3.5 stars, rounded up to 4

What I liked: the writing. She certainly has a way of sucking you in. The characters are pretty good too.

What I didn’t like: I knew exactly what was going on the whole time and at first I thought that was purposeful, but then the way the story went I realized it was not. Or we weren’t supposed to know. It just dragged to get to the “big” reveal which wasn’t such a big reveal after all, hence the drop in my rating.

What a rollercoaster of a story - I absolutely didn't see what was coming until at least 2/3 way through, which shows the skill of the writer.
I couldn't put it down and stormed through it in one sitting, a fabulous holiday page turner.

The cover is beautiful, could say that one of the most beautiful in the current year. Its interesting title short but concise. The subject in general sounds interesting but it is much more than what is already written. As with his first book unfortunately I could not connect with the plot or the characters which I found simple and predictable.I think the reader has to have a lot of connection with the author and I do not have it with Jones. I could not finish reading it. Thanks for the opportunity to Net Galley and I must clarify that this opinion as all that I give in my accounts is honest and entirely mine.

From the moment I read the first page until the moment I read the last (3 times over!), The First Mistake held me captive. Real life ceased to exist as my heart rate picked up, my stomach got that funny kind of impending doom feeling, and I'm pretty sure I held my breath until this twisted story ended. And then, I sat there stunned - book in hand, staring at the final words . . . thinking "what the h*ll just happened"?! I'll say it right now . . . Carve out enough time to read this book beginning to end in one sitting because once you start, there's no going back.

Alice is a content, wealthy businesswoman, mother, and wife. Life is good . . . until suddenly it isn't. Nathan rode into Alice's life three months after she lost her first husband Tom. She'd been lost in the depths of her grief and despair, and he pulled her up out of the darkness into the light once again. No one need know she still depends on a couple of anti-depressants to get through her day. It's normal with all she's been through, right? Nathan is a charmer with a killer smile - a loving husband and father who works by Alice's side in the successful design firm she and Tom started. Alice, Nathan, and the two children are the picture perfect family. Rounding out Alice's inner circle is her best friend and confidante Beth. Their daughters are playmates and when Alice makes a couple of disturbing discoveries that give her cause to question her marriage, Beth is the one she turns to for advice. As this story plays out, dark revelations pile up, one after another, threatening to destroy life as Alice knows it. With her heart, gut, and the evidence pointing in different directions, Alice has to figure out who's telling the truth and who's lying. That's all I can say about the story without spoilers, and trust me folks, you do not want to read any spoilers before diving into this masterpiece of suspense.

A sinister, mesmerizing story, The First Mistake is highly addictive - simply impossible to put down. I ignored the phone, doorbell, my husband, and even the dog as I frantically burned through the pages of this book. My "need to know" level was off the chart, and I can say it's one of very few books I've read lately where I wasn't even close to 100% certain of the outcome by the end. And oh that ending! How I wish I could talk about the shocking ending, but of course I can't. Some will love it and some won't, but I think it's brilliant! The author sets a menacing tone within the first few pages and then elevates it and the pace throughout as she masterfully manipulates characters and readers - withholding the final piece of the puzzle until the very end. Through strong, real-to-life characters, Jones delivers a relatable plotline that could mirror the life of any average citizen, making it that much more believable and terrifying. Beautifully written and delivered, The First Mistake is one I'll be thinking about for some time to come. An absolutely riveting "Are you kidding me?!" Must Read Suspense Thriller!

I was excited when I got approved from NetGalley and the publisher for Sandie Jones’ newest book “The First Mistake “. I absolutely loved her first novel, read it in 1 Day and gave it 5 stars! This one, to me, was not as good as her first book but I did enjoy it. I felt it fell flat about midway through and I almost gave up, only to have it pick back up again until the end. That ending!!! I wasn’t expecting that and I’m still trying to process it. Can’t wait for Sandie’s next book! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit I enjoyed this book compared to her first book. While this book is not a five star read I did throughly enjoy it from start to finish. Sandi’s books always have an excellent twisty ending that I absolutely love, however the process getting there can get a little boring. For example there was a lot of back story and time jumping in this book that was confusing until you realized where you were in the timeline of the situation. There is a lot of information that leads up to a 10 page twisty ending. My only complaint is there needs to be more excitement in the middle of the book not just the ending. All-in-all great thriller and would recommend for a good beach read!

I absolutely loved this authors first book so I was naturally looking forward to the second! Sad to report, a little disappointed. The main character was slightly “weak”? The plot was fun, very reminiscent of a Liane Moriarity book, Big Little Lies, but with a few less characters. I just felt the need to rush the book because I didn’t love the main character Alice. She does gain strength in the end however this book wasn’t a favorite.

Great book that will keep you guessing until the very end. The plot twists and turns throughout the book and you will not want to put it down. Sandie Jones is one of my favorite authors and this book does not disappoint. Thank you Net Galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by the author. I honestly didn’t know what to expect with this book. The plot twists were amazing and kept me guessing until the end? How far will one go to make the perfect life?

I look forward to more by the author.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41150483

A tangled web of deceit but not very realistic. A very early hint will give readers a strong clue of what is happening. I felt sympathetic towards Alice who was trying her best to cope with the past and deal with the present. But it was irritating to see Alice so naively go along with Nathan's plans. Nathan and Beth both gave early signals of deceit. A lot was going on in this book and sometimes it felt like reading several stories with no connection between them. I also felt the ending was a letdown. This was just an okay story for me.

Excellent mystery and thriller that includes some unexpected and unique twists! A thoroughly enjoyable read.

I've heard such good things about Sandie Jones' newest novel and after hearing friends rave about The Other Woman, I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of The First Mistake. I love a fast paced and suspenseful mystery that keeps me up into the early hours because I can't stop turning the pages and this one delivers. It was entertaining and that's what I love about any new book. I think in general it is hard these days to make thriller/suspense novels bring something new to the table that hasn't already been done but I love that Sandie Jones keeps you guessing until the end and always promises a good time. Can't wait to read what Jones delivers next!

Thank You Net Galley and Minotaur for an early copy of The First Mistake. Awesome book! I was soooo looking forward to reading this because of The Other Woman which was great. Loved the characters and I never wanted to put it down. I was a bit confused at the epilogue though. All in All Great reading!

Psychological thrillers are some of my favorite books! In the past I have read The Other Woman by Sandie Jones, recommended by Reese’s book club. I was so excited to see the release of The First Mistake. The immediate suspense and fantastic writing will suck you in from the very beginning. So many clues imbedded in the plot of this book, including twists and turns have you trying to figure out how this amazing story ends. Highly recommended, Sandie Jones has me hooked!

Wow, Wow, Wow!!! One of the Best books I ever read BUT what was the Epilogue about? Now im horribly confused. I could NOT put this book down, it was sooo engrossing. Im sad about the epilogue but I loved every everything else. Thank you Net Galley and Minotaur for an early release of this phenomenal book.

Plot twist after plot twist in this can’t put down thriller! I loved that the first plot twist was so close to the beginning of the book and not towards the end like most. Really interesting read!

Thank you NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Sandie Jones. I really enjoyed this book. I had a feeling something was amiss when her best friend Beth, didn't want to pickup the main character, Alice's daughter for fear of meeting her husband. When you find out why? It's like WOW! Didn't see that coming. Great read highly recommend.

The First Mistake by Sandie Jones is the 1st book I’ve read by this author and I truly enjoyed it. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy. Look forward to reading more of her books definitely.

This book is super fast paced and one interesting thriller. Extremely hard to put down once you picked it up. It’s a page turning, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very last page type of book. It’s a must read!

Thanks to Minotaur Books #partner for gifting me a copy of The First Mistake. I read The Other Woman last year and enjoyed that one too.

The story is in told in three parts. Present day with Alice and Beth, Beth from 9 years ago and then again present day. I actually enjoyed Beth’s POV the most.

Alice was married to Tom but he died years ago leaving her to be a single mom. She got married again to Nathan a year after losing her first husband and they create a cute little family of four.

Alice and Beth meet through their daughters school. They become close friends and go out for girls nights when they can. Alice is a single mom of one, her baby daddy left her once she found out she was pregnant.

Okay so I did like this one, I didn’t guess the twist so that was nice. I rolled my eyes a few times because the women were gullible and they cried too much, just saying. Rating this one 3.5 ⭐️!

I love Sandie Jones' first book and continue to recommend to my customers; I will certainly do the same with this one.

I enjoyed this book, but unfortunately found it to be very predictable about halfway through; it was evident what was happening which was not apparent in her first book and why I loved it so much.

Good characters, good plot, but predictable.