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A review by bibliophileamber
First Wife's Shadow: A Novel by Adele Parks
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow!
The first half of the book there was a lot of inner monologue, and Emma meets Matthew. Matthew is a widower, and Emma soon falls in love with him. Their relationship moves very quickly, and beside Emma's friends discouragement and their advice, to be cautious. Emma embarked on the fast romance, continuing with them eloping without her friends or family present.
However, throughout the relationship, Emma feels constantly compared to Matthew's first love, Becky. When mysterious incidents begin happening, Emma is paranoid. Matthew is concerned about her drinking. One night, when everything culminated, a shattering event occurred in Emma's life. But, like most things not all is as it seems.
Matthew is hiding a secret, and that secret could change Emma's life all together! Everything that Emma had worked for, the life that she had created. With all of this Emma no longer knows who she can and cannot trust, and she is suspicious of Matthew and everything surrounding her life now.
Initially this is a slow burn, at the time I almost DNF'D the book. But, I am glad that I did not because that twist makes the whole adventure worth it, the slowly gaslighting of Emma left her second guessing her own reality! That twist is INSANE!!!! Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA and Netgalley for the opportunity to have my mind twisted by this one and to review it!
The first half of the book there was a lot of inner monologue, and Emma meets Matthew. Matthew is a widower, and Emma soon falls in love with him. Their relationship moves very quickly, and beside Emma's friends discouragement and their advice, to be cautious. Emma embarked on the fast romance, continuing with them eloping without her friends or family present.
However, throughout the relationship, Emma feels constantly compared to Matthew's first love, Becky. When mysterious incidents begin happening, Emma is paranoid. Matthew is concerned about her drinking. One night, when everything culminated, a shattering event occurred in Emma's life. But, like most things not all is as it seems.
Matthew is hiding a secret, and that secret could change Emma's life all together! Everything that Emma had worked for, the life that she had created. With all of this Emma no longer knows who she can and cannot trust, and she is suspicious of Matthew and everything surrounding her life now.
Initially this is a slow burn, at the time I almost DNF'D the book. But, I am glad that I did not because that twist makes the whole adventure worth it, the slowly gaslighting of Emma left her second guessing her own reality! That twist is INSANE!!!! Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA and Netgalley for the opportunity to have my mind twisted by this one and to review it!