At age 47, Emma meets Matthew and falls quickly for him although he is eleven years her junior. Her best friends are suspicious of his motives but Emma is too much in love to take notice. But some strange things begin to happen and she feels she is being haunted by Matthew’s first wife, Becky. She also feels Matthew compares her to Becky. Everything changes and Emma is not sure what is real.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Emma, a successful CEO, falls in love with Matthew, a widower, and they quickly become engaged. However, Emma starts to feel insecure and haunted by Matthew's deceased wife. Strange occurrences make her question if she is being haunted or hunted. Her friends think Matthew is gaslighting her, while he believes she is acting like her alcoholic father. The mystery of what is really happening unfolds as Emma's life may be in danger.

This is my second book by Adele, and I must say, she did not disappoint! The story was a thrilling rollercoaster ride with a twist that caught me completely off guard. I was so engrossed in the book that I couldn't put it down all day. The unexpected ending left me pondering, "What would I do?"

The characters were not only likable but also well-developed, which is a rare combination. I found myself rooting for all of them, which doesn't happen often. There were so many red flags and unanswered questions surrounding the "happy" couple, especially Emma's lack of inquiry before deepening their relationship. This mystery kept me eagerly turning each page.

While the plot was complex and at times frustrating, all the pieces fell into place as the story unfolded. Multiple points of view were presented towards the end, shedding light on the reasons behind the events. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and was pleased that it lived up to my expectations.

If you appreciate deceit, family drama, and unexpected twists and turns, this book is must-read. It's a captivating story that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

First Wife’s Shadow started out a bit slow, but when strange accidents start happening in Emma’s life, it really started to pick up for me. Haunted by her new husbands dead wife, things are becoming increasingly intense for Emma. Her friends don’t believe her, her husband thinks she’s drinking too much, and she believes the ghost of Becky is out to get her. Is she wrong?

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.

First Wife’s Shadow starts out as mystery you think you might be able to guess the plot around but its third act shakes up everything and introduces twists that I dare you to have anticipated.

Emma is a 47 year old woman who has burrowed completely in her routines as a reaction to the chaos her alcoholic father wrought in her childhood, and this discipline to her routine contributes to her success as a CEO and the accompanying wealth that comes with this. When she meets recent widower Matthew her routines and discipline go out the window as for the first time in years she gives in to her heart (despite her friends concerns). But Emma seems to be losing her wits, drinking more, and generally suspecting she’s being haunted by Matthew’s first wife, Becky.

You may think you know what’s afoot (and you probably do) but Matthew throws in some curve balls as the story continues and Adele Parks writes her characters so well that by the end I wasn’t sure what was coming next.

This book had a wonderful storyline and plot! It was a bit lengthy and drawn out in places but the twists were excellent and unexpected!

Emma is an independent, wealthy woman who has everything going for her - except she doesn’t really have anyone to share her life with. She meets Mathew, a handsome widower, and things take off. The memory of Mathew’s first wife lingers, and Emma can’t help but think she might just be second best. But questionable things begin to happen as their relationship progresses and Emma is not sure if she can trust her husband, or herself.

I very much enjoyed this novel. This is my first book by Adele Parks and I was very pleased with it. The story had me hooked from the beginning and halfway through the story takes a huge turn! At first, I was certain that I already knew what was going on in the story. Then the plot twist was revealed, and I was in shock! The rest of the story had me wanting to read more and more. Just when I thought I was able to figure out the outcome, another plot twist was added! This was definitely a twisty thriller and I had me on my toes, especially towards the end. If you enjoy Freida McFadden books give this one a try! I highly recommend it!

Title releases on March 18 2025

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I met Adele Parks at a screening for the movie adaptation about her book about twin sisters. LOVED the movie & was excited to read her new book. I enjoyed the beginning of the book, the dating/courtship of 47 yr old CEO of Airbright Emma Westerly and 36 yr old freelance photographer Matthew Charlton. Emma feels a bit insecure, "....dating Matthew is wonderful, but negotiating the presence of a dead ex is a new experience & oddly a little trickier than negotiating the presence of a live one." Emma feels "I'm second choice, not second chance" and she'll "never be the love of his life. Only second to her." Her best friend Heidi thinks Matthew is rushing the relationship. She cautions Emma to get a prenup. Emma is the orphaned daughter. Her dad was an alcoholic and Emma tends to drink a lot. At 25%, I start wondering if Emma is an unre6natrator. First she was locked in her sauna and then there's a breakin. Comments are made about her being in perimenopause and not sleeping well and having brain fog. In Chapter 14, Matthew is already moving in with the very successful Emma after only dating less than 4 months. Is Matthew a con-artist? Did he kill his first wife Becky? Adele Parks is known for crazy twists so I'm anticipating something. The scene with the spaghetti sauce has me convinced Emma has serious issues. By the end of Chapter 19, the book seems ridiculous. I was going to skim the rest of the book to see if my predictions were correct. Without 54%, I was so disappointed & disgusted that I just stopped reading it.

I'm being generous giving it 2 stars and encourage you to watch the movie adaptation of Parks other book instead.

I am so sad to say that I did not enjoy this one. It was so slow and dragged out. The ending was not as shocking as I would've liked it to be. It was also pretty predictable to be honest. It just didn't hit the right spots for me with this one.

I am a huge fan of Adele Parks, I have yet to read a book of hers that disappointed me, and this one is no different. I really enjoyed this book, and didn’t want it to end. There were so many twists, it will make you feel as though you are on a roller coaster, and will put the book down with a slight case of whiplash.

The premise of the book without spoilers: After Emma falls in love with Matthew, those close to Emma think that the only thing Matthew is after is her money. Then strange things start happening, making Emma feel as though she may be losing her mind.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and last but not least, Adele Parks for allowing me the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication.

Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC! I enjoyed Adele Parks’ writing and the storyline was entertaining. I feel I was missing some key elements of the story, but I’m not sure if this was left out or I somehow bypassed it. I did like the plot twist and it was unexpected.

First wife’s shadow by Adele parks

Emma is a CEO who has the world at her fingertips, wealthy, and a life that others would kill for. She meets Matthew who dotes on her and listens to her. After only a few short months she falls in love and marries him. Soon after the once perfect fit turns sketchy, Emma questions her once confident lifestyle into a question of her memory and capacity to handle day to day tasks.

This book was good but also calculated just when you think you know what’s happening it spins you around and points things in a different direction completely. I enjoyed it but also had an idea what would happen. I enjoyed it.

This was definitely a slow burn, the only problem is that it never seemed to pick up. I found the twists and turns to be a bit predictable. Honestly, I feel that all domestic thrillers are quite similar and maybe that’s the reason I didn’t find this one to be unique. It was okay

Emma is a wealthy business woman. She is the CEO and has spent her life building the company and neglecting her personal life. Now, at a conference she meets Matthew a handsome, younger man who is a widower. She is drawn to him and falls into a whirlwind romance. He keeps comparing Emma to his ex-wife Becky who seems to be perfect in every way.

Her friends do not like him and feel she is rushing into a relationship with him and try and warn her. She decides to marry him in a small wedding.

Once married strange things start happening around the house. This is my favorite part as you are not sure what is real and what is imaginary or who is behind it. This had so many great plot twists and just kept wondering how all the dots were going to connect.

A great action packed, twisty thriller filled with love, friendship, revenge, betrayal and obsession. Everyone has some skeletons in their family history but how far would you go to protect the secrets?

This was an enjoyable thriller centered around a successful woman who begins dating a charming widower who seems too good to be true—and, of course, he is. While the premise feels familiar, Adele Parks kept me intrigued throughout. Some parts stretched believability, but the final twist at the very end made for a satisfying finish. Overall, I’d give this a solid 3 stars.

It's rare to come across something that's just the right amount of twisty, even where it's slightly predictable. So, overall, refreshing in a heh heh heh kind of way.

SYNOPSIS
- Emma, a wealthy & successful CEO, has overcome her chaotic childhood marked by alcoholic parents.
- She finds happiness with Matthew, a widower who is about ten years younger than her, and they quickly get engaged after just three months.
- However, Emma struggles with feelings of inadequacy, believing she’s second best compared to Matthew's late wife.
- Strange things also start to happen—the feeling of being watched, things breaking, and missing items in the house.
- Matthew begins to suspect Emma is drinking too much and her friends, Heidi and Gina, to worry he might be gaslighting her. Emma is left questioning what’s going on.

MY THOUGHTS
- This book was a masterclass in storytelling, with multiple twists that are perfectly executed to keep readers guessing until the very end.
- Each twist was seamlessly layered into the narrative. Just when you think you have the story figured out, another revelation turns everything upside down, and you’re left questioning everything you thought you knew.
- The first chunk of the book is from Emma’s POV, and it sets the stage. In the second half of the book, we get more perspectives, and it all comes together. Very satisfying ending.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Very well done thriller/suspense with satisfying ending.

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA & Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchanges for an honest review. This book will be published on March 18, 2025.

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. This book blew my expectations out of the water. I thought for sure I was going to figure out the book but, all the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat. This book was better than I expected and I absolutely loved it.

Make sure to add this one to your list if you love twists and books that keep you continuing to guess what’s going to happen next.

It's was just an okay book to me! It drug on really slow! Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review!

First Wife’s Shadow by Adele Parks is a wonderful, compelling story that will keep your interest from beginning to end. Emma is an older woman who meets Mathew 11 years younger and falls madly in love with him. This is a thriller with many twists and turns as the relationship between them continues to develop and strange, frightening things begin to happen.. I won’t reveal the plot as i don't want to give it away but I guarantee you wont be able to put this book down!!

Emma has been hoping that a special someone will cross her path, and she isn’t disappointed when Matthew, a handsome widower, approaches her after her keynote speech at an organizational meeting.
As their relationship moves quickly, her close friends warn her. She is a wealthy woman, and Matthew lives paycheck to paycheck. Emma refuses to listen, but as their relationship progresses, she learns that he was once married and is still mourning the loss of his first wife.
Soon, Matthew presses Emma to marry him, but she fears she will never be able to fill his first wife’s shoes. Emma is now fearful of him and his insistence that they marry. What are his ulterior motives? Are her friends right?