Half Empty (First Wives #2) by Catherine Bybee

Aug 26, 2018 ♥Rachel♥ rated it liked it

3.5 Stars

Trina is in Italy mourning the death of her first husband, not because she was romantically involved (there's a backstory), but because she feels a little responsible for his suicide. Enter Wade Thomas, a famous country singer trying to get dinner after closing time but out of luck since the kitchen is closed. Trina doesn’t recognize Wade at all, but she’s loaded up with the last call of food, takes pity on him and shares her food. Wade’s immediately taken with Trina, but she’s not inte 3.5 Stars

Trina is in Italy mourning the death of her first husband, not because she was romantically involved (there's a backstory), but because she feels a little responsible for his suicide. Enter Wade Thomas, a famous country singer trying to get dinner after closing time but out of luck since the kitchen is closed. Trina doesn’t recognize Wade at all, but she’s loaded up with the last call of food, takes pity on him and shares her food. Wade’s immediately taken with Trina, but she’s not interested considering her circumstances and isn’t impressed with his fame or fortune. But they end up riding back to the States together and Trina’s resolve starts to crumble in the face of Wade’s charm and sweetness. Trina is smitten despite her friend’s protestations. I loved Wade from the start and even more when an unexpected threat takes them all for a surprise and Wade sticks to Trina to help keep her safe.

This is my first Catherine Bybee romance, and at first, I didn’t think it was going to work for me, not because of the main characters, but because of Trina’s friend Avery. She was so irritating and overbearing when it was clear Trina just wanted to be left alone. Avery was supposed to (I think) come off as a concerned friend, but instead she came off as an intrusive, nosy bitch! Thankfully, she backed off at 30% and the story got a lot more interesting.

I actually started to like Avery, even felt bad for her which is a good thing because I think one of the upcoming books will be her story/romance. Wade’s mother was another character I didn’t like one bit, and sadly my feelings didn’t change for that cow. Trina was waaayyy too nice to her IMO, but I guess you need to keep the peace when it comes to your man’s mama.

When all is said and done, I really quite liked this story. A romance with a bit of danger and suspense thrown in made it an entertaining read! I’ll be on the lookout for more books in the series!

A copy was kindly provided by Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jul 18, 2018 Mindy Lou's Book Review rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018, own-paperback

Trina is torn with guilt over her husbands suicide and struggling with the after affects of inheriting the Petrov fortune. She doesn't understand why her mother-in-law left everything to her in the will and she is beginning to understand the danger it has put her in with her late husbands father.

When Trina is heading home from her short sabbatical, she meets famous country singer Wade Thomas. She doesn't think she is ready to move on but Wade is charming enough to wiggle his way into her life. ...more

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Aug 01, 2018 "Avonna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: net-galley

Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

HALF EMPTY (First Wives #2) by Catherine Bybee is the latest in her First Wives contemporary romance series with a suspense subplot carried over from the first book. This is Katrina “Trina” Petrov’s story and it can be read as a standalone, but for a full understanding of the relationship between all of the First Wives, you may want to read “Fool Me Once” the first book in this series.

Katrina “Trina” Petrov became one of the wealth Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

HALF EMPTY (First Wives #2) by Catherine Bybee is the latest in her First Wives contemporary romance series with a suspense subplot carried over from the first book. This is Katrina “Trina” Petrov’s story and it can be read as a standalone, but for a full understanding of the relationship between all of the First Wives, you may want to read “Fool Me Once” the first book in this series.

Katrina “Trina” Petrov became one of the wealthiest woman in America when her temporary first husband committed suicide. As the one year anniversary of his death approaches, Trina is vacationing in Venice and does not know what to do with rest of her new life. Called back to Texas by the other First Wives, Trina tries her best to slow her return.

Stuck in a hotel due to a storm, she has the last order of food coming out of the kitchen. A charming man two seats down at the bar has missed dinner too and strikes up a conversation with Trina. She is willing to share her food, but has no interest in the man. This is an intriguing and somewhat novel occurrence for Wade Thomas, the famous country music star.

Wade Thomas finds Trina to be a novelty. She does not know who he is, she does not need his money and she does not need his connections. What he does want to do for her is to chase away the sadness in her eyes and make her smile. Sure, he wants more, but he surprises himself by wanting to take it slow.

When Trina’s best friend, Avery is brutally attacked all of the friends from book one work to take care of the threat against Trina for good. Wade may not understand everything that is happening, but he knows he wants to protect Trina and is willing to help her any way he can. A secret is about to be revealed that brings the enemy into the open and could be the death of Trina and/or her friends.

I loved Trina and Wade together. The romance was entertaining and fun with the couple’s dialogue and communications so honest and realistic. Even with the short time frame, the author does a great job of writing in a friendship before the sexual relationship. The sex does not occur until later in the book and fit there perfectly. I was also intrigued throughout the story with the suspense subplot. I am looking forward to finding out who the other First Wives will find their HEA with. I will also be looking forward to the return of the mysterious Sasha.
...more

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Aug 01, 2018 Carvanz rated it it was amazing

Shelves: abcd, alpha, lots-of-action, part-of-series-but-stands-alone, low-angst, male-pov, safety-hmm, mild-violence, suspense, charming-sweet-hero

Trina has just been going through the motions, trying to avoid life as well as her friends. A year after the suicide of her husband, and the circus media that resulted, has seen her sink even further into an emptiness she feels she will never crawl out of. When a late night bar visit brings her shoulder to shoulder with Wade, she wants to let go and believe there is goodness in men, but her past indicates otherwise. In an effort to miss out on the First Wives next get together, she ends up in a Trina has just been going through the motions, trying to avoid life as well as her friends. A year after the suicide of her husband, and the circus media that resulted, has seen her sink even further into an emptiness she feels she will never crawl out of. When a late night bar visit brings her shoulder to shoulder with Wade, she wants to let go and believe there is goodness in men, but her past indicates otherwise. In an effort to miss out on the First Wives next get together, she ends up in a hotel with the handsome singer to wait out a storm.

Wade is drawn to Trina from the very first. She is beautiful and a bit quirky but with a sadness that should not have a place in the depth of her eyes. It is to his benefit that she needs rescuing from her friends and he takes full advantage of it. Unfortunately, they both eventually go their own ways but when he takes the chance to invite her to his ranch in Texas, she accepts.

This is an action filled, mysterious and suspenseful read with plenty of country romance in the form of darlin’s and little ladies. Even as Wade made me fall in love with his wholesome goodness, I was pulled deeper and deeper into the dark mystery of Trina’s deceased husband and the money that now surrounds her. With a cast of characters to add depth and emotion to the story, I consumed this book as quickly as possible. It was just oh so good!

This is relatively low angst in regards to Wade and Trina’s relationship. Most of the drama arose from outside sources and danger. The chemistry between these two was electric from the beginning and yet they didn’t rush it and allowed it to progress naturally. As a result, there was plenty of steam when the time arrived. As a cherry on top of all this deliciousness was a wonderful epilogue that made me giddy with happiness.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Montlake. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dual POV
Safe(view spoiler)
Triggers (view spoiler)
...more

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Aug 03, 2018 Stacie rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle-unlimited

4 1/2 "Darlin" Stars!

I liked this one a lot! The main characters, the story, the romance, the side characters, all of it. Can't wait for the next one. Happy reading!! ...more

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Mar 16, 2019 Somia rated it liked it

Shelves: ku-books, contemporary-romance

Overall this was a nice light read.

Th book starts with Trina Petrov strolling through Italy as she tries to avoid her friends and some of the realities of her life since her husband and mother-in-law died. But despite not wanting to go home, she has to for the First Wives next get together, in her efforts to miss out on the meeting she ends up in a hotel with the handsome singer Wade Thomas to wait out a storm.

Wade, a famous country singer is stumped when he meets Trina and she has no idea who ...more

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Dec 28, 2018 Kate Olson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult-reads, romance-only

💕 s w o o n 💕 I inhaled this one in less than a day and couldn’t be in a more blissful state now. Catherine Bybee NEVER fails me and I adore every single one of her series. I only have one more of her books on tap now and I’m panicking at the thought of not having one to read at any given point in time! I’m almost positive a new one is coming this spring though.

Her books are romantic, steamy, original and dreamy. Her women are fierce and her men are powerful and I just adore them.

SERIES NOTES: T ...more

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Apr 26, 2018 Peggy Jaeger rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

In Book2 of the First Wives Series, HALF-EMPTY, Catherine Bybee gives us Katrina “Trina” Petrov’s story. Her marriage of convenience ended when her billionaire husband Fedor committed suicide. For the past year she’s been traveling and trying to come to terms with the way her life has turned out. Stuck in a hotel due to a storm,she fights jetlag by having a late dinner in the empty hotel bar.

Well, almost empty.

A charming, handsome and persistent man strikes up a conversation with Trina. She ha In Book2 of the First Wives Series, HALF-EMPTY, Catherine Bybee gives us Katrina “Trina” Petrov’s story. Her marriage of convenience ended when her billionaire husband Fedor committed suicide. For the past year she’s been traveling and trying to come to terms with the way her life has turned out. Stuck in a hotel due to a storm,she fights jetlag by having a late dinner in the empty hotel bar.

Well, almost empty.

A charming, handsome and persistent man strikes up a conversation with Trina. She has no idea who he is and for him, that’s a plus. Wade Thomas, good ole’ boy and famous country singer needs some down time and wants to be as anonymous as he can. The fact that the beautiful and reluctant woman sharing her food with him doesn’t know who he is, is just another plus.

After hitchhiking a ride on his plane home, Trina and Avery, another member of the FWC, start to go thru the house Trina has been avoiding for the past year to clean it out. When they discover innumerable expensive items, Trina entrusts Avery with getting quotes on them all with the thought to donate any money she receives to Suicide prevention. But when Avery is brutally attacked while on a mission to unload the items, things take a very decided turn for the worst in Trina’s world.

With Wade by her side, though, she’s able to navigate through the undeniable fact that someone wants her dead. And that someone is Fedor’s father, Ruslan. He’ll stop at nothing to get his son’s wife-in-name-only out of the picture so he can gain control of the oil empire she was left.

The cast and crew from the First Wives Series, book 1 FOOL ME ONCE are all on board in this story, helping Trina through the nightmare that has become her life.

This book had me hooked from the get-go, just like all Bybee’s stories do. Fast paced and rich with emotion and intrigue, you can’t help but fall in love with the characters and their goals. Now, I’ll say this truthfully and suffer the wrath of romance readers everywhere. I don’t usually read books with cowboys at the hero. But Wade Thomas is more than just a laconic good ol’boy. Despite his uber-fame he’s a good, decent man, loves his mama, and is a gentleman to his core. And I’ll admit this too: I fell in love with him just like Trina does.

Another fab book from a fab author. 5 well deserved stars from me. Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for giving me a preview Arc for an honest opinion of the work. ...more

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Jun 04, 2018 Kathleen rated it it was amazing

WOW...
In book #2 of the First Wives series we are reintroduced to Trina Petrov and we meet the charming and sexy country music superstar Wade Thomas. Right from the start at their first meeting you can feel the sizzle between them… And things just get better from there.

As I start to read this story I can’t believe how engaging Catherine Bybee draws her readers in right from the start. You can’t wait to keep turning the page to see what is going to happen to the heroine next. It’s jammed packed ...more

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Aug 15, 2018 E-Reader Addict rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

I’ve been a fan of Catherine Bybee and her Not Quite series for years. Sometimes you’re in the mood for a certain kind of book, and I used to know if I was looking for something sweet, fun, and uncomplicated, Ms. Bybee could be counted on to deliver just that.

But this new First Wives series is not any of those things. It’s a little edgier, with women who are a bit cynical about the institution of marriage.

In book one, Fool Me Once, we are introduced to the women of the First Wives Club - Lori, ...more

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Jun 18, 2018 Heather rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, series-i-want-to-continue

This is the second book in the First Wives series. While technically it can be read on it's own, I will be reading the first book in the series to see what I missed and simply because this story was that good! Catherine Bybee has a talent for creating characters and story lines that immediately pull the reader in and have you truly hoping they can get their HEA. Fans of Bybee's earlier series, the Weekday Brides, will recognize plot elements but with all new characters and situations. These are ...more

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Jul 29, 2018 Pennie Morgan rated it it was amazing

Oh my, the feels in this one! Trina and Wade are perfect for each other. Trina is part of the first wives club and married her first husband who supposedly committed suicide before their impending divorce and then his mother passed and she left her estate to her. This left her richer than imaginable. Flying home Europe and sitting in a hotel bar at midnight a stranger strikes up a conversation about how much food she has ordered when he cannot get any because the kitchen has closed. Perfect meet ...more

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Jul 14, 2018 Vikki Vaught rated it it was amazing

Catherine Bybee is fast becoming one of my auto-buy authors. This is book two in the Cabot series. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review, I immediately accepted. My opinions are my own and not influenced by anyone.

As with all of Ms. Bybee’s novels, Half Empty captured my attention from the first page and kept until the last. The pacing is fast, the characters are entertaining and well-written, and the plot is fantastic.

Trina’s character shows a vul ...more

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Jul 08, 2018 MsChris1161 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ebook, reviewed, netgalley, own

HALF EMPTY is a fantastic story that is cleverly written by Catherine Bybee to make you laugh, cry, shake your head in anger and outrage, bite your lip in suspense, and sigh... no make that blush, at the hotness of the romantic scenes. This second novel in Bybee's First Wives series has it all and kept me glued to Trina Petrov's story.

In Fool Me Once, the first novel in the First Wives series, Trina's contracted husband commits suicide which starts a chain of events that send her world into a t ...more

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Aug 07, 2018 Trish R. rated it it was amazing

WOW! I loved this book. Trina was so sweet and unassuming, even though she was worth $350 million smack-a-roos. And Wade was great in his tremendous fame and being so down to earth. AND I loved Sasha. She was an invisibly terrific fighter and guardian.

This was a wonderful romance that didn’t depend on the romance to make it a good read. The mystery and suspense made the story (a lot of romance writers could take a lesson or two from Ms. Bybee, or Sandra Owens.)

This story was all about Ruslan, T ...more

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Sep 15, 2018 Lora Logan rated it it was amazing

Fun, sexy and suspenseful

This was a great, suspenseful romance with a musician country star hero... what could be better. I greatly enjoy all of Catherine's books, she is an amazing author with inventive and interesting storylines you have to love. ...more

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Apr 30, 2018 Despina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for a honest review.

3 1/2 stars

Half Empty was interesting story, it had many of the elements I like in a story, a strong female lead, a man that appreciates her but there was all these little things that I found irritating and took away from the story for me. It felt like there was too much going on distracting me from the actual relationship between Trina and Wade. I think that this was well written, I just don't feel like it my kind of story. ...more

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Apr 26, 2018 Peggy Jaeger rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: everyone who loves Bybee

Recommended to Peggy by: Netgalley

In Book2 of the First Wives Series, HALF-EMPTY, Catherine Bybee gives us Katrina “Trina” Petrov’s story. Her marriage of convenience ended when her billionaire husband Fedor committed suicide. For the past year she’s been traveling and trying to come to terms with the way her life has turned out. Stuck in a hotel due to a storm,she fights jetlag by having a late dinner in the empty hotel bar.

Well, almost empty.

A charming, handsome and persistent man strikes up a conversation with Trina. She ha In Book2 of the First Wives Series, HALF-EMPTY, Catherine Bybee gives us Katrina “Trina” Petrov’s story. Her marriage of convenience ended when her billionaire husband Fedor committed suicide. For the past year she’s been traveling and trying to come to terms with the way her life has turned out. Stuck in a hotel due to a storm,she fights jetlag by having a late dinner in the empty hotel bar.

Well, almost empty.

A charming, handsome and persistent man strikes up a conversation with Trina. She has no idea who he is and for him, that’s a plus. Wade Thomas, good ole’ boy and famous country singer needs some down time and wants to be as anonymous as he can. The fact that the beautiful and reluctant woman sharing her food with him doesn’t know who he is, is just another plus.

After hitchhiking a ride on his plane home, Trina and Avery, another member of the FWC, start to go thru the house Trina has been avoiding for the past year to clean it out. When they discover innumerable expensive items, Trina entrusts Avery with getting quotes on them all with the thought to donate any money she receives to Suicide prevention. But when Avery is brutally attacked while on a mission to unload the items, things take a very decided turn for the worst in Trina’s world.

With Wade by her side, though, she’s able to navigate through the undeniable fact that someone wants her dead. And that someone is Fedor’s father, Ruslan. He’ll stop at nothing to get his son’s wife-in-name-only out of the picture so he can gain control of the oil empire she was left.

The cast and crew from the First Wives Series, book 1 FOOL ME ONCE are all on board in this story, helping Trina through the nightmare that has become her life.

This book had me hooked from the get-go, just like all Bybee’s stories do. Fast paced and rich with emotion and intrigue, you can’t help but fall in love with the characters and their goals. Now, I’ll say this truthfully and suffer the wrath of romance readers everywhere. I don’t usually read books with cowboys at the hero. But Wade Thomas is more than just a laconic good ol’boy. Despite his uber-fame he’s a good, decent man, loves his mama, and is a gentleman to his core. And I’ll admit this too: I fell in love with him just like Trina does.

Another fab book from a fab author. 5 well deserved stars from me. Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for giving me a preview Arc for an honest opinion of the work.
...more

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Jul 25, 2018 Kara Hildebrand (Two Book Pushers) rated it it was amazing

Half Empty is the second book in the First Wives series by the fabulous Catherine Bybee. I loved the first book and I was a little afraid this one wasn't going to be as good and I'm so glad I was wrong. I already loved Trina and knew she needed to find a good solid man to win her heart. Wade turned out to be that man plus more. Trina doesn’t need or want a man, but the night she meets Wade, there's just something about him. She stops his advances but he's so intrigued by her that he's not going ...more

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Jun 26, 2018 B. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This continues Bybee’s series about women who contracted temporary marriages with super-rich men knowing that they would divorce within a short period of time. It sounds rather cold, but not really because the women get to be heroines of their own romances so you know they can’t be all that bad.

I don’t buy that there could be a private business devoted solely to help people make such marriage arrangements, but just go with it. The heroine of this book, Trina, is still recovering from the trauma This continues Bybee’s series about women who contracted temporary marriages with super-rich men knowing that they would divorce within a short period of time. It sounds rather cold, but not really because the women get to be heroines of their own romances so you know they can’t be all that bad.

I don’t buy that there could be a private business devoted solely to help people make such marriage arrangements, but just go with it. The heroine of this book, Trina, is still recovering from the trauma of having her husband commit suicide and then to have her mother-in-law die soon afterward and mysteriously leave her oil company fortune to Trina. So now she’s a widow with billions. She’s also beautiful and has some very good friends who are also in the First Wives Club and will travel across the country and out of it if they hear of one of the others having a problem. So, yeah. I didn’t feel so sorry for Trina and her billions.

She meets country music star Wade who is amazed that some woman he meets in a bar has never heard of him. Seriously, that is what first attracts him to her besides that she is, you know, supposedly gorgeous. He’s super famous and attracts paparazzi wherever he goes. So he likes meeting a woman who isn’t after him for his fame and money because she’s richer than he is. So he totally falls for her lickety split. She she for him.

At this point enters a mystery of someone who seems to be after Trina and her husband’s stuff. Fortunately, she has these good friends, one of whom, her lawyer is seeing a guy who runs a security firm (and were the H/h from the first book in the series). When someone seems to be out to kill you, it helps to have a guy who can call in bodyguards and all sorts of technology. And then there is the mysterious Sasha who is also out to protect Trina. Unfortunately, the mysterious opponent is ruthlessly evil and doesn’t mind going after anyone who gets between him and his desire to kill Trina.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review. If you can keep your disbelief suspended, this was a fun romance with a sprinkling of suspense thrown in. ...more

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Jul 01, 2018 TJ rated it liked it

Shelves: romantic-suspense, contemporary, contemporary-romance, 2018-reads

Catherine Bybee’s writing is always a joy to read. It flows smoothly and has a down-to-earth, family feel that draws the reader into her stories immediately and allows them to truly feel a part of the people she so eloquently writes about. This book is no exception.

I had trouble figuring out what exactly the story was trying to be, however. Is it a romance? A suspense? Or women’s fiction? There is a bit of all three but none are well enough defined to stand out and actually carry the story. I ab ...more

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Jul 22, 2018 Erin Lewis rated it it was amazing

5.0 Star Review Half Empty (First Wives #2) by Catherine Bybee
There is something about Catherine Bybee’s style of writing that resonates with me. She weaves a story that has me invested from the very start.
Katrina “Trina” Petrov intrigued me when she appeared in Fool Me Once and I was excited to find out that this was her story. Throw in hot and swoon worthy Country-music superstar Wade Thomas and you know your in for a treat.
Escaping to Italy to come to terms with the sudden death due to suici ...more

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Jul 27, 2018 Michele rated it it was amazing

Shelves: priority, 0718, con-rom

See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com

A country music hottie and a wealthy young widow set the pages on fire in Half Empty, the second installment in Catherine Bybee’s First Wives series. Fantastic bantering, passionate romance, and an intriguing thread of danger led the way to a swoon-worthy happy ending you won’t want to miss.

I could not be more in love with Half Empty or with our main characters Trina and Wade. They were an absolute riot. What an entertaining, sensual couple they turned o ...more

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Jul 28, 2018 Ruthie Taylor rated it really liked it

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the second book in the series, and you really do need to have read the first book to understand all the dynamics at play. This is a book full of drama and complex twists and turns, as well as a lovely romance - all in all a very good addition to the series. I am reviewing with the assumption that you have read the first book.

After the women supported Trina, she insists on travelling alone - and we catch up with ...more

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Jul 28, 2018 Momma rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, books-i-received-for-review

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I’ve loved Catherine Bybee’s work from the very first book I read of hers (many many books ago)! Not only does she have a way with words, she builds characters that you fall in love with. They are real people, with strengths and weaknesses, people you want to be friends with. I love that while each book focuses on a character /couple, we always get small glimpses and updates into the lives of the rest of the cast! No one’s story is ever truly over when we get tiny updates later on 😍

Half Empty is ...more

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Jul 09, 2018 Beth rated it it was amazing

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**

If you haven’t read any of Catherine Bybee’s books you are missing out! She has once again shown us that she can write a story that weaves romance, suspense, and action all together! Catherine has a way of drawing you into the story and making it hard to put the book down once you’ve started reading! The second book in the The First Wives series focuses on Trina Petrov and her story while also weaving in character ...more

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Jul 29, 2018 Marti rated it really liked it

Shelves: zzz-2018-summer-list, zzz-books-2018, arc, kindle, romance, mysteries-surprise-endings, part-of-a-series, romantic-thriller, hot-hot-hot, net-galley-book

Half Empty by Catherine Bybee is the second book in The First Wives Club. I did not read the prior book, but I am now looking forward to reading it!! The book is a romance but there is a serious twist with killers looking to kill Trina Petrov.

Trina’s husband died unexpectedly and she is left with loads of money, guilt and questions. While she is on her way home (which she is trying to avoid doing), she meets an man who is interesting, not that she is really interested at all. She allowed him to ...more

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May 02, 2019 maggieandteddy rated it really liked it

3.5 for the story. 4 stars for the Narration. I love Emma Wilder's narration.
This is 3rd person POV. Emma's males voices are good too, but the voice for Wade seemed a little too raspy for a country singer.
This is my first book that I've "read" in this series. It was reco'd in a FB audio book group.
I loved Wade's lines. Very funny and too nice to be true. At first, Trina tries to keep her distance, but they do have a strong attraction. Wade is hesitant to get involved since he's touring and pe ...more

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Jul 24, 2018 Terri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library-book

This was actually my first book by Catherine Bybee. She's been on my radar for a long time, but I'd just never gotten around to reading her. I can honestly say that she's got me hooked. I was not expecting the suspense and trauma that was in this story, but she kept me turning the pages. The marriage by contract concept of the story was also surprising to me.
I found the relationship between Trina and Wade to be very heartwarming. I loved that she didn't know who he was when they met. I also love ...more

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Jul 08, 2018 Debra Oliva rated it really liked it

Another engaging installment in the First Wives series! The widowed Trina Petrov has sought refuge in Venice for the first year anniversary of her husband’s death and meets country music superstar Wade Thomas in a bar in Miami while returning to Texas. Sparks fly but, much to his surprise, she doesn’t recognize him and when he introduces himself, she has no idea who he is.

Catherine Bybee knows how to write! I read the story in one sitting. The members of the First Wives club are strong, stubbor ...more

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