I just finished reading "The Good Wife", by Gemma Rogers. Thanks to NetGalley, Gemma Rogers and BoldWood Books for an advanced copy in return for an honest review. This was an excellent book. I was not expecting to be so into it because it seemed at first like a recycled plot...but it wasnt.
The story follows a young wife named Chloe who is married to the most revolting human imaginable, Tom. He is not a nice man and CHloe longs to escape. When she finds out he is having an affair with a call-girl she approaches the woman and offers her a deal. The deal, if it works will be her ticket to freedom...or will it?
What I liked about this story was that it moved quickly and the main character was completely rootworthy. Even the mistress was rootworrthy. Thats how despicable the character of Tom was. I also loved the ending. It was perfect. Absolutely perfect. Let's just say everyone got what they deserved. This was such a good book that I found it impossible to put down. I read it in one day...basically ignoring al my duties and family to find out what happened.'
If you are a fan of the domestic thriller, then this is the book for you. I can't wait to read more books from this author. Just a warning that there are some possible triggers, especially if you been the victim of an abusive partner.
My congratulations to the author...Well DOne!

What an unutterably absorbing and addictive read! Captivated from the beginning, I was quick to read this as I could not wait to see what was next. Well-developed characters, smooth reading and a stunning conclusion make for a great read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc. Imagine being so controlled by your husband, you are too terrified to leave. He tracks your phone, picks out your outfits, and makes you eat exactly ten bites of food each meal. But it's risky to try to leave. He's caught you before. This one was a good plot.

I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Good Wife’ written by Gemma Rogers in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Chloe and Tom have been married for three years but lately he’s become so controlling that he insists on arranging appointments to improve her appearance, choosing what she wears and insisting she eats only ten mouthfuls of food per meal. When Chloe learns by chance that part of his promotion at work is a session with a high-class escort called Savannah she makes contact with her hoping for help to get away from Tom.

‘The Good Wife’ is a brilliantly written psychological thriller of a domineering man who thinks he can turn the woman he married into a wife good enough for him by controlling her every move, abusing her physically and limiting how long she can be away from home. The characters are so perfectly described that my hatred for Tom grew with each page I turned and although I wished Chloe had been a stronger person I could understand why she didn’t want to anger him. The novel has a cleverly thought-out storyline with short chapters that made me want to keep reading, and a conclusion that had me totally consumed with glee at how a person can get his comeuppance and deservedly so. Thank you, Gemma, for letting me read this latest novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

When Chloe attends a Mend dinner party with her husband Tom who has recently been made the youngest director in the company’s history she knows all the rules she has to follow and has been doing really well eating only 10 bites of each plate served to her but when she has to get up to visit the ladies room she knows Tom will not be happy but when you gotta go you gotta go. In the bathroom is where she meets redheaded beautiful savanna while talking to the redhead she notices she has a raffle ticket with the number nine on it and when she asked her what’s Bing raffled off she says “I am!” Back at the table when the women and men separate she soon learns Tom won the raffle and showed her a check for €5000 but what he doesn’t tell her is he also got to sleep with Savannah and that he wants to do it again. Call however isn’t stupid and she soon figures out that he is sleeping with Savannah but Claude is an angry about it at all. Tom is very controlling leaving her list of things to do that day for checking expiration dates on the cans of food to other mundane mindless task and then she doesn’t do what he believes a good wife should do he punishes her by locking her in the house taking away her flip phone ET see. She soon comes up with a plan an ask her husband’s paid mistress to help something savanna agrees to do because ultimately savanna has a plan of her own for the men of Mend, but when there is trouble at the company the pressure is on Tom isn’t happy and soon close plan backfires Tom is soon wanted for murder and letting Chloe live her life is not something he is prepared to do. Will Claude ever get away from Tom or is she doomed to be with him until the day she dies? I get so excited when I see this author has a new book out in The Good Wife did not at all disappoint I have read enough books to know you cannot take for granted just because you enjoy want to buy an author that you will enjoy all their books but as far as Gemma Rogers books girl I have enjoyed all of them. As far as this one I definitely recommend that it is a great book that will keep you on the edge of your seat more than once I thoroughly enjoyed this book I cannot say it enough it is a book that any thriller fan I believe would definitely like. I want to thank the publisher and net Galley for my free arccopy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

This was my first read by this author and although I enjoyed the story it could have done with a bit of the wow factor and I found the ending a bit abrupt

Excellent! This was my first Gemma Rogers book, but it won't be my last. I was hooked right at the start. It was like a soap opera, but fast-moving and full of thrills. What a ride!

Chloe Beswick is "The Good Wife". She is trapped in her marriage by her controlling husband, Tom, who dictates everything she wears, eats and does. He watches everything and always seems to be a step ahead, so how will Chloe get away? Chloe is a meek, but likeable character, and I found myself rooting for her throughout the book. It goes at a good pace, with surprising developments and revelations from beginning to end. There are lies, betrayal, fraud, sex, physical and emotional abuse, revenge as well as a few genuine friendships. I could not put it down! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the digital ARC.

Tom is a controlling and abusive husband to Chloe. Chloe is desperate to leave Tom except he would never let her go. Until one day Tom wins a lucky ticket that puts him right into the arms of an escort named Savannah. Chloe goes to all lengths to get Savannah to talk Tom into leaving Chloe. That is until things go terribly wrong for Tom.
It was so-so for me. It needed a little more “wow factor”. Became a little redundant and predictable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the ARC.

My unrestrained thoughts: Tom can rot in hell for all I care. And his parents too, because he is probably like that because of them.
Now, onto a little sophisticated review – it may contain tiny spoilers!

TW: Domestic violence, unwanted sex, sexual assault, foul language, and abuse.

Gemma Rogers weaves her magic in her latest novel, The Good Wife, where harmless charm hides abuse, and seething anger hides under obedience! The Beswicks look like such a perfect couple – Tom provides, and Chloe nurtures. She is a good wife – she cooks, cleans, and is always present to cater to her husband, Tom. But we get to know soon it’s all a façade, and Chloe is trapped in a controlling marriage. She is isolated from everyone and forbidden to work, meet friends, or just, you know, live.

Help comes in the form of Savannah, an escort she meets at Tom’s company dinner. She’s just the woman Tom would leave her for – what if she paid her to make him fall for her? The plan is soon set in motion, but what follows next is something neither Chloe nor Savannah anticipated. But it’s too late to reserve anything…

I absolutely devoured this book! Tension lurked on every page, underlined with subtle suspense, mystery, and dark humor. I had to stop myself from reading ahead just to see what was happening – it was that addictive! For all the spice lovers (with a dash of cheating), there are more than enough sex scenes. But they were necessary for the plot and were succinct enough to not take the attention away from the story.

The characters ran the show, and everyone contributed equally to the narrative. But I was more fascinated by Chloe’s characterization. I rooted for her, felt nervous and scared for her, and eventually celebrated with her. There were times she frustrated me because she could’ve easily escaped numerous times. But I also know how years of control and conditioning can make you afraid to stray out of the line. It was this frustration that told me that her portrayal is realistic and impressive!

This thriller book gives proper justice to its genre. You can say it has become one of my favorites now!


What I liked

Everyday setting: The story wasn’t extravagant – it was a (not-so) ordinary life of an ordinary couple. And for someone who loves reading stories where something big happens every other page, the book surprisingly held my attention. Unironically, it was fascinating to see how Chloe, and even Tom and Savannah, navigated daily life, even when they were going on runs, meeting parents, or attending to clients. I felt the book read like a personal diary of the three characters, and well, who doesn’t like to snoop into others’ lives?

Tom’s portrayal: Let me reassure you that I hate him – what I am hinting at is I liked the way he was characterized. Making a bad character truly deserving of hate is difficult – which is why I am able to sympathize with a lot of villains. But Tom… oh, he’s utterly despicable. He’s a monster hiding under a charming façade, and he feels so real that I won’t even realize if I’d pass by a Tom while jogging, running errands, or shopping. He can be found everywhere, even in the members of your family. And that’s what I was utterly impressed with.

Savannah’s innocence: I know Savannah is an escort, but there are times when I saw her as this innocent student trying to make ends meet. She was sensual when she wanted to be, but even then, her innocence never left, and it was endearing to see. I don’t know how Rogers maintained that perfect balance between sexy and innocent but it made Savannah much more appealing. And then that little hint in the epilogue – Chloe and her being friends? Oh, we love to see it!


What I wasn’t impressed with

I didn’t feel much difference between the tones of the three perspectives. In fact, if the names weren’t mentioned in the chapter titles, I don’t think I would’ve gotten the fact that three people are narrating their stories. It’s not big of a deal for me and I settled into the book rather quickly, but it was something that bothered me for the first few chapters.

The ending was also something that didn’t sit right with me. After all the delicious buildup, the conclusion seemed abrupt and chipped away my joy at seeing Tom get what he deserved. Even though the perpetrator was hinted at in the epilogue, it just didn’t make sense that Anita would be the one to attack Savannah. It just reasserted how good husbands are lured by prostitutes (that’s what Anita calls her) to make them cheat on their wives. When it takes two to cheat.

But looking past it was easy because I was fiercely happy that Chloe was finally free and ready to turn a new leaf! I would’ve also loved to see what happened with Savannah and Lewis… someone tell the author to write her story, or I would have to resort to writing a fanfiction on her.


My final thoughts?
Full of drama, vile characters, and breathtaking twists, The Good Wife is definitely an unforgettable read. You won’t be able to put it down until you finish it and are left with a cathartic satisfaction. It does contain a fair share of triggers, so check the warnings before you proceed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
#netgalley #arcreview

Talk about an engrossing fast paced domestic thriller. This story was so full of suspense and tension that I could not put it down.
Meet Chloe, a young wife with a horrible controlling husband named Tom. She has stumbled on a plan to make him leave her, which involves Savannah, a high end call girl. Can they execute their plan before Tom finds out? Things get twisty and dark from there.
Be faired warned, there's domestic violence (both emotional and physical) and pretty graphic sex in this one.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

The Good Wife is an absolutely unputdownable domestic thriller and it had me utterly captivated right from the very start. This was a book that I found myself so absorbed in that I honestly couldn’t put it down . I just had to know how the whole situation was going to end. I had so many theories going through my head. Tom was one of the most despicable characters I have ever come across and I just wanted to shout out to his wife Chloe to run ! There were other characters to some nice and others not so nice. Packed full of tension and drama this is one book that is going to stay in my mind for quite a while. From start to finish this is a complete page turner and I think one of the best I’ve read by Ms Rogers.

“The Good Wife” by Gemma Rogers was a fast paced edge of your seat book. This story sucked me in from the first page to the last page. It kept you guessing and wanting more.
Chloe and Tom live what looks like a picture perfect life. Tom is promoted at work and opens him to a new world. Chloe is a homemaker and takes care of Tom. But when you take a closer look at their marriage it starts to crumble. As Tom is immersed into something new, Chloe tries to make a life for herself. As the story continues who will come out better?
Highly recommend to all

The Good Wife
by Gemma Rogers
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGAlley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Bestseller Gemma Rogers is back with another gripping, page-turning thriller. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Shari Lapena and Lisa Jewell.
New Author for me but I loved it.
I will recommend this book and author.
4 stars

Gemma is one of my favourite authors and I think this could be her best book. It was fantastic and kept me hooked from start to finish. It was packed with characters and I couldn’t put it down. My top read this year so far.

Everything I look for in brilliant thriller is right here, in this book!

Tom controls everything that Chloe does, from what she wears and where she goes, to the ten mouthfuls she may eat from each meal. Tom works for a company which is very much “boys club” and they actually raffle off an escort, Savannah, at their company dinners, right in front of the wives!

Gorgeous Savannah might just be the key to freedom Chloe has been searching for…

Full of deceit, intrigue, lies and gripping twists, this was a fast paced book that hooked me in from the very start. Well written characters and suspense in abundance. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Gemma Rogers and Boldwood for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

Wow another gripping page turner. What a rollercoaster of a thriller

Another brilliant book by this author

An unputdownable read that I finished in a day The two women in the story Chloe and Savannah couldn't be any different to each other,one quite and compliant the other confident and differently her own woman,one thing connects them Tom a very unlikeable man who thinks nothing and no-one can touch him.OR CAN THEY?
The subtle hint at the end confirming who was the culprit was genius.
Another great read from the author who has really upped her game with this one.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This shocking thriller follows Chloe, her husband Tom and Savannah. Tom is a finance director at a large company, Chloe is a housewife and Savannah is an escort trying to pay her way through her studies.

Chloe feels trapped in a controlling marriage, her husband dictates her whole life, and she has been distanced from any friends and family.
When the relationship becomes more volatile, she discovers a possible way out.

Tom loves his control over his wife, but after a raffle win at a corporate event his eyes start to turn elsewhere. He must decide what path he wishes to take for the future.

Will Chloe escape? What lengths will Tom go, to get what he wants?

This thriller is very dark and shocking, it has many scenes of domestic violence and control in a relationship, which at times was hard to read but also made the storyline more tense and powerful.

You hear from all three of the main characters as you go through the chapters, getting to know each character’s point of view. I must admit hearing Tom’s side made me despise him even more and feel even more hopeful that Chloe would escape.

Chloe is a strong character, and although sometimes must show weakness to survive has the determination to keep going in an extremely dangerous situation.

Overall, a dark and shocking thriller, where a wife must discover a way to escape her controlling husband.

Talk about a roller pasternak ride of a book! This is cleverly written with so much depth and layers. The characters are expertly brought to life and all so original and fully captured. It has layers upon layers and some really amazing twists. The plot moves forward constantly and I was so invested from very early on. The author did such an amazing job of humanising the characters and really bringing them into their own and showing the many sides people have. Really well written

A great thriller! This was my first read of Gemma Rogers and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I appreciated the multiple POVs throughout the book - it was interesting to read it from Tom’s perspective as you saw the horrific way he treated Chloe.