The First Mistake by Sandie Jones is a thriller that is done in a somewhat unusual way. The book is divided into three parts with each part completely different from one another. The first part of the story is Alice in the present day, the second is Beth nine years before and then it moves onto part three returning to the present with both friends.

Alice may look like she has the perfect life on the outside but she struggles daily with her anxiety that came about when her first husband died in an accident. Alice was left alone to raise their daughter and her struggle began. Eventually though Alice met her current husband who gave her a second daughter and helped her get her life back somewhat on track.

Alice and her husband run a business together that has really taken off with Nathan on the financial/business side and Alice the creative force behind their designs. With a huge contract on the line and Nathan traveling Alice leans on her best friend, Beth, for support.

The First Mistake by Sandie Jones wasn’t a bad story overall but my biggest issue with it came mid-book with switching characters and timelines. That abrupt complete change made it feel like it started to crawl along, almost a feeling I switched books. I almost wondered if it would have felt more engaging if it had gone back and forth chapter by chapter. The last section then became a lot more engaging as it worked through the twists to tie it all up leaving me at a 3 1/2 rating.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Minotaur Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Sandie Jones, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is one of those books that turns out to be a somewhat predictable thriller. As each twist occurred, I eventually figured some of it out with the ending being telegraphed and overly rushed. It was an enjoyable and easy read, but it was not a book that I will remember reading next week. It definitely is a good book to read by the pool or beach.

Lukewarm recommend.

I was super excited to get an ARC of this book because domestic thrillers are my favorite type of book to read right now. Despite being happily married and having two beautiful daughters, Alice is still mourning the death of her first husband and suffering from depression and anxiety. Her second husband, Nathan, has been instrumental in helping her move forward with her life and has helped her business take off. But things start to spiral out of control after Alice starts to find evidence that Nathan may be having an affair. The discovery forces Alice to rely more on herself alone, and in doing so, she makes some startling discoveries about her husband, and her best friend, Beth. But the truth is even stranger than it seems at first glance...

I don't want to spoil what happens so that's all I will say about what happens. I found this book to be very easy to read and I read it in less than 24 hours. The reason I rated it 3 stars instead of 4 or 5 is because I found the characters to be a bit one dimensional, but that is just me. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys domestic thrillers. I definitely did not see all of the twists and turns coming.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced readers copy in exchange for this honest review!*

This author is new to me but I will certainly be reading more from her in the future. A fantastic, easy read, twists and turns and kept me gripped throughout with good characters and very well written.

Overall it was a good, edge of seat read which I thoroughly enjoyed and can recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and St, Martin's Press (Minotaur Books) for giving me the opportunity to read this excellent book.

Thank you netgalley for a gallery of the first mistake.

Ever since I read Sandie Jones first book the other woman I fell in love with her writing and once I knew this book was coming out I had to get my hands on it and it really did not disappoint.

It was cleverly written with a well thought out plot as well as characters. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and reading until you've fully devoured it.

I thought I had it all figured out and what was going to happen then twist after twists kept coming and it really keeps you on your toes.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first mistake and cannot wait until she comes out with another book! I highly recommend it to everyone that loves a good thriller.

"Trust is a funny thing' it takes such a long time to build, yet it's broken in a second."

Alice and Nathan Davies have a thriving business and two young daughters. They live and breathe their work and have big plans for an exciting new development in Japan. Alice was married before, to Tom, the love of her life, and has finally been able to deal with his tragic passing and has moved on with Nathan so invested in everything.

Alice had some issues in the past but has finally made a friend, Beth. The two women share secrets and all is well until...NO SPOILERS.

This novel of psychological fiction and domestic drama is narrated by Alice and by Beth. Since you know this genre, you expect some twists and a savvy reader will figure out where this is all going fairly quickly. The story moves along at a fast pace and is quite convoluted by the end. Although I couldn't really relate to either woman, and though I can't understand why people don't speak up, confront and ask the big questions right away, I did get that both women were damaged by their pasts. You'll be able to zip through this in a couple of hours.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.

Sandie Jones is fast becoming a favorite author! The First Mistake is another terrific read!

This story is told in three parts and starts with present day. Alice Davies, a wife, mother, and owner of AT Designs. A company, that started using her late husband's, Tom, inheritance. Alice and Tom were happily married with a daughter, Sophia. That marriage ended tragically, when Tom went with his friends for a ski trip and never returned.

Later, Alice remarries Nathan Davies, and they become the proud parents of Olivia. Alice's best friend is Beth, who also has a little girl, Millie. Alice has confided in Beth about Tom's death, and that dark period of her life. Beth, also dealt with hurt, when the man she thought loved her, just walked out of her life without a word. She's left to pick up the pieces.

The second part of the story deals with Beth. We learn that she was a teacher and how she met the man, who eventually would walk out of her life. This was before, Beth, even met Alice. What starts as just an impromptu meeting with a stranger, leads to a very head over heels love affair.

The third part of the story is how worlds collide from secrets, lies and vengeance. Everyone that was trusted, becomes suspect.

Just when you think, you've figured it out, there was a new twist. My heart went out to both Alice and Beth, since I could sympathize with the pain, both were experiencing and trying to heal from their devastating pasts. Great read!

I received an ARC by NetGalley via St. Martin's Press and this is my honest review.

Twisted, surprising, sometimes even funny, Sandie Jones' newest novel delivers everything her readers have come to expect: a novel full of richly conceived characters...and truly devious pitfalls.

Okay. This book was really good. Better than I expected. In fact, lately I’ve been able to predict all those plot twists way before they’re revealed but this one I guessed only a few moments before it was revealed. Thinking (more like yelling) to myself, “No way! OMG that’s —— !?.”

There are 4 important characters in this book. The first is Alice, devoted and mother wife, talented interior designer and still-grieving widow to a husband she lost 10 years prior. The second is Beth, Alice’s best friend who has her own personal struggles. The third is Nathan, Alice’s current husband, businessman and caring father. The fourth is Tom, Alice’s deceased husband who she still loves very much to this day.

The only issue I had with this book were the characters. It’s not that I didn’t like them, I just didn’t really care about them. I was more emotionally invested in the story and figuring out what was going on. I would have liked to have formed some type of emotional bond or sympathized with Alice, but there was just something about her that prevented me from doing so.

While I read books of this kind, I tend to let my mind go to crazy places, trying to predict the outcome. I literally thought I thought of everything but clearly, I was wrong as the plot twist had me vocalizing my surprise. I’m not as clever as I’d like to think I am!

The First Mistake, by Sandie Jones, is a fast and fun read! Jones wastes no time in pulling her readers in and taking them on a spectacular ride. It has all of the elements of a great thriller: likeable characters, a very twisty plot, and an unexpected climax. It is the perfect book to take on vacation or for an afternoon at the pool or beach.

Although this novel touches on questions of trust and friendship, as well as love and romance, it is a story that is plot-driven. If I had to hunt for faults, I probably would have advised one or two less twists and a little more depth in terms of what motivated one or two of the characters. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book as an engrossing summer read. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars!

"Trust is a funny thing; it takes such a long time to build, yet it's broken in a second."

Alice had a great life with her first husband Tom. They had a child and enough money to live a comfortable life. One day, Tom is in a tragic accident and life just isn't the same without Alice's perfect husband. Eventually, she meets Nathan and falls in love again. She has another child with Nathan and they are running a successful business. What could go wrong?

One day, Alice logs into social media and see's something odd - why it there a profile for her deceased husband, Tom? and why is the latest post timestamped as yesterday.... At the same time, her husband Nathan is acting suspicious and Alice wonders why he can't be as perfect as Tom once was. Or was he really that perfect she wonders? Alice hopes she can turn to her best friend Beth but even then secrets unravel and it feels like Alice's life is shattering before her...

I loved Sandie Jones THE OTHER WOMAN last year and I was really looking forward this one. This book is a very fast paced and easy read. I read it in a day and it has short chapters which really hook you. I wasn't totally surprised by all the of twists and turns - except for at the very end however, I also did not want to put it down as I wanted to know what would happen. Jones did a great job keeping us wondering until the very last few pages which made me really enjoy this story.

This is a perfect summer beach read. Jones books are always so entertaining and this one did not disappoint me! This one is out now so make sure to get it and put it in your beach bag.

Thank you to Minotaur books for my copy of this book!

Another fast-paced suspense novel from Sandie Jones. I really enjoyed The Other Woman and this book! As with most thrillers, you have to suspend your disbelief in order to enjoy it.

There are three main characters: the wife (Alice), the husband (Nathan), and the best friend (Beth). Alice married Nathan after losing her husband in an accident. She suffered a mental break after that loss prior to meeting Nathan. We soon learn someone shouldn’t be trusted. Which one is lying to Alice or are they both lying or is Alice suffering another mental break? I have to be vague with this because the less you know going in, the better it is. There are lots of twists and turns so buckle up.

The book is out at a great time and will make a great summer read for anyone that loves the suspense thriller genre. I know I am in this group! It’s a hard one to put down.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC. My opinions are strictly my own.

I was not able to review. Once my request was approved, it was immediately archived. Too bad. I was looking forward to reading.

I received a free e-copy of The First Mistake from Netgalley for my honest review.

A fast paced domestic thriller that you absolutely have to read! Sandie Jones is an amazing writer who pulls the reader in deeper and deeper leaving you with questions that must be answered. A book you can't put down.

Alice has an amazing life, despite the fact that she lost her first husband years ago. She has moved on and started a family with her amazingly perfect husband, Nathan. Alice also has one of the best friends (Beth) that a person could ever ask for.

When Nathan starts acting really strange, Alice confides in Beth. Soon, Alice discovers that her best friend might not have been the best choice to confide in.

I absolute loved how the story is told in three separate parts. Part one is told by Alice, part two is told by Beth, and part three is about both of their stories together.

Thank you for the ARC. I actually did not finish this book. It was too dry, too long and I just couldn’t get into it nor connect to any of the characters.

I had heard a lot of great things about this book before I read it. For me, it was just ok. I actually had figured most of the twists and turns out as they happened. But in the books defense, I have been reading a lot of thrillers lately. I did like Alice and Sophie and Olivia are adorable. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

I feel like there are quite a lot of "domestic suspense" novels saturating the market these days, and not all of them are as thrilling as their blurbs would have you believe. However, that was not the case with The First Mistake. It hooked me from the first chapter to the last, and I ended up finishing the book in just a day. It was impossible to put down. I'd never read a book by Sandie Jones before, but I will certainly be seeking her out in the future. This is a terrifically fun roller coaster of a book, and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves a good edge of your seat read.

Without reiterating the synopsis, I will say what made me choose this book to read and what I thought.

Once again, from the FB book groups I follow, I saw a lot of "buzz" about it so knew I wanted to read it. Before I started reading it, I did see some reviews, some that stated that had a slow start. However, I didn't feel that was the case or it was because the Prologue pulled me right in and I wanted to know "who it was" from the Prologue (sorry..no spoiler...you will just have to read it).

This year I have been reading mostly Psychological Thrillers and trying so hard to figure them out. I thought that with this book that I had solved the "who", which I was partly right but the motive, what and why eluded me.

But then, with the intense conclusion of the book, I realized I had been partially right but that was just a smidgen of the story.

The suspense was fluid. The characters believable, but at the same time, I was leery of each of the cast because the Prologue was always at the forefront of my mind. Many twists and turns!

This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Jones but will be checking out her previous books.

Another great Psychological read!!!

Posted to GR 06/13/19 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2767462563
On my blog: 06/18/19 http://cmashlovestoread.com/?p=20652

I am quickly falling in love with Sandie Jones as an author! The First Mistake was every bit as thrilling as The Other Woman. It kept me guessing from the beginning until the end. I continuously revamped my ideas of what the ending would be, changing my predictions over and over. The characters were well-developed, and I could find myself identifying with Alice as she described her life. I found the dialogue between characters flowed smoothly and was anything but predictable. I highly recommend!

Man, Jones never seems to disappoint!! Just when I thought I had it all figured out, boom, bomb dropped on the last few pages.

I sped through this one in about 24 hours, great read.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review from this great author.