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smatthews0486's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Murder
marisacat's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hmuhammad's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
erink1518's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mrsdudley2002's review against another edition
3.0
Slow start. It took me a minute to pick it back up after the first few chapters, but I was glad I did. Lots of unpredictable twists and turns, but at times a bit too much. Slightly repetitive at times, but overall a decent read.
I would really like to know more about what Yadira knew. You know the housekeeper was truly the keeper of all the secrets!!! Haha!
I would really like to know more about what Yadira knew. You know the housekeeper was truly the keeper of all the secrets!!! Haha!
morebooksplease101's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nicolatects's review against another edition
2.0
The Wife Before is a quintessential domestic thriller, told from the point of view a young woman who is trying to find out more about the mysterious circumstances of her husband's first wife's death, and whether or not he had something to do with it. The novel also contains journals written by the late wife, adding an unreliable narrator to the story, which always makes for an intriguing read.
I found some of the dialogue to be a little stiff, for example "His eyes were distant, looking past me at the end of the aisle, as if deep in thought". I think if there had been more focus on scene setting and detailed descriptions of the actions of the characters the novel would have been a lot more engaging to read, as the storyline itself was quite good.
I was also disappointed by part of the plot which revolved around the rape of a 15 year-old girl. In my opinion, the author presented the victim as somewhat responsible for her own rape, and for part of the novel left the guilt of the perpetrator open to interpretation.
While I was excited to read this novel, and enjoyed the premise and inclusion of the late wife's journals, I would overall not recommend it. I wish there had been more character development, particularly with regards to the husband, who has a largely minor role in the novel despite the plot revolving around him.
I found some of the dialogue to be a little stiff, for example "His eyes were distant, looking past me at the end of the aisle, as if deep in thought". I think if there had been more focus on scene setting and detailed descriptions of the actions of the characters the novel would have been a lot more engaging to read, as the storyline itself was quite good.
I was also disappointed by part of the plot which revolved around the rape of a 15 year-old girl. In my opinion, the author presented the victim as somewhat responsible for her own rape, and for part of the novel left the guilt of the perpetrator open to interpretation.
While I was excited to read this novel, and enjoyed the premise and inclusion of the late wife's journals, I would overall not recommend it. I wish there had been more character development, particularly with regards to the husband, who has a largely minor role in the novel despite the plot revolving around him.
syock17's review against another edition
4.0
QUICK read but overall decent story! reminds me of the housemaid series in the way it is written but i didn’t mind the predictability. also liked that there were some twists that were a little less obvious!