Member Reviews
A thank you to Netgalley for sharing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Very mixed feelings about this one. It definitely bordered on the ridiculous, but was rather entertaining in it's own right. The characters are equally deplorable, both their characters, motivations, actions, and thought processes depend heavily on the suspension of belief. If fast beach type thrillers with characters you enjoy disliking, then this might be the perfect book for you. Not deep, but pleasant mindless entertainment.
The beginning of this one got me hooked. I was engaged until about 1/3 of the way through where it started to drag a little for me. The characters weren't relatable to me personally, but I still found them interesting. The scene with Noah's abuse was particularly graphic and made me skin crawl. Great writing! The last 1/4 of the book picked up the pace again and left me satisfied. Overall this one was 3.5 stars for me.
The Sister In Law draws you in from the beginning and keeps you entertained with the complicated family drama! While the twists were predictable, the characters were well developed and kept my interest as the story grew.
This is one of those "girl has the life I want, so I am going to try and steal it" books. I really loved Little Deadly Secrets last year and was excited to be able to read Crane's new novel. This one didn't disappoint and was a page-turner for me. I was able to figure out what happened close to the end, but the lead up was great!
I felt like I’ve read something similar to this before.. so it fell a little flat to me . But if I had read this one first I would’ve loved it. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat but I was able to guess the ending
Lane is a man caught in the middle. His wife. His sister. Only one can be first place in his life for him, and by rights, it should be his new wife Candace. However, Lane shares a secret with his sister Harper, and keeping this secret proves to be the source of great contention in his marriage.
Harper was the quintessential wife. A stay-at-home mother to two children, and more than happy. However, one day she finds her husband dead at his own hand. She has led a privileged life and knows that a big life insurance policy will not pay out if his death is ruled a suicide. Relying on her brother Lane for advice and help, Harper makes an irreversable decision.
Lane and Harper carry out a plan that eventually has Harper and her children moving in with Lane and Candace. Harper is hoping that the police will not rule her husband's death a suicide and that she can collect on the policy. However, for now, she does not have enough means to support her family, thus her need to move in with Lane.
From the instant they lock eyes, Harper and Candace are at war. An example of their contention is that Harper is industrious and Candace is lazy. Also, Candace is not comfortable around Harper's children, especially her young son. Then there is the fact that Candace is hiding a secret, a secret that Harper soon discovers.
This thrilling book proved to be a roller coaster on many levels - whether it is the secrets that are hoevering about, the actions Lane and Haprer took, or Harper's past where her children are concerned.
Many thanks to William Morrow and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)
The Sister-in-Law is a domestic thriller about siblings: Harper and Lane, who have a secret together and tragedies in their past. Then everything gets turned upside down when Candace enters Lane’s life. Candace and Harper do not get along, even though both are the reason why. When everyone has secrets, you can be sure who to trust or if people really are who they say.
Overall, this was a quick read with lots of drama and family secrets exposed. You are not sure which sister-in-law, Harper or Candace is truly the problem. When more and more secrets come out throughout the story, one final shocking secret comes out at the end! The end was a shock that I didn't see coming.
In the beginning, it did feel as though pieces were not really falling into place, especially when it came to Ben’s storyline and Madea. It seemed like there would be a little twist when it came to Ben, but then nothing again for awhile. I think that storyline could have been woven into the plot a bit more effortlessly. However, in the last 10% of the book, most of the questions did get answered. Overall, I was satisfied with how the story ended.
I always enjoy a book that has varying perspectives. This book has perspectives from the three main characters: Lane, Harper and Candace. It added a different element to the book being able to hear the story from each of their perspectives and sides. This book did a nice job of each perspective flowing seamlessly— picking up where the last character left off.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow & Custom House for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed @author.Pamela.crane book, Little Deadly Secrets in the fall, and now I just listened to her newest, the Sister- in- Law! I really liked this one; it starts off big in the beginning and just keeps building.
The audiobook is told from three POVs, Harper, whose husband mysteriously just died; Lane, harper’s brother whose house her family moved into; and Candace, Lane’s wife of one month. They had a whirlwind relationship and they married very quickly. Harper obviously doesn’t trust her new SIL and Candace wants Harper and her pesky kids out of her house.
I loved the different points of view and the back and forth between the characters is fun. I personally think the voice of Candace was over acted, but the book was so enrapturing, I was able to look past it.
I highly recommend both of Pamela’s books! Thank you to @harperaudio and @netgalley for my copies of this book. The Sister-In-Law is on sale now!
I really enjoyed the basic plot of this story, but I found myself annoyed at the constant back and forth of the sister and sister-in-law's relationship. One minute they are trying to be friends, and then not even a paragraph later, they are backstabbing and hurting one another again. It definitely adds to the drama-appeal of the story, but it seemed a bit fake on behalf of both characters. This is one of those stories where you aren't sure who to route for in the end and rather choosing between the lesser of two evils... is Candace the manipulative one, or is Harper just a b*%#$? And then I was left feeling bad for Lane, when he's stuck in the middle of these two women walking all over him. Overall a good read, but I think the characters could use some work.... I don't want to hate everyone in the book.
This is not my first book by this author but it is one of my favorites by her yet. This is a suspenseful story that I couldn't put down until the last page. I loved being pulled into the story by the characters from the beginning. This is a well written story that the author's use of details made the twist and turns edge sitting. This is a story that is full of action and kept me turning pges to the end. I enjoyed how the characters are connectable and really just made the story for me. This is a story about secrets and jealousy. Lane has a secret that his wife doesn't know about but his sister does. Now he is faced with making a choice between his life with his wife or his jealous sister. This is where the story takes on the suspense like no other. I enjoyed the growth throughout the story. This is worth the pick up for sure! I highly recommend this book.
The Sister-in-Law by Pamela Crane is one wild and crazy ride folks! I loved that it immediately started with some action, and it hooked me right away making me wonder where it would be going. I thankfully did not read the synopsis again prior to reading the novel, and I think going in as blind as possible is going to be a benefit. This is a psychological thriller/domestic drama mix, and while it is a slower burn the pacing is perfect, so it doesn't really feel like one. I'm not sure I felt like any of the characters were super-likable, but I did find the dynamic between Harper and her brother Lane really intriguing. I especially enjoyed the drama between Harper and her SIL Candace, and boy watch out because things get CATTY. There is a bit of a mystery in here thanks to Harper's husband and other suspicious deaths, and as the book went on, I could see some parts coming but there were other twists that completely surprised me.
The audiobook is narrated by Melissa Moran, Jonathan Todd Ross, & Nicol Zanzarella and it was really nice having the different narrators for different characters. I really enjoyed listening to each and every one of them and would gladly listen to any of them again narrating other books. I am kind of kicking myself for not reading any of Crane's other novels yet, but that is an issue I plan to remedy sooner rather than later. This was a great page-turner and there was enough going on that I never felt bored. It was a bit like watching a train wreck in progress, and I loved the little bits of foreshadowing that the author threw out. I would get to the end of a chapter and have a hard time not moving onto the next, and you know that is always a dang good sign. I don't know if the end really made sense for the characters but besides that, I thoroughly enjoyed this crazy train and if you like thrillers and don't mind the dash of unbelievable, The Sister-in-Law is for you.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
WOW!! I loved this book. I thought the writing was clever and twisted. Ever since her last book this one has been on my radar and I am so happy I finally got to it. I loved the way the author discussed loss, but also tied in how it impacted others. Wonderful book and I highly recommend.
I devoured this book in about one day. It's easily one of the most bingeable books I've read this year. After Harper's husband dies mysteriously, she and her kids move in with her beloved brother Lane and his new wife, Candace. This book brought Lifetime movie level drama. Harper and Candace are hellbent on the other's destruction and uncovering one another's secrets. The "war" between Harper and Candace had me hooked, I honestly was living for the drama. My only real criticism is that I felt as though the book ended with many unanswered questions surrounding Harper's son. Without giving any spoilers, I felt as though his "creepiness" wasn't fully explored. Had it been I think it would have added to the book. Regardless, this was still a great read. Thrilling, dramatic, and satisfying!
The book started out with Harper discovering her husband's dead body and a suicide note. She calls her brother, Lane to help her, they stage the body to look like murder, so Harper will be able to get the life insurance. Harper and her two children move in with Lane and his wife Candace while she waits for the murder investigation to be finished. Candace and Harper do not get along at all, and both compete for Lane's attention. As the book progresses, many secrets and lies are revealed involving the 2 women. The book moved fairly slow. The characters were not all that likeable, the only character I did like was Lane and Harper's mother. The mystery of the book was good that is why I gave it the 4 stars instead of 3.
Wow! The drama in this one doesn't disappoint! Harper, Lane and Candace are three seriously messed up people and I am here for it! I really enjoyed reading their three different viewpoints and trying to put all of the pieces together myself before the puzzle was completed right before my eyes without being anything I thought it would be. I wish that a few of the red herrings/angles were tied up neatly at the end, but overall, this is such a great read.
Thank you to Harper Collins/William Morrow and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
Family dynamics and a battle of wills at its best. Harper; widow, mother and sister, Type A personality. Does not like Candace; new bride and sister-in-law, free spirit. Oil and water for sure. Lane; brother, new husband, caught in the middle, family first! Wow, this story has your head constantly shaking between the 3 main characters. Add an opinionated Mother and 2 fighting siblings and you will be turning the pages quickly.
I’ve never read a book where I disliked some of characters so much at the beginning of each chapter but find my opinion softening at the end of the chapter, only to have the author change my feelings again by the next chapter! Told in 3 voices, the author did a great job of telling each individual story and meshing them into one storyline that comes to an explosive, eye opening ending. I look forward to reading the Ms. Cranes next book!
Thanks to Ms. Crane, William MorrOw and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
This book!! You get 3 POV’s The Wife, The Sister-In-Law, The Husband.
The suspense, the mystery. It keeps you on your toes!
This was my first book by Pamela and will not be my last!
“Love is a dangerous weapon, and it robs us blind. It makes us weak, because when we’re in love, we live in glass houses where everything feels open and shiny and clean. But all it takes is a tiny crack and the whole house shatters.”
I can't even write a review without spoilers! This family has so many mysterious secrets you don't know where to turn. It starts off with a bang! and just keeps on going. You will not be disappointed!
Drama oh delicious drama! This one starts off bonkers and keeps going! A fantastic and fast paced story, Crane is now an auto-buy for me!
This one starts out with a bang, and you can't help but keep reading, buuuuut once I kept reading I found myself making this face quite a bit 🙄 the pettiness between Harper and her sister-in-law, Candace, kind of irked me because they are two grown women. I guess that was the point though? They both have A LOT of secrets that they are hiding which makes for some mystery and also accounts for their lack of communication.
You are given Harper, Candace, and sometimes Lane (Harper's brothers) perspective. The middle lagged, but towards the end all three perspectives and back stories catch up with each other. I love when books do this, so that I really appreciated.
Although this wasn't my favorite, it was entertaining & had enough suspense to keep me going and make me want to find out what happened! This is definitely anyone for loves unlikeable characters and/or family dramas. This came out this Tuesday (8/10)!
The Sister in -law.
By Pamela Crane.
This book takes you for a wild ride.. Sister in laws who can't stand each other.. always working against the other.... Who will WIN.
Harper. The Sister in - Law
Finds her husband dead, in there home Knife 🔪 sticking out of his chest.. suicide note left behind
Things just don't add up.
Making that call , for help can change everything....
Lane.
The Husband.
A chance meeting...
That leads to more than Love.
A family he's been wanting.
Sometimes there's more than you bargain for.
The Wife.
Candace.
Has secrets. Some secrets that are best kept... some are worth killing for... But Love will make things happen...
I absolutely Loved this Book .I personally would give it 10 stars if it was allowed....
Another Fabulous Book.
Thank you Pamela Crane.