Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

First Wife's Shadow by Adele Parks

2 reviews

thereadingrose_'s review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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astoriareader's review

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dark 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? Yes

5.0

SYNOPSIS
  • Emma, a wealthy & successful CEO, has overcome her chaotic childhood marked by alcoholic parents. 
  • She finds happiness with Matthew, a widower who is about ten years younger than her, and they quickly get engaged after just three months.
  • However, Emma struggles with feelings of inadequacy, believing she’s second best compared to Matthew's late wife.
  • Strange things also start to happen—the feeling of being watched, things breaking, and missing items in the house. 
  • Matthew begins to suspect Emma is drinking too much and her friends, Heidi and Gina, to worry he might be gaslighting her. Emma is left questioning what’s going on.

MY THOUGHTS
  • This book was a masterclass in storytelling, with multiple twists that are perfectly executed to keep readers guessing until the very end.
  • Each twist was seamlessly layered into the narrative. Just when you think you have the story figured out, another revelation turns everything upside down, and you’re left questioning everything you thought you knew.
  • The first chunk of the book is from Emma’s POV, and it sets the stage. In the second half of the book, we get more perspectives, and it all comes together. Very satisfying ending. 

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Very well done thriller/suspense with satisfying ending.

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA & Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchanges for an honest review. This book will be published on March 18, 2025.
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