This psychological thriller is absolutely gripping. From the very first page, I was completely absorbed in the story and could not put it down until I finished. The author's writing style is captivating, and the character development is exceptional. I felt like I was right there with the characters, experiencing their emotions and feeling their fear. The fast-paced, twisted storyline kept me on the edge of my seat, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to find out what would happen next.

Overall, this book exceeded my expectations for the genre, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good psychological thriller.

This is a dark psychological thriller with a great plot. It held my attention all the way to the end. It’s full of lies, deceit, secrets, and twists I never imagined. The plot was excellent and intriguing. I enjoyed every page!

This is the second book I have read of Carey Baldwin and I have to say, with this latest thriller, she did not disappoint me.

Rosalyn and Ashton are happily married. Ashton's best friend Blake is single. Rosalyn's sister-in-law Melanie is newly widowed and so when Blake proposes Melanie to marry him, Rosalyn then suspects that Ashton's friend isn't really what he seems and she wonders if Blake married Melanie for the money or something sinister.

This was actually a fast paced thriller. There's a background story about investigating the case of a missing woman named Zoe but you will eventually find the connection between the two towards the end. The writing was really great dividing between now and then, so the reader can have an idea of what is going to happen next. The biggest twist at the end was totally unexpected which increased my rating from a 4 to 4.5 stars. The writing was also great as the author managed to grip the reader's attention into the story. I also like the setting of the whole story--set in Arizona.

Overall, this is a fast paced page turner and is guaranteed to keep you up all night reading the book--worth 4.5 stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

“She wasn’t a good person or a bad person—she was an animal fighting for her life.”

Rosalyn is looking out for her sister-in-law Melanie, like she promised her brother Peter, before he passed away. So when her husband’s best friend, Blake, expresses his interest in Melanie, Rosalyn agrees to facilitate a lunch between them. Three months later Blake and Melanie are married and Rosalyn suspects Blake is not the charming man he appears to be, but instead controlling and abusive.

I thought this would be another domestic thriller about troubled relationships, and it IS, but then BAM! It isn’t! In true bait and switch form, it’s not what you think at all; it’s much more complicated. Characters were coming out of the woodwork; multiple POVS were all over the place with time jumps from ‘now’ to ‘then’ and back again; all of which I loved! There’s a lot going on!

The plot is finely layered and kept me on my toes trying to figure out how all the viewpoints would connect. As the pieces started coming together, I was hooked and had NO CLUE what would happen next. What I liked best, were all the fierce female characters! Strong willed, independent, intelligent, tenacious, devious…Were some a little cray cray? Well yesssss, but isn’t that what makes a great thriller? I especially liked Rosalyn who makes smart deductions and decisions I can get behind. And look out for that vicious femme fatale!

Secrets, lies, loyalty, trust, betrayal, revenge, love, hate . . . but best of all were those twists! I KNEW something was off, I had a niggling suspicion but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Carey Baldwin had me too distracted with reveals that kept coming and non stop action! When that twist at the end hit…I think I actually slapped my forehead! Wait. WHAT?! Bravo! The Widow Bride is a clever treat with FUN roller coaster twists, so hang on for a mind blowing wild ride!

Thank you Carey Baldwin and Bookouture for my spot on this tour and for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

Scroll down for potential spoiler trigger warnings.



























⚠️Manipulation, sexual situations, violence, death

➸3.25 stars

~Spoiler-free review💫~

Thankyou Netgalley, Bookouture, and the Author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!💌

First of all this review is going to be very short, because I don't have the energy to write like my other reviews😪

Ummm, where shall I start? this book depicted a twisted kind of love story, a dark psychological thriller, with so many twists that even at times I had to go back to read about something again, to get the facts straight (not fun at all to go back, because it had 62 chapters in total😩)

At first, it was difficult for me to adjust and get into the story, but after the first 6 chapters, the storyline picked up. I almost guessed everything except for what happened in the last few chapters (yup, that's right, the ending made me speechless🤯)

I love Rosalyn & Ashton🥺💓 Ash was the best husband. Both of them didn't deserve that ending tho🤧(they don't die nor do they breakup so don't worry). Because of the one promise Ros made to her deceased brother- that she would look after his widowed wife, Melanie, she had to go through a lot. Melanie then abruptly gets married to Blake after a year of sulking. And Ros doesn't trust Blake.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. The twist towards the end made me rethink everything I know about a certain character. I wasn't that impressed with the build-up for twists, maybe because I've read too many thriller books and had high expectations for this one.

I liked this book, but I didn't love it that much. The writing was fabulous tho😊🤍

I will certainly try the other books from the Author, since this was the first book I read from her:)

Excellent thriller 👌 Twist you wouldn't see coming, A very clever plot and twisted characters. Rosalyn is so kind-hearted soul and everyone just took advantage of her. I didn't like, her husband, Aston either. Blake and Melanie,oh my god ,what a pair. And what a shocking twist at the end. Although, I almost guessed the twist, but it's delivered in exact time. What they say, the most innocent is the most guilty. Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the eARC.

This novel is INCREDIBLE. Jeffery Deaver, eat your heart out. You may be the king of unexpected twists and turns in the thriller world. But Carey Baldwin is the QUEEN. Wow. Just. Wow. You may think you know what's going on in one chapter, then everything changes in the next, then the next, and the next. You will NOT figure out what's truly going on until the very last page. And you will LOVE the entire bumpy, messy, thrilling ride. Every time I thought I figured something out, I was proven wrong and had to keep reading for more answers. And more sweet, maddening questions to try to answer. I've been a Carey Baldwin fan since reading her very first novel (First Do No Evil - It's a GREAT book!) But THE WIDOW BRIDE is on a whole new level. She has reached a new pinnacle of talent. Having been shocked and surprised all through the book, now that I've caught my breath, I'm going to read it again, slowly, to savor every delicious nuance. Did I mention I loved it? I HIGHLY recommend this book. It is the BEST thriller I've read in YEARS.

The Widow Bride’s plot was a tightly knitted shoe lace. The more I tried to untangle it, the more embarked it became.
It took the first few chapters for me to sober out who was who because Baldwin threw a lot of characters in the mix.
I thought the friendship between Blake and Ashton was hinky and off.
I thought Rosalyn was way too involved in other people’s lives.
Zoe was bad news all around. Just about the time I thought I had it all unknotted, Baldwin delivered a wallop of an ending,
I think the luckiest character was already dead, Philip!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the book #TheWidowBride by #CareyBaldwin. This book about starting over turns into a nightmare with murder, lies and a controlling husband. I couldn’t put it down and was totally shocked with the twist ending.

Carey Baldwin's latest, THE WIDOW BRIDE, is a twisty dark psychological thriller where no one is as they seem—with a final twist you do not see coming!

Rosalyn promised her brother, Philip, that she would take care of his wife, Melanie, after he passed from cancer. It has been a year, and Rosalyn encourages her to get more and socialize, so she agrees.

Enter Blake! Blake is a new neighbor and Rosalyn's husband, Ashton's best friend. He has known him since college. They think this will be a perfect match, and Blake shows interest in Melanie. Melanie deserves a happy ending.

Now they are engaged, and Melanie thinks he is the one. But if Blake turns out to be controlling, she could have stopped this relationship.
But Melanie seems happy but has lost her spark. Blake warns her to back off. Now, someone is following her.

What is going on? Something sinister seems to be at play.

THE WIDOW BRIDE is gripping and unpredictable! You are unsure whom to trust—from unreliable narrators, lies, deceit, and secrets, with many unexpected twists and turns in this domestic suspense. My first book by the author, and I look forward to reading more.

Blog Tour Host: 11 March 2024

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a gifted ARC for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: 11 March 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
March 2024 Must-Read Books
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When Rosalyn lost her brother to cancer, she made a promise to look after Melanie his wife. A year later and it’s time to get Melanie out again, so she introduces her to Blake, but is he hiding something, something doesn’t feel quite right.

Blake seems to be controlling, but Mel acts happy and as though nothing is happening, is Ros being paranoid?

Brilliant book, I struggled to put this one down for sure! The last 3/4 of the book is totally sit on the edge of your seat, anxiety making thrill that you must keep reading to find out the twists! Highly recommended

The Widow Bride was a real page turner. You can easily read it in one sitting. Filled with many surprises, I had a hard time putting it down. I highly recommend adding it your TBR list.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub date.

5 stars! Wow! This book had more twists in the last quarter of the book that I had to keep rereading it to make sure I read it correctly. Twists you will never guess, I guarantee it. Two couples and a couple other side characters made the book easy to follow. Nice, short chapters. First book I’ve read by this author….but won’t be my last. Read this book!! It will be one of your favorites.

This was good. Lots of twists and turns. Kept me guessing and wanting more. Enjoyed the characters. Would recommend.

This really is a page turner and all those twists had my jaw on the floor. I thought I had figured out the plot but I was completely wrong, I read this in less than 24 hours because it had me completely hooked and I definitely didn’t see that ending coming!

3.5 STARS ROUNDED UP 🌟💫
———————
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to review this book.

Another entertaining, keeps you guessing thriller by Carey Baldwin The Widow Bride kept me entertained and engaged from the very beginning.
The twists and turns are completely unexpected and I could hardly wait for the next one.
This book was an absolute page turner!
As usual Baldwins writing was absorbing and satisfying.
This story is full of drama and angst. And delivered with excellent pacing.
Overall, The Widow Bride is a well-crafted psychological thriller with complex characters and a unique concept that adds to the drama.

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

A totally twisted tale of love, grief, greed and huge surprises! What begins as a straightforward story quickly has you guessing who is the bad guy and who's fooling who!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

Wow what a great story! This was such a thrilling fast paced book! I will definately be looking for more books by this author!

Name of Book: The Widow Bride
Author: Carey Baldwin
Genre: Psychological /Domestic Thriller
Publisher: Bookouture
Pub Date: March 11, 2024
My Rating: 3.5 rounded up
Pages: 331

Rosalyn promised her brother Philip who was dying from cancer that she would take care of his wife Melanie.
Melanie starts spending time with handsome Blake, who is a neighbor and also Roslyn's husband Ashton's best friend. Rosalyn gives her blessing as Blake seems to be helping with Melanie’s grief.
Soon Rosalyn has doubts as Blake is controlling and Melanie isn’t the same.
Rosalyn certainly never thought their relationship would result in regret and murder.

A dark psychological thriller with characters I liked and other not so much.
. I am a big thriller fan and am always suspicious but
That ending was not what I expected!

When I read author, Carey Baldwin’s " The Marriage Secret" which was my first by her, I knew I found a new fav author. Have been looking forward to another read.

About the Author ~ Carey Baldwin is a USA Today bestselling author of psychological suspense. Also a dedicated physician, she holds two doctoral degrees, one in medicine and one in psychology. Her experience in the fields of medicine and psychology is obvious in her writing. You will find more about her on her web site~
https://www.careybaldwin.net/

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 11. 2024.

Wow ! This was wild and so clever ! New Author for me and I loved the book ! Twists that I didn’t predict !