Talk about one heck of a twisty ride!!! Wow!! What started out as a slow burn domestic thriller turned out to be full of surprises!

I will give the minimal details or it would give everything away! Man meets woman, they date. Man and woman fall in love. However, is something more dark lurking in the background?

I highly recommend you go into this one blind! Please! I didn’t read the synopsis and I’m so glad I didn’t!!

I alternated between the arc and the audio. Massive thanks to Mira, Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub date 3/18/2025

This was my second Adele Parks book and it was an enjoyable domestic thriller. The plot and multiple POV kept me interested in seeing what would happen next, and I really liked the surprises that were throughout the book. Not only were there surprises, but the ending was unexpected but satisfying! I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration. She did an excellent job portraying the characters.

Emma's got everything she needs in life: she's a successful
CEO, has two close best-friends, owns a gorgeous home in the
woods, and is a billionaire. Now that she's in her mid-forties,
she's given up on the idea of finding a husband and is content
with that. Until she meets photographer and widower Matthew
and quickly becomes enamored. Though he's younger and not
even remotely wealthy, he is kind and attentive and fun. Then a
string of unusual events has Emma worrying for her safety and
her friends worrying that she's rushed into her relationship.


So many thriller authors these days seem to love outlandish
twists, but @adele_parks isn't one of them. I was apprehensive
at the mid-point that things were going to go a bit haywire and
so relieved when they didn't. The twist was great, and with the
clues Parks laid, it was predictable (which it SHOULD be), it just
wasn't blatantly obvious (which it SHOULDNT be). This was a
step up from a popcorn thriller but was just as easy to read one.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarlequinTradePublishing for the book #FirstWifesShadow by #AdeleParks. This book is packed with revenge, jealousy and lots of secrets and it blew me away! So good! Emma meets a younger Matthew during a business trip. They immediately start a relationship and things move way fast. Emma always feels second best to his dead first wife. But things aren’t as they seem and Emma soon discovers she doesn’t know who to trust and if she is imagining things.

You might think, reading the blurb, that you know what's going to happen but give this one a chance because there are some nice twists. Emma, who is 47, falls hard for Matthew, who is 36, when they meet at a conference but something isn't quite right, although she can't put her finger on it. He's only been widowed for a year and the shadow of his wife (yeah, I know) hangs over their lives. Yep, it will remind you a bit of Rebecca and others in the genre but then...no spoilers. Honestly, the red alert should have gone up in Emma's head almost immediately but she spends so much energy worried about their age difference that the rest seems to slide by her. It's a fast and entertaining read. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Good storytelling will keep you turning the pages.

First Wife's Shadow
Release: March 18, 2025
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing

Rating: 4 ★ 

In First Wife’s Shadow, Adele Parks crafts a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of love, jealousy, and the haunting presence of a past relationship. The novel follows Emma, a wealthy and independent CEO, who falls for Matthew, a charming widower. As their relationship intensifies, Emma becomes increasingly obsessed with Matthew’s late wife, Becky, whose memory seems to overshadow their present. Strange occurrences—objects disappearing, feelings of being watched—escalate Emma’s paranoia. Torn between trusting her husband and her own sanity, Emma navigates a treacherous path where nothing is as it seems. Parks masterfully weaves suspense and emotion, keeping readers on edge until the final, unexpected twist.
Adele Parks delivers another compelling domestic thriller with First Wife’s Shadow, a novel that expertly explores love, obsession, and the lingering presence of the past. This one leans heavily into psychological suspense, keeping the reader questioning what’s real and what’s manipulation.
The pacing is steady but filled with an undercurrent of tension that builds as Emma’s paranoia grows. Instead of nonstop action, the suspense comes from the slow unraveling of secrets and the eerie sense that something isn’t quite right. Every chapter adds a new layer to the mystery, making it hard to put down.
Emma is a strong, successful woman, but her vulnerability when it comes to love makes her feel real. Matthew, as the enigmatic widower, is the perfect blend of charming and suspicious. The presence of his late wife, Becky, looms over the story, almost becoming a character herself. Their dynamic creates a chilling atmosphere—Emma is desperate to be loved, but she can’t shake the feeling that she’s living in another woman’s shadow.
Parks does an excellent job weaving paranoia and psychological manipulation into the story. As Emma starts to question her own sanity, so does the reader. The twists aren’t just about shocking moments—they’re about peeling back layers of deception, leading to an unsettling and satisfying conclusion.

Favorite Quote: 
"love and lies are often intertwined; it takes strength to see the difference and courage to act on it."

The First Wife’s Shadow
By Adele Parks
Pub Date 3/18/2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This book pissed me off. Don’t stop here, keep reading ⬇️

As a member of the over-40 community, and a woman who has held a high stress job, the idiocy of the main character was offensive.

I struggled to get in to this book.

And there was spacing issues on the ARC which gave me an actual headache.

At 35% I wanted to DNF. At half-way through, the whole plot is revealed.

OR SO I THOUGHT.

I flew through the back half because it was GOOD. The twists were well done.

We are left with some absolution and the age-old question: does the end always justify the means?

Also. PSA: trust your gut.

And read this book. Available 3/18 on all the platforms.

I recently had the opportunity to read an ARC of “First Wife’s Shadow” by Adele Parks, and it was an absolutely captivating experience. From the very beginning, Parks draws you into a world of mystery, secrets, and complex relationships that are impossible to resist.

The story revolves around Emma, a woman who discovers unsettling truths about her husband’s first wife, who mysteriously disappeared years ago. As Emma delves deeper into the past, she uncovers secrets that threaten to unravel her own life. The tension builds as she navigates a web of lies, betrayal, and danger, all while trying to protect her family and uncover the truth.

Parks’ writing is both elegant and gripping, making it easy to get lost in the narrative. The characters are richly developed, each with their own unique personalities and hidden depths that keep you guessing until the very end.

One of the standout features of this book is the way Parks seamlessly blends suspense with emotional depth. The plot twists are expertly crafted, and the pacing is perfect, ensuring that there is never a dull moment. The themes of love, betrayal, and the search for truth are explored with nuance and sensitivity, adding layers of meaning to the story.

“First Wife’s Shadow” is a masterful thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Adele Parks has once again proven herself to be a brilliant storyteller, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery with heart. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

This is another slow burn domestic suspense by an author that I know will deliver, you just have to be patient to get to the good stuff. She tends to lay the groundwork in a methodical manner which can take some time in the beginning. Once you get to the action things do pick up in a major way and that’s when I became fully invested. The premise here was good, you have Emma ignoring several red flags about her new boyfriend, Matthew and you think it will go in one direction, but I was pleasantly surprised it veered off course slightly. In the second half there are tons of reveals and turns and I was never quite sure what would happen next. If you like slow burn thrillers, unlikable characters, surprising twists and dramatic endings try this!

Emma is living a great life, which gets even better when she meets Matthew. He seems like a catch...but things are moving pretty quickly...and also his first wife died mysteriously. So, there's that...to worry about.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

"First Wife's Shadow" by Adele Parks is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into themes of love, jealousy, and the complexities of second marriages. The story centers on Emma, a successful CEO who, after a whirlwind romance, marries Matthew, a charming widower. As their relationship progresses, Emma becomes increasingly haunted by the memory of Matthew's first wife, Becky, leading to a series of events that challenge her perceptions and trust.

Critics have praised the novel for its intricate plot and compelling character development. Em from A Quintillion Words describes it as "a twisty, completely gripping read that will keep you up at night," highlighting its potential as a "book of the year contender." citeturn0search0 Similarly, a reviewer on The StoryGraph notes that while the first half of the book progresses slowly, the latter half offers unexpected twists that enhance the overall experience. citeturn0search5

The narrative effectively explores the psychological impact of living in the shadow of a deceased spouse. In an article for The Daily Telegraph, Parks discusses how the protagonist, Emma, is "knocked off balance—by which I mean driven half mad—by the thought of her perfect predecessor, Becky." This exploration of irrational jealousy and self-doubt adds depth to the storyline, making it relatable to readers who have faced similar insecurities. citeturn0news10

However, some readers have noted areas for improvement. A review on Debbish.com points out that while the plot is engaging, the characters could benefit from more development, particularly Emma's friends, Heidi and Gina, who play significant roles in the story. citeturn0search2

Overall, "First Wife's Shadow" is a compelling read that masterfully combines suspense with an insightful look into the emotional complexities of relationships overshadowed by past loves. Adele Parks' storytelling prowess ensures that readers are kept on edge, eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth.

The first half of this book was a little slow for me, but it was just getting me ready for all the action in the second half, lots of twists and turns. Overall I enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader’s copy.

First Wife's Shadow was a quick read from Adele Parks. The first half was a bit slow, but it did pick up in the second half. There were some nice twists to this one. I recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First Wife’s Shadow by Adele Parks is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows Emma, a wealthy and independent CEO, who falls for Matthew, a charming widower. As their relationship progresses, Emma becomes increasingly haunted by the memory of Matthew’s first wife, Becky.

Parks masterfully builds suspense as Emma’s doubts and fears grow. Strange occurrences and a sense of being watched add to the tension, making Emma question her sanity and the true nature of her relationship with Matthew. The novel explores themes of love, trust, and the lingering shadows of the past, all while delivering unexpected twists and turns.

Overall, First Wife’s Shadow is a compelling read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and domestic noir. It's a story that delves into the complexities of relationships and the impact of past traumas. This was a book that I couldn't put down. I really enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

This was an interesting thriller. I think I liked the second half of the story more than the first but it was somewhere between 3.5 to 4 stars for me. I honestly didn't see the biggest twist coming...and I have to wonder if I was the only one who didn't see it coming or not. Either way, I would look for more books by Adele Parks in the future.

First Wife’s Shadow by Adele Parks

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a complimentary copy of this novel!
This is a psychological thriller with twists you won’t see coming! Matthew’s first wife, Becky, died. Emma is a rich woman in her late 40’s, while Matthew is about 11 years younger than her. Emma has never been married. She has her habits and routines set, so when she meets Matthew at a conference it’s something new and exhilarating for Emma. Their relationship takes off so fast that Emma’s friends are concerned Matthew is interested in Emma simply for her money. Afterall, he is broke. However, Becky’s shadow and memory keeps lurking in the background. Matthew keeps bringing her up. Matthew has moved in with Emma and they’re planning on getting married, but things begin to happen around the house. Items get moved around, there is a weird small in the air, furniture gets damaged, etc. Emma begins to think she is going crazy. Then she falls off a ladder outside, the same way Becky died! Emma begins to think Becky’s ghost if haunting her!!! She doesn’t know who to trust...not her new husband, not her two girlfriends, and especially not herself! Has Emma really lost it or is something or someone else doing all this? Look for this novel on March 18, 2025 to find out what happens to Emma and who is behind all the weird happenings!!! 4 stars

First Wife's Shadow was a quick and entertaining read! The twists and turns kept me hooked throughout the whole story. I would definitely recommend.

In this story, we meet Emma. A very put together woman... Physically fit, a high power job, financially fit. She is ok with the fact that in midlife, she hasn't found her forever partner. Enter Matthew. A much younger widowed man who has her smitten. A chance meeting has her head over heels. Their relationship moves at a very quick pace and her friends are not too happy with her. Once she finds herself estranged from them, strange things start happening. The second half of the book keeps you guessing and is a really fast read. Really enjoyed this book. I would like to thank The Killer Crime Club on Facebook and Netgalley for the ARC.

First Wife’s Shadow
Adele Parks

I can feel the malice lurking behind my eyelids and the scenes in Adele Parks’ First Wife’s Shadow. The title is a hint. T

Despite dead parents, cold rich relatives and druggie/ hippie brother, Single Emma is a fit , mid forty extremely disciplined CEO and Spokesperson of an eco smart company. She has built her dream eco home of glass out in the woods of Hampshire.

Emma’s best friends are Heidi and Gina. Both are married. Both have kids. They have girls nights and meals with all the families. Emma may feel included but the woods get lonely for companionship.

Enter Matthew, a young, handsome widowed photographer, Emma meets at one of her corporate speaking engagements. As they become a pair, Emma has strange mishaps that happen when she is at her home. These events seem bizarre and mostly harmless when Matthew meets all her friends and makes a good impression but Heidi girl is wondering aloud what’s up?!

Things escalate and accelerate. Matthew has moved in, freaks out about having a big wedding, they elope in the Maldives, Heidi and Emma are on the outs. Emma’s control snaps as home break in/ attacks become perilous. Does Matthew believe her? Will her friends rally even though she’s cut them off? Who is after her?

You absolutely must read the First Wife’s Shadow to find out. ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love Adele Parks’ books and highly recommend them to friends who love domestic suspense often. Thank you to Mira Books and NetGalley for an advanced digital read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review!

This book was a quick and easy read, however there were so many times I wanted to yell at the main character because she ignored obvious red flag after red flag. Because of her ignorance and its predictability, I would rate this 2.5.