Ｅｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
2.5 ☆
The premise of this story is what caught my attention. A tale of domestic suspense centered on a spirited woman named Angel who marries a Black billionaire, only to discover that he remains haunted by his first wife, who took her own life. Now, doesn't that sound amazing? Everyone is comparing it to Daphne du Maurier's classic *Rebecca*. I have never heard of or read that story, so I honestly can't compare them. But unfortunately, I DNF'd at 60% because, honestly, it wasn't keeping my attention, and I'm not interested in finding out what happened to the ex-wife, Chloe. Sorry!

Thank you, Netgellay, and Amistad for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Thoughts

Listen, if it is a Rebecca retelling I'm going to love it. I don't know why I love that book so much or the retellings.

I ate this book up. I read it quickly and was hooked. I was so excited to see how this author would update it. And I really enjoyed it.

There are two things that I didn't love and that was the transitions, I just wish there were better traditions for the passage of time, even if it was a new chapter. But that is just a pet peeve of mine. The second thing is I wish the ending was updated a bit more. I LOVED the twist! But the ending ending I wish could have been updated too but I get that as a retelling you can't stray too far.

I finished it and wanted to read it again so I think that explains how I feel about it!

Bestselling author Connie Briscoe returns with a retelling of Daphne Du Maurier's classic Rebecca. This tale of domestic suspense centers around a whirlwind romance that culminates in a quick marriage between private chef Angel and a Black billionnaire named Everett. Once she moves into the massive mansion located along the Potomac River, Angel discovers he is haunted by his first wife's death and begins to question what really happened to Chloe. Things aren't adding up. Everett is not answering questions. And no one seems able to let Chloe go.

I read Rebecca umpteen years ago but still remember the premise. There are multiple retellings and even a Netflix production for those that want a quick refresher of the story. Chloe is the first that I know of that features Black main characters. Love this for us!

Unfortunately that is where my love for this story stopped. It starts off rather boring and is too predictable. Angel ignored all the red flags making it harder to empathize and like her. The ending, to say the least, is unsatisfying and abrupt. It was a struggle to stay interested enough to finish, but I did on the strength of the author being thee Connie Briscoe. Fans of the author may want to skip this new release and re-read her earlier works instead. I, on the other hand, am going to re-read the original Rebecca.

Happy Early Pub Day, Connie Briscoe! Chloe will be available Tuesday, March 18.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Last night, I dreamt I ....didn't read this book.

Rebecca is one of my top three books of all time. I love it so deeply that I should have known a 'retelling' would be unsatisfying. Boy, was I correct.

Connie Briscoe has taken Daphne du Maurier's classic and moved it away from Manderley and into the American South. In modern times, Angel is a private chef for a powerful family on Martha's Vineyard. The family throws an annual summer party full of wealthy guests, including Everett Bruce, a powerful billionaire and recent widower.

As expected, Everett is taken with Angel and invites her to come to Riverwild (i.e., Manderley) to be his private chef. The two connect and quickly marry. The house is ruled by the head housekeeper, Ida (Mrs Danvers), who rules over Angel with an iron fist. She—and Everett—can not let Chloe, the former wife and Riverwild mistress, go. Her spirit and power remain long after her tragic suicide.

Angel starts to question Everett, who becomes more and more withdrawn. Angel is slowly learning that Everett is not the man that she thought she married...and Chloe may not have died by suicide.

--

Where to start?

There is a reason that Rebecca is a classic gothic novel. The setting and the mystery of the new Mrs. de Winter (and the lack of knowing her first name) and the former Mrs. de Winter. When you have a character like Mrs Danvers - and turn her into Ida, you are swimming in shark-infested waters, and...baby, those sharks are hungry. Mrs Danvers is one of the scariest characters in literature.

Maybe this is my own issue. Maybe I should just refuse to read retellings of books that are ingrained in my heart. Maybe Daphne du Maurier was a genius, and Rebecca is a perfect book, so anything that tries to retell it will always fall short for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Unfortunately, this story was disappointing because I've loved the authors previous books. I wasn't able to connect with the characters or the plot. I read 75% of the book, prior to dnf.

This was meant to be a retelling of Rebeca set in the DMV area with black characters. The titular character was a socialite, married to a wealthy man and she died unexpectedly. I love Rebecca and it’s one of my favorite books so this was a fun and slightly reminiscent read. I loved the slightly spooky vibes from the description of the house. I do think it could have been a bit spookier with good old fashioned howling winds and windows left open with billowing curtains, evoking more of a haunting. I didn’t love the ending, I felt like it was wrapped up way too quickly and almost a bit simply. The ending also kind of made me not want to root for the main character as much as it kind of “blamed the victim.” I do think this could make an interesting movie or mini series and would be a fun book to read in the summer.

This book is written well, short and sweet but I found the ending unsatisfying and the FMC Angel frustrating. The summary of the book and even the first initial pages made me think I was diving into a thriller/suspenseful filled ride but what I got was a relationship moving too fast, a FMC who has a character shift too quickly and a ghost of an ex wife who wasn’t really a ghost with no real suspense or thrill. I appreciate being able to read this arc prior to its release but this book felt very bland for what I was expecting.

This was a strong concept for an updating novel of Rebecca, it had that element that I was hoping for in this type of book and had the spirit of the previous book. The characters were everything that I was looking for and worked well in this universe. Connie Briscoe has a strong writing style and the characters had that feel that I was expecting.

New York Times bestselling author Connie Briscoe updates Daphne Du Maurier’s classic Rebecca in this chilling tale of domestic suspense centered on a spirited woman named Angel who marries a Black billionaire, only to discover that he remains haunted by his first wife who took her own life—or did she?

This summary says it all. There are no true surprises and that is what makes the sense of foreboding all the more pronounced. The story is on the shorter side, which makes it perfect for reading in one sitting. I would recommend this book for a buddy read or a book club during a busy month, as it provides ample discussion material without requiring a significant time commitment. Overall, this was a solid addition to the suspense genre.

This was a solid 3.5 read. The concept was interesting (black, gothic, billionaire) and the northeast setting was refreshing as this are typically set in the Deep South. The unique nature of the book was good and kept me reading to see if my guess of what was going to happen came true.

Now I would have loved a bit more character development, depth to the story, but overall I was entertained and that’s all I ask for in a book. I am interested, from this book, to read more by the Connie.

I had high hopes for this novel based on the subtitle and synopsis, but it fell short. The pacing was slow, lacking suspense, and the climax was underwhelming. The characters were flat and underdeveloped, and the protagonist's questionable decisions made her unrelatable. Overall, the book lacked depth, intrigue, and emotional impact. I wouldn't recommend it and I am hesitant to read any of the author's other works.

This book was so good it got me out of my reading slump!!!!! At first I was wondering where the book was heading and it’s a case of who done it lol but I did not see that twist coming Chloe was something else and I just wanted more of this book because I was on edge and didn’t want it to end but wanted to see how it would end of that makes sense keep up the good work duck a page turner

At first the story is engaging and gives you summer romance until Abby decides to move in at the Riverwild Estate. The sister is mean and Everett has completely changed. Abby notices the room of his dead ex wife is kept locked and everyone in the house is on edge when she is brought up. I have never read Rebecca so I can't compare it to that. I do know this was a short story and easy read. Abby, the main character is annoying with the way she ask her questions about the ex wife and she seems to second guess herself. Abby's moment of self clarity and gaining strength is not all that we expected to be. The ending seemed rushed and I didn't like the few paragraphs when her best friends came. It could have elaborated more on what they did or said during there week stay. It wasn't much of a twist because it was mainly figured out halfway through the book. I would rate it a 3/5.

Book Review: Chloe by Connie Briscoe

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

Hey, hey, my favorites 😁💚. #annieethebookiee is back with another book review!

Connie Briscoe’s Chloe is a masterful modern twist on the Gothic classic Rebecca. Set against the backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard and the Potomac River, this story seamlessly blends romance, suspense, and mystery with a fresh, cultural lens that highlights Black wealth, class dynamics, and hidden secrets.

The novel follows Angel, a private chef who becomes entangled in the enigmatic world of billionaire Everette Bruce after leaving her toxic employer. Their whirlwind romance seems like a fairytale—until it isn’t. As Angel settles into her new life at Riverwild, she finds herself haunted not only by memories of Everette’s late wife, Chloe, but also by unsettling questions about Chloe's death. The tension builds as Angel uncovers truths that could shatter her perception of the man she married.

Briscoe does an excellent job at creating an eerie, atmospheric setting. The mansion itself feels like a living, breathing entity, with its secrets lurking in every shadow. Angel’s character is relatable—strong, determined, yet vulnerable—and her journey from love to suspicion is both gripping and emotional. The supporting characters, particularly the icy housekeeper Ida, add layers of intrigue that keep you guessing.

One of the strongest elements of Chloe is its cultural richness. The depiction of Martha’s Vineyard’s Black elite and the exploration of privilege within the Black community add depth to the narrative, making it more than just a retelling of a classic story.

That said, the pacing slows down a bit midway through, and some readers might find Everett’s mysterious demeanor a bit cliché. However, the twists and psychological tension more than make up for it.

Final Thoughts:

Chloe is a suspenseful and sophisticated read that will keep you on edge until the final reveal. Perfect for fans of Gothic romance and psychological thrillers, it’s a story about love, loss, and the ghosts that refuse to be forgotten.

Have you read Chloe? Let me know your thoughts!
Until next time, keep reading, my favorites!
#annieethebookiee

This one was not for me. The storyline didn’t flow well and I could not connect with the characters.
****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

Two quick disclaimers:
1) I have not read "Rebecca," so I cannot make any comparisons between the two.
2) This is my first book by Ms. Briscoe, so I cannot comment on how this book fits into or differs from her previous works.

That said, I found "Chloe" to be rather boring after the whirlwind of Angel and Everett's initial romance, as well as a bit predictable. I guessed both twists pretty early on, so I wasn't surprised to see my suspicions were correct. However, nothing really happens until about 85-90% into the novel, and then it's over pretty quickly. The ending was not satisfying to me at all, especially considering the prologue.

Angel... I don't really have too many positive things to say about her. I hated the way she let Mrs. Harrison treat her and I felt like she didn't ask enough questions of Everett in the beginning. Although she does eventually grow a backbone at Riverwild, she was a bit weak in general.

Overall, this book was a bit of a letdown to me. The writing wasn't particularly special or unique, and the climax was, well, anticlimactic. While it did a decent job of building tension, I wanted just a bit more drama, something to make it really come together.