The Wives is a story involving Natasha (MFC) who recently has married Daniel - it was a whirl wind marriage, but Natasha may not have been in it for the right reasons. Daniel is wealthy and handsome and charming.

Daniel decides that her friends (and husbands) and themselves should go on a cruise together, but each of them have so many secrets... and slowly they are being revealed to Natasha... before the cruise is over Daniel is found dead... but who killed him?

This is a very fast paced thriller. It was an easy read, but I felt the storyline a little lack luster. The characters were easy to follow, and each of their little lies were interesting! The end I didn't see coming.

Four best friends. Tracy-Ann, Barbara, Michele and Natasha have been friends for years. When Natasha finally gets married, her rich husband takes her friends and their husbands on a cruise together. But being locked away on a claustrophobic boat, secrets come to light.

This was a total slow burn of a story. Hints of lies, secrets and mistrust that slowly come to light within a close friend group. I didn’t find a connection to any character, and the revelations were somewhat mild.

A quick and easy read, but a lacking plot.

A well written novel but had a few character bumps. I didn’t like Daniel, so his demise & all we learn about him didn’t really matter to me. However, it was saved by some unexpected surprises and the rest of the characters, even though they didn’t really seem like friends.

I'm a great fan of Valerie Keogh so was looking forward to reading her latest offering. The wives of the title - Michele, Barbara, Tracy Ann and Natasha are long term friends. Three are married and settled, and it's only recently that Natasha has become wife to Daniel, a wealthy independent financial adviser. Planning a cruise to the Zanzibar archipelago, he offers to pay for Natasha's friends and their husbands to join them. It's clear that Daniel is arrogant, smug and enjoys flaunting his wealth. However, there is a darker side to his character, one that comes to light during the cruise.

Told from all four women's viewpoints, can I begin by saying there's no character I particularly liked. Daniel was a real horror. He was devious, totally crooked and clearly had no real love for his wife. As for the women, two were taken in by his fake charm, and the third had a score to settle after he set her husband up with an illegal investment opportunity, giving him an opportunity for blackmail . This means when Daniel is taken ill and dies, there are no shortage of suspects. Having said that, it was pretty clear who the perpetrator was, but I realised such a reveal meant there must be there must be more to this story - and, of course, there was.

Well written with a huge twist at the end, The Wives will keep you turning the pages and burning the midnight oil to finish this edge of the seat read.

I would like to thank Boldwood, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of The Wives in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Valerie Keogh book and it most certainly will not be my last. I would have given this one 4.5 stars if it were an option! The Wives follows 4 lifelong friends as the final friend (Natasha) gets married and how her life changes. Natasha and her husband invite the other 3 couples on an unusual cruise through Africa. A series of events cause a spiral of changes as one person is murdered. I was surprised by not only the person who committed the murder, but also by the ending of the book. I will definitely be checking out other novels by Valerie Keough and will also be recommending this one to many!
Thank you to @NetGalley, @BoldwoodBooks and @ValerieKeough for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my thoughts.
Publication Date: November 6, 2024
Genre: Thriller

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Wives by Valerie Keogh in exchange for my honest review.

When Natasha meets Daniel, she’s instantly drawn to his charm and confidence. Their whirlwind romance soon leads to a proposal, and to celebrate, Daniel surprises her with a lavish cruise vacation for Natasha and her close friends: Tracy Ann, Michele, Barbara, and their husbands, who have taken Daniel into their fold. But as the ship sails and drinks are poured, it becomes clear that Daniel has secrets—ones that leave Natasha questioning everything she thought she knew about her new husband.

The Wives is a suspenseful, gripping thriller that explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and deception, keeping readers on their toes with unexpected twists and suspenseful drama. Valerie Keogh does a fantastic job of layering tension, especially as Natasha’s suspicions about Daniel grow. The characters are relatable, with each of the wives bringing her own complex relationship history to the story, adding depth and motive as tensions escalate.

While there are moments on the cruise where the detailed accounts of meals and drinks slow the pacing a bit, the story builds into an exciting conclusion. Each woman’s motive for mistrusting Daniel is compelling, and as events unfold, it’s unclear who among them might be driven to dangerous lengths.

An entertaining, well-crafted thriller, The Wives is an engaging read that will keep fans of psychological thrillers guessing until the final page.

The Wives is a fun and thrilling read. I think this would make a great summer read, although I wasn't blown away by the storyline or characters, I found myself finishing this rather quickly and would recommend to anybody who likes and easy reading thriller.

I have enjoyed a few books by this author but struggled with this one. I didn’t really like any of the main characters and couldn’t relate to them. The females were all meant to have been friends for a long time but didn’t seem to like each other which made no sense. Also their ages didn’t add up and again I struggled to make sense of it all

another addictive read from this author. Natasha has been best friends with Barbara Tracy Ann and Michelle since university. Natasha fells the odd one out. with them married. but then that all changes. she meets Daniel. she brings him into her friend's circle. the relationship moves very fast to marriage. he surprises Natasha with a cruise and her friends are invited. and things so hot up. Each of her friends are hiding something so good

A gripping read. Was shocked with what happened to Natasha. Couldn't put it down every time I tried I would get to a bit and need to know what happened next.

Thank you so much Valerie Keogh, Boldwood books and Netgalley for this ARC.

I like the story, but I think it could add more elements to create a stronger emotional response. I do think it is a good read, but I would recommend it to those who like slow suspense, I wish there was more anger and a desire for revenge in the story. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC!

What a mind blowing read! It had me from the beginning questioning where is this going to go and how does this develop. There are quite a few point of views to keep follow of, but it’s easy to follow. I would say once the big shock happens half way through, the momentum although continues to move fast kind of drops. The attempt at the end to have you thinking one way and it turns out to be another is quite delightful but still, I felt a little rushed. Over all I enjoyed the fast paced nature and the story line itself.

I've been lucky enough to read a few books by this author so when I was given the chance to check this one out early I jumped on it. The description sounded just up my alley and I wasn't wrong. There were so many twists on this book that it was great watching them all unravel at the end. I loved the characters mostly but the way that our main character Natasha was written had to make her the best one out of the bunch. The book is all about Natasha who is living a life of luxury thanks to her super wealthy husband. While she is very much appreciative of all his wealth and what that means for her she isn't sure she is happy with just being a trophy wife. When her husband Daniel has to go on a cruise he mentions how she should invite her friends along give her someone to hang out with and help them reconnect. This sounds like a great idea and all the girls jump on board. However this isn't the picture perfect trip that Natasha had in mind as many secrets start to unfold and they all link back to Daniel. This is the kind of book that has you reading until all hours of the night because the characters just won't let you go. I got so invested in this plot that all sense of time went out the window and that is the best teller of a good thriller. While all the characters were amazing and written with lots of depth and dimension it was the plot that really kept me interested as a reader. There was just so much going on and so many plot twists that I was left breathless by the end of it. I'm so glad that I was given the chance to check this story out. If you want to be in the know and want to have a story that you can talk about then this is the book for you.

This is book #8 by Valerie Keogh for me and she just gets better and better and better. This takes 4 couples on a cruise and it’s a quick murder mystery. A nice twist at the end which is what I love about Valerie’s books! Lies, secrets, deceit … this book has it all! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

Lots of characters to keep straight, once you get who is married to who, etc. it's an interesting read. No big surprises, just harder to figure out as more of the characters stories were told. Interesting enough to recommend and I will definitely look for more by this author

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Wives.

I sped through this! Enjoyed the short chapters and the fast pace. It kept me entertained and I wanted to keep reading.

Quite a few characters and that took me a while to remember who was married to who, but once I had this nailed down, I really enjoyed it.

Also the cruise ship setting gave an extra little twist!

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Wives’ written by Valerie Keogh in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

When Natasha meets Daniel she’s swept off her feet by this charismatic and very handsome man. It’s not long before he proposes and to celebrate their wedding he books an all-expenses paid cruise for themselves and her friends Tracy Ann, Michele, Barbara, and their husbands who’ve accepted Daniel as part of their boys’ friendship club. As their cruise ship sets sail and alcohol flows the secrets about Daniel are revealed, and Natasha soon realises how he’s deceived not only herself but all their friends too.

‘The Wives’ is an involving thriller of lies, secrets and friendship with the normal suspense, drama and unexpected twists I’ve come to expect from Ms Keogh. I was gripped as soon as I realised the main character of Daniel was up to no good, keen to find out exactly what he was doing and how he was going to get his just deserts. Although compulsive reading, in my opinion the story was let down somewhat by the long-drawn-out account of the characters’ lives onboard the ship with too much time given to detailing their eating and drinking. But as the tension started to build the final chapters were exciting as all four women had legitimate reasons to hate Daniel but it wasn’t clear who hated him enough to want him dead. This is a thriller that’s well worth reading and one that I’m happy to recommend.

Natasha and her husband Daniel has asked her 3 friends to go on an all expenses cruise with them. It’s going great until the lies start to untangle and the real people emerge.

I really enjoyed this read, full of lies, seduction and friendship. It has great characters that the author makes you understand each and every one, you get to know them well. The drama happening on a cruise ship was brilliant. A 5 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Valerie Keogh is an outstanding author and with her latest book The Wives she has another edge of your seat thriller. A book that starts steady enough and builds to a crescendo and an unbelievable ending!
Friends since childhood Natasha, being single, has felt the odd one out as Barbara, Michelle and Tracy- Ann have all married and all their husbands are part of one big social circle. That all changes when Natasha meets Daniel the man who has everything, wealth good looks and charm. Excellent husband material, or so Natasha believes. When Daniel suggests they all go on a luxurious cruise at his expense Natasha thinks it'll be fantastic and will bring everyone together as they seemed to be drifting apart of late. Four couples together on a luxury cruise, what could go wrong. As it turns out quite a lot can go wrong as each wife has hidden secrets and each want Daniel gone! Natasha herself sees him in a new light and finds out that he has not been entirely honest. It turns out the ship is not big enough for them all and something has to give.
The story is really well composed and flows very well. Each chapter gives the different perspectives of each of the friends individually and collectively. The further into the book you get the more you want to read and you certainly do not want to put the book down. Then you get to that ending and you'll be totally blown away!. No cheating and looking there before reading the rest of the book though.
Without a shadow of a doubt this will be another bestseller for this fantastic author.

This had me guessing right until the very end. Easy to follow each chapter is written from one of the characters points of view and gives a good timeline of events plus some background on how they’ve got to this current point. Natasha meets and marries perfect Daniel. He is everything a woman could want in a husband and when he suggests a cruise that they can go on with her three friends and their husbands she is delighted. However everyone has secrets and each of the wives have their own reasons for wanting Daniel dead……. A rollercoaster of a ride with twists and turns. Valerie Keogh certainly knows how to write a page turner! Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC