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Willow's Wounds #1
Willow's Flame
So, what is it exactly that labels one a serial killer? Is it the amount of people that you kill, statistically speaking? What if the killing is within reason? Can the murder, or murders be justified? If the world is a better place without the people who are killed, is it really such a tragedy?
A serial killer is typically a person who murders three or more people, usually in service of abnormal psychological gratification, with the murders taking place over more than a month and including a significant period of time between them.
-
In what would seem to be a cozy home in Chicago, a young couple seem to have it all, Willow finds herself questioning the life she chose with her husband Neil. When his secrets begin to unfold, she gets caught up in a spicy affair with Brock, who she met at a book club. It turns out Neil isn’t the only one bearing secrets. Pauleen, who’s named The Nosey Neighbor hears it all through the thin walls and starts to connect the dots herself when poor, sweet Willow goes missing.
A serial killer is typically a person who murders three or more people, usually in service of abnormal psychological gratification, with the murders taking place over more than a month and including a significant period of time between them.
-
In what would seem to be a cozy home in Chicago, a young couple seem to have it all, Willow finds herself questioning the life she chose with her husband Neil. When his secrets begin to unfold, she gets caught up in a spicy affair with Brock, who she met at a book club. It turns out Neil isn’t the only one bearing secrets. Pauleen, who’s named The Nosey Neighbor hears it all through the thin walls and starts to connect the dots herself when poor, sweet Willow goes missing.
158 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2021
71 people are currently reading
713 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Fields
6 books179 followersStephanie Fields lives in Texas with her husband, two kids and chickens that she names after her book characters. She enjoys reading psychological thriller books and loves to be surprised with a good plot twist. She has a bachelor's degree and is a former teacher/social worker turned psychological thriller author. She spends her time pouring her personal experience into the books she writes. Her work is published worldwide, with a short story sitting on the shelves in London and her series Willow's Wounds being read across the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
May 31, 2022
This is unfortunately the worst edited book I have read. I do not recommend it.
I could not get into the story because of the number of content errors and need to reconstruct sentences to actually make sense of what is being said. As early as 6 pages in it was hard to follow. It appears to be written from two POVs in one chapter alone, and one of the male POVs changes from first person to third person in the same chapter.
As the book went on, it was impossible to follow the plot because of the bad content errors ruining any flow - words spelled wrong and grammatical errors. Ie. 'inpatient' written instead of 'impatient', which is just one of many examples in addition to:-
- various misplaced commas;
- various tense issues;
- poor sentence structure; and
- words that start a sentence not being capitalised on various occasions.
I just can't get into a book where there is one or more errors literally every few pages, of which I reported. I do hope the author is informed of the many content errors and is able to republish the book. It may then be a story I can try to get into. It goes without saying that I did not finish this, even if only 150 pages long. I stopped at about 40%.
I could not get into the story because of the number of content errors and need to reconstruct sentences to actually make sense of what is being said. As early as 6 pages in it was hard to follow. It appears to be written from two POVs in one chapter alone, and one of the male POVs changes from first person to third person in the same chapter.
As the book went on, it was impossible to follow the plot because of the bad content errors ruining any flow - words spelled wrong and grammatical errors. Ie. 'inpatient' written instead of 'impatient', which is just one of many examples in addition to:-
- various misplaced commas;
- various tense issues;
- poor sentence structure; and
- words that start a sentence not being capitalised on various occasions.
I just can't get into a book where there is one or more errors literally every few pages, of which I reported. I do hope the author is informed of the many content errors and is able to republish the book. It may then be a story I can try to get into. It goes without saying that I did not finish this, even if only 150 pages long. I stopped at about 40%.
October 6, 2023
It was very hard to get past the number of spelling and grammatical errors in this. The word “Valero” being spelled 3 different ways on one page, for example. This story could’ve been interesting had it not felt like it were written in about 45 minutes and immediately printed.
December 21, 2022
The writing style was so across the board. There was no structure to it and for advanced readers it could be troublesome. I wanted to be able to finish it and maybe I will one day but even at 30%, it was so hard to enjoy when all I was fixated on was the writing style. It was very young adult writing with adult themed moments.
July 20, 2022
Didn’t really like any of the characters; and it was very poorly edited.
Read
April 19, 2022I’m not going to rate this one because it’s a DNF for me, but I felt I needed to explain why…
From what I have read, I think it’s definitely a story I would have enjoyed. The idea seems fun and I liked the content in the parts I’ve seen, but it was just waaay too all over the place for me to keep going. I couldn’t really focus on the story because it was distracting me so much.
I didn’t even get through the first real chapter. (The actual first is like a prologue, no major issues there, but there are some minor things.) There are a lot of scene breaks, which I don’t usually have a problem with, but there are quite a few… (Thirteen, actually.) Mostly they’re in first person, but a couple other times they’re in third. They start off feeling consecutive and then they flash back. I would think those flashback scenes would be entirely new chapters. Or at the very least transitioned into. And the chapter is labeled as ‘Neil and Willow’ but it’s all Neil’s POV except for one or two from Willow (in third person).
And then there’s the tense, which I’m not even sure whether to call past or present…
There’s just a lot going on in the writing, which makes me sad because I really wanted to like it. and the author seems sweet.
I think since this was her first book that maybe she didn’t have beta readers, because this all seems like stuff that would have been caught during that phase. I hope next time she gets some because I think this story could have been really great with a little help.
From what I have read, I think it’s definitely a story I would have enjoyed. The idea seems fun and I liked the content in the parts I’ve seen, but it was just waaay too all over the place for me to keep going. I couldn’t really focus on the story because it was distracting me so much.
I didn’t even get through the first real chapter. (The actual first is like a prologue, no major issues there, but there are some minor things.) There are a lot of scene breaks, which I don’t usually have a problem with, but there are quite a few… (Thirteen, actually.) Mostly they’re in first person, but a couple other times they’re in third. They start off feeling consecutive and then they flash back. I would think those flashback scenes would be entirely new chapters. Or at the very least transitioned into. And the chapter is labeled as ‘Neil and Willow’ but it’s all Neil’s POV except for one or two from Willow (in third person).
And then there’s the tense, which I’m not even sure whether to call past or present…
There’s just a lot going on in the writing, which makes me sad because I really wanted to like it. and the author seems sweet.
I think since this was her first book that maybe she didn’t have beta readers, because this all seems like stuff that would have been caught during that phase. I hope next time she gets some because I think this story could have been really great with a little help.
November 11, 2021
Told from multiple point of view, this book feels like watching a movie. It is a perfect example to not always trust what you see, that nothing is always like it seems... It is a bone-chilling thriller that will left you guessing until the very last page!
TW for mental and physical abuse.
TW for mental and physical abuse.
could-not-finish
May 10, 2022I am unable to rate this book as I could not finish it. I really wanted to love it, and probably would have if not for the strange choices of words, which I tend to put down to overuse of a thesaurus, and the first to third person shifts. Her wording sometimes just left me completely at a loss and I had to re-read sentences multiple times to understand what was being said or referenced. I don’t like to put a book away without finishing it, but I just couldn’t get past the writing to get to the story.
June 3, 2022
Shook Like A Bamboo Tree By A Panda!! 😳😯🤯
Uhm hold my dog! Put the brakes on. FREEZE! What the stuffing was this mind cluster fluff?! I'm absolutely blown away at the twistedness this novel was. Unbelievably lush, undeniably yummy, divine and juicy; it'll satisfy your deepest needs for a crazy ride. I'm still trying to freakin' process this all!
Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: Willow and Neil have been married for a while and seem to have it all. But lately she's been questioning her choice of Neil being her forever after. She starts to uncover some pretty intense secrets about her husband and ends up herself in an unexpected affair. An unsuspecting next door neighbour, Pauleen, notices when Willow unexpectedly goes missing as she has a soft spot for her. After hearing things through the thin walls, she starts to get a much bigger picture than she bargained for. The question is, how well do we really know our significant other?
From the beginning I was hooked, yanked & spun around in this fast paced quick thriller. I could not put it down once i started - I legit kept myself from peeing because I had to keep going! I loved to hate Neil, I even chuckled at some bits during the novel, it was so delightful in the most twisted, dark way! Fields, you've got a winner with this book baby! This plot was spot on!
𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4.5 / 5 Lilies!!! 🪷
Uhm hold my dog! Put the brakes on. FREEZE! What the stuffing was this mind cluster fluff?! I'm absolutely blown away at the twistedness this novel was. Unbelievably lush, undeniably yummy, divine and juicy; it'll satisfy your deepest needs for a crazy ride. I'm still trying to freakin' process this all!
Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: Willow and Neil have been married for a while and seem to have it all. But lately she's been questioning her choice of Neil being her forever after. She starts to uncover some pretty intense secrets about her husband and ends up herself in an unexpected affair. An unsuspecting next door neighbour, Pauleen, notices when Willow unexpectedly goes missing as she has a soft spot for her. After hearing things through the thin walls, she starts to get a much bigger picture than she bargained for. The question is, how well do we really know our significant other?
From the beginning I was hooked, yanked & spun around in this fast paced quick thriller. I could not put it down once i started - I legit kept myself from peeing because I had to keep going! I loved to hate Neil, I even chuckled at some bits during the novel, it was so delightful in the most twisted, dark way! Fields, you've got a winner with this book baby! This plot was spot on!
𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4.5 / 5 Lilies!!! 🪷
October 6, 2021
“How many people do you have to kill before you are labelled as a serial killer?”
I am huge fan of psychological thrillers and enjoyed reading it so much that I gave it a delighted 5 star rating!!
The story starts with the narration of our main character Willow, where she claims to be a serial killer. Isn’t that a thrilling start?
As Willow narrates a series of tragic experiences in her life and how all of those led to what she is today/claims to be so. Thee story unfolds itself and what we have here is a slow-burning, spine -chilling thriller!
Willow is married to Neil, but not long after her marriage, she learns that her husband has been keeping secrets from her. The reader soon discovers a series of events that results in mistrust, betrayal and a tragedy.
The Author has done a beautiful job in weaving suspense and mystery throughout the story. Having said that, the author has also marvellously brought out the true psychology behind each character and leaves the reader engaged till the very end!
Are you ready to unravel the deep underlying secrets of Willow?
I am huge fan of psychological thrillers and enjoyed reading it so much that I gave it a delighted 5 star rating!!
The story starts with the narration of our main character Willow, where she claims to be a serial killer. Isn’t that a thrilling start?
As Willow narrates a series of tragic experiences in her life and how all of those led to what she is today/claims to be so. Thee story unfolds itself and what we have here is a slow-burning, spine -chilling thriller!
Willow is married to Neil, but not long after her marriage, she learns that her husband has been keeping secrets from her. The reader soon discovers a series of events that results in mistrust, betrayal and a tragedy.
The Author has done a beautiful job in weaving suspense and mystery throughout the story. Having said that, the author has also marvellously brought out the true psychology behind each character and leaves the reader engaged till the very end!
Are you ready to unravel the deep underlying secrets of Willow?
June 30, 2022
I could not get past all the grammatical, spelling, and narrative issues with this novel. The language was immature. The book does deserve 3 stars for the plot and different point of views through which the story is told. Fields does well with these two elements of literature.
February 1, 2023
This Author has a very unique writing style. I am intrigued with how she layered this book so well writing in multiple narrative perspectives (POV).
The story itself was different (in a good way) of any book I’ve read in quite awhile.
With it being compared to Gone Girl, which I wasn’t that impressed with the book but loved the movie, I found Willows Flame 🔥 much better and I would love to see this story play out on screen.
Willows Flame starts out as a complex read in the beginning that kept my brain on its toes and continues to progress with pulsating intensity ending with a wicked twist.
The emotional bond she creates between the reader and characters takes you on an emotional tail spin.
Fields is a master at her craft and a rising star in the making.
I highly recommend and looking forward to the sequel.
The story itself was different (in a good way) of any book I’ve read in quite awhile.
With it being compared to Gone Girl, which I wasn’t that impressed with the book but loved the movie, I found Willows Flame 🔥 much better and I would love to see this story play out on screen.
Willows Flame starts out as a complex read in the beginning that kept my brain on its toes and continues to progress with pulsating intensity ending with a wicked twist.
The emotional bond she creates between the reader and characters takes you on an emotional tail spin.
Fields is a master at her craft and a rising star in the making.
I highly recommend and looking forward to the sequel.
October 7, 2021
I was so excited to receive the ARC copy of Willows Flame. I was one of the few that did not like Gone Girl so I was worried when I saw the comparisons in other reviews. However, from page one I was hooked. Stephanie Fields knows how to grab her readers and suck them in from the start.
I hated the sexism & machonginy but you should always have someone to hate in a book! & I was rooting for Willow the whole way. Highly recommended! 📚📚📚📚
I hated the sexism & machonginy but you should always have someone to hate in a book! & I was rooting for Willow the whole way. Highly recommended! 📚📚📚📚
January 30, 2022
I am a sucker for multi POVs. Told from Neil and Willow's perspective, a struggling married couple, Brock, Willow's mister (is that a thing?) and their neighbor, Willow's Flame immediately drew me in.
There are some crazy people in this book, one crazier than the next. I wish the book was longer for better character development and I often was confused with the writing as it sometimes shifted from 1st person to 3rd person.
There are some crazy people in this book, one crazier than the next. I wish the book was longer for better character development and I often was confused with the writing as it sometimes shifted from 1st person to 3rd person.
September 6, 2022
Great plot, shaky writing
This book is promising and starts strong but it finishes weak. Loaded with errors, the end felt rushed and lower quality than the beginning.
This book is promising and starts strong but it finishes weak. Loaded with errors, the end felt rushed and lower quality than the beginning.
January 20, 2022
🄱🄾🄾🄺 🄵🄴🄰🅃🅄🅁🄴
𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘’𝒔 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆
𝑩𝒚: @stephanie_fields_author
𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Suspense, Domestic Thriller, Romantic Suspense
𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓: #penitpublications
𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝑶𝒏: Sept. 30th 2021
𝑮𝑹 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒆: 4.56
𝑴𝒚 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒆: 🔥🔥 / 5 Flames
Thank you @stephanie_fields_author for the PDF of your novel 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘’𝒔 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆 to read and review.
“𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒂𝒏��� 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓?"
What is it exactly that labels one a serial killer? Is it the amount of people that you kill, statistically speaking? What if the killing is within reason? Can the murder, or murders be justified? If the world is a better place without the people who are killed, is it really such a tragedy?
In what would seem to be a cozy home in Chicago, a young couple seem to have it all. That is until the wife, Willow, finds herself questioning the life, she chose with her husband Neil. Soon secrets begin to unfold and the arguments between the couple can be heard through the paper-thin walls by Pauleen the nosey neighbor next door. Before you know it, Willow is caught up in a spicy affair with Brock, a mysterious stud she met at a book club, and so it begins to look like Neil isn't the only one bearing secrets.
# With a dual dialog of the many characters in this short story of 160 pages, you will hear the points of views from husband-and-wife Neil & Willow, the mysterious stud Brock, nosey neighbor Pauleen and later on Chief Phill.
🤔 To me the cover of this book gives off a fantasy novel vibe. There isn't anything wrong with fantasy novels I love them. And love many book covers that carry as Fantasy novels. However, this story is a mix of suspense thriller and little romance. IMHO the cover and story don't mesh well with me.
😐 The writing was meh. I felt the story was rushed and parts could be misunderstood at times.
❌ I spot few errors and felt the police in the story was not represented in the best way. I honestly don't believe that if a person walked into a police station and stated to them that their wife was missing & that they needed missing persons, that the police would be so unprofessional and careless. Honest opinion. Honest Review.
𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘’𝒔 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆
𝑩𝒚: @stephanie_fields_author
𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Suspense, Domestic Thriller, Romantic Suspense
𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓: #penitpublications
𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝑶𝒏: Sept. 30th 2021
𝑮𝑹 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒆: 4.56
𝑴𝒚 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒆: 🔥🔥 / 5 Flames
Thank you @stephanie_fields_author for the PDF of your novel 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘’𝒔 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆 to read and review.
“𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒂𝒏��� 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓?"
What is it exactly that labels one a serial killer? Is it the amount of people that you kill, statistically speaking? What if the killing is within reason? Can the murder, or murders be justified? If the world is a better place without the people who are killed, is it really such a tragedy?
In what would seem to be a cozy home in Chicago, a young couple seem to have it all. That is until the wife, Willow, finds herself questioning the life, she chose with her husband Neil. Soon secrets begin to unfold and the arguments between the couple can be heard through the paper-thin walls by Pauleen the nosey neighbor next door. Before you know it, Willow is caught up in a spicy affair with Brock, a mysterious stud she met at a book club, and so it begins to look like Neil isn't the only one bearing secrets.
# With a dual dialog of the many characters in this short story of 160 pages, you will hear the points of views from husband-and-wife Neil & Willow, the mysterious stud Brock, nosey neighbor Pauleen and later on Chief Phill.
🤔 To me the cover of this book gives off a fantasy novel vibe. There isn't anything wrong with fantasy novels I love them. And love many book covers that carry as Fantasy novels. However, this story is a mix of suspense thriller and little romance. IMHO the cover and story don't mesh well with me.
😐 The writing was meh. I felt the story was rushed and parts could be misunderstood at times.
❌ I spot few errors and felt the police in the story was not represented in the best way. I honestly don't believe that if a person walked into a police station and stated to them that their wife was missing & that they needed missing persons, that the police would be so unprofessional and careless. Honest opinion. Honest Review.
August 23, 2023
Stephanie Fields brings us a banger of a book. If you want something that thrills you and makes you second guess yourself at every turn, then this is the book for you. The characters are well written, and the authors writing is quite literally poetic. I wish there were more books out there like this. And I don't even read this type of book most of the time, but now I'm hooked, and I must know more about the series. I can't wait for the sequel 'Willows Crush' because it's going to be amazing. If you ever get to meet this author in real life, I can tell you that she is amazing. She'll take the time to talk with you, take a picture, and answer any questions you have. Please support this fantastic author and get your copy of Willows Crush today!! Also, on a side note,... I'm pretty sure I had nightmares after reading this book. That's how well it was written. Cheers!
October 15, 2021
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while! I couldn’t put it down. Every page left me curious and excited to see what was on the next. Absolutely brilliant. Definitely worth more than 5 stars!!
October 11, 2021
The one psychological thriller I was not able to put down. Cover to cover intensity.
March 13, 2025
I wanted to love this book because I am a fan of the author. But I really struggled with it. The timeline was choppy and confusing, too many POV 's I hated every character, the writing felt pedestrian, and the editing was lacking.
I won't be continuing with the Willow's wounds series
I won't be continuing with the Willow's wounds series
October 22, 2021
The story features various characters and the very fascinating and jaw dropping part of the story is the fierce protagonist Willow, the femme fatale. The story comes with a unique narration which is conducted differently with the different point of views. Neil is Willow's husband who suspects her for having an affair and explains his feelings and anger towards her. Brock, another character who is Willow's lover. He explains how he deeply wanted her. And finally we have Willow who is messed up completely and struggles to follow her aspirations and desires. The story leads to a thunderous situation where the readers will unlock the fate of the three characters, who's going to be deadly and who will survive! The readers will also witness the hardships and dilemmas in Willows life. The story reflects a terrible situation of a woman and how she struggles to take her stand. The story also covers the elements like love triangle, disfunctional relationship and trauma. This psychological thriller is going be a real jaw dropping ride for you all.
What a terrific ride, I was extremely glad when I finished the book, after several rides, ups and downs. The author has done a great job with the characterization and narration. I still cannot believe that this is a debut work!! This is absolutely fantastic. The story is strong and it silently carries several influencial aspects with it. The cover image is a firework and the title fits perfect. A big big round of applause for the author's efforts and creative writing.
Everyone can read this mind-bending thriller. The story consists of several engaging elements, the young adults will enjoy the author's unbeatable and unpredictable storytelling and the various new-fangled aspects. A fast paced story which can make your weekend or your reading time amazing. So hurry up! grab your copies now and don't forget to share.
What a terrific ride, I was extremely glad when I finished the book, after several rides, ups and downs. The author has done a great job with the characterization and narration. I still cannot believe that this is a debut work!! This is absolutely fantastic. The story is strong and it silently carries several influencial aspects with it. The cover image is a firework and the title fits perfect. A big big round of applause for the author's efforts and creative writing.
Everyone can read this mind-bending thriller. The story consists of several engaging elements, the young adults will enjoy the author's unbeatable and unpredictable storytelling and the various new-fangled aspects. A fast paced story which can make your weekend or your reading time amazing. So hurry up! grab your copies now and don't forget to share.
June 8, 2022
Started out great really hooked you in but in the end it went by fast and just ended it. I wish they dragged it out just a little bit longer but the ending just feels rushed.
July 18, 2025
Almost unreadable, both grammatically and conceptually
February 4, 2025
Willow’s Flame
-Stephanie Fields
Who begin’s a story with the end? Well, Stephanie Fields does in Willow’s Flame and I have to tell you, it hooked me. I mean who doesn’t want to know how a book ends yet have the meat of the story build up from there? Strong story line and character building had me feeling like I was right there, in the book the whole time.
Welcome to Willow’s life. Married young to Neil who has secrets he hopes to keep hidden but he’s slowly starting to show his true self as soon as the honeymoon ends. In strolls Brock to a book club meeting and Willow decides the grass might be greener on the other side…..but Willow, sweet Willow, haven’t you heard that even the greenest grass goes brown???
Multiple POV’s bring you interesting views on each of the characters and their development. While you are building one character and scene you don’t realize that the next scene has already been set into motion. Get ready for a thrill ride of love, manipulation, gaslighting, secrets, mental abuse, passion, cheating, jealousy, deception and physical abuse - this book has it all and Stephanie makes it look easy combining it into one quaint little package.
If you are looking for a fast paced, slow burn story with short chapters filled to the brim action then Willow’s Flame is definitely the next book for you!
P.S. The ending gives a nice little plot twist you will never expect!
As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author, present or future, for my review.
-Stephanie Fields
Who begin’s a story with the end? Well, Stephanie Fields does in Willow’s Flame and I have to tell you, it hooked me. I mean who doesn’t want to know how a book ends yet have the meat of the story build up from there? Strong story line and character building had me feeling like I was right there, in the book the whole time.
Welcome to Willow’s life. Married young to Neil who has secrets he hopes to keep hidden but he’s slowly starting to show his true self as soon as the honeymoon ends. In strolls Brock to a book club meeting and Willow decides the grass might be greener on the other side…..but Willow, sweet Willow, haven’t you heard that even the greenest grass goes brown???
Multiple POV’s bring you interesting views on each of the characters and their development. While you are building one character and scene you don’t realize that the next scene has already been set into motion. Get ready for a thrill ride of love, manipulation, gaslighting, secrets, mental abuse, passion, cheating, jealousy, deception and physical abuse - this book has it all and Stephanie makes it look easy combining it into one quaint little package.
If you are looking for a fast paced, slow burn story with short chapters filled to the brim action then Willow’s Flame is definitely the next book for you!
P.S. The ending gives a nice little plot twist you will never expect!
As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author, present or future, for my review.
October 11, 2021
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Chapter Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🔥 I didn't know anything about Willow's Flame before I started reading the ARC and I'm so glad.
🔥 I love thrillers and this one gripped me from the get go. I didn't want to put it down.
🔥This is a psychological thriller about love, control, infidelity, and all the emotions that go along with it.
🔥I was along for the ride with Willow and cringing with her as she tried to navigate her husband and her lover. 😬
🔥I also liked the view points from the different characters - Neil, Brock, Pauleen (the nosey neighbour). 👏
🔥I was often surprised and found myself wanting to continue to read and find out what happened next. 🔥The ending was not what I was expecting either, which was great!🙌
🔥This is a debut novel for @stephanie_friedman_fields and I think she did a great job at capturing my attention and keeping me hooked throughout the story.
🔥I'm excited for people to read this novel, and for what she has coming next.
🤔Is this book for you? If you like thrillers, twists and turns, love triangles & marital woes, fast paced storyline, then this book is for you.
Short Chapter Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🔥 I didn't know anything about Willow's Flame before I started reading the ARC and I'm so glad.
🔥 I love thrillers and this one gripped me from the get go. I didn't want to put it down.
🔥This is a psychological thriller about love, control, infidelity, and all the emotions that go along with it.
🔥I was along for the ride with Willow and cringing with her as she tried to navigate her husband and her lover. 😬
🔥I also liked the view points from the different characters - Neil, Brock, Pauleen (the nosey neighbour). 👏
🔥I was often surprised and found myself wanting to continue to read and find out what happened next. 🔥The ending was not what I was expecting either, which was great!🙌
🔥This is a debut novel for @stephanie_friedman_fields and I think she did a great job at capturing my attention and keeping me hooked throughout the story.
🔥I'm excited for people to read this novel, and for what she has coming next.
🤔Is this book for you? If you like thrillers, twists and turns, love triangles & marital woes, fast paced storyline, then this book is for you.
January 13, 2022
The TLDR of it is this -- Get ready for twists, turns, vivid storytelling, interesting archs and an ending you won't guess but thoroughly enjoy.
The longer, more emphatically put version is this:
I really enjoyed how the narration shifts between time and perspective in such a way you're never close to bored; instead you're fascinated with different character's POV and their weaving backstories that further the plot very well. And the short, concise chapters really helped keep my attention to where I read this one in almost a single setting, in just about a day.
As for the story itself, I got anxiety from it, the good kind of anxiety. The kind you get from realizing your favorite show's series finale only has 10 minutes left to wrap up everything they've built up, and you think 'how in the hell does this end?!' and 'how are they going to pull this off?'. And then they do.
Willow's Flame is very good from beginning to end, and the ending is very fitting. Many themes are explored, including parent-child relationships which I found impactful and helpful to understand the characters.
The longer, more emphatically put version is this:
I really enjoyed how the narration shifts between time and perspective in such a way you're never close to bored; instead you're fascinated with different character's POV and their weaving backstories that further the plot very well. And the short, concise chapters really helped keep my attention to where I read this one in almost a single setting, in just about a day.
As for the story itself, I got anxiety from it, the good kind of anxiety. The kind you get from realizing your favorite show's series finale only has 10 minutes left to wrap up everything they've built up, and you think 'how in the hell does this end?!' and 'how are they going to pull this off?'. And then they do.
Willow's Flame is very good from beginning to end, and the ending is very fitting. Many themes are explored, including parent-child relationships which I found impactful and helpful to understand the characters.
November 9, 2021
ⒷⓄⓄⓀ ⓇⒺⓋⒾⒺⓌ
Willow's flame
Author: Stephanie Fields
Genre: Psycological Thriller, Crime and mystery
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What will you do if you get stuck in your life, knowing you are stuck, and unable to get out of the situation? Observing everything but unable to find an escape route?
Willow, after her marriage, slowly finds out about her psychopath husband and his weird manners. She slowly but inevitably falls for a fellow book club member Brock. After sharing all her secrets with him, she only ends up more tangled than before. The way she finally finds her escape is the most anticipated and climatic moment of the story, and the story did not leave me disappointed at that.
I loved how this was a small, quite precise, to the point thriller. How certain sentences had the ability to make me cringe and sometimes shudder in pain. If you are a thriller lover, you cannot go wrong with this book. I give it a complete 5 star.
What is the one thriller book you absolutely love and will want me to read? Let me know in the comments below!
Willow's flame
Author: Stephanie Fields
Genre: Psycological Thriller, Crime and mystery
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What will you do if you get stuck in your life, knowing you are stuck, and unable to get out of the situation? Observing everything but unable to find an escape route?
Willow, after her marriage, slowly finds out about her psychopath husband and his weird manners. She slowly but inevitably falls for a fellow book club member Brock. After sharing all her secrets with him, she only ends up more tangled than before. The way she finally finds her escape is the most anticipated and climatic moment of the story, and the story did not leave me disappointed at that.
I loved how this was a small, quite precise, to the point thriller. How certain sentences had the ability to make me cringe and sometimes shudder in pain. If you are a thriller lover, you cannot go wrong with this book. I give it a complete 5 star.
What is the one thriller book you absolutely love and will want me to read? Let me know in the comments below!
November 10, 2021
When I got this book delivered, the book had itself shelved for over 2 weeks as i wasn't home. But let me tell you, when my got my hands on it, I was absolutely in awe with the author's writing style and creativ thriller plot.
The story in the book, is an absolute masterpiece with pinch of all entertaining and intriguing elements such as courage, emotions, feelings, love, lies, betrayal, mystery, intense twists. Insite of being a debut book by book Stephanie Fields, the book has been perfectly blended with the right title, cover, coloir combination, lucid language making it an absolute candy for every reader.
The story revolves aroud a love triangle, Neil & his wife Willow, and Willow's lover Brock. I will not share anything about the story it diminishes the author's hard sweat effort to mesmerize the audience with his/her writing skills.
Well overall, a must have book for all genre of readers especially a boon for suspense fictional lovers. Grab your copy today and enjoy the show. !!
The story in the book, is an absolute masterpiece with pinch of all entertaining and intriguing elements such as courage, emotions, feelings, love, lies, betrayal, mystery, intense twists. Insite of being a debut book by book Stephanie Fields, the book has been perfectly blended with the right title, cover, coloir combination, lucid language making it an absolute candy for every reader.
The story revolves aroud a love triangle, Neil & his wife Willow, and Willow's lover Brock. I will not share anything about the story it diminishes the author's hard sweat effort to mesmerize the audience with his/her writing skills.
Well overall, a must have book for all genre of readers especially a boon for suspense fictional lovers. Grab your copy today and enjoy the show. !!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2025
DNF’d so fast. Was this AI?
January 9, 2025
Willow's Flame by Stephanie Fields
What a fantastic psychological thriller of a book Willow's Flame is by, right from page one I was hooked into the suspense. The thrilling suspense of this story started with the ending, and then went on to where it all started with Willow's psychological abuse by her husband Neil, and then after meeting and starting an affair the controlling possessive Brock, she goes missing. Can she find a way out of the trapped predicament she finds herself in? This is a truly gripping tension packed and fast-paced thriller. I could not guess the way this was going, as it had plenty of twists and turns to keep me engrossed. I found the characters really captivating and the settings visualisations riveting. If you like psychological thrillers this one is for you. An exceptionally exciting book by Stephanie Fields that I so highly recommend. Deserving of more than the 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a fantastic psychological thriller of a book Willow's Flame is by, right from page one I was hooked into the suspense. The thrilling suspense of this story started with the ending, and then went on to where it all started with Willow's psychological abuse by her husband Neil, and then after meeting and starting an affair the controlling possessive Brock, she goes missing. Can she find a way out of the trapped predicament she finds herself in? This is a truly gripping tension packed and fast-paced thriller. I could not guess the way this was going, as it had plenty of twists and turns to keep me engrossed. I found the characters really captivating and the settings visualisations riveting. If you like psychological thrillers this one is for you. An exceptionally exciting book by Stephanie Fields that I so highly recommend. Deserving of more than the 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 10, 2021
Are you looking for a book you don't want to put down?
I don't find these very often but Willow's Flame fits the bill. I read a draft prior to publication and the characters had me HOOKED. Despite the fact the story I read wasn't in its final form, the tension was amazing.
Willow is beautiful and seductive. And unfortunately, she sometimes attracts the wrong kind of man. Not just that. She seems to elicit strong feelings in everyone she meets, even the kooky old lady next door. Pauleen starts to fixate on Willow as a replacement daughter and inserts herself into the worrisome interactions between Willow and her husband, Neil.
So what happens to a woman like Willow? A woman who so easily causes obsession? Plenty, let me tell you.
Willow's Flame is a pretty quick read, especially because you won't want to stop once you start reading.
I don't find these very often but Willow's Flame fits the bill. I read a draft prior to publication and the characters had me HOOKED. Despite the fact the story I read wasn't in its final form, the tension was amazing.
Willow is beautiful and seductive. And unfortunately, she sometimes attracts the wrong kind of man. Not just that. She seems to elicit strong feelings in everyone she meets, even the kooky old lady next door. Pauleen starts to fixate on Willow as a replacement daughter and inserts herself into the worrisome interactions between Willow and her husband, Neil.
So what happens to a woman like Willow? A woman who so easily causes obsession? Plenty, let me tell you.
Willow's Flame is a pretty quick read, especially because you won't want to stop once you start reading.
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