Widows-in-Law

This book started a bit slow but definitely by half way in I was captivated! Was Brian's death an accident or was he murdered? This book has so many layers and the more you peel back the more you have to keep reading. Brian wasn't the great man everyone thought he was and Lauren, Jessica and Emily plan to find out what he was up to before his death. This book is very different then my typical mysteries I have been reading lately so I really enjoyed this book. I would definitely recommend reading it will keep you reading into the night!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially the parts with the various strong female narrators. The premise is creative, the characters are compelling, and the various twists and turns keep the reader invested. For me, this wasn’t a *can’t put this down* type of thriller that I’d read in a sitting, but it was definitely a *first book I’d pick back up each evening* novel. It would be a great choice for a book club!

Wow! I absolutely loved this book! A need to know what’s gonna happen book! A wife and ex wife come together for their shared daughter and the safety of all their lives when the husband dies tragically in a fire. Money, guns, death, and mob men in this non stop thriller!

Full of adventure, thrills, mystery, friendship! All wrapped up in murder and a blended family. Great story line, well written, quick read, excellent ending. Look forward to more by this author.

Great book! I loved the story line. I loved the characters. A wife and ex wife come together for the daughter and for safety after the husband dies unexpectedly. Filled with mystery, murder, adventure and friendship. I highly recommend this one. My thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

To figure out who killed their husband, a first and second wife must work together… or die trying.

After the sudden death of her ex-husband Brian, Lauren helps Brian’s much-younger widow, Jessica, arrange the funeral and settle his affairs. Lauren gets much more than she bargained for when information comes to light about Brian’s shady business deals with his old college friend, jeopardizing Brian’s estate and throwing the women into the world of high-stakes illegal gambling. With only a few days to find out where Brian hid millions of dollars in bonds and in fear for their lives, Lauren, Jessica, and Emily must set aside their differences and work together to secure their inheritance and evade the crime Lord's Jorge Arena’s murderous crew.

First I have to say my least favorite character was Lauren, I just didn't like her attitude. This was a strong female lead type of book with an interesting plot. I thought it was a good read and would recommend to anyone who likes female heroins and a lot of crime!

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #WidowsinLaw
Pub Date: 26 Feb 2019

What an entertaining read! Michele W. Miller breaks all stereotypes writing this book, giving such nuanced backstory for each character that the reader adopts them as friends. I've read many thrillers with a similar premise but while those ones entertain, their characters' personalities are usually paper-thin. I loved that Lauren's childhood was so gritty and that she is now so strong, physically and mentally. Jessica surprised me too, and I was rooting for her the entire way. My favorite character was Emily, the daughter -- whip smart and growing up quickly, fiercely loyal to Mom and step-Mom. My second favorite character was Mooky, Carl's dog! There was just enough humor and the faintest touch of romance to keep this novel from being too dark. Brava!

3.5
I love when women band together and kick ass! This book is fun. The way the relationship grows along the way is the true story. The action ran the gamut from somewhat believable to somewhat ridiculous. Regardless, it didn’t dampen the spirit of the story for me.

My only gripe is the bad guys. How many do you need?!?! We have the Dominican Republic and Asian mobs (and a mention of a African or South African one) along with Bobby karate and the local mob and they aren’t alone. At a certain point I gave up caring about all these characters and trying to keep them straight and started to skim these parts. Less is more.

There are twists and surprises. I was happy with the ending. I loved the epilogue, happy to see that happen! Overall, this was a good one!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Blackstone Publishing for a copy in exchange for a review.

Lauren is an attorney, working for New York City's Family Division. She was married to (philandering) Brian, also an attorney, but he is working in a lucrative private practice. Brian has already remarried to Jessica - a nurse he met on the west coast.

Particularly because they share a 15 year old daughter (Emily), Lauren leaves for Florida where Brian has been critically burned. Emily and Jessica first meet her at the airport. Soon after they all arrive in Florida, Brian is pronounced dead. Steve, Brian's law partner (?) and best friend was also there to help out with arrangements.

At the funeral Rick and Carl (undercover cops) muse over who does attend and who doesn't.

As the reader finds out, both Lauren and Jessica need funds from Brian's estate and/or owed money to him from previous cases. Steve becomes quite unavailable. Eventually, Brian's trusted administrative assistant, Peggy, meets with Lauren with some revealing information. Unfortunately, Lauren, Jessica and Emily become amateur sleuths and they may be are heading for trouble. There had been more than meets the eye going on with Brian and the also elusive Jordan Connor...

A very interesting read. The characters come to life. Wait until the conclusion!

Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for a thrill of a ride.

Review by 2shay..........

Wow! This book packs a punch. A great story about women who have to find a lot of inner strength to deal with the death of a husband, an ex-husband and a father. Brian left a hell of a mess. Both Lauren, the first wife, and Jessica, the current wife have events in their past that they would like to forget, but the present keeps bringing forward their pasts. They have every reason to dislike and distrust each other, but in the scramble to save themselves and Emily, the daughter they both love, they, reluctantly, find a way to forgive each other and work together.

This is a superbly told story by a talented author. The characters are vibrant, and so well developed that I found it easy to empathize with each. The search for the missing millions seemed totally believable, though I have to confess that I know nothing about banking laws. So, I swallowed the whole thing, hook, line and sinker.

These women went through HELL. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and still dreaded getting to the end. I wanted more. I WANT more. I hope Ms. Miller is planning a sequel. Grab a copy and...

Enjoy! ARC graciously provided by Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an honest and voluntary review.

Lauren, Brian's ex wife and mother of his child feels left out in the cold sometimes. Brian has a beautiful, young wife now. When Brian dies unexpectedly and due to their child, Emily, Lauren helps Jessica, the new wife arrange the funeral.  Emily's feeling's are worth more than than the anger. It comes to light that not all of Brian's dealings are on the up and up. Will they survive long enough to get everything in order? Is the danger caused by someone closer to Brian than they realize. I really liked this book. It is about how two women survive through their differences. I received this book from Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing for a honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

What a very unique premise! A trio of smart, determined women get together to solve the mystery of the illegalities associated with the recently deceased man who played an important role in all their lives. For 3 women played by this one man, and coming together to work for a mutually-beneficial closure for each of them, is indeed a new exploration of the sensibilities we women possess...sometimes without us even knowing our own strength until we call upon it. Definitely recommended!

I truly loved this story about three badass women working together to clean up a man's mess. I didn't know what to expect yet I was pleasantly surprised by the plot. It flowed perfectly and I was able to envision everything as if it was playing out right in front of me. I was rooting for Lauren, Jessica, and Emily the entire way and absolutely loved how much they each grew as characters from co-dependent, fragile and afraid to strong, fearless and fierce women. I was in awe of Lauren and her strength and courage, especially coming from such a rough background. I admired Jessica for picking herself up and awakening a side of her that I don't think she knew she had. And Emily - I loved Emily - for her wit, sarcasm, and quick-thinking. I loved Carl (and Mookie!) too and was happy with how everything came full-circle in the end.

Thank you for this really fun and exciting read!

Being the ex-wife is job enough, with out having to take care of the new wife, when your ex-husband, Brian dies, but Lauren finds herself in this very position. Before long, Lauren, her daughter Emily, and Jessica the younger model, Brian traded up for find themselves in a mess much greater then they bargained for, as they learn that Brian was in a huge disaster of his own making and that perhaps he did not die by his own hand. Each woman in the story grows stronger as the book progresses and they begin to sleuth, and then to desperately look for answers and solutions before their own lives might be cut short, too.

This was a surprising thriller, with some very likeable women, even those you might not want to like in the beginning of the book. If you think your husband makes a mess of things... just you wait and see how Brian mucks things up... for himself and for those around him... although some people may have it coming.

WIDOWS-IN LAW - Michele W. Miller
Perfect 10
Blackstone Publishing
ISBN 10: 1-5385-5691-X
ISBN 13: 978-1-5385-5691-7
March 2019
Mystery

New York and Miami – The Present

Lauren is the ex-wife of New York lawyer Brian Silverman. He is making millions of dollars with his law firm partner Steve Cohen. Lauren is also a lawyer, but she practices in the New York family court system. She doesn’t make the money Brian does, so depends on his alimony checks to support herself and their daughter Emily in the expensive city. It killed her to do so, but when she could no longer control Emily and the crowd she was hanging with in high school, she let Brian take over custody of Emily. She didn’t want Emily to end up like herself. In her teens poor choices led her into some unfortunate and dangerous situations. Her parents had both been drug addicts which led Lauren into making some very bad decisions. She overcame her past and desperately wants to protect Emily. Brian owns an expensive house in a better part of the city with his second wife Jessica. It places Emily in a better school system, and Brian can control the rebellious teenager better. Brian had cheated on her with Jessica before the divorce, and it left Lauren feeling inadequate and with low self-esteem. She calls Jessica her ‘wife-in-law,’ a term she learned in family court. Then Brian’s secretary Peggy calls Lauren. Lauren learns Brian was found burned in his bed while on a trip to Miami. She flies to Miami with both Jessica and Emily, but they are too late, Brian died.

While initially Steve told the two widows-in-law everything would be all right, he soon stops taking their calls. Then he claims Brian wasn’t really a partner and they will be getting nothing from his law practice. Lauren thinks this a fabricated story. Brian was the better lawyer and had told her his share of the firm’s contingency fees was worth millions of dollars. She and Jessica work to discover the truth, and from there everything goes downhill. Jessica witnesses the murder of Brian’s friend Jordon Connors, threats are made against Lauren, demands and threats come from criminal enterprises, and Jessica and Emily are arrested, all this leads to some very dangerous situations. Why was Steve being so deceptive, and just what was Brian up to? Carl Cintron, an FBI agent, takes great interest in Brian’s case despite being told to move on since Brian is dead. He already knows he has an even greater interest in Brian’s first wife.

The viewpoint shifts from Lauren to Jessica, to Emily, to Carl, and even to Brian before his death. Everything for everyone is tied up in convoluted circumstances. The story isn’t sorted by chapters but by dates and character viewpoints. It is a gripping read about changing relationships and hidden desires and motives, criminal conduct, and overcoming almost insurmountable odds. A great read with emotional, smart and thoughtful characters caught in unfathomable positions, which makes this a Perfect 10.

Robin Lee

The description of the book was both intriguing and had me wondering if I would be disappointed by the characters; spoiler - I was not disappointed! The female characters were strong, but relatable in their reactions to the situations they were facing. The lengths one would go for money and to hide deceptive behavior in this book had twists and turns you couldn't predict. The situations were a little far fetched for "real life" but sucked me in and kept me turning the pages. All together, a good read I would recommend.

This author has done a great job of writing the original storyline as if you were watching a movie. Not only can you see these two women joining together...even though they don't get along...but you'll be peeking through your fingers hoping nothing bad happens to them. The story very quickly becomes a race to see who will win the day and get the money. The good guys win, but along the way, it's an exciting ride.

Lauren, Jessica, and Emily have a problem. A big problem. Brian, their ex- husband, husband, and father, is dead- burned to death in Miami. His partner, Steve, is ducking their calls and they are worried about their financial situation. At the same time, as it happens, there are some very bad guys looking for something Brian has- something the women don't know about, at least not yet. Emily, a wily 16 year old if ever there was one, enlists a hacker to help her crack Brian's files, which reveal any number of surprises. Luckily, Lauren is a family court attorney who, if nothing else, is able to gain access to the courts and knows how to work the system when Emily and Jessica are arrested AND when they all decide to fight back. There's a subplot involving a little romantic attraction for Lauren which has its charms. My only quibble is that the underlying bad activity is a little hazy (even for someone accustomed to this genre). Thanks to the publisher for the ARc. This is a highly readable plot driven thriller with three strong female characters.

Lauren and Brian Silverman, both attorneys, are divorced and the parents of Emily, 16. Brian is now married to Jessica. Lauren is not fond of Jessica because she feels the woman intentionally set out to steal her husband. Lauren works at Family Court and Brian is with a private firm. He claims to have some big cases in the works that should make him rich. Lauren has to constantly remind him to pay the bills he is responsible for.

Emily’s behavior has become more difficult for Lauren to handle so she asks Brian to let her live with him. He is happy to have her. Lauren herself had had a difficult childhood with parents always doing drugs. After getting into some of it herself, she finally straightened around, got her schooling, and became an attorney. So, she hopes that Brian may have more influence on her and keep her in school.

While on a short business trip to Miami, Brian dies in a fire in his hotel room. The authorities believe it was from him smoking in bed. The funeral is difficult for all of them and Lauren worries that if Emily comes back with her, she will start getting into trouble again. So, it is agreed that Emily will stay with Jessica.

Brian’s law partner, Steve, says he will take care of settling things for all of them. But when he says that Brian was never a partner, but just an employee and, therefore, not entitled to a share of the money from the cases, Jessica and Lauren both are shocked and furious. In addition, it appears that Brian had been involved with some shady people and cases that didn’t make sense so they take it upon themselves to do their own investigating and see if they can find the real truth.

This is a story that deals with some very dangerous, international criminals and big money. It is gruesome and heart-stopping at times. These women are strong and determined to find out about Brian’s past even if they have to risk their lives for it.

My feelings? Why would two women and a teenager think that they can outfox the “big guys” and get away with it? That made me roll my eyes. In reality, one who go to the police. I know teens are fairly tech savvy, but for Emily to be able to do and understand the computer things she did made me question it. It is good to see two women who were once considered to be enemies become friends. I’m sure that people who like an edge-of-the-seat thriller will like this one.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Miller’s new novel starts at a slow burn before rapidly picking up pace to its climatic conclusion. There are bits and pieces of information to help the reader piece together the mystery thriller and at times, sometimes puts the reader ahead of the characters within the pages.

The characters are solidly built and it was good to have three strong female characters get along without fighting over the man. This was a truly refreshing change of pace as normally there tends to be threads of at least I have a man or this is my man narratives in these types of stories. In this case, we have Miller excelling at providing three forthright women taking control and although there is a man who sparks off the trio, but they go above and beyond.

On the other hand, the criminals or bad guys are very stereotyped and have lack of any dimension. They come across as cartoon baddies and though they do carry the threat of death, it would have been nice to have a bit more depth beyond mafia gangland. The business partners were interesting and very well imagined although it was a shame not to have more of them.

The action is handled very well and Miller knows how to build tension. She keeps it tightly reined and doesn’t let it run away from her. The love interest is an odd addition to the proceedings but it does work within the confines of the story and adds a bit of light relief.

Overall, the book is a fun page turner that has three strong female types playing against card board males and criminals but doesn’t take away from enjoyment of the novel. A slow burn that builds to a climax that is rewarding experience.

This book turned out to be nothing like I thought it would be. I can easily see it as a movie. The women characters are interesting and it seemed almost realistic watching them change as they faced frightening situations. The story seemed a bit far-fetched at times and the whole bad-guys scenario a bit over-the-top (again - I can see it as a movie!) but overall, it was an enjoyable thriller with a delicious twist at the end.

Widows-In-Law was a twisted thriller where the family of Brian Silverman is left with a huge mess after his death. At first glance, the synopsis of the book sounded really promising and I was anxious to read it.

The book goes back and forth between the different POVs, leaving the reader to see the events unfold from all angles. I liked the author's writing style and I fell like having different POVs was perfect.

The story was mostly action-packed and often left me wanting to know what would happen next as well as the end result. Unfortunately, there were also parts where I lost interest and thought the story was dragging a little bit.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Widows-In-Law and would recommend.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for my copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.5 stars

This was a great read and I love the story line. I don't love when books pit women against each other (even though, let's be real, most women would hate their ex's new wife) so it was refreshing to see a synopsis when women work together vs. hate each other. I also love the "there's more that lies beneath" story line. It seems as though someone always has to die before you really can uncover their demons, but I love finding out things about people whom you thought you knew everything about. If I am honest, I often think about the people in my life and wonder "are you hiding anything? Do I know everything there is to know about you?" Overall, this was a fun and thrilling read. Thanks so much to NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review!

A current wife and an ex-wife working together to solve their spouse/former spouse's murder. Great twists, good characters, new take in thriller.

Widows-in-Law by Michelle Miller is a well-written, suspenseful novel. I adored the pacing and sequencing of the events told from multiple points of view. Brian dies unexpectedly and his first wife, Lauren, and his current wife/widow, Jessica, both suspect foul play. Meanwhile, Brian’s teenage daughter, Emily, wants to know what happened to her father as well. Will they find out what happened to Brian? Or will they lose their lives trying? What was Brian up to before he died?

I enjoyed watching Lauren, Jessica and Emily's relationship throughout. This read had a few suspenseful events but plateaued 75% of the way in and stayed on that note. I enjoyed Miller’s writing. I’m looking forward to picking up more of her books.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.