I love it when I don't know anything about a book, or even the author, and I end up happily surprised! I am so glad I was given the opportunity to read this book and want to read anything else by Shanora Williams.

This story is about a woman, Samira, who is down on her luck. She's lost her job, can't make rent, and truthfully has no direction. One night while waitressing at a party she meets Roland, a gorgeous, rich, pro golfer, who sweeps her off her feet! He seems too good to be true, but Samira is enjoying the ride so doesn't investigate him online. Her bubble is burst when her brother tells her he is expected of murdering his first wife. Samira still ends up marrying Roland and is living happily ever after until she discovers his first wife's journals. That is when the fun really begins!

This book flows so well! I read it so quickly and could not put it down. I loved the twists and turns, and how there weren't any plot holes! The whole story is wrapped up wonderfully and I felt very satisfied at the end. It is the perfect beach/ pool read to get you through the summer! Thank you to NetGalley & Kensington Books for this ARC! Release Date: June 28, 2022

The Wife Before was an engaging thriller that had me guessing all read long. I'll admit the start of the book was a little too slow for me, but once Samira, the heroine of this story, started looking for answers about the first wife of her new husband, Roland, I was invested a hundred percent. I kept thinking I had some answers, but then new information was added that made me doubt my theories. Needless to say this novel was captivating with all the mystery involved with Roland's past. It was so much more intricate than what I was expecting! The plot line was interesting with flawed, but intriguing characters. Nice job, Shanora Williams! You had me surprised by the ending of this addicting story!

This is one of the best thrillers I have read this year. I thought that it had vibes similar to Rebecca but it was so so good. I truly did not know who to root for but I feel like all of the characters were likable and unlikable in their own ways. I would read anything that this author comes out with.

Intense and suspenseful, this powerful story was evocative and totally gripping. A unique twist in the psychological thriller genre that offered a different approach to “insta attraction romance”. Appearances are deceiving, gossip and hearsay teach a valuable lesson as Roland and Samira’s story evolved and developed.

“One more chapter” became my mantra while I was reading. The result was I read it in one sitting.

From the first chapter I was totally engrossed by this haunting and twisted story.

Well paced, with well developed characters I was mesmerized by how Roland and Samira’s heart wrenching story unfolded.

The best part for me was the build up. I was on the edge of my seat never imagining what the outcome was going to be until the very end!
Well done!

A very nicely written thriller. This was my first read from the author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The plot twists were really good and quite unexpected. I can say that I didn't love the FMC at the beginning but she grew on me as the book progressed. The writing was pleasant and easy to follow and the pace was fine for the length of the book. Can't wait to read more from the author!

This book had me in the first half not gonna lie. I wanted to yank Samira through my kindle for being so gullible and impressionable. Then I kept reading and when I thought I figured out the truth, boy was I wrong. Shanora Williams will have you hating and feeling sorry for the wrong characters. Things were not what they seemed. The twists and turns in The Wife Before will have you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for more. Add this to your TBR if you are a fan of psychological thrillers! Happy reading!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington/Dafina for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

There are no words for what Ihave just read. Roland and Samira’s story was gripping, suspenseful and full of twists and turns. You will be sucked in from the start wondering how this was all going to end. Who do you believe? The husband who lost his wife or the people accusing him of a horrible act? All Roland wants is to start over and when he meets Samira he’s smitten and knows she is the one, never did he think he would find another love, but will their relationship survive the secrets and lies that come to light in this suspenseful thriller? Such an amazing read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Shanora Williams, and Kensington books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The first chapter of this book pulled me in and I had to figure out what happened! I love how the story was told in the present day and through the journal entries. The journal entries had me second guessing everyone and I couldn't believe what we learned from them. The twist at the end was done very well and I didn't see it coming. The characters felt real and relatable and I love that in a book. This one comes out 6.28.22!!

I tried to enjoy this book, I really did. But I found it just too long winded and hard to enjoy so I ended up skimming through until I found out what happened.

This was a twisty ride. While i've read several husband / wife / ex-wife style thriller books this definetly had it's own spin to the trope.

I really enjoyed the weaving of the current time with the journal entries. They really caused me to fear for the character in real time as I felt like I was her reading them.

It included several great twists. I saw a couple coming but then the twist would twist more than I was expecting.

Very satisfying ending.

While the beginning and the end really flew by for me. The middle of the story didn't quite capture me as much. While valuable information it seemed like we weren't moving.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this story.

The Wife Before by Shanora Williams
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub date June 28 2022

•Review
First, I have to say I LOVED William’s first book The Perfect Ruin, I always recommend it. So, I was so grateful and excited to get approved for the ARC for this one!

Loved the short chapters
Loved the writing
Loved the twists and turns
Loved the drama and the curiosity
Loved everything

I really enjoyed this read I’m excited to read what Williams writes next!

Wowza, does this book contain some truly reprehensible characters. Mira has hit the jackpot when a rich older man marries her. She finds his first wife’s journals and begins to question everything about her husband’s life.
Reading the journals was one of the best parts of the book. I was thoroughly disgusted with most of the characters, except Roland and Mira.
The Wife erode de,overs on shock value, suspense, and intrigue. Check it out.

3.5 stars

A good mystery book that keeps you guessing a bit. It is a bit slow for the most part but the ending is tying up all the loose ends and makes the story come together nicely.
It did bother me the complete lack of faith in the man she chose to marry and who gave her a dream come true type of life.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read this book!

After loving, The Perfect Ruin I was super excited to receive an early copy from @netgalley for The Wife Before.

This is the perfect summer thriller. It is sizzling you all! Let me tell you! I did not see any of the twists in this one. Just when I thought I had it figured out-NOPE, WRONG- and I was taken another direction. I was addicted to the mess of these people. Both Samira and Melanie were both irritating in their own way (no spoilers) and I think that worked out perfectly to the advantage of this.

This is fast paced, taking a similar theme of stories in the past and Shanora puts her own unique spin on it. It was bingey ( I read it in one sitting) and I must say any author that can right Romance and Thrillers this well is Talented with a capitol T. My one critique is it is said to be reminiscent of Rebecca and I did not see that at all. Not the books fault that is just marketing. Go out and grab this for your poolside tanning!

Y'all, I tore through this book! It was so good. You know how I love flawed characters and baby these characters have their photos next to the definition!

It was fast-paced and entertaining! And I didn't figure it out, which always gets high praise from me. These characters, especially the main character Samira, stays making horrible decisions but you can't turn away.

But this book also shows how trauma shapes people. And she does a great job of showing how the world will see them regardless. I docked it half a star because these men out here being men. And while I appreciate the accuracy, it made me mad in a book. But in all honesty I feel like Roland's character could have had more development with that.

Lastly, that ending was the chefs kiss 💋! I'd definitely recommend this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of The Wife Before by Shanora Williams. Wow! This book was thrilling, well thought out, very entertaining. I loved it!

Shanora Williams is becoming a favorite author of mine. I was hooked from the start even though it started out slow. The twist were fun because you can come up with so many different kinds of scenarios for these characters. The dual POVs, I thought were great way to understand what had happen in the past and what may happen to the second Mrs. Graham... This was fast paced and has short chapters. I do believe that alot of people will enjoy The Wife Before!


TW/CW: Mental illness, Domestic Violence, Violence, Abusive relationship, Drug Abuse, Deaths

4.5 out of 5 ⭐️

Thank you Kingston Books and NetGalley for this Arc for an honest review.

The best word I can use to describe this book is thrilling!!! Samira meets Roland and quickly falls in love and gets married. Roland has a dark past his ex wife committed suicide or was it murder? Samira finds a diary from Roland's ex and gets very involved in finding out what actually happened to her. This book has a huge twist and keep me flipping pages faster then my fingers would let me. Absolutely loved this book and if your looking for a great suspense book then definitely read this book!

I am generally more of a romance reader, but I saw this book and thought it sounded intriguing. It was full of mystery and suspense and a lot different from what I normally read, but I am definitely glad I gave it a chance. It took a little bit for me to be fully invested in the story line, but after a while I was definitely tryng to put all the pieces together and figure out what was really going on and where things were ultimately going to lead. I thought the story line was unique and the book was well written and would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Twist after twist this book had me hooked from the start! I kept thinking I knew exactly what had happened, only to be proven wrong. And when I thought all the revelations were over, Shanora had surprises in store for the reader! Great book after her amazing debut! Shanora Williams will have a successful career as a thriller writer if this continues!!