Reviews

Woman on the Edge by Samantha M. Bailey

filemanager's review

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4.0

3.5 stars

julia11's review

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4.0

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for goodreads.
I devoured this book. I read it in 8 hours and I did enjoy it. I wasn't blown away by any of it but it was a quick and easy read.

It starts out with Morgan going about a normal day when a woman thrusts a baby into her arms and jumps in front of a train. The POV alternates between Morgan and the baby's mother, Nicole. It's a race to figure out what caused a woman, who seemingly had it all, to the edge.

It was an interesting premise and was very easy to follow. There were times that reality was stretched just a little too much, but the author did a really good job of keeping me guessing. Every time I thought I knew what was happening or who was behind it, my mind quickly changed. I would recommend it to someone who is looking for a quick psychological thriller read.

palmpages's review against another edition

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I’ve learned that good people don’t always recognize evil, because we don’t understand it.

linda_astrid's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The final chapters of the book seem to over explain the story…making it less believable…albeit a satisfying outcome 😉

rmarcin's review

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5.0

I really enjoyed this book of a young mother frantic and desperate who shoved her baby into the arms of another woman and then falls into the path of a moving train. Nicole is the successful CEO of Breathe, a company she began. She is a new mother, her baby girl is named Quinn after Nicole’s mother.
Morgan is a widow, her husband committed suicide after he was exposed for fraud. Morgan desperately wants a baby.
This is the story of two women who are connected by their love of children. However, Morgan doesn’t understand why Nicole selected her. Nicole doesn’t trust those around her- her husband Greg, her brother Ben, or even her best friend Tessa. She is also terrified of Donna, the mother of the child Amanda who died years earlier while in Nicole’s care. This is also a story of greed, desperation, postpartum depression, and manipulation. You will be guessing and second guessing yourself throughout the book. The author plants several clues to make you suspect multiple people. There are a few times when I thought I knew, but then something would lead me in a different direction. I was correct, but I doubted myself on many occasions.
I look forward to reading more from this author. Great debut!
#WonanOnTheEdge #SamanthaMBailey

judithdcollins's review

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5.0

EXCEPTIONAL AUTHORS. STANDOUT BOOKS. ELEVATOR TALK. Check out my Q&A Interview with the Author. Go behind the scenes with the fabulous Samantha M. Bailey and her latest knock-out debut thriller #WomanontheEdge —Exclusives and fun facts about this new rising star in fiction!

Engrossing, Heart-Pounding, Compelling, Explosive!

Samantha M. Bailey delivers a spellbinding debut that captures you from the first page and never lets you go until the satisfying conclusion.

WOMAN ON THE EDGE is assured to keep you “on the edge-of-your-seat.” A complex emotional, psychological suspense thriller from a talented new voice.

Three words: “Take my baby.” Can you imagine someone handing you their baby? You may think, does the mother need an extra pair of hands to get something out of her purse, a bottle, or what?

Set in busy Chicago at the subway platform, mother Nichole Markham approaches another woman, Morgan Kinkaid, who is a social worker.

There is no time to think. It is a jerk reaction. When someone asks you to take their baby, you try and help, right?

However, something dreadful happens. The woman jumps right in front of her after she hands her the baby. Shocked, Morgan cannot believe what is happening. She cries out for help. Why did the woman jump? Why would she hand her the baby?

Horrified, she replays this tragedy. The woman called her by name? Who is this woman? She said, “Love her for me, Morgan. Don’t let anyone hurt her.” How could this be happening? What was the woman running from?

From this point on, the author masterfully guides us through the time of before (Nichole) and present (Morgan).

We learn Morgan’s husband recently committed suicide (Ryan) after being convicted of embezzlement. She was the wife of a thief and a suicidal coward. She always wanted to be a mother. And she is a mother handing her baby to her and ending her own life?

Later Morgan notices a post-it-note with the name Amanda on it.

The author carefully unravels the life of Nicole. Nicole was a successful businesswoman and CEO of Breathe. She was also married, had a best friend, a brother, and a co-worker.

Nicole had a troubled past. An incident with a baby that was under her care when she was a nanny years earlier. Was that mother after her? Is that why she was running, or could it be her husband? What about her brother or her friend? Did Ryan have a connection with this family?

Morgan is determined to find out what drove a desperate woman to drastic measures. Her life depends on it. She cannot stop thinking about the baby. Of course, she will not be allowed to keep the baby and not understanding why its mother thought she could keep it safe.

Now Morgan is in trouble, and everyone thinks she pushed her. However, things are not as they seem in the Markham household. Who can be trusted?

There are many suspects and red herrings, and the tensions are running high. When the will is read, there is another shocker! Then, Detective, Karina Martinez, who investigated Ryan’s suicide, is now involved in this case. Morgan must keep sleuthing to clear her name and find out whoever was scaring Nichole, plus they may be coming after her and baby, Quinn.

Readers will be turning these pages, racing to determine the mysterious connection between these two women! You will think twice the next time you are on the subway platform and your morning commute.

Cleverly written, the author draws you into the complex world of both these women and gives them a sympathetic voice. What a great book with more twists than you can imagine! Very thought-provoking and would make an ideal selection for book clubs and further discussions.

Readers will be rooting for Morgan and little Quinn to the very end. From the striking front cover to the well-written plot and cast of well- developed characters, this is a 5 STAR debut and cannot wait to see what comes next!

I devoured WOMAN ON THE EDGE! I started it and could not put it down! The audio went with me in the car because I did not want to miss a thing. Fans of Mary Kubica, Christina McDonald, and Heather Gudenkauf will find a lot to like here!

Hard to believe this is a debut; however, if you read Samantha’s bio and praise, Impressive! you can see why this novel reads like an award-winning author (that she is – a gifted writer). No wonder she writes with such grace and finesse. Move this author and the book to the top of your list. Highly recommend!

Thank you, Samantha, for a satisfying read and wonderful addition to a weekend. Top Books of 2020!

PS I loved reading the acknowledgments, and that the book took over six years to write. Congrats, Samantha, a hit! You were meant to write this book. You should be proud. Much gratitude—I am honored and humbled to be included and recognized in your list of bloggers and readers.

A special thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased the audiobook by Simon & Schuster Audio, The narrator, Katherine Fenton, delivered an award-winning performance!

#JDCMustReadBooks

susanthebookbag's review

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5.0

Wow!! This book grabbed me from the very first words and held me captive to the very end.

This story is a thriller at its best—edge-of-your-seat, page-turning, and heart-pumping. I devoured this book. I couldn't stop reading, it was that suspenseful. I'm extremely impressed by this debut novel and look forward to more books by Samantha in the future, hopefully soon.

kgnade's review

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5.0

I received an advanced reader copy of Woman on the Edge from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion.

Woman on the Edge by Samantha M. Bailey is a story about the lengths a mother will go to to protect her child. Nicole Markham, a successful CEO and new mom has been struggling. While on maternity leave, she’s been striving to be the best mom possible to Quinn but has been neglecting herself. Those around her have offered help, but Nicole won’t accept any help.

Morgan Kincaid’s life suddenly changes one evening while waiting to take the train home- a stranger thrusts her baby into Morgan’s arms before jumping in front of a train. Hoping to become a mom someday, Morgan finds herself the prime suspect in Nicole’s death.

This debut novel was hard to put down and was a quick read. Told in alternating perspectives, you get sucked right into Nicole and Morgan’s lives. If you loved Behind Closed Doors, you’re going to love Woman on the Edge – available tomorrow, Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

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sorrytodisturbyou's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

3.0

novelesque_life's review against another edition

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3.0

RATING: 2.5 STARS
2019; Simon & Schuster Canada

A woman thrust her baby in your arms and tells you she picked you to take care of her baby, and then she jumps. That is the exciting start to Woman on the Edge. The story continues with the alternating storylines of the woman who jumped (Nicole), and the woman, Morgan, who has Nicole's baby, Quinn. This was a fair mystery, but the "woman on the edge" storyline kind of became old over time. As I read the novel, I had major deja vu as it borrows from other books, including the ending.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***