Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

First Wife's Shadow by Adele Parks

2 reviews

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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phoricho's review

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

I loved Emma's character. At the beginning of the book, we get a real in-depth look into her life and how she thinks. She's a very focused and determined person who finds joy and happiness in her work and her found family. Adele Parks writes Emma as a fully formed character on her own. To put it simply, "she don't need no man". 

I enjoyed how Adele started the confusion with simple acts that Emma could explain away. It doesn't start to get concerning until she confides in others for their perspective and she realises that these incidents aren't as simple as she believed, and then the stakes rise. 

Characters in this book make small decisions and sacrifices that gradually get more intense with just as intense consequences. 

Overall, I really enjoyed First Wife's Shadow. I will say I guessed parts of the twist, but even so, I still enjoyed the story. Compared to the rest of the book, I didn't find the ending as impactful. The impact was more in the chapters before the ending, where the ending was more characters settling into a new normal.

If you enjoy twists and turns, psychological thrillers, and second-guessing yourself, then go pick up First Wife's Shadow by Adele Parks.

I received an advance readers copy from the publisher at no cost but all opinions are my own.
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