Nothing is as it seems…

Getting involved with a married man is a temptation that Tabitha Girard knows she should avoid but Connor Ford was the love of her life when she was seventeen and no one has come close since. They were from opposites of the track as they say and when his family forced their separation a devastated Tabitha learned to move on. And then he walks into the restaurant where she’s a waitress thirteen years later and the buried memories return, feelings that had never died are rekindled. Though their lives had diverged on different paths he’s unhappily married to a rich paranoid woman and she’s been surviving life’s trials and tribulations. How can she not be with him again? Can a man who would cheat on his wife ever be trusted? When Connor’s wife, Nina Levitt, dies is it a positive sign that the two lovers can finally find the happiness previously denied them, or is it an omen of the peril to come? To every relationship, we bring our past experiences, our baggage, and for Tabitha and Connor, the choices made in the past ripple through their present and affect their future.

This story is told to us in two voices, that of Nina Levitt and Tabitha Girard, two women who never knew each other but seem to have two things in common, their love of the same man and growing paranoia. Tabitha is out of her depth in the world Connor takes her to and the uneasy vibes she’s receiving cause her to question the motives of everyone including Connor. There are secrets to be unearthed and her curiosity might lead her to answers she’d rather not find. Will their love survive the stress?

The plot is fast-paced and engaging, the reader is easily drawn into the character’s lives, opening with Nina’s diary entry you wonder how much is truth and how much is a woman suffering from delusions. That Connor’s wife died by suicide was too convenient. Did he kill his wife? Is Tabitha naïve to believe in him? Doubts, of course, creep in but there are so many who had reasons to want Nina dead and nothing is as it seems. There are betrayals, and twists upon twists, just as you think you’ve figured things out the tables are upended again, never forget that greed, money is the root of all evil, the root of everything here. This book was an angsty, mysterious, second chance romance. Tabitha is a character who grows and this reader liked it when she got angry, her naivete and innocence disappeared and she became a force to be reckoned with. This was the first time reading this author and I was not disappointed.

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher via NetGalley.

He was the gorgeous, wealthy guy at her high school. Every girl wanted to be known as his girlfriend and somehow he was interested in Tabitha. Tabitha didn't run in the same crowd as Connor and his rich friends, but she knew when a guy was interested in her. Their love seemed so real. Was it? Fast forward ten years and you think that the dramas of high school are long since over, but are they? Are they ever really over? The Wife Who Knew Too Much is an entertaining and engrossing story of love lost.

This thriller kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s a page turner that I really enjoyed and did not want to put down. The suspense and twists make this one I would recommend be on your reading list. I look forward to more from this author and will be adding them to my reading lists.

A well-written thriller with a twist. The twist was not a total surprise, but I cared enough to want to keep reading. In fact, my Kindle bit the dust while reading this book, and I downloaded the kindle app on my ipad so I could keep reading. That says a lot about my interest level. It’s good and engaging, the protagonist is likable and you want to root for her. Overall, I would highly recommend!

This book had me hooked from the first page, so much so that I devoured it in two sittings.

I loved the alternating viewpoint between Nina and Tabitha. I also enjoyed how Campbell gives small hints towards the ending throughout the novel that keeps you guessing the entire time (even though I was totally wrong about how it would end!)

The twist definitely threw me for a loop! I put some of the pieces together but it was so much more intricate that I could have ever predicted.

This is the first novel I've read by Michele Campbell and I can say I will for sure be reading her others now!

The synopsis of this book caught my eye, and having read two previous books by Ms. Campbell, I was dying to start this one. Right off the bat, the diary entry by Nina Levitt had me super intrigued as to what was going to happen in the story. But past that, it felt like I was slogging through this book.

I really felt no connection at all to Tabitha or Connor. We learn from flashbacks that these two met at the summer resort that Tabitha worked at, with Connor being the rich kid who she had a summer fling with. Years later, she's still trying to make ends meet, working in a bar and grill when Connor walks in, now married to a millionaire heiress.

Tabitha really had no redeeming qualities in my eyes. She made poor decisions as a teenager, and she continued to make them in her adult life. She really just acted like someone who just had no clue, and I felt no sympathy at all for her throughout the entire book. Except for maybe the very last chapter, but not enough to redeem her character for me. Connor, he was portrayed in such a way that I didn't know if I was supposed to hate him, like him, or feel sorry for him. So I just didn't feel anything.

I did like the premise of the story, and tried hard to figure out clues along the way as to who had really killed Nina, and I figured several things out along the way. There were some plot holes that distracted from the story, but overall I was very invested in finding out how this story played out. I think because there were no redeeming characters to root for, I was more just excited to get finished and find out who did it.

I commend Ms. Campbell on the story, it was intriguing and kept me turning the pages, it just didn't feel the same to me as the two previous stories I'd read. I think it is just a case of this book not quite working for me, but it won't deter me from picking up the next book Ms. Campbell writes.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

THE WIFE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH by Michele Campbell is a fast-paced and twisty thriller that gripped me right from the start and never let go until the very end. Having read the author’s two most recent books, I knew I would be in for a page-turner and I was not disappointed. The story begins with a shocking diary entry written by ultra-wealthy Nina Levitt stating that if she dies unexpectedly, it was foul play, and her husband, Connor was behind it. When just a young woman, Tabitha Girard, pool girl at the local country club, had a secret summer fling with handsome and preppy club member, Connor Ford. Leaving her broken-hearted when he goes off to college, Tabitha has never really gotten over losing Connor. Many years later, she is still a waitress in her hometown and barely making ends meet when Connor reappears in her life and seems to want to re-kindle their romance. But there is one problem. Connor is now married to the rich and famous Nina Levitt and has grown accustomed to the extravagant lifestyle her wealth provides him. If he is caught cheating, Nina has an iron-clad pre-nuptial agreement that leaves him with nothing. When Nina does end up dead, dark secrets begin to be revealed that had me questioning who was telling the truth and who could be trusted. The rest of this suspenseful tale kept me flipping the pages to see how it would all turn out. At times, I thought I had it all figured out, but I never guessed the surprising ending. I enjoyed this entertaining and fast read and highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

This was my first book by Michele Campbell and it won’t be the last! I loved the wife in this story! I don’t want to give too much away but this book has you thinking you know what’s going on and you know how things are going to end but you really don’t. I loved the thrill of being wrong. The ending caught me off guard!

Move over, Stranger on the Beach (one of my 2019 favorites), I enjoyed Campbell’s latest novel even more! I can’t put into words how much I loved this mystery/thriller. So so good! Is another fantastic five starred novel by the very talented writer, Michele Campbell.
The have’s-the have not’s, murder, secrets and suspense, it’s all there, including a fabulous location, Windswept, a super-sized stone and brick mansion bordered by a picturesque beach and sea.
The summer of finding their “first love” had come to an abrupt end for teens Tabitha and Conner, all in thanks to his mean spirited, wealthy grandmother. Fast forward fifteen years, Tabitha working in a diner seeing Conner, Conner seeing Tabitha, sparks flying once again. Only Conner is now married to a very classy, high society billionaire, living in a cutthroat world of the ultra-rich. What follows is a fairytale come true for them, that is until Tabitha reads Connor’s dead wife’s diary. Is Connor everything he says he is, or is he lying to her. Who can she trust? Everything comes crashing down on Tabitha, and it’s up to her to find the truth, not only for herself, but for her unborn baby girl. I loved this fast-paced murder mystery, with it’s unexpected twists and turns making it unputdownable until the last page. Nicely played, Michelle Campbell. A great summer read.

Much thanks to St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Michele Campbell has another winner on her hands!!!

Thirteen years ago, Tabitha Girard, 17 years old, meets the very handsome and very rich Connor Ford one summer, however, his grandmother doesn't approve since Tabitha was born on the wrong side of the tracks. She knew he was the love of her life but by the end of the summer, Connor had to leave since his grandmother held all the cards and the money.

They both went their separate ways, both having other relationships but Tabitha knew it would always be Connor that had her heart. Until that fateful day that he entered the restaurant where she worked. Their feelings were the same as they once were but one problem, Connor was married to Nina, another very rich woman. Both knowing it was wrong, they couldn't stop and they had an affair. However, Tabitha soon finds herself pregnant and tries to contact him with the news by going to his wife's mansion on the night Nina is hosting a 4th of July party. But hours later, Nina is found dead. Was it a suicide or murder? And if murder, who killed her?

When things calm down, Tabitha and Connor marry and are living the life they dreamed about. Being together with a baby on the way. But as time passes both Connor and Tabitha become suspects, with Tabitha being arrested.

I love a book where within the first 2-3 pages, you know that this going to be a wild ride. And this book was. The suspense tension was as fast as watching an Indy 500 car race with no pit stops and hairpin turns. Characters, at times, that were dark and secretive that the reader will be going back and forth as who to believe had a stake in the vast amount of money that Nina leaves behind.

Tabitha claims her innocence but is now questioning if she really knew Connor. Can she truly believe him that he didn't kill his wife? Or will they have a happily ever after that they both wanted?

A white knuckle read that will have your heart pounding!!! I highly recommend this book for those that enjoy psychological thrillers!!!

To be posted 07/20/20 to GR
To be posted 07/30/20 to blog

This was a great book. It had suspense and romance. The ending came out as a shock, I had no idea. I can usually figure these out pretty early, so I'm glad my suspicions were incorrect and I could be surprised. This book kept my attention, maybe too long. I got pretty wrapped up in the drama of the book. I recommend it for a suspense book that's easy to read and highly entertaining.

Thanks to Netgalley and St.Martin's Press for a copy of the eARC in exchange for a fair review.


The story starts with Nina writing in her diary that if something happens to her, her husband Conner and the woman he was sleeping with are behind it. Then we see a news article in which Nina has died. Tabitha knew Conner when she 17, he was her first love so imagine her surprise when he walks into her bar all these years later. She knows it wrong, and he is married but she is completely taken with him again.


They end up together briefly and Tabitha knows it is all wrong, but is totally shocked when she turns up pregnant. She tries to get a hold of him, and ends up driving up to Windswept to see him in person. However, her crazy ex crashes the party because he has been following her and she is devastated to see Conner with Nina. She knows they can't be together so she makes the decision to leave. When she wakes up the next day she is shocked to find out that his wife Nina was found in the pool and it is believed that she committed suicide.


She finally is able to talk to Conner and he tells her they must wait a year because it will cause too many issues if they are together too soon, but all of that changes when she tells him about the baby. Soon she is married and caught up in a whirlwind life change. It isn't too long before the police come knocking and she finds herself entangled in a mystery surrounding Nina's death.


Overall I loved this, I was sucked in and couldn't put this down. I did figure some things out before the reveal and I was wrong on some things. Although I have some different thoughts in general about Conner and the way the author ended that, but I won't say too much about it because I don't like to spoil things. So I will say that I found Tabitha a little young acting for her age in the book although that wasn't super clear, and way to willing to overlook massive red flags in my opinion. Conner was charming and slick, but honestly not very likable.

I have been having a hard time getting into this one so far. I like the story line but I really hate the characters. That might be the point, but I am having a hard time getting through. I am going to keep trying because again, the premise is great.

I flew through this read in 2 sittings finishing it up at 3AM without realizing where the hours had gone. I've been in the mood for nothing but cozy mysteries so it was kind of fun to step a bit outside of that and go for something a little darker with a little more tension.

When a book is this fast paced I don't really expect to like the characters but in this case I did really like Tabitha. I don't think she could make a good decision (especially when it came to men) to save her life. She's caught up in the dream and romance and while I don't think she's particularly dumb she doesn't come off as a person who has a huge amount of common sense. This helped keep me from being frustrated when she steps into situations that are clearly not what they seem. Sure the reader knows better then to trust someone or go somewhere but it seems reasonable that Tabitha doesn't. She's just acting on impulse which is very true to who she is.

There's a distinct Rebecca note to part of the book which I very much enjoyed but instead of the terrifying housekeeper there's a rather business-like assistant. As well the suspense element while not overwhelming kept me reading. I wanted to know what happened next and just how everything would unravel. I wasn't disappointed. My only issue is there is a bit of a redemption arc at the very end that I just couldn't believe but that was a minor issue.

If you're looking for a good fast paced read that isn't cozy but not so scary that you'll be double checking locks this is a perfect pick.

When Tabitha unexpectedly runs into her first love, she realizes that her feelings for him are still there. Although Connor Ford is now married to a rich older woman, their relationship is anything but happy but divorce is out of the question. Their chance meeting turns into an affair which ultimately leads to marriage when Connor’s wife takes her own life. As Tabitha is suddenly thrown into a life she knows nothing about and comes across a diary belonging to the late Mrs. Ford, she begins to question Connor’s true intentions and who he really is.
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This was a super fun book with a good amount of mystery and intrigue. Plenty of sketchy characters which will keep you guessing everyone’s motives. I quickly downloaded her other book after reading this one 👏🏻.
4.5⭐️

Really enjoyed The Wife Who Knew Too Much!! Fast paced, well-written, perfectly plotted. I just wish I actually liked Connor Ford. He seemed so weak and wishy washy, whereas Tabitha was so strong and feisty. But overall, it was a great read!

I hate to start reviews with the word “unfortunately” but this one will have to be that way. I did finish the book because I also hate to stop reading once I start and I kept hoping it would get better. But again, “unfortunately” it didn’t.
I never came to care for Tabitha, and I cared even less for Connor. My husband was in law enforcement for many years and maybe that is why I knew the way Tabitha talked about figuring things out and how the death investigation was handled, things just didn’t add up. There was just something missing in this story, I can’t put my finger on it, it may be shallow, that might be the best way to describe, it didn’t have a lot of depth and some of the writing seemed elementary.
It does have a lot of twists and turns toward the end but there just weren’t enough to pull this review out of the doldrums. Not my cup of tea, maybe others will enjoy it much more.
I was allowed an ARC from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my honest unbiased review. This one comes in with 3 stars.

The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell is the perfect summer read! It starts with a diary entry from Nina. Nina is a very rich woman and in her diary she has found out her husband Connor, who is 20 years younger than her, is having an affair and is planning to kill her for her money. They have a prenup and if Connor is the one who wants a divorce or is found to be unfaithful he gets no money in the divorce. If Nina were to die he would inherit everything. Nina fears for her life and plans to trigger the prenup clause after a huge party she is having for Fourth of July.. she will have Connor escorted off her property. The next entry after the star entry is Nina‘s obituary. It seems she committed suicide. But did she really?
After this, we get to meet Tabitha. Tabitha is a waitress in New Hampshire. She is 30 and barely making ends meet. She is shocked one evening when her high school boyfriend, her one true love, shows up at the restaurant where she works. She has not seen him since they were 17 and his wealthy grandmother forced them to in the relationship. This boyfriend is Connor. She knows Connor is married to a wealthy woman but he claims that he is still in love with Tabitha. From here the story takes many twists and turns. You think everyone is guilty, then you think they’re not guilty, then you may think they’re guilty again. I really enjoyed this book it kept me on my toes and did not get slow in any parts. It’s what I call a guilty pleasure book,, a story about rich people and their wealthy lifestyles. I recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers. Thank you to net galley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was an advanced reader’s copy kindly given to me by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. It was one that I thought sounded promising and interesting. Unfortunately, it wasn’t one of my favorite reads…

Starting with the characters, I must say there wasn’t really one that I liked or related to. The protagonist, Tabitha, was more frustrating than anyone else in the book. Though her teenage flashbacks caused me some frustration, her naivety reached a new level during her adult years that I simply had no patience for. I know there are people out there who probably would make similar mistakes like Tabitha’s, so maybe we can say she’s realistic, but getting involved with a married man is just something I don’t believe in. All of this made it extremely challenging to have any sympathy for her and her situation.

The plot, for me, dragged multiple times. As I have mentioned there were some flashbacks to Tabitha’s teenage/young adult years, and these I just found no comfort or had any interest in reading. Then, the adultery that happened was something I also didn’t enjoy reading. In addition, the stalking, death, and poor decision making just didn’t create the suspense that I would have hoped for.

I also found some plot points to be inconsistent with others. For instance, at one point in her life, Tabitha needs to worry about paparazzi and people misconstruing what they see. The author built it up in a way that every time Tabitha went out, someone would take a photograph of her and create a falsified story. However, there was a time when she went out multiple times and if she was photographed that would’ve caused so much of a ruckus, but apparently it was never an issue…it just made no sense.

When I was finally able to begin put the pieces together at the end of the story, the pace picked up some. Unfortunately, though, the very ending just seemed way too convenient for Tabitha. It basically left her with no conflict in a fairly easy way.

On top of everything else, I wasn’t a big fan of the writing. It seemed more like telling than showing what was happening. This most likely contributed to the dragging plot and the lack of suspense.

Overall, though I appreciate having the opportunity to read this book, it wasn’t one that I enjoyed very much. I don’t see myself in looking at this author’s other works, unfortunately. I’m not really sure who I would recommend this to. Clearly, some have enjoyed it well enough, but I wouldn’t honestly recommend this to any of my friends…

This is another great read by Author Michele Campbell. I was hooked from the beginning right to the ending which I had not figured out! The story starts out in New Hampshire where teen-age Tabitha works at the local beach-side fast-food place while living with her grandparents. She meets Connor Ford, grandson of wealthy Jean Ford who everyone seems to be afraid of. They end up falling in love and when Jean Ford loses her money, Connor leaves. Fast forward to some years later when Connor shows up at the restaurant where Tabitha now works. Tabitha is divorced and Connor is married to an older woman who is very wealthy. The spark is still there between them! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this very twisty thriller in exchange for an honest review.