I’ve read quite a few different books where the wife is deceased and the main character is the new wife. I was interested to see how the story lead up and if the ending would be different from the previous books I have read with the same premise. I thought this book was pretty good. It wasn’t the best book I have read, but it was definitely entertaining.

A slow burn with unlikable characters. I think the book takes a little too long to get to the thrilling elements. And our FMC overlooks a lot of things and it’s frustrating at times. Thanks for the arc.

3.5 STARS

My first by this author, but certainly not my last.

Emma meets the man (younger man) of her dreams! Matthew is like a dream come true, although he is a recent widower. What exactly happened to his first wife? He seems to be having a hard time getting over her.

Emma does feel like she is in her shadow, but will allow him the time and space to heal. Her friends are concerned she is moving too fast with the relationship. Maybe they are just jealous?

I enjoyed the unpredictable way things unfolded! A twisted little popcorn read that kept the pages turning. 🍿

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

The First Wife’s Shadow by Adele Parks was a quick, suspenseful read. While some parts were predictable and I figured out most of the twists, I still enjoyed the book. It was a bit far-fetched, but it made for a perfect vacation read to relax and escape. Although the main character was a bit naïve—sometimes I felt like shouting at her—I found her likable and could understand why she made the choices she did while caught up in her romance. I’m not usually a fan of obvious twists, and this book had that element, but there was another twist that wasn’t as predictable, though I think a reader could figure it out with the clues the author provided. Overall, it was an enjoyable, easy read, but I wouldn’t place it among my favorite thrillers. It just lacked a bit of the believability I usually look for in suspense novels.

I so enjoyed First wife’s shadow. If you enjoy a deception and redemption novel. This is the novel for you. We will be seeing a lot from Adele parks

The First Wife's Shadow by Adele Parks is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of relationships, secrets, and self-discovery. The story follows Nell, who finds herself entangled in the mystery of her husband’s first wife after unexpected revelations turn her world upside down. Parks’ writing is sharp and engaging, with twists and turns that kept me hooked from start to finish. The characters are richly developed, and the emotional depth of the story made me reflect on the ways in which our pasts shape our present. It’s a compelling blend of suspense, drama, and insight into human nature. I loved how it kept me on the edge of my seat while also offering a powerful message about moving forward from the shadows of the past. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys emotionally complex and well-crafted stories!

It took me a minute to get into this, but once I did I couldn’t put it down! I did guess a couple of the twists but that didn’t take away from anything. Highly recommend!

Emma meets Matthew who says he's a widower. She's very rich and he's very poor. He moves in and things start happening, not good things.

Emma is Matthew's second wife and she always feels second best to Matthew's deceased wife. After her marriage to Matthew, strange things begin to happen to Emma, Is the dead wife haunting her? Her friends are suspicious of Matthew especially since Emma has money.

Emma is attractive, CEO of a wind harvesting company, and very independent. She meets Matthew at a conference where she is speaking. He is ten years her junior and recently widowed.

This book will cause whiplash from all the twists and turns. The story is fun and gripping and keeps the reader engaged.

Fun, Twisted and Gripping!

3.5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy. This book will be released 3/18/25.

This was a great read, and it kept me on the toes, I enjoyed the way the author wrote the characters and how the story felt relatable. The twists were great, and I cannot wait to see what else the author writes.

What started out as a romantic story turned into a mystery of self doubt and questionable decisions as the new wife tries to find her place in her new marriage. I felt her discomfort as the plot developed and her experiences continued to create tension for me as a reader.

"First Wife's Shadow" is a slow-burn mystery. I loved the cover, title, and premise of the story but found it difficult to engage with the story. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy easy reading and slow-paced mysteries, and for fans of Adele Parks. I hope her next book makes more of an impression. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Pub Date is March 18, 2025.

#FirstWifesShadow

This was a truly excellent story. Lots of drama, lots of twists that really kept you guessing.

I'm ready to find another book by Adele Parks to start!

This book was easy to read and engaging. It had a slow-burn beginning, which made the twists at the end hit even harder. While some parts were predictable, the writing was so strong that it didn’t bother me. My only downsides were that I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters, and for someone so independent and smart, the protagonist sure missed a giant bag of red flags lol. Overall, it was still a quick and entertaining read.

At age 47, Emma meets Matthew and falls quickly for him although he is eleven years her junior. Her best friends are suspicious of his motives but Emma is too much in love to take notice. But some strange things begin to happen and she feels she is being haunted by Matthew’s first wife, Becky. She also feels Matthew compares her to Becky. Everything changes and Emma is not sure what is real.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Emma, a successful CEO, falls in love with Matthew, a widower, and they quickly become engaged. However, Emma starts to feel insecure and haunted by Matthew's deceased wife. Strange occurrences make her question if she is being haunted or hunted. Her friends think Matthew is gaslighting her, while he believes she is acting like her alcoholic father. The mystery of what is really happening unfolds as Emma's life may be in danger.

This is my second book by Adele, and I must say, she did not disappoint! The story was a thrilling rollercoaster ride with a twist that caught me completely off guard. I was so engrossed in the book that I couldn't put it down all day. The unexpected ending left me pondering, "What would I do?"

The characters were not only likable but also well-developed, which is a rare combination. I found myself rooting for all of them, which doesn't happen often. There were so many red flags and unanswered questions surrounding the "happy" couple, especially Emma's lack of inquiry before deepening their relationship. This mystery kept me eagerly turning each page.

While the plot was complex and at times frustrating, all the pieces fell into place as the story unfolded. Multiple points of view were presented towards the end, shedding light on the reasons behind the events. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and was pleased that it lived up to my expectations.

If you appreciate deceit, family drama, and unexpected twists and turns, this book is must-read. It's a captivating story that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

First Wife’s Shadow started out a bit slow, but when strange accidents start happening in Emma’s life, it really started to pick up for me. Haunted by her new husbands dead wife, things are becoming increasingly intense for Emma. Her friends don’t believe her, her husband thinks she’s drinking too much, and she believes the ghost of Becky is out to get her. Is she wrong?

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.

First Wife’s Shadow starts out as mystery you think you might be able to guess the plot around but its third act shakes up everything and introduces twists that I dare you to have anticipated.

Emma is a 47 year old woman who has burrowed completely in her routines as a reaction to the chaos her alcoholic father wrought in her childhood, and this discipline to her routine contributes to her success as a CEO and the accompanying wealth that comes with this. When she meets recent widower Matthew her routines and discipline go out the window as for the first time in years she gives in to her heart (despite her friends concerns). But Emma seems to be losing her wits, drinking more, and generally suspecting she’s being haunted by Matthew’s first wife, Becky.

You may think you know what’s afoot (and you probably do) but Matthew throws in some curve balls as the story continues and Adele Parks writes her characters so well that by the end I wasn’t sure what was coming next.

This book had a wonderful storyline and plot! It was a bit lengthy and drawn out in places but the twists were excellent and unexpected!