I've always admitted that I'm a sucker for the unreliable narrator. The thing is, there isn't an unreliable narrator in Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle. It is the reader. You are the unreliable one. She makes YOU unreliable. Ok. Let's be fair to ourselves. As readers we have ALL been there. We have all thought we had a book figured out. We thought meh. This is an ok book, but I already know what is happening, what is going to happen blah... blah... blah. And then BOOM! You realize you are a complete idiot and the author is the author for a reason. 

Yeah. No. This is NOT what I mean. I can't really say more than I just did. In fact, I should just tell you the following embarrassing story and then tell you to GO PRE-ORDER THE BOOK and just end the review. Because to do anything else would just kill the whole thing. But since I've now rewritten this review a good FIFTEEN THOUSAND times. I'm going to tell the promised embarrassing story and then TRY to give you some bits and pieces that spoil nothing and demonstrate some serious writing chops of one, Ms. Belle.



Thank you to Harlequin Books, HarperCollins, Park Row Books and Netgalley for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.
AND DON'T FORGET! You have until midnight eastern time tonight (America and Canada) to enter for a chance to win an autographed ARC of Dear Wife from Kimberly Belle! See her Q and A for details!

Embarrassing story (I swear on the boys): You might as well just plan to read Dear wife on a day you have nowhere to go and/or a night when you don't have to get up the next day. Yes, I can be one of those readers who says.... eh, just one more chapter and ends up reading till 4 A.M. But being a lifeguard is tiring and I couldn't put my Kindle down and Kindles hurt. So, when I was holding it and didn't realize I fell asleep until the sucker hit me square in the nose? Yeah. It hurt. That takes the whole making reading a contact sport to a whole new, literal, level.

Now, here's what I can tell you without spoiling anything. Dear Wife, is a thriller, without a doubt. It is a quick read that shoots out the gate and doesn't let go. Told from three points of view- Beth, Jeffrey and Marcus- it is an agonizing race against time.
Here's the thing. Within the thrilling suspense you expect from a domestic suspense novel, Belle masterfully utilizes flashbacks cover more than the obvious aspects of domestic violence.

She does a deep dive on sensitive subjects the PTSD it causes, the family dynamics of those related to both the abuser and the abused. Furthermore, shedding light on questions that society often asks: why doesn't she just leave? Why does she stay? What is wrong with her? Even if Belle can't always provide answers, at least the questions are raised.

I learned another lesson that day, one that in the end, was much more sinister: my leaving was not just about me. You would mow down anyone who got in your way.

It isn't a snap decision. Finally trying to break away and even when the attempt is made, you don't just make a clean break.



The PTSD that Belle emulates throughout the stories shows how years of abuse at the hands of a spouse can make it torturous at every turn. The doubt, the fear, nightmares. Simple human nature such as trust being stripped away with every punch, slap, threat and blow over the years makes it difficult to make a plan to get away from the person that caused the pain to begin with. Belle takes readers through every terrifying nightmare, chipped away piece of humanity and desperate decision with honest and raw authenticity.

Lastly and maybe most surprisingly is the appropriate timing and utilization of sarcastic humor and wit. There are very well-placed times where characters are so flabbergasted at themselves, at the situations they are in that the dark humor comes out in ways that are very relatable. Maybe I found it relatable because dark humor has always been a coping mechanism for me, but I can see it happening. I have seen it happen. And I think if overly done it would take away from the gravity of the issues and thriller genre at hand. Badly timed and it would be ludicrous. Belle has the knack for both the timing and the balance. I would love to quote one or two but no... can't do that either.

Truthfully, I'm surprised I could tell you this much. It did take 15,000 edits (including some right up till this morning) and one embarrassing whack by my Kindle. But I hope it is enough. Dear Wife is a thrilling, heart-pound read that also speaks to essential issues (a couple I haven't even mentioned- because spoilers) at its heart. It is my first read by Belle. It will not be my last.

The disappointment I feel right now..... ugh!!! This book starts strong, captures your interest, HOLDS your interest VERY well... I was telling everyone about it. There was so much hype surrounding this book, and the book was actually living up to the hype. Told from three points of view, this story is about Sabine, a missing women married to Jeffrey - does he have anything to do with disappearance? I don't know how to relay my complaints without bordering spoiler territory, so I guess I wont try... but I will say it was quite a let down... Really, its almost still worth the read, because the writing is so good, the story is good. Third point of view is the detective assigned to the case. Give it a shot if you typically like psychological or domestic thrillers. Giving this book a reluctant 4 stars.

What a ride!! Ms. Belle does an excellent job of crafting the story of Beth and Sabine. She keeps you on your toes throughout the entire novel. Beth’s fear is palpable as is her resilience.

The men in this book are creeps and have major control issues. In stark contrast to the women who are strong, brave and heroic.

This is a book you won’t want to miss.

This book is a fast paced, psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes throughout. Told in the perspectives of a husband, a wife, and a police detective, this novel touches base on the sensitive topic of spousal abuse, but centers in on female friendships and female empowerment. As with all the novels i have read by Ms. Belle, Dear Wife keeps you guessing throughout. I sped through this book, and I feel it is absolute must for thriller lovers, especially if you loved Belle's 'The Marriage Lie'. I'm a sucker for domestic thrillers, and this book fed my appetite. I gave this 4.5 stars🌟

Suspenseful and heart pounding thriller with twists and turns you wont see coming.
Dear Wife immediately caught my attention from the first page and left me turning pages well into the night as I followed her on her journey through abuse, betrayal, and heartbreak. You will meet so many different people who all play important and life changing roles.

Dear Wife is this first book I have read by Author Kimberly Belle, but it will not be my last!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to provide my honest opinion.

Kimberly Belle does it again! After reading her smash hit Three Days Missing and The Marriage Lie last year, I was so excited to get an advanced copy of her latest book Dear Wife.

This one was very reminiscent of Gone Girl. Woman goes missing. Signs point at the husband. Woman is on the run from abusive husband. Detective is trying to find missing woman, dead or alive. This one read much like an episode of Disappeared on Investigation Discovery.

I very much enjoyed how Kimberly Belle allowed the story to unfold, revealing bits of information along the way. It kept things interesting and moving forward while still saving the surprises for the end. I must say that I thought I guessed the ending around 50% into the book and then quickly realized that I was wrong. But, I did guess the ending correctly around 80% and from there on out was waiting for the secrets to be revealed.

I was left with a couple unanswered questions in the end, which is why this one was a 4 star read for me rather than a 5 star read. But, all in all, I would consider this one pretty un-put-downable. I essentially read it in 2 sittings and was engaged from start to finish.

Would highly recommend for fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl or any of you fellow Disappeared fans! I have a feeling Dear Wife is going to be a huge summer success!

-I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Kimberly Belle, and Park Row Books for the opportunity to review.-

No spoilers! Pity Marcus, the law enforcement officer who is trying to find out what happened to Sabine. She's gone missing and her husband, a slug, is obviously a suspect. Her sister Ingrid is certain something very bad has happened. But wait- who is Beth? She's left her husband. This gets a little confusing at times (there are three points of view and multiple missing women) but that's part of the fun. It's twisty enough that you might find yourself flipping backwards to check things. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good characters and a well done plot made this a very good read.

Beth Murphy is on the run…
For nearly a year, Beth has been planning for this day. A day some people might call any other Wednesday, but Beth prefers to see it as her new beginning—one with a new look, new name and new city. Beth has given her plan significant thought, because one small slip and her violent husband will find her.

Sabine Hardison is missing…
A couple hundred miles away, Jeffrey returns home from a work trip to find his wife, Sabine, is missing. Wherever she is, she’s taken almost nothing with her. Her abandoned car is the only evidence the police have, and all signs point to foul play.

As the police search for leads, the case becomes more and more convoluted. Sabine’s carefully laid plans for her future indicate trouble at home, and a husband who would be better off with her gone. The detective on the case will stop at nothing to find out what happened and bring this missing woman home. Where is Sabine? And who is Beth? The only thing that’s certain is that someone is lying and the truth won’t stay buried for long.

I'm a big fan of Kimberly Bell and I swear each book she writes gets better and better! I devoured this book in one night... Believable characters, fantastic story line, and entertaining twists... This is why I love Kimberly's books so much!!

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #DearWife
Pub Date: 25 Jun 2019

Dear Wife . If you are looking for a suspenseful edge of your seat book read this. Beth is running from an abusive husband. Lots of twists and turns. Makes for a very fast read.

This was my first Kimberly Belle book & I couldn't put it down! Why did I wait so long to give her a try?

Beth Murphy is on the run from her abusive husband. She knows he's coming after her, it's simply a matter of time before he finds her.

Sabine Hardison is missing. Her life is anything but what it seemed. Is she on the run or has she met with a more sinister end?

Marcus, the investigating Detective will stop at nothing, tracking down leads, determined to bring the missing woman home.

Told in 3 district POVs Dear Wife was filled with secrets, lies, suspense and a whole lot of tension that kept me steadily turning the pages. If you crack this one open - be sure you have carved out a big chunk of time. This is one thriller you will not be able to simply put down.

Kimberly Belle has done it again with a twisty thriller that has you guessing what's going to happen from the first page to the last page. The premise was unique and left me wondering how Sabine and Beth were connected (and honestly once it was revealed, I had not guessed the connection, at least not correctly - I had several theories - all were wrong).

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy; all opinions are my own.

What a wild ride. This book will take you places you won’t believe. It will have you guessing at every turn. Kimberly Belle writes stories that leave you holding on for dear life and this one is one of the best. I was holding my breath in so many places. Shedding tears in others. On the edge of my seat a lot.

From missing persons to tragedies to abuse. To family, friends and acquaintances. You meet lots of people in the book and will like most. There were a couple that I truly despised. They were well written but not likable as people.

This is one book that you most likely won’t figure out. The dramatic ending is so suspenseful that you will cringe. I was holding my breath through the last ten percent of this book for sure.

It’s very well written. Rich well developed characters, whether you love them or hate them. Makes you feel as though you are there with them. It will break your heart and lift you up too. It’s a wonderful story but one you need to read. It has so much feeling and so much going on. Easy to follow though.

It hooked me from the very first and didn’t let go until the very end.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Harlequin for this copy in exchange for my complete and honest review.

A 5 star book for sure. More if it was possible. A must read and I HIGHLY recommend this one.

What an awesome domestic thriller! I was hooked on this one as soon as I got through the first chapter. Dear Wife takes you on a thrill ride that you don’t want to miss.

Yes, it’s another woman goes missing, wife is on the run from abusive husband but ya know what? Those make the best thriller’s and each one has a unique twist.

Sabine Hardison, a successful relator is missing and her husband is the main suspect. While we have that case going on, there’s also a woman on the run from her abusive husband named Beth who just wants a new beginning and running is the only way she knows how.

There’s three POV’s going on in this story which I really enjoyed! We have Beth, Sabine’s husband Jeffrey and then the detective on Sabine’s missing persons case. It was easy to follow along and know what was happening with all three characters narrating.

It took me longer than I thought it would to figure out what was really going on which made me that much happier. It wasn’t until about 80% in that it all really clicked with me and hey, I’ll take it!

Kimberly Belle tells a twisty, super fast-paced, suspense driven domestic thriller that needs to be read! This was my first novel I’ve read by Kimberly but I will tell you, it definitely will not be my last!

Wow! Total page turner. Excellent psychological suspense. Beth is running for her life from an abusive relationship from her mentally unhinged husband. At the same time Beth disappears, another woman Sabine also disappears without a trace from a local store. What do these two women have in common and are they connected? Just when you think you know what is going on, guess again. This book is full of twists and turns and will keep you guessing the whole time. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. I have loved Ms. Belles other books, but I believe this one is the best yet.

Hmmmm what to say about this novel.... It was an enjoyable read but pretty predictable. I had it pegged bout halfway through but it was an enjoyable read. Sabine Hardison, a real estate broker w/a devoted husband goes missing. No one knows why or what happened to her. During the investigation we find out that nothing is as it seems in her life though. Also Beth is a woman on the run from an abusive husband. She planned her getaway for a year and her plan is working to the T. Now who is Beth and how does she pertain to Sabine. Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for my honest review.

This book is a pageturner. I didnt want to put it down.

In this amazing suspense/thriller, nothing is as it seems. Be prepared for a wild ride of twist and turns.

We have a woman on the run from her abusive husband. We also have a missing woman, a realtor. Her husband is the number one suspect in her disappearance. Lastly we have the detective trying to piece this all together.

Told from 3 POV and I loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley for this galley.

Jeffrey's wife, Sabine, is missing at the same time Beth is hiding from her abusive husband. Are Sabine and Beth the same person? If not, what is their connection?

Kimberly Belle has done it again! I don't know what it is about her domestic thrillers, but I absolutely love them. Just when you think you have it all figured out, guess again! I couldn't read the last quarter fast enough, and one part at the end brought tears to my eyes.

Lastly, be sure to check out The Marriage Lie (5 stars) and Three Days Missing (4.5 stars)!

Location: Pine Bluff, Arkansas and Atlanta, Georgia

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

​Two women - one running from an abusive relationship and with escape plans that were in the making for a while and the other we are unclear about.

Sabine never made it to her house showing and Beth is the one we aren't sure about.

We have no background information on Beth, but Sabine has a twin sister, a husband, and a lover.

Do both women have similar situations and travel plans or just plans to leave and get away no matter where they go? Or do both women have no connection?

We then are introduced to a detective, Marcus, who is relentless in his investigation. You will wonder what his deal is.

Each chapter is titled with either Beth, Jeffrey, or Marcus and describes their thoughts, their actions, and what is going on with them during the investigation and disappearance. It is puzzling why Sabine doesn't have her own chapter heading.

Ms. Belle expertly gives the reader tidbits of information and makes us "think" we are solving the mystery, but you will need to be an outstanding detective to figure it out.

DEAR WIFE is a bit confusing at first and does include domestic abuse, but the story line will keep you curiously turning the pages until the chilling ending.

ENJOY if you read DEAR WIFE, and let everyone know if you were an amazing detective. 4/5

This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, Kimberly Belle had me hooked from the first page. Told in three perspectives, this story is non-stop action. The story follows Beth, who is on the run from her abusive husband; Jeffery, whose wife is missing; and Marcus, the police officer tasked with finding Jeffrey's wife. This was a twisty, dark journey that I couldn't figure out until the near end. Fantastic!

Rating: 5/5 stars

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I've been a fan of Kimberly Belle's since I read The Marriage Lie several years ago, so I knew I had to read this one! Dear Wife alternates POVs between Beth, a woman on the run from her abusive husband, Jeffrey, a man whose wife has gone missing, and the detective working the case to find Jeffrey's missing wife. I was immediately hooked as soon as I read the first chapter. 

I absolutely loved Beth - we get a little insight into how abusive and cunning her husband is, but how she's planned to outrun him by remaining one step ahead. I really loved that aspect of the book, and her chapters were my favorite! I had several theories about what was going on, and by the end I had guessed correctly, but there were several directions the book could have taken, and all of them would have worked brilliantly! 

Belle has a way with words that makes me want to keep reading. Her stories are smart and clever, and I really enjoy her books for that reason. I had been in SUCH a reading slump lately, and Dear Wife pulled me right out of it. I rated this one 5 stars! If you're a fan of twisty, female driven, psychological thrillers, you'll definitely want to pick this one up!