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The French Wardrobe
A husband's fears become a widow's nightmare. The death of an overprotective husband brings his widow's world crashing down. In her quest to survive life alone she makes a discovery not only about her strengths but also about his fears. Fans of Girl on the Train, The Husband's Secret, and Gone Girl, will like The French Wardrobe. From the best-selling author of the Graham's Resolution series.
230 pages, Paperback
Published June 19, 2016
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43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 22, 2018
Unfortunately this book wasn’t as much of a thriller as I had hoped for. There was a ton of build up and waiting to figure out what was actually going on but when it all came out it was really rather anticlimactic. Vivian the main character had always been sheltered and protected by her husband to a point where he always needed to know where she was and have her check in and through out the book we never know why except that he is being threatened in some way. Vivian never questions this or worries and nothing happens. This builds anxiety rather than suspense over time for the reader because little is actually revealed. Instead throughout the book much time is spent talking about Vivian piecing her life back together after her husband, Todd’s, death which is understandable, except that most of that includes talking about a complete overhaul of her wardrobe. This is the bulk of the novel. If the book was meant to be just a contemporary, literary fiction book minus the thriller aspect it would have worked out fine except that the whole time there was this underlying layer of anxiety because the reader is wondering what’s going on and why Todd was so overprotective. Again I say anxiety because there is nothing scary enough that happens to cause suspense or to make this a thriller. Once there is a noise by a garbage can. There is the son taking on the father’s nagging protective role after he dies not even knowing why himself. Nothing happens until the last quarter of the book. Even then everything is rushed. Also throughout Vivian is the only one who doesn’t seem to be anxious or fearful of anything. This is understandable since no one actually knows what there is to fear even the police.
The writing of the book isn’t bad and the narration is well done. The narrator suits Vivian’s character quite well.
Overall I just wanted more out of the suspense aspect of the book. I wanted a big bang and all I got was a little pop. I didn’t feel wowed. 2.5 stars
I would like to thank the author/narrator/publisher for generously providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The writing of the book isn’t bad and the narration is well done. The narrator suits Vivian’s character quite well.
Overall I just wanted more out of the suspense aspect of the book. I wanted a big bang and all I got was a little pop. I didn’t feel wowed. 2.5 stars
I would like to thank the author/narrator/publisher for generously providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 23, 2017
I liked the cover of this book, and the blurb sounded interesting. But that's where it ends. There were a few grammatical errors that could be overlooked. I usually try to finish a book whether I like it or not, but I couldn't take it anymore and flipped through all the way to the end.
September 14, 2016
Special price from Amazon or Goodreads
Not very deep storyline. Husband killed while riding bike to work. Wife orders clothes from stylist-brands are named, which feels that the story was written by a Vogue editor. Didn't finish
Not very deep storyline. Husband killed while riding bike to work. Wife orders clothes from stylist-brands are named, which feels that the story was written by a Vogue editor. Didn't finish
August 8, 2018
Audiobook review
I struggled to understand the author’s intentions with this book. There were several competing themes and I felt none of them were presented in an engaging manner.
As a newly widowed woman, Vivian is slowly learning to live life as a single woman. These parts I found the most interesting. As she slowly sloughed off the layers of her married life, a new version of Vivian is emerging and I was cheering for her ever growing confidence and focus.
Frustratingly, this journey was marred by clonking the reader over the head with the principles of dressing in the supposed manner adopted by the French. As a metaphor for a significant life change throwing out the old and bringing in enough new things into your life works well. However, readers are subjected to the minutiae of culling a wardrobe, selecting outfits, selling items online and dealing with the delivery of packages. It’s unnecessary.
Compared to other thriller books, I felt this theme also missed the mark. There is little tension or suspense because Vivian is unaware there’s a threat to her life. She is merrily going along with her life, and who can blame her? During flashback scenes we discover her now deceased husband knew about these threats but even knowing this I was underwhelmed. The threats and incidents occur decades apart. Her husband has been over protective, but she’s had more than enough freedom across decades for someone to get close enough to harm her. Yes, there’s much more action in the latter stages of the book as the “mystery” is revealed but even that fell flat.
Sara Morsey is the audiobook’s narrator. I understood her voiced clearly, the pacing worked well and emotions were well portrayed. The disconnect for me came from the “old lady” voice of the narrator. Sure, Vivian is a grandmother and while I can accept this to be her voice, the croakiness and wobble that some older people exhibit was evident in the voices of other, decades younger characters.
I struggled to understand the author’s intentions with this book. There were several competing themes and I felt none of them were presented in an engaging manner.
As a newly widowed woman, Vivian is slowly learning to live life as a single woman. These parts I found the most interesting. As she slowly sloughed off the layers of her married life, a new version of Vivian is emerging and I was cheering for her ever growing confidence and focus.
Frustratingly, this journey was marred by clonking the reader over the head with the principles of dressing in the supposed manner adopted by the French. As a metaphor for a significant life change throwing out the old and bringing in enough new things into your life works well. However, readers are subjected to the minutiae of culling a wardrobe, selecting outfits, selling items online and dealing with the delivery of packages. It’s unnecessary.
Compared to other thriller books, I felt this theme also missed the mark. There is little tension or suspense because Vivian is unaware there’s a threat to her life. She is merrily going along with her life, and who can blame her? During flashback scenes we discover her now deceased husband knew about these threats but even knowing this I was underwhelmed. The threats and incidents occur decades apart. Her husband has been over protective, but she’s had more than enough freedom across decades for someone to get close enough to harm her. Yes, there’s much more action in the latter stages of the book as the “mystery” is revealed but even that fell flat.
Sara Morsey is the audiobook’s narrator. I understood her voiced clearly, the pacing worked well and emotions were well portrayed. The disconnect for me came from the “old lady” voice of the narrator. Sure, Vivian is a grandmother and while I can accept this to be her voice, the croakiness and wobble that some older people exhibit was evident in the voices of other, decades younger characters.
April 2, 2020
No offense to 10th graders-book is sophomoric
No one speaks like this—Stilted, proper, fake. Absolutely NO drama, suspense, or even the possibility of giving a minor blank about any of this book. So much inane, mind-numbing, unnecessary detail and self-explaining from the main characters (“I’m going to put my shoes on” level...), it reads like a boring how-to manual. That, throughout 20+ years, the authorities do so little to solve a crime-and oh, miss tiny little clues and facts like... a house that was burned down had just been vacated by the victim of mounting crimes-is so utterly, completely unrealistic. The end, help me...really? No intelligent writer wouldn’t realize an anchor rarely wins, in the long run, vs bodily gases, etc. So bummed I wasted my time...but thankful it help put me to sleep. I did find the topic in the excerpt from her next book (written in 2016 or 17, I’d guess?) fascinating, considering we are at this moment on Covid quarantine...but French Wardrobe was SO bad, I only read the first 2 pages of the excerpt and wouldn’t ever read another of this author’s books.
No one speaks like this—Stilted, proper, fake. Absolutely NO drama, suspense, or even the possibility of giving a minor blank about any of this book. So much inane, mind-numbing, unnecessary detail and self-explaining from the main characters (“I’m going to put my shoes on” level...), it reads like a boring how-to manual. That, throughout 20+ years, the authorities do so little to solve a crime-and oh, miss tiny little clues and facts like... a house that was burned down had just been vacated by the victim of mounting crimes-is so utterly, completely unrealistic. The end, help me...really? No intelligent writer wouldn’t realize an anchor rarely wins, in the long run, vs bodily gases, etc. So bummed I wasted my time...but thankful it help put me to sleep. I did find the topic in the excerpt from her next book (written in 2016 or 17, I’d guess?) fascinating, considering we are at this moment on Covid quarantine...but French Wardrobe was SO bad, I only read the first 2 pages of the excerpt and wouldn’t ever read another of this author’s books.
February 4, 2017
Vivienne Mathis has just lost her husband, Todd, to a hit and run driver. Starting her life over she follows her daughter’s advice to clean out her closet and set it up similar to a French wardrobe. Will Vivienne be able to move on with her life? Or, will the shadow of fear that drove her husband’s overprotectiveness take over her too?
Shaw’s first departure out of the genre of post-apocalyptic novels, The French Wardrobe, is a story of self-discovery for the widowed Vivienne. So much of her life was put on hold due to the paranoia of her husband. Her character is one of the most developed I have ever read. As she blooms into the artist she was meant to be we see snippets of the past that shed light on Todd’s behavior. Todd’s tormentor does not go away after his death. This steady paced book has a surprising ending that really shows how strong Vivienne really is.
While I much prefer Shaw’s other novels this one was well written. I will recommend it and give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Shaw’s first departure out of the genre of post-apocalyptic novels, The French Wardrobe, is a story of self-discovery for the widowed Vivienne. So much of her life was put on hold due to the paranoia of her husband. Her character is one of the most developed I have ever read. As she blooms into the artist she was meant to be we see snippets of the past that shed light on Todd’s behavior. Todd’s tormentor does not go away after his death. This steady paced book has a surprising ending that really shows how strong Vivienne really is.
While I much prefer Shaw’s other novels this one was well written. I will recommend it and give it 5 out of 5 stars.
July 5, 2022
I expected more of a thriller, full of suspense. Instead, the book focused on a widow dealing with the death of her overprotective husband. There was a lot of detail of Vivian's "finding herself" through something called "The French Wardrobe" and the author went into great detail of her buying and selling items of clothing in this regard.
The last hour of the book finally revealed some of the reason for Todd's protective nature, but there wasn't much suspenseful about it IMO. Without revealing spoilers, I found the whole thing a little unbelievable and the ending was just too easily resolved.
The narrator did a pretty good job, but her performance couldn't save what I found to be an overall boring and disappointing story. I was given the chance to listen to this audiobook by the author/narrator/publisher and I chose to review it.
The last hour of the book finally revealed some of the reason for Todd's protective nature, but there wasn't much suspenseful about it IMO. Without revealing spoilers, I found the whole thing a little unbelievable and the ending was just too easily resolved.
The narrator did a pretty good job, but her performance couldn't save what I found to be an overall boring and disappointing story. I was given the chance to listen to this audiobook by the author/narrator/publisher and I chose to review it.
December 10, 2023
This book has interesting components that meld into a compelling story. A mother of two grown children suddenly loses her husband in a bicycle accident. He had always been overly protective of her. While she's struggling to overcome her grief and try to find her footing in her new life, she branches out to resume some things she loved in her previous version of life, and to restructure other aspects.
As she's starting to recover, the reader learns of some disturbing events that she never knew about. The ending is particularly clever and surprising.
This is the first book I've read by the author. I will be reading more of her work.
I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator was excellent.
As she's starting to recover, the reader learns of some disturbing events that she never knew about. The ending is particularly clever and surprising.
This is the first book I've read by the author. I will be reading more of her work.
I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator was excellent.
July 12, 2023
excellent
What a great book !! I came to this book a few years after loosing my husband and the author did a magnificent job of all the emotional storms a new widow must pass through. Shaw really developed the characters and how they interact through this trying time. Putting her life togeather starts with the French wardrobe she decides to create and the lessons learned about herself and her life strengthen her for all the trials she has to bear living again. Don’t miss this fantastic book , it will keep you engaged every page you read !
What a great book !! I came to this book a few years after loosing my husband and the author did a magnificent job of all the emotional storms a new widow must pass through. Shaw really developed the characters and how they interact through this trying time. Putting her life togeather starts with the French wardrobe she decides to create and the lessons learned about herself and her life strengthen her for all the trials she has to bear living again. Don’t miss this fantastic book , it will keep you engaged every page you read !
May 14, 2020
I knew I would love this book!
I have read all of the China Pandemic books and I was excited to read this different genre of AR Shaw. It was totally engrossing and I loved loved loved the ending. The characters were perfect. Read it!
I have read all of the China Pandemic books and I was excited to read this different genre of AR Shaw. It was totally engrossing and I loved loved loved the ending. The characters were perfect. Read it!
June 1, 2020
Loved the Wardrobe
It was a good read. I loved the French wardrobe style as well as the story and mystery. She has the perfect idea at the end and carried it out perfectly. Splendid
It was a good read. I loved the French wardrobe style as well as the story and mystery. She has the perfect idea at the end and carried it out perfectly. Splendid
August 11, 2022
Very GOOD!
As usual, another great book by A. R. Shaw. This was very different than her others, which was refreshing. This book had something to like for everybody. You will enjoy the journey reading this one, Liz from South Jersey USA
As usual, another great book by A. R. Shaw. This was very different than her others, which was refreshing. This book had something to like for everybody. You will enjoy the journey reading this one, Liz from South Jersey USA
July 4, 2023
A French wardrobe might be nice if you want to simplify your huge wardrobe, and need to look classy and rich and FRENCH! Also, your husband should share his nightmare life with you because you could have Blown his problems away!
June 9, 2017
Too much time spent on boring daily activities. The last few chapters had actionn.
August 4, 2017
This starts out sort of a primer on a grieving widow trying to re-enter Life, but then... I won't go into detail because I don't want to spoil it, but you get one heck of a plot twist.
March 28, 2019
Mmmm
Thought something interesting would happen but it just dragged on and on and on so yeah characters too boring oh dear
Thought something interesting would happen but it just dragged on and on and on so yeah characters too boring oh dear
August 4, 2016
Another incredible story from a fantastic author!
The pain of losing a spouse if one that I never hope to deal with, but A.R. Shaw has written, with beautiful and heart wrenching detail, what a widowed wife experiences and must persevere through. For the lives of her children and grandchildren, Vivienne realizes that she must not only survive, but she needs to begin to live again.
Step by step, moment by moment, she discovers herself in a new and refreshing transformation. But the shadows and paranoia of her late husband still seep into her thoughts. Was his death truly an accident?
A wonderful story that clearly portrays the love of a family....and the sacrifices and depths of darkness that one can provide, to keep their loved ones safe. At all costs! Very well done.
The pain of losing a spouse if one that I never hope to deal with, but A.R. Shaw has written, with beautiful and heart wrenching detail, what a widowed wife experiences and must persevere through. For the lives of her children and grandchildren, Vivienne realizes that she must not only survive, but she needs to begin to live again.
Step by step, moment by moment, she discovers herself in a new and refreshing transformation. But the shadows and paranoia of her late husband still seep into her thoughts. Was his death truly an accident?
A wonderful story that clearly portrays the love of a family....and the sacrifices and depths of darkness that one can provide, to keep their loved ones safe. At all costs! Very well done.
July 19, 2016
A page-turning women's fiction novel about a widow learning to live without her husband. She's got the emotional support of her friends and family, who help her find the strength to move on. But she discovers a horrible secret as she's healing, and once she figures out how to deal with it, she's able to truly live again.
The French Wardrobe is a well-written story with likeable characters. It would make a great book club read.
The French Wardrobe is a well-written story with likeable characters. It would make a great book club read.
September 9, 2016
I thought the story was interesting to a point, but then it got a little muddied in the middle. It seemed like the story couldn't decide if it was a "whodunit" or a novel about a widow coming to terms with her newfound, if unexpected, freedom. I think the author should have concentrated on one or the other of the story lines instead of trying to do too much within the same book.
July 21, 2016
I got about halfway through and gave up. Between the impossibly slow and clunky story and the constant stream of errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, I just couldn't take it anymore.
April 2, 2017
Weird read!
Strange ending would not recommend this book to someone who recently loss a loved one. I did enjoy the planned wardrobe.
Strange ending would not recommend this book to someone who recently loss a loved one. I did enjoy the planned wardrobe.
May 1, 2017
Don't waste your time
Terribly thin story, with no suspense and
little character development. I did not find this to be a credible plot nor was the conclusion believable.
Terribly thin story, with no suspense and
little character development. I did not find this to be a credible plot nor was the conclusion believable.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews