⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars
I will dispense with summarizing the plot on this one because it’s too difficult to do without spoilers.
My initial reaction to this book was confusion when I first started reading it, yet I was also intrigued. I was intent on figuring out what was truly taking place with a wife, a husband and a mistress, since the back of the book said this:
WHEN YOU READ THIS BOOK, YOU WILL MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. You will assume you are reading about a jealous wife. You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement—a woman who is about to enter a new marriage with the man she loves.
You will assume you know the anatomy of the relationships. Assume nothing.——————
So I did. I assumed nothing. I dismissed from my little brain what appeared to be the obvious and waited patiently to understand what was really going on with these three characters; and I waited….and waited….. And there lies the challenge I had with this book. It peaked and then waned. I felt like not much was happening in the middle and I was getting too easily distracted away from continuing on with it. By this time I was feeling like….
At one point I put it down to start another book, but I continued on with this one and eventually finished it. In the end, I didn’t feel that the main character’s actions were enough to carry this book. Perhaps more involvement from secondary characters or external factors would have made it more exciting?? I don’t really know. It was enticing in some ways at times, but not enough to make me long to pick up where I left off until maybe the last seventy pages or so. And by then I just wanted to know what the supposed surprises would be. There were a few clever twists, but unfortunately the greatest twists took too long to be revealed and I had a feeling of too little, too late.
Overall, The Wife Between Us had wonderful potential, with a few great twists, but to me it was a little disjointed. Had the execution been different I think I would have enjoyed it more. The conclusion didn’t quite compensate for the lead-up. The authors used a fair amount of subterfuge to set things in motion, but by the time I got to the end I felt a little cheated. Apparently from the ratings I am not in the majority as to my feelings about this book, so maybe it just wasn’t for me. Please don’t let my review stop you from giving this book a try since so many others seemed to enjoy it.
Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for a complimentary copy of The Wife Between Us in exchange for an honest review which I have given. Until next time. Thank you for reading.
Good review and even better because you talked about it with no spoilers. I had already decided to pass on this one. I just know too many people with relationship/betrayal issues to want to read about it. I prefer the positive, something that will take me out of reality, not throw me into the depths of personal issues. For some people, however, the book might be fascinating. To each, his or her own preferences!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It was hard reviewing it without spoilers.
The book appears to present one scenario but is different than what is expected. However, the writing just didn’t appeal to me. It just came across as disjointed. Maybe because there were two writers. Many people seem to love it, but there are those who have similar feelings as mine about it.
Thanks for visiting and commenting. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you for giving your own opinion even when it runs counter to others! Honest writing makes for interesting reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely agree with you! In my mind it did not hold up to near the amount of praise it has received. In fact, I think it was written poorly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad I’m not alone in my feelings about this book. It just did not live up to the hype in my estimation. And I didn’t like the writing style at all. In fact, I’m shuddering just thinking about my experience with it.
Thank you so much for your comment, and for stopping by. 😊
LikeLike
Thank YOU for stopping by my blog! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure! ☺️
LikeLike
I understand what you mean about the twists. My issue with the book is almost the same though in my case, I had very high expectations due to all the hype so I ended up being underwhelmed at the end.
Great review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Diana!!
That was my experience as well. The hype was enormous, but the book just didn’t live up to it. But you know what? Even without all the hype, I still would have been disappointed. The cover, on the other hand, is spectacular!!
Thanks for your comment. 😉
LikeLike
Happy new year, I liked your review style Laura, although I liked this book there are things I agree with you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ova. 😊
There were parts that I liked, I just didn’t love it. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
LikeLike
The unreliable narrator trope is iffy for me for this very reason. Sometimes the author tries so hard to obscure what’s really going on that it ends up feeling disjointed and confusing. I won this one in a giveaway and I will read it but I’ll keep my expectations on the low side. Great review!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That was my experience with it Katherine, but most folks seem to love this book. Maybe it just wasn’t for me.
I look forward to hearing what you think about it. Thanks for your comment. 😊
LikeLike
Great review Laurie. This has been a book I have been thinking about based on reviews but have not made a definite decision. I might put it on hold for a while. Sometimes I get those books I really want to like and they are meh. Happens to everyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
So true Carla. I desperately wanted to love this book but in the end it was just an okay read for me. But, the reviews mostly prove me wrong. Give it a shot. You may be one of the ones who love it. Thanks for reading. 😊
LikeLike
Loved “the wife between us”! Such a great, twisty plot 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many did really like it. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate your honest review, Laurie. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jill! It was truly honest. I struggled with this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m on the fence about this one — thanks for sharing this review… helpful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome Jay. You might love it since many others did. It was just kind of all over the place for me.
Vacation put me behind on my reading commitments. But rest assured, I’m getting to yours. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
No worries! When you have time. I still need to get back to you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
No worries on that front either Jay. ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly how I felt! I got confused, but that first twist major pulled me in. I still didn’t think it was a thriller at all though. Not to me anyway. Great review! 💖😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mischenko!! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year Laurie!
I struggled with this one in the beginning too!
Here’s to awesome books in 2018 that leave us breathless!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! ☺️
LikeLike