Samantha Frayn falls for Peter Bridges immediately. A lecturer at the University where she studies, Peter is older, sophisticated and charming. He sweeps her off her feet with fine wines, jazz music and his beautiful home. Peter changes Samantha’s life when he asks her to move in with him, but as she spends more time around him, she realises how controlling Peter can be…..

This book was fantastic!! If you want a thriller that keeps you well and truly perched on the edge of your seat, then look no further! The opening chapter introduces us to Samantha Frayn and Peter Bridges on their honeymoon. This chapter alone was enough to ensure that I wouldn’t be putting this book down until I had finished it. When the story moves back to two years previous, we get to see how Samantha and Peter met. Their relationship did all seem a bit ‘inappropriate’! I’m not opposed to there being big age gaps between people, but the thing that brought chills down my spine was the fact that he was a lecturer and she was a student (although granted, she wasn’t one of his!). I could understand why Samantha found him attractive though. Coming from a less privileged background, she was faced with a big house, a flashy car and no expense spared on a very lavish lifestyle – who wouldn’t be tempted by this!

The characters were all great. There were some you didn’t like, some you did like and some you just couldn’t work out! In fact, all of them probably had a little bit of all three! I really liked Samantha’s character, and did feel for her at times. I so wanted to her to open her eyes and see what was happening but she was hypnotised by this man! Interspersed between the main story were chapters of another character, Lottie. Her significance wasn’t explained until much later on, but everything did slot into place…..believe me!!

I have to admit, I did get to a quarter of the way through the book and wondered where it was all going. I even resorted to explaining the story so far to my husband to see what he made of it all! I knew there was going to be something more sinister, but couldn’t figure out what that was! This was what made this book so mesmerising! I just had to find out what was going to happen, and the only way to do that was to not put the book down until I’d finished it!

It was a brilliant psychological thriller, and definitely matched up to previous books I’ve read by this author. I think I would go as far to say that this was probably the best book I’ve read by her yet! There was so much suspense, intrigue, mistrust and lies that I just couldn’t keep up! Highly recommended!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 ok stars

This was a tad disappointing for me. I couldn’t really gel with any of the characters, in fact I didn’t really like any of them.

It lacked the suspense of the author’s previous books and there was no real hook to grab me.

I enjoyed the second half much more, it got a bit darker and I liked the change in Sam.

I’ve read one previous book by this author and loved it so of course I couldn’t resist jumping into another.

This is the story of Samantha a young student who falls quickly for her lecturer Peter. Although people warn her she’s too blinded to see what’s happening.

This is gonna be one of my top reads of this year as it really was so good. The characters are relatable and the storyline is believable,

If your looking for a well written psychological thriller then I highly recommend you read this gem.
I’m so looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Samantha is a young, self conscious college student that, along with many other students, is enamored with Peter, an older, sophisticated professor. She is blown away when he takes an interest in her! Before she can blink, she has moved into his glamorous home and has a daughter, Emily, with him. At his urging, she takes a job as a creative writing lecturer. After classes, she begins to receive anonymous notes that have a sinister undertone - and all contain warnings about Peter. She starts to notice how Peter gets angrier more easily and it doesn't take much to set him off. But this is a man who has changed her life and has given her everything she could ever want - love, security and a family. He can't be that bad, right?
I loved this book! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out ultimately how it all ended. I will definitely be reading more by this new-to-me author!
Thanks to S.E. Lynes, Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC of this great book!

The beginning was pretty slow & I found the first few chapters hard to get through. But shortly after, I was hooked. I did not like any of the characters, but that changed towards the end as well. Overall I enjoyed this read & will be looking forward to other books by this author.

College student Samantha Freyn meets professor Peter Bridges at a mixer, and she can't believe the handsome, sophisticated professor is interested in her. She thinks it's love at first sight and he quickly asks her to move in with him. Their whirlwind romance also soon results in a baby, Emily. So what if Peter is set in his ways and expects Samantha to do things a particular way? He loves her. He even helps her get a job teaching creative writing at the community college. But when threatening messages start to appear, Samantha realizes that there might be more to the story than meets the eye.

This was the first book I read by S. E. Lynes, and I really wasn't sure what to expect. The premise sounded fascinating, and I love a good psychological thriller, so I figured The Women would be right up my alley. Sure enough, it starts out as a gripping and compelling read. However, it does become quite predictable, and the split narrative felt a bit half-hearted. I was also hoping that Samantha's character would become a bit more developed towards the end of the story. Regardless, I think the fast pace and compelling nature of The Women will appeal to a lot of psychological thriller fans.

WoW! This book has everything I want in a thriller. It's unputdownable. Be prepared to be glued to this story! I won't give anything away so just read it!!

Fast paced and lots of twists. One of the best I've read.

"The Women" S.E. Lynes

At least the third time I read this author. I love her!
Her way with words, the way to tell a story... A M A Z I N G !

Samantha, in her early 20s, gets involved with an older lecturer Professor named Peter Bridges. She can't believe someone like him seems interested in her. Things are going great. He's caring, loving, doing things for her, is being kind and nice and everything a woman wants in a man. Things go very fast. He asks her to move in, she barely hesitates. Then things start to change, he makes her feel bad, making her do things for him, he's being rude, manipulative, controlling, and abusive. But he always has an excuse for his behavior, of course, she is to blame! She feels trapped... and pregnant...
Then she starts teaching and new characters, students, come along, with them come some secrets...

I felt so many emotions, I wanted to smack that guy's head! I felt so sad and bad for Sam.
I loved the thriller/mystery side of the story as well. It felt like it was several stories and it was great to see the connection between them, characters, past and present...

Well written, good pace, interesting story with good plot and twists and secrets...

S.E Lynes never disappoints!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book grabs the reader from the very first page and doesn't let go. There are so many secrets and lies and deceptions going on, I had no idea what to think. The characters were realistic and it took a while to decide who to believe and trust. The worry and dread for the main character mounted with every turn of the page. This psychological thriller is well worth the read. I have read another by this author and she is becoming a go to for me. Highly recommended!

This is just the type of read I enjoy, it is a multi layered story that had me gripped.
After rushing into a relationship Samantha finds out that some things are too good to be true. I found Samantha to be quite gullible and naive at the beginnin, but I enjoyed how her character developed throughout the book.
I found Lotties character really intriguing and I would have liked to have more of the chapters told from her perspective.
The Women was a great read and I will look forward to reading more from S.E Lynes.

Samantha is in her early 20's, considers her self a true feminist. She is at a student mixer at her college and she see the all impressive Professor Bridges (Pete). She is star stuck by him as are many girls on campus. She has never had him as a teacher but she knows of him. She is about to leave when he stops her. Offers her a drink and then offers her an exit. To go somewhere they can chat. Little did she know this simple act would change her life forever.

I enjoyed the book, although a bit predictable at times. It had a good suspense factor to it. In the beginning Samantha was a very weak woman. Conforming to he way Peter wanted her to do things. Even if she disagreed with him. It wasn't till the end with the push of two woman did she put a plan into action to take her life back. This is where it gets predictable.

I most enjoyed how she prevailed at the end. She didn't let him keep control, she took it back. I enjoyed it when she became stronger, started acting like the feminist that she claimed to be. Who doesn't like a woman who wins? Its the game of life.

S E Lynes is an author that I get very excited when a new book comes out - she never disappoints, Her books are just so damn good! They really are the type of books that you struggle to put down as the stories suck you in and have you needing to know what is going to happen next. The Women is absolutely this book once again - it was engaging and at times frightening that these thins can happen to people. The characters are so realistic and I was at some points wanting to scream at Samantha! An excellent psychological thriller that any fans of this genre need to read.

Samantha has her whole life ahead of her - she is studying at university when her life changes forever. At a student mixer one night she meets Peter Bridges - an older, very handsome and charismatic professor. She catches his eye and before she knows it she is moving in with him. Slowly this is when things change and she starts to see the real Peter. He is controlling, has a temper and treats Samantha quite badly. It is only when she starts a casual teaching job that she starts to learn more about her partner and his past. Then the anonymous letters start and they seem to be warning for her to get away from him. Is she being paranoid or is he manipulating her in ways that she can't even begin to imagine? The ending of this book had me cheering out loud - well done Ms Lynes - another triumph!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

Samantha is flattered when older lecturer Professor Peter Bridges takes an interest in her. After a whirlwind romance she moves in with him, but soon Peter begins to change.

This book is so engrossing from the first page to the last, and the tension builds up gradually. It is a story of secrets and lies, and revenge. It is a book about the strength of women, and the power of friendship. This is another brilliant book by S E Lynes. Can’t wait for the next!

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book and remember what it was like to think you knew everything at such a young age . Pity the women had to unfortunately meet this man . Great story with great characters its a pity I guessed the end , hence only 4 stars. I would recommend this book though

A great read from start to finish. Lots of twists and turns and unexpected outcomes. Strong characters and a great setting. A fab story

This is the first book that I have ever read by this author and I am so glad that I did! I will be adding more of her books to my TBR shelf. This is the type of book I really enjoy reading, the build up was a slow type of burn. The story gradually gained momentum until the last 3 chapters and that is when everything kind of clicks and falls into place. The first few chapters were a little bit slow for me but then I settled into the story and found myself 1/2 way through the book (the 1st day I picked it up). I really enjoyed how the main character really found herself (when it seemed she had lost what made her...her). I would definitely recommend this book. I think it would make a great beach read.

*I received an ARC (from NetGalley & the publisher) in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! S.E. Lynes takes you on so many twists and turns I was pretty surprised by the end of the novel.

It’s not hard to gather that Peter is a manipulative man. As he closes in on Samantha with promises of a beautiful future his past and present come to a head.

I didn’t think I was going to enjoy this when I got started. The first couple of pages are littered with Italian places and words; it felt like I was reading the book in a foreign language. It also felt too over descriptive for my liking. I usually give up on books straight away if they go into minute detail of everything around rather than getting into the story. However, it is only the first couple of pages and a few, later on, when back in Rome so I could cope with that. It did become more intelligible and easier to read as the first chapter progressed.
The end of chapter one hooked me straight away, what had happened to Peter and Samantha that they ended up at this juncture in their lives?
The book develops slowly with Samantha receiving a note, then another and then building everything up to substantially more sinister events. The book feels like it is finishing about two-thirds of the way through as we get some answers to what is happening, but there is still so much more to come.
Everything that is revealed is hitting both us, the reader, and Samantha around the head. There is so much to be uncovered. How she didn’t go insane and remained so calm is beyond me. It was all very shocking and was revealed exceptionally well. Overall the book was very well-developed and written, and I will be looking into more of this author’s books. I really enjoyed it.

I love the kind of thrillers that hook you in from the start and keep the momentum going with every page turned. Sadly, this was not the case for me while reading The Women. The start of this book, while fantastic fizzled out for me halfway through. Revealing the 'psycho' midway through this book probably was what did that for me.
When young and shy Samantha sees the dashing professor Peter Bridges at a party she's smitten by him, so when Peter notices her and asks her out she can't believe her luck. Things quickly move exponentially when Peter ask Samantha to move in with him. Peter transforms Samantha’s life in an instant. Samantha knows that Peter is really looking out for her and has her best interests at heart so why does she feel so controlled at times? When she receives an anonymous note that makes her ask: is she the first woman to feel trapped by Peter? Is she being paranoid, manipulated, or could she be in danger?
I did enjoy the way S. E. Lynes builds up the paranoia with the anonymous notes. I also liked the characters, however, it was a bit hard to reconcile to the fact that the demure, softspoken Samantha would change her colors and go all out on Peter in the end (he definitely had that coming, but still?) Also, I thought that the story was told from alternating points of views - Samantha & Lottie's . But the "Lottie chapters " just stopped abruptly, so that felt a bit weird as well.
Thank you, NetGalley, Bookouture & S. E. Lynes for an arc!.

This was a really interesting read- Samantha is a young woman just getting ready to graduate from University when she is at a school mixer, and ends up talking to a Professor- the one all the girls have a crush on. Older, handsome, sophisticated, drives a really nice car. He is the whole package. She is swept off her feet in a night of wonder and magic. In a whirlwind romance she ends up pregnant and they have a child named Emily, and move in together. But living with the professor reveals a different side of him- the controlling, cold, perfectionist she has never seen before. When he encourages Sam to go back to work shortly after the birth of their daughter she isn't totally comfortable, but she has gotten used to doing what he asks of her. While teaching, she starts to uncover even more secrets about the professor- who really is this man she married? Is he safe? I really enjoyed this story, the character development is really well done. I love Samantha's journey from naïve young grad student to a strong woman who will do anything to protect her daughter. Would definitely read more from this author. Thanks Net Galley for allowing me the opportunity to review this title!