Emma, enamored with her new husband, Matthew, acknowledges that their courtship was brief. However, she often feels uneasy when he speaks fondly of his first wife, Becky. He describes their love as an unparalleled passion. Despite her lingering feelings that Matthew is still in love with Becky, she can’t help but be captivated by their passionate relationship.

Emma’s budding romance with Matthew was to be met with skepticism from her lifelong friends. Perhaps it’s because Matthew is younger, or perhaps it’s simply because she rushed into the relationship and marriage. Things don’t go smoothly for Emma, and strange occurrences begin to disrupt her life. She starts feeling as if she’s being haunted by Becky’s ghost.

Kristin Atherton’s narration of this fast-paced story is expertly done. While the story is intriguing, particularly when Emma is feeling haunted, I found myself drawn to the twists and turns that kept the plot moving at a rapid pace.

Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I wanted to love this audiobook, but unfortunately I could not get into it. The premise sounded really intriguing. However, I didn't care for the narrator, and so I unfortunately decided to DNF.

Loved this thriller a lot. The chapters aren’t crazy long and it was a slow burn to start but once you get over that it get better and better. Mostly mom the hero is what I like to see. Different in good ways. Give it a try.

Interesting premise, but was too long getting to the actual story. Too much setup so story ended up being too long. I did like the twist at the end.

Was it slightly predictable? Sure. Did I know where the twist was going? For the most part. Was I completely gripped by this? Absolutely! Did I enjoy my reading time? You bet your ass!

This may not be the most original thriller out there but it was still a great time and I have zero regrets picking this one up! The depth of characters and the writing were very well done. I was sucked in right from the start which is always a good indicator for me if I’m going to enjoy a book. I was there on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next! Pick this one up for your next summer thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.

Marrying a widower can be complicated, especially if he constantly compares you to his perfect late wife. Emma rushed into marriage with Matthew against the advice of her friends and now struggles to shine in Becky's shadow. But this story is more than just jealousy and insecurity; Emma has a legitimate reason to question her husband's affection and fear for her safety.

There were so many twists and connections between characters in this story that it was a wild ride from start to finish. I love domestic thrillers, and this one is so messy (in a good way) that it was hard to put down. It is best to approach this book blind and let the author shock you!

Based on other reviews, Adele Parks' other books are even better, so I can't wait to read her backlist.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the review copy.

Twisty, psychological, and seriously unputdownable. Adele Parks delivers another gripping thriller that blurs the lines between love, obsession, and the ghosts of relationships past.

In First Wife’s Shadow, Parks plays with the eerie tension of a new marriage haunted figuratively and maybe even literally by the woman who came before. The premise is deceptively simple: a new wife trying to settle into a fresh start, only to find herself consumed by the mysterious presence and secrets of her husband’s first wife. But nothing is ever that simple in an Adele Parks novel, and soon the story spirals into paranoia, dark revelations, and jaw-dropping twists.

The pacing is tight and relentless, and Parks excels at planting just enough doubt in your mind to keep you questioning every character. The psychological tension builds slowly at first, then crescendos in a heart racing final act that I didn’t see coming. If you're a fan of domestic thrillers with a strong female lead and emotionally charged stakes, this one will absolutely deliver.

It explores themes of identity, grief, jealousy, and the chilling power of the unknown. Fans of Behind Closed Doors or The Last Mrs. Parrish will devour this.

Adele Parks remains a master of domestic noir, this book is a reminder why she's one of the best in the game.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!

Thank you @harlequinbooks for my complimentary audio copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

EMMA, is a woman who has prioritized her career over personal relationships, and she is now at a stage in life where she does not expect to marry. With a comfortable lifestyle and financial independence, she feels secure, and she has her friends. However, everything changes when she meets MATTHEW, a younger man and recent widower, at a convention. Their connection is instant, and before long, they decide to marry, even though Emma's friends express concern about the haste of their union.

Emma dismisses the worries of her friends, yet, she can't shake the feeling that Matthew is still emotionally tied to his late wife. As she grapples with this uncertainty, strange occurrences begin to unfold, leading Emma to question her safety and the very foundation of her new life. Can she live with the shadows of Matthew’s past looming over her?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It kept me engaged from start to finish. The 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 and 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 that occurred added a thrilling layer that would have left me terrified if I were in Emma's shoes! The character development allowed me to connect deeply with Emma’s fears and struggles. I especially appreciated the unexpected 𝗧𝗪𝗜𝗦𝗧 near the end, which added an exciting dimension to the story!

I enjoyed the audio version of the story, narrated by Kristin Atherton, who provided the perfect voice for Emma.

Adele Parks delivers a masterful psychological thriller in First Wife’s Shadow, a gripping tale that explores the complexities of love, jealousy, and identity. The novel follows Emma, a successful CEO who falls for Matthew, a kind widower. As their relationship deepens, Emma becomes increasingly obsessed with Matthew's late wife, leading her down a dangerous path of self-doubt and suspicion.

Parks' writing and is sharp and evocative, drawing readers into Emma's world with vivid descriptions and nuanced character development. The tension builds steadily, with each chapter revealing new layers of deception and intrigue. The twists are unexpected and compelling, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final page.

Fans of psychological thrillers will find much to appreciate in this dark, twisty tale that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the shadows cast by the past. Kristin Atherton does a fantastic job of bringing the suspense to the reader/listener.

This book right here? Whew. Adele Parks did not come to play.

The First Wife’s Shadow took me on a ride that I was not emotionally prepared for. Watching Emma, a wealthy woman later in life, fall fast and hard for a man with a tragic past? I wanted to root for her. I really did. But the whole time I was on the edge of my seat whispering, “Girl, please don’t get played.”

At first, I thought I had it all figured out. A little suspense here, a few red flags there. I was comfortable, cruising through like this might be a solid three-star read. But then—boom. Twist one. Twist two. Twist THREE.

The way this book flipped the narrative had me STRESSED and rethinking every assumption I made. The layers of deception. The subtle power plays. The question of whether Emma was an unreliable narrator or just deeply caught in someone else's game? Brilliant.

I couldn’t tell who to trust. Not her friends. Not her new husband. And at times, not even Emma herself. But that’s the magic of Adele Parks. She makes you question everything until the very last page.

This is revenge lit, psychological suspense, and a slow-burning unraveling of control all wrapped in one. And when the final twist hits? I was GAGGED.

If you love stories with complex women, questionable motives, and endings that make you stare at the wall for a minute after closing the book—this one’s for you.

THANK YOU HARLEQUIN AUDIO AND NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC!

3.5 Stars rounded to 4

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook.

First Wife’s Shadow is one of those thrillers that grabs you quickly at the very beginning. Adele Parks does a great job building suspense, and you can really feel the tension growing as Emma falls deeper into her whirlwind romance with Matthew, and as mysterious and strange things keep happening in her home.
The main reason for my 3.5 star rating is simply that it felt too long, especially throughout the middle portion. I did enjoy the unpredictability of this book, as I often feel that many thrillers tend to follow the same kind of formula, and this one was different! I think it would make a solid beach read or a good pick for a rainy weekend if you're in the mood for a twisty thriller.

This one was decent; but I feel like it tried too hard to throw that curveball at the end. Unfortunately, the lead up to that "twist" was pretty excruciating: a female main character who ignores ALL the red flags, her best friends advice, etc. By the time the end came around, I actually stopped caring. I enjoyed the narration.

I thought this was a fun little popcorn thriller. The stakes never felt crazy high, there weren't bodies piled up all over, but it was still gripping and had my attention. I figured out a lot of the twists early on, but I still enjoyed the journey.
I thought the narrator did a fantastic job portraying the FMC's inner struggles and monologue and doubts.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of First Wife's Shadow by Adele Parks.

This is a psychological thriller about a financially successful Emma who meets a younger man Matthew. Despite their economic differences, the two fall in love, but suspicion does revolve around them, could Matthew be a gold digger?

That suspicion gets even louder when strange things start happening to Emma, things that resemble what happened to Matthews first, deceased wife. Is Matthew dangerous, or are more sinister forces at play?

This was a very middle of the road thriller. I do feel like I've read it before, so while I enjoyed it, nothing about it knocked my socks off. Adele Parks is a great author, so the journey will be fun, I just wouldn't plan to be blown away.

First Wife’s Shadow is a twisted, slow-burn psychological thriller that grabs hold and doesn’t let go. Told from multiple perspectives, the story weaves a dark and tangled web of lies, revenge, and deeply buried secrets within a wildly dysfunctional family. Just when you think you know what’s happening, Adele Parks throws in a twist that changes everything—and then she does it again.

While the pacing starts off a bit slow, it builds tension deliberately, and once that first big twist hits, it’s a total rollercoaster. The suspense is intense, the characters are complex, and the drama is layered with emotional depth. By the end, I was completely hooked, and the final chapters delivered in such a satisfying, jaw-dropping way. It was so worth the read!

There’s a dash of spice (🌶️) to heat things up just enough, and the emotional undercurrents—grief, betrayal, obsession—are captured perfectly in the audiobook narration. Kristin Atherton does an exceptional job bringing each character’s emotions to life. Her performance truly elevated the story.

If you love psychological thrillers with a slow build, family secrets, and a story that keeps you guessing until the last page, First Wife’s Shadow is a must-read. Totally recommend it! Such a ride—so good!

First Wife's Shadow by Adele Parks

Emma may be alone but she’s not lonely.. She is rich, successful and a prize catch.. She must be.. She catches the eye of a younger man… a widower… Everything is perfect except…. If his wife hadn’t died… They wouldn’t be together and she cannot quite seem to let that go….

OMG I couldn’t believe the way this book kept whipping me around like candy floss. I never had a bloody clue what was going on and I loved every second of it. The book was a fast faced psychological thriller of the highest order. The narration was perfect and I was sucked right in. Emma was mildly annoying. It took me ages to warm up to her which is why I only gave it 4 stars. I need to connect right away and I just couldn’t but the writing was epic!

4 stars

Emma is a successful independent woman who has never minded being single, but when she meets Matthew, a younger man who is impacted by a passionate speech she gives, she can't help but wonder what life would be like as a couple. When Matthew discloses that he lost his lovely wife in a tragic accident, but has recently begun to feel ready to live again, Emma is more than happy to be a part of his new life. Emma's two closest friends point out all the things that aren't adding up...Matthew has no other friends? never been to his apartment? doesn't have much money? Emma wants to believe they have her best interest at heart, but they are happily married and wrapped up in their own lives and maybe a little upset at the idea that Aunt Emma may have other things to occupy her time and money now.

This book always keeps you on the edge, trying to decipher what is really happening in Emma's life and who it is she should trust. I raced through this audiobook in two days!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Enterprises for a free galley in exchange for my honest review.

Audiobook Review: First Wife’s Shadow by Adele Parks
Narrated by Kristin Atherton

I received this audiobook from NetGalley, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to discover new authors and share my thoughts.

This was my first book by Adele Parks, and I really enjoyed it! First Wife’s Shadow kept me hooked from start to finish. The twists and turns were well-placed throughout the story, and just when I thought I had things figured out, another layer was revealed. It was suspenseful, engaging, and thoroughly entertaining—I truly enjoyed every minute.

The audiobook was narrated by Kristin Atherton, and she did a fantastic job. As the sole narrator, her performance brought the story to life with great inflection, pacing, and emotion. I especially loved the British accent—it added a unique charm and tone that I find myself gravitating toward more and more in audiobooks.

First Wife’s Shadow follows Emma, a woman who marries a charismatic widower and quickly becomes entangled in the mystery of his late wife’s death. As Emma digs deeper into her husband’s past, she begins to question everything—and everyone—around her. The story masterfully blends psychological tension with emotional complexity, making for a riveting listen.

Overall, this was a fantastic introduction to Adele Parks’ work, and I’ll definitely be looking into more of her books. Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook!

Firstly, let me say that the Emma-in-the-sauna scene had me sweating. Now, with that out of the way, this book was just mid (as the kids say). I'm not the biggest Adele Parks fan; to be honest, I don't even remember reading Lies, Lies, Lies, but the folks here at NetGalley say I gave it four stars in 2020 so . . .

Emma was annoying. Her character went from being independent, confident, and content with her job, home, and friends, to being a caricature of how she was originally presented. She was also incredibly self-centered and thoughtless (like, bringing up Matthew's finances in front of her friends at any point, let alone the FIRST time he met them? Girl, no.) I will admit I gasped out loud at a twist I did not see coming AT ALL, but then that led me immediately to figuring out the second twist. The ending was completely, 100% unbelievable, and there were a few other things that strained credibility, but I don't want to spoil anything by putting them here.

Everyone needs friends like Gina and Heidi, because I'm not sure I would have been as quick to forgive Emma as they were.

Kristin Atherton did a fine job narrating this book - quite an enjoyable experience.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for allowing me to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This took me a minute to get interested, but once I did, it was an all nighter trying to finish it! The twists and turns kept me guessing. The ending was wrapped up in a nice bow. Even when I wanted slap some common sense into the main character, I was still loving this wild ride. Definitely recommend for domestic thriller lovers!