such a wild ride!!! i could not put this book down!!! it was utterly fantastic!!! 5/5 stars without hesitation!

Another fantastic story from the mind of S.E. Reed. I’ve loved all her YA novels and was excited to see her take on an adult suspense/thriller.

This suspenseful story sucked me right in, and I devoured it in just a couple sittings. I almost immediately thought I’d figured it out, then was certain I’d gotten it wrong, then discovered I was right all along. And the ride to find that out was worth every delicious minute reading. Something I’m really into when it comes to thrillers is motive, and this really delivered for me because there were still plenty of twists and turns beyond the main reveal. It looks like a sequel is on the horizon, so I look forward to my next binge-Reed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

Hannah is a trad wife influencer married to Court. He travels for business a lot but when he is home they basically spend every day making sure his needs are covered. One day a new neighbour arrives, Sophia. Sophia pretends to be Hannah's friend but it's all a cover. Sophia is obsessed with Hanna and wants to have her life... or does she?

If you love spicy thrillers then this is for you!

I don't know if this is what people refer to as spicy, but this novel is essentially some sort of semi-erotic story about a submissive trad wife and her abusive husband. It contains explicit descriptions of positions, body parts, use of the F-bomb as a verb, and even weird mentions of abusing women with a belt.

There was a lot of telling and very little showing. The twists were every trope out there. This is not necessarily bad and I enjoy a good thriller written in accessible language. I simply think there was too much spice for me to truly get into the story and perhaps I inadvertently skimmed through and missed some of the depth.

Influencer Hannah McMillian has the perfect life. Beautiful home, adorable twins and a husband who is totally in love with her, when he is at home that is. The fact that Court is also a billionaire goes some way to making Hannah’s life idyllic.

When the empty house next door gets a new resident, Hannah is keen to find out who has moved in. Soon the neighbours become good friends, with Hannah showing Sophia the neighbourhood and all the best places to shop. Then one or two things start to give Hannah cause for concern. Is Sophia the ideal friend she claims to be or is there a more sinister motive for her wanting to be Hannah’s friend and neighbour?

Not the most captivating read of this genre, it took a long time to get going, and then it just became a little too predictable. Good, solid writing that flowed well, just went to waste on a mediocre plot line.

A perfect beach read when you need to relax and not have to think too much.

2.5*

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

I’m so sad this was a DNF for me at 45%.

I got to part two and kept feeling like I was waiting for things to spread up?

I’ll check out other books by this author because the writing style sucked me in and I loved it immensely, it just read more like a general friendship fiction book with good humor which I also like but this is meant to be a thriller I thought? I may come back and pick this one up again but for now I’m putting this one down. It’s not spooky enough and I need more palms sweating.

If you are newer to thrillers and want to take a step into them I think this is a great one due to the slower pacing. It might become much more intense but this book seemed quite mellow.

Thank you for this ARC! I appreciate the opportunity to leave honest feedback voluntarily.

Maybe I’ve just read too many thrillers, but this one felt incredibly predictable. The premise sounded promising, but the plot didn’t deliver the shocking twists I was hoping for. That said, the writing is solid. It’s clean, easy to follow, and definitely bingeable. If you’re new to thrillers, this could be a great starting point.

Book Review: S.E. Reed – The First Wives
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for my gifted ARC of The First Wives, an addictive domestic thriller set to be released on September 24, 2025.

From the first page, The First Wives had me leaning in. The premise is instantly compelling—two women living in neighboring beachfront mansions, one projecting a life of enviable perfection online, the other silently observing her every move. One of them is a performer, the other a predator. Or at least, that’s what we’re led to believe. S.E. Reed wastes no time drawing you into this sharp, twisted world where appearances are everything, but trust is a luxury no one can afford.

The story centers on Hannah, a woman seemingly living the good life—wealthy husband, luxury home, all the trappings of upper-class stability. But when Sophia moves in next door, Hannah sees more than just another socialite. She sees a potential friend, someone who understands the strange loneliness of living inside a golden cage. Sophia is charming, magnetic, and knows exactly how to mirror someone’s insecurities in a way that feels like empathy. Their friendship blossoms quickly, almost unnaturally, and from the beginning there’s a feeling that something is off. But it’s subtle. Reed doesn’t bash you over the head with red flags. She lets the dread build slowly, like a hairline crack in glass that starts to spread.

One of the strongest elements of this novel is how it plays with identity and perspective. Hannah thinks she knows who she is. She thinks she knows what kind of marriage she’s in, what kind of woman she’s become. But as Sophia’s presence starts to destabilize her life, she begins questioning everything—her husband, her past, even her own instincts. And just when you think the story is leading to a predictable confrontation or betrayal, Reed flips the script. The plot doesn’t just twist—it snaps.

I found myself highlighting passages and rereading scenes, not because they were confusing, but because they were so layered. Reed doesn’t waste a single sentence. Every interaction, every side glance or offhand comment, ends up meaning something. The tension isn’t built on jump scares or graphic violence—it’s built on quiet violations of trust, subtle shifts in power, and emotional sleights of hand. That kind of writing is rare in thrillers, where so many authors rely on plot gymnastics to keep readers engaged. Reed relies on psychology, character, and atmosphere—and it works.

A standout quote: “Some women survive by pretending. Others survive by watching. But the most dangerous are the ones who do both.” That line hits like a warning, and it’s a perfect summation of what this book is really about—how women shape-shift to survive in marriages, in society, in their own skin. It’s not just about deception. It’s about performance, control, and the silent war some women are fighting behind closed doors.

By the time the ending arrived, I was fully immersed—and stunned. Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say that the final reveal recontextualizes everything that came before it. It’s the kind of ending that makes you want to go back and re-read the book just to see the clues you missed. And no, I didn’t see it coming.

If I had one critique, it’s that the pacing in the middle could have been a touch tighter. There were a few scenes that felt slightly repetitive in Hannah’s emotional unraveling. But that’s a minor flaw in an otherwise expertly crafted thriller.

I give The First Wives ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars). It’s sharp, unsettling, and beautifully written, with complex female characters and a relentless psychological edge. S.E. Reed has crafted a smart, slow-burn thriller that doesn’t rely on shock value but instead builds its suspense with precision and care. Fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose, and Tarryn Fisher will find plenty to love here.

If you’re looking for a domestic thriller that’s as stylish as it is sinister, add this one to your list. Just don’t trust anyone while you’re reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The First Wives by S.E. Reed due to be published September 24, 2025.

Two neighboring women. One online as an influencer; one studying every move the other one makes. Hannah thought she knew which one she was. Will Hannah discover the truth about her new neighbor, Sophia?

You may just think you know where this book is going with all the confrontations and revelations. WOW! I didn’t see any of it coming – what a twisted, wonderful thriller when Heather finds out things about her new neighbor and her husband that she didn’t know! Thank goodness for her friends that help keep her sane through all of it – a really great thriller!

#NetGalley #SEReed #TheFirstWives #StormPublishing

This was a fantastic page turning thriller! I honestly expected this book to have more twists and turns and maybe it's just me but I guessed part of the ending almost right away. Don't get me wrong though, I stayed up all night to finish reading it anyways. This was very engaging and the writing made me want to keep reading just to see if I was right or not. It was a great time.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A brilliant read that hooked me from the outset I couldn’t tear myself away! The plot was truly exceptional!

There were many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and this book was simply captivating! ‘The First Wives’ had me glued to my seat… it had everything I look for in a thriller!

I found myself shocked and riveted right to the end. It was perfect blend of mystery and suspense.. You won’t be able to put this down until you’ve finished!

This addictive and compelling psychological thriller by S.E. Reed offered a thoroughly engaging and unsettling reading experience. I was immediately pulled into its central premise, which explores the dangerous game between two women living in neighboring beachfront mansions, where nothing is as it appears.

The narrative focuses on Hannah, who believes she has found a kindred spirit in her new friend, Sophia. Their shared lives of wealth and status seem to create an instant bond, but as I read, I felt the tension mount when Hannah discovers Sophia's lies. The author expertly crafts an atmosphere of paranoia and distrust, pushing me to question every detail of their friendship and what the true motives might be.

The book maintains a steady, intriguing pace, with the layers of deception and past secrets gradually being peeled away. The suspense is masterfully managed, keeping me consistently invested in the confrontation that's coming, all while hinting at a larger truth that will upend everything. The thrilling climax delivers a twist so sharp and unexpected that it genuinely redefines the entire story.

I appreciated the author's ability to craft a story that is both a thrilling mystery and a deep dive into the corrosive nature of lies and secrets. It's a solid choice for those who enjoy domestic thrillers that explore deception and the dark side of a seemingly perfect life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.