I've been on a thriller/suspense kick lately and this was the one book I could not put down - I actually started it at lunch time at work and was able to finish it by 10 pm that night (and yes, I still did my job and household stuff too!). While Alice began to grate on my nerves as a person, I loved Beth and her whole side of the story....

And the ending - wow - Love how the author made that happen in a way that the entire story came together in just a chapter or 2......

Looking forward to her next great read!

This story was written as a first person narrative, though has two narrators depending on the section. The characters are described in a direct manner, while the major conflicts include internal and external as characters battle themselves, technology and other characters. The major themes include working class struggles, self-preservation, and quest for power, quest for discovery, power of wealth, overcoming, and motherhood, lost love, illusion of power, heartbreak of betrayal, greed as downfall, family and death.

Alice is a widow and mother of two, but has since remarried. She is an interior designer and recovering from a mental breakdown after the death of her first husband. Nathan is Alice’s second husband; he is secretive, demanding and pushy. He mostly handles the financial aspects of Alice’s business. Beth is a single mother and friend of Alice. She is secretive and at times closed off. Alice has begun to rebuild her life after the death of her first husband Tom. She is currently raising her two daughters while dealing with a new direction for her company. She is also trying to handle her younger daughter’s fear of losing her father, like her older sister did. This has caused her to act out at school and with her friends. At the same time she is finding clues that her husband may be having an affair. This has caused her to become paranoid and her husband to worry about her mental state. Things take a bigger twist when Beth reveals that her young daughter’s father has the same name and date of birth as her deceased husband. But what does this have to with Nathan?

The ideas were interesting and unique as the flow was organized and logical. The voices were individualized but fit the characters and complemented one another. The sentence structure and word choice help to enhance the overall story. Yes, I would recommend. Anyone interested in mystery, empowered women, recovery and dedication may find this a perfect read. Anyone not interested in identity thief, conning, vengeance or large amounts of lying may need to pick up a different book.

4.5 Stars!

This was a great psychological, domestic thriller (if you don't know, those are my favorite!). This story is about a wife who is remarried after her first husband died, her best friend, and her current husband who she thinks is cheating on her. I loved the way the story was written, and so many of the tiny twists were amazing! The only reason I gave it 4.5 stars is because I was just a tiny bit unsatisfied with the last twist and the actual ending, but it could be for personal reasons - I was hoping that it would have shocked me a little more than it did, but it could be because I'm a pro at reading thrillers. I highly recommend this book to thriller lovers though, because I had a fantastic time reading it and didn't want to put it down!

This book was archived before I could download it. I would still be interested in reading it if it is made available again. Thank you.

Thank you to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy!

This is another great summer thriller to add to your list! The plot was so great with lots of twists! Alice was devastated when her husband, Tom, passed away while on a ski trip with friends. Nathan was a big part in her healing process and is now her second husband. He is devoted to their their daughters and to her. But then she begins to suspect he is not being honest with her about everything. Her best friend, Beth, is who she turns to for advice. Then things begin to get weird. Just who can Alice trust? The pace really started to speed up near the middle, and I just could not put it down.

This book was just OK for me. I enjoyed Sandie Jones first book, The Other Woman, so was looking forward to this one even though the description didn't really grab me. I didn't really enjoy any of the characters and couldn't really empathize with them. The plot was pretty predictable and cliche too. It was a quick read though! I'll give Sandie Jones another chance and hope her next book is more like her first one!

I enjoyed this one even more than The Other Woman- there were so many twists and turns I had whiplash trying to figure out what was going on! I love when I come across a thriller that keeps me guessing right up until the end! Perfect summer read!

I loved the authors first book, because of all the unexpected twists and turns, and this one was the same roller coaster ride. Every time I thought I saw something coming, it ended up being something else so I was surprised until the end. Looking forward to Sandie Jones next novel.

The First Mistake”is a domestic suspense novel and the very first book I’ve read by Sandie Jones. Like many others, I was a little hesitant about reading it because of the intense plot and storyline. That being said, once I started this book I couldn’t put it down. The story pulled me right in, completely held my attention, and even surprised me by some of the twists and turns of the plot! I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience of reading this book.

“The First Mistake” is divided into three parts. Part 1 is from Alice’s point of view and it takes place in the present. Alice is living a normal domestic live. She’s found happiness once again after her first husband Tom’s accidental death on a skiing trip. She is now married to Nathan who is a very encouraging and supportive husband and father. Nathan helps Alice run the design business that was originally started by Tom’s inheritance. Although Alice still holds onto Tom and his memory, she has managed to move forward and tries to be a good, attentive mother to her two daughters. Her fear of losing someone again holds her emotionally captive and often prevents her from doing normal things like traveling. Nathan works alongside Alice in her business and continually encourages her to broaden out but because of her fears he often travels alone. He has just arranged a new deal that will allow the business to grow and extend into new markets. Just as Alice begins to believe that she can be strong and happy once again and even travel to Japan to close the deal, Nathan starts acting suspiciously. Alice starts to believe that Nathan may not be the man she thinks he is when three strange events make her doubt his loyalty. Alice turns to her best friend Beth looking for advice but Beth isn’t as supportive or as understanding as expected. By the time Part 1 comes to a close, Alice realizes that the people she has relied on and trusted might have been betraying her all along. She is so confused by all the odd behavior and strange occurrences that she even begins to question the circumstances around her first husband’s death and wonders if he too was disloyal. As Part 1 ends, Alice feels completely betrayed and doesn’t know if she should trust anyone.

Part 2 takes place nine to 10 years in the past and it’s from Beth’s point of view. Beth was young and working as a school teacher. She was born to wonderful, supportive parents who gave her everything she could ever want. Her father owned and ran very successful restaurants and Beth had a very close relationship with him. She spent a lot of time with her father on their boat and in the restaurants. When her father suddenly died Beth was lost. Thankfully she and her mother were financially secure. When Beth meets a man named Tom she falls in love. Although he was often away on business, he seemed supportive and protective of Beth. Beth sensed that at times circumstances were off and sometimes even strange but she’s was so happily in love with Tom that she dismissed her suspicions. Just as Beth felt that her life was perfect, she discovered her boyfriend leaving her home with another woman. Then, Tom completely disappeared. Not only did Beth find herself alone and pregnant, she came to the realization that Tom also left her and her mother financially destitute and emotionally broken.

Part 3 is once again in the present and it’s from both Alice’s and Beth’s point of view. I found the use of both points of view very interesting and helpful in understanding what the two women were feeling and why. Alice is determined to pull herself together and discover what is really going on. She must figure out who is lying, whether or not she is being manipulated and most importantly by whom. When Alice and Beth join forces, after Beth admits her past and what she’s done, it was impossible for me to figure out who to trust. Who do you trust more, your husband or your best friend? At this point in the book, I was questioning if this was a story of infidelity, manipulation, money and greed, or revenge or possibly all of the above. In the end who does Alice trust and will she be brave enough to confront all the lies and deceit?

I truly enjoyed “The First Mistake.” I found it to be a quick and easy to read story that held my attention and had me questioning everything and everyone. Although I suspected what was really going on and why at the the start of Part 2, there were quite a few events that I did not anticipate at all. I thought that the premise of the story was believable but sometimes I would get frustrated by Alice’s inaction and her willingness to ignore or justify her discoveries. The only negative about this book and the reason I gave it 4 Stars is that I found the ending to be very vague and it left me with a lot of unanswered questions. I really don’t like it when I finish a book and yet find myself questioning my own conclusions. The short, almost nonexistent epilogue was confusing and therefore frustrating.

The cover of the book is beautiful. The title of the book intrigues me and still has me contemplating what was “The First Mistake” and who made it, perhaps all of them? I found this standalone book excellent and very entertaining as I tried to put together all the pieces of the story. I enjoyed the plot and found it mostly believable, especially when considering Alice’s emotional state of mind. Some events were a little far reaching but still completely entertaining. I definitely recommend this book and I look forward to reading future books by Sandie Jones!

I would like to thank the author and publisher for a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

I got approved for this book on NetGalley awhile back and just recently got to reading it. I had seen this one around bookstagram quite a bit and everyone was loving it, for the most part. I think that’s why I’m bummed to once again deliver the news that I did not enjoy this book and get the same feels others did. This was just too predictable, at least for me. I guessed the majority of “twists” that the author brought into the storyline and that took away any enjoyment I could’ve gotten while reading it.
I’d have to give this one 2 stars because even though I guessed most of the surprises, I still felt like it was a quick and enjoyable read to be my first read by this author.

Minotaur Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The First Mistake. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

The First Mistake is a tangled web of lies, deceit, and relationships. After her first husband died unexpectedly, Alice was barely able to manage herself. Now remarried, with a successful business and two children, will the happy life that Alice has carved out for herself come crashing down? Will logic win out over her heart?

I had some issues with The First Mistake, mainly the convoluted web of side plots that seem to exist only as misdirection. The story about Nathan, Alice's husband, would have been enough to propel the plot forward. Instead, the author creates a myriad of conflict and innuendos that take away from the central story. The ending would have been stronger had The First Mistake ended before the last page or two. The author did not allow the reader's mind to fill in the blanks, instead leaving nothing up to the imagination. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend The First Mistake to other readers.

The First Mistake by Sandie Jones was a thriller! This is the second book I have read by Sandie Jones. (The Other Woman was the first.) How do people think up these twists? How incredible the twists and turns are! Just when I think I have discovered something, another twist shows up. Seriously creepy situation.

Alice was married to Tom. They had one child and worked hard to open a business, a design business around her interior designs. Then he disappeared. Alice was beyond lost. She had a nervous breakdown, but then met Nathan and with his help, she was able to grow and regain herself. Her company continued to grow and opportunities become available in new ways.

Beth is Alice’s best friend. They share so much with each other and are very supportive. Their little girls are best friends, so they have many opportunities to spend time together. Beth is a single mother and struggles at times to make ends meet.

From these three main characters: Alice, Beth and Nathan a twisted story line is born. Who to trust? Who tells the truth? Alice feels she is being taken for a ride by her husband, but what does her best friend have to do with it? The First Mistake by Sandie Jones is an interesting plot line that keeps you guessing. Who do you trust when things get hard? That is the true question? The First Mistake by Sandie Jones is a ride!!

An excellent example of how a great author can take a story line that has been utilized many, many times and give it new life to become a mystery/ thriller that will keep you up reading! Sandie Jones gives us two women who have been friends for a long time and sets them into a troubled marriage. As one confide in the other, the story sets us up to believe the "friend' may not have the best motives. Yes, the plot sounds familiar, but you really need to read this one for yourself to figure out at what point everyone's story changes.

Wow! This book was a page turner from beginning to end! I could not put it down. The author weaves such intriguing twists and turns into this story. The characters were very well developed and you never know who to trust. I thought telling the story in 3 parts was a fantastic way to keep the reader engaged throughout the book. Fantastic plot, great characters and a "wow" ending. Highly recommend! Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I did enjoy this book. It had a lot of surprises that were more than the normal twists. My main issue with this book is that it was very wordy until he end and then.....it just ended. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Alice is an interior designer who loses her beloved husband in a bizarre accident. She remarries and continues her life as a successful businesswoman and mother. Events transpire that cause her to question both her deceased husband and her present one.

Alice had been devastated when her husband Thomas was reported missing and presumed dead while on a skiing trip to Switzerland. After Tom’s death, Alice went through a period of depression, but tried to keep herself together for her young daughter. Several months later, she met Nathan and her fractured life changed for the better.

Nathan swept her off her feet and helped her to regain normalcy in her life. She remarried and had another daughter with Nathan. Their life was idyllic as they maintained their successful business, luxurious home, and their happy family life with the two girls. All was almost too good to be true until Alice began to suspect Nathan may have been hiding something from her. Alice gave in to her suspicions, pulling at a loose thread, and suddenly found her entire life slowly beginning to unravel. As the clues began to escalate, Alice wondered if she could truly trust Nathan or anything that she originally thought was true in her life. She desperately clung to her one safe haven, her best friend Beth, and worked to decipher the truth from the lies before she lost everything that she held dear.

This novel guides the reader through a duplicitous labyrinth of one woman’s search for the truth in her marriage, with enough twists, turns, and surprises to keep it interesting until the very end.

I'm not sure why I read some negative reviews about The First Mistake because I really liked it. The main character was difficult to connect with because she seemed whiny and weak; HOWEVER, that fit the story being told and made sense to me with the way the story line went, especially as the build-up to her regaining control of her life.. Alice is a widower who has remarried, has a really successful business, two daughters, and everything she could possibly want. When she meets Beth, they become best friends. Beth is jaded about relationships, but especially about Alice's after the man she loved just walked away from her with no explanation. And why is Nathan, Alice's husband, acting so shady? There were some decent twists and turns along the way. One of the bigger ones I had figured out, but that isn't a bad thing--it just made me read the book faster to get to the ending!

I want to start off by saying this is not your typical domestic thriller. The First Mistake is packed with twists and turns I never saw coming. It did start a little slow, but once it picked up steam, it never slowed down. I thought Alice was a great main character. She was very strong, likable and smart which was a welcome change. It seems lately the women in thrillers can be portrayed as gullible and annoying. After loving both The First Mistake and The Other Woman, I definitely consider myself a fan of Sandie Jones! ⁣
⁣

Sandie Jones has once again given me a suspenseful thriller full of twists and surprises that made me desperate to read this every spare second I had! I loved her debut, The Other Woman, so much I immediately requested this from NetGalley the instant I saw it.

Alice runs a successful company with her second husband, Nathan. After tragically losing her first husband, Nathan seemed like the perfect man, showing up right when Alice needed someone the most.  She also has a best friend named Beth that she can always count on, and two wonderful daughters. Life is pretty good for Alice, until she finds something that makes her start to question everything she thought she knew about those around her.

The twist took me by surprise and I'm glad I didn't see it coming because man, was it insane! This is definitely a quick read but there are quite a few characters to keep up with.

If you're looking for a thriller chock full of twisty revenge and suspicion, make sure to pick this one up!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. 4.5 Stars