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The Last Wife
‘This was SOME read. Now I know what it means when people say a book was unputdownable. I just had to finish this in one sitting. It was just too good to wait until the next day… You will NOT want to miss this... Ten stars definitely!’ Netgalley reviewer, 5 stars
Trusting his family was her first mistake.
All Ria ever wanted was a family. Growing up alone in foster care, she imagined just how it would be. So when she fell in love with Grayson and had their daughter Shelley, she was determined to make his family love her too. She knew she’d never fit in with her glamorous sisters-in-law, or at the exclusive picture-perfect Chicago parties her mother-in-law threw, but with Grayson’s arm around her waist she tried her best to be a Parker.
Everything changed when Grayson disappeared.
Until one morning, Grayson leaves the house for work and never comes home. Left to raise Shelley alone, Ria is forced to turn to her husband’s family, to let her intimidating mother-in-law into her life, allow her to babysit Shelley, and accept her financial support. She tries to ignore the feeling that her sisters-in-law never thought she was good enough. They say they have no idea what happened to Grayson, and she tries very hard to believe them.
But Ria is about to learn that every Parker wife has secrets.
And protecting her daughter might come at a terrible price…
Utterly compelling, The Last Wife is an emotionally-charged novel about what one woman will do to survive. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Kerry Fisher and The Other Woman.
Readers love The Last Wife!
‘I was hooked from the thrilling prologue straight through to that jaw-dropping finale!... Drew me in and left me craving for more… Domestic suspense that'll easily have you swiping your night away.’ Misty’s Corner Reviews, 5 stars
‘WOW. I cannot say enough about this book! This book was the definition of a page turner – the plot twists kept me hooked up until the very end! Goodreads reviewer
‘What an amazing book. I couldn't put it down. Had my attention from start to finish. plenty of suspense and twists and turns. Just when I thought I had it figured out I was proven wrong.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Gripped right from the start, I couldn’t turn the pages on my kindle fast enough. Everything immediately drew me in… Taken on a wild addictive ride and what a bloody great ride it is!... Wickedly twisted, highly addictive, utterly deceptive and I absolutely loved it!’ Once Upon A Time Book Blog, 5 stars
‘Wow. Just wow. From beginning to end you had no idea where this book was going… This is a must read book… At one point you are yelling at the book because darn it tell me, the ending had me shook. I was quaking. Definitely not what I was expecting.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Deliciously good! I could hardly put it down. The family dynamics in this salacious drama feel like the best reality show mixed with a soap opera… I highly recommend this book to anyone.
Trusting his family was her first mistake.
All Ria ever wanted was a family. Growing up alone in foster care, she imagined just how it would be. So when she fell in love with Grayson and had their daughter Shelley, she was determined to make his family love her too. She knew she’d never fit in with her glamorous sisters-in-law, or at the exclusive picture-perfect Chicago parties her mother-in-law threw, but with Grayson’s arm around her waist she tried her best to be a Parker.
Everything changed when Grayson disappeared.
Until one morning, Grayson leaves the house for work and never comes home. Left to raise Shelley alone, Ria is forced to turn to her husband’s family, to let her intimidating mother-in-law into her life, allow her to babysit Shelley, and accept her financial support. She tries to ignore the feeling that her sisters-in-law never thought she was good enough. They say they have no idea what happened to Grayson, and she tries very hard to believe them.
But Ria is about to learn that every Parker wife has secrets.
And protecting her daughter might come at a terrible price…
Utterly compelling, The Last Wife is an emotionally-charged novel about what one woman will do to survive. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Kerry Fisher and The Other Woman.
Readers love The Last Wife!
‘I was hooked from the thrilling prologue straight through to that jaw-dropping finale!... Drew me in and left me craving for more… Domestic suspense that'll easily have you swiping your night away.’ Misty’s Corner Reviews, 5 stars
‘WOW. I cannot say enough about this book! This book was the definition of a page turner – the plot twists kept me hooked up until the very end! Goodreads reviewer
‘What an amazing book. I couldn't put it down. Had my attention from start to finish. plenty of suspense and twists and turns. Just when I thought I had it figured out I was proven wrong.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Gripped right from the start, I couldn’t turn the pages on my kindle fast enough. Everything immediately drew me in… Taken on a wild addictive ride and what a bloody great ride it is!... Wickedly twisted, highly addictive, utterly deceptive and I absolutely loved it!’ Once Upon A Time Book Blog, 5 stars
‘Wow. Just wow. From beginning to end you had no idea where this book was going… This is a must read book… At one point you are yelling at the book because darn it tell me, the ending had me shook. I was quaking. Definitely not what I was expecting.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Deliciously good! I could hardly put it down. The family dynamics in this salacious drama feel like the best reality show mixed with a soap opera… I highly recommend this book to anyone.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2019
688 people are currently reading
2857 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Marsh
414 books1,442 followersUSA TODAY bestselling and award-winning Australian author Nicola Marsh writes page-turning fiction to keep you up all night.
She has published 86 books across genres, including contemporary romance, women's fiction, domestic suspense, and fantasy.
She's a Waldenbooks, Bookscan, Amazon, iBooks and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a 2013 RBY and National Readers' Choice Award winner, and a multiple finalist for many other awards.
She loves chatting on social media!
She has published 86 books across genres, including contemporary romance, women's fiction, domestic suspense, and fantasy.
She's a Waldenbooks, Bookscan, Amazon, iBooks and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a 2013 RBY and National Readers' Choice Award winner, and a multiple finalist for many other awards.
She loves chatting on social media!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
October 4, 2019
3.5 Stars - Rounded up! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last Wife was the first Nicola Marsh book I’ve read. While it wasn’t completely awesome, it was an entertaining thriller!
Slow burns really aren’t my thing, but the suspense building just worked for me while reading this one. I loved the alternating POV chapters and watching this soapy family drama unfold before my eyes!
The book is filled with shady characters that all have secrets. The final twist was satisfying and one that I did not see coming.
If you like slow burn, family drama then this book might be for you!
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Nicola Marsh for the advanced copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
The Last Wife was the first Nicola Marsh book I’ve read. While it wasn’t completely awesome, it was an entertaining thriller!
Slow burns really aren’t my thing, but the suspense building just worked for me while reading this one. I loved the alternating POV chapters and watching this soapy family drama unfold before my eyes!
The book is filled with shady characters that all have secrets. The final twist was satisfying and one that I did not see coming.
If you like slow burn, family drama then this book might be for you!
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Nicola Marsh for the advanced copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
September 30, 2019
Nicola Marsh has published 70 books and sold 8 million copies worldwide this coupled with my enjoyment of ‘The Scandal’ the first book I had read by her earlier this year meant the expectations were high for this book
And it was good
I really enjoy how this author delves into the detail of her characters and explores their personalities and what makes them tick, this time its the Parker family from Chicago, upstanding and happy for all to see, dysfunctional and full of secrets that only they know about....but someone else DOES know and is blackmailing them one by one and they have to start trusting each other to get to the bottom of it
It kinda reminded me of a Dallas/Dynasty ish kind of thing, updated for the times to include hacking and the dark web but at the centre of it all ( like those programmes ) is the family!
I was totally wrongfooted by the ‘villian’ and the unmasking came as a surprise and a good one!
Thoroughly enjoyable intricate drama based on a family that pretends, lies and keep secrets but ultimately falls in on itself
8/10
4 Stars
October 10, 2019
The Last Wife, a mystery/thriller, was a solid 3 stars. The book centers around main character Ria- a single mother and journalist. The mystery starts when Ria is sent an anonymous email threatening to expose the secrets of the Parker family, her ex-husband’s ultra wealthy family. When members of the Parker family start having serious “accidents”, Ria starts to investigate whose behind the email and why.
I found the Last Wife to be an interesting book and I enjoyed the multiple POVs aspect, however, with the lack of any likable characters in the book, I found myself not enjoying the book as much as I would have liked. Recommended to fans to mystery/thriller books. Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I found the Last Wife to be an interesting book and I enjoyed the multiple POVs aspect, however, with the lack of any likable characters in the book, I found myself not enjoying the book as much as I would have liked. Recommended to fans to mystery/thriller books. Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2019
Five years after her husband's disappearance, an anonymous person emails Ria Parker shocking secrets about her wealthy and seemingly perfect in-laws, the Parker family. Then, bizarre accidents start happening to the Parker women. Ria is convinced that something sinister is going on in the family and is determined to get to the bottom of it. The last wife is an entertaining and gripping thriller. Told from multiple POVs, I was immediately pulled into the lives of the dysfunctional Parker family with all their secrets, betrayal, greed, and family drama. The characters were well developed and interesting, they were not particularly likable, but I did relate to some of them, and understood why they acted the way they did. This book kept me guessing until the end and the twist did manage to surprise me. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone looking for a suspenseful, slow-burn thriller. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2019
When Ria's husband walks out on her she is left to look after her five year old daughter. She is now working as a reporter on a magazine
She still visits her husbands family regularly and her wealthy mother and law contributes financial. This is a situation that not all the family approve of.
Unfortunately I did not connect with the characters in this story and I found it hard to keep interested in the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
She still visits her husbands family regularly and her wealthy mother and law contributes financial. This is a situation that not all the family approve of.
Unfortunately I did not connect with the characters in this story and I found it hard to keep interested in the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2019
You do NOT want to read The Last Wife, I’m surprised it’s even getting published. It’s really that bad.
I can’t think of a single positive thing to say to start my review.
When I started reading The Last Wife I thought the first couple of chapters were okay, the writing style isn’t the best but the plot seemed to move along nicely. Then the characters started repeating themselves, the plot stopped and just seemed to drag on and on....and on.
Ria is supposed to be a likeable relatable character but shes the biggest Mary-Sue since Twilight! A journalist who likes to mention her work constantly but never does any? Don’t even get me started on Grayson. Did Nicola Marsh even proof read this? Did the publisher?
I feel like I’ve been pranked.
I gave up on 92%, the ending was obvious and I was bored. The story is still dragging on and frankly I’ve had enough.
Don’t waste your time with this. I’d rather watch paint dry.
I can’t think of a single positive thing to say to start my review.
When I started reading The Last Wife I thought the first couple of chapters were okay, the writing style isn’t the best but the plot seemed to move along nicely. Then the characters started repeating themselves, the plot stopped and just seemed to drag on and on....and on.
Ria is supposed to be a likeable relatable character but shes the biggest Mary-Sue since Twilight! A journalist who likes to mention her work constantly but never does any? Don’t even get me started on Grayson. Did Nicola Marsh even proof read this? Did the publisher?
I feel like I’ve been pranked.
I gave up on 92%, the ending was obvious and I was bored. The story is still dragging on and frankly I’ve had enough.
Don’t waste your time with this. I’d rather watch paint dry.
September 19, 2019
I wasn't a huge fan of The Last Wife since I had no idea what this novel was trying to achieve. Rita is perfect in every way and can do no wrong. Rita gets an email that threatens to expose her ex-husband's family's secrets and then soon after accidents start happening to the family members.
I don't think there was a single likable character and one of my pet peeves is when an author tries to force a character on you. I didn't like Rita at all and hated how she was painted as such a perfect person. I keep waiting for someone to happen, but nothing really did until the end. I just keep getting bounced around from character to character as they went along with their day.
Thank you to Netgallery and Bookouture for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I don't think there was a single likable character and one of my pet peeves is when an author tries to force a character on you. I didn't like Rita at all and hated how she was painted as such a perfect person. I keep waiting for someone to happen, but nothing really did until the end. I just keep getting bounced around from character to character as they went along with their day.
Thank you to Netgallery and Bookouture for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 7, 2019
I managed to sit through seven seasons of Pretty Little Liars and somehow, this novel felt longer than that - same payoff though..which means none.
February 15, 2024
welp, i’ll say i was reluctant to read this one but the prologue sank its claws in me and i was hooked from there! holy plot twist too. i enjoyed this book 📚 🥰
July 30, 2025
The book is filled with secrets from the characters. The final twist was one that I did not see coming.
If you like a slow burn, family drama then this book is for you!
If you like a slow burn, family drama then this book is for you!
October 14, 2019
Ria Parker has no choice but to be a single mother to ten-year old Shelley. Five years ago, her husband walked out on them. Although not particularly close to her in-laws, Ria remained a part of the family because she felt it was best for Shelley. Her mother in law, May, is the matriarch and had three sons and one daughter. She has always ruled the family with an iron fist.
Ria's sisters-in-law do not treat her or Shelley well at all. Thankfully, May fawns over them, and although uncomfortable at family events, Ria does attend. Shelley loves her cousins and her grandmother, and this does please Ria. However, May has an announcement to make and this affects each and every one of them, albeit in different ways.
Beyond May's shocking announcement, Ria begins getting some difficult emails. While this happens, accidents begin happening to some family members. Ria is certain said accidents are connected to the emails she received. The drama that ensues will change everyone's life beyond what anyone could have imagined.
This was an incredibly tense book! The Last Wife reminded me of the 90's night-time soap operas. It was a very dramatic story, one that dug deep inside of a not-so-perfect family. There was someone pulling strings and was seemingly uncaring of the long-term effects on others. This intriguing story was a very good, very quick read for me, and I was rather shocked at who the manipulator was, and also the ending.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Ria's sisters-in-law do not treat her or Shelley well at all. Thankfully, May fawns over them, and although uncomfortable at family events, Ria does attend. Shelley loves her cousins and her grandmother, and this does please Ria. However, May has an announcement to make and this affects each and every one of them, albeit in different ways.
Beyond May's shocking announcement, Ria begins getting some difficult emails. While this happens, accidents begin happening to some family members. Ria is certain said accidents are connected to the emails she received. The drama that ensues will change everyone's life beyond what anyone could have imagined.
This was an incredibly tense book! The Last Wife reminded me of the 90's night-time soap operas. It was a very dramatic story, one that dug deep inside of a not-so-perfect family. There was someone pulling strings and was seemingly uncaring of the long-term effects on others. This intriguing story was a very good, very quick read for me, and I was rather shocked at who the manipulator was, and also the ending.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
October 10, 2019
I was down with severe dizziness and ill-health and this book anchored me. I needed a book which would take me away from the pain of it all. And Nicola Marsh did it with this family suspense. Her words took me to the world of rich and powerful Parkers, away from mine and gave me a wonderful read.
The story was more like the TV series Dallas which I used to like years ago. I loved the vibe the book gave of impending danger. It was nostalgic and quite mysterious. Someone was targeting the Parker family, and it was upto the journalist daughter-in-law to get to the truth.
I loved the dynamics of the family members, the hatred and animosity and the power games kept me completely entertained. I didn't have to concentrate too hard. There were not many complexities in the plotline. It delivered what it set out to do.
The chapters were short and snappy, exactly what I needed to keep turning pages. I honestly didn't know when the book was nearing the end. Like any suspense, the ending was a shocker. Didn't expect it at all.
For me, this book was what I needed to make my mind heal. I loved it.
The story was more like the TV series Dallas which I used to like years ago. I loved the vibe the book gave of impending danger. It was nostalgic and quite mysterious. Someone was targeting the Parker family, and it was upto the journalist daughter-in-law to get to the truth.
I loved the dynamics of the family members, the hatred and animosity and the power games kept me completely entertained. I didn't have to concentrate too hard. There were not many complexities in the plotline. It delivered what it set out to do.
The chapters were short and snappy, exactly what I needed to keep turning pages. I honestly didn't know when the book was nearing the end. Like any suspense, the ending was a shocker. Didn't expect it at all.
For me, this book was what I needed to make my mind heal. I loved it.
August 31, 2019
Ria has been a single mum for five years after her husband disappeared five years ago. She’s a hard working Mother who has to look out for her daughter and although she could be financially secure taking financial support from her missing husbands family she decides to be independent and is a reporter for a magazine.
One day she receives emails showing compromising photos of her sister in law and decides she needs to get to the bottom of who’s sending these emails. Using her reporting skills she doesn’t make much headway. Without giving away spoilers things begin to become clear to Ria but who should she trust? Unfortunately at the same time accidents seem to be happening in the family - or are they accidents ?
Unfortunately not my type of book, the characters don’t seem to develop fully enough for me.
Thank you Net galley for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
One day she receives emails showing compromising photos of her sister in law and decides she needs to get to the bottom of who’s sending these emails. Using her reporting skills she doesn’t make much headway. Without giving away spoilers things begin to become clear to Ria but who should she trust? Unfortunately at the same time accidents seem to be happening in the family - or are they accidents ?
Unfortunately not my type of book, the characters don’t seem to develop fully enough for me.
Thank you Net galley for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
June 14, 2023
Meh...
The beginning was good, with Grayson missing and all the secrets.
Then when Ria contacted that person and he showed up, the story went downhill!
That was one of the key mystery and the author simply ruined it, like just ring the bell and that's it?
All the outcomes that could have made that mystery more fascinating, and this?
Then the vilain reveal = LAME!
That stupid monologue with that person acting like a DC or Marvel, just not good at all 😂
Zero thrills, zero suspense, zero anticipation... nothing... just I'm going to kill you and let me talk for half an hour about my previous murder and this is what should have been and this is how you die.
Of course he saved the day -_-
And don't let me start on that romance, building up some excitement to crush it, like WTH!
It wasn't awful as a book but could have been better...
The beginning was good, with Grayson missing and all the secrets.
Then when Ria contacted that person and he showed up, the story went downhill!
That was one of the key mystery and the author simply ruined it, like just ring the bell and that's it?
All the outcomes that could have made that mystery more fascinating, and this?
Then the vilain reveal = LAME!
That stupid monologue with that person acting like a DC or Marvel, just not good at all 😂
Zero thrills, zero suspense, zero anticipation... nothing... just I'm going to kill you and let me talk for half an hour about my previous murder and this is what should have been and this is how you die.
Of course he saved the day -_-
And don't let me start on that romance, building up some excitement to crush it, like WTH!
It wasn't awful as a book but could have been better...
November 1, 2019
This story centers on a woman trying to give her daughter the best life she can, much better than the one she had. She marries into a wealthy family...for love, not money. But too soon, she finds herself living as a single mother and must count on her in laws for help taking care of her child. When she receives compromising information on her family's past, she must decide whether to act on it, or even to believe it. Told from the family member's individual point of view, you'll see their lives through the perspective of many. A good read that has many surprises and will not end the way you think.
September 25, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Nicola Marsh for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow what a thrilling fast paced read. I loved the way the chapters were separated by each of the characters, most of which weren't very likable but interesting none the less.
I totally didn't see the ending coming!
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Wow what a thrilling fast paced read. I loved the way the chapters were separated by each of the characters, most of which weren't very likable but interesting none the less.
I totally didn't see the ending coming!
I look forward to reading more by this author.
September 9, 2019
This one kept me guessing and totally enthralled from start to finish. The secreta, lies and mistrust of a family determined to stick together made for a great read. Thrilled to have been able to read this title thanks to Netgalley, & will be looking for more titles by Nicola Marsh in the future!
August 18, 2021
Loved it and didn’t want to put it down
October 11, 2019
Ria is a journalist and just as she’s finishing work, she receives an email. From the sender’s name, it brings back horrible memories of a similar email 5 years ago that ended her marriage.
This email has compromising pictures and information about her in-laws….the fabulously wealthy and powerful Parker family. Who would want this information out in the open? And Why?
What follows is a soap opera of money, secrets, lies, murder and corporate dodgy dealings.
This is so entertaining, well written and twisty with likeable and equally unlikeable characters. So, it’s time to suspend reality and enjoy the sheer escapism of The Last Wife….brilliant.
Thank you to Bookouture, the author and NetGalley for a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
Merged review:
Ria is a journalist and just as she’s finishing work, she receives an email. From the sender’s name, it brings back horrible memories of a similar email 5 years ago that ended her marriage.
This email has compromising pictures and information about her in-laws….the fabulously wealthy and powerful Parker family. Who would want this information out in the open? And Why?
What follows is a soap opera of money, secrets, lies, murder and corporate dodgy dealings.
This is so entertaining, well written and twisty with likeable and equally unlikeable characters. So, it’s time to suspend reality and enjoy the sheer escapism of The Last Wife….brilliant.
Thank you to Bookouture for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
This email has compromising pictures and information about her in-laws….the fabulously wealthy and powerful Parker family. Who would want this information out in the open? And Why?
What follows is a soap opera of money, secrets, lies, murder and corporate dodgy dealings.
This is so entertaining, well written and twisty with likeable and equally unlikeable characters. So, it’s time to suspend reality and enjoy the sheer escapism of The Last Wife….brilliant.
Thank you to Bookouture, the author and NetGalley for a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
Merged review:
Ria is a journalist and just as she’s finishing work, she receives an email. From the sender’s name, it brings back horrible memories of a similar email 5 years ago that ended her marriage.
This email has compromising pictures and information about her in-laws….the fabulously wealthy and powerful Parker family. Who would want this information out in the open? And Why?
What follows is a soap opera of money, secrets, lies, murder and corporate dodgy dealings.
This is so entertaining, well written and twisty with likeable and equally unlikeable characters. So, it’s time to suspend reality and enjoy the sheer escapism of The Last Wife….brilliant.
Thank you to Bookouture for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
February 12, 2023
Well Nicola has done it yet again, she has provided us with another outstanding brilliant and gripping read. I absolutely loved this, so could not put it down, although annoyingly I had to at times given that my life actually got in the way at times lols.
I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters were all so very well portrayed and believable. I loved getting to know all of the characters and trying to suss them all out. I spent majority of the story literally trying to figure out who you can trust, who is lying and who is telling the truth. When it was revealed as to the person who couldn’t really be trusted, I was completely shocked.
Nicola has such a way with words that she just draws you in right from the beginning, keeps you enthralled throughout and leaves you with bated breath right to the very end. Which is exactly what she did with this book of hers.
So if you are looking for a book that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat in eager anticipation as to what will happen and be completely captivated throughout, then you really need to read this book.
I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters were all so very well portrayed and believable. I loved getting to know all of the characters and trying to suss them all out. I spent majority of the story literally trying to figure out who you can trust, who is lying and who is telling the truth. When it was revealed as to the person who couldn’t really be trusted, I was completely shocked.
Nicola has such a way with words that she just draws you in right from the beginning, keeps you enthralled throughout and leaves you with bated breath right to the very end. Which is exactly what she did with this book of hers.
So if you are looking for a book that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat in eager anticipation as to what will happen and be completely captivated throughout, then you really need to read this book.
October 13, 2019
Thanks to #netgalley and #bookouture for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. My first Nicola Marsh read. I know we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but I sometimes do and it usually ends well for me! The tag line of "Trusting his family was her first mistake" was what drew me to this one. This was a family suspenseful read. The story unfolds from the perspectives of all the Parker wives and their matriarch mother in law. The inner workings of each marriage is under the microscope and everyone seems to be controlled somewhat by the Parker matriarch who controls the family fortune. A twisty read which had me turning the pages wondering just who was really controlling this family. A great read that will have you side eyeing your in laws at your next family gathering. #netgalley #nicolamarsh #amazon#kindle #litsy #tea_sipping_bookworm #bookstagram #bookouture #bookstagram #goodreads
October 13, 2019
This was a brawny thriller, full to the brim with drama, scandal, lies, infidelity, secrets, murder, love and mystery. Everything about this book was superb; the characters, the narration, the twists and the plot were all excellent. I loved The Last Wife by Nicola Marsh for being an extremely refreshing take on the evil female trope. This was one of those books where everyone is not particularly personable but this adds enrichment to the story, so you love it anyway.
I have read The Scandal and I will be looking out for more by Nicola Marsh in the future. A really fantastic read and well worth five stars!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I have read The Scandal and I will be looking out for more by Nicola Marsh in the future. A really fantastic read and well worth five stars!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
October 15, 2019
The Last Wife is a serviceable women's suspense novel to read on the train or on vacation. As promised, there are interesting twists. However, I found many of the various female characters' inner monologues poorly written and a bit over-the-top. There are also way too many Britishisms for characters who are supposed to be from the American Midwest: "bloody" used in frustration, "jumpers" instead of sweaters, people getting "turfed" instead of "thrown out", etc.
Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 16, 2020
There was much in this book that didn't make sense including the title. Filled with despicable characters this is a family saga about the wealthy Parker's who appear to be targeted by an unknown entity with odd accidents at a time when matriarch May is planning to sell.
The explanation for why youngest son Grayston left his wife and daughter five years earlier was ridiculous. I found this neither gripping nor a read I would recommend but it deserves points for revealing that no one is who they seem and never judge a book by its cover. 2 and a half stars!
The explanation for why youngest son Grayston left his wife and daughter five years earlier was ridiculous. I found this neither gripping nor a read I would recommend but it deserves points for revealing that no one is who they seem and never judge a book by its cover. 2 and a half stars!
October 12, 2019
I liked the start of this story but in the middle I became distracted - a bit of repeating and too much redevelopment of characters.
The plot was good and I did enjoy most of the book.
Many Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an OK read!
The plot was good and I did enjoy most of the book.
Many Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an OK read!
December 20, 2019
Meh! Not so bad that I couldn't finish it, but boringly slow. Unfortunately, I didn't like a single character so I really could have cared less about them. The ending was not a surprise so that didn't help either. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
February 19, 2024
This book was an easy quick read. I could have finished it easily in a day, but prior engagements forced me to put it down. I was interested by the end of the first chapter and thought it had a really great flow. I loved bouncing from the different perspectives of the women in the family. I still don’t see how the title relates to the book, which is slightly annoying but not a deal breaker. I expected some huge twist but honestly anticipated the suspect quite early. I did change my mind a few times, but thought I’d see a bigger twist than what is given. Overall, I really liked it and am going to try another Nicola Marsh novel in the future!
August 16, 2020
The last wife indeed
Wow, I would rate this at 4 1/2 stars. This grabbed me from the beginning. No farting around until the intrigue starts. I started Saturday and couldn't stop reading, finished sunday. I really like books like this. A bit fantastical but always interesting. I like reading how stupid rich people can be because they have money to waste. Wish that was my problem but no such luck. I thought this was a good psychological thriller. I would definitely recommend. Especially if you too like to read about people who think they never have enough.
Wow, I would rate this at 4 1/2 stars. This grabbed me from the beginning. No farting around until the intrigue starts. I started Saturday and couldn't stop reading, finished sunday. I really like books like this. A bit fantastical but always interesting. I like reading how stupid rich people can be because they have money to waste. Wish that was my problem but no such luck. I thought this was a good psychological thriller. I would definitely recommend. Especially if you too like to read about people who think they never have enough.
October 13, 2019
The premise for The Last Wife sounds promising. An extremely wealthy family, all hiding secrets from each other, completely dysfunctional as a whole, are suddenly the target of some unwelcome attention. Computer hacking and who is responsible provides the intrigue element to this novel which sees Ria , ex wife of Grayson Parker, (part of the huge Parker enterprise ) receiving emails portraying many of the members of the Parker clan in a bad light. Exactly who is behind these anonymous emails is a mystery which takes a sinister turn when one by one the females of the family become victims of ‘accidents’.
The love of money is the root of all evil and that certainly applies to this family. May, the matriarch, insists on keeping up appearances to the outside world that all is well with the Parkers whilst in reality they all pretty much despise one another. There seems to be no love lost between May and her children making her a rather cold and selfish character. Grayson walked out on Ria and their daughter and hasn’t been seen for five years, Christine is a drug addict, Shamira has never divulged her true past to husband Trent and Justin and Ashlins marriage is about to implode. There’s a line in this novel that sums up this family perfectly; that money is god and people come second. So perhaps it’s no surprise someone wants this family’s secrets exposed but who is the culprit??
None of the characters in this novel are likeable; they are greedy, shallow, dishonest, narcissistic individuals, with the exception of Ria. The writing for me is a bit repetitive and it’s not the kind of edge of your seat gripping read that I might have expected. I think the twist to the novel is quite obvious with an ending that just felt slightly ridiculous. Overall, I enjoyed ‘The Last Wife’ and I would seek out this author’s other work but ultimately it didn’t have me eagerly turning the pages hence my mediocre rating. Thank you as always to the author and publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.
The love of money is the root of all evil and that certainly applies to this family. May, the matriarch, insists on keeping up appearances to the outside world that all is well with the Parkers whilst in reality they all pretty much despise one another. There seems to be no love lost between May and her children making her a rather cold and selfish character. Grayson walked out on Ria and their daughter and hasn’t been seen for five years, Christine is a drug addict, Shamira has never divulged her true past to husband Trent and Justin and Ashlins marriage is about to implode. There’s a line in this novel that sums up this family perfectly; that money is god and people come second. So perhaps it’s no surprise someone wants this family’s secrets exposed but who is the culprit??
None of the characters in this novel are likeable; they are greedy, shallow, dishonest, narcissistic individuals, with the exception of Ria. The writing for me is a bit repetitive and it’s not the kind of edge of your seat gripping read that I might have expected. I think the twist to the novel is quite obvious with an ending that just felt slightly ridiculous. Overall, I enjoyed ‘The Last Wife’ and I would seek out this author’s other work but ultimately it didn’t have me eagerly turning the pages hence my mediocre rating. Thank you as always to the author and publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.
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