Am I a little rundown on the abusive husband /too good to be true scenario? Sure.

But the writing and characters here are strong enough to keep this one fresh.

I do wish they'd gone more in depth on Zoey and Sawyer's marriage rather than just insinuate.

I was disappointed in this book. I feel the story had a lot of potential. However, I would have liked the synopsis to mention that it was in a Mennonite/ Amish setting. As books in that setting are not something I enjoy.

The Ex-Wives is a story about Elena who is married to Jackson and supposedly lives the perfect life along with her daughter Phoebe. Soon we find out that Jackson has had two previous marriages where they each lost their daughters after leaving him. Turns out, life with Jackson isn’t as perfect as it seems.

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration, it was well done and it was easy to follow the different characters. The storyline itself was good, I enjoyed the twist but I also felt that it dragged a little bit with various plot lines that felt unnecessary to the overall story.

As we kept getting little glances at Elena’s past life I really wish this was fleshed out more, particularly around how she met Jackson. I really enjoyed the end which is where a story really clinches it rating with me. Overall I would give this one 3.5 stars and would recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre.

"Two ex-wives. Two missing girls. Will yours be next?"

Love the cover!
Not a bad thriller with a unique premise. Unreliable narrator makes this a fantastic, fast paced story.
Looking forward to reading more of Jenna Kernan.

Another book where I can honestly say "I did not see that coming!" Seriously, what a shocker that was! Woohoo! I love when a book can shock me and this one did it!

Elana considers herself fortunate to have met Jackson after the death of her husband. She initially believes that she has a perfect life. But soon, Jackson begins telling her what to wear, not to work, and what to say to people. But her life otherwise is good, right? Her daughter, Phoebe is happy and has made friends. But then, Elena finds out that Jackson is a liar. He has been married twice before and that is only the beginning....

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a fantastic job. Elena quickly learns that all that glitters is not gold. She has stepped in some serious you-know-what! Jackson is a powerful man. He is the mayor, and his brother is a police officer. Where do you turn when those in the position to help are loyal to the enemy?

Just when I thought I had things figured out, Jenna Kernan shocked the daylights out of me with a reveal which had my head spinning. Very nicely played.

Great narration, perfect plotting, and a jaw dropping reveal, made for a very enjoyable listen (read).

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a decent thriller with a constant thread of suspense woven in. However, the MC's naïveté really bugged the heck out of me. I know that many women end up in dysfunctional relationships, and maybe, just maybe I'm too suspicious of a person, but come on! If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, and other people tell you it's a duck, then... what's it gonna take for you to realize that IT IS A FREAKING DUCK?!? I will say the narrator did a great job with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so twisted! Jackson is so messed up and terrifying. I was literally on the edge of my seat for the last half of this book and could not wait to see how it ended. There were so many twists in this story.

What would you do if you found out your husband has 2 ex wives, both of whom had daughters disappear when they left him? It started as the perfect romance with a wealthy man, mayor of his small town. And he even took in her daughter. But after marriage things quickly changed and the fairy tale ends. The main character learns of the step daughters that disappeared and grapples with what happened. If she leaves will her daughter be next? I listened to this thriller and loved the twist at the end. If you love a good domestic thriller and small town corruption, check this one out!

How many times do we need to tell you to not marry someone you just met 2-3 months ago?? Like come on!! lol Sometimes I wanted to smack the MC for being so naive, but it was overall a decent domestic thriller and the narration was good!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Oh my goodness - I LOVED this book!!! I was grabbed from page one and could not wait to listen to more, I went to bed at night thinking about the book and excited to wake up so I could finish. There was no mystery to really solve or "twist" that shocked me it was just a well written book that I enjoyed.

Synopsis per Amazon:
Two ex-wives. Two missing girls. Will yours be next?
Pulling a batch of my husband’s favorite golden oatmeal cookies from the oven, I smile to hear my daughter Phoebe playing in the treehouse outside. I was once so close to losing everything, but since I married handsome Jackson, I have a perfect life. Jackson might tell me what to wear, but he just likes to buy me nice things. He says I don’t need a job, and why would I want one? I can spend all day taking care of Phoebe and running errands in the fancy car Jackson gave me—he knows everywhere I go, and I love how much he wants to keep me safe.
But my whole world shatters when I find out Jackson is a liar.
He never mentioned he was married before—twice.
I love him so much. But how can I trust him now? Desperate for answers, I search our pristine house top to bottom. I thought Jackson was caring: but is it a way to control me?
When I track down his ex-wives, I see fear in their eyes. Both these women had little girls just like me. And when they left Jackson, their daughters went missing.
Devastated I’ve put Phoebe in danger, I have no choice but to find the truth about those poor girls. To protect Phoebe, I must pretend to still be the perfect wife, even though fear floods through me at Jackson’s touch.
But how far will I have to go? And what will happen to me and my sweet child if my husband finds out?

Former widow Elana is living the perfect life with her new husband Jackson. He is rich and handsome and has provided her with a lovely home and everything she could ever ask for including a wonderful school for her sweet daughter Phoebe. Even though she isn't allowed to work, decide what to wear, or even eat chocolate, ever, its just because Jackson loves her and wants to provide the best for her and her daughter, right? Wrong. It turns out Jackson is a lot more controlling than Elana ever realized and she has just found out that the daughters of his two ex-wives (yes two) went missing shortly after they divorced. Now the FBI is asking for Elana's help to find any kind of proof that Jackson was involved with the girls' disappearances. Pretending to still be the perfect wife, will she be able to escape Jackson? Or will Phoebe be the next to disappear?
Wow! What a thrilling ride this was. It had my attention immediately and I couldn't stop listening! There was so much action and craziness I felt like I was right there routing Elana on. This was exciting, jaw dropping, and heart breaking. I also love the narrator pick for the audio book, she sucked me right in! Although there weren't any huge twists like the books I normally enjoy I was still engrossed in this one from start to finish and highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to listen to an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This one was fine, nothing great. I probably won't remember it much past finishing. It was a decent domestic thriller.

This is a domestic suspense thriller. I was rooting for Elana the whole way through and could not put the book down! Her husband, Jackson, is probably my most unliked character of the year! He is insane! I loved how the book was written in alternating time periods leading up to present day and so…much…suspense! Loved it! This is a first from this author but will not be the last! The narration was done well.

A great example of a really exciting crime thriller. Sinister and foreboding with the use of dual timelines to build tension. Fast paced and seriously nail-biting in places, my anxiety was through the roof!

When Elana marries Jackson she is a poor 24 year old widow, Jackson seems like the perfect man and sweeps her off her feet - handsome, charismatic and rich, he charms her into marrying him and bringing both her and her daughter Phoebe into the family. However on the day of her wedding rehearsal dinner she receives a warning from one of his ex wives, surely she is just crazy or jealous? Or is there more to Jackson than meets the eye…?


Great narration as always by Stephanie Cannon



CW domestic violence, coercive control, domestic abuse, gaslighting, emotional blackmail, child abuse

Elana lost her first husband in a tragic accident. She was a single mom to her daughter, Phoebe, and worked hard but they were just getting by. Then she meets the charming Jackson Belauru. He's successful, has money, is handsome, and is the mayor of Bald Cypress. After a whirlwind courtship, they get married. Just before her wedding one of Jackson's ex-wifes (he has two) warns her off and tells her he isn't what he seems. Elans brushes her off as a jealous ex.

It isn't long before Elana starts to realize that the reason Jason seemed too good to be try is because he is. She learns that both his exes' daughters went missing, one after she divorced him. She wants out, but she's afraid of what might happen to Phoebe if she runs.

She is along on a trip to NC where Jackson and his brothers are in a fishing contest. She has made plans to leave then, but another situation arises that she takes advantage of and hopes it works out in her favor.

Things don't quite work at as she hoped and then it's a wild ride as she struggles to prove Jackson is who she says he is and not the charming man everyone sees. It is a wild ride! I won't go into details on what happens the latter part of the book in fears of spoilling. But definitely recommend!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for both an eARC and an audio ARC, which allowed me to finish this book in a day, in exchange for my honest review.

This truly is a psychological thriller that will hold your attention to the end of the book. I obtained an early copy of the audio book. Wow, i was never sure what was going to happen. I really hope that Hollywood pick up the movie rights to this story as it would be great on the big screen. Having the audio really brought the book to life. The narrator was perfect for the job and used her voice so you could differentiate between the characters.
Elana Belaru was a widow with a young daughter Pheobe when she met her husband Jackson. Rich and powerful he seemed the answer to her prayers. He cleared her debts, gave her stability but most of all loved her. Or so she thought.
Jackson had been married before. A visit from the FBI informed Elana that a daughter from each of the marriages was missing presumed dead..
Not long into married life Jackson shows his true self. He uses mental and financial abuse to control his new family. Elana begins to realise her daughter too is at risk. But how can she get out of the marriage that will leave her and Phoebe alive.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to see an advanced copy

The Ex Wives, written by Jenna Kernan, is an engrossing psychological thriller with twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout the story. The author does a great job of including just the right amount of flashbacks to understand how the main character ends up where she is today. I especially liked that the author wrapped up the loose ends in the story and added additional storyline after the climax.

The book is especially chilling because … (and I’ll add that this could be a very MILD SPOILER which is quickly revealed early on in the book)… of the emotional and financial abuse that is not uncommon in relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy which I enjoyed through the audio version. I have shared my honest review.

3.5⭐
I need to catch a breath...woah that was tense!

Elana is drowning with bills after her husband died leaving her and precious little Phoebe mostly to themselves without any family nearby. Elana's pretty face and curvy figure caught the eye of a billionaire mayor, Jackson of a little Florida town, Bald Cypress. To Elana, it's like a fairytale to marry a man like Jackson despite being warned about his character by his second ex-wife!

Elana is the type of protagonist you want to shake and tell her to get a grip. To listen to her gut instinct. All the red flags? 🚩🚩 Run woman!! She didn't have anywhere to go and no money. He's soooo controlling to her and Phoebe. Besides, he's the mayor and his brother is a cop.

Knowing this is a domestic psych thriller ahead of time, I tried to guess the twist, and OMG I didn't even see it! What an entertaining first book for me from Jenna Kernan, and I'll just have to look for more.

I enjoyed this audiobook read by Stephanie Cannon. I was able to distinguish the characters without any problem. Male characters did sound funny like they are drunk and it took me a while to realize that wasn't the case.

When Alana met Jackson Bhalerao she had nothing but the love of her deceased husband’s Family, her little girl and her freedom. When she married him he would take even the decision of what she wore away from her. He insisted they buy the vegetables and breads from his “ex”-wife and tracked her every move and phone call. She knew that he could be intense but when the FBI showed up inquiring about his 2X wives missing daughters she was now convinced he could be dangerous as well. She wanted desperately to get away from him but when she thought about the two missing girls she knew she had to find evidence that he did it but at what cost? When he picked up her daughter Phoebe and brought her home with an injury that she was blamed for she knew the cost would have to be her life. This book was so good! I now know who my favorite thriller writer and it’s Jenna Kernan when reading her books you don’t have to steer far from reality it seems she dots every I and crosses every T I can honestly say I didn’t roll my eyes one time while listening to this book. I cannot recommend this book enough it is a perfect thriller with no gaps in the plot or lulls in the dialogue. This book truly deserves five stars. I received my audio copy from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I loved this story!
Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, things flipped leaving me none the wiser. Really terrifying thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Elana can’t believe her luck when she meets Jackson. Mayor of a small town and wealthier than she can imagine she believes it’s a new start for her and her young daughter Phoebe, However Jackson soon shows his true colours and we follow as Elana tries to save both her daughter and herself.
I listened to the audiobook and loved this story from start to finish! Great Narrator and the storyline was excellent. Totally hooked 💕