Hmm... an interesting concept and idea but ultimately left me a little cold with its numerous “twists” and lack of real characters that you could empathize with.

Vanessa Thompson is our main character and narrator throughout the book. Hiding a somewhat troubled past that has shaped who she is, after moving from her hometown in Florida to New York she meets and eventually marries Richard, a very wealthy and handsome funds manager. A perfect husband so it seems from the outside but he too has suffered trauma in his early life which too has shaped his character.

Richard apprently wants the perfect life. The perfect wife with the perfect home and children to match. As they struggle to conceive and Vanessa starts fertility medication and starts to drink heavily she notices things about her husband that are far from perfect and she begins to wonder is he really the man she thought she married? She withdraws from life, spending hours on end alone in her big house, drinking and letting her mind wander. When she thinks she has found out that Richard is having an affair and they eventually separate, she is determined to make sure that the wedding to her “replacement”doesn’t go ahead. She has to warn off the new bride about who her husband may actually be. But is he? Can she trust her own hazy mind? Is she paranoid and seeing things that aren’t there or is her husband really a monster underneath who needs to be stopped?

This one is a weird one. It’s an interesting premise and flows quite nicely for the first half of the book or so as the story is fleshed out. Then a bombshell is thrown in and you find yourself reading back to make sure you were keeping track of things. You see we only have Vanessa’s word as to what is really happening and even she doesn’t trust herself to recollect everything correctly. Anyway I went with this “twist”and continued on. The story being told by Vanessa both in the present and the past, as it goes on she becomes increasingly sure of her train of thought and is convinced that her husband has abused and manipulated her for years. It’s part of his dark character and she has to stop him before he inflicts the same on his next partner and soon to be wife Emma. We the reader though have our nagging doubts as can we really trust Vanessa’s recollection of things?

I enjoyed this somewhat but to be honest the numerous “twists” were irksome and the story felt like it took an age to conclude. None of the characters were particularly easy to empathize with and Richard felt like a very two dimensional character. The ending was especially annoying as it meandered on for a few more chapters than it should have, tying up every lose end in a nice bow and throwing couple more reveals right at the end that felt forced and thrown in as an afterthought.

It seems to be getting rave reviews across the board so maybe it’s just me but I found this one just ok. Interesting concept and ideas behind it but a little clunkily told with too many “twists” for its own good.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Overwrought

This isn't my style of book, a psychological thriller that tries to build suspense by darting all over the landscape with snippets of information and heavily veiled hints like a jump cut movie.

I suspect, though, that the general public will eat it up.

I received a review copy of "The Wife Between Us" by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.com.

Ahh, this book. This book right here is just pure amazement. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen is exactly what you are looking for if you want to read a thriller that will twist, and turn you until you don’t know which way is up.

Told in three parts, this story will make you assume one thing, then slap you in the face with reality. The first part blew my mind, the second part made me cringe, and the third part was impossibly, frustratingly, tormenting. From now on, instead of book covers claiming they are the “Next Gone Girl” they are going to be shouting that they are the Next The Wife Between Us”, because this book has just dug a grave for Gone Girl, bye bye Amy Dunne.

In the beginning of this book, we meet Vanessa who has just divorced Richard after a tumultuous marriage. She’s living with her aunt, and she’s trying hard to pick herself up by her bootstraps, even though she’s drinking too much and trying to find ways to get Richard to not marry his new girl.

Then we meet Nellie, who is excited to marry Richard, she’s working at the Learning Ladder as a preschool teacher, and as fate might have it, meets the man of her dreams on a plane. It’s not really a big deal if he was already married, or older than her, it only matters that he treats her like a queen.

Why did Vanessa and Richard divorce? If the truth comes out, who will be found guilty of multiple sins? What will happen to Nellie? I can’t tell you any more about this book without giving something away, so my best advice is to go pick it up RIGHT NOW. Are you still reading this? Well stop, go go go. As a matter of fact, I’ll even help you: Amazon. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars, I just…there are no words.

The Wife Between Us is one of those thrillers where you're better off not knowing much about it prior to reading. I enjoyed the slow burn of the first half. I could really sense a gradual escalation of tension but wasn't sure what it was building toward. A great twist/reveal practically resets the entire story. Shifting perspectives at different times, sometimes for the same scene, slowly come together to present the true reality. Or is it? Some questionable, perhaps unreliable, narration causes some confusion, purposefully I believe to further some plot themes. I was a little disappointed in the ending, think I was just wanting more. I thought a very late twist fell flat. It fit, but would have had more impact had it been better incorporated earlier. Overall, the presentation of the story may be more clever than the story itself. I did like it. 3.5 stars.

ARC compliments of St. Martin's Press via Netgalley.

I just completed The Wife between Us, this is an awesome book. It keeps you interested throughout, the story is told very well, the writing is excellent and it keeps you longing to find out what is coming up next. You think you just have a dejected wife that is bitter from a divorce but then you find out she has a completely different side and agenda. And the ending gives you another different spin on the tale coming out of nowhere. This is a great book, it will go in my top 10. It does get a little confusing sometimes when they're going from past to present but the author wraps it up so well in a tidy package in the end. I would highly recommend to my friends. I thank the publisher and Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to have an early copy. Awesome!!!!

This is another of those 'Gone Girl' kind of books but in this case, it's a GOOD one! The beginning was confusing yet intriguing and kept me glued to the book. There were plenty of twists and turns right up to the end. This is one of those books I didn't want to put down until I had read it all. I loved that the story surprised me a few times. I won't tell any of the story in my review - I don't want to spoil it for readers! This is one I'll tell all my friends to read. I'm giving it 5 stars!

This domestic thriller plots the story of the ex- and the next wife of Richard. Told from both viewpoints, the story starts a few weeks before Nellie is due to marry Richard. She’s a preschool teacher and he’s a hedge fund manager. You learn quickly that something bad has happened in her past, but not what.

Flip side, Vanessa is the ex. So when Richard decided he wanted out, why did she leave the marriage with hardly anything so that she’s now forced to work at Saks?

There are lots of questions right from the get go. I was initially sympathetic to both women. And immediately suspicious of Richard.

This book grabs your attention. I thought I knew where it was going. So, I wanted to keep reading to see if I was right. The first twist threw me for a loop. I mean I was literally confused. I’m not sure how, but I keep thinking there might have been a better way to handle this.

And the twists just keep on coming. The book definitely gets more suspenseful as it goes along. Yes, I had part of this right, but several of those twists were totally unexpected. Overall it’s a fun read and think anyone who enjoys a good mystery will enjoy this.

My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

I did not finish this book. The writing was extremely heavy-handed and lacked all sense of subtlety. The very first pages were a massive info dump of backstory for the main character, all while she's turning over in her sleep for a moment. It tried very hard to be mysterious with this strange occurrence that happened in her past. The result, however, was boring and it just made me roll my eyes instead of pushing me to keep reading.

I loved this book. It made you think about what was happening. Was the main character, Vanessa, crazy? Was her husband a stalker? The book was wonderfully written and I loved the ride that it took me for. A great thriller, mystery book that will leave you satisfied and wondering what the heck happened in their pasts!

The reason why I’m extra tired today… is that I stayed up past my bedtime reading this amazing book that is WORTH ALL THE HYPE. This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year (and since it doesn’t come out until next month I am SURE it will top all of the best thriller lists for 2018). There were at least 2 big things that I didn’t see coming which almost never happens anymore with me. This is HUGE.

The book is about a recently divorced woman who feels as if she is being replaced by his ex-husband’s new fiance and she becomes rather obsessed. As the book continues, you learn more about her past as well as her present. I loved the way the story was told and I really loved how I was surprised. I can’t help but to say that another highlight for me was that one of the character’s is a Chi Omega and so am I. I know that my IRL book club will love this book so I cannot wait for January 9 when it comes out. .

This book has gotten SO many good reviews from what I can find. I don't know how. This plot was incredibly predictable. Nothing new about it at all. It didn't keep me in suspense whatsoever. I wish I could recommend this book to others but no such luck.

The Wife Between Us is a fun, fast-paced read. It was honestly exactly what I needed to help get me through the beginning of the cold weather. I didn’t mind staying inside curled up in bed with a cup of tea, my dog by my side, and this book in my lap.

Not only is this book highly addictive, but it somehow always keeps you on your toes. Just when you think you’ve got the story – and its characters – all figured out, think again. Authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen have an uncanny ability to always keep their readers guessing.

“It sometimes seemed as if it – he – were a bit scripted. But it didn’t matter. Richard was caring, charismatic, and accomplished. I fell in love with him almost immediately. And I never doubted that he loved me, too.”

At the center of the plot exists kind, successful, and loving Richard. He wants nothing but the best for his soon-to-be wife and the future they are going to create. But just like the other characters, there is more to him than meets the eye.

Then there’s Nellie – a smart, hard-working college graduate. She works two jobs and shares an apartment with her best friend in the city. When Richard promises to give Nellie everything she could ever want and more, she chooses to place her trust in him and never look back. However, Nellie has a secret to her past – one that just might shake up her future.

Vanessa, on the other hand, is the woman that Richard divorced. With her failed marriage looming behind her, she has nothing to call her own besides a few pieces of outdated designer clothing. Moving in with her aunt, Vanessa spends most of her days wallowing in liquor and regrets – all the while envisioning her ex-husband with his new fiance, or her “replacement”, and of course – plotting ways to stop Richard’s marriage.

The Wife Between Us is more than a story about a jealous ex-wife or a marriage gone wrong. Just as the synopsis says, Assume nothing. I will say, however, that this is a story about fear, manipulation, and most of all, truth.

Countless twists and turns left me breathless – and with an insatiable desire to see what would happen next. Beautifully written with an intricate plot that is often times misleading but all the while thrilling, The Wife Between Us is one of those books you should be excited to read – and even more excited to share.

Thank you to the St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Readers’ Copy and giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts with others!

Please read my full review at http://lipsticknliterature.com/2017/12/18/most-anticipated-reads-of-2018-the-wife-between-us/

This book is not your typical psychological suspense. When you begin reading, you will think it is a very stereotypical “wife scorned, out for revenge” novel. Trust me, IT IS NOT. Throw out any preconceptions you may have of the betrayed wife suspense novel, you will be wrong. I can usually figure out the twists in plots about half way into a book, not so with this one. These two authors keep you guessing all the way through, take twists and turns to a whole other level. They will send you on an amazing journey through a veritable labyrinth as they tell the story. I did not see any of the reveals coming, and almost bought into the read herring. You will find yourself stopping to ponder a reveal, possibly even rer-reading just to take it all in.
Mark my words, this will one of the top books of 2018.

This book keeps you guessing at every twist and turn! When the plot summary says assume nothing, they are right! You spend the first part of the book thinking you understand what's going on and then the next section flips it upside down. Then you can't stop reading because you have to figure out what the heck is going on. Then everything changes again! It's an amazingly well written psychological suspense read not to miss!



I did have to reread parts here and there to make sure I was keeping everything straight (especially at the end) which kept me at a 4 star rating for this one instead of 5--sometimes it was a little jumpy and hard to follow. I also had to re-read the epilogue to make sure I had figured it out. But wow! What an ending! But the need for rereading could've been because I was reading so fast to figure out what happened! It did leave me with an unanswered question or two (if you've read it and know me, you know what I'm talking about!) but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

This book kept me on the absolute edge and didn't let go until I read the mind blowing ending! The author did an amazing job keeping me intrigued and in suspense throughout the entire book, though I must confess that I was beginning to catch on. This is for any fan of Girl on the Train and like - minded books!

Very engaging storyline, and I loved the surprise twist. A bit slow to start, but it really draws you in as you continue to read. Highly recommend!

A free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
With the reviews this book was getting, I had much higher hopes. I wouldn’t call this a thriller, more a mystery, and a slow burn one.
After finishing this book the cover and description make so much more sense. Good job marketing!
Vanessa (Nessa) is having a hard time letting go of her ex-husband Richard. So she of course stalks him and his new fiancé. We are tossed between past and present, between Nessa and Nellie. I found myself interested enough to keep reading but at the same time bored because I say the ending coming by page 100.
The characters were not easy to like and the constant clothes name branding that happened for no reason at all was just boring to read about. How many times did I read “Chanel with a dented button” and “it was 4 seasons out of date”.

Whoa... What did I just read!?!?!

This had to be the most twisted, mind-blowing love triangle that I have read in quite some time! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, each page kept me guessing until the very end!

“In my marriage, there were three truths, three alternate and sometimes competing realities. There was Richard’s truth. There was my truth. And there was the actual truth, which is always the most elusive to recognize.”

Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen have a winner in this one... Absolutely brilliant writing that will definitely leave you speechless! Really looking forward to reading more from these two in the near future.

*I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Such a complex, twisty-turny story, it’s nearly impossible to summarize it without ruining it. So, I won’t. What I can say? It’s rather brilliant. Every chapter, I think I’ve got my finger on what’s going on, and then I begin to question again. Is she crazy? Is he abusive? Why is she following the new fiancée? Are her intentions good or bad? Who is this early girlfriend? What is with his sister? What really happened in Florida? OMG, WHAT IS HAPPENING?!? And then I finally figured a few things out and thought there were no secrets left to be revealed, but no. Of course not. Where would be the fun in that?

Honestly, I don’t know how to talk about this book without giving something away! It’s the lack of surety that makes the book so great. And it’s so character-driven, I struggle to say anything about any of the main characters that won’t give up the goose.

How about this: I loved Aunt Charlotte. Everyone should have an Aunt Charlotte. Aunt Charlotte is everything she seems to be. She is alone in that. ;)

So, when you pick up this book (and you should), be prepared. It’s topsy-turvy and a bit disorienting. If you feel like you don’t know which end is up, keep reading and enjoy the ride. It isn’t going to be what you expected. It’s better.

Okay, so I have to admit I was a little nervous when I started seeing my fellow reviewers compare The Wife Between Us to Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl. Even though I loved Gone Girl, not many of the novels that have been compared to it since its rise to popularity have lived up to the hype. And boy have there been a lot of them. I’m thrilled to say that not only does The Wife Between Us live up to the comparison, but I enjoyed The Wife Between Us even more than I enjoyed Gone Girl. I think we’re looking at what is going to be one of the must-read books of 2018. I also recently read that there is already a deal in place to make it into a film and I’m really excited about that.

I know this is the part of my review where I would typically describe the book without giving away spoilers. In the case of The Wife Between Us, however, I can’t really do that. To write any kind of description of even the basic plot points and characters would just spoil it. So all I’m going to say is just know based on those Gone Girl comparisons that you’re diving into an addictive psychological thriller filled with twists and turns and complex characters, and that there are also questions regarding narrator reliability. Most importantly, as the synopsis indicates, assume nothing!

LIKES

My favorite part of The Wife Between Us is that it really did keep me guessing from beginning to end. I read the synopsis, which told me to ‘assume nothing’ because everything I assumed would be wrong. And then I proceeded to jump right in and start making assumptions anyway. The book just lends itself to that and no matter how hard I tried to keep an open mind, I continued to make snap judgments about characters and situations, and yes, as the synopsis warned, I was dead wrong every time. And that may sound like it should have been a frustrating reading experience, but I LOVED every page of it. Nothing about the story was predictable and that was just fabulous and refreshing.

There is one plot twist about halfway through that was such a shock to me that it made my head spin. I actually had to backtrack a few pages to make sure I had read what I thought I had read. It was truly mind blowing!

The characters in The Wife Between Us are also so well drawn. They’re complex, flawed, and utterly human, and unlike in many of the Gone Girl-style books, they are actually quite sympathetic in spite of the unreliable narrator issue. I won’t go so far as to say that I liked any of them, but I did feel tremendous sympathy for what at least one of them was going through.

The book also weeds into some dark territory as we navigate the various plot twists -- mental illness, addiction, abuse, jealousy, the struggle to let go and move on after a failed relationship, etc. All of this dark subject matter weaves together seamlessly into an enthralling tale that you won’t be able to walk away from until you know the whole truth behind ‘the wife between us.’

DISLIKES/ISSUES

The only thing that kept this from being a 5 star read for me was that the pacing felt a little inconsistent before that huge plot twist vs. after it. There wasn’t a huge difference but just enough that it was noticeable in terms of how quickly I moved through each half of the book.

I also can’t say that I was 100% satisfied with the book’s resolution either. I’ll be curious to see if that is tweaked when it is made into a film.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Wife Between Us is a mesmerizing thrill ride that will keep you guessing from beginning to end. I would definitely say to go into it knowing as little as possible for the most suspenseful reading experience possible. As the synopsis says, ‘Assume Nothing.’

RATING: 4 Stars

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and of course, authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen for allowing me to read and review this book on my blog in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacts my review.