Let me start of with the positives: I have never read Rebeccas so i only have an experience with this book to compare. Now for the negative: I felt like something overall of the story was missing and some parts were under told. And when I got the to end I felt like a lot of time was wasted for it to end like this. I have several of this author’s book on my shelf and think she should stick to her original stories. Overall this was a disappointing read for me. I gave it 2.5 stars on Storygraph and will not be putting it on Instagram as I rarely post negative reviews there and definitely don’t bash authors for their work. This book was a no for me but enjoyed it enough to finish.

This book was out of the norm of what I normally read which was why I requested it. I had high hopes and enjoyed the book for the most part. It just was very predictable. I was able to guess the big plot twists. I didn’t feel any attachment to any of the characters but it was well written.

I was really excited about reading this book based off of the synopsis. Unfortunately it fell flat for me. I really wanted to like it. The “Thrill” was lacking

Thank you @coloredpagesbt @amistadbooks for the gifted copy!!
Brief synopsis from Goodreads: A retelling of Daphne Du Maurier’s classic Rebecca, this chilling tale of domestic suspense follows Angel, a spirited woman who marries a Black billionaire—only to discover that he remains haunted by his first wife, who took her own life… or did she?

The synopsis immediately intrigued me and had me hooked—I needed to know what was really going on. This was a quick read with a touch of mystery. However, I felt the story could have been developed further, as it fell a bit short in some areas.

This story started off very promising, but towards the middle fell flat. There were moments where it seemed like something thrilling was coming, but even with new revelations, they were not surprising. I truly wish the author would have done something more. Thank you to Harper Collins Publishers and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Great read! First read from this author. This book makes me want to read more from this author. Kept my attention and interest until the end.

I love a good opposites attract/ billionaire romance, and this book has both.

Our MC Angel is a private chef and spends a few weeks every summer on Martha's Vineyard cooking for the Harrison family. This year, Everette Bruce (billionaire) is also vacationing on the island. These two bump into each other and its an instant connection. But we all know that everything that glitters isn't gold.

Overall, this book kept my attention because I had to see just how this story played out. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read with a few twists and turns.

This book had great bones. The synopsis was promising, the writing style was great, the cover is gorgeous, but the story itself fell a little flat. I didn’t mind the slow build in the beginning because it gave me a proper introduction to the main characters. However, once they were an established couple, we were supposed to get into the chill, the thrill, ghosts, suspense, etc and we didn’t get much. To be honest, the secrets and lies were kind of sprinkled into the story and they were supposed to be the main focus. I do feel like the book should have scaled the details back in some areas of the story and dived a bit deeper into other parts because of a lot of the “big” moments were glazed over.

I think if you’re looking to dip your toes into the suspense/thriller world this is a good starter read. It’s not going to chill you to your bones, but it will push you almost to the edge of your seat.

A fast paced read that keeps you guessing until the end. Angel is a sous chef working for an upper class family in the Hamptons during the summer. She loves having this side job because it allows her to visit her childhood summer vacation spot she once shared with her family during happier times. Even though her boss can be too bossy and too particular. But her life changes when she meets Everett. A handsome, grieving billionaire who sweeps her off her feet. But did she jump the broom too fast? Does she really know the man she fell in love with? These are questions Angel and much more when she becomes the new mistress of Riverwild. Dive into this eerie, soap opera vibe suspense story to find the answers.

Welcome to my tour stop for the Chloe by Connie Briscoe book tour by Colored Pages Book Tours

The story follows not, Chloe, but Angel, a private chef who has been hired to spend the month of August on Martha’s Vineyard for a wealthy Black family. Angel puts up with the haughtiness and temper tantrums of her boss, Jillian Harrison, to keep her lucrative summer job that helps pay the bills. The first half of the novel draws a contrast between Angel and the wealthy people she interacts with on the island. It especially focuses on the distinct line drawn between Jillian and Angel based on Jillian’s insistence. The class issues are initially illustrated by how poorly Jillian treats Angel.

Class Differences & Issues
But the class differences are further illustrated when Angel begins to spend more and more time with influential Black billionaire Everette Bruce, who is visiting the island. Angel enjoys spending time with Everette, but his money is a secondary interest to her. She is more interested in him as a man and doesn’t plan to rely on him. However, she keeps her relationship a secret from her employer. She knows Jillian would react badly to the class difference in their relationship. She definitely doesn’t believe Angel has the background to hang touch with a handsome billionaire.

Dead First Wife Blues
The specter of Chloe, Everette’s first (and deceased) wife, hangs in the background of the first half. Angel is curious about Chloe. When she finds out the circumstances of Chloe’s passing, she is appalled but not enough to shy away from the relationship. Since this is based on Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and I have yet to read that novel, I’m not sure which plot points other than the mysterious dead wife are pulled from for this novel. But as a lover of retellings and reimaginings I do like it when novels based on classics have their own twists and turns instead of being a replica in another time and setting. Saying all that, I will most likely be adding Rebecca to my TBR.

If you like a gothic-style suspense, check out Chloe by Connie Briscoe

This was a retelling of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca that was faithful enough to the original to feel familiar, but with enough differences to keep it interesting. There were so many times I wanted to shake Angel for ignoring the red flags that were screaming not to rush into marriage with a man she did not know. It was frustrating to see such an independent woman give up her own life to become an accessory in his. The pace lagged in places and it felt like there were long stretches where nothing interesting was happening, but it was a quick, enjoyable read.

First and foremost, I haven’t read Rebecca, but if you have, Chloe is the retelling.

Secondly, I listened to the audiobook while simultaneously reading the physical book.

Angel is a private chef for a wealthy Black family during the summer in Martha’s Vineyard. While there, she meets Everett, a billionaire who recently lost his wife, named Chloe. These two instantly hit it off and spent a lot of time together, which was enjoyable to watch them fall in love. However, the second half of the second part is where things truly became intriguing. Revelations were made, and I couldn’t help but shake my head in disbelief. Perhaps I should be a detective myself. Angel genuinely surprised me, though. Wish things would have picked up sooner in the book but overall it was a good book. I would pick up another book by this author.

Jillian was such a hater.

Thank you NetGalley, Colored Pages Book Tour, and Amistad Books for my gifted copy.

I liked this book, but couldn't quite place it. At times, it felt like a direct adaptation of Rebecca that wasn't doing anything interesting in the translation, and at other times it veered off the established narrative, no necessarily to its benefit. I would say for readers interested in Rebecca who may be put off by its age, this could be a good option. But it doesn't follow through on the mystery, cruelty, love, or intrigue of Rebecca. The plot feels much smaller, ending at about the halfway point of the original, and the whirlwind love affair of Angel and Everett doesn't feel supported enough to justify its speed. I liked it, because I like Rebecca, and I appreciated the modernized twist with Ida, but beyond that the plot was nothing new and the ending was far too neat.

Special thanks to @coloredpagesbt @amistadbooks for my gifted copy‼️

This book was a whirlwind of classic chaos that begins as a slow-burn then wraps you up in a web of lies and secrets by the end. Every summer Angel spends her time on an island being the private chef for Cruella de Vil and her family. Ya’ll I really thought this girl was a slave the way she was being treated. This summer Angel meets wealthy Black billionaire Everette Bruce who was still mourning the death of his first wife Chloe until he laid eyes on her. Now Everette is so smitten with Angel after a few dates he pops the question and to my surprise she says yes.

In the beginning Everette came off like a cool guy just looking to have a good time. The first red flag was during the art show and the second was him not being open with Angel about his grief. When she moved into the vineyard I thought maybe the house was going to be haunted or Everette and his sister would murder her. Oh how wrong I was lol his sister was definitely giving hateful vibes though.

The book really took a turn when she moved into the house. I figured Jillian trying to warn her about him was just pure jealousy but maybe she was actually on to something. When the truth slowly trickles out you’re left like what in the Jerry Springer cause Chloe was really out there lol.

Overall, the book was meh I felt it was too short for what the author intended to do with the story. The slow build and the cat and mouse game might lose readers because of the constant back and forth. The ending was actually surprising to say the least but money talks so I get it. I’ve never read the classic Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier to compare the two but I think I just might after reading this.

I really enjoyed the book overall but it did seem to drag a bit in the late middle. It could have been just me though. Overall, it is definitely one I’m glad I read just probably wouldn’t read again.

3.25 ⭐️

This book was a jaw-dropper. There was a moment in the story when I completely forgot about the horror element, swept up in the romance. That said, I did expect more spookiness overall. Still, I found it to be intriguing and thought-provoking. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop toward the end, but I was satisfied with how it concluded. I’ve never read Rebecca, so I don’t have that comparison, but I still found this book to be interesting and definitely worth the quick read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery but prefers to keep their reading light.

Thanks to Colored Pages Tours for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Chloe is a modern day retelling of “Rebecca” featuring Black characters. I haven’t read the original, so I’m not sure how it compares. I enjoyed my time reading this, but I wished there was more to the ending. Angel, our main character, was very naive! I also wished she stood up to her employer and her sister in law. Overall, I recommend if you like slow burn, domestic thrillers.

Angel is a sous chef at a renowned DC restaurant, but she spends every August working as a personal chef for the wealthy Harrison family on Nantucket.

One summer, she meets handsome billionaire widower Everett Bruce. After a whirlwind courtship, they marry and return to his Potomac estate, Riverwild.

As Angel tries to adjust to her new life, she sees traces of Everett’s first wife, Chloe, everywhere. Then there’s Ida, Everett’s sister and the property manager. Ida was devoted to Chloe.

Will Angel ever find out the truth behind Chloe’s death, or will secrets end her marriage as quickly as it began?

***

This is a re-imagining of one of my favorite books, Rebecca. I appreciated the aspects the author kept, as well as the new interpretations.

The plot stays basically the same. But the differences serve to illustrate how timeless the themes are.

Angel is an established, independent woman, whereas the main character in Rebecca was young, inexperienced and naive. Yet the two women find themselves in the same situation. The way they react to that situation stays true to their characters.

This was a quick, entertaining read. I did think the dialogue was a bit stilted and unnatural sounding in places. Also, the end seemed rushed. I wish the author had spent some time explaining Angel’s reasoning for the decision she made in the end. It seemed a bit too easy.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.

Thanks to @netgalley and @amistadbooks for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really, really, really wanted to love this book. It had so much promise. We have Angel, a black chef who is working for a wealthy family at Martha's Vineyard for one month during the summer. This is where Angel meets Everett, a recently widowed billionaire. The two fall for each other, marrying quickly. This is Everett's second marriage as his first wife, Chloe, died from what was ruled a suicide albeit under odd circumstances.

Angel ignored red flag after red flag. Everett is moody, angering easily. Nonetheless, the newlyweds move into the home that Everett once shared with Chloe and his sister, Ida. Ida still manages the lavish estate and gives Angel such a difficult time.

Nearly the first half of the book takes place in Martha's Vineyard. The Harrisons, the family Angel is working for, drives the first half. Then the book speeds through a couple major events. Angel and Everett spend weeks in Europe, but that time is quickly summarized. The wedding was a blip.

Once at the estate, things get strange. Very strange. Everett is even moodier. Ida is very controlling. Angel is spending an overwhelming amount of time alone. Not only that, Angel won't stop asking about Chloe. I found this portion of the book to be page-turning. However, the ending fell flat.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher, Amistad, for an advanced reader copy of this thriller!

Angel is a private chef for the Harrisons, one of the most powerful Black families on Martha’s Vineyard. Every August, Angel is in charge of the huge garden party that Jillian Harrison throws at their estate. But this party is different because Everette Bruce, an influential Black billionaire who is still mourning his first wife Chloe is invited. Soon, Angel and Everette begin a romance that leads to marriage. But Angel is not sure if her new life is as good as it seems. She moves into Everette’s estate called Riverwild. But Angel feels as if there are some secrets surrounding Chloe’s death.

Secrets and lies are the name of the game in Chloe by Connie Briscoe. Briscoe provides us with a good mix of romance & suspense with this story. Just when you think that you have this book figured out, Briscoe throws in a few curveballs that keeps the story moving. Chloe is a fast-paced novel for readers that love a book full of suspense and unexpected twists.