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A review by vaniavela
The Quiet Wife by Diane Saxon
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The story follows Soriah, told through alternating timelines spanning 20 years. In the past, Soriah endured a harrowing experience at the hands of a fellow student obsessed with her. Fast-forward to the present: she’s married, trying to start a family, and doing her best to keep her traumatic past buried—until her assailant is released from prison.
This book tackles heavy themes such as abuse, sexual assault, and the effects of obsessive, toxic behavior. The Quiet Wife is not for the faint of heart, as it delves into subjects that could provoke feelings of discomfort or distress, especially for those who’ve experienced similar situations.
A major plot twist is revealed, though it fell flat for me—I saw it coming almost as soon as the first clue was dropped. It might be because I’ve read too many books with similar twists, or perhaps the narrative didn’t build enough suspense around the reveal.
Soriah’s husband, Marcus, is as unlikable as expected, but even his ending didn’t deliver the satisfaction I was hoping for. Soriah herself is a deeply complex character. She endured unimaginable pain, and I can’t say what I’d do in her shoes. Some of her decisions didn’t resonate with me, but it’s important to acknowledge that victims respond to trauma in varied ways, and her reactions felt authentic, even if they didn’t align with what I might have chosen.
That said, the ending left me wanting. It lacked the closure I felt the story deserved, and something critical seemed to be missing, preventing it from fully landing its emotional impact.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book tackles heavy themes such as abuse, sexual assault, and the effects of obsessive, toxic behavior. The Quiet Wife is not for the faint of heart, as it delves into subjects that could provoke feelings of discomfort or distress, especially for those who’ve experienced similar situations.
A major plot twist is revealed, though it fell flat for me—I saw it coming almost as soon as the first clue was dropped. It might be because I’ve read too many books with similar twists, or perhaps the narrative didn’t build enough suspense around the reveal.
Soriah’s husband, Marcus, is as unlikable as expected, but even his ending didn’t deliver the satisfaction I was hoping for. Soriah herself is a deeply complex character. She endured unimaginable pain, and I can’t say what I’d do in her shoes. Some of her decisions didn’t resonate with me, but it’s important to acknowledge that victims respond to trauma in varied ways, and her reactions felt authentic, even if they didn’t align with what I might have chosen.
That said, the ending left me wanting. It lacked the closure I felt the story deserved, and something critical seemed to be missing, preventing it from fully landing its emotional impact.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.