Sadly this thriller despite sounding ideal was not for me. It has many aspects in that I really don't enjoy in a book. Firstly the main character, I need to like them, to route for them and also be able to believe what I'm reading about then rather than at the end of the book realising that as a reader, we're being misled. Secondly, I realise that it's good to have a 2 person's narrative, but the swapping between our main character and her "sister in law" were very repetitive so quite unnecessary. Finally, it doesn't feel like a thriller, we're told basically whats going on the whole time, no suspense other than right at the end which was pretty obvious really, along with a few questions unanswered.
Thank u #NetGalley but not for me this time. I give 3 stars for the idea and ease of reading but just not the plot.

The book has something that make you excited to read till the end but still something that makes me also angry and annoyed. This means that the main actors are perfectly portrayed with their all attributes.
The domestic thriller and the drama about fake love , wrong expectations and dreamy bubble views about real problems .
Well done !

When Megan's husband Rick is killed in a car accident, she is bereft, and so when Rick's heavily pregnant sister, Emily, turns up at his funeral, having escaped an abusive relationship, Megan is happy to meet someone who can help her hold on to her connection to Rick. But both Megan and Emily have secrets and they find themselves caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Neither of the women are very likeable and I couldn't decide who to root for, changing my mind several times while the brilliant plot played out to a shocking conclusion with some superb and very unexpected twists.

The story is told from the POV of the two women and I did find the retelling of the same events by both of their perspectives too repetitive as there wasn't any difference aside from their own internal voices, trying to outwit their opponent. Other than that, it's a great read!

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Joanne Ryan and Boldwood for an ARC in return for an honest review.

What a cool twisty tale! Creepy in parts, thrilling in others - I’m not a huge fan of psychological thrillers but this one was great!

The story kept me interested pretty quickly. I didn't see the ending coming. However I feel like there's some loose ends.

This book begins with a tragic car accident, setting the perfect tone for this thriller. A couple were on their way home, they were going too fast, then their car went off the road and plunged into a river. Only one of them survived…Megan wakes up in the hospital with some scrapes and bruises, but her husband Rick didn’t make it.

Megan doesn’t know what to do with herself. Her parents are gone, his parents are gone, and her closest friend is her dead mother’s best friend, Elaine. Elaine and her husband Keith promised to always watch over Megan, and though she’s heading towards thirty, she’s glad to have them in her corner as they set up the funeral arrangements and make sure Megan is taking care of herself.

At the funeral, as we know from the synopsis, Megan sees a very pregnant young woman. The woman approaches Megan and introduces herself - she’s Emily, Rick’s estranged sister, and she read the news of his death and came to pay her respects. Rick did have a sister he hadn’t seen in many years, and Megan is not wanting to be alone in the house they shared. After talking to Emily, she finds out that the young woman has left an abusive relationship and has been living in a hotel, but is running out of money. Megan invites Emily to come live with her, at least until the baby is born and Emily can get government assistance. They’re family - and family helps family.

Then, as expected, things get crazy. Emily turns out to be a slob who doesn’t mind mooching off her sister-in-law, but Megan is doing her best to help the young woman in honor of her dead husband. This books starts off being from Megan’s point of view, but when it switches to Emily’s, the reader is in for quite a few shocks. The book bounces back and forth between the two women as the story rolls along, and it’s all very entertaining. I can’t think of much I’d change about this dark yet fun novel! 4.5 stars, rounded up.

(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Joanne Ryan and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on January 27, 2025.)

3.5 stars!!!

After losing her husband Rick in a car accident, Megan meets his estranged pregnant sister, Emily, at the funeral. Emily moves in with Megan, bringing comfort but also raising questions about trust.

This was my initial experience with this author, and I found the ending to be quite enjoyable as the story unfolded. However, it did take some time to reach that satisfying conclusion. The book had a slow burn for me, which made it a bit challenging to fully engage with.

The characters in the book were not easy to connect with. One character came across as too cold, while the other was portrayed as naive and somewhat annoying. The pace of the book was inconsistent, with moments of intensity followed by slower sections. Despite this, the ending was strong and unexpected.

If you appreciate a story with an unexpected twist and a moderate pace, this book may be a good fit for you. While I personally did not connect with the story, I would still recommend giving it a chance, as reviews on this book are mixed.

Thank you, Boldwood Books for the ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this book! It's a twisty story of a love triangle that takes down more victims than anticipated. So many unexpected turns of events. Great book!

I really enjoyed this book, it had a good pace and was easy to read.

I didn’t see the twist at the end coming and through the whole book I just wanted to punch the SIL in her face!! Sorry, not sorry!

I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author!

The Sister-in-Law by Joanne Ryan is a gripping psychological thriller that explores themes of loss, trust, and the unsettling dynamics that can arise within families. When Megan loses her beloved husband, Rick, in a tragic car accident, she is overwhelmed by grief and feels as though her own life has ended. The quiet emptiness of their home, once filled with love and laughter, becomes a constant reminder of the life she no longer has.

At Rick’s funeral, Megan is taken aback when she sees a woman she doesn’t recognise—a heavily pregnant young woman with a sweet, familiar-looking face. This woman introduces herself as Emily, Rick’s estranged sister. Emily explains that she has been searching for Rick for years, but, overcome with emotion, she realises it’s too late now to reconnect with him.

Megan, feeling sympathy for the sister-in-law she never knew, begins to take Emily in. Emily soon moves into the spare room of Megan’s house, filling the empty space in ways that are both comforting and unsettling. However, as Megan grows closer to Emily, she begins to question whether she can truly trust this stranger, even if she is family.

Ryan’s writing builds tension throughout, creating a taut atmosphere where every interaction feels loaded with potential danger. The plot progresses at a quick pace, with each twist drawing readers deeper into the mystery. The book keeps you on edge as it questions the nature of trust and how well we really know the people closest to us. The Sister-in-Law is a well-crafted thriller that is impossible to put down, with its suspenseful narrative and unexpected revelations making it a thoroughly engaging read.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Such a clever storyline! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are very well written and it's a real page turner with a good ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest feedback. This book was an adventure. The ending absolutely shocked me! Perfect for fans of authors Colleen Hoover and Frieda McFadden. Definitely a page turner for me!!! Looking forward to read other books by this author. I added a few to my wish list already! Highly recommend for a quick thriller read!

Wow what a read this turned out to be. Huge thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this as an arc and here is my review,. Megan losing her husband finds herself in a situation and out of grief and loneliness allows things to occur that ordinarily she may have questioned further! This book kept me on my toes throughout and really made me think and when I thought I had it I didn’t,
Loved Megan’s character I really got into her psyche and felt such empathy for her. This is a must for anyones TBR just excellent.

Lots of twists and secrets in this book with none of the characters as they originally seemed. A really great read that I didnt want to put down

When Megan loses her husband in a road traffic accident, she is distraught. At the funeral a woman approaches Megan claiming to be his sister Emily, Megan knew they hadn't spoken for years, but Rick said he wanted to reconnect. Emily is pregnant and is about to be homeless so Megan asks her to move in till she is back on her feet. BUTis emily all she claims to be?
It was a great read, only i did find that chapters were repeated when Megan and emily explained things. . I didn't see the end coming. Really enjoyed it

Well that was rather good! Started a bit in the slow side but soon cracked up the pace. I was Team Megan from the start and maybe I'm an awful human being but it would have been so much fun if the plan had come off completely. keith was vile and so was Emily so I was cheering at the end but then ... I felt a bit disappointed. maybe we have to have those endings because that's what's supposed to happen... but that's a bit boring.
A good read though and I did enjoy it. If you found it in the library at the hotel to read by the pool you might well get sunburnt

"The Sister-in-Law" by Joanne Ryan is an engrossing psychological thriller that explores the complexities of family dynamics and the secrets that can lurk beneath the surface. The narrative revolves around the protagonist, who finds herself entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal after her sister-in-law suddenly goes missing.

Ryans writing is sharp and immersive, drawing readers into a suspenseful atmosphere filled with unexpected twists and turns. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and hidden agendas, making it difficult to discern who can be trusted.

As the plot unfolds, the tension builds, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation. "The Sister-in-Law" is a compelling read that will resonate with anyone who enjoys a gripping mystery filled with emotional complexity.

Overall, this book is a fantastic addition to the genre, showcasing Ryan's talent for crafting a captivating tale that lingers long after the last page is turned. LOVED IT! Will definitely be reading more from this Author!

Superb writing from this author, a very eye catching cover, this book will go far, 5 stars. Blindingly excellent ... This book should come with a disclaimer as once you start reading you aren’t going to want to walk away.

Think Lifetime story on steroids. I really enjoyed the plot of this book. Not too many characters to keep track off. Finished the ARC in 2 sittings, so it kept me wanting more.
I felt the ending was a little rushed with all the explanations, however it did tie up nicely. The ending was NOT what I expected. Definitely worth the read.

What a novel. Tense and gripping and with some great twists, it certainly kept me in my toes. The plot builds with pace and with each turn of the page, you are even more immersed. Great characters that you love to hate, I couldn’t put it down. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.