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khaleesimod93's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The reviews are definitely mixed in regards to this novel, but I loved it! It dragged in some areas, but I couldn't stop turning the page. I wanted to put it down so many times, but there was always a little tid bit that kept me going. There was a lot going on and a lot of distrust and shaken foundations and hard truths. I'm glad that Emma was able to fully unburden herself and that the truth came out about Charlie. I know how much guilt she had in regard to him. She deserves to be free of that. It makes me so angry what Janice did, but she was broken too. So many lives changed and broken over one lie. I'm glad Leo and Emma were able to work their issues out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
readliketay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Miscarriage, Infertility, Terminal illness, Cancer, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism
astifel21's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Mental illness
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Self harm, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Suicide attempt
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Title: The Love of My Life
Author: Rosie Walsh
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: March 1, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Entertaining • Twisty • Propulsive
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Emma loves her husband Leo and their young daughter Ruby: she’d do anything for them. But almost everything she’s told them about herself is a lie.
And she might just have got away with it, if it weren’t for her husband’s job. Leo is an obituary writer; Emma a well-known marine biologist. When she suffers a serious illness, Leo copes by doing what he knows best – researching and writing about his wife’s life. But as he starts to unravel the truth, he discovers the woman he loves doesn’t really exist. Even her name isn’t real.
When the very darkest moments of Emma’s past finally emerge, she must somehow prove to Leo that she really is the woman he always thought she was...
But first, she must tell him about the other love of her life.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I included The Love of My Life on a list of 23 books to read in 2023 because it was one of the 2022 releases that intrigued me, but that I never got around to picking up. I wasn't exactly sure where this story would take me, yet it ended up taking me to the right place at the right time.
Combining elements of a variety of genres (mystery, suspense, romance, literary) flawlessly this book was an entertaining exploration of marriage, motherhood, and whether we ever really know the people we love. Well rounded complex characters are the foundation of this novel. Switching between Emma and Leo's perspectives, there's a slow suspenseful pace where everything unravels at the perfect moment. I didn't ever quite know where things were going to go next, which is why I ended up enjoying my time with this book.
The Love of My Life was another enjoyable GMA pick. Despite this having a slower pace, it was still a page turner that kept my interest. If you're looking for something thrilling, this isn't it. I look forward to reading Ghosted next year.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• domestic suspense lovers
• readers who loved The Last Thing He Told Me
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"When we have experienced more loss than is bearable she says, we hold on to everything."
"I don't know anything, other than that it's only when something's damaged beyond repair that we realize how beautiful it was."
Author: Rosie Walsh
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: March 1, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Entertaining • Twisty • Propulsive
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Emma loves her husband Leo and their young daughter Ruby: she’d do anything for them. But almost everything she’s told them about herself is a lie.
And she might just have got away with it, if it weren’t for her husband’s job. Leo is an obituary writer; Emma a well-known marine biologist. When she suffers a serious illness, Leo copes by doing what he knows best – researching and writing about his wife’s life. But as he starts to unravel the truth, he discovers the woman he loves doesn’t really exist. Even her name isn’t real.
When the very darkest moments of Emma’s past finally emerge, she must somehow prove to Leo that she really is the woman he always thought she was...
But first, she must tell him about the other love of her life.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I included The Love of My Life on a list of 23 books to read in 2023 because it was one of the 2022 releases that intrigued me, but that I never got around to picking up. I wasn't exactly sure where this story would take me, yet it ended up taking me to the right place at the right time.
Combining elements of a variety of genres (mystery, suspense, romance, literary) flawlessly this book was an entertaining exploration of marriage, motherhood, and whether we ever really know the people we love. Well rounded complex characters are the foundation of this novel. Switching between Emma and Leo's perspectives, there's a slow suspenseful pace where everything unravels at the perfect moment. I didn't ever quite know where things were going to go next, which is why I ended up enjoying my time with this book.
The Love of My Life was another enjoyable GMA pick. Despite this having a slower pace, it was still a page turner that kept my interest. If you're looking for something thrilling, this isn't it. I look forward to reading Ghosted next year.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• domestic suspense lovers
• readers who loved The Last Thing He Told Me
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"When we have experienced more loss than is bearable she says, we hold on to everything."
"I don't know anything, other than that it's only when something's damaged beyond repair that we realize how beautiful it was."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Terminal illness, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Cancer, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Infertility, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Infidelity, Cursing, Sexual content, Stalking, Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Abandonment, Addiction, Gaslighting, and Abortion
what_heather_loves's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
"To be near my wife, to Emma is to return to source.
So when I learn, in the days following this morning - this in pc, commonplace morning, with dogs and frog and coffee and dead priests - that I know nothing of this woman, it will break me."
I adored this complex and emotional read, which is a character-driven thriller, for those who aren't usually drawn to mysteries and thrillers. It's not about a crime, but about love and the emotional impact of sometimes unforgivable, weighty decisions on two families, who become entangled as a result. Chapters alternate between charismatic protagonist Emma and her winsome husband Leo, as the secret she has carefully kept hidden begins to unravel. The first part of scene setting is a little slower, but the rest of the novel feels brisk and engaging, one of those books you can't put down. I felt for Emma and also for Janice (the woman from the other family) because of how their roles as mothers was challenging and nuanced. Tightly written, there is skilful ambiguity in the early part, the author knowing the reader is likely to jump to a particular conclusion about why Emma is hiding her past that later turns out to be incorrect.
Exploring challenging topics such as mental illness and deception in families, this is a heart-wrenching, nuanced and compelling mystery.
So when I learn, in the days following this morning - this in pc, commonplace morning, with dogs and frog and coffee and dead priests - that I know nothing of this woman, it will break me."
I adored this complex and emotional read, which is a character-driven thriller, for those who aren't usually drawn to mysteries and thrillers. It's not about a crime, but about love and the emotional impact of sometimes unforgivable, weighty decisions on two families, who become entangled as a result. Chapters alternate between charismatic protagonist Emma and her winsome husband Leo, as the secret she has carefully kept hidden begins to unravel. The first part of scene setting is a little slower, but the rest of the novel feels brisk and engaging, one of those books you can't put down. I felt for Emma and also for Janice (the woman from the other family) because of how their roles as mothers was challenging and nuanced. Tightly written, there is skilful ambiguity in the early part, the author knowing the reader is likely to jump to a particular conclusion about why Emma is hiding her past that later turns out to be incorrect.
Exploring challenging topics such as mental illness and deception in families, this is a heart-wrenching, nuanced and compelling mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Mental illness
Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Stalking
hannahtoner92's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Infertility, Cancer, Kidnapping, and Mental illness
bethanyearle's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Mental illness, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Stalking, and Infertility
Minor: Suicide attempt
noladawnreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Stalking and Infertility
Minor: Child abuse
backpackingbookworm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I remember winning a copy of The Man Who Didn't Call when it first came out and finding it such a refreshing change to predictable contemporary romances. The Love of My Life was no different - it had strong character building, multiple red herrings, and plenty of twists and turns that caught me off-guard.
While I wasn't sure how I felt about it at first (I couldn't connect to the narrators and worried it would be just another book about an affair I don't care about), I soon realised it was much more than I had assumed. The story was raw, engaging, and just the right length to keep things moving at a steady pace. I found myself tuning in at every opportunity, especially once the reveals started unravelling.
Rosie explored difficult subjects with care and sensitivity, and had evidently done her research to ensure they were portrayed correctly. These extra layers gave the book authenticity and made it stand out from other books I've read in this genre. It was the perfect mix of contemporary domestic drama and fast-paced thriller.
As with most thrillers though, there were some parts that felt contrived for the sake of the plot, as well as quite a lot of withheld information (also for plot purposes) that didn't feel as seamless as I would have liked. The ending was also a tad rushed after all the build-up. But other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be recommending!
Rating breakdown
While I wasn't sure how I felt about it at first (I couldn't connect to the narrators and worried it would be just another book about an affair I don't care about), I soon realised it was much more than I had assumed. The story was raw, engaging, and just the right length to keep things moving at a steady pace. I found myself tuning in at every opportunity, especially once the reveals started unravelling.
Rosie explored difficult subjects with care and sensitivity, and had evidently done her research to ensure they were portrayed correctly. These extra layers gave the book authenticity and made it stand out from other books I've read in this genre. It was the perfect mix of contemporary domestic drama and fast-paced thriller.
As with most thrillers though, there were some parts that felt contrived for the sake of the plot, as well as quite a lot of withheld information (also for plot purposes) that didn't feel as seamless as I would have liked. The ending was also a tad rushed after all the build-up. But other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be recommending!
Rating breakdown
- Plot/narrative - 4.3
- Writing style/readability - 4.2
- Characters - 4.3
- Diverse themes - 4.3
- Ending - 3.9
Overall - 4.2
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Stalking
Minor: Infertility and Child abuse
wifeslife's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Pregnancy, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, and Infertility