's because of the ending! I wanna cry about the ending. It's a genius idea to make the ending like that but why????? OMG. I really can't get over with the ending. It's such a slap I don't even know how to react. This book is great and yet so sad. Really sad.....
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for approving me of this read.
Full review on my website https://inkly.in SOOON....
OMG what did I just read! I never even thought it to be like this. This book keeps me pulled in. The first chapter is curious enough to keep you reading. The twist always go higher and higher until it blast! Definitely unexpected.
Alice's life is a mess. From her horrible experience with meeting her father, to her plane experience, up to her and Drew's break up. Everything is a mess and she only need a comfort from one person, Joanna. Luckily, she was invited to go to her place to meet her fiancee. However she is not there. Not to mention the place is out of nowhere.
I love that this book only has Alice and Joanna's point of view. I love it when point of views only focuses on few people to only pull the attention to them. I also love the fact that there are only few characters here. Not complicated to remember.
The twist is definitely commendable, and noteworthy! I never even thought! Though there are things which I made a correct guess but I still didn't expect the happenings. It's a shock! A bomb!
Why not 5.00 stars? It's because of the ending! I wanna cry about the ending. It's a genius idea to make the ending like that but why????? OMG. I really can't get over with the ending. It's such a slap I don't even know how to react. This book is great and yet so sad. Really sad.....
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for approving me of this read.
Full review on my website https://inkly.in SOOON....
May 18, 2020
‘The Bride’ is a suspense novel with a decent story.
Alice is just coming out of a relationship she had invested a lot in. Joanna was her best friend in college and though they have not met since many years, she still feels a strong connection. As she gets back in touch with Joanna, she learns that she is now engaged, and Joanna invites her to visit her and meet her fiancé.
Alice goes visiting on a Saturday and finds strangely that only her fiancé Mark is there. Mark tells her that Joanna is out for a course but says it is strange Alice should turn up during this weekend. Alice reluctantly decides to stay over for a night as she is very tired with the travel. Mark later reveals that Joanna has been missing since over 3 days.
As the story moves on, the narration (deliberately) leaves you with a sense of something being amiss with one or more of the characters – Mark, Joanna, the few neighbours, Mark’s stepson, and the caretaker. The story keeps the suspense till the end.
I liked the fact that this is a good story which is simple & clean with a minimal set of characters. The suspense holds till the end, but the problem is that the story moves slowly in parts and too much is left to the end. There are some twists, and good ones at the end. This was a story with a lot of potential but falls short. It is still well worth a read.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for a free electronic copy to provide a review.
My rating: 3.25 / 5.
Alice is just coming out of a relationship she had invested a lot in. Joanna was her best friend in college and though they have not met since many years, she still feels a strong connection. As she gets back in touch with Joanna, she learns that she is now engaged, and Joanna invites her to visit her and meet her fiancé.
Alice goes visiting on a Saturday and finds strangely that only her fiancé Mark is there. Mark tells her that Joanna is out for a course but says it is strange Alice should turn up during this weekend. Alice reluctantly decides to stay over for a night as she is very tired with the travel. Mark later reveals that Joanna has been missing since over 3 days.
As the story moves on, the narration (deliberately) leaves you with a sense of something being amiss with one or more of the characters – Mark, Joanna, the few neighbours, Mark’s stepson, and the caretaker. The story keeps the suspense till the end.
I liked the fact that this is a good story which is simple & clean with a minimal set of characters. The suspense holds till the end, but the problem is that the story moves slowly in parts and too much is left to the end. There are some twists, and good ones at the end. This was a story with a lot of potential but falls short. It is still well worth a read.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for a free electronic copy to provide a review.
My rating: 3.25 / 5.
June 12, 2022
Another solid standalone psychological thriller by author Wendy Clarke.
Joanna tells Alice her that she is engaged but instead of feeling happy for her, Alice has a sickening sense that this was not good news. They used to be such special friends speaking daily and spending every possible moment hanging out together. But something changed and now Alice doesn’t even know the name of Joanna’s fiancé.
Joanna asks Alice to come and meet Mark, the new man in her life and Alice immediately plans to try and convince her to take more time before she gets into a serious relationship. After all surely a month is too quick, but when Alice meets Mark she suddenly understands the attraction. Mark is charming, handsome and a perfect husband to be. But her world is shattered when Mark tells her Joanna is missing.
This was a good read with a plot that steadily built up to a thrilling finale.
This is a very good read and I would rate it 3 to 4 stars.
Joanna tells Alice her that she is engaged but instead of feeling happy for her, Alice has a sickening sense that this was not good news. They used to be such special friends speaking daily and spending every possible moment hanging out together. But something changed and now Alice doesn’t even know the name of Joanna’s fiancé.
Joanna asks Alice to come and meet Mark, the new man in her life and Alice immediately plans to try and convince her to take more time before she gets into a serious relationship. After all surely a month is too quick, but when Alice meets Mark she suddenly understands the attraction. Mark is charming, handsome and a perfect husband to be. But her world is shattered when Mark tells her Joanna is missing.
This was a good read with a plot that steadily built up to a thrilling finale.
This is a very good read and I would rate it 3 to 4 stars.
May 17, 2020
Best friends Alice and Joanna had lost touch but they've got back in contact a Joanna is about to get married. Lice has lost her job, nearly got knocked over y a car and her fiance is leaving her. So when Joanna tells her she's getting married and asks A,ice tomcome and meet her future husband, Alice jumps at the chance. Ut when A.ice gets there, Joanna is missing. Joanna's fiance, Mark persuades Alice to stay until Joanna's return. But then Mark tells Alice that Joanna has been missing for a fee days.
The second part of this book is much better than the first part. I found myself second guessing everything about the characters. The story is well written with just enough twists. I couldn't believe Alice would stay with a man she did ot know, even if it was her friends fiance. At the end, I did feel there were still loose ends that hadn't een tied up. Questions needed answered. Indid enjoynthe story.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Wendy Clarke for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The second part of this book is much better than the first part. I found myself second guessing everything about the characters. The story is well written with just enough twists. I couldn't believe Alice would stay with a man she did ot know, even if it was her friends fiance. At the end, I did feel there were still loose ends that hadn't een tied up. Questions needed answered. Indid enjoynthe story.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Wendy Clarke for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2020
Alice Solomon’s life was only getting comfortable when her life started falling out again. All that Drew, her fiancé wants is a baby but thats the very thing that haunts her from her past and disrupts her present and makes her future uncertain! A message from her best friend, Joanna to stay with her for the weekend was all she needed. Without another thought she accepted it. An invitation from a friend who hasn’t contacted in ten years. She reaches New Tobacco Wharf to find answers but all that awaits her there are more mysteries and heartbreaks! Joanna’s fiancé Mark, was indeed a nice man but where is joanna? She wasn’t there to welcome her neither did she come home the next day. Why did she send her message then? What might have happened to Joanna?
Its been a while since i read a thriller and this one was fantastic. I wasn’t expecting it at all! The way the story moved forward it was filled with questions and mysteries. The starting was a bit slow but once i was into the story i was unable to stop reading. The place all deserted and the enormity of the apartment with no other residents other than Mark and Eloise. Even reading it gave me the claustrophobic effect. The ending still makes me feel the grip! Joanna and Alice’s past friendship was something i adored in the beginning and as the story moved forward it was getting darker and darker and I wasn’t expecting it when the things started making sense! It is a fantastic book and an interesting story. Loved it! You definitely should give it a try!
Its been a while since i read a thriller and this one was fantastic. I wasn’t expecting it at all! The way the story moved forward it was filled with questions and mysteries. The starting was a bit slow but once i was into the story i was unable to stop reading. The place all deserted and the enormity of the apartment with no other residents other than Mark and Eloise. Even reading it gave me the claustrophobic effect. The ending still makes me feel the grip! Joanna and Alice’s past friendship was something i adored in the beginning and as the story moved forward it was getting darker and darker and I wasn’t expecting it when the things started making sense! It is a fantastic book and an interesting story. Loved it! You definitely should give it a try!
May 14, 2020
This is a great read that had me hooked from the first few pages.
I started to think I knew what was happening but got it completely wrong! So well done Wendy Clarke for writing such a great story.
Alice goes to visit her friend Joanna who she’s not seen for many years but when she gets there she’s told Joanna is not there.
Initially her fiancé says she’s away on a course but the next day he admits she’s been missing for a few days.
Alice stays to give Mark some moral support while the Police come but soon events take a more sinister turn.
I won’t say anymore as I don’t want to spoil it but tryst me, you need to read this book if you like great psychological thrillers.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
I started to think I knew what was happening but got it completely wrong! So well done Wendy Clarke for writing such a great story.
Alice goes to visit her friend Joanna who she’s not seen for many years but when she gets there she’s told Joanna is not there.
Initially her fiancé says she’s away on a course but the next day he admits she’s been missing for a few days.
Alice stays to give Mark some moral support while the Police come but soon events take a more sinister turn.
I won’t say anymore as I don’t want to spoil it but tryst me, you need to read this book if you like great psychological thrillers.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
May 23, 2020
The Bride by Wendy Clarke had me hooked right from the start! That opening prologue really sets the scene and keeps you guessing as to what happened and who it happened to. I just could not put this story down especially when the twists started coming and then even the twists had twists. I was mindblown at the turn of events and wondered how the story would end.
Alice Solomon is at a low point in her life. Her job has been made redundant and her fiance is walking out on her. Not knowing what to do, Alice jumps at the chance to visit her long time girlfriend, Joanna. Joanna is recently engaged and wants Alice’s approval before they get married. But, when Alice arrives, Joanna is missing according to her fiance, Mark. Where is Joanna? Did something sinister happen to her and is Mark somehow involved in her disappearance?
I wavered back and forth with my thoughts on Alice. Did I like her? Did I not? Was she really a reliable character? These are just some of the questions going through my head during the course of the story. Although, I can sympathize with what she is going through in her own relationship. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean I had to like her. I think she had her good points, but also a lot of bad ones as well. I definitely could relate to her claustrophobia though. The thought of dark closed in spaces really freak me out.
Wendy Clarke really did a fantastic job of keeping you guessing throughout the story and I definitely could not make heads or tails with all of the twists coming out of nowhere. Clarke just hit you with them without warning and quite a few times I was like “Holy Hell, I did not see that coming!” This is definitely a mindf*ck type of story line.
Wendy Clarke has put the “psychological” in thriller with her latest release, The Bride. Be stunned and awed by the many twists and turns this story takes. A definite recommended read for me.
Alice Solomon is at a low point in her life. Her job has been made redundant and her fiance is walking out on her. Not knowing what to do, Alice jumps at the chance to visit her long time girlfriend, Joanna. Joanna is recently engaged and wants Alice’s approval before they get married. But, when Alice arrives, Joanna is missing according to her fiance, Mark. Where is Joanna? Did something sinister happen to her and is Mark somehow involved in her disappearance?
I wavered back and forth with my thoughts on Alice. Did I like her? Did I not? Was she really a reliable character? These are just some of the questions going through my head during the course of the story. Although, I can sympathize with what she is going through in her own relationship. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean I had to like her. I think she had her good points, but also a lot of bad ones as well. I definitely could relate to her claustrophobia though. The thought of dark closed in spaces really freak me out.
Wendy Clarke really did a fantastic job of keeping you guessing throughout the story and I definitely could not make heads or tails with all of the twists coming out of nowhere. Clarke just hit you with them without warning and quite a few times I was like “Holy Hell, I did not see that coming!” This is definitely a mindf*ck type of story line.
Wendy Clarke has put the “psychological” in thriller with her latest release, The Bride. Be stunned and awed by the many twists and turns this story takes. A definite recommended read for me.
May 8, 2020
Alice and Joanna had been best friends but why did they stop 10 years ago? Alice's fiance dumps her and she gets a txt from Joanna to come see her and meet her fiance. So Alice decides she needs a change of scenery and goes to visit Joanna. But Joanna isn't home and her fiance, Marc, didn't know Alice was coming. In fact Marc had never heard of Alice. Joanna starts getting uncomfortable in Joanna and Marc's home and feels she should leave. Marc begs her to stay and says Joanna is missing. They wait a few days and then contact the police. But their inquiries open up more questions. This kept me on the edge of my seat and even though I had an idea of what was going on, I didn't know why.
I received this from Bookouture and NetGalley for review.
I received this from Bookouture and NetGalley for review.
May 12, 2020
Man. I have thought more about this review than any positive review ever.
If it weren’t for receiving an ARC on Netgalley I wouldn’t be reviewing the book, I’d just leave it with no rating and no review.
Let’s get into it.
The strength of the book is its subject matter (it has nothing to do with being a wife) - a long term friendship with unhealthy power dynamics.
For an AMAZING thriller about that, I recommend Give Me Your Hand by Megan Abbot
The writing is painfully simple - the narrator tells us her feelings more than showing. And the “showing” doesn’t make logical sense (basic stuff, that I had to reread to be sure - characters do things they’re not close to or the amount of time that passed doesn’t make sense).
The characterization is...odd. It’s not that the main character is unlikeable, it’s that she doesn’t have any personality except obsessing over others or being compliant with what people want.
A lot of the sense of foreboding is created through a character’s continued bad decisions - she is both afraid and continually puts herself at risk (for no logical reason).
One of the big twists of the book is badly executed. Instead of misdirection or a lying character, the book itself lies. It gives you a look into someone’s thoughts (1st person inner monologue) and in the next chapter- “nope, that actually wasn’t true. They’re thinking this.” To be sure, I went back and checked - every big reveal is this same switch “my thoughts were clear that X, but ACTUALLY Y!”
That’s not a twist, that’s just bad suspense.
If it weren’t for receiving an ARC on Netgalley I wouldn’t be reviewing the book, I’d just leave it with no rating and no review.
Let’s get into it.
The strength of the book is its subject matter (it has nothing to do with being a wife) - a long term friendship with unhealthy power dynamics.
For an AMAZING thriller about that, I recommend Give Me Your Hand by Megan Abbot
The writing is painfully simple - the narrator tells us her feelings more than showing. And the “showing” doesn’t make logical sense (basic stuff, that I had to reread to be sure - characters do things they’re not close to or the amount of time that passed doesn’t make sense).
The characterization is...odd. It’s not that the main character is unlikeable, it’s that she doesn’t have any personality except obsessing over others or being compliant with what people want.
A lot of the sense of foreboding is created through a character’s continued bad decisions - she is both afraid and continually puts herself at risk (for no logical reason).
One of the big twists of the book is badly executed. Instead of misdirection or a lying character, the book itself lies. It gives you a look into someone’s thoughts (1st person inner monologue) and in the next chapter- “nope, that actually wasn’t true. They’re thinking this.” To be sure, I went back and checked - every big reveal is this same switch “my thoughts were clear that X, but ACTUALLY Y!”
That’s not a twist, that’s just bad suspense.
May 6, 2020
(2.5 Stars)
Wendy Clarke’s The Bride, is a mysterious read. Life in shambles, Alice jumps at the opportunity to meet her friend Joanna’s new fiancé. However, when she arrives, she discovers Joanna has gone missing and her fiancé is keeping secrets.
In an attempt to unravel the mystery behind Joanna’s disappearance, she finds herself isolated in an eerie building, surrounded by shady characters, and rattled by unsettling developments.
An unlikely storyline, characters we were unable to relate to, and a baffling ending. The Bride left us confused with unanswered questions, and no resolution.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wendy Clarke’s The Bride, is a mysterious read. Life in shambles, Alice jumps at the opportunity to meet her friend Joanna’s new fiancé. However, when she arrives, she discovers Joanna has gone missing and her fiancé is keeping secrets.
In an attempt to unravel the mystery behind Joanna’s disappearance, she finds herself isolated in an eerie building, surrounded by shady characters, and rattled by unsettling developments.
An unlikely storyline, characters we were unable to relate to, and a baffling ending. The Bride left us confused with unanswered questions, and no resolution.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2020
*My thanks to NetGalley for gifting me with this ARC in exchange for a fair review.*
⭐⭐ Stars
The Bride is a twisty adult thriller about a woman named Alice who, when her life is turned to shambles, jumps at the chance to escape it by way of an invitation to visit from her best friend Joanna. She claims she is getting married and that Alice must meet him beforehand. When Alice arrives she finds that Joanna is missing, and feels compelled to stay and comfort Mark, Joanna's fiance. But nothing about the situation is quite what it seems and Alice finds herself wondering who she can trust and if she's in danger herself.
To the good: It is certainly a page-turner in its own right. I finished in just about six hours between two days simply because I wanted to know if my assumptions about the plot were correct and to see if and how Alice was going to grow from the meek creature we see at the beginning.
Unfortunately, this was just not for me. Alice was a hard character to follow, as she did not have a sense of agency and everything in the book happened TO her. She made no real decisions that mattered and that makes for a difficult character-reader bond to form. I was wrong about the twist, to a point, and while that usually thrills me the sheer amount of "twists" thrown in came across as terribly contrived and did not serve to satisfy in the end.
There were plot threads left hanging or others that were tied up in ways that made no logical sense to the narrative. Characters existed and died without having added anything to the plot but a convenient device that could have been replaced by anything else. It was rather frustrating, to be honest. The dialogue was unrealistic and carried not a shred of urgency, which was very odd considering the circumstances and my particular pet peeve of using names like punctuation was very prevalent here. It made it hard to focus on what was happening.
In the thriller genre, the surprises and twists must matter, and a good amount of these ones fell flat and unnatural. I think culling some of the less relevant plot threads and focusing on cultivating true suspense would do wonders for this novel. It had an interesting premise, it really just needed to be narrowed down.
⭐⭐ Stars
The Bride is a twisty adult thriller about a woman named Alice who, when her life is turned to shambles, jumps at the chance to escape it by way of an invitation to visit from her best friend Joanna. She claims she is getting married and that Alice must meet him beforehand. When Alice arrives she finds that Joanna is missing, and feels compelled to stay and comfort Mark, Joanna's fiance. But nothing about the situation is quite what it seems and Alice finds herself wondering who she can trust and if she's in danger herself.
To the good: It is certainly a page-turner in its own right. I finished in just about six hours between two days simply because I wanted to know if my assumptions about the plot were correct and to see if and how Alice was going to grow from the meek creature we see at the beginning.
Unfortunately, this was just not for me. Alice was a hard character to follow, as she did not have a sense of agency and everything in the book happened TO her. She made no real decisions that mattered and that makes for a difficult character-reader bond to form. I was wrong about the twist, to a point, and while that usually thrills me the sheer amount of "twists" thrown in came across as terribly contrived and did not serve to satisfy in the end.
There were plot threads left hanging or others that were tied up in ways that made no logical sense to the narrative. Characters existed and died without having added anything to the plot but a convenient device that could have been replaced by anything else. It was rather frustrating, to be honest. The dialogue was unrealistic and carried not a shred of urgency, which was very odd considering the circumstances and my particular pet peeve of using names like punctuation was very prevalent here. It made it hard to focus on what was happening.
In the thriller genre, the surprises and twists must matter, and a good amount of these ones fell flat and unnatural. I think culling some of the less relevant plot threads and focusing on cultivating true suspense would do wonders for this novel. It had an interesting premise, it really just needed to be narrowed down.
June 22, 2020
*4.5*
ohhh the twists inside this book! There were many a "OMG" and "WTF" moments in here. I thought I figured it out towards the end and then SWOOSH it took a hard right turn into the valley of psychopaths with no warning!
If you promise a twist, you need to deliver a twist and Wendy Clarke did just that.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review!
ohhh the twists inside this book! There were many a "OMG" and "WTF" moments in here. I thought I figured it out towards the end and then SWOOSH it took a hard right turn into the valley of psychopaths with no warning!
If you promise a twist, you need to deliver a twist and Wendy Clarke did just that.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review!
April 19, 2020
2.5
I'm very torn on this.
First of all, I want to say that the title, the cover, and the description of the book are very bad representations of what the book actually is. The entire story has almost nothing to do with the actual marriage of Joanna. Reading the book in comparison of the portrayal of it definitely confused me for the first little bit.
Compared to the other thrillers I've read, I would say that this one is probably on the lower end of being gripping. With that said, I still read it in one sitting, so it definitely was still suspenseful, but I wouldn't say it was "thrilling" or particularly creepy (except for all the weird vibes Mark kept giving me.)
The primary storyline follows Alice as she stays with Mark and worries about the fact that Joanna is missing and has been gone for a while. I didn't like Mark all that much, but I could relate quite well with Alice. Her character connected with me. Which I think is why this book disappointed me so much.
Things went primarily how I was expecting them to go. And, although risking being predictable, it was steadily heading towards a nice resolved ending. Around the 80% mark, things took a nosedive for the worst. Now, I generally consider myself a very trusting person. I trust my characters to tell me the right thing. So I think that's why I got so confused at the big "twist" reveal. Between trying to support Alice, understand what Joanna was telling me fragment by fragment, all the while trying to lay all the blame on Mark because I just plain didn't like him (those weird vibes, ya know...), I was quite lost and read the next 10% of the story with my eyebrows locked together in an expression of concern and confusion.
I eventually figured out what the heck was going on and realized that this must be where the "psychological" part of the psychological thriller came in. My emotions were mostly dubious. I think because I had such a close connection with Alice (as someone who has also suffered from a long and difficult friendship and who also considers herself primarily weak), the story affected me more than it probably should have. Her relationship with Joanna reminded me a lot of a previous relationship I've had with an old "friend." With that said, the conclusion was very disappointing for me.
I feel so bad for Alice who, at this point, has no one else to go to. It's left me with a sense of unfinishedness. I need something more. I need to know that Alice breaks away. I need hope for her future. Something. Without it, I just feel a little bit let down that I dedicated so many hours of my life only to be left worse than when I started. The ending has ignited my inner sense for justice and will now torment me for the rest of my days.
But, if that's what the intent of the author was then I can not deny that she accomplished it, and my rating can be considered a five star at that point.
I'm very torn on this.
First of all, I want to say that the title, the cover, and the description of the book are very bad representations of what the book actually is. The entire story has almost nothing to do with the actual marriage of Joanna. Reading the book in comparison of the portrayal of it definitely confused me for the first little bit.
Compared to the other thrillers I've read, I would say that this one is probably on the lower end of being gripping. With that said, I still read it in one sitting, so it definitely was still suspenseful, but I wouldn't say it was "thrilling" or particularly creepy (except for all the weird vibes Mark kept giving me.)
The primary storyline follows Alice as she stays with Mark and worries about the fact that Joanna is missing and has been gone for a while. I didn't like Mark all that much, but I could relate quite well with Alice. Her character connected with me. Which I think is why this book disappointed me so much.
Things went primarily how I was expecting them to go. And, although risking being predictable, it was steadily heading towards a nice resolved ending. Around the 80% mark, things took a nosedive for the worst. Now, I generally consider myself a very trusting person. I trust my characters to tell me the right thing. So I think that's why I got so confused at the big "twist" reveal. Between trying to support Alice, understand what Joanna was telling me fragment by fragment, all the while trying to lay all the blame on Mark because I just plain didn't like him (those weird vibes, ya know...), I was quite lost and read the next 10% of the story with my eyebrows locked together in an expression of concern and confusion.
I eventually figured out what the heck was going on and realized that this must be where the "psychological" part of the psychological thriller came in. My emotions were mostly dubious. I think because I had such a close connection with Alice (as someone who has also suffered from a long and difficult friendship and who also considers herself primarily weak), the story affected me more than it probably should have. Her relationship with Joanna reminded me a lot of a previous relationship I've had with an old "friend." With that said, the conclusion was very disappointing for me.
I feel so bad for Alice who, at this point, has no one else to go to. It's left me with a sense of unfinishedness. I need something more. I need to know that Alice breaks away. I need hope for her future. Something. Without it, I just feel a little bit let down that I dedicated so many hours of my life only to be left worse than when I started. The ending has ignited my inner sense for justice and will now torment me for the rest of my days.
But, if that's what the intent of the author was then I can not deny that she accomplished it, and my rating can be considered a five star at that point.
July 30, 2020
An entertaining read? Yes. A thriller? No. This book is not believable whatsoever, but, it is a very entertaining read from beginning to end. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 20, 2020
This was one of those totally absorbing novels that I didn’t want to put down! Having read another of
Wendy Clarke's
novels, We Were Sisters, I was thrilled to be able to read this one too. Even if I hadn't, the premise of this was novel was pretty exciting to me, as a keen psychological thriller reader.
Alice and her fiancé Drew have just parted ways and shortly after she receives a text message from her best friend Joanna, she decides to pay her a visit. Still grieving over her failed relationship, when she arrives at Joanna's luxury apartment she is surprised to learn from Joanna's new fiancé that she isn't there. Mark invites Alice to stay in the apartment with him until Joanna's return. After avoiding Alice's questions, Mark eventually comes clean and confesses that Joanna has vanished. Unable to understand why Mark is so reluctant to contact the police, Alice decides to start looking for her missing best friend herself. As the reasons for Joanna's disappearance gradually come to light, I have to say I didn't see them coming.
Right from the start, I was completely absorbed by the suspense and the intriguing story-line. Wendy Clarke effortlessly brings to life some interesting characters in this gripping thriller, as well as delving into the motives and thoughts of each of them. Duplicity and secrets are uncovered and the author is in complete control as she brilliantly manoeuvres this tale, blurring the boundaries between right and wrong. Wendy Clarke’s skilled writing made this appear effortless, keeping the story flowing so that I was never bored. With a few noteworthy twists I was totally engaged all the way through, until the strong conclusion. Atmospheric and claustrophobic, I flew through this unpredictable, entertaining psychological thriller.
Overall, Wendy Clarke’s special way with the narrative made this compelling tale quite distinct, resulting in The Bride being a very worthwhile read. If you’re a fan of the genre, you should really read this book and it's a fantastic choice if you prefer your thrillers to be gore-less. I will certainly be looking out for more of this talented author’s work in the future. Well worth five shiny stars!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
Alice and her fiancé Drew have just parted ways and shortly after she receives a text message from her best friend Joanna, she decides to pay her a visit. Still grieving over her failed relationship, when she arrives at Joanna's luxury apartment she is surprised to learn from Joanna's new fiancé that she isn't there. Mark invites Alice to stay in the apartment with him until Joanna's return. After avoiding Alice's questions, Mark eventually comes clean and confesses that Joanna has vanished. Unable to understand why Mark is so reluctant to contact the police, Alice decides to start looking for her missing best friend herself. As the reasons for Joanna's disappearance gradually come to light, I have to say I didn't see them coming.
Right from the start, I was completely absorbed by the suspense and the intriguing story-line. Wendy Clarke effortlessly brings to life some interesting characters in this gripping thriller, as well as delving into the motives and thoughts of each of them. Duplicity and secrets are uncovered and the author is in complete control as she brilliantly manoeuvres this tale, blurring the boundaries between right and wrong. Wendy Clarke’s skilled writing made this appear effortless, keeping the story flowing so that I was never bored. With a few noteworthy twists I was totally engaged all the way through, until the strong conclusion. Atmospheric and claustrophobic, I flew through this unpredictable, entertaining psychological thriller.
Overall, Wendy Clarke’s special way with the narrative made this compelling tale quite distinct, resulting in The Bride being a very worthwhile read. If you’re a fan of the genre, you should really read this book and it's a fantastic choice if you prefer your thrillers to be gore-less. I will certainly be looking out for more of this talented author’s work in the future. Well worth five shiny stars!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
May 22, 2020
This is my first book by Wendy Clarke and I wasn't sure what to expect going in.
We follow Alice who is in a bad place from losing her job, being rejected by her father and then the breakup of her engagement. She hears from her old best friend and agrees to meet her, only to discover upon her arrival that Joanna isn't there. Instead she meets Mark, Joanna's new fiancé whom she has never met before. It soon transpires that Joanna is missing and Mark is reluctant to go the police.
Obviously from the get go you know that something is off, but the real drama unfolds later in the book. I read this within a few short hours, wanting to keep turning that (digital) page and find out more.
The latter chapters of the book also bring in Joanna's perspective which I thought was a brilliant touch. It added depth, darkness and those twists we all look for within a psychological thriller.
With only a handful of characters you find yourself constantly second guessing everything you have read, that you think you know. An empty building with only a few residents in the luxurious apartments, beside the docks creates a deliciously dark atmosphere too.
I will be sure to look for more books by this author.
We follow Alice who is in a bad place from losing her job, being rejected by her father and then the breakup of her engagement. She hears from her old best friend and agrees to meet her, only to discover upon her arrival that Joanna isn't there. Instead she meets Mark, Joanna's new fiancé whom she has never met before. It soon transpires that Joanna is missing and Mark is reluctant to go the police.
Obviously from the get go you know that something is off, but the real drama unfolds later in the book. I read this within a few short hours, wanting to keep turning that (digital) page and find out more.
The latter chapters of the book also bring in Joanna's perspective which I thought was a brilliant touch. It added depth, darkness and those twists we all look for within a psychological thriller.
With only a handful of characters you find yourself constantly second guessing everything you have read, that you think you know. An empty building with only a few residents in the luxurious apartments, beside the docks creates a deliciously dark atmosphere too.
I will be sure to look for more books by this author.
April 22, 2020
Joanna and Alice were best friends from way back in school but had not seen each other for 10 years. Joanna contacted Alice and told her she was marrying a man she had only known for a month, which made Alice very uneasy. Alice's fiance' dumps her for another and she decides to go visit Joanna and meet her fiance', Mark, at Joanna's invitation. When she gets to their apartment, Joanna is not there. Joanna and Mark's apartment is in an old abandoned warehouse in a rundown part of town that has been renovated and made into apartments, but there is only one other tenant in the building. What could go wrong in a setting like this??? This suspenseful, chilling, creepy, eerie, scary page-turner kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I did enjoy this book but I found it a little confusing at times and I got tired of Alice. Overall, it is a good quick read. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this very interesting and suspenseful book.
April 27, 2020
Title: The Bride
Author: Wendy Clarke
Pages: 300
Rating: 5/5
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for letting me read this advanced reader copy.
Synopsis:
Alice and Joanna used to be joined at the hip, they were best friends until life got in the way. When Alive finds her life in tatters, she receives a perfectly time text from her old best friend asking her to come and meet her fiancé Mark. Alice grabs at the chance to reconnect with Joanna, it is just what she needs. However, she is surprised when she arrives and Mark answers the door and says Joanna is on a course. Despite this, Alice spends the weekend at Joanna’s anyway, with charming Mark. However, he soon admits that Joanna is not on a course, she is missing and life as Alice knows it is now turned upside down and will never be the same again.
Review:
Releasing 20th May 2020.
The description and the cover of this book grabbed my attention, but the mixed reviews had me questioning as to whether I would connect with the story. However, this book took me by surprise! This is why I have rated it full marks because I was not expecting it to pull me in the way it did. It absorbed me that much, I devoured it in two hours!
The prologue and the descriptive writing of the author pulled me in straight away and got me questioning right from the beginning. Yet, nothing much was given away at the start leaving me with unanswered questions and the need to know all about the few characters involved. The writing style was just perfect for this book, helping you to feel the character Alice’s pain but yet sometimes made you think, “what on earth is she doing?!”
There weren’t many characters involved in this book which I think made it feel more of an eerie read. You were locked in their own, crazy, twisted world where normal seemed to have gone out of the window. All of the characters were a little odd in their own way so you never knew who was actually good or bad in all this
.
The more you read this story, the weirder and creepier it got, which is exactly what you want from a physchological thriller. I was trying to constantly unpick what would happen, but I generally couldn’t which added to the build-up and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen at the end of this.
The book is in two parts, the twists and the turns start of small in part 1, that part just seems to be dedicated to playing with your head and giving you a sense of disbelief. Part two however, you are hit with twists after twist! The ending I did not see coming, and it left me feeling very uneasy- again great job from the writer! The complex characters, the build up and those twists and turns had me thrilled, just like the book said it would. I’m not sure if it’ll be for everyone, but it was definitely for me!
Author: Wendy Clarke
Pages: 300
Rating: 5/5
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for letting me read this advanced reader copy.
Synopsis:
Alice and Joanna used to be joined at the hip, they were best friends until life got in the way. When Alive finds her life in tatters, she receives a perfectly time text from her old best friend asking her to come and meet her fiancé Mark. Alice grabs at the chance to reconnect with Joanna, it is just what she needs. However, she is surprised when she arrives and Mark answers the door and says Joanna is on a course. Despite this, Alice spends the weekend at Joanna’s anyway, with charming Mark. However, he soon admits that Joanna is not on a course, she is missing and life as Alice knows it is now turned upside down and will never be the same again.
Review:
Releasing 20th May 2020.
The description and the cover of this book grabbed my attention, but the mixed reviews had me questioning as to whether I would connect with the story. However, this book took me by surprise! This is why I have rated it full marks because I was not expecting it to pull me in the way it did. It absorbed me that much, I devoured it in two hours!
The prologue and the descriptive writing of the author pulled me in straight away and got me questioning right from the beginning. Yet, nothing much was given away at the start leaving me with unanswered questions and the need to know all about the few characters involved. The writing style was just perfect for this book, helping you to feel the character Alice’s pain but yet sometimes made you think, “what on earth is she doing?!”
There weren’t many characters involved in this book which I think made it feel more of an eerie read. You were locked in their own, crazy, twisted world where normal seemed to have gone out of the window. All of the characters were a little odd in their own way so you never knew who was actually good or bad in all this
.
The more you read this story, the weirder and creepier it got, which is exactly what you want from a physchological thriller. I was trying to constantly unpick what would happen, but I generally couldn’t which added to the build-up and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen at the end of this.
The book is in two parts, the twists and the turns start of small in part 1, that part just seems to be dedicated to playing with your head and giving you a sense of disbelief. Part two however, you are hit with twists after twist! The ending I did not see coming, and it left me feeling very uneasy- again great job from the writer! The complex characters, the build up and those twists and turns had me thrilled, just like the book said it would. I’m not sure if it’ll be for everyone, but it was definitely for me!
May 19, 2020
Alice and Joanna were best friends for years. They were inseparable: doing everything together and even dressing alike, until one day something happened that changed everything. They haven’t spoken for 10 years until Alice gets a message out of the blue from Joanna saying she’s getting married and she wants to see Alice. So Alice travels to London hoping that this trip will get their friendship back on track. But when she arrives she is greeted by Mark, Joanna’s fiance. Though he’s charming and kind Alice can’t help but feel there’s something a little off. And then he tells her Joanna is missing.
The Bride is a story filled with secrets, lies, betrayal and revenge. A mysterious, dark, sinister and suspicious read. It starts at a steady pace but the tension soon ramps up and I was on the edge of my seat as it reached its crescendo.
When we meet Alice her life is falling apart so the text from Joanna is just what she needs. When she learns Joanna is missing she is steadfast in her determination to do everything she can to help find her. But there are two mysteries in this story and while Alice is helping Mark solve the mystery of Joanna’s disappearance, flashbacks telling the story of their friendship offer small clues to the mystery of what terrible thing happened to tear them apart. And while Mark seems genuinely concerned for his fiancee, I had a strange feeling about him from the start. Was this because he was behind it all or a case of the author cleverly throwing me off the scent of the truth? I couldn’t decide. Thrown into the mix were other suspicious and unreliable characters who made it even harder to predict what had happened and where the story would go next.
Atmospheric, unpredictable, claustrophobic and filled with twists and turns, I flew through this entertaining thriller in under a day. A great read for anyone who likes their thrillers gore-free.
The Bride is a story filled with secrets, lies, betrayal and revenge. A mysterious, dark, sinister and suspicious read. It starts at a steady pace but the tension soon ramps up and I was on the edge of my seat as it reached its crescendo.
When we meet Alice her life is falling apart so the text from Joanna is just what she needs. When she learns Joanna is missing she is steadfast in her determination to do everything she can to help find her. But there are two mysteries in this story and while Alice is helping Mark solve the mystery of Joanna’s disappearance, flashbacks telling the story of their friendship offer small clues to the mystery of what terrible thing happened to tear them apart. And while Mark seems genuinely concerned for his fiancee, I had a strange feeling about him from the start. Was this because he was behind it all or a case of the author cleverly throwing me off the scent of the truth? I couldn’t decide. Thrown into the mix were other suspicious and unreliable characters who made it even harder to predict what had happened and where the story would go next.
Atmospheric, unpredictable, claustrophobic and filled with twists and turns, I flew through this entertaining thriller in under a day. A great read for anyone who likes their thrillers gore-free.
May 7, 2020
There nothing in Alice’s life that didn’t go completely wrong in the last couple of weeks: her employer laid her off, her father didn’t want to see her and now, her partner leaves her because he is having a baby with another woman. After days in bed, she gets a message from an old friend. Joanna. Her former best friend with whom she has lost contact, but now, Joanna wants to meet her to get to know the man she’s going to marry. Could there be a better excuse to leave everything behind at least for a couple of days? Obviously, Joanna must be quite successful living in one of the new posh apartment blocks which must be super expensive. However, when, Alice knocks on the door, there is just Mark, Joanna’s husband to be and he knows nothing of a visitor. Joanna is not there, also the next day, she doesn’t show up. Alice feels increasingly uncomfortable until Mark tells her that Joanna has been kidnapped and that he needs her help to get her back.
Told from Alice’s point of view, you go through a horrendous mass of emotions – emotions which could hardly be more contradictory. Wendy Clarke leads the reader through a tour de force of lies, secrets and very spooky and distressing moments that, at times, give you the creeps. Just like her protagonist, you do not know whom to believe or trust, the whole situation she is caught in feels like a big ghost train rushing towards a giant obstacle without preparing for the impact.
I totally adore plots which keep you alert throughout the whole narration. It is those seemingly insignificant side notes that reveal that there’s so much you do not know, that all characters have some blind spots you don’t see and that everything might be completely different from what you expect or believe. Even though I found Alice a bit too naïve and shallow, I liked to follow her.
The further the plot gets, the higher the pace and suspense, thus a true page-turner that entertained me well.
Told from Alice’s point of view, you go through a horrendous mass of emotions – emotions which could hardly be more contradictory. Wendy Clarke leads the reader through a tour de force of lies, secrets and very spooky and distressing moments that, at times, give you the creeps. Just like her protagonist, you do not know whom to believe or trust, the whole situation she is caught in feels like a big ghost train rushing towards a giant obstacle without preparing for the impact.
I totally adore plots which keep you alert throughout the whole narration. It is those seemingly insignificant side notes that reveal that there’s so much you do not know, that all characters have some blind spots you don’t see and that everything might be completely different from what you expect or believe. Even though I found Alice a bit too naïve and shallow, I liked to follow her.
The further the plot gets, the higher the pace and suspense, thus a true page-turner that entertained me well.
April 25, 2020
Thank you NetGalley, Wendy Clarke, and Bookouture for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of "The Bride."
Alice and Joanna were best friends growing up but have not spoken for the last ten years. When Alice gets a message from Joanna that she is engaged to a man she has only known for a month, Alice only feels it is right to go and visit her friend and meet the man she claims is so wonderful. Only, when Alice arrives at Joanna's apartment, Joanna is no where to be found. Her fiancé Mark is there and he is charming, gorgeous and nothing but nice to Alice. He then tells her Joanna has gone missing... the suspenseful story starts to unfold from there. Where is Joanna? And who can Alice trust?.
Once I received a copy of “The Bride” I started it right away. I was hooked from the first chapter and it was definitely a page turner for me. The story starts to unfold right away and as a reader you just want to know what is going to happen next. It was definitely fast paced and kept me guessing the twists all the way through. I really enjoyed this book and found myself not wanting to put it down. Wendy Clarke does a beautiful job in her writing and story telling that I got a feel for all the characters and how they felt throughout the book. I will definitely be checking out her other novels! As a fan of psychological thrillers I would definitely recommend #thebride to any other thriller lovers out there!
Alice and Joanna were best friends growing up but have not spoken for the last ten years. When Alice gets a message from Joanna that she is engaged to a man she has only known for a month, Alice only feels it is right to go and visit her friend and meet the man she claims is so wonderful. Only, when Alice arrives at Joanna's apartment, Joanna is no where to be found. Her fiancé Mark is there and he is charming, gorgeous and nothing but nice to Alice. He then tells her Joanna has gone missing... the suspenseful story starts to unfold from there. Where is Joanna? And who can Alice trust?.
Once I received a copy of “The Bride” I started it right away. I was hooked from the first chapter and it was definitely a page turner for me. The story starts to unfold right away and as a reader you just want to know what is going to happen next. It was definitely fast paced and kept me guessing the twists all the way through. I really enjoyed this book and found myself not wanting to put it down. Wendy Clarke does a beautiful job in her writing and story telling that I got a feel for all the characters and how they felt throughout the book. I will definitely be checking out her other novels! As a fan of psychological thrillers I would definitely recommend #thebride to any other thriller lovers out there!
April 29, 2020
The Bride by Wendy Clarke described in one word - TWISTED! Alice and Joanna were long-time best friends. They haven't seen each other for years and now Alice's life is turned upside down. Her fiancee was cheating on her and she recently lost her job. When Joanna sends her a message that she wants Alice to meet her soon to be husband, Marc, Alice jumps at the chance to see her.
When she arrives though, Joanna isn't there. Marc doesn't know who Alice is. Isn't that strange? How can her best friend's fiancee not know who she is? Marc offers to let her stay and wait for Joanna, but what will happen when Joanna fails to return? Is she staying with a man who may have killed her best friend?
Alice is becoming a little too oddly comfortable in Marc and Joanna's home. Should she stay while Joanna is missing? The police think it odd that she's there. Stuck in an apartment building that was an up and coming that never came up, she can't decide if she can escape Marc. Will Joanna ever come home?
The Bride was a roller coaster ride. Alice's mental health issues and insecurities really did a number on her. She becomes more and more scared of her own shadow with Marc watching. Will she be able to find Joanna? Even scarier is the question, will she like the Joanna she finds? Riveting book, I couldn't put it down!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When she arrives though, Joanna isn't there. Marc doesn't know who Alice is. Isn't that strange? How can her best friend's fiancee not know who she is? Marc offers to let her stay and wait for Joanna, but what will happen when Joanna fails to return? Is she staying with a man who may have killed her best friend?
Alice is becoming a little too oddly comfortable in Marc and Joanna's home. Should she stay while Joanna is missing? The police think it odd that she's there. Stuck in an apartment building that was an up and coming that never came up, she can't decide if she can escape Marc. Will Joanna ever come home?
The Bride was a roller coaster ride. Alice's mental health issues and insecurities really did a number on her. She becomes more and more scared of her own shadow with Marc watching. Will she be able to find Joanna? Even scarier is the question, will she like the Joanna she finds? Riveting book, I couldn't put it down!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC which I received in exchange for my honest review. The Bride is the first novel I've read by Wendy Clarke. The book captured my interest from the beginning as it starts with Alice waking up in a hospital with her best friend Joanna by her side. Knowing this is how the story will ultimately end, the reader is immediately given a sense of foreboding.
Readers quickly learn that Alice and Joanna were best friends in school but that the two women have not seen each other in 10 years. Despite this fact, when Alice receives a text message from Joanna asking her to come to London to meet her soon to be husband, Alice sets off on the trip basically no questions asked. Of all the dubious decisions that Alice goes on to make, this one is perhaps the most understandable as Alice has suddenly found herself unemployed and single after her longtime partner has cheated on her.
Once Alice arrives at Joanna's luxury apartment in a converted tobacco warehouse on the docks of the Thames, she is met by Mark, Joanna's fiance'. Despite being told that Joanna will be away for a few days, Alice accepts Mark's invitation to stay in the apartment with him until Joanna's return. Alice slips into Joanna's life like a second skin, enjoying her home and all of the luxuries it entails. Eventually, Mark confesses that Joanna is missing and Alice becomes complicit as he lies to the police about Joanna's disappearance.
There are some definite twists and surprises throughout the book and eventually readers are able to see events from Joanna, the bride's point of view. This is where the book really picks up and the claustrophobic sense of dread increases. I read thrillers on a regular basis and I am usually able to suss out many of the big reveals in books early on. This book did have a few surprises and while some were outlandish I did appreciate the author's willingness to think outside the box.
I found the ending of this book to be chilling and I would have preferred that there be more of a glimmer of hope for Alice. All in all, this is a twisty thriller that is worth a read.
Readers quickly learn that Alice and Joanna were best friends in school but that the two women have not seen each other in 10 years. Despite this fact, when Alice receives a text message from Joanna asking her to come to London to meet her soon to be husband, Alice sets off on the trip basically no questions asked. Of all the dubious decisions that Alice goes on to make, this one is perhaps the most understandable as Alice has suddenly found herself unemployed and single after her longtime partner has cheated on her.
Once Alice arrives at Joanna's luxury apartment in a converted tobacco warehouse on the docks of the Thames, she is met by Mark, Joanna's fiance'. Despite being told that Joanna will be away for a few days, Alice accepts Mark's invitation to stay in the apartment with him until Joanna's return. Alice slips into Joanna's life like a second skin, enjoying her home and all of the luxuries it entails. Eventually, Mark confesses that Joanna is missing and Alice becomes complicit as he lies to the police about Joanna's disappearance.
There are some definite twists and surprises throughout the book and eventually readers are able to see events from Joanna, the bride's point of view. This is where the book really picks up and the claustrophobic sense of dread increases. I read thrillers on a regular basis and I am usually able to suss out many of the big reveals in books early on. This book did have a few surprises and while some were outlandish I did appreciate the author's willingness to think outside the box.
I found the ending of this book to be chilling and I would have preferred that there be more of a glimmer of hope for Alice. All in all, this is a twisty thriller that is worth a read.
April 27, 2020
I've enjoyed Wendy Clarke's other novels and this one is right up my alley. I found it a little disjointed but I think it's because I read it in so many sittings instead of a few like I usually do. Alice has been dumped by her fiancee and surprisingly gets a text from her oldest "best" friend Joanna even though they haven't seen each other for ten years. She travels to meet Joanna's fiancee and discovers her friend is missing even though she meets Mark who claims he didn't know she was coming. What transpires is a cat-and-mouse game that vacillates between Alice and Joanna's POV that keep you a bit off-balance as we are never sure what the truth is. Even at the very end, I kept thinking to myself, "What???" For me, there wasn't enough "back story" to be entirely believable, but I did enjoy the twists and turns!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
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