This really was a thrilling read! I was thinking it was going one specific direction, and then towards the end the author blindsides you, and everything changes! Really enjoyed it, will read more in future!
TB

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Sister-in-Law.

This domestic thriller hooked me early with its simmering tension and layered family dynamics. The author does a brilliant job of capturing the unease that creeps in when someone new enters a tightly wound household—and the slow unraveling that follows.

I especially appreciated how the story played with perception: who’s telling the truth, who’s hiding something, and how far people will go to protect their version of reality. The pacing kept me engaged, and while a few twists felt familiar, the emotional undercurrents gave them weight.

It’s a story about loyalty, manipulation, and the secrets we keep even from ourselves. Perfect for fans of slow-burn suspense with a psychological edge.

It took me a bit to get into this book. The story centers on Megan and Emily and is told in alternating POVs. Megan has lost her husband Rick in a car accident and Emily shows up at the funeral, claiming to be Rick’s sister. The two end up getting to know each other better in the subsequent months but they both have secrets they are hiding.

The dynamic between the characters is interesting because it’s clear something is off, Sometimes the narrative felt a tad repetitive, as often the same incident is described by both characters. There were some good twists in the book, most of which I did figure out, but some were surprises.

Overall, I ended up enjoying this book and thought it was a unique take on a common storyline.. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a ebook to review,

I picked up this thriller to keep a reading slump at bay, and it worked.

The characters were well developed — each felt distinct, with their own voice and presence on the page. I felt both empathy and disdain for some of them, which was fantastic.

I especially enjoyed the process of trying to guess the plot twists as I read. The ending was brilliant — it wrapped up, then gave me an extra surprise ending, which I found very satisfying.

I felt the underlying motives behind the actions toward the end could have been stronger. Even so, this was a lot of fun and exactly what I needed.

This book was so full of twists & turns, it was great! I definitely found it difficult to put down as I needed to know what was going to happen next!

This book was an easy read thriller. Not only did it leave me, guessing it definitely had me on the edge of my seat. I will say the book is a bit predictable but excellent for anyone who is thinking about reading a mystery or thriller.

I was able to get an advanced copy through NetGalley and I’m very thankful!

I really enjoyed everything about this book , I really enjoyed the characters and the authors writing style

Joanne Ryan’s The Sister-in-Law is a gripping psychological thriller that explores grief, trust, and the unsettling feeling that something-or someone—isn’t quite what they seem. The story begins with Megan, a young widow reeling from the sudden loss of her husband, Rick. When a mysterious, pregnant woman named Emily shows up at his funeral claiming to be Rick’s long-lost sister, Megan’s world is thrown into further disarray.

The novel is a slow burn, gradually building tension as Emily becomes more entwined in Megan’s life. Ryan does a great job of creating an atmosphere of unease, and the dual perspectives add depth, even if they occasionally feel a bit repetitive. The final act, however, is where the book truly shines—twists unravel quickly, and the ending is both surprising and satisfying.

While the pacing may not suit readers looking for constant action, fans of character-driven suspense will appreciate the emotional complexity and the creeping sense of dread that builds throughout. A solid, twisty read that keeps you guessing until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joanne Ryan, and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sister-in-Law by Joanne Ryan really delivers! Characters that grab you from the start, loads of suspense, and a big twist! A winner!

Whoa! What was I reading?? I thought that I was reading a psychological/ thriller. I don’t think I got that. First of all the story is told in a third person perspective. They introduce a dramatic scene with characters and in interesting scene. They then fast forward without ribbon to stretch them to the next. They have this narrative that loses easily from the story. Where is the beginning of the story? Where’s the introduction of the character? What’s the plot twist? The book missed so much for me. For me the book is not a JK Ellem or a Robert Swartwood. I dare not say Jeneva Rose.

The Sister In Law by Joanne Ryan - this one's for you if you like:

* A dual POV
* Strong female characters
* Flawed, unpredictable characters
* A twisty narrative
* an unsettling vibe

The sister in law is set from the POV of Meg, a grieving young widow, and Emily, an estranged sister in law, whom Meg has never met. Turning up at the funeral of her brother, pregnant and in a difficult situation, Emily soon becomes a big part of Meg's life. Can she really be trusted? The prologue gives us a hint that maybe all isn't what it seems with Meg, but her kindness towards Emily shows through, and we are kept guessing and turning the pages. There is some repetition when the pov's change with each alternating chapter, and I felt that some of the choices Meg made were a little odd, but it's interesting to see both sides of the story. There are some good twists, and it's a page turner.

A quick read thriller. While I did enjoy it, I just kind of hoped for more. The characters were very unlikeable, which is always kind of a fun thing. The twist didn't knock me for a loop as I was able to easily figure it out. And, a lot of things had to be pretty darn convenient in order to make the story work, which isn't such a fun thing for me. All in all, a good way to mindlessly spend a few hours!

The Sister in Law was a great read. Packed full of twists and turns it had me on the edge of my seat throughout. I did have a little problem with the repetitiveness of some parts as although we were seeing them from a different character's point of view, I don't really think it added anything to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

This one is one of the best I've read this year! Twists and turns galore! Along with secrets and lies, what could make it better?

Makes you think if you ever really know your spouse??? This one was definitely a page turner and once I got into it I couldn't put it down!

The Sister in Law by Joanne Ryan is a psychological thriller about Megan whose husband tragically dies in a car accident. At the funeral is a heavily pregnant young woman whom introduces herself to Megan as Ryan’s sister, who she lost contact with her brother many years ago.
Emily eventually moves into Megan’s house and even buys clothes and baby furniture that she needs with Megan’s credit card. An old family friend of Megan’s mother isn’t as taken with Emily and it is her husband who finds out who she really is and blackmails her.
Then he is found dead and Emily is suspected of his murder and it all unravels about her being the husband’s girlfriend who is pregnant with his child.then another final twist at the end, shows who is really responsible and why.
Recommended

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood books and author Joanne Ryan for the ARC and opportunity to review this book. It was good, but lacked that thrill aspect. I enjoy having multiple points of view but in this particular book it was just a repeat stated by a different character. The same conversations repeated and it became boring in a sense of I’ve already read that. It wasn’t hard to figure out how it would end and I feel like there could have been a better way to end it. I think we need something from ‘Emily’ after she found out who the real killer was, what happened to Emily after the police interview and the author could have had another small part where we learn more of what happened to Meg.

Overall, an okay fast read just lacking any real thrill or mind game that I like.

3⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of the best books I read this year. I loved the twists and turns. I love the character development. I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it

Wasn’t able to read this one digitally but I did order a copy of the book so will be reviewing it after I’ve read it. I’m really excited for it as I’ve only heard great things about it.

All is not as it seems in Joanne Ryan's latest thriller The Sister-in-Law. This one was a deliciously twisted tale full of secrets and lies!

Just when Megan thought her life couldn't unravel any further, The Sister-in-Law delivered twist after twist that left me breathless. After the sudden death of her husband, Rick, Megan is blindsided by the arrival of Emily—a heavily pregnant woman claiming to be Rick’s long-lost sister. Out of compassion and shared grief, Megan lets Emily into her home… but something feels off. Emily’s behavior grows increasingly unsettling, and when dark secrets begin to surface, Megan is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her husband—and the stranger now living under her roof. If you love slow-burning psychological suspense with a sinister edge, this one will keep you flipping pages late into the night.

*Released in January, this book can be found for FREE through Kindle Unlimited!

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Joanne Ryan, and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy!