ssbennett05's review against another edition
4.0
**Won this as a giveaway.**
This thriller WAS not at all what I was expecting. I was expecting this to be a story of a stalker ex-wife that was going to end up butchering her ex-husband. Boy, was I wrong. For readers who seek thrillers l, true "what the hell just happened" moments, and intricate character development. This is your book! Just remember, just when you think you know what is going on.....jump back and remember that your past always resurfaces!
Great giveaway!
This thriller WAS not at all what I was expecting. I was expecting this to be a story of a stalker ex-wife that was going to end up butchering her ex-husband. Boy, was I wrong. For readers who seek thrillers l, true "what the hell just happened" moments, and intricate character development. This is your book! Just remember, just when you think you know what is going on.....jump back and remember that your past always resurfaces!
Great giveaway!
jenniferlgott's review against another edition
3.0
Three stars ONLY because the narrative around Vanessa's marriage experience rang so close to reality for me. SO CLOSE. But the surprises and twists were garbage.
highschoolbookworm's review against another edition
3.75
Most of the book was pretty boring and drawn out, but that last twist really got me so I bumped it up in rating.
yoteach87's review against another edition
3.0
A woman stands between an ex-wife and husband. But what are her true intentions? How wicked is the web weaved? The Wife Between Us is a thrilling examination of a complex story told from multiple perspectives.
To reveal any more of the plot will give away startling clues. Suffice to say the thrills start from page one, and never let up. Well, sort of. My biggest issue is the pacing. The pacing alternates between edge-of-seat and take-a-break-for-a-spell. Chapters would conclude with a cliffhanger ending, and then switch perspective leaving me jarred. Slower scenes would move to a crawl giving details that appear insignificant. I understand the need to build the world of the story through exposition but, again, some details appeared only to prolong the suspense. Provide some trimming to these scenes and the book adapted to a faster, thrilling pace that would have made for an exciting read.
When the thrills are amped up, the book is at its finest. There are multiple twists in the plot, times where you are left guessing as to what is happening. There is a huge twist that happens within the first half of the book that completely blew me away. I was left reeling for a few chapters after, thinking about the consequences of the new information. The Wife Between Us adequately uses the medium's shroud of mystique to convey a constant sense of mystery. Even the book's synopsis "Assume nothing" promises that the title will be more than your standard fare of the female protagonist-led story. In that way, the book does not follow the tropes of The Girl on the Train: there is no sudden lapses of memory, no rampant alcohol problems. In fact, the main females are strong, sympathetic characters who rise above the usual weaknesses of their fictional counterparts.
I have a hard time seeing how a movie of this book will be made. The mystery depends too much on the reader not knowing certain things that a movie would reveal automatically. However, given the strong story and memorable plot, I still plan on seeing the movie if by curiosity alone.
To reveal any more of the plot will give away startling clues. Suffice to say the thrills start from page one, and never let up. Well, sort of. My biggest issue is the pacing. The pacing alternates between edge-of-seat and take-a-break-for-a-spell. Chapters would conclude with a cliffhanger ending, and then switch perspective leaving me jarred. Slower scenes would move to a crawl giving details that appear insignificant. I understand the need to build the world of the story through exposition but, again, some details appeared only to prolong the suspense. Provide some trimming to these scenes and the book adapted to a faster, thrilling pace that would have made for an exciting read.
When the thrills are amped up, the book is at its finest. There are multiple twists in the plot, times where you are left guessing as to what is happening. There is a huge twist that happens within the first half of the book that completely blew me away. I was left reeling for a few chapters after, thinking about the consequences of the new information. The Wife Between Us adequately uses the medium's shroud of mystique to convey a constant sense of mystery. Even the book's synopsis "Assume nothing" promises that the title will be more than your standard fare of the female protagonist-led story. In that way, the book does not follow the tropes of The Girl on the Train: there is no sudden lapses of memory, no rampant alcohol problems. In fact, the main females are strong, sympathetic characters who rise above the usual weaknesses of their fictional counterparts.
I have a hard time seeing how a movie of this book will be made. The mystery depends too much on the reader not knowing certain things that a movie would reveal automatically. However, given the strong story and memorable plot, I still plan on seeing the movie if by curiosity alone.
starrwad's review against another edition
5.0
Holy cats. If you like the real twisty ones, read this immediately. Don't get too comfortable. I even purchased an audiobook copy so I wouldn't have to stop reading while I drove around doing errands.
It's almost depressing, how good it is, because I know I'll never be able to get to this level of thriller with my own WIP.
It's almost depressing, how good it is, because I know I'll never be able to get to this level of thriller with my own WIP.
krhea17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mmhender2's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A thriller that will keep you reading. I read this right after another thriller, so I anticipated one of the twists that was similar. But the end got me!
Could have been 50 pages shorter and just as good. Also the main character's key motivation was frustrating, yet understandable
Could have been 50 pages shorter and just as good. Also the main character's key motivation was frustrating, yet understandable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
sundeviljewels's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! A great choice from the December BOTM.
I was captivated the entire time. I was a little confused 🤷🏻♀️, but it all came together in the end.
I appreciate the strength of females, and watching out for one another!
I was captivated the entire time. I was a little confused 🤷🏻♀️, but it all came together in the end.
I appreciate the strength of females, and watching out for one another!
alliesawicki's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
I enjoyed this book from the very start until the very end.