Member Reviews
Literally what. What did I just read? I feel like this is the point in a paranormal movie where someone tells you that it’s all a joke and you can go home with your sanity intact. I’m so confused. Don’t get me wrong this is one Tarryn Fisher book that will go on my “Always Recommend” book lists but I just can’t think. This book started off in one way and ended in a completely different manner than I had initially believed it would. In my mind, women would end up victorious because we can’t let a man win and while that somewhat happened.. I’m so confused.
The Wives is told from the point of view of Thursday, a woman who ironically sees her husband every Thursday and the other days of the week belong to Seth’s other wives. Yes, you read that correctly. OTHER WIVES. And now here begins a story that should be used in every instance where a man questions a woman on why they are “crazy” because men. Men make us crazy and make us do above and beyond stupid things that we would never think we’d be capable of doing all for the sake of love.
This book is easily one of the greatest things I’ve ever read and though I’m shook to my core after reading this and I don’t think I could bring myself to read it again... cause I’m shook for life. You ALL definitely should! This author wrote a masterpiece and it deserves to reach all the lists of declaring how great it is.
Well!!! I was NOT expecting that. What a mindfuck! When I thought I had it all figured out... I really didn’t! But that’s the beauty of a psych thriller... the ability to make you think... to make you see beyond what the characters are telling you... and Tarryn Fisher totally screwed with my mind! I love her words... especially her romance and her first book in this genre shows she’s a force to Be reckoned with!
There is a point, late in this book, when Tarryn Fisher makes you fall back in your chair, gasping in shock. Did she ... was that all ... is this really happening?
And then you realize what Tarryn Fisher has done: she gave you all the hints you needed. She showed you her characters. She set the table, bade you dine, and then whipped the tablecloth out from under the plates, sending cutlery spinning and plates clattering.
I can't tell you very much about this book because to do so is to ruin the experience for you. In fact, if I were you, I'd go in as cold as you can. The Wives definitely is one of those "let yourself be stunned and amazed" reading experiences.
Here is what I can tell you: Tarryn Fisher writes damaged women who find their peace exceptionally well. Whether through violence, loss, self-reliance, or love, Fisher's women learn, as the main character in this book does, to help themselves.
You will need to talk about this book when you finish it, and I am here for you. Please come back and let me know your thoughts. Did you see any of it coming? Did you anticipate any of Tarryn Fisher's twists and turns?
I'm still processing The Wives, still figuring out how I feel about it. I loved the adventure. I loved the pain. I loved the weirdness and hopefulness, the sexiness and sadness. I loved the crazy. I've come to discover that I particularly love Tarryn Fisher's brand of crazy very, very much.
4.5 stars
The arrangement has always been the same, and you’ve never questioned it. One day a week, you see your husband. On the other days, he’s with his other wives. This has been your normal, and you’ve been okay with the arrangement because you love him. As long as you don’t question the arrangement, things seem pretty normal. With a little perspective, this arrangement seems a bit off. Who are the other wives? Why doesn’t your husband want you to know much about them? And what do they know about you?
I’m finding it hard to review this book without spoilers. There was so much happening, so many intertwined pieces to this puzzle. This book was a wild ride that I could not put down though. For the first half, I kept thinking “this doesn't feel right.” The second half left me questioning my own sanity. You know you’re reading a good thriller when you have to flip back to the beginning to check your memory, only to realize that you in fact had been fooled.
For the most part, I liked this book. There was plenty of suspense and psychological thrills. My only qualm with the book was that it felt a little cliched at parts, but not enough that it ruined it for me. The Wives is a fast read, and I think that thriller lovers will thoroughly enjoy it.
Thank you to @NetGalley, @DarkMarkTarryn and Graydon House for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thursday is in the unfortunate situation of sharing the husband that she loved more than anything with 2 other unknown women. When Thursday decides to investigate these other women, her world is thrown into complete chaos
This book had many unexpected moments, which is what I love most about this genre. The author uses the unreliable narrator technique flawlessly and readers will question everything about this right up until the last page. A wild ride of twisted psychological suspense.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Graydon House and Tarryn Fisher for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book. I am not fully sure what happened. I started it and then blinked and boom it was over. The story was fantastic. I honestly just flew through this book in less than 4 hours. I couldn't put it down and at this point I can't get it out of my mind. This book was highly anticipated and Tarryn didn't let me down. This was a psychological roller coaster. At times I felt like I was going a little bit insane. The writing was fantastic. Probably one of the best books that I have read this year. I honestly didn't think that I was going to like a book about polygamy, especially one where they don't know each other. but that TWIST was HUGEEEEE!!!! ugh so good!!!
"The Wives" is a thriller in the best tradition of Alfred Hitchcock, it's the kind of book that's nearly impossible to put down.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Seth live in a polygamy relationship. The only thing that all three women have in common is Seth. They have never met, live in different cities, have distinct hobbies and careers, they never contacted each other, and more than that - they do not even know each other's names. However, this idyllic arrangement is about to hit an iceberg. Buckle up your belts - you're in for a mystifying ride.
This novel is amazing suspense, it has everything: unreliable narrator, twisty turns, "what in the world?" moments. A perfect marriage/relationship/arrangement that is a lot more then meets the eye. The best part about this novel is the punches never stop coming. Even when I neared the end - BOOM another big reveal. I'm very good at predicting the ending, and with this book, I've made many assumptions, several guesses as to what is going on - and yet I was still so wrong! Thank you NetGalley and Graydon House publisher for a free and advanced copy of the novel, and Tarryn Fisher for a hopelessly tragically perfect thriller.
*5 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
I really don't know where to start with this review. The Wives was such a complete and total mind boggling mystery. About a polygamist with 3 wives, and told from his Thursday wife's POV, the story takes you on a journey from a general polygamist kind of storyline, to a storyline which has you thinking sinister thoughts and wondering just what on earth the truth actually is.
I really can't say too much without giving things away, so I will keep it short and sweet. The more and more involved I got, the more and more I could not work out what was happening. I understood the story, yes, but the truth of the matter. The reality of this story. I needed to find answers, and when I got to the end, boy was a blown away.
Fisher wraps things up really nicely, and you get answers to all the questions. I'm thinking, oh yeah no worries, now I know what the truth of the matter was, and the story has finished up nicely. Net minute, BAM, it finishes on a completely unexpected note, that literally had me sitting there, staring at my kindle like a stunned mullet.
What a way to end a book. Definitely recommend this one. I really enjoyed reading something other than the typical romance stories I have been reading of late. This kept intrigued right til the end and surprised me many times.
TW/CW: gaslighting, suspected domestic abuse (physical), miscarriage, forced hysterectomy, infidelity, plural marriage, negative comments towards mental illness (ex: calling someone crazy)
Review:
** HUGE THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND HARLEQUIN FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW! **
This story was a wild ride from start to finish.
Every time I thought I figured something out, a new layer was revealed that had me questioning things more than our main character.
–>plot<–
Okay, so this book starts off as your run of the mill domestic thriller until we hit the 50ish percent mark, and then things go on a ride that doesn't let up until the final page.
When the first twist hit, I was a little taken aback, but I wasn't sure if I liked the story following THAT particular twist. Then the second twist hit, and I was like, okay, I can follow this. Then the final 30% happened and I just needed to sit on the book because SO much happened and damn. Honestly, I don't want to say too much to avoid any spoilers, but you can definitely expect a review with spoilery thoughts on my channel closer to release date because your girl needs to talk about THAT ENDING.
There were some parts that felt a little too domestic thriller stereotype-y for me, though I have a feeling that was used to create the unique ambiance of the book where everything felt a little too perfect.
Final Thoughts:
Honestly, this book was such a quick, fun read that had me guessing all the way until the end. As someone that's fallen down the thriller rabbit hole, I was excited to have a book use common thriller tropes in a fun way. This might not be the thriller for everyone, but if you like having your head spinning, constantly second-guessing yourself, and like domestic thrillers, this is definitely one to check out!
Engaging, twisty in a way that is less cliffhangers and jump scares and more...so, wait, what now?
Slightly refreshing in a way I can't quite pinpoint.
Read this last evening and I have been thinking about this book all day. I wish YOU and I lived closer because I would totally lend it to you.
My first encounter with Tarryn Fisher was "Atheists Who Kneel and Pray" which without a doubt made me a devoted fan. Her upcoming release "The Wives" is definitely going to be hard for you to commit to New Year's plans.
Thursday is a hard-working nurse in Seattle who doesn't get to see her husband, Seth very often. But it isn't merely his work that keeps him far from home. It is the fact that he must also spend his time with Monday and Tuesday, Thursday's sister wives. As a polygamist by upbringing, Seth isn't interested in his three marital partners being under the same roof. But Thursday is starting to feel a restlessness that cannot be stemmed and begins to do some detecting to figure out more about her competition. But is Thursday REALLY prepared for what happens next?
With my heart in my throat, I just couldn't stop reading. I adore characters that just won't quit asking the questions even if I am covering my eyes peering through open fingers. Also, it probably has one of the most jaw-dropping endings of 2019.
Tarryn Fisher states in my ARC that suspense is a genre which she longed to try. Merely two days later, I would say that she's definitely joined the club.
Goodreads review published 07/12/19
Publication Date 30/12/19
The Wives by Tarryn Fisher is an interesting book that I did not want to put down.
Thursday thinks she's happy being one of three wives and knowing very little about the other two wives. She only wants Seth to be happy and only asks little questions here and there until she finds a receipt with a name on it. She thinks a little look on the internet wouldn't hurt but then she wants to know more. She falls down a hole of curiosity and jealousy. Eventually she is searching for both of Seth's other wives and wanting to know everything about them. Would you be able to live in the dark and only see your husband 2 days a week?
I enjoyed this book. It is full of twists and turns. Thursday has a rollercoaster of emotions from the beginning to the end. As she finally confides in a coworker about her life she realizes that everyone has secrets. People are not always what they seem to outsiders looking into their lives.
I read this book in one day and would like to read more from this author. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
***This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Mystery & Thrillers
Release Date: December 30, 2019
What an absolute mind F. Not sure what to expect, I was hooked right away. Even after finishing I was still not even sure what I read, or what I could believe or what was going on in my brain. Something only Tarryn Fisher could make you feel.
The Wives by Tarryn Fisher was my December BOTM pick and first book I’ve read from Tarryn. This was certainly a five star read for me! I loved the unexpected twists. At one point in the book, I felt so confused that I wasn’t even sure I was understanding what was real and what wasn’t. But what I loved the most of all in this book was the emotion behind this domestic suspense book. Tarryn herself describes it best as this “And in this story, I zone in how women emotionally bankrupt themselves for whom they love.” I highly recommend picking up this book if you’re a fan of domestic thrillers / suspense. Now I need to check out all of Tarryn’s other books!
Twisted! This was so good. It’s been a while since I’ve read a suspense that I actually couldn’t figure out. Back & forth between is she crazy or is she not. A quick read that will have you reading late into the night. 4.5 stars.
Wow. That was an experience. Not without its flaws, but overall a compelling read that I read in one sitting.
This is without a doubt one of those stories you should go into blind. What made this read was the suspense, that thrilling feeling of questioning yourself, the narrator, the plot in general, hell I was in a constant state of 'what the hell is going on'.
I enjoyed it, and when I find myself still thinking about a story days later, I can't help but applaud the author.
Wow! That was ride that I wasn’t fully prepared for. Let my state that I’ve been a fan of TF since I read The Opportunist. As soon as I read the blurb for The Wives, I knew I had to read this book.
I can’t imagine living this life. I think just knowing that there was someone else out there spending time regularly and being intimate with them would drive me insane.
The Wines contains a whole lot of crazy and ventures into a bit of darkness in a way that only Tarryn Fisher can. In true TF form she knocks this story out of the park.
Brace yourselves for a wild ride, you’ve been warned!
Wow! Is all I can say about this book. I'm not sure if I can really talk about the plot without giving the "twist" away.. but I'm going to try. Thursday and Seth seem to have a great life... the only thing is that she has to share her husband with two other women she hasn't met. Sounds pretty straight forward, right ? It's not. I could not put this book down. I read it on while on vacation with my partner and couldn't stop talking about it with him! You have to read this book. It was fast read and you will not see the surprise coming.. I know I didnt. It's been a week since I read this and I'm still thinking about it!
So this is my FIRST Tarryn Fisher book.. and good lord.. I am at a loss for words right now. this book was beyond epic. I am not normally a thriller reader but this one just called to me and when I requested it via Netgalley I honestly didn't think I would be getting it but when it showed up I was stunned!!!
Thursday is one of Seth's 3 wives. She has never met the other wives, and she is okay with the arrangement, or at least she that is what she tells herself... that is until she finds a note in one of Seth's pockets.. A note from a dr appt and it has the name Hannah on it.. So this of course peaks her cursioty.. who is Hannah?
This book is a complete mindf**k, and it is a must read... Highly recommend it!!!
I'm just confused by this book. I on one hand want to give it one star but then again, I did finish it, and those book I usually give a generous 3 stars to. So here it is, 3 stars because I did finish it.
There are so many things that just didn't do it for me. The writing was not smooth. It read so rough, and it was a lot of "I did this and then I did that." Then with the plot, yeah it wasn't what I was hoping. This is a book trying to be "Gone Girl" ish but failing horribly. There was a lot of plot holes, weak resolutions, convenient endings, and the ending was just nothing. There was no messages, lesson, or anything of substance. There was so much thrown at it that it turned into nothing. It was missing a hook in the middle of the book that I was hoping to draw me in there. That was a point I was hoping to get to and never did.
I don't like that it use polygamy as a reason for the relationship when it wasn't anything like that. I'm not an advocate for that type of relationship, but if you're going to use - use it right. There was a word used in this book, it was an awful one, and there was no reason for it. It added nothing to the book/scene/etc, it was done in poor taste, and it just left me sad. Don't disrespect someone's life choices. If you have an issue with them, that's your choice, but there's no reason to disrespect them.
I was never given a reason to understand what it was about Seth that had these women with him. The woman should have made me rooting for them when I didn't even get invested in them either. No matter what genre I read, I want to be invested in the characters I'm reading about - it didn't happen here.
I really enjoy psychological thrillers, but this just missed the mark for me. I'm still standing by the generous 3 stars, I finished it, and it should get credit for at least getting me to the end.