Oh, my... where do I begin? At first, even though I was enjoying the story, I thought I had everything figure it out... well, not... Not only each page is a turner, but also the plot is magnificent in a way that you don't see things coming (even for someone who is a huge fan of thrillers and mysteries). Besides, the characters were well developed and appealing. What else can I say? Can't wait to read another book by Nina Laurin!

Claire and Byron have been married for a few years. Byron’s first wife, Colleen, died ten years ago in an apparent suicide and to Claire, it’s clear he has not moved on from her death. Colleen’s paintings still adorn the walls of every room in the house they shared and he won’t let Claire redecorate even though she now lives there with him. Even worse, he proposed to Claire with a replica of the lost emerald heirloom ring that he had given to Colleen.

Claire’s insecurities regarding her infertility, inability to have her writing published and Byron’s hangups on Colleen start to get the best of her. When odd things start happening - for example, strange emails appearing and disappearing - Claire begins to convince herself that Colleen didn’t actually die.

Is Colleen alive and coming back for revenge? Is Claire losing her mind? Is something entirely more sinister going on?

This book was intriguing and kept me guessing. I didn’t feel particularly invested in any of the characters and there were a lot of loose ends that weren’t addressed. All in all an enjoyable read for any thriller lover looking for a bit of crazy!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable book.

I am sorry for not reviewing fully but I don’t have the time to read this at the moment. I believe that it wouldn't benefit you as a publisher or your book if I only skimmed it and wrote a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for not fully reviewing!

This was a fast-paced, enjoyable, psychological thriller. It didn’t know what was going on until the end and I loved that. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, something else would happen. Laurin is an excellent addition to this genre.

I really loved this book in a new to me author. The characters and location really and to the story. I can't wait to read the next one. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

Not just one but two unreliable narrators, exhausting. No likable characters, an abrupt and unsatisfying ending.

Boring! Unlikable characters and immature Claire. Wasn't for me although others liked it. Try it, you might like it.

Conflicted on this one 🤔

RATING: 2.5 STARS
2019; Grand Central Publishing

I was really conflicted on rating this one. It was written well, but the story was not really suspenseful and read more like a soap opera. You see the ending coming way too early, but I was able to finish it. I rated it 2.5 as it was an okay book, and rounded it to two stars as it was a bit less than okay.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

I love dark and demented, and this one fulfilled the occasional crazy, unreliable narrator that I often crave. This was one darn good rollercoaster ride of a read.

Claire is married to Byron a creative writing professor. Byron was previously married to an artist and professor and the same college. His previous wife, Colleen, had passed away by drowning. An investigation was done and it was ruled a suicide. Claire lives in the same home that Byron shared with his first wife, his starter wife, and she is constantly reminded of her by her choice in paint colors as well as her paintings. Claire is madly in love with Byron, but starts worrying and he is less interested in her. Claire has a drinking problem and is a paranoid wife, or is her paranoia justified? A quick read that kept me engaged. It was hard to put the book down as I read about Claire’s life unraveling before her.

One of my favorite reviewers described another of Nina Laurin's books as something she figured out early - but still enjoyed.

This one is a bit of the opposite for me - I had a pretty clear idea where this book was going, and it DID affect some of my enjoyment of the book. Mostly because there were very minor things that could either mean the character was utterly stupid - or showed me the outcome. I chose to believe the second - and was right. (Which is better than a dull character, admittedly!) For example: If Claire is googling her husband's dead wife obituary on the regular, how does she not notice things like he was investigated for her death? Or how she died? Something just didn't add up there.

It was still a breezy read - I'd call it a good beach or plane read, as you don't need to hyper focus, and there is a LOT going on to be entertained by.

Bottom Line: Read it if you're especially fond of potentially unreliable narrators. There's a lot to question here.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a twisted tale that at times I was unsure of what was going to happen. I would have liked more from the before Claire but overall the book kept my attention. I thought her husband was sketchy and even with the reveal still didn't love him as a character.

I am not a huge fan of thriller books, but I do love some mysteries myself and this book was perfect and interesting enough to keep me hooked throughout the story. I found myself picking up the book at school because I was so intrigued and most of the time I couldn't put the book down at night.
The plot was quite unique, which was the reason why I decided to give this book a chance. Add in the unreliable narrators and it was exactly what I needed! Claire is not a very likeable narrator or character for that matter but she isn't meant to be.
I have to say I was left with some loose ends and unanswered questions at the end, but it is the perfect excuse to reread the book in the future.

🚂 ALL ABOARD the CRAZY TRAIN!

this book was wild and entertaining, but I’m still a little baffled. The ending had me thinking WTF and could that have actually happened? Like I seriously want to go back and try to puzzle everything together and see if it will actually fit together how it does. Two unreliable narrators, two contradicting stories, two different obsessions. Claire finally has everything she wants a loving husband, a beautiful home, and a life of leisure. The only problem is the competition, her husband‘s dead wife and an unknown character who is sending her cryptic messages. What transpires is Claire’s journey deeper and deeper into crazy town. A little more paranoid, a little more suspicious, a little more unreliable. Is it the alcohol? Is someone slipping her drugs? Is someone trying to kill her? Or is it all in her head? Is Byron The man of her dreams or of her nightmares? And is Colleen really dead? The body was never found. This book was engaging, wild, entertaining, confusing, addictive, twisted, and baffling.

This book in emojis. 🔏 🖌 🍹 💊 🧩

*** Big thanks to the publisher for my gifted copy ***

Claire is married to Byron and is his second wife. Bryon’s first wife ,Collen  committed suicide but her shadow hangs over their head as she feels Byron is still in love with her .When Bryon starts acting distant with Claire she becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Collen and will stopping at nothing to find out the truth to save her marriage. 

The Starter Wife by Nina Laurin is a definite page turner and an enjoyable domestic suspense.Though a little slow in the middle it picked pace later and kept me guessing till the end . Highly recommend !

I would like to thank Grand Central Publishing & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

This was my first Nina Laurie book and I loved it! A dark and tension-filled psychological thriller with, an unreliable narrator. I enjoyed having two narrators, Claire and an unnamed one. And I loved the twist, which I didn’t see coming. Since reading The Starter Wife, I’ve purchase Nina Laurin’s First two books.

The mysterious disappearance of Colleen Wescott was a story I just could not put down. This thriller was an absolute page turner. The writing style was something of a dream and I couldn't get enough!

For fans of Gone Girl, The Other Woman and other "crazy woman" thriller novels that are out there, this book will be a delicious and satisfying late night read.

I received an advance digital copy of this book from the author, Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Starter Wife is a sit down, turn your phone off and read book. The tension grows almost imperceptibly where suddenly you realize you're at the height of uncomfortable. If Daphne duMaurier and Lisa Jewell had a book baby. The Starter Wife would be that baby.

5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.

Interesting storyline, nice book.
My phone rings, jarring me away from my thoughts, and when I pick it up, it's an unknown number. The only answer to my slightly breathless hello is empty static.

When the voice does finally come, it's female, low, muffled somehow. "Where is it, Claire? What did you do with it? Tell me where it is."

A woman. A real flesh-and-blood woman on the other end of the phone. She's not just in my head.

A wave of panic spreads under my skin like ice water. It's Colleen.