A review by april_be_readin
First Wife's Shadow: A Novel by Adele Parks

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Format: eBook 📲

Perfect for: fans of domestic thrillers and fans of initial slow burns and then BAM twist after twist

What a great read!! This book’s rating kept increasing for me gradually as I continued because during the second half of the book, every time I thought everything was revealed, this author dropped yet another unexpected jaw dropping twist. The amount of deception and secrets in the book was unreal! The FMC makes you want to love her and yell at her at the same time, but overall she was a very likable character. 

When Emma meets Matthew, she is immediately smitten & although her friends are telling her she’s moving too fast, she ignores the BRIGHT RED FLAGS 🚩 and allows her naivety to take over. Middle aged and single, she is captivated by his charm. When Heidi & Gina (Emma’s best friends) points out that he may not be over his recently deceased ex wife, Emma just looks as this as them being overprotective! Emma slowly starts to realize there is something way more sinister going on, with Matthew entering her life at this time.

Overall, a really good read that makes me want to read more from this author. This was my first book by Adele Parks but certainly won’t be my last! Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.