Thank you Net Galley and Bookouture for an ARC of The Wife. I have enjoyed other books by this author, but this one was tough. For the most part, it was an easy read, but it didn't seem to be going anywhere. I didn't really care about Zoe or what she was going through. Yes we finally find out what happened, but it seemed so contrived and unbelievable to me. like WHAT? The epilogue was not needed either. Sorry I didn't enjoy it more, but I will give this author another try next time.

The Wife by Shalini Boland Didn't even remotely imagine that ending happening. Intriguing and engrossing physiological domestic thriller. Numerous twists and turns where no one is who they appear to be. Very fast paced and exciting read.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

This is my first book by Shalini Boland, and after reading this, I am definitely going to be reading more from this author!
It all started where Zoe passed out the day of her wedding, and that day remained 'hazy' even 10 yrs later. She now has 2 kids, and a great relationship with her mother n law, which she thinks is great d/t having lost her mother at a pretty early age. Also, she wasn't close to her dad, and sister. All this to say, this book was great, and had so many unexpected twists. I couldn't put it down, and read into late hours of the night, just to find out what happened.
Thanks to Shalini Boland, and netgalley for an ARC in return for my honest opinion.
#TheWife # NetGalley

When Zoe fainted on her wedding day ten years ago she never knew the reason why. She always felt that something bad had happened, she just couldn’t remember what. Now Zoe and Toby have been married for ten years, have two children and they are planning a ten year anniversary party for all their family and friends back in the hotel where they were married. But as the party draws closer Zoe catches Toby lying about where he has been, her friends seem to be ignoring her and now someone is spreading stories that may stop the party from happening at all.

This was an excellent read. As soon as I started reading I couldn’t stop! I loved the storyline and all the characters. I knew where the story was going and how the ending would be but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book in any way.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ten years ago Zoe fainted at her wedding. She later found that she was pregnant and put it down to that however there is a blank part of the day missing in her memory. Now she is trying to organise a party for their ten year anniversary and things are not going according to plan. Her husband is being secretive, her best friend is avoiding her and an old school friend is crashing the party. Her sister went missing around the same time and Zoe now thinks she has seen her or at least someone who looks very much like her. We get some chapters from then (10 years ago) and others from the present time. Poor Zoe feels very alienated by the people she loves. What on earth is going on and why does everyone seem to be against her in one way or another? I really enjoy Shalini's books. A seemingly domestic story has that edge of uncertainty which grows and the tension builds throughout the book. You can't help but like Zoe who comes across as a perfectly normal working wife and mother and wonders why all these people are against her. A clever concept, a well thought out twist. Another page turner that kept me on the edge of my seat. 5* from me
(rest of links as part of blog tour)

On what should have been one of Zoe’s happiest days of her life she comes to on the hotel floor dressed in her wedding finery to concerned faces. She’s always felt the day was ruined as a result, but her husband and in-laws have assured her that everything is fine. She was most likely stressed and skipped breakfast. But something just beyond her reach has been with her since that day. Namely why all her in-laws were in her bridal suite when she came to.

Fast forward 10 years and Zoe is still married to Toby, 2 wonderful kids and super supportive in-laws including a new sister in law courtesy of Toby’s brother Nick marrying her and bringing her into the family fold. And now Zoe ten years later is back preparing for her 10th wedding anniversary party at the same venue where her wedding took place.

Still harboring some disappointment that her little sister Dina who was off traveling at the time and was a no show at her wedding and her man of few words Father who hasn’t been the same since his wife passed away, Zoe to this day feels more accepted by her close in-laws . She is determined for her anniversary party to be everything her wedding wasn’t. A do-over of sorts. Even though the last decade has brought happiness to her and her family despite not having had further contact with her younger sister and still not as close to her Dad as she’d like to be.

As the date of the party approaches strange things are happening. Madeline who just last week went to the venue to enjoy and choose appetizers (along with mother in-law Celia who Zoe counts on as a second Mom) starts to act decidedly cold to Zoe, even going so far as to cancel a weekend that Zoe and her family were supposed to watch Madeline’s children cancels abruptly to leave with someone else from their children’s school, failing to respond to her texts or calling her back and freezing her out when they meet along with another shared friend. What’s worse, Zoe sees Madeline and Toby leaving Zoe and Toby’s home together when Zoe knows Toby was supposed to have been elsewhere. But Toby has another explanation for what Zoe thinks she saws. Also, the rumor ring is in full swing when the impending arrival of Zoe’s former best friend comes back to town. But most disturbing and hurtful of all, Zoe is certain she’s spotted her estranged sister Dina around town and if that’s the case, the missing person’s file Zoe had opened with the police all those years ago means Dina truly wants nothing to do with her.

With not much else she can do to fix any of the above problems Zoe looks forward to her anniversary party with dread but puts on a brave face and hopes for the best.

On the eve of the party drama ensues and Zoe is alarmed when she thinks some of the current missing pieces begin to resurface. But is it really? Or is it the beginning of the end where nothing makes sense.

A good paced story with plenty of intrigue and characters, the novel does not disappoint as once again, I didn’t see that ending coming although just like Zoe I was starting to put some of the pieces together. A highly enjoyable read that will keep you guessing. Is there any better kind?

Another good read from Shalini Boland. Special thanks to Netgalley and Bookoutre for this fun and suspenseful read.

I’m a dedicated reader of Shalini Boland and am sad to report that I was rather disappointed in this latest one. There was a good plot in there somewhere but got lost in padding, unfinished secondary storylines and a terribly unsatisfying and preposterous ending. I will wait for the next one.

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Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the advance copy of Shalini Boland's "The Wife"

Zoe fainted on her wedding day, and she never knew why. She’s always felt sure something bad happened. Ten years later, she’s going to find out what…

The story follows Zoe in her current busy life, troubles and tribulations- all amidst her upcoming 10th wedding anniversary party.
It also follows 'then' which is Zoe on wedding day 10 years ago and subsequently the time after the wedding (10 years ago!).

The storyline is well written and easy to get into, not gripping but I kept going back to it every night and I didn't forget the storyline like some books of late.

The plot twist you can I'm afraid kind of see coming as time goes on, but none the less I really did enjoy the little turn around right at the end, this had me smiling! Clever and conniving!.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Wife" by Shalini Boland and would definitely recommend this read! 4 Stars from me ****

A bride awakens from a faint while getting ready for her wedding, only she doesn't remember what happened that causes her to faint. This book has more twists than a maze. The farther you get into it, it just keeps on twisting. The chapters go from the present to the past giving us pieces of the bride remembers until it all comes crashing back. I was as confused as the bride until the reveal. I really liked this book.

#TheWife #NetGalley
Thanks NetGalley, Bookouture and Shalini Boland for an ARC to review.
Ten years ago Zoe fainted on her wedding day leaving behind a blank slot regarding what happened before she fell and hurt her head.
Now, planning her ten years anniversary in the same hotel she had her wedding her peaceful blessed life seems to reel off way suddenly.
Is she becoming paranoid or the stress of planning the anniversary along with the memories it brings back are having a toll on her?
A fast paced, full of twists book where you'd think you had figured it out only to get shocked with the truth.
Is it better to keep living oblivious to what truly happened or face the truth and get your life as you knew it shattered to pieces?
I'm so looking forward to pursuing more books by Shalini Boland after reading this,

'The Wife, another brilliant unputdownable thriller from Shalini Boland.
The story begins on the day of Zoe's marriage to Toby Johnson.
Zoe faints just before the ceremony; she wakes to find Toby, Celia (Toby's mother) and Nick (Toby's brother) standing over her with concern looks on their faces. When asked, Zoe cannot remember what caused her to faint, maybe it was going without her breakfast or nerves due to the big day! Feeling disorientated and queasy, she assures everyone that she is well enough to go through with the service.
Ten years later, Zoe is arranging an anniversary party to celebrate her ongoing love and devotion to Toby for the beautiful life they have made together. When Zoe feels all the plans are fusing into place, her world is turned upside down when she sees Madeline (Nick's wife) and Toby leaving their house in the middle of the day, was that a friendly peck she saw or more!
A well-written plot with plenty of twists and turns, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would highly recommend.
I want to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and author Shalini Boland for a pre-publication copy to review.

Another 5 star read from Shalini Boland. I absolutely love every single thing this author has ever written.
Pick ANY of her books, you can’t go wrong.

I loved The Wife, the latest book from Shalini Boland. Zoe fainted on her wedding day and she’s never known why but she’s always felt something bad happened. Now ten years later she’s planning an anniversary party to celebrate with her husband, family and friends. However as the day draws closer it seems not everyone is in a celebratory mood. Her husband is lying to her, her best friends are ignoring her but will Zoe find out the truth?

I was hooked from the first page. It’s gripping, tense and thrilling. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

Thank you Net Galley and Bookouture for an early copy of The Wife. Whenever I see Shalini Boland has a new book coming out, my heart pounds, I cannot wait!! This one was one of her worst books written. Very elementary school writing. The plot was a very good one but she missed the mark on The Wife. I was very disappointed but she’s one of my favorite writers and I’ll always have a pounding heart when I see she has another book out to read.

The Wife
by Shalini Boland
Bookouture
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 09 Sep 2020 | Archive Date 09 Sep 2020

A 5 star read from Shalini Boland! I am definitely putting this author on my to-read list. Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture for the ARC. It met my expectations!

Thanks netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book, I always enjoy a good thriller and this was bug I took a long time to get to the real thriller part of this book.
Zoe married the love of her life Toby but prior to the wedding she fell over and banged her head on a table, and after that she felt very dizzy and did not temember why she fell over.
Zoe got married and felt under the weather during the whole day, she eventually felt better had her honeymoon and got on with her life having two children and a job she enjoyed as a hairdresser.
Until one day her sister in law started being unfriendly towards her, and so did her friends.
Zoe could not understand why and got very upset.
She started having memories of her sister who had gone travelling, and wondered where she was.
As days went on Zoe started having memories of her wedding day, and then she remembered what Had happened to her sister.
Her then perfect in-laws and husband was not going to let that happen and Zoe’s life was in danger. We

Wow this book packed a punch. Didn't expect the twists that it had.
I am so gonna be putting the author on my next to read list

Wow! Right when I thought I had it all figured out... plot twist that blew all my thoughts away. “The Wife” did this over and over keeping me glued to my seat and unable to put the book down. This is the second book I have read by Shalini Boland and I can’t wait to read more.

Don’t let that generic title and book cover fool you. Shalini Boland has been a winning author of mine for quite some time, and she does NOT disappoint with THE WIFE.

Zoe faints on her wedding day...about an hour prior to walking down the aisle to marry Toby. She has no recollection of what happened right before, but when she wakes up after passing out (with a bump the size of a small Monte Carlo on her scalp), she agrees with those around her that it must be due to nerves. Ten years and two children later, she’s going to find out what really happened during that time leading up to her wedding.

This book is expertly plotted, and there are unexpected twists. I had to suspend just a bit of disbelief in the last 15% (mostly due to a few unanswered red herrings). All in all, I would definitely recommend to those who enjoy a quick, suspenseful tale that keeps the momentum.

Thank you to Bookouture, Shalini Boland, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Could not put this book don’t once I had started it, had me completely gripped. Brilliant book, full of surprising twists and turns, definitely worth reading.