Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Wife Between Us: The First Four Chapters by Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen

46 reviews

meeklovestoread's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book wasn't bad, not at all, however, the premise just isn't original. I recall myself thinking that this book resemble "The Last Mrs. Parrish" by Liv Constantine (I rated it 4 stars) a few times. They're not exactly the same per se; the writing styles and the way the story is told are different, however, they still possess similar tropes. Although I did like the storytelling of "The Last Mrs. Parrish" better. I think reading "The Last Mrs. Parrish" made me anticipate most of the twists so I didn't find many of them surprising. There was a twist that I didn't anticipate, however, I felt like that twist was unnecessary and was just there for shock value.

If anyone is curious, the twist I'm referring to is Emma being the daughter of the professor that Vanessa was victim to in college and her marrying Richard to hurt Vanessa.  I thought Emma's thought process was so stupid. Like, girl, you're really going to blame a college student for your father's infidelity?!🤦🏾‍♀️

Also, I think what lowered my rating for this book was that I felt like some loose threads weren't explained enough.

Like Richard's sister, Maureen, we never really get any explanation of her character and her motives. We're left to infer that she doesn't want Richard to get married and sabotages all the women that Richard courts, but we don't know anything further than that. I always got bad vibes from her and I was right considering we found out that she was the one that canceled the photographer for Vanessa's and Richard's wedding, but we're not told why. Lokwey, I know this is out of pocket, but I thought she "abused" Richard. I thought their relationship was odd. 

And what happened to the dog (Duke)? We never know and I know that's such a minuscule thing, but I was tearing up reading that chapter about him. Things about dogs always just get me.🤧

Also, I think it would've been nice if we got a little look into Richard's previous wife, (Kate, I think that was her name). I just found it interesting that both Richard's previous wives were following their "replacement". And I know I keep mentioning "The Last Mrs. Parrish", (it just did this trope so much better than this book in my opinion), but just like in  "The Last Mrs. Parrish" where the motives of the abuser were a bit more clear, I wish we found out what Richard's motive were when doing what he did. I know he's obviously the villain of this story but that doesn't mean he should be a flat character.

Overall, it was an okay book if you enjoy this trope and other books like it.

Also this is very inconsequential, but I don't think the people around Vanessa tried enough to warn her about Richard. They would make sly comments about how he was "too good to be true" but then wouldn't elaborate any further. Like yeah, of course, I'm going to think you're attacking my husband/boyfriend/fiance if you don't give me adequate reasons as to why you think he's off.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Violence

Moderate: Pregnancy, Infidelity, Rape, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Grief, and Infertility

Minor: Abortion, Animal death, Cursing, Medical content, Mental illness, and Death of parent

samdalefox's review against another edition

mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I read this as an audiobook. I find these types of thrillers do well in this format and I enjoyed listening to it. The book is a confident portrayal of a dysfunctional relationship (see the content warnings section for specifics as these could be considered as spoilers but are important to highlight), and the twists were enjoyable even if I did guess one or two - though not all!.

I think two quotes perfectly sum up the sentiments resting behind the story:

Richard: "I thought you could save me from myself". Vanessa to Emma: "A part of you already knows what he's like, who he is."

Take home message: believe women. Have solidarity with women. Work towards dismantling the patirachy and rehabilitating men who have never learned to love or respect themeselves or others.

One further note:

the Duke the dog going missing storyline hit me hard. I was devastated.

.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Medical content, Infertility, Sexual assault, Stalking, Body shaming, and Car accident

rachelfayreads's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Infertility, Stalking, Addiction, Gaslighting, Abortion, and Sexual assault

nursestern's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.75

Thrilling and enrapturing. Once I hit the 10th chapter I couldn’t put it down. This book will have you flipping back and forth to make sure you’re properly following the web the characters create. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Domestic abuse, Death, Mental illness, and Death of parent

jamiejanae_6's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Alcohol, Stalking, Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

taliatalksbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen was painfully slow for the first 100 pages or so, but after the end of part one, it was oh so worth the build up. I LOVED the little twist at the end of part one, and though some moments got a bit bogged down in information sharing, the book started flying after that. I think this book plays with the idea of “the other woman” and revenge in a really reflective way, ultimately leading to an epilogue that left me shocked. While it didn’t get the coveted audible gasp, it definitely got a little squeal of excitement. The pieces of this story come together perfectly, if you’re patient enough to let them unfold. This book really points to the strength of survivors, and how survivors need to support others, which I really admire and didn’t expect from the title. I would definitely recommend this book, but you have to stick it out for the first part of the book. I promise, it’s worth it! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Addiction, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, Miscarriage, and Abortion

missa410's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Stalking, and Toxic relationship

mags88's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense fast-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

4.75

Twist and turns!
Loved how it came together! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Grief, Suicide, Addiction, Body shaming, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Abortion, Car accident, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Stalking, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Suicide

Minor: Miscarriage, Drug use, and Drug abuse

_bookally_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

4.5

I finally found a thriller that I loved! This is the first thriller where I am intrigued but not anxious by the plot or scenarios. It is also the first time I have enjoyed the plots and not found them cringey or lazy writing. 
 
Although there are some really dark topics in it like DV, suicide, mental illness and emotional abuse to name a few. I still enjoyed it and normally those aspects would be quite triggering for me. 

I actually really enjoyed the characters even though I hated some of them they were still enjoyable. 
I also found it quite confusing at times but I felt like that was the aim and that it really added to the story.

I will 100% pick up more by these 2 authors

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infertility, Violence, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Grief, Infidelity, and Infertility

pookiee's review against another edition

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

this has one of the better portayals of

domestic abuse

in the thriller genre. some parts are more exaggerated than is typical, but I was impressed by the nuances

”he liked to keep her safe, but also to keep her afraid so she’d rely on him” realization and the not-obvious lovebombing and gaslighting

. the fact that it was pretty grounded in reality made me that much more affected and invested in the story. (although there is an unsuccessful attempt to humanize this character that feels out of place since they’re villainized the entire book & undeserving.)

I guessed a big twist from the beginning, but I still think it was a great one—I’m just very skeptical and thriller-brained. plus this book doesn’t depend on its twists, its plot stands on its own. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Stalking, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Car accident, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Infertility, Body shaming, Grief, Infidelity, and Violence

Minor: Abortion, Blood, and Miscarriage

Details of the domestic abuse:

hit in the face, kicked in the ribs, strangled, her hair pulled, collapses, pushed down the stairs