*The paragraph at the end of the review marked with an asterisk (*) contains spoilers.

The Wife Between Us is a thriller, and like in a lot of my reviews, I don't like giving synopses for thrillers as I feel it's best to go into them blind. I feel as though I have a lot to say about this book, but at the same time I have no idea how to put my thoughts down. Firstly, the way this book was written did include a few surprises for me, not huge ones, but slight ones that made me think "oh okay, that's the direction it's going in" which I guess is one of the conventions of a thriller novel?

It would be a lie to say I wasn't entertained by this book, because I definitely was, but it wasn't AS entertaining as I had hoped when I first went into it. It fulfils the woman-MC-thriller type book that has been popular over the last few years, but it just wasn't quite as punchy as I'd expect from a thriller. That being said, I've had a quick browse through reviews and plenty of people found it dark and twisty in a way that I just didn't, so if you're into that kind of thing, it's worth giving it a shot, if your thoughts are different to mine, I'd love to hear about them in the comments.

____ spoilers below

*There were many parts of this book where I just felt like I knew what was coming and that I just didn't entirely see the MC's point of view at all. I didn't understand her motives in any way, shape or form. On the surface, I sort of did, but realistically? Not a chance. Firstly, the way she wanted to get out of the marriage just didn't gel with me. Yes, I understand the husband's behaviour and that it needed to be his idea to end it, or he would never let her go. But I didn't see enough of that behaviour from him for it to be realistic, it just felt like our MC was going out of her way to get rid of a man who just didn't seem that interested in her anyway, in my opinion. If somebody can be "led astray" that easily by her clumsily orchestrated plan, she could have just walked away and be done with it. The other motives I don't understand were why she even went after Emma to try to "warn" her. I guess the whole thing just felt unrealistic to me and clumsily put together in a very haphazard way.

A captivating read from the beginning, the characters worked and the story flowed nicely, it was a good thriller, I particularly liked how it was all tied together at the end, no lose ends at all, if you like a good thriller with a great storyline then I can recommend this book

I kind of wish I hadn't read the intro blurb to this book, as I ended up guessing what the twist was, which is always annoying! However, as that happens halfway through the book, I was still intrigued to read on and discover how things had gotten where they were.
Trying not give away any spoilers, this is a decent thriller that reinforces the ages old adage "love is blind". It's well constructed with a good twist halfway through, but for me, it did lose its way a little towards the end.
It does have a great unreliable narrator, who reminded me in parts of Rachel from "The Girl on the Train", in its central character, who will have you scratching your head (in a good way) as to what is real and what is the truth.
As thrillers go, this one is pretty good, just let down by a slightly disappointing editor. Fans of Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train et al, will likely love this!

This was such a clever book and I found it very hard to put down. The plot was just tremendous and had so many twists right up to the very end and I did not guess any of them, they were so good.

Nellie is the narrator of the story and at the start of the book she is divorced from her husband Richard, living with her Aunt Charlotte in New York and has just started a new job as a saleslady in Saks.

We learn all about her wonderful marriage, how she met Richard, how caring he was, how happy she had been and what an amazing life she had led. They were living the dream in a beautiful house, having amazing holidays and this is all brought home to Nellie when she has to serve one of the wives of Richard’s business partner in Saks. She also discovers that Richard now has a beautiful new girlfriend, Emma, a younger version of Nelly whom he is planning to marry.

It is very difficult to go into details without spoiling the storyline which is just so absorbing. Was Nellie’s marriage as perfect as she describes it? Why is she stalking Emma? How much influence does Richard’s older sister Maureen have? There are so many questions that only get answered at the end where everything finally falls into place.

You are brought into this story and almost feel like you are living Nellie’s life for her. There are so many twists and turns and you just cannot work out what the real story is until the brilliant end. Even then there is another twist that I just did not see coming. I would urge people to read this, I thought it was brilliant and will definitely look out for any further books by this incredibly talented duo of writers.

Dexter

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

I really enjoyed this book and really was surprised at the twist half way through , I did find it along similar lines as a couple of other books I've read recently , behind closed doors and the last mrs parish to name a couple but it still had enough originality and pace to keep me interested ! It was well written and when I realised what was happening I really liked Alexandra . Excellent book , thanks for the opportunity

I thoroughly enjoyed this psychological thriller. There were a good few twists and turns that were done so well and I certainly didn't see them coming. It certainly kept me wanting to read one more page and I loved the ending.

Probably the most compelling page turner I've read since Girl on the Train; I loved the way it kept wrong footing me! I'll definitely be recommending this to all those who love a well written, engaging thriller. Great!

A brilliant addictive book that I couldn't put down!!!! Gripping until the very end when the perfect twist reveals itself. We see the story of Richard and his perfect wife 'Nellie' - given the perfect life by her rich husband things end up going wrong and he leaves her for another woman - her replacement
Emma. The story unfolds to give the reader gripping background to what seemed the perfect marriage - jealous ex wife or someone trying to make sure the new bride to be doesn't end up in the same place as her . Loved this book and can see it being a best seller and made into a movie 5* reading at its best !!!

A cleverly written psychological thriller with plenty of twists where you least expect them. Believable characters that draw you in and leave you wanting to know what happens next make this a very un-put-downable book. I thoroughly enjoyed every page and didn't guess the final twist.

"ASSUME NOTHING"

This is a very cleverly written book indeed and one which will stay with me for a long time. I assumed a lot of things throughout the book - I will never assume anything again. I was hooked from the first page (I love when that happens) until the last sentence. Highly recommend this one.

I'm one of those readers that's always sceptical when I come across a book that's receiving a lot of hype on social media, and if I'm honest I normally avoid them like the plague, as I nearly always find the hype doesn't quite fit with my expectations and I'm often left wondering what all the fuss was about. Well I must say The Wife Between Us deserves all the hype surrounding it and much more, in fact this is one of those books that you want to shout and scream about to all and sundry. It's one of those books that will make you question everything you read and everything you think you know.


Some books write such lengthy book descriptions that give far to much away, but fortunately that's not the case here, despite the vague book description I still made assumptions from the opening chapter, assumptions that surprisingly were way off the mark. I'm not usually one for giving away spoilers, but I must confess it's one of those books you want to reveal all just so you can discuss every minute detail of this deviously plotted tale. You may think a story about a husband, wife and a mistress is hardly original and I would agree with you there, but authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen have written one of the most original psychological thrillers I've read in a long time. The tension in The Wife Between Us is intense and it pretty much stays that way to the last shocking chapter.

Hand on heart The Wife Between us is one of those book you just have to read “just one more” chapter, extremely well written the authors have created a psychological thriller that stands out from the norm, its twisted, deviously plotted and one that is full of surprises, It's not often a book can keep me guessing right up until the last chapter, and I think that's why I enjoyed this book so much as the authors constantly wrong foot the reader by throwing in well placed twists. This is one book that certainly lives up to its hype, I'm convinced this will be one of the best psychological thrillers released in 2018, a bold statement I know, but it's not often I get so excited about a book, just In case you haven't already guessed I loved this book and will be recommending to anyone and everyone.

This review maybe altered slightly and edited prior to publication on my blog

This book was an excellent thriller. It was totally gripping, totally unpredictable. It's a must read for thriller readers!

'The Wife Between Us' follows the story of Nellie, who's fairytale marriage to 'Prince Charming' Richard seems too good to be true, and whose underlying fears rise up to a thrilling crescendo, with lots of twists and turns along the way.

This book is well-structured, with every twist and turn of the plot tied together neatly at the end. It's certainly gripping, and would be enjoyable for fans of 'Gone Girl' and 'Before I Go To Sleep'.

A book with lots of twists and turns. Just when I thought I’d got it, I’d have to reread the previous page to check what I’d read was correct.
Vanessa is a divorced woman who is struggling to keep herself going. Then she finds out that her ex Richard is getting remarried and she becomes focused on saving his fiancée.
This was a very well written book. I liked the plot and the characters, the way it all came together at the end was very good as well. This was a book that held my attention until the very end.

This is an intriguing and fast paced read that will really keep you on your toes.
The book is divided into three sections. The first section of this book appears to be the story of an ex-wife who cannot get over her husband and is obsessed, to the point of stalking, her replacement. The narrator seems unreliable, and there is a decidedly creepy and confusing air to this section.
The second section turns everything you read on its head and really makes the reader work hard to make sense of what is happening and quite what to believe. Is what Vanessa saying really true, or has she inherited the same mental health issues as her mother that are exacerbated by her excessive drinking?
The third section really ramps up the tension as secrets are revealed, assumptions undermined and masks removed from all the characters. There's even one more reveal at the end that neatly ties up all the elements of this story.

Thanks go to the publishers and netgalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

A deft and sophisticated story which blindsided me with a cleverly plotted twist; The Wife Between Us is a must-read domestic thriller for fans of Gillian Flynn, Sarah Pinborough and Paula Hawkins.

The Wife Between us is the story of two women who are both swept off of their feet by Richard, a charismatic Manhattan Hedge Fund Manager. Recently divorced from Richard and struggling to move on from her old life, Vanessa begins to develop a dangerous and all-consuming obsession with Nellie, her young and beautiful replacement.

The blurb is spot on when it says 'assume nothing'. I made a ton of assumptions when I started reading, only to have the rug pulled out from under me as the story was turned completely inside out. The twist is a great one, made all the more satisfying as I never saw it coming. Regular readers of domestic thrillers will be impressed - this is a fresh and exciting curve ball that Flynn herself would be proud to have dreamt up.

The story seems to lose its way a little in the last third; becoming a little unsteady where it had been so sure footed previously. With so much energy focused on the portion of the book pre-reveal, the post-reveal plotting fell ever so slightly flat. Perhaps the twist set my expectations for the rest of the book slightly too high. I would have also liked to have known more about Richard's enigmatic sister, Maggie, but these criticisms are minor in the grand scheme of such an enjoyable book.

The Wife Between us has everything that makes the domestic thriller genre so brilliant. Unreliable narrators, wry observation, a deliciously twisty plot and dialogue that flows as smoothly as molten chocolate. This deceptive gem makes Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekakanen two authors to watch very, very closely. Assume nothing, and enjoy every surprise that comes your way. #Omgthattwist indeed.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan and netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is probably the best book that I have read this year. It is, on the face of it, the story of a scorned ex wife who is reeling from an acrimonious split. She appears to fixate over the new, younger partner of her ex husband. It seems that she is on a mission to interfere in the fledgling relationship. However, after the novel delivers twist after twist, we soon discover that everything is not as it appears.
This is an outstanding novel which I read it from start to finish in 24 hours. Highly recommended.

Kept me reading, but just not entirely convinced. Maybe a twist too far?

This is one book where the marketing blurb has it right.
Don’t assume....I did and I was wrong!

I love an unreliable narrator and this one had it in spades. There were many times that I was thinking one thing and off it went in another direction.
If you’re not a fan of alternating characters/chapters then you may not like this but I found it was easy to understand and follow, although it occasionally went off in different tangents and I suddenly realised the narrator was talking about something in the past (all related).
I loved the whole story but have only given it 4 stars because for me, I didn’t feel that ‘WOW’ factor. It doesn’t mean that I really enjoyed it any less.
There is not more I want to say, go into this book blind, it’s the best way to appreciate it.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for a copy to read and review.

Very well written, full of suspense and an entertaining read. Half way through the novel there was a twist that - whilst I'm not sure it added much to the novel, if I'm honest - I didn't see coming. Recommended for fans of Gone Girl, Into the Darkest Corner and other domestic noirs.