A review by pookiee
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen

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