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bookdrgn's review against another edition
4.0
It took until about 15% for me to get into it, but after that, I read the book in one sitting.
Elana is a strong character, caught in an awful situation.
The dynamics of her husbands family were fascinating.
I received a copy via NetGalley and all opinions are my own.
Elana is a strong character, caught in an awful situation.
The dynamics of her husbands family were fascinating.
I received a copy via NetGalley and all opinions are my own.
chshead667's review
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
toasted_owl's review against another edition
1.0
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a ebook ARC of this title.
My issues with this book are plot-related more than style or topic, and I'm not sure how to discuss without spoiling. My biggest gripe? The main character, Elana, is an idiot. Just an absolute moron. She handles every single situation so ridiculously that I cannot fathom a real person would do this. (Spoilers, I'm sorry)
Your fiance introduces you to a woman that he later says is his first wife and you aren't furious that he didn't tell you about his two failed marriages? At no point prior to you realizing he's an abusive POS do you push back at all on him dictating what you wear and how you spend money? Fine, okay, I can buy it, people find themselves in terrible situations and ignore red flags all the time. But it becomes IMPOSSIBLE about two thirds of the way in, when he frames her for breaking her daughter's arm and having a drug habit. First off, she's repeated that she doesn't even drink, and people can testify to that. Secondly, the detective says her husband claims the daughter's arm was broken for days and he had to take her to the hospital because the mom refused - except mom has a perfect alibi in the case of the daughter's friend's mom, who not only saw the daughter sans broken arm that afternoon, but can also testify that the husband picked her up, and that mom showed up later looking for her unaware that the husband picked her up. They cannot convict her of a drug charge without a lawyer, and given that there's been no evidence of any issues, pretty sure they'd throw out the brother-in-law arresting her and finding planted drugs. I'm not sure the author was even trying to have this be plausible, and yet, does Elana think of any of this? NO. SHE JUST SIGNS PAPERS WITHOUT READING THEM. And then decides the best course of action is to LET HERSELF BE MURDERED to save her daughter. And when she finally gets evidence that her husband is involved in the missing child case, does she contact the FBI? No, she drives over to the first wife's house, who she already knows is friendly with her husband and is not an ally, and lets her burn the evidence!!!
It was twisty and soapy and a quick read, and I thought the way in which Elana finally got out was smart and tense, but lord, I was genuinely yelling while reading this book. Some of the twists were just completely implausible and unnecessary.
My issues with this book are plot-related more than style or topic, and I'm not sure how to discuss without spoiling. My biggest gripe? The main character, Elana, is an idiot. Just an absolute moron. She handles every single situation so ridiculously that I cannot fathom a real person would do this. (Spoilers, I'm sorry)
Your fiance introduces you to a woman that he later says is his first wife and you aren't furious that he didn't tell you about his two failed marriages? At no point prior to you realizing he's an abusive POS do you push back at all on him dictating what you wear and how you spend money? Fine, okay, I can buy it, people find themselves in terrible situations and ignore red flags all the time. But it becomes IMPOSSIBLE about two thirds of the way in, when he frames her for breaking her daughter's arm and having a drug habit. First off, she's repeated that she doesn't even drink, and people can testify to that. Secondly, the detective says her husband claims the daughter's arm was broken for days and he had to take her to the hospital because the mom refused - except mom has a perfect alibi in the case of the daughter's friend's mom, who not only saw the daughter sans broken arm that afternoon, but can also testify that the husband picked her up, and that mom showed up later looking for her unaware that the husband picked her up. They cannot convict her of a drug charge without a lawyer, and given that there's been no evidence of any issues, pretty sure they'd throw out the brother-in-law arresting her and finding planted drugs. I'm not sure the author was even trying to have this be plausible, and yet, does Elana think of any of this? NO. SHE JUST SIGNS PAPERS WITHOUT READING THEM. And then decides the best course of action is to LET HERSELF BE MURDERED to save her daughter. And when she finally gets evidence that her husband is involved in the missing child case, does she contact the FBI? No, she drives over to the first wife's house, who she already knows is friendly with her husband and is not an ally, and lets her burn the evidence!!!
It was twisty and soapy and a quick read, and I thought the way in which Elana finally got out was smart and tense, but lord, I was genuinely yelling while reading this book. Some of the twists were just completely implausible and unnecessary.
nik530's review
5.0
This book was fantastic! I was rudely reading at my in laws while there for dinner because I just needed to know what happened! So good. Suspenseful, heart throbbing, dark. Loved it! 5 stars.
lemonysnicket's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
harleybrewpup's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
yazzyboo5's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pharmdad2007's review
1.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the audiobook ARC!
The Ex-Wives sounded like an interesting plot, and a little different angle than other thrillers that I've read in the past, but the execution was disappointing. I found the characters to all be very unlikeable, the dual timeline to be clunky, confusing, and hard to follow, and the manner of inserting the current COVID pandemic into the plot and the timeline to be downright awful. There are some really great books coming out right now that are able to seamlessly weave the COVID pandemic into the fabric of the plot (see Elizabeth Strout's excellent Lucy By the Sea, for one), but this is not one of them. Just really disappointing overall.
The Ex-Wives sounded like an interesting plot, and a little different angle than other thrillers that I've read in the past, but the execution was disappointing. I found the characters to all be very unlikeable, the dual timeline to be clunky, confusing, and hard to follow, and the manner of inserting the current COVID pandemic into the plot and the timeline to be downright awful. There are some really great books coming out right now that are able to seamlessly weave the COVID pandemic into the fabric of the plot (see Elizabeth Strout's excellent Lucy By the Sea, for one), but this is not one of them. Just really disappointing overall.
long_reads's review
4.0
Wow this book kept me hooked the whole time! I kept trying to guess what crazy thing was going to happen next. Definitely recommend!
melaniesreads's review
4.0
I loved Jenna Kernan’s Nadine Finch books and I have to say her standalones are just as good. Having just the right balance between character development and plot this book pitches you straight into a marriage that is absolutely terrifying.
After the death of her first husband, Jackson rescued Elana and her daughter Phoebe from poverty. At first he seemed charming but he is wealthy, influential as mayor and demands complete control. There is also the fact he has two ex wives with missing children and the Mennonite community to factor in.
With the FBI needing her to get evidence of his involvement in the missing children and her own daughters safety to consider Elena is going to need her wits about her.
My hackles went up as soon as I was introduced to Jackson. This man gives off more red flags than a socialist state convention. Elena immediately elicited empathy with the predicament of her situation. As a mother your child’s safety is always paramount, even if it means your own is at risk. The Mennonite community I found fascinating, closely resembling the Amish with the modesty clothing and lack of technology, making things a lot more difficult for Elena to leave.
Nail bitingly good this had me on the edge of my seat more than once. A nerve jangling, suspense filled thriller with a top shelf bad guy.
After the death of her first husband, Jackson rescued Elana and her daughter Phoebe from poverty. At first he seemed charming but he is wealthy, influential as mayor and demands complete control. There is also the fact he has two ex wives with missing children and the Mennonite community to factor in.
With the FBI needing her to get evidence of his involvement in the missing children and her own daughters safety to consider Elena is going to need her wits about her.
My hackles went up as soon as I was introduced to Jackson. This man gives off more red flags than a socialist state convention. Elena immediately elicited empathy with the predicament of her situation. As a mother your child’s safety is always paramount, even if it means your own is at risk. The Mennonite community I found fascinating, closely resembling the Amish with the modesty clothing and lack of technology, making things a lot more difficult for Elena to leave.
Nail bitingly good this had me on the edge of my seat more than once. A nerve jangling, suspense filled thriller with a top shelf bad guy.