"The First Wife" by Jill Childs is a domestic drama that skillfully explores the complexities of love, marriage, and the repercussions of secrets. Childs adeptly weaves together multiple perspectives, allowing readers to unravel the layers of the characters' lives. The narrative is compelling, with a steady pace that keeps the reader engaged in the unfolding family drama. While the plot contains elements of suspense and emotional depth, some predictable moments and clichés slightly hinder the overall impact. However, the novel is redeemed by its well-developed characters and the exploration of the intricate dynamics within a blended family. "The First Wife" offers a satisfying blend of tension and introspection, making it a solid choice for those who enjoy character-driven domestic fiction.

3.5 stars

The story was intriguing and kept my attention, however the characters were a bit unlikeable. I did like the change in points of view and felt it kept the flow and pacing well. I would definitely try another book from Jill Childs.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

Sophie & Caroline were childhood friends. It had been years since they saw each other, but they stayed in touch via email. One day, not long after Sophie experiences the loss of her parents, she receives an email from Caroline begging for her to visit. Sophie takes her up on it, and finds herself solving a mystery of Caroline’s life.

I thought I had this entirely figured out, but there were some surprises along the way.

I enjoyed this one!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Fantastic read and really hits hard about two thirds in. Such intrigue and mystery from there. Looking forward to reading more from the author.

The suspense in this novel creeps up on you. I felt the first 1/4 of this book was boring but believe me it gets better
The story is told from dual POV. A great read

I really enjoy novels set with multiple perspectives. This novel was no different. I think it was executed rather well. The characters are all developed rather well.

This book starts slow, but the action and suspense build up as you keep reading. The twists and turns in this novel are plentiful. I really enjoyed them.

I want to compare this novel to the same tone as a Ruth Wage novel!

DNF - Did not finish. I decided not to keep reading this title because I did not connect with the writing or plot. Thank you, NetGalley and publisher for the early copy!

Sophie, struggling after her father's death, accepts an invitation from her childhood friend Caroline to come visit her off the coast of England. She feels like catching up with her old friend will help begin to heal her grief. But Caroline has changed. She isn't as warm as she used to be and seems to always be on edge and hiding secrets. Even more strange, Caroline's 3-year-old daughter Lucy refuses to speak and seems to have suffered from sort of trauma. When Caroline's job becomes more demanding, Sophie finds herself caring for Lucy - and trying to figure out what has happened, or is still happening, in this beautiful house to fracture a family apart. Will she uncover the truth in time before it's too late? Or will it cost her everything?
This was a very slow burn for me, but I did enjoy the read!
Thanks to Jill Childs, Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I did not see that coming!!! Such an amazing story from start to finish. Highly recommend The First Wife by Jill Childs.

Thank you for this ARC NetGalley.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow-what a fabulous book, full of thrills and suspense well-written with an unexpected ending. Recommended.

I read this book in one sitting, I could not put it down! So many unexpected twists, coupled with such good writing and storytelling. Would definitely recommend!

I love a good thriller and I'm pleased to say that after reading this one by Jill Childs, I will definitely look at reading more by her. 

When Sophie receives an email from her childhood friend Caroline asking her to come and visit, Sophie takes her up on the offer. After her father's death, she needs some time out and catching up with her old friend reminiscing about the past might be just what she needs. 

But Caroline has changed. She isn't as warm as she used to be and seems to be harboring secrets. When Caroline's job becomes more demanding, Sophie finds herself caring for Lucy, Caroline's daughter who refuses to speak. 

Feeling uneasy, Sophie is sure not everything is as it seems at the house. I can't say anymore without giving away spoilers so I'll leave it there and hope you read this one!!

Sophie, grief-stricken after her father's death, takes up her oldest friend Caroline's offer to come and stay at her family home in a beautiful cliffside location. But when Sophie arrives she finds herself treated more like the nanny for Caroline's 7 year old daughter Lucy, a selective mute. And Caroline herself is changed - no longer the bright, confident friend Sophie remembers from their school days, but moody and secretive. When Sophie's curiosity is stirred, she starts poking around in the past. But Sophie is about to learn that some secrets, people will kill to keep...

I really enjoyed this well written and consistently surprising novel, alternately narrated by Sophie in the present and Caroline in the past. The characters are well developed, the plot moves along at a smart pace, and the revelations just keep coming. While I did guess the final brilliant twist, it wasn't until fairly late in the book, and I loved the way the author managed the reveals.

A well plotted and complex psychological thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher, who provided me with an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A tense, well-crafted read that kept me turning the pages until the end! Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for the ARC,

The First Wife is a thrilling, well written read.
It did start off quite slowly but it soon picks up and keeps you interested until the very end.
It's packed full of secrets, lies, deception, twists and more. And it made for a book that I couldn't put down at points.
It also had a really good ending, something that can't be said for all books like this.
I would say though, that the cover is quite deceptive as I expected this to be just another typical beach read. But it is much more than that and even maybe something that I would have preferred to read as Autumn goes into Winter. But that is possibly just me.
I would definitely be interested in reading more from Jill Childs, after reading this.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I would rate this book 2.75 out of 5 stars.

I honestly struggled a little with this book. The initial premise that the main character turns up out of the blue based on an email she received months before from a friend she hasn't seen in decades, was a little far fetched for me.

The setting of the story was great but overall this one didn't quite work for me.

The First Wife is a psychological thriller with a serious creep factor. The creepiness begins early in the story, and keeps increasing until the surprisingly twisted ending. In fact, there's so much anxiety that I reverted to an old reading pattern of reading approximately one-third of the book, reading the last three chapters, then going back to my stopping place and reading the remainder of the book.

Sophie has just finished packing up the house she inherited from her deceased parents. She's put the house on the market and, with no job, she really has no place to go.

Her old friend, Caroline, has repeatedly invited her to visit, so Sophie accepts the invitation. Things begin to be odd when no one meets Sophie at the station. She calls Caroline, who seems a little surprised, but comes to retrieve Sophie. Oddly, when Caroline arrives, Sophie doesn't recognize her. Of course, it's been years, and people do change.

This book is one of the few that's held my interest lately, and I read it in one sitting! I highly recommend this title to anyone seeking a seriously twisted psychological thriller.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.

#TheFirstWife#NetGalley

A story of intrigue and gripping mystery.

After recently having lost her father, Sophie receives an email from a long lost school friend, inviting her to come and stay at her house on the beach front. A welcomed break, after living in Hong Kong and an opportunity to catch up with an old school friend that she has remained in touch with via email, she jumps at the chance. It is also a chance to meet Caroline’s husband and daughter, Lucy.

From the offset, you get the distinct feeling that something isn’t quite right. The husband doesn’t appear to want Caroline there, the three year old daughter isn’t speaking and her old friend is just not herself. Caroline is desperate to figure out what’s going on.

When Sophie arrives at her friend’s house - things seem a little off. Her friend isn’t the same person that she used to be, nor is she one that she recognises. Will Caroline ever figure out what’s going on?

I really enjoyed the mysteriousness of this story and I thoroughly enjoyed the dual narrative - Sophie in the present and Caroline filling in the blanks of the history. It drives the story forward through the lots of twists and turns.

A really enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this, in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie is troubled after the death of her father and so when she gets an email from her old school friend Caroline asking her to come and visit her in her remote house on the beach she is delighted. She has'nt seen Caroline since school as she has been living in Hong Kong for years so they have only kept in touch through email and so when she arrives she hardly recognises her and she has never met her husband Dominic and her daughter Lucy. From the beginning something doesn't seem right in the house, Caroline seems to have changed, Dominic doesn't want her there and Lucy is not speaking at all even though she is three years old..... so will Sophie get to the bottom of the problems?

A great story of mystery and intrigue told in alternating chapters by Sophie, in the present, and Caroline filling in the background and history, which works very well. The characters are good and the mysteries being revealed keep your interest with plenty of twists