This is my first book by this Valerie Keogh and I could not put it down, it was excellent.
Natasha and her new husband invite 3 couples to holiday with them on a luxury cruise ship and what follows is the holiday from hell.
The story was full of twists and turns as lots of secrets were revealed. Lots of the characters had a motive and I had no clue which way the story was going to pan out.
A brilliant 5 star read and I can’t wait to work my way through this authors previous books.
Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Valerie Keogh for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Natasha is tired of working as a nurse so when she meets Daniel she thinks he will make the perfect husband, ,,,but Daniel has secrets she doesn’t know!
He offers her friends a free cruise. What each don’t realize is each woman has a reason to want Daniel dead — so who murdered him or did he just pass away?

A good psychological thriller although I found it a bit slow in parts. Overall the characters were good and well described but for me personally it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC which I would recommend if you are looking for a good, well written book.

This was a very slow burn, hard to get into until the end. The ending was kind of disappointing to me I was expecting more since it was such a slow burn. The idea was great just not executed as well as I would have liked.

The Wives by Valerie Keogh is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of friendship, trust, and the dark secrets people often hide. The story revolves around five women—Imogen, Ruby, Naomi, Anabelle, and Grace—who are part of a close-knit group that meets weekly for drinks and dinner. On the surface, they share a sense of camaraderie, but as the novel unfolds, it becomes clear that each of them harbors deeply buried secrets.

The novel’s tension builds slowly as small hints are dropped, leaving readers to piece together the puzzle of each woman’s life. Keogh skillfully portrays the intricacies of the women’s friendships, showing how envy, suspicion, and insecurity can erode trust. The characters are distinct and well-developed, though not always likable, which adds to the novel’s intrigue. Imogen, in particular, stands out as a complex character whose life unravels as she becomes suspicious of her friends and her own past.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is the way Keogh plays with the concept of unreliable narrators. The story is told from Imogen’s perspective, but as the plot progresses, readers begin to question her perceptions and mental stability. This element of doubt heightens the suspense, making the twists and turns more impactful.

Keogh’s writing style is taut and engaging, keeping readers on edge as the layers of deceit are peeled away. The pacing is steady, with a few sharp turns that will leave readers stunned, especially as the novel builds toward its shocking climax. The themes of betrayal, guilt, and self-deception are explored effectively, making this a psychological thriller that is both tense and thought-provoking.

While the book excels in creating suspense, some readers may find the ending a bit too abrupt, with certain threads left unresolved. However, this ambiguity could also be seen as a reflection of the unpredictability of human relationships and the complexities of the mind.

Overall, The Wives is a chilling exploration of trust and betrayal, with enough twists to keep fans of psychological thrillers thoroughly engaged. Valerie Keogh has crafted a dark and suspenseful tale that will linger in the minds of readers long after they’ve turned the last page.

Rating: 4/5

I always enjoy Valerie Keogh’s books and this was no exception I loved it. It gripped me from start to finish could not put it down once I started that was me hooked. I enjoyed the writing style and the way the characters were written. It was a thriller full of secrets lies and deceit. I can’t wait to recommend this excellent thriller and all of this author’s previous books as they just get better and better. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this great book.

I found this book a bit slow and was speed reading towards the end just to find out the ending. The wives did have a few tangled lives that were interesting to read but the whole book just didn’t gel together for me . I love this author but I’m afraid I didn’t think this was one of her best

Nice easy read. Characters were easy to get to know. Did find certain aspects of the book a little unbelievable such as the main character quitting her career she’d worked so hard at to be a kept woman and the ending was not what I was expecting

You can always count on Valerie Keogh for a good thriller, and The Wives did not disappoint! I was especially excited to dive into this one since I LOVE vacation thrillers, and the cruise ship setting added an extra layer of claustrophobia that really worked for me. The sense of being trapped with characters who all had their own crazy secrets kept the tension high and made it impossible to predict where the story was heading.

Each character, from Natasha’s friends to their husbands, was distinct, which made them easy to follow and even more intriguing as the suspense built. With multiple POVs, the book delivered some pretty wild reveals that I didn't see coming. It’s a super fast and easy read—I had a tough time putting it down! Keogh definitely kept me guessing, and I was shocked more than once. If you’re looking for a crazy adventure, this is one thriller you need to pick up!

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Valerie Keogh for the ARC of The Wives.

I love cruises and thrillers, so I was excited for this book. Unfortunately, it was a letdown. It was alright, but definitely not my favorite thriller/mystery. I liked the fact that The Wives had multiple POVs throughout. It was fast-paced and the chapters were relatively short. The cruise ship setting was great and I think Keogh did a good job with the details.

There were so many characters, yet not a single one of the eight were even remotely likable. It was hard to believe that the wives were even friends due to how they treated/talked about each other throughout the book. I found myself having to go back to remember who lied about what and try to keep it all straight. It seemed everyone had “killer tendencies” and honestly I could’ve believed any of them did so. There were a lot of clues throughout the book that could take you in the wrong direction which did make it more interesting. There was a nice little twist in the end I didn’t see coming, so that was a plus.

The Wives
By: Valerie Keogh
Pub date: November 6. 2024
Publisher: Boldwood Books

I loved this novel about best friends. Most best friends have been through the ups and downs of life including marriage, children and perhaps divorce and death.
This one friend 3 friends who go on a cruise. The recently married Natasha and her husband Daniel give her friends and spouses an all-expenses paid cruise.
As the cruise embarks and excursions are planned things go horrible wrong. One of the husbands ends up dead!
So many delicious secrets held by everyone provide so many motives. This book is one delicious ride.

I love Valerie Keogh’s books and she is definitely one of my favourite authors. I was super excited to read this book and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I was hooked from page 1 and was kept guessing right up until the unexpected ending.

Book Title: The Wives
Author: Valerie Keogh
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: November 6, 2024
My Rating: 3.3 Stars
Pages: 299

Natasha is a nurse and although she loves her career – but doesn’t love being a bit financially strapped at her age
When she meets rich, handsome and charming Daniel her thoughts are he will make the perfect husband and she is fine with being a trophy wife.

Natasha likes Daniel and loves his life style but knows she is not in love with him but the perks of being his wife seem to outweigh that. When Daniel asks her to marry him, she accepts.

Daniel surprises Natasha with a cruise and wants to know her friend better so tells her to invite - her best friends Barbara, Tracy Ann, and Michelle and their husbands to come along on the cruise at his expense.

Since this is a thriller as you might expect the trip just might cost more than what any of them ever imagined...

We find out more about the friends and their secrets via a chapter from their POV. We also learn they all have connections to Daniel.
• Michelle and her husband Dan
• Barbara and husband Ralph.
• Tracy Ann and Blake

I am a big thriller fan so this story pulled me in immediately.
However I soon found the characters unlikable.
This is my tenth: Valerie Keogh novel.
Her psychological thrillers have never been a disappointment- however there was something missing for me in this one. The ending wasn’t the big shock I was expecting

I know Ms. Keogh typically has a signature ending!!! “ She loves to leave us reader with some doubt!! In this case, I got thinking - I sure must have missed something!
But I am definitely looking forward to her next thriller!

Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this this great early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 6, 2024.

LOVED this book. From start to finish, it kept me hooked and the gut-punching twist at the end shocked me to my core.

Valerie does it again! I always love a thriller set on a tropical island so there was that but also the fact I really had no clear idea just who was the bad guy here. I had my suspicions but was never quite sure. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing and the end - wow. Inhaled this one and now I have the long wait until her next masterpiece. I wish I read slower!

After reading several 5 star books in a row. I didn't expect The Wives to be anything but a quick. Fun. Easy to read book. Which it was. But it was also much more devious than I anticipated. It's the first book by this author I've read. But definitely won't be my last. I'd compare her writing to May Cobb's better novels like The Hunting Wives. On the surface, Natasha's married friends seem like full, boring women. But looks can be deceiving. I promise no spoilers. I encourage you to read this book if you enjoy fun books about friends traveling together with unexpected twists.

The Wives was kinda a slow paced thriller. I did keep reading it to find out what was going to happen. I really didn’t care for any of the characters, but there were a few twists I didn’t predict which I enjoyed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Newly-wed Natasha feels that she has found her perfect match with Daniel. When Daniel books an expensive cruise and invites her 3 friends and their husbands it seems like a trip of a lifetime. During the trip secrets and lies are revealed and Natasha starts to question her marriage. This is a well-written page-turner with lots of twists. The cruise added to the claustrophobia and tensions. A recommended read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC of this book.
All of the characters were very hard to like. They were all very self obsessed with little or no feelings for their "friends ". I found the whole story very flat with little to draw the reader in. Obviously we all knew he had been murdered but I wasn't very interested in who did it because he deserved it.
Not for me at all I'm afraid.

Natasha marries Daniel. He is a successful businessman, and she will be able to give up her job which has sucked the soul right out of her.
Daniel invites Natasha's friends and their husbands on a cruise, but each of them has something to hide. Each woman wants Daniel, but also wants him dead.

I was hooked from the first page of this psychological thriller! Valerie Keogh knows how to write books that keep the readers glued to the pages!
Daniel was a particularly nasty piece of work, and Natasha's friends were no better! Twists galore to keep your head spinning!

I recommend. 4/5 stars from me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.