An interesting re-telling of Rebecca set among the elite and wealthy African American community near DC.

Angel is a private chef for a wealthy family who summers on Martha's Vineyard. When they throw a lavish party, Angel meets Bruce Everett, a very wealthy entrepreneur. His wife, Chloe, as died a suspected suicide. He becomes enamored with Angel and they spend all their free time together. Bruce convinces Angel to come to his estate as a private chef but before long they are in love and get married. Angel feels Chloe's presence everywhere and begins to doubt the story she has been told.

It is not a strong and dramatic as Rebecca, but it is an engaging and creative take on a classic

I love all retellings of Rebecca, naturally. This is no exception. Even though I would steer clear from the rich guy with the dead or missing wife, many others would not. I can't even blame them. This book is romantic more than creepy though.

Engaging, submersive, and fun read. Finished in a couple of sittings. Felt i was right in the world of the book and was emotionally invested. The writing style was smooth and easy. Almost hated for the book to end. Definitely a fan on the author and can't wait until the next book!!

#CONNIEBRISCOE
#CHLOE
#NETGALLEY

Not a fan of this book and the slow burn. When it picked up it was good then it fell again. I realized I am not a fan of long slow burns to get to the drama in the book

Set in the world of wealth and privilege, the novel follows Angel, a private chef who unexpectedly finds herself swept into a whirlwind romance with billionaire Everett Bruce—only to discover that his late wife, Chloe, still casts a long shadow over their lives. Angel is strong, determined, and increasingly unsettled as she uncovers unsettling truths about Everett’s past. The novel’s pacing is expertly crafted, keeping readers hooked as the mystery unfolds. For fans of domestic thrillers and gothic fiction, Chloe is a must-read.

Though the plot wasn't my cup of tea, Connie definitely achieved a good domestic suspense. I will be handselling this title.

A perfect retelling/re-imagining of Rebecca. Fans will not be disappointed. A great pick for book clubs.

“Chloe” by Connie Briscoe

Chloe tells the powerful story of a young enslaved girl born deaf, trying to survive and find her place in a world designed to silence her in more ways than one. Set in 19th-century America, the book follows Chloe as she navigates life on a plantation, learns to read and communicate, and later becomes involved in helping others gain freedom. Even though she can’t hear or speak, Chloe’s voice is strong through her actions, thoughts, and unshakable spirit. Connie Briscoe brings Chloe’s world to life with vivid detail and deep emotion.

General thoughts:
This was such a moving and important story. Connie Briscoe did a beautiful job showing Chloe’s strength without making her suffering the whole focus. You can tell that a lot of research went into writing this book. I also loved that this story gave voice to someone you rarely see in historical fiction—a Black, deaf woman. Chloe’s silence never meant she didn’t have something powerful to say, and Briscoe made that clear with every page. This book was painful at times but also full of hope and courage.

Plot:
The plot was steady and easy to follow. There were a few intense moments that really pulled me in. The story covers a big part of Chloe’s life, from her childhood into adulthood, and I liked how we got to see her grow and learn. The parts where she’s learning to communicate and where she takes risks to help others were especially powerful. Nothing felt rushed or thrown in just for drama—it all made sense for Chloe’s journey.

Characters:
Chloe was an incredible main character. Even though she couldn’t speak, she had so much presence and heart. I felt everything she went through—her fear, her bravery, her small joys. The people around her were also well-written. Some were kind, others cruel, but they all felt real. Chloe’s relationships, especially with the other enslaved people and her teacher, added a lot to the story. The author did a great job showing how much Chloe changed over time, without ever losing who she was.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction and character-driven stories. It’s especially powerful for people who want to read about untold stories in Black history. If you’re looking for a book that will make you feel, learn, and think, Chloe is a great choice. It shows that strength doesn’t always have to be loud—it can be quiet and still change the world.

Narration/ Audiobook: 3/5
Physical Copy/ Story Overall: 2/5 (love the cover though)

I honestly have mixed feelings about this read. The story follows Angel, a chef for a wealthy family, and we quickly settle into her daily routine as “the help.” Angel has dreams of writing her own cookbook and being more than just a home chef. She’s also in a place of figuring herself out in different ways. She’s coming out of a rough relationship, doesn’t have the best dynamic with her boss, but she’s managing.

That is, until she meets Everett Bruce. He’s one of the wealthiest men in the world and well-known among other Black elites. So when Angel runs into him while shopping for her client, she doesn’t think anything of it—she doesn’t usually run in those circles, so she has no idea who he is. But when they cross paths again, she realizes just how important and prominent this man really is.

From there, we see an instant click between them, and they begin a whirlwind relationship. After their first date, Angel finally leaves her boyfriend. Revitalized by everything Everett is offering her—emotionally and materially—she starts to imagine a real future with him. They share an intense, romantic time in Martha’s Vineyard, and neither of them wants it to end. Everett invites her on a spontaneous business trip, then proposes. Angel says yes—despite knowing there are parts of her life she’ll have to leave behind.

But when they return from their trip to Europe, Angel realizes day-to-day life is not what she imagined. Everett is constantly distracted by work, his sister Ida lives on the property and still runs the household, and more than anything, Angel feels the looming presence of Everett’s late wife, Chloe. Everyone believes Chloe committed suicide, and it’s a topic no one seems willing to talk about. There’s even a room Angel’s not supposed to enter.

Angel, determined to step into her new role as the woman of the house, feels Ida should make space for her to do that—and that there shouldn’t be secrets or off-limits spaces in her own home.

This is where my qualms with the book began.
When you look up Chloe, it’s described as a mystery, thriller, retelling, and gothic fiction. What’s not listed is romance—and to me, this book leaned far more into romance than any of those other genres. The mystery behind Chloe’s death isn’t much of a mystery, and the suspense around it doesn’t really build until the end of the book—and it’s not a long book. So it had some pacing issues. I don’t think the story placed tension and suspense where it should’ve.

Just based on the blurb, you’re already suspicious of Everett and the circumstances of his late wife’s death. So when the truth is revealed at the end, nothing about it feels shocking. You’re really only given one person to suspect—and that person is loosely involved in covering things up.

Another issue I had was with the insta-love. I think some readers will be drawn into the fantasy of a rich billionaire sweeping you off your feet—but to me, it made very little sense for Angel to make the decisions she did, knowing so little about Everett or his family. I get that it’s fiction, but it felt rushed and unrealistic.

Unfortunately, this book just didn’t contain the kind of horror I was hoping for—because there really wasn’t any. There was only a minimal level of suspense and tension. Yes, we get some awkward moments between Angel and Ida, and a few tense conversations with Everett, but most people would be uncomfortable talking about the death of a previous partner—especially if it was suspicious or painful. So those moments didn’t carry the weight they could have.

The pacing really affects how you enjoy the read. We spend a lot of time with Angel as a chef, then another large chunk of time on her romance with Everett. So by the time we arrive at to the somewhat suspenseful moments of the book, they feel underwhelming.

I also found it odd how Everett would shut down any talk of his late wife one moment, then in the next breath call her a whore and speak in vivid, cruel detail about her affairs. I understand he was hurt—but for someone who didn’t want Angel digging into the past, he gave her every reason to be curious. It didn’t need to be repeated over and over how low and dirty Chloe was. It removed any ambiguity and made the ending feel even less impactful. And some of the emphasis on relationships Chloe had—like the one with the gardener—felt unnecessary.

When writing a short book, every moment matters. I just don’t think this book capitalized on its page count.
I originally picked this up when it first came out, but DNF’d it. I decided to try again with the audiobook and finished it that way. I’m not necessarily disappointed—but more so surprised by the lack of interesting characters. I do think this book would’ve gone over better if marketed differently. I would’ve been more prepared for the romantic focal point and expected less horror and thrill. I did get the sense that the author enjoys a bit of mess in her storytelling. Which I’m here for! So, I’ll definitely be interested in reading another book by her that more clearly aligns with the genre it claims to be.

Thanks to Netgalley and Amistad for this chance to read and review!

When Angel arrives in Martha’s Vineyard for her yearly summer job as a personal chef, falling in love is the last thing on her mind. But that’s exactly what happens when she meets Everett, a billionaire who seems absolutely perfect. At first. After they’re married and back at his mansion in DC, she starts to realize that a whirlwind summer full of romance isn’t enough time to truly get to know someone. And there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or his first wife who died under questionable circumstances. This is a reimagining of the classic Rebecca. It’s very suspenseful although the first half of the book was a bit too drawn out for me. I also felt that the ending was a bit rushed. Overall a good read.

This book offers a quick and enjoyable escape! It has the potential to be a more expansive read, as I felt the characters could have benefited from further development. It seemed like everyone revolved around Angel's world. Nevertheless, I found myself completely engrossed, and I dreaded having to set it aside while at work. The story is packed with twists, deception, and intrigue, culminating in a satisfying moment where the heroine takes charge. While some elements may come across as cliché or not entirely realistic, I found it incredibly entertaining. It’s perfect for those moments when you want to be transported away, especially while traveling.

This book was a remake and to be fair, I did not read the book in which this is based. I think the book started off strong but just did not make sense as the story progressed. The book did not end how I expected. The entire book is based on Angel’s trying to figure out what happened to Chloe, Everette’s first wife. When she finds out the truth and completely disregards doing the right thing with the information did not make sense based on her character throughout the book. And then the book just ends. I guess you can say the ending was a twist but it really just made me upset. If you are interested in reading, I would highly recommended checking out the original work entitled Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.

This was a retelling of the classic Rebecca. so keep that in mind.
That being said,. even though i knew how the story was supposed to go, I enjoyed the slow beginning because it gave us time to get to know the characters. We got thrills, suspense. It really read like a thriller.
I enjoyed it.

Three and a half stars rounded up to four. Angel is a chef for a wealthy family in Martha's Vineyard. They vacation there for four weeks every summer. After a whirlwind romance, Angel marries billionaire Everett, and moves to his home, titled Riverwild. There she finds his first wife, who died by suicide, is still very much a presence in the house...
This was supposed to be a retelling of Rebecca, but I felt that there was a lot of buildup, that led to a weak ending.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amistad for the opportunity to read Chloe by Connie Briscoe! This was a compelling and atmospheric read that explores class, power, and secrets through the eyes of Angel, a private chef navigating the world of the Black elite on Martha’s Vineyard. I think Chloe blends gothic suspense with social commentary, and I was drawn in by the secrets simmering beneath the surface. I read that it's a retelling of read the classic Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier which I haven't read but I I recommend you take a chance with Chloe.

This is a very short & fast paced read. However, I felt it was more of a murder mystery than a thriller.

Let me start of with the positives: I have never read Rebeccas so i only have an experience with this book to compare. Now for the negative: I felt like something overall of the story was missing and some parts were under told. And when I got the to end I felt like a lot of time was wasted for it to end like this. I have several of this author’s book on my shelf and think she should stick to her original stories. Overall this was a disappointing read for me. I gave it 2.5 stars on Storygraph and will not be putting it on Instagram as I rarely post negative reviews there and definitely don’t bash authors for their work. This book was a no for me but enjoyed it enough to finish.

This book was out of the norm of what I normally read which was why I requested it. I had high hopes and enjoyed the book for the most part. It just was very predictable. I was able to guess the big plot twists. I didn’t feel any attachment to any of the characters but it was well written.

I was really excited about reading this book based off of the synopsis. Unfortunately it fell flat for me. I really wanted to like it. The “Thrill” was lacking

Thank you @coloredpagesbt @amistadbooks for the gifted copy!!
Brief synopsis from Goodreads: A retelling of Daphne Du Maurier’s classic Rebecca, this chilling tale of domestic suspense follows Angel, a spirited woman who marries a Black billionaire—only to discover that he remains haunted by his first wife, who took her own life… or did she?

The synopsis immediately intrigued me and had me hooked—I needed to know what was really going on. This was a quick read with a touch of mystery. However, I felt the story could have been developed further, as it fell a bit short in some areas.