I think the synopsis of this is a little misleading. This is way more about the 'shadowy figure' and Sophie's relationship with Emilio; you don't even find out the wife is technically missing until over halfway through the book.

I found the mystery to be pretty obvious, but it was entertaining enough. I felt like the book could have ended ten times before it actually did. I kept looking at how much time I had left and groaning because it was dragging so badly.

The romance part turned me off I was also gagging at the MC and how pathetic she is; followed by being quite stupid. I had to quit. I wasn’t interested in spending time with either of them. Sorry

I've been reading Sue Watson's books since 2018 and I have to say, HIS FIRST WIFE is one of her best works to date. The story grabbed my attention from the start. I liked that it took place in Italy and that were a lot of secrets throughout the story. The narration was perfection. Sometimes that can alter the story for me, but this narrator did not. I didn't know what or who to believe and when I got to the ending I was really surprised. If you want a fun thriller to listen to, don't hesitate and grab this audiobook on release day!

Many thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for my gifted ALC.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to publication day.

The story had a lot of potential, with a suspenseful setup and an intriguing mystery surrounding Emilio and his wife. The premise pulled me in, and I was curious to see how it would all unfold.

However, I really struggled with the main character, Sophie. Her decisions often felt frustrating and irrational, and I found it difficult to connect with her or sympathize with her situation. At times, her behavior made it hard to stay engaged with the story, and I found myself more annoyed than intrigued.

That said, the pacing was decent and there were a few twists that kept me turning the pages. It wasn’t a bad read, but it didn’t quite deliver the tension or character depth I was hoping for. A decent thriller if you’re looking for something light, but not one that left a lasting impression for me.

This story was suspenseful with a slow unraveling and little plot twists sprinkled throughout the book. 🤩 I enjoyed the mystery and the misleading characters. The narration was great as well. 😊

Whew, this book had me side-eyeing every charming man with a mysterious past! His First Wife serves up a tall glass of red flags with a side of Sicilian sunshine. Emilio? Gorgeous. Smart. Intense. Absolutely the type you should run from in the first five pages.

Sophie, girl… I wanted to shake you. I get it—vacation romance and all—but when the "perfect man" has a missing wife and people start warning you off him like he’s a walking true crime podcast? Maybe listen.

Sue Watson kept the suspense sizzling with just enough twists to make me question everyone—including Sophie herself. It’s fast, addictive, and the ending made me gasp out loud. If you're in the mood for a psychological thriller with Mediterranean vibes, grab this one.

Thank you Sue Watson, Brilliance Audio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

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