Wow, what a book! Well written, suspense dripping, thrill giving, chill inducing, and so much more! Written in an amazing way, which provided insight to the characters in a way that I felt really let you take in more stories than one! I will definitely be looking for more by this author, who knows how to write in such a way that you gave a hard time putting down the book! My recommendation, don’t delay, grab today!
Will buzz around and use lower amazon reviewer number!

Gloria Flass is looking for some extra income following the death of her beloved husband Charlie. She rents out part of her land to travel writer Beth who then reveals that she too is a widow. But strange things are happening in town and at Gloria's: the murdered body of a young woman is found and Gloria's garage apartment is broken into...
The plot is delivered through a dual timeline narrative of Gloria in the present and Elizabeth in the past. Gloria is isolated, rejected by her church for having a homosexual son who in turns feels betrayed and is avoiding her.
Elizabeth in the past is pregnant when she discovers her husband is having an affair. This leaves plenty of opportunity for the reader to make assumptions about the intervening time. In the present day, Beth doesn't have a baby and has been widowed so it is easy to guess there is heartache ahead :(
Two Widows deals with some pretty big themes and topics: infidelity, grief, a parent's reaction to coming out, drugs, murder. I felt emotionally connected to both timelines and there was enough mystery to move the plot on while developing the characters in a sympathetic way.
There is plenty of anticipation and tension built up over the course of the book as the story unfolds. Both women are brave and vulnerable, and have aspects of their personality that are easy to identify with so we are drawn into the plot. The strands of the women's lives and the murder plotline are all tied up neatly at the end leaving a satisfying conclusion.
I really enjoyed Two Widows and am impressed at the emotional element of this psychological thriller.

My Review
Now here is an author you should put on your list to get to....
Laura Wolfe and she loves animals too so I love her already 💕
When you are used to solitude and love your own company, it can be quite encroaching when someone comes into your space to set up home.
Equally it can be just what you need when you don't even know you do....
This is what happens in the story....
Gloria having lost her husband a while back is lonely Iiving in their farmhouse.
Estranged from her son too..
When she allows travel writer Beth to park up her home on wheels on her land for a time, she hopes it will be some company for her and maybe the start of a nice friendship..
But she can't help wondering why Beth has appeared in the area and why now. Could it be to do with the body that Gloria found recently on a nearby beach..
We do get a great insight into both these characters lives through the two timelines of the story being told...Beth when she was married to her husband and Gloria now...
I took to the older lady Gloria for some reason. I'm not too sure why but I felt sorry for her character...
She wanted to do right with her family but messed up when she needed to understand...
A story I found was filled with suspense, quite dramatic in places and the mysterious goings on had me on tenderhooks for much of it...
You feel the hairs on the back of your neck rising very slowly with this read....
Well worth your time.

I love a book that has me guessing and switching opinions based on the newest information while leaving me unsure as to whether I’m right or wrong. This is that type of book, and it was an excellent mystery. The story unfolds in two parts alternating chapters: Grace “now” and Elizabeth “before.” It’s an effective method, as it allows for the plot to advance. I thought both women were interesting characters, but I especially liked Beth. She was one of the most “real” characters I have read in a long time. I did think that the resolution seemed to come a little of nowhere, but in the bigger context of Beth’s story, it made sense. I would recommend this book. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of the book.

Two Widows by Laura Wolfe is a pyschological thriller that had me immediately. This is the first time I have read anything by this author and if this book is anything to go by, it won't be the last.
The story is told by two women, Grace and Beth. Beth narrates the past and Grace the present. We learn of Beths past marriage and events leading up to her husband Jasons death and we see the tragedy as her perfect life crumbles Beth drew a lot of sympathy from me as I witnessed the carnage around her.
The present chapters are told by Grace as I said previously. We know find out that she has pushed her son, Ethan, out of her life by accident rather than design, and she spends her days in isolation at her farmhouse in the middle of nowhere.Grace is a complex woman and I still, even now can't decide if she was just an interfering woman anyway or if her husbands death had caused this behaviour.I thought the author had made very real characters with real flaws and this made the story a good one too.
Two Widows is a story that weaved together a number of genres such as, murder mystery and psychological thriller and created a story that truly grabs you. The stories of both women keep unfolding as you read and the chapters,slipping back and forth are a natural story progression.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the copy of the book to give you my reviee today.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. This is a new author to me which never gets dull!I whizzed through this , very unpredictable with twists and turns. As you turn the pages, layers of truth are revealed.A really great thrilling read packed with intrigue and suspense. I look forward to reading more from this author.Published 27th August

The chapters of this intricately plotted thriller alternated between the perspectives of Elizabeth (before) and Gloria (now) two diverse, strong willed characters who came from opposite sides of the social divide. The before chapters covered Elizabeth's marriage to Jason, her interactions with her troubled sister and the events leading up to Jason's death. I couldn't avoid not feeling a lot of sympathy for Elizabeth as she was put through hell and her perfect life crumbled into pieces around her. The now chapters introduced us to Gloria, a older lady who had inadvertently pushed her beloved son Ethan away and lived a lonely, isolated life in her old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Throughout the book, I struggled to decide whether I liked Gloria or not, she was a complex character who could be very judgemental at times, interfering and just a bit clingy and obsessive. Maybe her behaviour was affected by her continuing grief over the death of her beloved husband? Or maybe she was just lonely and not used to interacting with other people? There was numerous moments when I felt like reaching into my kindle, giving her a good shaking and demanding to know what the hell she thought she was doing. This story didn't have a large cast of characters but the ones who did appear were a mixed bag of realistic individuals. Some likeable, some not so likeable and a few who were not who they appeared to be.

This gripping story is a enthralling blend of domestic drama, murder mystery and psychological thriller that hooks the reader in, keeps you guessing and totally mesmerized as the two women's stories unfolded before your captivated eyes. The author's words flowed with ease, the moving between the two time frames never felt disjointed and many of the chapters ended on a cliff hanger, giving the reader a very bad case of just one more chapter syndrome. This is a extremely well written thriller and I look forward to reading more of this author's books in the future.

This is the story of two widows Gloria and Beth. With very different lives and being of different generations they form an unusual friendship. Narrated in the present by Gloria and the past by Beth we get to know them both flaws and all.

Gloria lives in isolation and is struggling financially after her husband’s passing so advertises the small apartment above her garage. A church going religious woman, she messed up with her son Ethan when she discovered he was gay, allowing her homophobic church friends to sway her opinion. Now alone after their falling out, she is anxious after a young woman’s body is found. Beth doesn’t want the apartment but would like to use the land at Gloria’s to park her tiny home.

Then enters Charlie a scruffy artist who can pay upfront for the apartment. Two new people and by now two murders….. I feel like I need to add a dun dun dun here.

There is so much to unravel in this book, murder mystery and intrigue jam packed within the pages. Is Gloria right to make friends with Beth? Why does the lodger go into the woods? Who are these strangers and are they involved in the murders?

I love character driven books and this is a great example where you can really root for them and the ending with Mary Ellen and Gloria proverbially sticking up two fingers had me whooping with joy.

This book was provided to me from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is written from 2 different points of views/timelines, Gloria is Now and Beth is Before. Gloria, a widow rents out a piece of her land to Beth, who owns a "tiny house". Gloria also has a garage apartment, that she rents out to Joe, an artist. Gloria's husband Charlie has died and she is all alone and befriends Beth. Beth is also a widow, but her story leads up to Gloria's current timeline. This was very well written and was not confusing. I really enjoyed this story. I liked the back and forth and it made you understand the events of "now". There was enough suspense and mystery to keep me reading. I was never bored. A woman's body is discovered right before Beth moves in. And a little time later, Amanda, Beth's new friend and Gloria's former renter is missing. Thank you bookouture, netgalley and Laura Wolfe for this book.

# The Two Widows # Netgalley
This is a very slow burner and a bit repetitive at the start, at one point if I am going to be 100% honest I almost clicked of of this book and put it down to a no read. However it’s extremely rare that no matter how painful I find some books to read I slowly and painfully plow through them. It did pick up quite a bit as the sort went on which I was so glad about, with it having picked up I had a new founded interest. Beth who’s husband died a couple of years ago is still trying to get over the loss she as a apartment to let unitive her garage. However someone phoned about renting some land for her little travelling house I think because that wasn’t to clear Beth kept calling it a trailer yet how Gloria describes it as a house so more inclined to think it was a travelling house Gloria tell Beth she a widow after Beth vans mentioned her husband passing 2 years previously. A unlucky friendship builds between the two. Oh prior to Gloria arriving Beth found a body ion the beach a body of a woman. She calls it through to the police . It was only a couple of days after when Gloria turns, up the friendship grows closer the things they tell each other I don’t think Beth especially as never reviled before. Beth does rent the apartment out to a man by the name of Charlie the book is based about a coming together as friends but You can’t help wondering if Gloria as made friends with a murderer the twist and turns make you wonder if Beth is a murder or not. The ending was predictable. Overall apart from when Gloria and Beth becomes friends and start talking about things they have never spoken about before I find that initially nice it nice for Beth to have a friend as she’s never had one before it’s a little sad I enjoyed reading how the came together I really felt some empathy for Beth as they start to become friend realising she’s never had a friend before. However it took a long time getting there it ts not the best book I have read by far I can’t say if I can recommend this book my instant answer would be no. But that’s my own personal opinion other might read it and really enjoy it. We are all different. Although my first instinct is to say no I do not recommend. However would I say don’t bother reading the book. No I wouldn’t say that either. I honestly would just say as I am doing now in parts I enjoyed it overall the book just wasn’t really to my personal taste

3 stars

You can read all of my reviews at NerdGirlLovesBooks.

This was an easy-to-read mystery/thriller set in northern Michigan.

Gloria is a lonely widow living in a house far out in the country. She is grieving the loss of her husband, doesn't have any friends, and is estranged from her only child, a son that lives in San Francisco. She tries to improve her life by reading self-help books and taking their suggested actions.

Gloria rents out an area in a field near her house to Beth, a freelance travel journalist driving through the country with a tiny house on a trailer. When she discovers that Beth is also a widow, Gloria hopes that Beth can become the friend that she really needs. Gloria also rents an apartment over her garage to an artist that needs a central location from which to attend various art fairs in the region.

Glora is concerned about the recent murder of a young woman near her house, and is thankful to have more people living near her house. When another young girl is reported missing, tensions rise. As Gloria observes the erratic behavior of her tenants, she begins to wonder what, exactly, she really knows about them. Their recent arrival in the area is suspicious and she begins to wonder if they could be involved.

The beginning of the book is slow. The author repeatedly brought up the events that occurred at Gloria's church and her estrangement with her son. This repetition isn't necessary (the events are not complicated) and it became irritating the more it was done. Most of the storylines were predictable and I was able to figure them out early in the book, but there were a couple surprises in the book. Even though I knew a lot of what was going to happen, it was still fun to see how the author got there. The book ends in a predictable, clean and tidy way, but that's ok. It was expected.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Bookouture for an honest review.

Whoa!! A thriller which transformed into absolute girl power!! Woohoo. My first book by the talented author Laura Wolfe, and you betcha I had fun times with the story. It was wonderful how 3 characters could twist and turn the book on its vertices and leave me so well entrenched in my own theories of what could have happened and where it was headed.

GLORIA the widow who preferred her solitude after her son moved away from her due to a disagreement. Beth, recently bereaved, who rented the field from Gloria for her tiny house. JOE a new lodger with suspicious movements.

The story revolved around them, and the author built up so much of suspense that I could barely let go of my kindle. I was a bundle of excitement. I had to know the secrets buried in their hearts. Furtive actions were the norm, and Gloria was quite a sleuth when she tried to get to the bottom of things.

A dead body, or two, made the plotline murkier along with shaded backgrounds of all the characters. Richly told to me in dual timelines Gloria in the present and Beth in her past, the author subtly weaved her magic by making me so immersed in their lives. Emotions raged through me at their tough times, empathy at others. I had to admit at times, I was more vengeant than the characters.

The book was a brilliant showcase for the author’s writing. I was glued to my kindle for a couple of hours. Time so well spent. A captivating read.

Gloria is widow living alone in her farmhouse surrounded by vacant land. She has recently leased some land to a new tenant, Beth Ramsey. She has brought a tiny house on a trailer. It is so efficient. She is a freelance writer about popular destinations in Michigan.

Gloria’s husband, Charlie, died two years ago and she finds living alone to be quite difficult. Her son is gay and lives in California. She has not heard from him in quite awhile. She had allowed her homophobic church friends to influence her opinion of his lifestyle. Thus, they are at odds with one another and Gloria regrets allowing others to influence her.

Gloria has a small apartment to rent above her garage. A scruffy man, calling himself Charlie, shows up inquiring about the apartment. He is an artist and can pay upfront. She had recently rented to a local girl. Gloria is a bit hesitant to rent to a man, but agrees. She needs the money to supplement her small income.

Soon, a woman is found murdered on a nearby beach which frightens Gloria. She is more aware of keeping her doors locked. She and Beth become close and share about their lives. Gloria truly enjoys her company. Gloria is trying hard to become a better person through self-help books.

The story goes back and forth telling the reader about Beth’s past. It’s quite compelling and we wonder what she’s capable of. Could she be a murderer?

This was a terrific story that took awhile to build. At first I thought it seemed rather slow and repetitive, but toward the end, it quickly grew quite frightening and I found myself rooting for Beth. Why, you may ask. Well you have to read this one. It’s good.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is my first book by Laura Wolfe but will definitely not be the last!

I read it in one go as I just couldn’t wait to learn more about Gloria and Beth’s story.
This book has 2 narrators: Gloria in the present and Beth in the past and it has a bit of everything I love: mystery, crime, disappearances and thrill!

Albeit it can be a bit slow paced at parts, I generally felt that the pace was just about right to keep me wanting to learn more and never disengage with the read.
I felt tremendous empathy for Gloria and could really feel a genuine friendship between the two main characters.

It does focus more on the relationships and story of the characters rather than any crime per se but I still found it really interesting. The murder part had its fair share of twists but was quickly wrapped up to focus on the characters. But, and even though there was not a lot of conflict in the book, I still really enjoyed it and has to read it in one night!

Overall, I really loved the plot and I found the narrative really interesting. I definitely recommend it to fans of psychological thrillers and can’t wait to see what Laura Wolfe is going to write next!

I would like to thank Netgalley, Bookouture and Laura Wolfe for and advanced digital copy of Two Widows in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you so much to the publisher and @netgalley.
I really enjoyed this novel!
Gloria lives alone on a farm with lots of land ! Widowed and estranged from her adult son she longs for human company!
In comes Beth - rolling in with her tiny house. She ends up renting land for the summer and Gloria couldn’t be more thrilled - finally some human contact.
The two do become friends and share how they became widow!
When two young women turn up dead - it doesn’t take long for Gloria to start questioning Beth’s sudden arrival into town!
Will Gloria make peace with her son ? Is Beth being a true friend or is she using Gloria as an alibi for a crime she’s trying to hide!?
I really enjoyed Gloria and the friendship that developed between the two women ! The twists, secrets and mysterious characters made this such a quick read - I loved it - had to know who did what to who !? I wish Gloria was a real person and I would love to be friends with her !
Fantastic read !!!

Gloria lives in an old farmhouse surrounded by empty land. She's widowed and grieves her husband and mourns her broken relationship with her son, Ethan. The body of an unidentified young woman was found on the beach near Gloria's house. Freelance travel writer, Betharrives with her trailer to live on Gloria's land. Gloria was relieved not to be living on her own. When Gloria learns that Beth is a widow, they become close friends and begin to share secrets.

Two women from different generations become friends. The story is told in alternating chapters by Gloria and Beth. Be tv's point of view is told in the past. The murder mystery was interesting. The story touches on: betrayal, friendship and love. There's lots going on in this book including two murders. The ending is satisfactory.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Laura Wolfe for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fast paced thriller that kept me guessing until the end. I enjoyed the character development and was able to connect deeply to Beth and Gloria. I also liked the changing of the point of you between both of the characters. I highly recommend this book- you will not be disappointed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an early addition of Two Widows for an honest review

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This is a great mystery drama. I was expecting more of a thriller but it was still a really good read.
Gloria lives alone and has agreed for a writer to put her ‘tiny house’ on her land. I loved the concept of a tiny house and would be interested in seeing one.
In my mind it’s a caravan but I wouldn’t want to upset the owner, Beth if it’s not that at all!
We learn about Beth’s past from flashback chapters and find out she is also a widow, like Gloria.
At the time of her arrival a woman’s body has been discovered so tensions are high in the area.
This book is full of secrets and lies and it was great trying to work out the truth.
It all leads up to a nail biting conclusion and I loved the ending.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This book centers around tow widows. Gloria is lost without her husband. Beth is traveling in her tiny house and parks it on Gloria's land. Recently a a murdered woman has been found. Gloria tells the story of now. Beth tells the story of then. Joe is an artist who rents Gloria's apartment and lurks around at night, Beth also goes out late at night. Gloria wonders what is going on and whom she can trust. Is Gloria safe with all the strange things going on?
I enjoyed this book and would read more books by this author.

Thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the arc

Absolutely nothing is as it seems in this book. Its quite innocent, two widows living next to each other, dealing with their losses in their own way, when things starts happening and you can't believe the revelations that follow! Highly recommended.
TB