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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
I had no idea this was a Jane Eyre retelling until I read other reviews. haha. This wasn't that great and had a lot of swearing. I think it was supposed to be a thriller but it lacked much thrill to me.
“This is another trick I’ve learned over the years—make people think they have the upper hand, and they trust you so much faster.”
This book is such an entertaining slow-burn domestic suspense/mystery! I totally got into it, especially the main character, Jane. She's all shady and mysterious. Jane works as a dog walker in this fancy neighborhood and ends up getting involved with Eddie, one of the residents. Here's the twist: Eddie's wife, Bea, and her BFF Blanche go missing. Nobody knows what happened, but Jane sees this as her big chance, given her own tough past.
Seriously, this book kept me hooked from start to finish! Rachel Hawkins knows how to build up the suspense, so I took my time and soaked up all the juicy drama and surprising reveals. It reminded me of other mysteries I've read, but a few of the twists caught me off guard. Not super unpredictable, but I also didn’t try to make any guesses. The ending was also solid, but left something to be desired. Ambiguous endings aren’t my fave, but it worked for this book.
If you're into books like "The Wife Between Us" or "The Last Mrs. Parrish," if you dig mystery mixed with a little romance, stories set in ritzy communities, or books with a feminist vibe, you should totally give this one a go! It's a solid read overall.
This book is such an entertaining slow-burn domestic suspense/mystery! I totally got into it, especially the main character, Jane. She's all shady and mysterious. Jane works as a dog walker in this fancy neighborhood and ends up getting involved with Eddie, one of the residents. Here's the twist: Eddie's wife, Bea, and her BFF Blanche go missing. Nobody knows what happened, but Jane sees this as her big chance, given her own tough past.
Seriously, this book kept me hooked from start to finish! Rachel Hawkins knows how to build up the suspense, so I took my time and soaked up all the juicy drama and surprising reveals. It reminded me of other mysteries I've read, but a few of the twists caught me off guard. Not super unpredictable, but I also didn’t try to make any guesses. The ending was also solid, but left something to be desired. Ambiguous endings aren’t my fave, but it worked for this book.
If you're into books like "The Wife Between Us" or "The Last Mrs. Parrish," if you dig mystery mixed with a little romance, stories set in ritzy communities, or books with a feminist vibe, you should totally give this one a go! It's a solid read overall.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
adventurous
mysterious
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:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Easy, fast read.
Pretty predictable in its reveal of the truth, especially if you're familiar with the inspirational material, although I appreciated the similar themes Hawkins played off of. However, the element of Bea's company, Southern Manors, being a copycat of Blanche's "style" was not well-developed. I could see the connection between the idea and the overarching point that Bea had stolen Blanche's life for her own, but this particular bit just wasn't articulated well.
I have to be honest and tell you that I was a bit underwhelmed by this thriller. I went into it with really high exceptions, but the main problem I had with the book is that I didn't like any of the characters at all. Not even Jane. I know now that The Wife Upstairs is a modern-day retelling of Jane Eyre (one of my all-time favorite books). The setting is Birmingham, Alabama and Jane has fled her old life to start over. She's a dog-walker for the rich housewives of Thornfield Estates until she meets Eddie Rochester, a widower who lost his wife, Bea, in a mysterious boating accident.
The Wife Upstairs definitely held my attention and I had a hard time putting it down. The Alabama setting was well-written, but the book just fell flat for me. I liked it and as far as thrillers go, it's good, but not great. I'm still going to recommend this one to fans of thrillers/mysteries even though I wasn't into the Real Housewives of Birmingham vibe myself.
I received an advance copy of The Wife Upstairs in exchange for an honest review.
The Wife Upstairs definitely held my attention and I had a hard time putting it down. The Alabama setting was well-written, but the book just fell flat for me. I liked it and as far as thrillers go, it's good, but not great. I'm still going to recommend this one to fans of thrillers/mysteries even though I wasn't into the Real Housewives of Birmingham vibe myself.
I received an advance copy of The Wife Upstairs in exchange for an honest review.
Progressed so quickly but very predictable. Not much substance.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was good and had multiple POVs which is always fun. Took you on a ride of twists and turns. Jane is a FMC that you want to root for. The ending is not what you expect.