Member Reviews
3.5 stars - rounding up because I really did enjoy reading this one. It's entertaining and sometimes that's exactly what I want. Not all books have to be great literary endeavors. Don't read too many reviews on this one or the story might get spoiled, and there is a great twist you don't want ruined. The story had a couple of problems (IMHO) but nothing I couldn't ignore because it was such a fun page turner.
I can highly recommend it to those who enjoy domestic thrillers.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you like drama and suspense books I recommend this book. At first I thought I was reading a story of a very jealous ex wife obsessed with her ex husbands soon to be new bride. Soon though, I realized that wasn't the case entirely. There were many, MANY twists, which I love, and each one better than the last. I thought I had it all figured out up until the very end when there was a huge twist and it had me reeling! Great, quick read.
This book is what Girl on a Train should have been. It is twisty and twisted and yet you can see it actually happening - that's part of what makes it so frightening. I don't want to give too much away (you really don't want to be spoiled on this one), but suffice it to say many people aren't who you think they are, and the reality is worse than the story you've built up in your head.
Nellie and Vanessa, the would-be wife and the has-been wife of wealthy New York business magnate Richard, narrate the story. One is hopeful to be starting a new life and the other is still picking up the shattered pieces of her old life. The previous Mrs. is determined to stop the soon-to-be Mrs. from making the same mistake she did, but all is not as it seems. We have an unreliable narrator and as the wedding day nears, the truth becomes more and more muddled before being revealed in a series of shocking twists.
My only critique of the book is that the final twist wasn't hinted at enough - as a reader I wasn't prepared. I saw it coming, but I was expecting it to be of a different nature (perhaps I fell for a red herring) so when it happened I had to read that section a few times to understand it.
But wow is this a good book, and well worth the read!
My thoughts: The Wife Between Us is one of this season's buzziest books, which is always a dangerous proposition for a thriller. And this particular thriller is one that benefits from the reader knowing as little as possible going into it. I'm glad I read this one before its publication so each surprise was still a surprise.
I read a thought of mysteries and thrillers, and I can't recall the last time I actually said out loud while reading, "wait, what?!" and flipped back a few pages to make sure I hadn't misread. This novel's first big twist is so much fun. It flips this novel on the reader, and it made me realize I was reading a very different novel than I thought I was. Unfortunately, after the thrill of that twist, I realized I actually preferred the novel this begins as rather than the one it ends up being. This novel relies heavily on its characters, and I couldn't believe they were actually real people. To me, this novel felt like a fun idea, but I never fully engaged in these women's stories because they didn't feel like real people.
The verdict: Despite my love for this novel's first twist, I couldn't shake the feeling that the authors tried too hard. I wanted the end to come together more and bring more twists. It was a fun read, but it could have been a better one. I'm glad I read this one, because it is a fun read, but it's won't make my list of best thrillers of 2018.
The Wife Between Us is perfect for those that love your typical thrillers. This one will surely mess with your mind, while you sit there and try to figure out all the puzzle pieces. You won't be able to, trust me. The plot twist(s) are not what you expect. The story starts out a little slow but eventually you start to get deeper into the thriller. Then you have to finish the book to know the final puzzle piece and I bet you, it's not what you thought.
I was not blown away by this book and at one point, I might have even give this book 3 trees, but then it finally had some great "twists" and that sealed the 4 trees. You'll get a couple plot twists that will make this book what it is. If you find it slow or flat at first, keep reading, you'll get to the twists in no time. You will be kept guessing, the authors really did take care of that part. You might find this book can compare to others you have read, but you'll still enjoy reading it.
The characters in The Wife Between Us aren't all faves, but some have really good chemistry while others fall annoying. I really enjoyed Nellie, but Vanessa becomes a person, I would like to throat punch at times. But I guess, this might be a good ingredient in a psychological thriller, right? That means the characters, good or bad, got under my skin.
I won't disclose much of the story, because then I would be spoiling it and that's a big No-No. Vanessa is the ex-wife of Richard, who is engaged to Nellie. Vanessa went from living the high life, to now having to work a 9-5 and living with her aunt. Then to add salt to the wound, the young girlfriend Richard left her for, she finds out they are now engaged. This starts a mission for Vanessa, to break up the marriage between Nellie and Richard. Why is Vanessa so hung up on destroying everything for them since he was abusive? Well this is as much info as you will get from me. You'll have to pick up a copy to know what happens and what those twists are.
At first The wife between us was just a little creepy and maybe sad and pathetic. The end of the first part and the beginning of the second got a little confusing but the pace of the book got much better and brought the book treating back up in my opinion. It was not the psychological thriller I had hoped but it still has that vein and is a good book. I would recommend it to fans of B A Paris. As Literary fiction it’s an A, as a phycological thriller a B-.
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The Wife Between Us is divided into 3 parts. As I mentioned the first part want the best and it was the hardest to get through. It follows a woman, Vanessa, who is stalking her ex-husband’s new finance. There are troubles in her past as well as a history of mental illness in her family. This first part is the set up for the second and the second the third part.
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As the second part starts it is a little confusing but becomes clear the true nature of this story. And the third and concluding section has to be the most gripping.
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The Wife Between Us is possibly not a wife at all if you can read between the lines and I’ll leave it at that. Don’t want to spoil all the surprised! And that this book has, including the doozie in the epilogue.
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So if you are a bookling fan of B A Paris I am quite positive you will love this book. A psychological thriller bookling, it may be a stretch but I think you might enjoy it as well.
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I will give this book a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a fair and honest review.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I thought some of the twists were extremely clever and surprising. My problem was the build up took FOREVER, and I prefer for my thrillers to get exciting as soon as possible. That said, I would still recommend this thriller just for how good some of the twists are.
Here is my original post on my review site: https://goo.gl/hFwqr7
All is not what it seems in this complex and clever thriller. Nellie, a New York preschool teacher, is happy with her work and her lifestyle. When she meets Richard, she’s swept off her feet into quite a different world of affluence. There are hints galore about “something” that happened to Nellie in her past that has made her a very “nervous Nellie”. Her telling of the story fluctuates with the telling of the story by Vanessa, Richard’s ex-wife. She now lives with her Aunt Charlotte and drinks too much like her mother did before her.
The unreliable narrator has become a very popular form of literature these days. This is one that I felt was quite well plotted and hard to crack before the author “tells”. There’s a twist halfway through the book that had me sit up thinking “Whaaaat??” and had me questioning everything I had just read. When you think all the twists have been revealed, there’s still one more that I never saw coming.
Quite an enjoyable read and kept me on my toes. Recommended.
The Wife Between Us had unclear points of view and transitions, in the beginning. The past thoughts had no distinguishing font to separate the words from the rest of sentences. These reveries were inserted randomly, out of nowhere, causing confusion.
This was supposed to be a suspense, but I didn't find this story suspenseful. The character development took up a good portion of part one. Yet with all that character development I still felt confused. I felt the story droned on about insignificant things delaying the purpose of the story.
Nellie was narrating events that occurred in her marriage with Richard listing off random behavioral actions which I had no idea what to do with. The purpose for listing these events were anti-climatic, in the end.
The story contained three parts even though it wasn't necessary to section the story this way. Once part one ended I wanted to reread it for clarity, but I didn't have the energy. If the author had created a different structure to deliver information I might have been inclined to show more interest. Part one seemed like an unnecessary read. Part two wasn't much better. Part three had the big reveal that left me saying WTF.
True to the authors words I did make several assumptions throughout the story. My ideas were better. At one point I literally thought Vanessa had a replacement for herself so she could escape. Then I thought Richard was sleeping with his sister who wasn't his blood sister. I too can fabricate a story. I spent more time creating scenarios that I began to drift away from the book. Any assumptions made were irrelevant when the reasoning behind these actions were confusing.
I loved this book. I'm a sucker for psychological thrillers, and this one had many plot twists and turns. Just when I thought I had the main character figured out, and I found out I was wrong. I wouldn't recommend this for my students, but I will definitely recommend it to my friends.
This book was given to me in order for me to post an honest review.
An original and intriguing psychological thriller! This book will keep you guessing from start to finish. I loved every minute of it. A must read!
The Wife Between Us A Novel by Greer Hendricks; Sarah Pekkanen published by St. Martin's Press is fantastic. I was given an arc of this through Netgalley and I have to say January cannot come soon enough for this one. January 9,2018! Mark your calendars! You are assuming you know how this one will end just by looking at the title I know I did when I requested it I simply requested it because I was intrigued the cover and description pull you in what I got was a book I want to give to every female who loves books.
What happens when you fall in love with a man you hardly know or a man you think is so perfect you can’t see his flaws until it’s too late. Richard’s first wife, Vanessa, was dumped for a younger woman after many years of marriage. Gone were all the trappings of wealth she had enjoyed as she struggles to put her life back in order.
Vanessa forced to move in with her aunt after her divorce and take a job at Saks to put her life back together. Each chapter is penned so well that you are tossed between Vanessa, Nellie and forced to figure out who is the victim who is the victor and who wins Richard if anyone. The Wife between us has it’s dark moments has its heart racing faced pace and has you guessing who these women are at their core. In the end, it makes you wonder not only if true love exists but also of the past mistakes catching up with your future. There is no room between a perfect five star review with this one because any less than a perfect score and you didn’t understand what the two writers were trying to accomplish.
I love a good psychological thriller, but wasn't finding anything out there that made me sit up and gasp like I did with Gone Girl. ...Until now!!
The twists and turns in The Wife Between Us were exceptional and I never wanted to stop reading and re-enter my life. I wanted to know what the heck was going to happen next.
I figured out the first twist about 10% before it was revealed and I was really proud of myself. But, wow... I didn't see the other ones coming! Well done!!
I don't want to give any spoilers away so all I'll say is that it's about a wife, a husband, and a mistress. But if you're like me, this will blow your mind several times over.
I understand that a movie is already in the works by the same folks that did A Girl on the Train, and I can't wait to see what they do with this material.
I will be recommending this book to everyone possible!
*Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy!*
What an intriguing and riveting psychological thriller!
The Wife Between Us is a standalone psychological thriller. It is my first book by either of these authors.
I really had no idea what to expect with this book. But I was hoping that it would be an amazing thriller. Instead I got a very original book, but it was also creepy and full of amazing reveals.
The book is divided into three parts.
For the most part I really enjoyed this book
In part 1 there are two narrators. Nellie 3rd person POV and Vanessa 1st person POV. Vanessa used to be married to Richard. Nellie is getting ready to marry Richard. Part one alternates chapters between these two women.
The book is so creepy. At first I was thinking that it would be interesting to see if the first wife was crazy. Or what she might do.
I couldn't figure out who we were supposed to like Nellie or Vanessa? At first Nellie seemed sweet and Vanessa seemed like a psycho. But Vanessa's chapters were in 1st person POV (which made it easier to connect to her). She seemed distraught, but not awful.
There were many questions about both women. I wondered what Nellie's background was and why she was hiding it?
Even though there was a lot of information at the beginning of the book Part 1 started off a bit slow. However after finishing the book I realize that it was really the build-up to set up the rest of the story.
The beginning wasn't bad. Both women were intriguing but I was waiting for something more to happen. I just was not glued to the book. It was interesting. But it took me so long to get to 15%.
The book really didn't make an impact on me until the second part. That was when I became really impressed.
The end of part one drops a huge bombshell. And truthfully when I started part two I had to re-read a few pages because I could not understand what I had just read. Part 1 ended with such a bang. To me this was when the book got interesting. But truthfully I was a bit confused. I could not make sense of what I had just read.
The Wife Between Us was a fascinating read. Right from the start I could see that both women seemed to have secrets. But I could not help but wonder why the book was divided into 3 parts. But after finishing the book it was made very clear. And I think that it was a good idea to have the book separated into parts.
The last part was riveting. But I wondered how the book would end? I was impressed with all of the big reveals. I did not see them coming. And that is saying a lot considering i read a lot of suspense. It was a bit confusing. The beginning was a bit slow. But this was definitely a very original and spellbinding book.
Part one was 3.5 stars. But parts two and three were definitely 4.5 stars. This was a very original and fascinating story!
3 stars. I'm not entirely sure what exactly I was expecting from this but I had it all wrong. The plot was a lot different than I was thinking it was going to be and the plot twist was nowhere near what I had in mind.
I had heard such rave reviews about this from blogs I follow that I hyped it all the way for myself. Unfortunately, it was just okay for me. Not the best thing I've ever read but certainly not the worst either.
I will start off by saying that I really enjoyed the writing. I think both authors did a fantastic job in working together and blending their voices. It never felt choppy in that sense. I also liked the characters. They felt real and relatable and flawed.
My issues are with the fact that for about 70% of this book I was bored out of my damn mind. It was like trudging through mud just to get through this for me. The last 30% or so was really good though and was what kept this from getting a lower rating. The ending and the epilogue were really good and I just wish the rest of the book had been just as exciting and interesting.
Overall, I'm sure this book will be a hit when it's released January 2018 but it just didn't do it for me personally.
I read so many books - make that so many GOOD books - that it's rare for me to say "Wow!" when I finish one. But by golly, that's exactly what I said when I got to the last page here. From the beginning, I was hooked - and spent the rest of the book trying my best to figure out how it would end. My efforts, however, went for naught; the closer I got to the finish line, the faster my theories were adeptly written out.
The story begins as Vanessa is living with her elderly Aunt Charlotte in a small apartment - dumped by her filthy rich, suave and debonair ex-husband Richard, who at one time was her raison d'etre; even her unexpressed wishes were his commands. Now, while Vanessa struggles to eke out a living and get her shattered life back together, Richard has found a new love - a beautiful co-worker he'll soon be taking as his wife.
But not if Vanessa can help it. Determined to prevent the wedding from happening, she stalks the bride-to-be, Emma, looking for a way to make contact, gain her trust and convince her that Richard isn't the prize she believes he is. That's easier said than done, though; Richard - a very controlling sort - is determined to "protect" his new love from the old one, a woman he's often claimed is a psychological mess and an alcoholic to boot. Even Vanessa has her doubts from time to time; is it possible that Richard is right and she's gone off the mental deep end as her mother did years ago? And even if she finds a way to meet Emma one-on-one, what can she say or do to make Emma believe she's not the one who's lying?
Needless to say, the twists and turns that follow are too numerous to mention here even if I wanted to spoil the story for other readers. Of course, I don't, so besides my earlier "Wow!" I'll just say this is one of the best books I've read this year and I highly recommend it. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
THIS BOOK! I don't even know where to begin. I will start by thanking Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy.
It is a page-turner from the beginning where we start off meeting a woman stalking her ex's new lover-- young, blond, beautiful. You will continue on a roller coaster until the very last page. The story tells us about the lives of Nellie and Vanessa and the relationship to Richard. Clearly there was much thought into this plot and how the story unfolds, and it is told seamlessly.
The description will tell you "assume nothing." I was continuously guessing and making wrong assumptions throughout the entire book. Revelation after revelation. I am still spinning after finishing it. I cannot wait to share and discuss opinions with friends-- yes, I will be telling them all to read this one. I feel like I should read it again now that all of the secrets are out. Easily, my favorite book this year!
This book was mind blowing. What starts out as a "typical" love triangle--- Jilted wife, new lover, and the man who brings them together twists and turns to be anything but typical. Who is Vanessa? Who is Nellie? Who is Emma? And why is the man so desirable?
I enjoy psychological thrillers and trying to figure things out
holding off on my social media review to avoid providing spoilers
My Rating: 4 stars
Don’t expect this review to be very long, as there really isn’t a whole lot I can say about this book without spoiling the story! The Wife Between Us is one of those books that you really need to experience for yourself, but you need to go into it knowing as little as possible.
Whenever I read a thriller / suspense novel, I usually expect the opening scene to be explosive, a scene that grabs me from the start and hurls me into the depths of the story, not letting go until the very end. While the Prologue did start out with a relatively “explosive” scene, the opening chapters did not maintain the momentum I expected. The first half or so of the book was actually quite slow-going, with a lot of time devoted to establishing the main characters and setting up their background story. It made me worry that perhaps this would be another run-of-the-mill thriller, similar to so many other books from the same genre that had emerged in recent years. It turns out I had nothing to worry about, as this book absolutely ended up delivering in the psychological thriller department with a roller coaster ride of twists and turns starting at the halfway mark all the way up through the Epilogue. At that point, I was definitely hanging on for the ride as this roller coaster slammed into one twist after another, with most of the revelations taking me completely by surprise (there were a few I did figure out, but that’s insignificant compared to everything I didn’t figure out).
This book was written by two different authors, but you would never know from reading it, as the narrative flowed seamlessly and the writing was consistent throughout. With thrillers, attention to detail is so important, especially after a major plot twist, as there is oftentimes the urge to go back and re-read certain passages to see if the “clues” make sense – with this book, the writing was very meticulous and even though some parts felt slow and a bit draggy at times, the story was still compelling enough to keep reading and guessing along the way. The authors did a good job taking what could’ve been the “same old, same old” in terms of subject matter and turn it into a unique, cleverly written story with complicated yet interesting characters. Though I can’t say that I was “wowed” by this book as I have been with other thrillers, it was still a thoroughly enjoyable read, one that I was able to breeze through pretty quickly after the first major plot twist was revealed. Definitely recommended!
Received ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley