"Wife, Mother, Liar" by Sue Watson is a 4-star read! Jill and Wendy have been friends for 25 years—until tragedy strikes while their kids are at prom. In an effort to resolve their disagreement about that fateful night, Jill invites Wendy on a weekend getaway to a secluded Welsh cottage.

The story unfolds through alternating perspectives from Jill and Wendy. While the plot lacks much physical action—most of it revolves around the women’s conversations in the cottage—their dialogue and memories effectively reveal their backstories. This narrative style allows readers to deeply understand both women as mothers and wives.

Jill is an incredibly unlikable character, which makes it difficult to sympathize with her. However, the book is packed with twists, as nearly every character harbors a secret. These revelations are revealed in the final chapters, with one kept under wraps until the epilogue.

Although the first part of the book feels slow, I enjoyed the story overall and look forward to reading more from Sue Watson.

Thanks to Bookouture, Sue Watson, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

Wife, Mother, Liar is told in alternating POVs from two former friends and neighbours and focuses on the tragedy that befell Jill’s son, Leo. I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning and the end – which gave me whiplash with all the twists and turns – but struggled a bit in the middle of the book. I didn’t warm to any of the main characters and felt the premise that the two women, who clearly loathed each other, would agree to go away together for the weekend, a little unbelievable. Having said that, Sue Watson’s books are always fast paced, well written and engaging. This novel is packed with secrets and shocks, and I recommend it.

Thank you to Sue Watson, Bookouture and Netgalley for my advance copy.

This book was a mixture of emotions for me.
I didn’t really see why Wendy or Jill were friends with each other as their past stories, so intertwined, are revealed. They really did live in a communally carnal neighborhood.
I figured out part of the big secret but not all of it.
One of the best parts was when Jill was incoherent and thinking snarky answers to those who were confessing to her since they thought she was a goner. I actually laughed at some of her retorts.
The ending was good and, although ethically it’s wrong, I cheered Jill’s actions.
Watson walloped me with this one!

Jill and Wendy have been firm friends since they became neighbours many years back. They would go on nights out together, with or without their husband's Tim and Robert, and even went on holidays together and, when they both fell pregnant within weeks of each other, they looked forward to their children having a close bond too. As Leo and Olivia grow up they are close but as they reach their teenage years they become rather closer than Jill would like and she tries to deter it, then tragedy strikes whilst at their school prom and life for these two families will never be the same again, one of these mothers is determined to uncover the truth of what happened that night, but she's got a secret of her own that she's been keeping all these years...

Wife, Mother, Liar is the latest thriller by Watson, told in alternate chapters by Jill and Wendy, this is a story full of twists and turns and highlights how fragile friendships, especially between neighbours, can be. As always with this author's books I picked this one up without even reading the blurb, because I know that I'm not going to be disappointed and sure enough this was another belter. Watson's stories are well crafted, with plots that draw you in from the off and keep you guessing throughout, this one had so many layers and as each layer was stripped back another secret or lie was revealed and oh boy, there were some huge ones coming out here, I was left wondering if any of these characters could be trusted! This is an intense, fast paced thriller which I found very relatable after having a very close neighbour friendship where I used to live which turned sour, thankfully there were no secrets or deaths involved, but the fall out hurt a lot and I was very happy when we decided to move house. Watson's books just keep getting better and, if you want an edge of your seat thriller with an unexpected ending, then I highly recommend this one. This is my first read of 2025 and certainly started the year with a bang.

I'd like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

3 🌟

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Whew, what a rollercoaster of a book! It was giving affairs, jealousy, murder, murder coverups, attempted murder, infertility and the search for being the perfect mother & spouse.

This book made me realize that all mothers really are trying their best to give their children the life they didn’t have as kids. Even the best mothers fail, but they are all doing the best with what they have.

This book was filled with drama. Perhaps too much drama bc I’m feeling a bit of whiplash. The story of the jealous friends (Wendy & Jill) and as a bit overdone for my taste. Why would you continue to be friends with someone you despise and you’re afraid your husband adores? That was a bit odd to me.

Also what happened to Wendy’s ex husband’s girlfriend? Did she never ask what happened to her man?

Overall, 3 ⭐️. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend to anyone.

My mum has been raving about Sue Watson for a while so I decided to give this ago. I found this to be quite slow paced and there was lots of jumping between present and past and was told from two points of view.

Jill invites her ex best friend Wendy on a weekend away to Wales with the ulterior motive of trying to find answers as to what happened 2 years earlier. The first few chapters were quite secretive and I think I realised there was a red herring. The pair reminisce over their friendship over the years whilst skimming the edges of the elephant in the room.

I found both characters unlikeable. They both had their faults but both thought they were perfect despite all the lies. At one point I was ready to give up but there was enough intrigue to keep me going but I found the ending predictable.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with this arc!

Wife, Mother, Liar by Sue Watson is a psychological thriller novel set in the UK. We have a dual POV following Wendy and Jill, two next door neighbors, who seemingly both have life figured out. From the white picket fence houses, to the most hansome husbands and smartest children, Wendy and Jill seem to have it all. Until one day, their kids go to prom and only one of them comes back home.

The setting of the book is tense and suspenseful from the get go and it had me hooked for hours. The mystery surrounding the abrupt death of one of the teenagers is well written and the author hints from the beginning that it wasn't just an accident. The idea was interesting and the start and middle of the book were gripping too, but in my opinion, as shocking and unexpected the plot twist was, I just didn't care enough at the end since it dragged out too much. About the characters, I think they were well-crafted, but nothing out of the ordinary for a thriller novel. Without spoiling too much, our protagonist Jill does something at the end of the book that, in my opinion, isn't handled well (or at all for that matter) and makes you think you believe she is right, when in reality I believe all of our characters are quite nuanced and none of them are truly good people. Except Tim. He is just evil and I don't like him at all.

Wendy Jones, our second protagonists, deserves a few sentences of her own, because she was the most interesting out of the whole crew. She is described as beautiful, cunning, and a bit superficial. She loves her children fiercely and when Jill invites her to spend a weekend at a cottage in Wales, she instantly accepts, even though they haven't been in touch for months because she misses her friend. I think her character is very raw and real and I personally understand all of her choices throughout the book and why she makes them.

On a more positive note, Sue Watson's writing is quick, sharp and easily digestible, which reminded me of Freida McFadden's novels, so for any fans of hers, I believe Wife, Mother, Liar will be thrill to read! The plot twists at the end were one of the only ones I couldn't have predicted at all, and I have been reading a lot of thrillers recently

Thank you to Sue Watson, Bookouture, and NetGalley for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion. Set to publish January 10, 2025.

As flashing police lights slice the darkness around my house, my worst nightmare becomes a reality, and my perfect world comes crashing down. Can I trust anyone at all? My husband hasn’t been truthful, my best friend has been hiding something from me, and my son isn’t as innocent as I thought. But none of their secrets compares to the one I’ve been keeping.....It started with a lie. It will end in murder…

This is my second book from Sue Watson and after reading "You, Me, Her", I wasn't sure if that was just a one-time phenomenal book or if this author is simply a master of the psychological thriller craft. I quickly came to realize that this author is an automatic read from here on out. I don't need to read the synopsis or tagline. Simply seeing that she wrote a new book is enough for me to jump in head first without a single bit of hesitation. Her new book, "Wife, Mother, Liar" is another thrilling masterpiece that did not disappoint. I finished this book in 2 days because it is the definition of "unputdownable".

This book is told through 2 POVs. Jill and Wendy are neighbors, who have turned friends, until years later when a tragedy rocks their relationship, leaving their friendship hanging on by the smallest of threads. What happens next is a story, wonderfully and intentionally woven, full of mother's instincts, lies, betrayal, obsession, grudges, accusations, and secrets. It can only be compared to a rollercoaster ride. Sue Watson has a talent for misleading the reader. As the rollercoaster slowly and tensely approaches the peak and you feel like you have it all figured out, then the ride plummets, causing so many jaw dropping, head spinning, and shocking moments that you realize everything you thought you knew was wrong and the truth is something you never expected. I love that she uses unreliable narrators and the end of each chapter, with its cliffhangers, makes it impossible to walk away. This is a "just one more chapter" type of books.

Which mother is ultimately telling the truth? Are they both lying or is their perception of reality both correct? You'll have to read this dark and twisty book to find out the truth for yourself. Trust no one and hold on for a wild ride. EVERYONE who is a fan of quick paced, shocking, and brilliant psychological thrillers should be diving into this story. I'd give it 10 stars if they would let me.

Only 3 days into the new year and it could easily be a top 5 read for 2025. Now excuse me while I head to purchase more of Watson's previous books.

JIll and Wendy were neighbours when they were newly married, and were close with their husbands and children until a tragedy derailed all their lives. Jill is still looking for answers and invited Wendy to an isolated cottage in Wales for the weekend ostensibly in a bid to reconnect their friendship.
The book is written in alternate chapters by the two women, the book title could apply to either or both of them. Secretly they both dislike one another, they are both unpleasant, particularly Jill.
Despite this, I kept reading as their secrets were revealed, and their actions got stranger as the story progressed.
Good writing.

Sue Watson has done it again with such a twisty psychological thriller it will stay in your mind long after you have read it.

Two friends, neighbours, both pregnant at the same time, their children growing up together. Go to prom as a couple, to later that night, one dying which leaves the friendship in tatters.

The grieving mother knows people are hiding things from her and wants to get to the bottom of it, inviting her now ex-neighbour to a secluded cottage in Wales for a girly weekend away, on the pretence of reconnecting, but she wants answers.

I was glued to this book, it was full of twists and left me in complete shock at one point.
The storyline was great, it flowed well, with plenty of red herrings along the way.

I loved it!

I have to admit, this book just didn’t work for me. The story felt rushed, and none of the characters were developed enough for me to connect with them. Jill, in particular, was tough to get through. She’s written as a victim, but I found her so unlikable that I couldn’t muster any good emotions toward her.

The plot itself was slow to develop, and for about 75% of the book, it just went in circles. When I finally reached the ending, I was incredibly disappointed. In fact, it made me dislike Jill even more than I did at the start. I usually love Sue Watson’s books, but this one missed the mark for me. Honestly, I wish I had skipped it. If you’re a fan of hers like I am, you might want to think twice about picking this one up.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Bookouture and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

While this started off strong, it seemed to drag out for me a bit. I lost interest until the big plot twist at the end. And the very very end just seemed a little flat. Wasn’t what I was expecting but still enjoyed the read

Former neighbours and best friends, Jill and Wendy go away for a weekend together, to rekindle their friendship. Jill’s choice of venue rings alarm bells with Wendy, when she discovers it’s close to where their children went on a school trip years before, when Jill’s son died. Wendy is convinced Jill knows more than she is letting on and she’s not the only one!

Told from the perspective of both of the women, it becomes harder and harder to know who to believe and whether one or both of them are lying, or just saw events differently, both, of course, choosing to be loyal to their own family unit.

There was so much tension, I thought my kindle might shatter into pieces as it built up like a pressure cooker ready to pop! I felt for both of the women and really had no idea how it was going to play out, until... THE TWIST! WOW! Fabulous!

4.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Sue Watson and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype for me.
While the initial chapters caught my attention, the 25-75% in the middle really, really drug for me. The complex storyline between the neighbors screams of Desperate Housewives, but trying to cram the complexity of years worth of stories into a single book. There were some twists at the end, but I was honestly so over the dragging on at that point that I didn’t really find them to be jaw-dropping.
I am still giving the book three stars. It was ok. I think I just over-hyped it based off of some other reviews and it didn’t hit the mark for me.

Jill and Wendy are neighbours and friends, who have gone through ups and downs, including an unthinkable tragedy. The two friends take a girls trip away but both of them have different ulterior motives. I will leave the synopsis there, as it is best to go into this one blindly. There are tons of twists and turns - I definitely did not think the book was going to take the course that it did.

It was well-written and a quick read. I enjoyed the alternating POVs of Jill and Wendy. I did not know who was telling the truth or what other tricks were up their sleeves. This one will keep you on your toes!

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sue Watson never disappoints. Wife, Mother, Liar kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn't like all of the characters but I found the ending satisfying. I can definitely recommend grabbing a copy.

Many thanks for my gifted copy.

My full review will be shared @coffee.break.book.reviews closer to publication date.

Sue Watson's "Wife, Mother, Liar" is a gripping and captivating book that I could not put down. Lots of twists and turns that were very unexpected, keeping me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The characters are complex and incredibly well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations. Watson masterfully explores themes of marriage, motherhood, and the lies we tell ourselves and others. I loved the way the story slowly unravels, revealing layer upon layer of deceit. Thanks to NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review. This is my last book of 2024 and it was fantastic! To be published January 10, 2025.

If you are looking for something to read that is gripping and addictive, this is a must read. A storyline that kept me guessing and the twists and turns almost made me dizzy! A great read for any fan of this genre or author. This would make an ideal book club read as could lead to some very interesting discussions. A highly recommended read!

As always Sue Watson will take you on a ride that will shock you with twists that will leave you wondering what just happened? I am still sitting here with my jaw on the floor with that wild ending.

Jill and Wendy have been best friends for a long time. However, I soon began to realize that the friendship might not be very deep. It was catty and tense. You could also most feel the tension between these two creeping off of the pages. Tragedy struck one of these families a little while ago, and things have never been the same. As I read this book and was given the history of these two families, I could see cracks in this supposed friendship for a while. Trust was definitely not a word I would use for any of these folks.

Hostility, jealously and mad secrets abound in this psychological thriller that will suck you in so that you will not be able to stop reading, even though you know you should go to bed. Add in a strange little man next door to their holiday home, who at first seems kind, then almost seems to be a stalker, and you have a fabulous mystery on your hands as well.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wife, Mother, Liar by Sue Watson The book involves two mothers Wendy and Jill, Wendy is outgoing positive fun to be around and Jill is anxious and kind of annoying. because opposites attract they become good friends. Jill, however seems obsessed how easy Wendy seems to have it and when she finally gives birth to Leo, the baby she has tried and failed at having.!! she’s obsessed at comparing how hard it is for her as opposed to how easy it is for neighbor Wendy. To make matters worse Jill’s good looking husband Tim seems to be attracted to her. everything changes the night Leo and Wendy’s daughter go to the prom together and Leo doesn’t return and is found dead hours later. After morning for months, Jill decides to make a clean start and this includes inviting Wendy, to a weekend in Wales to bury the hatchet, but instead of bearing it, Jill wants something else. Their lives were already altered by the death of Leo, but the Weeknd and Wales is going to change it even more. I love Sue Watson‘s books, but I must admit this one was only OK. They did have some twists that didn’t stop revealing themselves until the end but none of the twist involved the authors OMG moments. I still recommend this book because people I believe will still love it. I just thought it was only OK though. #NetGalley, #SueWatson, #WifeMotherLiar,