This book is an easy read with a straightforward storyline, told from the perspectives of two characters: Megan and Emily. Megan has just suffered the tragic loss of her husband, Rick, and at his funeral, Emily unexpectedly appears, claiming to be his long-lost sister. I found both MCs to be awful. Megan too trusting with a lack of attention to detail … Emily a narcissistic, self-absorbed liar. While the premise had great potential, I found myself a bit disappointed. Typically, I enjoy books told from multiple points of view, but in this case, I felt the narrative became repetitive towards the end. The shifts between Megan and Emily’s perspectives often felt like I was reading the same scenes over again, with little variation in detail. It sometimes dragged and made the story feel slower than it should have.

Although the twists were unexpected, they didn’t hit as hard as I thought they would. The plot and characters were compelling, and the book had a strong start that really drew me in. But as the story progressed, I found myself hoping for more depth, especially with how promising it seemed in the beginning. That said, there was still plenty of suspense and drama to keep me hooked! The twists kept coming, and the final one genuinely surprised me. It wasn’t the ending I expected, but it was a satisfying one.

Overall, this was an entertaining thriller that kept me engaged from start to finish. Despite a few disappointments, I still found it to be an enjoyable read.

A very fast paced book which I raced through. When Megan is widowed she meets a lady at his funeral who claims to be her husbands sister. However is this woman who she claims to be and with her moving in to Megans house, will we find out the truth before its too late.

4 stars

When Megan loses her beloved husband in a tragic car accident, she feels like it’s her own life that has ended. She feels too young to be a widow. Walking around the house that had been their home – so quiet without him – nothing feels the same.

But at his funeral, she sees a person she doesn’t know. The heavily-pregnant young woman introduces herself as Emily, her husband’s estranged sister. She explains how she’s been searching for her brother for years, but – as she bursts into noisy sobs – she knows she’s too late now.

Megan finds herself taking pity on the sister-in-law she’d never met. And quickly Emily becomes more and more a part of her life, even moving into the spare room of her house.

It feels less empty than before, which at first is comforting to Megan. But – even when it’s a relative of the man you loved more than anyone – can you trust a stranger?

I was a little disappointed with this book if I'm being honest. Usually when a book is written from different points of view, I enjoy it, but this one was written in a way where I felt like there was alot of repetition going back and forth from the 2 main characters. It sometimes felt like I was reading the exact same chapter over again, down to every detail. I also felt like the twists, although I didn't expect them, didn't pack as much of a punch as the author might have intended. It seemed as if once the twists were told to us, the aftermath and ending was a little rushed and it didn't tie the storyline together enough for me. Although the book was still interesting enough to finish, I didn't feel like it grabbed me in the way I look for psychological thrillers to do, which was a bit of a let down.

I wasn’t a huge fan of this one. Although it was a fast read, I found it repetitive and I also found towards the end it was abrupt and I didn’t like how the author took Megans character and made her a bad person as well.

Thank you very much to Boldwood Books at NetGalley for providing me with a copy of ‘The Sister In Law’ by Joanne Ryan for my honest opinion in return.

Megan sadly becomes a widow after her and her beloved husband Rick are in a tragic car accident, Megan was able to survive but Rick was trapped. During Rick’s funeral a familiar young and heavily pregnant woman approaches Megan introducing herself as Rick’s estranged little sister Emily. Megan feels it is her duty to be there for Emily and her unborn child as Rick is no longer here, it is her sister in-law and niece or nephew after all. This story is written from the perspective of both Megan and Emily.

It is a psychological thriller with suspense and drama. It is gripping but slightly predictable. And although I was hooked in the beginning it started to fall flat from about 58/60% and became rather repetitive. The ending felt rushed and there was a few loose ends. I thought the plot and characters were great but I was expecting more with how well it was going in the beginning. I thought there was going to be a few more chapters but was very surprised to see it was a taster to another book published by Joanne, tiny bit disappointed but incredibly grateful for the taster!

3.5 stars I would recommend but readers be mindful this book contents topics some might find triggering.

Release date : 27th January 2025

Warnings—(may be more that haven’t been listed below)
* Car Accidents
* Drowning
* Murder
* Blackmail
* Assault
* Sexual Assault
* Domestic Violence
* Manipulation
* Self Harm

Very easy read with a simplistic storyline. The book is written from two points of view; Megan and Emily. Megan just endured the tragic loss of her husband, Rick. At Rick's funeral, Emily shows up pretending to be his long-lost sister.

Megan portrays herself to be a giving and gullible, trusting person, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Emily is annoyed by Megan's attentiveness but has zero issues with taking advantage of her.

I found the second half of the book to be very repetitive, with the story being told from two points of view. I figured out the main plot twist but can honestly say I was surprised by the last chapter.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Sister-in-Law’ written by Joanne Ryan in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Megan and her husband her husband Rick are driving home in pouring rain when their car leaves the road and plunges into a flooded river, Rick drowning while Megan manages to escape and is rescued. During Rick’s funeral a heavily pregnant young woman approaches Megan introducing herself as Rick’s sister Emily. Megan feels sorry for her and offers to let her stay in her home until she’s able to find herself accommodation.

‘The Sister-in-Law’ is a psychological thriller of two women who are sharing the same house but neither of them can be trusted. I was intrigued by the plot that was told in alternate chapters by Megan and Emily, and there was plenty of suspense and drama to keep me gripped. But as the twists kept piling up I wasn’t prepared for the final huge twist near to the end that took me completely by surprise and wasn’t how I’d expected the story to conclude. This was an entertaining thriller kept me involved throughout and was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Megan wakes up in hospital with vague memories of fighting over the steering wheel with her husband. The car had gone into the water. Her husband, Rick, died. At the funeral, Megan meets Rick's estranged sister, Emily. Emily is pregnant and moves in with Megan. As Megan gets to know Emily, she notices she has some worrying traits.

This story is told from Megan and Emily's perspectives. The characters are well-developed, but they both have secrets. Megan kis quite vulnerable, Emily is controlling. This is a gripping, tense and twisted read. The plot builds slowly. This is an easy read. I loved the ending.

Published 27th January 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #JoanneRyan for my ARC of #TheSisterInLaw in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Boldwood and NetGalley for this ARC! When Megan married barely a year losses her husband Ricky in a car accident she is devastated. At his funeral a very pregnant woman shows up claiming she his estranged sister Emily. After the funeral Megan invites Emily to come stay with her till she gets situated in town. Told between the two women’s POV, the story unfolds. A good addictive read but gets a wee bit repetitive with both women retelling the same situation as they see it. Great twist at the end!

This book starts with a tragic accident, Megan has just lost her husband in a car accident, at the funeral his sister turns up pregnant and Megan wants to help. This is a twisty thriller that really heats up at the end. I really liked this plot, it’s a well written book with a twist. A 5 star read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Loved this book. Picked it up by recommendation and so glad I did. I was engrossed from the first pages and could not put it down. It was really well written and keeps you totally absorbed in the story. Loved the ending, really didn’t see that coming. Will certainly look out for future Joanne Ryan books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of The Sister-in-Law by Joanne Ryan. This book fell a little bit short for me. It was a quick and easy read and kept me engaged while I was reading it but I wasn't totally engrossed in it. It was entertaining enough that I would recommend this book to others, but it won't be my top pick for 2025. The ending was unexpected for me so that alone is a plus. A 3 star rating from me.

This book is so good!!! Brilliantly written and has certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Thabk you for allowing me the opportunity xx

WOW!
This was the first book I've read of Joanne Ryan's but it certainly won't be the last!
It had an extremely gripping storyline from the very beginning & a few phenomenal twists! 5stars!

Basically, the wife of the late husband unexpectedly sees her sister-in-law at his funeral. However the sister-in-law is not who she says she is. More to that she is carrying her late husband's child.

I did not expect the twists and turns in this book. For a mystery book it is quite okay. I feel like I lost the plot when there was all this talk about the baby. I kind of expected more from the book. But maybe that was the author's intention, to keep you guessing and to not reveal much until the end. I would maybe add in another plot twist or something that would grab the audience's attention while they were talking about the baby.
Maybe I'm also not the right audience for this book either, that could be a factor in my decision as well.

Thank you to the publishers and author for sending me this copy. I hope you take my review into consideration.

Megan awakens in a hospital bed, only to discover that her husband has tragically passed away in the accident she miraculously survived. Despite the immense pain and grief she feels, she recognizes the urgent need to move forward with her life.

When a stranger approaches her, Megan is shocked to learn that the woman is Rick’s sister. Emily introduces herself and reveals that despite their years-long estrangement, she’s always wanted to reconnect with her brother. Now that it’s too late, she’s eager to get to know Emily. As Megan starts to get to know her, she begins to notice some concerning behaviors in Emily. However, she might be even more shocked when she discovers the true extent of Emily’s issues.

Knowing that this was a psychological thriller didn’t prepare me for the unexpected twists that unfolded as I read this captivating novel. It’s one of those books that you simply can’t put down.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Joanne Ryan’s The Sister-in-Law is a psychological thriller that weaves a tale of grief, mystery, and betrayal. The story begins with Megan, a newly widowed woman struggling to cope with the loss of her husband in a tragic crash. At her husband’s service, a mysterious figure from the past arrives—a long-lost sister-in-law who has been absent for years. This unexpected reappearance sets off a chain of events that draws Megan into a whirlwind of confusion and suspicion.

The sister-in-law’s story is filled with inconsistencies and unanswered questions, which only adds to the tension as Megan tries to piece together the puzzle of her late husband’s life and her family’s secrets. Ryan masterfully constructs a narrative that keeps readers on edge, as new twists and turns emerge that challenge everything Megan thought she knew about those closest to her.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Sister-in-Law is Ryan’s ability to keep readers guessing. There are moments when the story becomes so intricately layered that a second or third read is necessary to fully understand the details and connections between the characters. This complexity is part of what makes the novel so engaging—Ryan doesn’t spoon-feed the answers but rather challenges the reader to question the motivations and truths behind every interaction.

The pacing of the novel is carefully executed, with Ryan gradually revealing crucial information while maintaining an air of suspense throughout. Megan’s emotional journey is relatable, and her internal struggle as she uncovers dark truths about her husband’s past resonates deeply. The twists in the story come fast and furiously, culminating in an explosive ending that leaves a lasting impression.

However, the plot does have its flaws. The sister-in-law’s narrative, while intriguing, occasionally feels too vague and convoluted, leaving the reader frustrated by the lack of clarity. Some plot points, though intentionally mysterious, might leave certain readers feeling a bit lost in the intricate web Ryan weaves.

Overall, The Sister-in-Law is a gripping psychological thriller that delves deep into themes of family, secrets, and the complexities of grief. Ryan’s storytelling is engaging, and the novel offers plenty of twists to keep readers hooked, though it may require more than one read to catch all of its nuances. Fans of suspenseful, twist-filled dramas will find The Sister-in-Law a thrilling, albeit challenging, read.

yeah, this was not for me. The main characters actions were recounted in excruciating detail, like instead of saying "she made a cup of tea", each step of the process was described, from taking the cup from the dishwasher, removing the teabag from the caddy etc etc etc etc. The characters were not great either.

Thank you to NetGalley for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was messy. It started out fast-paced, and though I knew I’d figured out one of the twists before even starting to read it, I decided to give it a go anyway.
Emily was so childish and ridiculous. Her chapters read like a teenager’s stream of consciousness and she had absolutely no redeeming qualities. Megan came off as aloof and totally checked out and I had a hard time believing she could just go with Emily’s story of being Rick’s long lost sister.
There was so much repetition that the plot often felt like it was running in place. Some of the events were so irrelevant and unbelievable that I found myself rolling my eyes pretty often.
This book could use some heavy editing and more of a streamlined plot.