I am a big fan of The Lucky Widow for many reasons. It was full of dark twists and turns, letting you into the psyche of a wife who has put up with far too much to become a suspect in her husband's murder. I found character, detective Rossi, to be insufferable, but all other protagonists were likeable. What I particular loved as a common folk, is a look into the high life of the billionaire couple. I love when descriptions include the cost of things as it allows for rich visualization and acknowledges the absolute absurdity of frivolousness. I am a huge fan of #stormpublishing, and this book solidifies my opinion. Thank you #Netgalley for the ARC.

This was a fantastic thriller! It was about a woman who came back from Paris to find her husband dead in their home, and is now a suspect in his murder. I didn't know how this story was gonna go, but I'm very happy with how it ended and how everything came together at the end of the story. I flew through this one, it was such an entertaining read, I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC of The Lucky Widow, in exchange for an honest review.

The Lucky Widow by Samantha Verant is definitely not a lightheaded read; it is however a thriller that grabbed my attention. from the first page to the last. Emma Novak is a young, bright and assertive college student when rhe reader meets her. She knows what she wants, and she wants Dr. Nathan Landon, a successful and philanthropic heart surgeon, dubbed the new prince by New York society. Emma learns all she can about Nate; gets a job at a bar he frequents, and he is soon quite smitten. Emma gradually learns that Nathan is not all that he seems; he is self-centered, demanding and demeaning. After 15 years of marriage Emma has had enough. She, her best friend ,Abby Hoffman, twin daughters, Ava and Grace and neighbor and supermodel Taryn Flynn go to France to get away before her divorce filing takes place.
When Emma and Abby arrive home, they are shocked to find Nate dead, apparently drowning in the pond on the family's estate. Detective Gabriella Rossi arrives on the scene, bringing with her her own unfounded biases about Emma. Hold onto your hat from there. I don't want to spoil the book for you: suffice to say Nathan was involved in more than just the practice of medicine with his wealthy, evil and sadistic friends.
The Lucky Widow certainly brings home the point that you cannot judge people by their social standings, that marriage to a sociopath is a nightmare, and that a mother will suffer many indignities before she allows her children to be hurt. The book is graphic; sex trafficking and disrespect for women, is a theme the author handles well. The book is well crafted, fast paced and hard to put down. Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Lucky Widow. 4 stars.

WOW! What a ride from the very beginning to the twisted and fascinating end! Emma’s marriage has not been as she would have wished other than the birth of her beautiful teen twin daughters. Her husband, renowned heart surgeon Nathaniel Landon, is no longer the man she married. Returning from a trip with her best friend, Abby, she finds him dead in the koi pond. She knows that she will be investigated since she had planned to divorce him. She could no longer tolerate his actions towards her and the group of friends he had become involved with. The female detective in charge of the case seems certain that Emma had something to do with his death. She pursues her with a vengeance until Emma finally hires an attorney. The story travels smoothly back through their years of marriage and the increasing distance between them. Each had their own agendas for their marriage, but now what? I so enjoyed Emma & her friend Abby’s characters as their friendship, support and humor held together throughout the story. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Thank you to Samantha Verant, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This is my voluntary review.

This book did well with describing how the "perfect" relationship between Emma and Nate appeared to people outside of the marriage and how this may have affected other people's perception and opinions on them. The book had great build up for the final plot twist, and also had constant twists and turns that kept you second guessing until the very end.

I enjoyed the dual POV writing to allow the reader to see things from Emma's POV as she is fighting to convince the police of her innocence, while also being able to see things from Nate's POV and what he was doing throughout the marriage.

I also loved Abby and her constant support for Emma the entire time. She's the perfect best friend.

I am giving this book 3 stars, because I did guess the ending pretty early, although I did find myself second guessing if I was right or not often until things started coming together.

Thank you to @samantha_verant, @netgalley and @stormbooks_co for allowing me to read and review The Lucky Widow. It follows the story of Emma, the wife of billionaire Nate, who comes home from a trip in Paris to find her husband dead in their pond. Problem is she’s more concerned about the Koi fish in her pond than she is about her husband. As the story unravels you find out Nate isn’t the perfect husband he’s made out to be and everyone in the story seems to have secrets to hide. I was gripped from the first chapter and thanks to the amazing storytelling and short chapters the story moves at an incredible pace which allows the reader to find out the deadly truth about Emma and her life. My first book by @samantha_verant but definitely not my last!

I really enjoyed this and flew through it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I was provided a free advanced copy of this book through Netgalley
Emma Landon hates her husband and spends most of her time contemplating ways to kill him. Fortunately for Emma, she returns home from a trip and finds out that her dream has finally come true-but now she is a suspect in his murder.

What I Liked
-The story was very fast paced
-The plot was very intriguing. I read a lot of thrillers and this one still had some surprises for me
- Emma is able to grow as a character and is not just there as a pathetic, controlled wife. She is able to summon her own strength and save herself and her family.
-Emma was smart enough to portray herself as clueless. When the cop is first interviewing her, I thought she was an idiot. Who divulges that much info without a lawyer? As the plot unfolds, I realized it was part of her plan.

What I Disliked
- The dialogue, especially the conversations between characters. The dialogue sounded so forced and not at all how people speak. This was the most frustrating part for me. The author has a really good plot, but the characters all sound like robots. For example, the housemaid, Luisa, has been with the family for many, many years. when speaking to Emma, she has to clarify which girls she is speaking about. "I'm glad our baby girls, Ava and Grace, are at their school." This is done throughout the novel. Revising the dialogue would make such a huge difference in the book.
-There were too many characters. Between the staff, her husband's friends, Emma's friends, etc... It made my head spin
- The cop. She was unlikeable.
-Narration- there was not enough distinction between the characters when they switched points of view. If the author would not have put the name of the person narrating each chapter, it would have taken me a while to even realize the narrator changed.
-Characterization- I know some of the characters were supposed to be sleazy, but some of their actions did not fit their age or social status in the book. Why would a world renown, extremely wealthy doctor have a friend who is a porn king? Sure, they might be friends in secret based on their common intrestes, but they would not be seen in public together. I am also pretty certain grown men do not fist bump. The author could have probably condensed some of the plot and worked on making the characters more realistic.
-Explain why Emma wanted to marry Nate in the first place. Why was she pretty much stalking him? This could have been one of the more interesting parts of the story, but it was barely touched on.
-This is just petty, but red haired friend- why does every damn book have a red head in it? I know maybe one red haired person and only as a very distant aquaintance. How are there so many red haired book characters??? Mind blowing.

The book was a fast paced, quick read. The author definitely has a talent for producing an interesting plot, but characters need a lot of work.

Emma has always got what she wanted … she sets her sights on Nate … old money rich and a successful surgeon and she got him but things changed and after marriage Emma felt like Nate’s possession. Often wishing he was dead after returning from a business trip she comes home to find her husband exactly that and the trouble begins. Detective Rossi thinks Emma is the murderer and sets out to prove this but very soon evidence is uncovered to show Nate and his rich friends were not quite what people thought!!
A great read with lots of twists and turns

Nes i ddarllen hwn mewn deuddydd, gan fynd ar daith gwbl annisgwyl gyda'r hanes yn cael ei adrodd gan Emma, ei gŵr Nate a'r ditectif, Rossi, sy'n ymchwilio i farwolaeth Nate wedi i Emma ddychwelyd o dramor a'i ganfod yn farw. Mae'r nofel yn neidio rhwng y gorffennol a'r presennol wrth i Emma wynebu cwestiynu'r heddlu, amheuon y ditectif a datgelu gwir gymeriad tywyll ei gŵr a'i gyfeillion erchyll. Doeddwn i wir ddim yn gwybod pwy i'w gredu wrth i'r stori ddatblygu ac roedd yn rhaid i mi barhau i ddarllen ar ddiwedd pob pennod. Mae ysgrifennu Samantha Vérant yn sicr yn dwyn eich sylw a'ch denu i ddysgu mwy am is-fyd afiach Nate a'i griw cefnog. Mae'r nofel yn ymdrin â sawl agwedd o fywyd Nate, y llawfeddyg uchel ei barch, a'i wraig sy'n cael ei beirniadu'n llym gan ei gyfeillion cyfoethog, Mae'n ymdrin â masnachu mewn pobl, blacmel, rheolaeth ac mae'r diweddglo yn un perffaith!

I read this in two days, and went on an unexpected journey with Emma, her husband Nate and the detective, Rossi, sharing their experiences as Rossi investigates Nate's death after Emma returns home to find him dead in the pond. This novel jumps between the past and present as Emma faces the police questioning, the detective's suspicions and reveals the true dark nature of her husband and his cronies. I really didn't know who to believe as the story developed and I simply had to keep reading at the end of each chapter. Samantha Vérant's writing certainly captivates your attention and draws you in to learn more about the dark and horrible underworld of Nate and his rich friends. The novel deals with several aspects of Nate's life, the well-respected surgeon, and his wife who faces the tough criticism of his wealthy friends. We deal with human-trafficking, blackmail, controlling behaviour and the ending is simply perfect!

In Samantha Verant's gripping mystery, "The Lucky Widow", readers are thrust into a world of secrets, betrayal, and high-stakes intrigue. The story centers around Emma, an architect who designed her perfect home and seemingly perfect marriage with her husband, Nathaniel, a successful heart surgeon. However, the façade of perfection crumbles when Emma returns from a work trip to find Nathaniel dead in their pond. Suddenly, Emma's offhand remarks about wishing her husband dead transform from harmless venting to potential motives, and she becomes the prime suspect in his murder.

Verant crafts a tantalizing opening with Emma's vivid and almost cathartic fantasies about Nathaniel's death. These thoughts, combined with a reckless drive to her destination with her friend Abby, a fashion designer, set the stage for Emma's unraveling. The plot thickens when Emma receives a text from her private investigator, containing a video that confirms all her suspicions about Nathaniel's infidelities and the betrayals of his friends. This revelation not only cements Emma's resolve but also makes her a prime target for police suspicion.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its intricate character development. Emma is portrayed as a complex and multifaceted protagonist. Her love for designing the perfect home parallels her attempt to mold her life into an image of perfection, even as it crumbles around her. This duality makes Emma relatable and evokes sympathy from the reader, even as her circumstances cast a shadow of doubt over her innocence.

The supporting characters, including Abby and various household staff, add depth to the narrative. Each character is meticulously fleshed out, contributing to the novel's rich tapestry of relationships and motivations. Verant skillfully uses these interactions to build suspense and keep readers guessing about the true nature of Nathaniel's death.

Verant's prose is both elegant and sharp, perfectly capturing the tension and emotional turmoil that pervades the story. The pacing is expertly managed, with each chapter ending on a note that compels the reader to continue. The mystery unfolds with precision, offering a blend of surprising twists and poignant moments that maintain engagement from start to finish.

Fans of the mystery genre will find much to admire in "The Lucky Widow". Verant's ability to weave a tale of suspense with profound emotional undertones sets this book apart. The exploration of themes such as trust, betrayal, and the façade of perfection resonates deeply, making the story not just a mystery, but a reflection on the complexities of human relationships.

"The Lucky Widow" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery with rich character development and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Samantha Verant has delivered a novel that is both thought-provoking and thrilling, ensuring that readers will be left eagerly anticipating her next work.

I had to consider this book for a day or so before writing this review. I loved all the twists and turns in this thriller but I have to question the morality and honor of almost all the characters in regards to their actions and motivations. Yes, the ultra-rich elitists were all irredeemably evil, almost to the point of being caricatures, but aren't the ones who decide to kill them just as bad? I don't want to give away anything in the story, so I'll just leave the idea there. None of the characters were likeable and everyone seemed to have selfish and manipulative motives. Still, despite everyone involved being on very sketchy moral grounds, I found myself loving this book and can't wait for more from Samantha Verant.
Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to enjoy this ARC.

**Book Review: The Lucky Widow by Samantha Verant**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is a delightful blend of well written characters and a dark and twisted plot. What worked for me was the strong plot, the multiple POVs, and the unique storyline. The first 75% of the book flew by, but the last 25% kind of dragged. The characters were well written, especially Emma and Nate. I was cheering on Emma and hating Nate from chapter one. I didn’t care for Detective Rosie; she was a judgy hypocrite who jumped to prejudices against the rich—not the kind of cop you want on the case. Ava and Grace were also a bit annoying, but then again, you can’t like everyone, lol. Literally, this book is a great combination of *Eyes Wide Shut* and *A Perfect Murder*. The twists were predictable—I guessed them all—but I still enjoyed reading the story.

The Lucky Widow is one exciting story. Non-stop thrills and action, shocking reveals, it keeps you guessing right up until the very end. Absolutely no one in the story is likeable. Not the murdered husband, not the widow, not the best friend, not the children, not the so-called friends and neighbors, not the detective, not even the grandparents. They are rich and entitled, snobbish and judgmental, in-your-face rude, living unimaginably luxurious lives, miserable anyway because they are miserable people, but they believe they are fully justified in acquiring whatever they want and doing whatever they desire – because they are them.

So sympathy and understanding are not going to be high on the list of emotions you feel towards these people, but shock, disbelief and revulsion will. As we learn more about all of them the more motives we see for Nate’s murder. Nate and Emma haven’t been happy together for a long time. She may have missed signs she should have seen at the beginning, but her reasons for doing whatever she could do to lure him into marriage weren’t exactly those of a star-struck young girl. She has secrets and a past, too. When she comes home from a trip to Paris and finds Nate dead in the pond, she is actually overjoyed. Being the rich widow, she is naturally the prime suspect, but since she already had enough evidence for divorce, why would she bother to kill him and risk hurting her daughters?

The story goes back and forth between the present time and flashbacks from the past: when they met, when things started to go wrong, events and encounters with neighbors, secrets learned little by little, plans put in place. As I said, they are all horrible, but in a horribly riveting way. You can imagine any one of the potential suspects committing the murder, and once you start reading you won’t be able to stop until you find out if your guesses are correct.

Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy of The Lucky Widow via NetGalley. It was a non-stop thrill. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for early access in exchange for a review
This was a new author for me and wow this was a read!
Hours on I’m still thinking about it
Thought provoking,seedy ,dark goings on that come to light .
On paper it’s the perfect marriage and home life but after the husband dies it soon becomes clear all is not as it seems!!
Brilliantly executed with a great plot and will keep you turning the pages.
This will get under your skin in a big way !

The Lucky Widow is a gripping thriller with an unusual premise. What a shocking opening, with Emma expressing her delight to the police that she’s thrilled to find Nathanial, her surgeon husband, dead. This is a story of horrible, entitled people, doing shocking things, yet it is extremely compelling with plenty of twists and secrets.

I read a lot of thrillers, so the ending didn’t come as a surprise to me, but nevertheless, I couldn’t put this book down. It was compulsive reading, with a clever use of different perspectives and a fascinating insight into evil minds.

Thank you to Samantha Vérant, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my advance copy.

Solid 4 stars

To start, I ended up loving Emma's character; she's tough, brave, give-it-all mother, I enjoy that. The meet of Emma and Nate left a bit to be desired, but still left no question on where my loyalty went. I'm not sure if this was Verano's plan, but I absolutely loathed Detective Rossi - not a single bit of her was likable in my experience, but it did the story well! The wrap up was top-notch, did not leave many stones unturned as to the outcome.
I look forward to reading Samantha Verant again!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Samantha Verant's "The Lucky Widow" is a gripping, suspense-filled thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. This four-star novel masterfully weaves together themes of betrayal, suspicion, and the facade of perfection, making it an unputdownable read.

The story kicks off with a bang as the protagonist returns home from a work trip to find her husband, Nathaniel, dead in their pond. Her impulsive outburst, calling him a liar and a cheat in front of the police, immediately puts her under suspicion. The tension escalates as the narrative unfolds, revealing the protagonist’s past remarks about fantasizing over her husband’s death. This darkly humorous twist adds an intriguing layer to the story, making the protagonist both relatable and complex.

Verant’s writing is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the seemingly perfect life that begins to crumble under scrutiny. The protagonist’s voice is compelling, drawing readers into her world where every marbled detail of her meticulously designed house symbolizes her attempts to craft a flawless life and marriage. However, the cracks in her marriage and the secrets buried within their perfect home soon surface, intensifying the suspense.

The supporting characters add depth to the plot. The police's thorough investigation involves questioning the couple’s daughters, friends, and household staff, all of whom were conveniently out of town at the time of Nathaniel’s death. Each character is well-drawn, contributing to the mounting tension and suspicion that keeps readers guessing.

The plot is well-paced, with twists and turns that maintain a high level of intrigue. Verant skillfully balances the protagonist’s internal struggles with the external pressures of the investigation, creating a story that is both emotionally and psychologically engaging. The exploration of themes like deception, control, and the façade of a perfect life adds a thought-provoking dimension to the thriller.

However, there are moments where the narrative feels slightly predictable, and some readers might anticipate certain twists. Despite this, Verant’s ability to create a compelling atmosphere and develop complex characters ensures that the story remains captivating until the very end.

In conclusion, "The Lucky Widow" is a standout thriller that combines suspense, emotional depth, and dark humor. Samantha Verant has crafted a tale that is as chilling as it is entertaining, making it a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. If you're looking for a book that will keep you guessing and leave you contemplating the true nature of perfection and deceit, this one is for you.

Books like this is why I love to go back and forth from a thriller to more of a contemporary or a of a rom com or else I don’t think I could stay down “low” and read just thrillers. I am grateful for storm publishing to be able to read authors such as this that I otherwise would not seek out on my own.

Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book because the premise was really unique. To find the husband you hate and want to leave dead...all your problems solved - except you have all the markings of a suspect...so here comes a whole new set of problems. Really great read.