Member Reviews
This book was a non-stop, family thriller with twists and turns all over the place. There’s nothing I love more than a book which keeps adding and adding mini storylines to the plot which eventually come together for the final bang and the sister-in-law definitely did that. It had me feeling so many emotions and I found myself thoroughly invested in the story, longing to find out if the family feud would be put to bed or if it would become even bigger as the book went on. Let’s just say I wasn’t disappointed! A great and easy to read book which I would greatly recommend.
This was just ok for me , I was interested to see where it was going and i did have some ideas that were proved right , but i found it a little slow . Harper arrives home to find her husband dead , an apparent suicide she calls her loyal brother for help as she realises his life insurance won't pay out if his death is by his own hand . Her brother after a whirlwind romance has married Candace who has plenty of her own secrets , the two women keep trying to get along but neither of them trusts the other and the secrets and lies keep being unearthed . A good conclusion .
Thanks to NetGalley, Pamela Crane and Avon Books UK for the advance review copy of The Sister-in-Law.
The Sister-in-Law starts with a bang, when Harper returns home to find her husband dead on the sofa - stabbed in the chest, knife in hand and a suicide note beside him. After everything they've been through together, Harper can't believe he has taken this way out. In a moment of panic, she also realises that her husband committing suicide would warrant his life insurance void, and leave her and their children with nothing. She calls her brother Lane, and in perhaps a moment of madness, they stage the scene to look like murder - removing the note, breaking a window and 'stealing' some of their valuable assets.
Whilst investigations into her husbands death continue, Harper moves in with her brother and his partner Candace - the sister in law she hates. After a shotgun wedding, Harper believes Candace is simply after her brother's money, and is determined to prove she is no good for him. As Harper tries to prove that they shouldn't be together, it opens up some dark and dangerous consequences!
I really wanted to love this book - I particularly liked the sound of the blurb and as someone who hasn't got a great relationship with my own sister in law I could relate to some of the challenges - after all - you don't get to pick your extended family! However; the main issue for me personally was that I didn't like any of the characters and as such I found it really hard to relate to any of them. Harper was so angry and passive aggressive from the get go (to quite extreme levels), Candace was bold, brash and catty and Lane was weak and wet (which was at odds with how he appeared in the introduction). Whilst I know we weren't necessarily meant to like them, I find myself far more invested in a story if I can side with or appreciate at least one character's perspective.
There are a lot of twists and reveals throughout this book but sadly I did see most of them coming and predicted the ending fairly early on. It also has a few sub plots that I felt took you off in a different direction but then didn't really materialise to anything.
Not quite the gripping page turner I had hoped for but an enjoyable read none the less.
3/5
Harper comes home to her husband Ben murdered or was it suicide ? Instead of calling the police she calls her brother Lane first. When you read the book you’ll understand why. 😁🤫
Cut too 6 weeks later , her brother is married to a woman Candace , who instantly doesn’t like his widowed sister and her two children and there front door step. And expresses it loudly and bluntly so. Harper needs somewhere to stay , the investigation is still ongoing. She can’t afford her home , and needs a place to stay.
Harper can’t stand Candace. Candace dislikes Harper and her children. Lane is stuck in the middle. The mother look suspicious. Candace has a crazy past Harper uncovers. Candace is pregnant. But is it Lanes. This book is packed with some crazy’s and its super fast paced with chapters told in different points of view
The point of it all , is who killed Ben? Your guess I hope was better than mine. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars from me.
This is my first Pamela Crane book and I really loved it!
Usually I guess the plot in thrillers but with this one I was totally lost. When I finish it I was like OH YES WAS A HINT THERE AND THERE however I while I was reading I did not figure out what was going on.
All the characters were suspects for me.
Thank NetGalley and Avon Books for my e-ARC I had a really nice time reading it.
I really do enjoy Pamela Crane books but this one was not my favourite. It started with a bang and ai was excited for what was coming. After that though I felt that it dragged out a bit until the last third where it ramped up again.
The characters were all totally unlikeable and in the end I found that I didn’t really care what happened to them.
Thanks to Avon Books UK, sorry I didn’t enjoy it more
I have greatly enjoyed Pamela Crane’s books and this was definitely no different. It’s fast paced, riveting, and kept me flipping pages. Characters, while unlikeable, were well developed, which only furthered my interest in the story! Original and realistic! An unputdownable read that will be sure to bring you some fun thrills, chills, and shocks! Highly, highly recommend!
Wow this was quite entertaining! Siblings Harper and Lane are very close and will do anything for one another, even if it ruins his marriage. Harper is grieving the loss of her husband and is financially stressed having been a SAHM, she is anxiously waiting for her husband’s insurance policy to come through. Harper decides to rent out her house and moves into Lane’s place with her two kids. But wait Candace the new girlfriend is now Lane’s wife answers the door! After a short romance, Candace and Lane gets married without telling anyone. Candace gives off mean girl vibes, it’s a hot mess with everyone bickering, living in tight quarters, but I couldn’t put this down! This is quite twisty, a fun whodunnit to read in one sitting! Thank you to Avon Books UK, NetGalley, and the author for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.
This book is well written and follows two women, whom are sister-in-laws.
It tells the story from both perspectives, which adds to the storyline and mystery of their characters.
But unfortunately, I got half way through and decided I didn't really want to know how it ended. I didn't connect with the women and was getting a little bored tbh.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for ARC
I love a good book with shifting timelines and complicated characters, and Pamela Crane knows just how to create stories like that.
Very fun and thrilling read!
It was alright. Far far too many twists and a bit unbelievable how they lived together while talking too each other as they did and what they did too each other. A bit read it, enjoy it then forget completely about it. Sorry!
Lane meets Candace and within weeks, they’re in love and married. Candace is a free spirit, someone who seems to love life and love Lane, and the newlyweds seem perfectly suited. in fact, Candace seems the opposite of Lane’s siter, Harper, an uptight, constantly worried mother who is suffering following her husband’s mysterious death. The siblings are extremely close, so it’s only natural that Lane offers Candace and his niece and nephew somewhere safe and loving to stay while they battle their grief. But Harper borders on possessive with Lane – and it’s clear brother and sister have a secret that they have no desire to reveal. Can the new sisters-in-law try to get along, particularly as they’re living under one roof? Lane better hope that he doesn’t have to choose between his wife and his sister – and couldn’t predict how quickly their relationship would unravel. This nippy novel bounces back and forth predominantly between Candace and Harper, two women who should get along but can’t. It’s nicely paced and you are left wondering, frequently, who you really trust.
I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review
The premise was so ridiculous; the characters were so unlikable, the book was such drudgery
The Sister-in Law review
The Sister-in-Law by Pamela Crane is a story of intrigue until the very last page. I finished this book in only a few days, and found myself looking forward to picking it up again to continue the read.
Middle-aged Harper is the sister of Lane, a mother, and a recent widow. Her life is falling apart, having suffered the loss of one of her children and then soon after her husband in an apparent suicide.
Harper and her two children move into Lane’s house, where he is living with his wife of only a few weeks. A wife that Harper had no knowledge of, even though Harper and Lane are very close siblings.
The family dynamics are uneasy and there is animosity between the two women competing for Lane’s attention and affections.
As they saying goes… “you can choose your friends, but not your family!”
This book will be available in April 2021, and is an enjoyable read.
I thought the premise of this book sounded very intriguing so I was thrilled to be accepted to read and review it.
The book opened with a bang and whilst it didn't maintain the quick start throughout it definitely kept me interested with a dark storyline and plenty of twists!
I found it to be quite a quick read but that didn't take away the enjoyment and I absolutely loved the ending which I really didn't see coming.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me
Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Not sure what review to give this as although I finished it I found the characters quite annoying and the storyline somewhat predictable.
Love a good thriller and a story, this one doesn’t disappoint. It’s a good story about the sister in law coming to stay. Loved it all the way thoughtless from beginning to end!
Thank you NetGalley, Pamela Crane and Avon Books UK for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm still torn over my feelings on this novel, there are plenty of twists to keep you wondering where this novel is going but they are spaced apart quite a bit and I guess I just found this one longer than it needed to be. The ending was great and I didn't see the twist coming, but the lead up seemed to take forever. I hated all the characters and the bickering just got old after a while. If you really love some family drama, this one is definitely one you'll enjoy!
And Pamela Crane does it again. Hits this one right out of the park. A tale expertly woven to keep the twists and turns coming non stop. Loved the characters and their personalities.
Perfectly dark and delicious.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book
I wanted to love The Sister-in-Law as so many others had but for me, although the premise of the book sounded great, the majority of the book was a little slow paced. I would say the pace picked up the last quarter and it was then I started to really enjoy the book. Sorry but this was a middle of the road three star book for me. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and the author for the chance to review.