Member Reviews

I just finished this book and it is a wonderful thriller. A wife running from an abusive husband, always a good story line. Whose wife? Who is the husband? That's just one of the puzzles in this story. I recomend this book to anyone looking for a page turner.

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I didn’t know what to expect going into this book but all I have to say now is WOW! Good solid thriller that dragged at times but the twist and surprise I never would have guessed. Would definitely recommend and would like to thank netgalley for letting me give an honest review of this book!

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This book got off to a great start as a wife goes missing, and her husband becomes the prime suspect. But of course with secondary characters, there was a lot more going on with the plot. A little draggy at times, but overall a solid suspense thriller. I liked that a lot of the story took place in Atlanta, my adopted hometown. A fun and quick read that exposes spousal abuse and domestic violence.

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Pretty good! I knew everything couldn’t be exactly as it seemed but I couldn’t totally predict the twist until I was close to the end.

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What an exciting read! I felt like I was there with Beth, as she traveled away from her abusive spouse. What a thriller! I totally thought I knew who she was and at the end I was completely wrong. This book was wonderfully written, the characters were deep and edgy and so real.

My heart ached for Beth and so many real individuals that go through the same thing. I loved the people that were willing to help Beth on her journey and booed the ones that would take advantage of these people, knowing full well what they were going through.

I really, really recommend this book!! #dearwife

I would like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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Had me hooked from the beginning with a shocking ending. A fabulous suspense thriller, not to be made asked. The lady can write!

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This was one twisted story! It wasn't edge of your seat as some parts just dragged a little, but Dear Wife was unexpected and enjoyable. If you prefer character driven stories, this one might be ok, but I didn't particularly like any characters through most of the story. If you are good with plot driven stories and don't get invested then this might be right up your alley.

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I so wanted to love this book. I have read and loved The Marrage Lie so I had high expectations for this book, but I was disappointed. I enjoyed the scenes with Jeffrey & Ingrid, but I picked up on the twist early and I felt like the climax of the story wasn’t as thought out as the rest of the book. I would have liked something more from that. I definitely liked the book and finished quickly but was hoping for a little more action. Thank you for the opportunity to read & review!

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Just when you think Kimberly Belle’s novels can’t get any better - BAM! She does it again.

Dear Wife will keep you on edge, wanting to know the Who, What, Where, Why, and WHAT?? So much so you won’t be able to put the book down. I finished this page turner in one day - and was left wanting so much more! The novel is filled with twists and turns - some I really didn’t see coming and LOVED!

Kimberly Belle is perfection when it comes to writing thrillers! If you haven’t read her previous novels, I highly suggest picking them up, you won’t be disappointed.

I received an ARC of Dear Wife from NetGalley and Park Row, all opinions are my own.

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What a pulse pounding wild ride! Will be such a great a great addition to the library's thriller collections. 10/10 will recommend to patrons!

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This book deals with some serious issues, but what a page turner! I don't want to give away anything, but there are lots of puzzle pieces that come together in a clever way in the end. Recommended!

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Wait! What did I just read?? My head is seriously spinning from the twist in this one! I've given up trying to figure out the secrets as I read so many thrillers and I love being surprised. But this one had my head turning like I was a character in The Exorcist!
"Beth" is on the run from an abusive husband as she tries to cover her tracks, even as she is sure he will eventually track her down. In alternating chapters we see her escape and meet Sabine's husband who is worried that his wife is missing but is facing accusations from Marcus, the detective who suspects he has abused his wife. So believe me, it's a wild ride from here to there and when Beth finds a note saying, "Dear Wife, I found you" we are terrified for her...but it's not over yet! Loved the suspense and action in this. Belle speaks very poignantly about spousal abuse, friendship, deception, secrets, and lies. This is a must-read for thriller fans!

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Thanks #Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This novel deal with a serious and very much current issue which is domestic violence. This of course doesn't make for an easy read.
The plot explores the main character's plan to escape her abusive husband. We get to see the psychology of the abuser, the abused, and the trauma resulting from going through this harrowing experience.

I found the plot engaging and thought provoking, but I felt the middle of the novel would've benefited from some editing as the narrative became a little bit descriptive and repetitive, thus, slowing the pace down. But this is just my opinion, and certainly didn't stop me from finishing the book.

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This book was really good. You get a sense right away that you have untrustworthy narrators, but you’re torn as to who is the liar and then there are paths that diverge and you know they’re going to converge, you’re just not exactly sure how. Although you do figure out the real liar, it takes a good bit of story to start really piecing it out and then there is that feeling where you can’t wait to see how it all comes together. It was really fun to read. My favorite of hers yet, although I’ve only read 2 of her 3 so far.

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Sabine (who now goes by the name of Beth) goes missing to flee from her abusive husband, Jeffrey. Although she had spent months planning her "escape", in this day and age of social media it has become increasingly difficult to do so. She drives from Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Oklahoma where she fills out application papers for an apartment and meets someone who will take small amounts out on her ATM card at random places in the US. Beth ends up in Georgia and finds a room to rent at Sally's boarding house. There, Beth meets Martina who helps her get a job cleaning at a church.

Jeffrey is not only an abuser to Sabine but just an all-around unlikable person. Of course, pitied at first, but now is the main suspect in Sabine's "murder"/"disappearance". He finds out that his wife had been cheating on him and even plans to divorce him for Dr. Trevor McAdams (who is also currently married - 2 children). Trevor comes across as rather pompous -yet- weepy depending on the situation. At this point the reader is led to think Sabine is pregnant with Trevor's baby.

Ingrid is Sabine's ugly duckling twin sister with whom Sabine confides in constantly. Ingrid has no love for Jeffrey, Does anyone?

Lastly, we meet detective Marcus Durand who (after 6 days and counting Sabine is missing) believes that Sabine (Beth) is dead. He finds it necessary to rub both Jeffrey and Trevor the wrong way in order to dig deeply into Sabine's past.

Just as things begin to heat up, Beth is forced to make a decision when everyone at the church she cleans at thinks she stole the week's collection money. Does she leave - her ID's are false - or does she hope that the real thief is caught and she does not have to face a police interrogation? And... Does Sabine/Beth end up with Jeffrey or Trevor or can she truly start anew?

A good psychological thriller. Recommend!

Many thanks to Harlequin -Trade Publishing - Park Row and NetGalley for a good, solid read!

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Belle's Dear Wife was a fast-paced book that built suspense until the late climax. But it sadly gave up all of its secrets at the midpoint.
see full review: https://authentikatebooks.site123.me

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Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin/Trade Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I love a good thriller, and Dear Wife was a great one. I really enjoyed this book, it was a hard one to put down. I wanted to keep reading because there were quite a few things that happened to keep me guessing until the very end. Although I was pretty sure I figured out what the twist was about halfway into the book, I had to keep reading to find out if I was right.

There are three main characters in the book, Beth, Jeffrey, and Marcus. Each chapter of the book is told from the point of view of one of the three. The book starts out with Beth running away, trying to get away from her abusive husband. She has to make sure to throw him off track so that he can't find her because he WILL try to find her. Jeffrey and his wife, Sabine, don't have a great marriage. Sabine is now missing, has a history of mental illness, and Jeffrey is the top suspect. Marcus is the police detective that is looking into the disappearance of Sabine. He's leaving no stone unturned.

I won't go into much more detail because it would have to contain spoilers, but definitely add this book to your "must read" list! I have also read The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle, and it was really good. I will be adding her other books to my list to read.

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"Dear wife, I found you"

Oh my goodness! Boy, did I have fun with this one! What a ride!

Dear Wife is an exceptionally dark thriller that will leave you highly entertained turning those pages. This was my first read by Kimberly Belle and am glad I finally read something by her!

Kimberly Belle delivers part domestic fiction and part thriller with this juicy set of characters. Beth Murphy is on the run and has been planning this for over a year. Who is she running from and why?

Sabine Hardison is a relator that has gone missing. Her husband Jeffrey is suspected of having something to do with her disappearance. Does he? The police start to uncover more and more clues... that start to point even more clues at a troubling life at home for Sabine.

ALL of these characters have a dark secret but it may not be what you're thinking. Of course, you may be thinking you have it all figured out but Kimberly Belle I'll give you that you set your readers up with high tensions and twists that leave you on edge!

I had this theory in my mind since the beginning and was completely wrong haha but I did figure out one of the main twists towards the end but I still really enjoyed this one!

Highly recommend it!

4 strong stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin/Trade Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: 6/25/19
Published to Goodreads: 2/25/19

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Sabine: A realtor gone missing. She has a history of mental illness.

Jeffrey: Sabine's husband and the primary suspect in her disappearance. He doesn't make much money and during her disappearance he found out she was having an affair with a doctor. Jeffrey has two hours holes in his alibi.

Marcus: The detective that is assigned to the case. He's going above and beyond using all of his resources to track down Sabine.

Beth: She's on the run from her abusive husband. Knowing her life depends on it, she uses all that she learned over the last few months in order to disappear.

I thought I knew all the characters that are laid out in the book, but not everyone is who they seem to be. Everyone has a motive. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Is Beth and Sabine the same person? Is Jeffrey really the prime suspect? Does Sabine mental illness play into her disappearance? Just like Beth, laying out all the clues in different directions so did this story. The twists and turns of this story were genius.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this fabulous ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Let me tell you, I love twisty books that somehow surround marriages and the crazy turns the relationships can take. I love crime novels- especially those where one spouse goes missing or ends up dead, and readers have to figure out where the other is the killer or perpetrator. This book hits ALL my marks and more. Dear Wife is an unexpected surprise. I thought I knew what this book was going to be like and how it was all going to play out but I was pleasantly shown I was wrong. This is a fantastic read! I can't wait for more books by the author based on this one!

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