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The Next Wife
I should never have married him. I ignored the warnings. It’s what you do when you’re in love. Ignore what you don’t want to see.
My husband is everything I ever dreamed of. A handsome, successful doctor who swept me off my feet.
Our new life together is perfect.
He’s perfect.
But am I good enough for him? I never seem to get anything right. And I’m starting to feel a little afraid of the man I married.
He’s taken away my bank card and my phone. I don’t know what to think or what to do. I gave up everything for him and now I’m trapped.
Then a stranger comes to our door. She tells me that I can’t trust my husband.
That I should ask him what happened to his first wife.
Totally gripping, chilling and with a twist you won’t see coming, The Next Wife is a dark, heart-stopping story of what really goes on behind closed doors. Fans of Samantha Downing, B A Paris and JP Delaney will be completely enthralled by this completely addictive read.
My husband is everything I ever dreamed of. A handsome, successful doctor who swept me off my feet.
Our new life together is perfect.
He’s perfect.
But am I good enough for him? I never seem to get anything right. And I’m starting to feel a little afraid of the man I married.
He’s taken away my bank card and my phone. I don’t know what to think or what to do. I gave up everything for him and now I’m trapped.
Then a stranger comes to our door. She tells me that I can’t trust my husband.
That I should ask him what happened to his first wife.
Totally gripping, chilling and with a twist you won’t see coming, The Next Wife is a dark, heart-stopping story of what really goes on behind closed doors. Fans of Samantha Downing, B A Paris and JP Delaney will be completely enthralled by this completely addictive read.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2020
1707 people are currently reading
2620 people want to read
About the author
Liz Lawler
8 books411 followersLiz Lawler had a 20-year career as a nurse and later became a general manager of a five star hotel, followed by a stint as a flight attendant with British Airways.
Born in Kent, Liz was part of a large family having 11 siblings. She discovered the solitude of writing, after coming home from a busy nightshift in the emergency department, was a place where she could step away from an emotionally and physically demanding job.
She now lives in Bath with her family and writes in any place that has a quiet space.
Born in Kent, Liz was part of a large family having 11 siblings. She discovered the solitude of writing, after coming home from a busy nightshift in the emergency department, was a place where she could step away from an emotionally and physically demanding job.
She now lives in Bath with her family and writes in any place that has a quiet space.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
October 23, 2020
Eurrrghhhh
Daniel, he is vile
A psychopath, cruel, nasty, evil and makes his wife of a few weeks, Tess’s life unbearable
Of course though, to everyone looking in Daniel is wonderful, a surgeon no less, respected, adored from afar and loved, he fools many and all
As Tess’s abuse sexual, physical and mental gets worse she feels more and more alone...but someone has noticed and as she tries to take her own life she realises someone is on her side
I wont beat about the bush Daniel is a monster and the things he does to Tess are appalling, I hated him and have to say for quite a lot of the time was dumbfounded as to why she didn’t just pack her bags and get herself as far away as possible from him as soon as she could, but then it’s a book and if she had it would have been ‘the end’ so I had to get over that, but really he is the devil in disguise
As the book progresses you find out why and the book takes a totally different turn to how you were led to think, its a good ‘change of story’ and it does make more sense, more than that I wont say
Superbly horrendous and believable characterisations and a hospital and Dr/Nurse setting ( with lots of info given on operations, theatres and the like ) made this anything but the run of the mill psychological thriller that I thought it would be when picked it
The ending maybe pushes the boundaries of believability but all told a great read
8/10
4.5 Stars
Daniel, he is vile
A psychopath, cruel, nasty, evil and makes his wife of a few weeks, Tess’s life unbearable
Of course though, to everyone looking in Daniel is wonderful, a surgeon no less, respected, adored from afar and loved, he fools many and all
As Tess’s abuse sexual, physical and mental gets worse she feels more and more alone...but someone has noticed and as she tries to take her own life she realises someone is on her side
I wont beat about the bush Daniel is a monster and the things he does to Tess are appalling, I hated him and have to say for quite a lot of the time was dumbfounded as to why she didn’t just pack her bags and get herself as far away as possible from him as soon as she could, but then it’s a book and if she had it would have been ‘the end’ so I had to get over that, but really he is the devil in disguise
As the book progresses you find out why and the book takes a totally different turn to how you were led to think, its a good ‘change of story’ and it does make more sense, more than that I wont say
Superbly horrendous and believable characterisations and a hospital and Dr/Nurse setting ( with lots of info given on operations, theatres and the like ) made this anything but the run of the mill psychological thriller that I thought it would be when picked it
The ending maybe pushes the boundaries of believability but all told a great read
8/10
4.5 Stars
September 20, 2021
With a gruesome start a man bludgeoned his wife to death while his children 👶 were watching the next parts of this book were a bit predictable, you have a woman watching the husbands every move it’s like reading a detective novel a stalker watching his prey plus this prose sounds like something I have read before … not my cup of tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2020
The Next Wife is Liz Lawler’s third psychological thriller and is a heart-stopping, dark and twisted story of what really goes on in a marriage behind closed doors. We meet nurse Tess, who has been swept off her feet by Daniel Myers, seemingly the man of her dreams and a handsome, prominent and well-respected surgeon, in a whirlwind romance. They wed within months of first laying eyes on each other, but Tess believes it's perfect and that's he's the one for her so she figures, why wait? They marry and move from London to Bath for a slower pace of life but as Tess begins to notice Daniel carrying out small controlling behaviours she remembers that their neighbour, an elderly lady named Martha King, reminded her to ask her husband about his first wife and exactly what happened to her. Daniel then begins keeping tabs on her like a child — he doesn't allow her to use her phone and bank account freely and even chooses what she can and cannot wear. But when Daniel makes a terrible mistake and lets Tess take the fall for it, she suddenly doesn’t recognise the man she married. She is now caught in a deadly game she didn’t realise she was playing.
This is one of the best domestic-based thrillers I've read in a while; it's captivating, terrifying and heartbreaking to see how the domestic abuse situation starts to break Tess as a person. You can tell Lawler has researched the issue of abuse and controlling behaviours thoroughly as well as the shocking impact they have on the victim, and you can't help but really feel for Tess who is in quite the predicament. As someone who has been subject to abuse before it felt very authentic and brought back many memories that I would rather forget. Of course, friends and family warned her about hastily jumping into the lifelong commitment of marriage and she feels like a fool for moving forward despite not knowing Daniel very well at all. But she is concerned she may get the dreaded "I told you so" response if she leaves him. It's fast-paced, well written and there's a whole host of twists, turns and reveals, some of which caught me off guard. Can Tess escape her monster husband and his flurry of physical, sexual and mental abuse or will she die trying? Highly recommended. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
This is one of the best domestic-based thrillers I've read in a while; it's captivating, terrifying and heartbreaking to see how the domestic abuse situation starts to break Tess as a person. You can tell Lawler has researched the issue of abuse and controlling behaviours thoroughly as well as the shocking impact they have on the victim, and you can't help but really feel for Tess who is in quite the predicament. As someone who has been subject to abuse before it felt very authentic and brought back many memories that I would rather forget. Of course, friends and family warned her about hastily jumping into the lifelong commitment of marriage and she feels like a fool for moving forward despite not knowing Daniel very well at all. But she is concerned she may get the dreaded "I told you so" response if she leaves him. It's fast-paced, well written and there's a whole host of twists, turns and reveals, some of which caught me off guard. Can Tess escape her monster husband and his flurry of physical, sexual and mental abuse or will she die trying? Highly recommended. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
November 8, 2020
A gripping story of power and control and one woman’s battle to escape. This book begins with a bang with a mysterious murder, and then we join Tess and her new husband in their new home in a seemingly unrelated situation. But something isn’t quite right there. There’s a lingering lavender musty smell and the feeling of another woman there before her. Soon enough, Tess realizes her handsome surgeon husband isn’t who she thought he was. Then there’s the matter of the mysterious notes....and the newly discovered diary...
This book doesn’t reinvent the wheel, and the villain is clear from the start, but as a fairly traditional story of domestic suspense, I thought it did a scary, suspenseful job. The book does a great job of capturing the “frog in boiling water” nature of progressive intimate partner violence. While it was frustrating that Tess could not escape sooner, the book did a good job in exploring and explaining her trapped feelings.
I wasn’t super keen on the ending, which was a bit implausible, but it does give a satisfying conclusion to the story. 3.5 stars rounded up - this one is well-written with an ongoing sense of dread.
Thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for the advance copy!
This book doesn’t reinvent the wheel, and the villain is clear from the start, but as a fairly traditional story of domestic suspense, I thought it did a scary, suspenseful job. The book does a great job of capturing the “frog in boiling water” nature of progressive intimate partner violence. While it was frustrating that Tess could not escape sooner, the book did a good job in exploring and explaining her trapped feelings.
I wasn’t super keen on the ending, which was a bit implausible, but it does give a satisfying conclusion to the story. 3.5 stars rounded up - this one is well-written with an ongoing sense of dread.
Thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for the advance copy!
October 10, 2020
After a confronting opening scene in which a woman is bludgeoned to death while shielding her young child we get to the meat of this story. Note - the violence is not actually described but rather implied so not as triggering as it could be. Following a whirlwind romance 28 year old nurse, Tess, marries 40 year old vascular surgeon, Daniel. They have a short honeymoon and then uproot their lives in London and move into a gracious home in Bath where Daniel has a new post at the hospital.
Tess is surprised at the house (massive) and even more surprised that Daniel won’t allow anything to be changed even though it is all very dated and dreary. That is the first clue that all is not well. Closely following is the second clue when Daniel comes home to find Tess in her pyjamas. He’s not happy! On the next day many packages are delivered. Tess is delighted until she realises that all the new and expensive clothing therein is drab and matronly. Things go rapidly downhill from there as we knew they would. While Tess is being terrorised by her husband, elderly lady, Martha, keeps an eye on Tess and the house. She tells her kindly boarder, Jim, that “he” is back. But Martha has a touch of dementia because of course “he” cannot possibly be back - can he?
By now you are starting to make some guesses which are probably right because, while the story was interesting enough, there was nothing new or unique about it. The themes have been done many times before and there were few surprises. The main surprise being that Tess stayed with Daniel. Despite thinking about leaving, she didn’t. In fact Tess came across as quite weak. I know many women become conditioned to be victims and have their confidence stripped away but that happens over time. Tess and Daniel had only been together a few months, Nevertheless the writing was good and the characters, apart from Daniel, were likeable and mostly relatable. This book would appeal to readers who have maybe not read as many psychological thrillers as I have or who don’t like their stories too dark. Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Liz Lawler for providing a copy. My opinions are my own.
Tess is surprised at the house (massive) and even more surprised that Daniel won’t allow anything to be changed even though it is all very dated and dreary. That is the first clue that all is not well. Closely following is the second clue when Daniel comes home to find Tess in her pyjamas. He’s not happy! On the next day many packages are delivered. Tess is delighted until she realises that all the new and expensive clothing therein is drab and matronly. Things go rapidly downhill from there as we knew they would. While Tess is being terrorised by her husband, elderly lady, Martha, keeps an eye on Tess and the house. She tells her kindly boarder, Jim, that “he” is back. But Martha has a touch of dementia because of course “he” cannot possibly be back - can he?
By now you are starting to make some guesses which are probably right because, while the story was interesting enough, there was nothing new or unique about it. The themes have been done many times before and there were few surprises. The main surprise being that Tess stayed with Daniel. Despite thinking about leaving, she didn’t. In fact Tess came across as quite weak. I know many women become conditioned to be victims and have their confidence stripped away but that happens over time. Tess and Daniel had only been together a few months, Nevertheless the writing was good and the characters, apart from Daniel, were likeable and mostly relatable. This book would appeal to readers who have maybe not read as many psychological thrillers as I have or who don’t like their stories too dark. Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Liz Lawler for providing a copy. My opinions are my own.
February 14, 2023
Tess is a surgical nurse and meets Daniel a vascular surgeon in the hospital in London where they both work. After a whirlwind romance they marry and move out of London where Daniel gets a job at another hospital. They move into a grand house situated in Bath. But from the moment they move in, something is wrong.
Their relationship changes and Tess can’t understand why, she hopes her starting a new job will help. But then an incident happens at work and Tess is forced to stay home and endure Daniels moods.
After a few chapters we learn that Daniel is not all he seems and begins to control Tess in a nasty way.
It’s told from 2 different peoples perspectives and it’s interesting to see the connection between both.
Their relationship changes and Tess can’t understand why, she hopes her starting a new job will help. But then an incident happens at work and Tess is forced to stay home and endure Daniels moods.
After a few chapters we learn that Daniel is not all he seems and begins to control Tess in a nasty way.
It’s told from 2 different peoples perspectives and it’s interesting to see the connection between both.
November 1, 2020
Tess finds out what her husband is really like just a few months after she marries him. She thought he was perfect. She thought their married life would be perfect. But she was wrong. She doesn't seem to get anything right and she's starting to be afraid of him. He has taken away her bank card and phone. When a stranger comes to the door warning her she can't trust her husband and she tells her to ask him what happened to his first wife.
**TRIGGER WARNING** This story covers: sexual abuse, controlling behaviour, 3motiojal abuse and murder.
Tess married Daniel after a few months and moved away from London to live in Bath. Tessnthinks she's married the man of her dreams. After all, he's a well respected surgeon. This is a fast paced gripping Turner. I couldn't put the book down as I needed to know if Tess was going to be okay I never saw the revelations coming in the last few chapters. Loved it.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #LizLawler for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
**TRIGGER WARNING** This story covers: sexual abuse, controlling behaviour, 3motiojal abuse and murder.
Tess married Daniel after a few months and moved away from London to live in Bath. Tessnthinks she's married the man of her dreams. After all, he's a well respected surgeon. This is a fast paced gripping Turner. I couldn't put the book down as I needed to know if Tess was going to be okay I never saw the revelations coming in the last few chapters. Loved it.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #LizLawler for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2020
Review coming soon.
August 25, 2021
I cannot believe how many 5 and 4 star reviews the book got! It was a painful, slow-burn with a pathetic main character. Tess is an experienced theater sister yet jumps into a marriage after dating a man (Daniel) for two months who she literally knows nothing about. He is a consulting surgeon. She only meets his parents for the first time at her wedding.
She also ups from London to Bath two weeks after the marriage without prior knowledge into a seven-bedroom old home. The house is furnished in a style that is unattractive and dated and smells but she is not even permitted to wash the curtains. Most concerning is her tolerance of Daniel bruising, burning and forcing himself on her sexually. He also takes away her phone and blames her for a patient's death for which he clearly was responsible. When she finds a hidden notebook under the mattress that chronicles abuse of the former lady of the house, she chooses to read it bit by bit over weeks. Totally implausible when it's been suggested to her that the former lady was Daniel's first wife!
In tandem another story is told of an elderly lady with the onset of dementia trying to warn Tess of what Daniel did to his first wife. I admired my resolve to complete this book but could quite happily have left if early on. 2 stars!
She also ups from London to Bath two weeks after the marriage without prior knowledge into a seven-bedroom old home. The house is furnished in a style that is unattractive and dated and smells but she is not even permitted to wash the curtains. Most concerning is her tolerance of Daniel bruising, burning and forcing himself on her sexually. He also takes away her phone and blames her for a patient's death for which he clearly was responsible. When she finds a hidden notebook under the mattress that chronicles abuse of the former lady of the house, she chooses to read it bit by bit over weeks. Totally implausible when it's been suggested to her that the former lady was Daniel's first wife!
In tandem another story is told of an elderly lady with the onset of dementia trying to warn Tess of what Daniel did to his first wife. I admired my resolve to complete this book but could quite happily have left if early on. 2 stars!
November 4, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
This wasn’t living. She was only alive in the sense that her body was breathing and her heart was beating.
…truth and lies are often told together. The truth to hide the lies and lies to hide the truth.
My Review:
I’m waffling and conflicted in how to rate this one, I was tense and antagonized with the main characters most of the way through yet their twisted logic and unpredictable storylines kept me reading to the end. The new wife was just as unhinged as her cruel and creepy sociopath husband for living under those abusive and volatile conditions, and it would be a rare woman with more than two working brain cells who would have. But I would never have guessed that ending, it was very clever and upped the final star rating. Liz Lawler is an underhanded minx and a twisted sister, and I have to give her props and kudos for her slick trickery - with maybe a few sharp pinches in a soft area for torturing me along the way. ;)
This wasn’t living. She was only alive in the sense that her body was breathing and her heart was beating.
…truth and lies are often told together. The truth to hide the lies and lies to hide the truth.
My Review:
I’m waffling and conflicted in how to rate this one, I was tense and antagonized with the main characters most of the way through yet their twisted logic and unpredictable storylines kept me reading to the end. The new wife was just as unhinged as her cruel and creepy sociopath husband for living under those abusive and volatile conditions, and it would be a rare woman with more than two working brain cells who would have. But I would never have guessed that ending, it was very clever and upped the final star rating. Liz Lawler is an underhanded minx and a twisted sister, and I have to give her props and kudos for her slick trickery - with maybe a few sharp pinches in a soft area for torturing me along the way. ;)
December 28, 2020
4 stars audio
3 drawn unnecessarily out stars story
3 drawn unnecessarily out stars story
March 20, 2021
Tess and Daniel marry after a whirlwind romance. Not two weeks later, Tess is ruing the day she met him. What has changed .. .and why?
He starts by criticizing her clothes, her shoes, her make-up. Then he buys her clothes that would suit a frumpy elderly woman. When he takes his phone and her her credit cards, and locks her in her room, she's decided she's had enough.... but now she discovers that she is pregnant.
OK.. so maybe she'll stay and hope things get better, Until ... an elderly neighbor stops by and tells her she shouldn't trust her husband and suggests she ask Daniel what happened to his first wife.
First wife? What first wife? Where is she?
This is a psychological thriller that has been done numerous times. It is well-written, with a few surprises here and there. The characters are deftly drawn, but Daniel was over the top and Tess was a bit too wishy-washy. The ending made the read worth while .. it was unexpected, surprising.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
He starts by criticizing her clothes, her shoes, her make-up. Then he buys her clothes that would suit a frumpy elderly woman. When he takes his phone and her her credit cards, and locks her in her room, she's decided she's had enough.... but now she discovers that she is pregnant.
OK.. so maybe she'll stay and hope things get better, Until ... an elderly neighbor stops by and tells her she shouldn't trust her husband and suggests she ask Daniel what happened to his first wife.
First wife? What first wife? Where is she?
This is a psychological thriller that has been done numerous times. It is well-written, with a few surprises here and there. The characters are deftly drawn, but Daniel was over the top and Tess was a bit too wishy-washy. The ending made the read worth while .. it was unexpected, surprising.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 25, 2021
2.5 *
What an annoying piece. I disliked the author's narrative style during the entire book. It was unnecessarily redundant sometimes, yet some important information never gets revealed.
This is not a suspense thriller but domestic abuse/drama from the very first letter. This novel is everything but gripping. The story went into a certain direction and by the end everything happened as I had expected.
Lawler apparently tried very hard to write something powerful and sometimes disturbing, and she did a good job when she shares every detail about how emotionlessly ; I liked these parts as, although it was somewhat painful to read, but at least they had a hint of reality in them, unlike the rest of the story. who eventually saves the day was absolutely ridiculous and totally far-fetched.
Virtually NOTHING in this book is elaborated enough, except for the aforementioned and the stupid medical procedures. We get a glimpse of the woman's childhood and from other things as well, but nothing gets told in great detail, so that eventually it would make sense. I really missed seeing this couple before the marriage: it would've been a stark contrast between the happy days and the less happy "honeymoon phase", but then it would've required actual writing skills. Instead, the guy arrives home one day, and all of a sudden he does a 180. Very credible.
And then there's the woman. Oh. My. God. What a weak, stupid, indecisive broad! She wants to leave. Tomorrow. But she stays. Tomorrow then. Okay, not now, the next day. And this goes on and on Her reactions to the man's behavior were SO unbelievable, so impossible that I got furious every time when WTF?? And when she just casually decides to , like when you decide to go to the store to grab some milk and bread?? Is this seriously an adult's reaction to the first problem in a marriage? She NEVER tries to talk to the husband. How mature! And the cherry on top is when she gets super worried when the husband disappears for a while. I bet she wasn't mentally ok either.
The husband is apparently mentally ill too, but his actual condition also doesn't get elaborated. He's clearly a narcissist, so the letter at the end of the book makes zero sense. Not to mention She's a nurse, but never thinks about it... Not to mention the constant .
The ending is predictable. I also don't see the purpose of visiting the father in the loony bin.
This book might be good for some people, but I most definitely won't read anything from this lady again.
What an annoying piece. I disliked the author's narrative style during the entire book. It was unnecessarily redundant sometimes, yet some important information never gets revealed.
This is not a suspense thriller but domestic abuse/drama from the very first letter. This novel is everything but gripping. The story went into a certain direction and by the end everything happened as I had expected.
Lawler apparently tried very hard to write something powerful and sometimes disturbing, and she did a good job when she shares every detail about how emotionlessly ; I liked these parts as, although it was somewhat painful to read, but at least they had a hint of reality in them, unlike the rest of the story. who eventually saves the day was absolutely ridiculous and totally far-fetched.
Virtually NOTHING in this book is elaborated enough, except for the aforementioned and the stupid medical procedures. We get a glimpse of the woman's childhood and from other things as well, but nothing gets told in great detail, so that eventually it would make sense. I really missed seeing this couple before the marriage: it would've been a stark contrast between the happy days and the less happy "honeymoon phase", but then it would've required actual writing skills. Instead, the guy arrives home one day, and all of a sudden he does a 180. Very credible.
And then there's the woman. Oh. My. God. What a weak, stupid, indecisive broad! She wants to leave. Tomorrow. But she stays. Tomorrow then. Okay, not now, the next day. And this goes on and on Her reactions to the man's behavior were SO unbelievable, so impossible that I got furious every time when WTF?? And when she just casually decides to , like when you decide to go to the store to grab some milk and bread?? Is this seriously an adult's reaction to the first problem in a marriage? She NEVER tries to talk to the husband. How mature! And the cherry on top is when she gets super worried when the husband disappears for a while. I bet she wasn't mentally ok either.
The husband is apparently mentally ill too, but his actual condition also doesn't get elaborated. He's clearly a narcissist, so the letter at the end of the book makes zero sense. Not to mention She's a nurse, but never thinks about it... Not to mention the constant .
The ending is predictable. I also don't see the purpose of visiting the father in the loony bin.
This book might be good for some people, but I most definitely won't read anything from this lady again.
October 13, 2020
*Thanks to Bookouture + NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!*
Per usual, let's start with a content warnings so you're immediately aware of if this is a book that is appropriate for you right now - a content warning for spousal abuse, both sexual and physical; an additional content warning for a suicide attempt.
Now, on to the story! When we jump in to the book, there's an opener where it's clear something very bad is happening to someone's wife and child, and that the person making this bad thing happen is her husband. Then, we meet our first POV, an older woman who's convinced that the perpetrator of that just-read opening scene has returned to town and has brought with him a new woman. We know she's somehow connected to the family that previously lived in the home, but have no context as to how she would know them. Our next POV introduces us to the woman he's brought with him, his new wife.
The majority of the book is told through the new wife's POV, and we're meeting this couple right as they're moving in to their new home and starting their married lives together. Immediately, things start to change. No longer is it acceptable for her to be wearing her pajamas around the house, instead, she should be dressed properly for dinner. When her husband sends new clothes for her after the dress for dinner mandate, they're very much *not* what she would've selected for herself. Following an incident leaving her suspended at work, he takes away her cell phone and bank access, leaving her basically imprisoned in their home. It gets very controlling, very fast and the abuse ramps up quickly.
We're still getting the POV of the older woman, who eventually warns the new wife that she should ask her husband what happened to his old wife. This older woman is also experiencing dementia, so at times you're left to wonder at how much of what she's saying and thinking can actually be believed.
Here's the thing, though - I think this book had the potential to be really, really good. When everything sort of comes together towards the end (maybe the last 15% or so, I was very much skimming by the time I got there), it got interesting! But the problem was that there isn't enough connection with the characters at the onset of the book to get you involved. I think if we had gotten to see even an abbreviated version of their whirlwind relationship - even just a few chapters! - to see the dynamics of who they were before they moved to this house, it would've really given the story a huge advantage when things started to change dramatically. I really felt like I just needed more time to care about these characters before things got dark!
All in all, it was pretty meh for me. Like I said, it did eventually come together in a way that was interesting and not what I thought was coming, but I could've easily DNFed this and not felt sad about it.
Per usual, let's start with a content warnings so you're immediately aware of if this is a book that is appropriate for you right now - a content warning for spousal abuse, both sexual and physical; an additional content warning for a suicide attempt.
Now, on to the story! When we jump in to the book, there's an opener where it's clear something very bad is happening to someone's wife and child, and that the person making this bad thing happen is her husband. Then, we meet our first POV, an older woman who's convinced that the perpetrator of that just-read opening scene has returned to town and has brought with him a new woman. We know she's somehow connected to the family that previously lived in the home, but have no context as to how she would know them. Our next POV introduces us to the woman he's brought with him, his new wife.
The majority of the book is told through the new wife's POV, and we're meeting this couple right as they're moving in to their new home and starting their married lives together. Immediately, things start to change. No longer is it acceptable for her to be wearing her pajamas around the house, instead, she should be dressed properly for dinner. When her husband sends new clothes for her after the dress for dinner mandate, they're very much *not* what she would've selected for herself. Following an incident leaving her suspended at work, he takes away her cell phone and bank access, leaving her basically imprisoned in their home. It gets very controlling, very fast and the abuse ramps up quickly.
We're still getting the POV of the older woman, who eventually warns the new wife that she should ask her husband what happened to his old wife. This older woman is also experiencing dementia, so at times you're left to wonder at how much of what she's saying and thinking can actually be believed.
Here's the thing, though - I think this book had the potential to be really, really good. When everything sort of comes together towards the end (maybe the last 15% or so, I was very much skimming by the time I got there), it got interesting! But the problem was that there isn't enough connection with the characters at the onset of the book to get you involved. I think if we had gotten to see even an abbreviated version of their whirlwind relationship - even just a few chapters! - to see the dynamics of who they were before they moved to this house, it would've really given the story a huge advantage when things started to change dramatically. I really felt like I just needed more time to care about these characters before things got dark!
All in all, it was pretty meh for me. Like I said, it did eventually come together in a way that was interesting and not what I thought was coming, but I could've easily DNFed this and not felt sad about it.
November 2, 2020
This is a book that will make your blood boil.
Daniel is charismatic to others and the perfect husband to Tess when out in public, but behind closed doors he is abusing his wife.
It starts off with small things like telling her how to dress and then escalates from this point onwards.
Tess is confused by his change in behaviour and can’t understand why he’s being so cruel to her.
She then finds a journal from a woman experiencing the same things as her and she starts to investigate.
It all becomes clear later in the book but does Tess have the courage to get away from Daniel?
This is a taut domestic thriller which some readers may find uncomfortable but it’s a well told story.
A great read.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Daniel is charismatic to others and the perfect husband to Tess when out in public, but behind closed doors he is abusing his wife.
It starts off with small things like telling her how to dress and then escalates from this point onwards.
Tess is confused by his change in behaviour and can’t understand why he’s being so cruel to her.
She then finds a journal from a woman experiencing the same things as her and she starts to investigate.
It all becomes clear later in the book but does Tess have the courage to get away from Daniel?
This is a taut domestic thriller which some readers may find uncomfortable but it’s a well told story.
A great read.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
October 28, 2020
Based on other feedback/reviews, I'm going to be in the minority based on rating. I just couldn't get into the story. It could stem from the fact I have read similar books recently and just am oversaturated on the genre. The ending did have a nice little twist that I wasn't expecting. Regardless of my opinion, I would still encourage other readers to check this book out if they enjoy domestic thrillers.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy
November 19, 2020
Its 3.5☆ from me? Well.. i did enjoy read this book even the twist was already expected.
November 14, 2020
My husband is everything I ever dreamed of. A handsome, successful doctor who swept me off my feet.
Our new life together is perfect.
He’s perfect.
But am I good enough for him? I never seem to get anything right. And I’m starting to feel a little afraid of the man I married.
He’s taken away my bank card and my phone. I don’t know what to think or what to do. I gave up everything for him and now I’m trapped.
Then a stranger comes to our door. She tells me that I can’t trust my husband.
That I should ask him what happened to his first wife.
My Thoughts: It did not take long to hate Daniel, the husband in The Next Wife. I felt a connection to Tess and also enjoyed the older woman, Martha, who lived nearby and tried to warn Tess about her husband.
As Daniel's controlling behavior intensified, I kept hoping for an escape for Tess. But just when I thought there might be a way out for her, the obstacles grew until she was under his total control.
What had happened before Tess entered Daniel’s life? Was there a first wife? Did she come to some terrible end? It was not hard to imagine the cruelty that Daniel might have exacted on her, as he has turned dark in his current marriage, and so early into the union.
I did wonder about how he developed into this horrific person, and how others could still see his charm, but I have also known characters just like him and had no reason to question how they got that way. Most seem to have learned their evil in childhood, either as a victim or as an aberration.
As the story unfolded, I was shocked by the unexpected twists and turns, and couldn’t stop turning the pages. A great read that earned 4.5 stars.
Our new life together is perfect.
He’s perfect.
But am I good enough for him? I never seem to get anything right. And I’m starting to feel a little afraid of the man I married.
He’s taken away my bank card and my phone. I don’t know what to think or what to do. I gave up everything for him and now I’m trapped.
Then a stranger comes to our door. She tells me that I can’t trust my husband.
That I should ask him what happened to his first wife.
My Thoughts: It did not take long to hate Daniel, the husband in The Next Wife. I felt a connection to Tess and also enjoyed the older woman, Martha, who lived nearby and tried to warn Tess about her husband.
As Daniel's controlling behavior intensified, I kept hoping for an escape for Tess. But just when I thought there might be a way out for her, the obstacles grew until she was under his total control.
What had happened before Tess entered Daniel’s life? Was there a first wife? Did she come to some terrible end? It was not hard to imagine the cruelty that Daniel might have exacted on her, as he has turned dark in his current marriage, and so early into the union.
I did wonder about how he developed into this horrific person, and how others could still see his charm, but I have also known characters just like him and had no reason to question how they got that way. Most seem to have learned their evil in childhood, either as a victim or as an aberration.
As the story unfolded, I was shocked by the unexpected twists and turns, and couldn’t stop turning the pages. A great read that earned 4.5 stars.
November 3, 2020
This book by
Liz Lawler
is a dark domestic thriller with the theme of abuse at its core.
The Next Wife really packs a punch with its twists and misdirections. Following a whirlwind courtship and a very quick marriage, Tess a 28-year-old nurse and vascular surgeon, Daniel, 40, move from London to Bath where Daniel has landed himself a new job. Tess is looking forward to her great new life in their huge house but almost immediately things are amiss both with her handsome, charming husband and the mansion...
In some clever narration between Tess and elderly neighbour named Martha King, Liz Lawler does a first-class job portraying the chilling aspects of the story. I soon found myself pondering and questioning all sorts - choices, sanity, and intentions, to name a few. The plot and storyline were excellent and I was impressed by Liz Lawler’s style of writing which was perfectly paced. The concise chapters were thrilling and the cliff hanger at the end of each one persuaded me to read "just one more" making The Next Wife a full-blown page-turner for me.
The ending of this intense domestic thriller was a surprise and some of the revelations in the lead-up to it were shocking. This is my first book by this talented author and I will be reading more from her. An electrifying psychological thriller that I highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
The Next Wife really packs a punch with its twists and misdirections. Following a whirlwind courtship and a very quick marriage, Tess a 28-year-old nurse and vascular surgeon, Daniel, 40, move from London to Bath where Daniel has landed himself a new job. Tess is looking forward to her great new life in their huge house but almost immediately things are amiss both with her handsome, charming husband and the mansion...
In some clever narration between Tess and elderly neighbour named Martha King, Liz Lawler does a first-class job portraying the chilling aspects of the story. I soon found myself pondering and questioning all sorts - choices, sanity, and intentions, to name a few. The plot and storyline were excellent and I was impressed by Liz Lawler’s style of writing which was perfectly paced. The concise chapters were thrilling and the cliff hanger at the end of each one persuaded me to read "just one more" making The Next Wife a full-blown page-turner for me.
The ending of this intense domestic thriller was a surprise and some of the revelations in the lead-up to it were shocking. This is my first book by this talented author and I will be reading more from her. An electrifying psychological thriller that I highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
November 3, 2020
A dark domestic thriller was this with an abuse theme at the core which involved mysteries of the past mixed with the realities of the present, making it quite interesting in some ways. My second Liz Lawler book saw me read this at one go to know how the human psyche could be twisted and turned.
Tess, an operation theatre scrub nurse, married vascular surgeon, Daniel. With whirlwind courtship and fast marriage, followed by a new house in a different area saw Tess centered in a plotline where Daniel started changing his attitude and slowly transforming her, making her subservient. Would she ever break free?
The prose sped up as I read incredulously at all the things that Tess underwent. Things escalated, along with my desperation at wanting to help her escape his abuse. The author brought out my emotions as every cell in me, which screamed woman, hated the abuse shown.
There were many twists when an old woman came up to her to warn her and when a shocker when she found something hidden in the house. The suspense ramped up, and the last few pages brought the story to a train stopping finale.
And then came my niggles… Why didn’t she just walk away? The reasons given felt too flimsy. Being a doc, I understood the medical jargon, but so much was not needed to the plot. The subplots felt to be too unbelievable and farfetched. Even after he shoved her hand in boiling water, she sympathized with him a few pages later.
But then again, I have met a few women like this. I have been one who was happy in the tiny happy moments while forgetting the huge emotional abuse I went through in the rest of the time. Today, I could look back and call it an abuse. In those times, I thought I deserved it. Sighhh… Bad times.
Overall, an interesting book which a great final twist.
Tess, an operation theatre scrub nurse, married vascular surgeon, Daniel. With whirlwind courtship and fast marriage, followed by a new house in a different area saw Tess centered in a plotline where Daniel started changing his attitude and slowly transforming her, making her subservient. Would she ever break free?
The prose sped up as I read incredulously at all the things that Tess underwent. Things escalated, along with my desperation at wanting to help her escape his abuse. The author brought out my emotions as every cell in me, which screamed woman, hated the abuse shown.
There were many twists when an old woman came up to her to warn her and when a shocker when she found something hidden in the house. The suspense ramped up, and the last few pages brought the story to a train stopping finale.
And then came my niggles… Why didn’t she just walk away? The reasons given felt too flimsy. Being a doc, I understood the medical jargon, but so much was not needed to the plot. The subplots felt to be too unbelievable and farfetched. Even after he shoved her hand in boiling water, she sympathized with him a few pages later.
But then again, I have met a few women like this. I have been one who was happy in the tiny happy moments while forgetting the huge emotional abuse I went through in the rest of the time. Today, I could look back and call it an abuse. In those times, I thought I deserved it. Sighhh… Bad times.
Overall, an interesting book which a great final twist.
November 3, 2020
This was the first book I’ve read by Liz Lawler and I just love her writing style! I was able to work out all of the details from the beginning but I know that many of you will be quite shocked and life the twists!
November 24, 2020
The Next Wife is immediately sinister and foreboding as you turn the very first pages. A house, a couple and an elderly lady, all whom have sinficifant past traumas which shape their state of minds, actions and behaviours. I couldn't speed through this story, I paused for breath at intervals, with genuine concern and trepidation for the wife whom endured so much. This novel depicts the struggles with an abusive relationship and the varying ways one can be victimised, not easy reading. I found it difficult to understand the victims actions and feelings always; as sadly I'm sure the case will be that you would only truly understand the main character had you experienced such a difficult situation. The writing was well structured and the medical detail was fabulous, not as though providing lots of info to fill up pages but genuinely adding to how events unfold. I wasnt left with any surprises, most of what I surmised indeed played out but nonetheless was a great book and one which was truly chilling at times; and that is exactly what I seek when I see a book categorised as a thriller. It turns out I already have purchased a copy of Don't Wake Up, so I shall look forward to delving deeper into Liz Lawler's work in the future.
With thanks to Liz Lawler, Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
With thanks to Liz Lawler, Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
December 4, 2020
Book Description:
I should never have married him. I ignored the warnings. It’s what you do when you’re in love. Ignore what you don’t want to see.
My husband is everything I ever dreamed of. A handsome, successful doctor who swept me off my feet.
Our new life together is perfect.
He’s perfect.
But am I good enough for him? I never seem to get anything right. And I’m starting to feel a little afraid of the man I married.
He’s taken away my bank card and my phone. I don’t know what to think or what to do. I gave up everything for him and now I’m trapped.
Then a stranger comes to our door. She tells me that I can’t trust my husband.
That I should ask him what happened to his first wife.
Totally gripping, chilling and with a twist you won’t see coming, The Next Wife is a dark, heart-stopping story of what really goes on behind closed doors. Fans of My Lovely Wife, B A Paris and JP Delaney will be completely enthralled by this addictive read.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Next Wife' by Liz Lawler.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 3rd November 2020
This is the first book that I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and intriguing synopsis. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 55 chapters.The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Bath, UK 🇬🇧 . I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture the scenes. I have, in fact, visited Bath so am hoping to be able to set the scenes smoother in my head.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Martha and Tess. I enjoy books written in third person with several protagonists as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
This book is extremely well written and the fantastic descriptions definitely add to the dark atmosphere. The synopsis and the cover worked very well with the plot. I am most definitely looking forward to reading more books by this very talented author.
The storyline is extremely compelling and addictive as well as very dark, even more so as it is something that sadly happens on a daily basis, I myself have had some of the events of the book happen to me. It was gripping from the beginning and throughout completely page turning and nail biting. It is most definitely a roller-coaster ride of emotions from tension, suspense to genuine fear for Tess. There were moments where I was relived, shocked and at all times I was on the edge of my seat. I am glad to see more and more books being brought out that focuses on the subject of domestic violence as it comes in all different forms. I was not expecting the end at all which is always a bonus for me as its getting harder and harder to shock me!!
The characters all played their roles very well. I definitely had a soft spot for Cameron and Martha and felt very proactive of Tess. Sara did annoy me at the beginning because if she hadn't said what she did Tess may have left alot sooner. It's quite hard to review the characters too much without giving much away. I think it's fantastic what the surprise character did, good on him and I agree 10000 % with his actions. I did find a small amount of sympathy for another which also shocked me!!
Please if yourself or someone you know is going through this PLEASE get help, PLEASE talk to someone. You can even message me, just someone!!
Overall an extremely dark but sadly realistic addictive and gripping page turner.
Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Psychological Fiction, Drama and Psychological Thriller amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as .
320 pages.
This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheNextWife #Bookouture #LizLawler #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@LizLawler @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
Author Bio:
Liz Lawler grew up sharing pants, socks, occasionally a toothbrush, sleeping four to a bed. Born in Chatham and partly raised in Dublin, she is one of fourteen children. She spent over twenty years as a nurse and has since fitted in working as a flight attendant, a general manager of a five star hotel, and is now working with trains. She became an author in 2017 when her debut novel Don’t Wake Up was published by Twenty7.
https://twitter.com/authorlizlawler?l...
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3kylLox
Apple: https://apple.co/2PMYPEA
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3gQ4GEZ
Google: https://bit.ly/3fOCGjC
I should never have married him. I ignored the warnings. It’s what you do when you’re in love. Ignore what you don’t want to see.
My husband is everything I ever dreamed of. A handsome, successful doctor who swept me off my feet.
Our new life together is perfect.
He’s perfect.
But am I good enough for him? I never seem to get anything right. And I’m starting to feel a little afraid of the man I married.
He’s taken away my bank card and my phone. I don’t know what to think or what to do. I gave up everything for him and now I’m trapped.
Then a stranger comes to our door. She tells me that I can’t trust my husband.
That I should ask him what happened to his first wife.
Totally gripping, chilling and with a twist you won’t see coming, The Next Wife is a dark, heart-stopping story of what really goes on behind closed doors. Fans of My Lovely Wife, B A Paris and JP Delaney will be completely enthralled by this addictive read.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Next Wife' by Liz Lawler.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 3rd November 2020
This is the first book that I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and intriguing synopsis. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 55 chapters.The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Bath, UK 🇬🇧 . I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture the scenes. I have, in fact, visited Bath so am hoping to be able to set the scenes smoother in my head.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Martha and Tess. I enjoy books written in third person with several protagonists as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
This book is extremely well written and the fantastic descriptions definitely add to the dark atmosphere. The synopsis and the cover worked very well with the plot. I am most definitely looking forward to reading more books by this very talented author.
The storyline is extremely compelling and addictive as well as very dark, even more so as it is something that sadly happens on a daily basis, I myself have had some of the events of the book happen to me. It was gripping from the beginning and throughout completely page turning and nail biting. It is most definitely a roller-coaster ride of emotions from tension, suspense to genuine fear for Tess. There were moments where I was relived, shocked and at all times I was on the edge of my seat. I am glad to see more and more books being brought out that focuses on the subject of domestic violence as it comes in all different forms. I was not expecting the end at all which is always a bonus for me as its getting harder and harder to shock me!!
The characters all played their roles very well. I definitely had a soft spot for Cameron and Martha and felt very proactive of Tess. Sara did annoy me at the beginning because if she hadn't said what she did Tess may have left alot sooner. It's quite hard to review the characters too much without giving much away. I think it's fantastic what the surprise character did, good on him and I agree 10000 % with his actions. I did find a small amount of sympathy for another which also shocked me!!
Please if yourself or someone you know is going through this PLEASE get help, PLEASE talk to someone. You can even message me, just someone!!
Overall an extremely dark but sadly realistic addictive and gripping page turner.
Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Psychological Fiction, Drama and Psychological Thriller amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as .
320 pages.
This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheNextWife #Bookouture #LizLawler #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@LizLawler @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
Author Bio:
Liz Lawler grew up sharing pants, socks, occasionally a toothbrush, sleeping four to a bed. Born in Chatham and partly raised in Dublin, she is one of fourteen children. She spent over twenty years as a nurse and has since fitted in working as a flight attendant, a general manager of a five star hotel, and is now working with trains. She became an author in 2017 when her debut novel Don’t Wake Up was published by Twenty7.
https://twitter.com/authorlizlawler?l...
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3kylLox
Apple: https://apple.co/2PMYPEA
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3gQ4GEZ
Google: https://bit.ly/3fOCGjC
November 30, 2020
Very predictable Stepford Wivesish plot. I just don’t get why she didn’t even try to get away. They just got married, he didn’t have anything to hold over her head, didn’t black Mail her with anything, she didn’t appear insanely in love with him, so why didn’t she? After the pasta incident, you think she would be like “bye , you psycho path”. I read many books about battered women, but it wasn’t the case in this incident, there’s no explanation why she didn’t try to leave him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2020
There are many books out there about the innocent wife fearing for her life and the perfect husband, who turns out to be a manipulative jerk. This book had a few good twists but it was predictable as hell for me. SMH. Loved the cover. Just an ok read for me.
Thanks to Netgalley, Liz Lawler and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 11/3/20
Thanks to Netgalley, Liz Lawler and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 11/3/20
December 5, 2020
Tess thought she married a perfect husband who is a surgeon, handsome and charming but then boom he shows his real self after a few months they got married.
The only thing that I don't understand is why she didn't leave after he hurt her more than once?
I like the twist at the end. I was like wow I didn't expect that!! The ending ties everything together and you found out what actually happened and who is who
The Next Wife is a pretty dark story that involves sexual abuse, physical violence and rape.
Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for The Next Wife ARC!
The only thing that I don't understand is why she didn't leave after he hurt her more than once?
I like the twist at the end. I was like wow I didn't expect that!! The ending ties everything together and you found out what actually happened and who is who
The Next Wife is a pretty dark story that involves sexual abuse, physical violence and rape.
Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for The Next Wife ARC!
October 2, 2020
Wow I read this book in a few hours on the sofa as I couldn’t bare to put it down. I loved it this is a tale of a dark and twisted man who’s true colours don’t come out until Tess has already uprooted her life to Bath to be with her new husband. As his behaviour slowly spirals out of control she starts to question if she really knows him at all and when a stranger turns up at the door telling her to ask him about his first wife Tess’s life starts to implode and she’s not sure if she will get out alive. A totally thrilling dark read about obsession
November 12, 2020
Tess is a new bride in bliss w/her new doctor husband. Everything is amazing until it isn't. Her new husband starts changing & becoming a hideous monster & she can't figure out why or what she has done to cause it. One day an elderly woman knocks at her door telling her to ask her husband what happened to his first wife. After that day Tess's world is changed forever.
I wasn't sure about this book at first because it seemed to me that the story started hasty like maybe some of the beginning had been left out. After the first few chapters though it pulled me in & I was hooked. Reading to see how Tessa will survive this monster she unknowingly married. The revelations towards the last chapters were mind blowing & will shock even the esteemed thriller reader. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for my early review copy. I highly recommend you grab this one & sit down for a few hrs of excessive uninterrupted reading!!!!!!
I wasn't sure about this book at first because it seemed to me that the story started hasty like maybe some of the beginning had been left out. After the first few chapters though it pulled me in & I was hooked. Reading to see how Tessa will survive this monster she unknowingly married. The revelations towards the last chapters were mind blowing & will shock even the esteemed thriller reader. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for my early review copy. I highly recommend you grab this one & sit down for a few hrs of excessive uninterrupted reading!!!!!!
November 3, 2020
This was an engrossing and suspenseful read.
Obsessions. Lies. Deceit. A unraveling of a marriage to someone you thought you knew.
It grabbed me from the first page and I could barely put it down - and I have a hard time reading thrillers before bed. The descriptions throughout this book were so atmospheric.
The plot was well crafted. There is nothing I love more than a solid domestic thriller. This was a page turner and a perfect read for Fall.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Obsessions. Lies. Deceit. A unraveling of a marriage to someone you thought you knew.
It grabbed me from the first page and I could barely put it down - and I have a hard time reading thrillers before bed. The descriptions throughout this book were so atmospheric.
The plot was well crafted. There is nothing I love more than a solid domestic thriller. This was a page turner and a perfect read for Fall.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2020
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review - thank you, Netgalley.
After a whirlwind courtship, Tess and Daniel move from London to Bath. Tess has no friends - her closest friend is about to head off to Australia for her dream job. Until an elderly woman begins staring through her windows. At first she runs, but Martha lets slip a few secrets about Tess' new home.
In an effort to be less domestic, Tess gets a job at her husband's hospital - Daniel is a vascular surgeon while Tess is an OR nurse. After a tragic incident, Tess find herself homebound again. This time without her phone, bank card or a car. And Daniel has bought her a new wardrobe. New shoes. An etiquette book as well as diary listing her areas that need improvement.
Who is this man?
As a woman who lived with a narcissist, the author does a great job peeling away Tess' access to life via Daniel's control and behavior. She does a great job setting up Daniel as an amazing catch - and allowing his monster to show through.
Tess' reactions are realistic, frustrating and relatable. Honestly, I just wanted to stab Daniel through the entire book.
Great twists, Great plot movement and development. Great ending.
After a whirlwind courtship, Tess and Daniel move from London to Bath. Tess has no friends - her closest friend is about to head off to Australia for her dream job. Until an elderly woman begins staring through her windows. At first she runs, but Martha lets slip a few secrets about Tess' new home.
In an effort to be less domestic, Tess gets a job at her husband's hospital - Daniel is a vascular surgeon while Tess is an OR nurse. After a tragic incident, Tess find herself homebound again. This time without her phone, bank card or a car. And Daniel has bought her a new wardrobe. New shoes. An etiquette book as well as diary listing her areas that need improvement.
Who is this man?
As a woman who lived with a narcissist, the author does a great job peeling away Tess' access to life via Daniel's control and behavior. She does a great job setting up Daniel as an amazing catch - and allowing his monster to show through.
Tess' reactions are realistic, frustrating and relatable. Honestly, I just wanted to stab Daniel through the entire book.
Great twists, Great plot movement and development. Great ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews