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The Winters
"From the brilliant first line to the shattering conclusion, The Winters will draw you in and leave you breathless. . . . A must read." --Liv Constantine, author of The Last Mrs. Parrish
A spellbindingly suspenseful new novel set in the moneyed world of the Hamptons, about secrets that refuse to remain buried and consequences that can't be escaped.
After a whirlwind romance, a young woman returns to the opulent, secluded Long Island mansion of her new fiancé Max Winter--a wealthy politician and recent widower--and a life of luxury she's never known. But all is not as it appears at the Asherley estate. The house is steeped in the memory of Max's beautiful first wife Rebekah, who haunts the young woman's imagination and feeds her uncertainties, while his very alive teenage daughter Dani makes her life a living hell. She soon realizes there is no clear place for her in this twisted little Max and Dani circle each other like cats, a dynamic that both repels and fascinates her, and he harbors political ambitions with which he will allow no woman--alive or dead--to interfere.
As the soon-to-be second Mrs. Winter grows more in love with Max, and more afraid of Dani, she is drawn deeper into the family's dark secrets--the kind of secrets that could kill her, too. The Winters is a riveting story about what happens when a family's ghosts resurface and threaten to upend everything.
A spellbindingly suspenseful new novel set in the moneyed world of the Hamptons, about secrets that refuse to remain buried and consequences that can't be escaped.
After a whirlwind romance, a young woman returns to the opulent, secluded Long Island mansion of her new fiancé Max Winter--a wealthy politician and recent widower--and a life of luxury she's never known. But all is not as it appears at the Asherley estate. The house is steeped in the memory of Max's beautiful first wife Rebekah, who haunts the young woman's imagination and feeds her uncertainties, while his very alive teenage daughter Dani makes her life a living hell. She soon realizes there is no clear place for her in this twisted little Max and Dani circle each other like cats, a dynamic that both repels and fascinates her, and he harbors political ambitions with which he will allow no woman--alive or dead--to interfere.
As the soon-to-be second Mrs. Winter grows more in love with Max, and more afraid of Dani, she is drawn deeper into the family's dark secrets--the kind of secrets that could kill her, too. The Winters is a riveting story about what happens when a family's ghosts resurface and threaten to upend everything.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2018
427 people are currently reading
15472 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Gabriele
6 books235 followersLisa Gabriele is an author, podcast producer and a award-winning TV producer. Her writing has appeared in Nerve, New York Magazine, Washington Post, The New York Times and the Magazine, Globe and Mail, National Post, Vice, Elle and Glamour. Her essays have appeared in several anthologies, including The Best American Non-Required Reading. She’s also the author of the international best-selling S.E.C.R.E.T. trilogy, under the pseudonym L. Marie Adeline, a series that’s been published in more than 30 countries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 983 reviews
April 24, 2022
This is a thriller that retells the story of du Maurier’s Rebecca in a modern US setting. In doing this, Lisa Gabriele successfully uses the reader’s expectations to both support parallels and to twist them in new directions.
The story here is of an unnamed young heroine who has a whirlwind romance with Max Winters, a rich American senator who lives in a fabulous Long Island mansion on an island.
Max lost his wife, Rebekah, in a tragic car accident and has a teenage daughter named Dani. The parallels to Rebecca are startlingly clear!
The modernising of the situation is cleverly done as are all those parallels. The incorporation of features such as Instagrams - so vital to a teenager today - and the brattish behaviour of Dani really give a fresh feel to an old tale. As the story progresses towards the marriage (they are, of course, already living together in modern style) then one can feel a certain predictability about the links to the original book. Lisa Gabriele is writing a genuine thriller though so she manages some very clever twists leading to a highly dramatic finale.
I enjoyed the story and the way the author bamboozled her reader in the knowledge of their expectations, managing to confound some and to twist others. Very enjoyable.
The story here is of an unnamed young heroine who has a whirlwind romance with Max Winters, a rich American senator who lives in a fabulous Long Island mansion on an island.
Max lost his wife, Rebekah, in a tragic car accident and has a teenage daughter named Dani. The parallels to Rebecca are startlingly clear!
The modernising of the situation is cleverly done as are all those parallels. The incorporation of features such as Instagrams - so vital to a teenager today - and the brattish behaviour of Dani really give a fresh feel to an old tale. As the story progresses towards the marriage (they are, of course, already living together in modern style) then one can feel a certain predictability about the links to the original book. Lisa Gabriele is writing a genuine thriller though so she manages some very clever twists leading to a highly dramatic finale.
I enjoyed the story and the way the author bamboozled her reader in the knowledge of their expectations, managing to confound some and to twist others. Very enjoyable.
June 14, 2018
4.5 Stars
"Last night Rebekah tried to murder me again."
Now that is how you grip a reader from the very first sentence!
A young woman, who shall remain nameless, meets Max, a wealthy politician and widower when he charters a boat form the company where she is employed in the Cayman Islands. After a whirlwind romance, she decides to turn down a job promotion and travels with Max to his home on Long Island. The home, Asherley, is opulent and the grounds are lush. She and Max are engaged, and she hopes to embrace a new life as Mrs. Winters with her new husband. But of course, there are obstacles - his teenage daughter, Dani who is less than impressed that her father is engaged and the presence of Rebekah, Max's ex-wife. No, there are no ghosts in this novel, but Rebekah's presence is felt all over the house. Rebekah decorated the home, her clothes are still there, Dani keeps her Mother's pictures up and even the staff keep bringing up the first Mrs. Winters in conversation.
Soon it becomes obvious that there is some tension between Dani and her Max. Is Dani just a rebellious teenager who is still dealing with the shock and loss of her Mother? Is Max the perfect loving father he appears to be? Max is often busy pursuing his political aspirations which leaves Dani and the soon to be (new)Mrs. Winters alone to interact with each other.
Family secrets, tension, rebellion, lies, political aspirations run throughout this book. I realized at the very end that the new Mrs. Winters is never given a name. I do not want to say too much about this book or the plot as I feel readers should go into this book knowing as little as possible. The description is correct, this book is riveting. I LOVED that I could not figure this book out!!! The Author does a brilliant job of giving the reader little bits and pieces of information which are not only riveting but also are there so the reader comes up with what he/she believes is happening in this book.... but will those assumptions and guesses be correct?? Mine were not!! I LOVE when a book surprises me. I read most of this book in one sitting - or shall I say, I devoured it. After the new, second, Mrs. Winters moved into Asherley Estate things really kicked into high gear for me. Dani alone is a very interesting character!
As the revelations began to unfold, I was on the edge of my seat, flipping the pages as fast as I could to learn all the dirty secrets of the Winters's family.
Thank you to Viking and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions in this review are my own!
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
"Last night Rebekah tried to murder me again."
Now that is how you grip a reader from the very first sentence!
A young woman, who shall remain nameless, meets Max, a wealthy politician and widower when he charters a boat form the company where she is employed in the Cayman Islands. After a whirlwind romance, she decides to turn down a job promotion and travels with Max to his home on Long Island. The home, Asherley, is opulent and the grounds are lush. She and Max are engaged, and she hopes to embrace a new life as Mrs. Winters with her new husband. But of course, there are obstacles - his teenage daughter, Dani who is less than impressed that her father is engaged and the presence of Rebekah, Max's ex-wife. No, there are no ghosts in this novel, but Rebekah's presence is felt all over the house. Rebekah decorated the home, her clothes are still there, Dani keeps her Mother's pictures up and even the staff keep bringing up the first Mrs. Winters in conversation.
Soon it becomes obvious that there is some tension between Dani and her Max. Is Dani just a rebellious teenager who is still dealing with the shock and loss of her Mother? Is Max the perfect loving father he appears to be? Max is often busy pursuing his political aspirations which leaves Dani and the soon to be (new)Mrs. Winters alone to interact with each other.
Family secrets, tension, rebellion, lies, political aspirations run throughout this book. I realized at the very end that the new Mrs. Winters is never given a name. I do not want to say too much about this book or the plot as I feel readers should go into this book knowing as little as possible. The description is correct, this book is riveting. I LOVED that I could not figure this book out!!! The Author does a brilliant job of giving the reader little bits and pieces of information which are not only riveting but also are there so the reader comes up with what he/she believes is happening in this book.... but will those assumptions and guesses be correct?? Mine were not!! I LOVE when a book surprises me. I read most of this book in one sitting - or shall I say, I devoured it. After the new, second, Mrs. Winters moved into Asherley Estate things really kicked into high gear for me. Dani alone is a very interesting character!
As the revelations began to unfold, I was on the edge of my seat, flipping the pages as fast as I could to learn all the dirty secrets of the Winters's family.
Thank you to Viking and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions in this review are my own!
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
September 10, 2018
Lisa Gabriele writes an enjoyable psychological thriller based on Daphne Du Maurier's classic novel Rebecca. This is a modern American version set in the wealthy Hamptons, Long Island. A naive unnamed young woman from the Cayman Islands is swept up in a surprisingly whirlwind romance with ambitious widower, senator Max Winter. They return to his secluded mansion, Asherley, a place where the ghost of Max's first wife, Rebekah, looms inescapably large and ever present. The young woman is like a fish out of water, having to adjust to remarkably different circumstances than those she is familiar with. Max and Rebekah's adopted daughter, the dark and manipulative teenage Dani, is less than welcoming and hellbent on making life as difficult as possible with wedding preparations underway.
Desperately in love with her fiance Max who spends much time away absorbed by his political career, the young woman grows increasingly insecure and unsettled, feeling she cannot compete with the dead Rebekah, killed in a car crash. What lies behind the disturbing relationship between Max and Dani? As the swirling waters of danger edge nearer, family secrets and lies begin to surface. In a story of twists, there are numerous nods to the original and many differences too. My love for the original is absolutely undiminished, this a different kettle of fish with its intrigue and underlying menace. Nevertheless, Gabriele gives us a novel that is light, suspenseful and entertaining which I found an engrossing read with characters that captured my interest with ease. Many thanks to Random House Vintage for an ARC.
Desperately in love with her fiance Max who spends much time away absorbed by his political career, the young woman grows increasingly insecure and unsettled, feeling she cannot compete with the dead Rebekah, killed in a car crash. What lies behind the disturbing relationship between Max and Dani? As the swirling waters of danger edge nearer, family secrets and lies begin to surface. In a story of twists, there are numerous nods to the original and many differences too. My love for the original is absolutely undiminished, this a different kettle of fish with its intrigue and underlying menace. Nevertheless, Gabriele gives us a novel that is light, suspenseful and entertaining which I found an engrossing read with characters that captured my interest with ease. Many thanks to Random House Vintage for an ARC.
November 11, 2018
First I should say that Rebecca is an all time favorite of mine, and this book was inspired by the original. It isn't a retelling.
I have read the 1938 classic, Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier twice and I was really looking forward to reading this novel. The blurb says that this one was "inspired" by the original. It started out pretty good and I had high hopes, but by the end I wasn't caring for any of the characters.
This is a totally different story with a few nods to some of the original story lines, but lacks all the charm and suspense. Everything I loved about Rebecca was missing from this one. It is very contemporary and is missing the "creepiness and atmosphere" of the original. I felt like the "new" character of the daughter was overly dramatic and the angst she portrayed didn't feel authentic.
I'm sure my expectations were sky high, so perhaps I wasn't prepared for the changes and the road this one took me down. I just couldn't stop comparing it to the beloved classic. I almost think you would enjoy this much more by not reading Rebecca first.
There are many favorable reviews, so check those out because I wasn't feeling this one! It was just an OK read for me.
Thanks to EW for my review copy. I also listened on Audible to much of the book. It is now available to purchase.
I have read the 1938 classic, Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier twice and I was really looking forward to reading this novel. The blurb says that this one was "inspired" by the original. It started out pretty good and I had high hopes, but by the end I wasn't caring for any of the characters.
This is a totally different story with a few nods to some of the original story lines, but lacks all the charm and suspense. Everything I loved about Rebecca was missing from this one. It is very contemporary and is missing the "creepiness and atmosphere" of the original. I felt like the "new" character of the daughter was overly dramatic and the angst she portrayed didn't feel authentic.
I'm sure my expectations were sky high, so perhaps I wasn't prepared for the changes and the road this one took me down. I just couldn't stop comparing it to the beloved classic. I almost think you would enjoy this much more by not reading Rebecca first.
There are many favorable reviews, so check those out because I wasn't feeling this one! It was just an OK read for me.
Thanks to EW for my review copy. I also listened on Audible to much of the book. It is now available to purchase.
May 21, 2021
Sinister
The Winters is an audacious book, in that it grabs very explicitly the iconic story Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier, and writes a bold new modern-day retelling of Max Winter and his new wife, following the death of his first wife Rebecca (or Rebekah in this novel). To be compared so obviously to the classic is a daunting task, even with unique perspectives, and I'm not sure this was the best of moves. Reading this book I’m both fortunate and unfortunate. Fortunate that I have not read Rebecca so I’m not comparing it to the original and can treat it as a new story, unfortunate in that I have not read Rebecca and can’t compare to the original.
The Winters in a psychological thriller that is devious in its intent. My sense of Rebecca is that it is dark and foreboding, with a repressive and menacing atmosphere that deeply affects the new wife. That is not a sense that is portrayed in this book. There is an obvious impact on the new wife as she navigates the dramatic transition from a poor life in the Cayman Islands to the unimaginable opulence of living on a private island, connected by a causeway to the Hamptons coastline in Long Island. The Asherley estate is home to Max Winter and his daughter Dani Winter. The sense of Rebekah is still felt throughout the house with its design, décor and furnishings, and it is difficult for 15-year-old Dani to accept a new mother figure when she loved her Mother so much. Dani is the focus of tension in the story both with her new stepmother and her father Max. The quarrels are very believable and the typical teenager debates are well developed. She appears very confident in some aspects yet in turmoil with others and is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her mother and the connection with her father. She is, however, very capable and erringly of being self-destructive and damaging to her family.
Lisa Gabriele writes a wonderful novel full of family secrets, devious plotting, political ambition, greed and a search for meaningful love. The new (unnamed) wife is a great character that is treading very carefully amongst family tensions, swayed by a desire to build relationships, yet strong enough to address issues that she feels are important. Max I felt was a very limited character and he didn't show much diversity and depth. It was all just very safe, supportive and positive toward his new wife and even the arguments seemed to be resolved extremely quickly with his apology. Max is plotting his Senator re-election and is absent for large periods which leaves the new Mrs Winters forging relationships with the staff, Max’s sister Louisa, and more problematically Dani. She does have this recurring nightmare that:
The story is entertaining and engrossing, and the plot is imaginatively developed with some amazing surprises that build to a breath-taking and climactic finale. Perhaps Lisa Gabriele felt that if she had written Rebecca, there were a number of elements she would change, and hence we have, The Winters. What we have is a wonderful page-turning story in its own right and I highly recommend it.
I would like to thank Random House UK, Vintage Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC version of the book in return for an honest review.
The Winters is an audacious book, in that it grabs very explicitly the iconic story Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier, and writes a bold new modern-day retelling of Max Winter and his new wife, following the death of his first wife Rebecca (or Rebekah in this novel). To be compared so obviously to the classic is a daunting task, even with unique perspectives, and I'm not sure this was the best of moves. Reading this book I’m both fortunate and unfortunate. Fortunate that I have not read Rebecca so I’m not comparing it to the original and can treat it as a new story, unfortunate in that I have not read Rebecca and can’t compare to the original.
The Winters in a psychological thriller that is devious in its intent. My sense of Rebecca is that it is dark and foreboding, with a repressive and menacing atmosphere that deeply affects the new wife. That is not a sense that is portrayed in this book. There is an obvious impact on the new wife as she navigates the dramatic transition from a poor life in the Cayman Islands to the unimaginable opulence of living on a private island, connected by a causeway to the Hamptons coastline in Long Island. The Asherley estate is home to Max Winter and his daughter Dani Winter. The sense of Rebekah is still felt throughout the house with its design, décor and furnishings, and it is difficult for 15-year-old Dani to accept a new mother figure when she loved her Mother so much. Dani is the focus of tension in the story both with her new stepmother and her father Max. The quarrels are very believable and the typical teenager debates are well developed. She appears very confident in some aspects yet in turmoil with others and is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her mother and the connection with her father. She is, however, very capable and erringly of being self-destructive and damaging to her family.
Lisa Gabriele writes a wonderful novel full of family secrets, devious plotting, political ambition, greed and a search for meaningful love. The new (unnamed) wife is a great character that is treading very carefully amongst family tensions, swayed by a desire to build relationships, yet strong enough to address issues that she feels are important. Max I felt was a very limited character and he didn't show much diversity and depth. It was all just very safe, supportive and positive toward his new wife and even the arguments seemed to be resolved extremely quickly with his apology. Max is plotting his Senator re-election and is absent for large periods which leaves the new Mrs Winters forging relationships with the staff, Max’s sister Louisa, and more problematically Dani. She does have this recurring nightmare that:
“Last night Rebekah tried to murder me again.”
The story is entertaining and engrossing, and the plot is imaginatively developed with some amazing surprises that build to a breath-taking and climactic finale. Perhaps Lisa Gabriele felt that if she had written Rebecca, there were a number of elements she would change, and hence we have, The Winters. What we have is a wonderful page-turning story in its own right and I highly recommend it.
I would like to thank Random House UK, Vintage Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC version of the book in return for an honest review.
December 8, 2018
Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier, is a long-time favorite of mine, so when I received this book in the mail as my November Shelf subscription I was excited. What made it even better was buddy reading it with my good friend Marialyce.
The opening line, “Last Night Rebekah tried to murder me again”, hooked me, as did the prologue where we are given hints that something bad has happened to our narrator.
The young woman is nameless, just as in the original. She is orphaned and living a fairly solitary life in the Cayman Islands. She is working for a boat chartering company when she meets the handsome and wealthy Max Winters, a state senator from New York. He sweeps her off her feet, and within a month, he proposes marriage and whisks her away to his grand estate, Asherley, on Long Island.
After the idyllic courtship phase of their relationship, obstacles arise once they arrive in New York. All is not as it seems Asherley estate. The memory of the beautiful and seemingly perfect first Mrs. Winters, Rebekah, is everywhere and our narrator feels inadequate in her shadow. And why is the greenhouse off limits?
But most of the tension centers around Max Winter’s teenage daughter, Dani, who adored her mother and seems determined to sabotage the upcoming nuptials. She reveals troubling information to the soon-to-be second Mrs. Winters. Is it the truth? Is she just being a bratty rebellious teenager or is she mentally unstable? I normally don’t like teenage characters in my novels but I found Dani’s character fascinating because she remained a mystery to me.
The atmosphere, while not as gothic in tone as the original, is foreboding and mysterious. Secrets long buried are unearthed and build to an exciting climax with several twists and surprises.
It’s risky to write a book that is said to be inspired by the original Rebecca, a much-loved classic. I suggest going into it with an open mind with no expectations. Take it for the story it is, enjoy, and don’t compare it to Rebecca. It’s a psychological thriller that can stand on its own merits. I thought the author did a good job in paying homage to the old while also putting her own spin on the tale.
Thanks to Marialyce for reading this with me, it was a fun buddy read!
The opening line, “Last Night Rebekah tried to murder me again”, hooked me, as did the prologue where we are given hints that something bad has happened to our narrator.
The young woman is nameless, just as in the original. She is orphaned and living a fairly solitary life in the Cayman Islands. She is working for a boat chartering company when she meets the handsome and wealthy Max Winters, a state senator from New York. He sweeps her off her feet, and within a month, he proposes marriage and whisks her away to his grand estate, Asherley, on Long Island.
After the idyllic courtship phase of their relationship, obstacles arise once they arrive in New York. All is not as it seems Asherley estate. The memory of the beautiful and seemingly perfect first Mrs. Winters, Rebekah, is everywhere and our narrator feels inadequate in her shadow. And why is the greenhouse off limits?
But most of the tension centers around Max Winter’s teenage daughter, Dani, who adored her mother and seems determined to sabotage the upcoming nuptials. She reveals troubling information to the soon-to-be second Mrs. Winters. Is it the truth? Is she just being a bratty rebellious teenager or is she mentally unstable? I normally don’t like teenage characters in my novels but I found Dani’s character fascinating because she remained a mystery to me.
The atmosphere, while not as gothic in tone as the original, is foreboding and mysterious. Secrets long buried are unearthed and build to an exciting climax with several twists and surprises.
It’s risky to write a book that is said to be inspired by the original Rebecca, a much-loved classic. I suggest going into it with an open mind with no expectations. Take it for the story it is, enjoy, and don’t compare it to Rebecca. It’s a psychological thriller that can stand on its own merits. I thought the author did a good job in paying homage to the old while also putting her own spin on the tale.
Thanks to Marialyce for reading this with me, it was a fun buddy read!
September 18, 2018
"Last night Rebekah tried to murder me again."
The Winters is a modern day re-telling of the classic novel Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I am apparently one of the only people in the world that hasn't read this classic novel but I intend to especially after reading this gem of a book.
Our unnamed narrator is swept off her feet while she's working at a boat charter company in the Cayman Islands. His name is Max Winter and he's a prominent New York Senator. She can't believe it when he actually proposes to her after only a months time. What could he possibly see in her? Besotted as she is, she accepts, and is then whisked away to Asherley his grand home on Long Island.
Max has a rebellious teenage daughter, Dani, and to say that she makes the soon-to-be Mrs. Winters life difficult is an understatement. She has never come to terms with the death of her mother, Rebekah.
It seems that Rebekah's grip has never left Asherley and our narrator becomes suffocated in memories of her.
This book and the secrets held within had me flipping the pages and the ending was just ... WOW. I didn't expect things to turn out as they did. That being said this was a bit of a slower read for me. At just over 300 pages it took me awhile to read this one but I savored it all along the way. 4 solid stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Viking for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Winters is a modern day re-telling of the classic novel Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I am apparently one of the only people in the world that hasn't read this classic novel but I intend to especially after reading this gem of a book.
Our unnamed narrator is swept off her feet while she's working at a boat charter company in the Cayman Islands. His name is Max Winter and he's a prominent New York Senator. She can't believe it when he actually proposes to her after only a months time. What could he possibly see in her? Besotted as she is, she accepts, and is then whisked away to Asherley his grand home on Long Island.
Max has a rebellious teenage daughter, Dani, and to say that she makes the soon-to-be Mrs. Winters life difficult is an understatement. She has never come to terms with the death of her mother, Rebekah.
It seems that Rebekah's grip has never left Asherley and our narrator becomes suffocated in memories of her.
This book and the secrets held within had me flipping the pages and the ending was just ... WOW. I didn't expect things to turn out as they did. That being said this was a bit of a slower read for me. At just over 300 pages it took me awhile to read this one but I savored it all along the way. 4 solid stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Viking for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 16, 2018
I'm not a big fan of modern retellings of well known novels. It has been a long time since I read Rebecca, so I dont remember all the t. What I do remeber is the Gothic tone, the sense of forboding that creeped through the pages. I didn't find that here. What I found was a young, naive woman, a politician that seems lost after his first wifes death, Rebekkah of course, and a rather bratty teen. The story does build, but it wasn't really suspenseful until the end. The buildup is slow, and at times interesting enough to keep me reading. Didn't quite know what was going on and who was telling the truth. The ending was definitely the best part, where all the action happens, and I admit to bring fooled. Quite a clever twist on the original Rebecca.
So good, different, it is hard to take on such a well thought of novel, and the author did put her own spin, interpretation on this retelling. But for me, the atmosphere just wasn't there.
So good, different, it is hard to take on such a well thought of novel, and the author did put her own spin, interpretation on this retelling. But for me, the atmosphere just wasn't there.
July 26, 2018
This is a nice, light riff on Rebecca. There are enough changes to make it an interesting update yet retain the Gothic elements of the classic novel. Well done but not riveting.
December 7, 2018
4 intriguing stars
"You may tell the greatest lies and wear a brilliant disguise, but you can't escape the eyes of the one who sees right through you." (Tom Robbins)
Life has been pretty sad for our unnamed protagonist. She is alone, working a dead end job, and employed by a termagant boss in the Cayman Islands. She seems to be at a virtual dead end and then someone wonderful happens. Max, a senator from New York, enters her life and a bit of a whirlwind romance takes place. It is the stuff of fairy tales really. This young woman, only twenty six, meets this charismatic man and he whisks her off her feet and "carries" her back to his beloved mansion Asherly on Long Island. There is only one problem...his teenage daughter, Dani. She is destined to make Max's young girlfriend, soon to be wife, miserable with an attitude and a manner that is both caustic and possibly deadly. For Dani so misses her mother, Rebekah, killed in a horrific car accident two years prior, that she takes it upon herself to see that our young woman feels the brunt of that longing for a dead mother.
There are things going on at Asherly. Strange things and as Max, Dani, and Max's new wife descend into the mystery surrounding Dani and her mother's death, there are things that come to the surface that are unnerving and dangerous. Why has Max been so secretive and what is it about that green house that makes it an off limits part of the Asherley estate? Will this new wife find out what has happened before fate steps in and finds her at the mercy of Rebekah's ghost and Dani's irrational behavior?
Reading this book and discussing it made it was such a great experience. Both Jan and I really liked it and felt it was able to establish a clear line of mystery, suspense and wrapped everything up quite well at the end. So, thank you, Jan for sharing this book with me.
I do recommend it to those who so like a book that while giving a nod to a past book, then sets itself up as quite a wonderful story on its own.
Thank you to Lisa Gabrielle, Penguin Group Viking, and Edelweiss for a copy of this intriguing story.
Have to say also that the setting of Long Island did sit quite well with me being a former Long Islander.
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My reviews can also be seen here: https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...
"You may tell the greatest lies and wear a brilliant disguise, but you can't escape the eyes of the one who sees right through you." (Tom Robbins)
Life has been pretty sad for our unnamed protagonist. She is alone, working a dead end job, and employed by a termagant boss in the Cayman Islands. She seems to be at a virtual dead end and then someone wonderful happens. Max, a senator from New York, enters her life and a bit of a whirlwind romance takes place. It is the stuff of fairy tales really. This young woman, only twenty six, meets this charismatic man and he whisks her off her feet and "carries" her back to his beloved mansion Asherly on Long Island. There is only one problem...his teenage daughter, Dani. She is destined to make Max's young girlfriend, soon to be wife, miserable with an attitude and a manner that is both caustic and possibly deadly. For Dani so misses her mother, Rebekah, killed in a horrific car accident two years prior, that she takes it upon herself to see that our young woman feels the brunt of that longing for a dead mother.
There are things going on at Asherly. Strange things and as Max, Dani, and Max's new wife descend into the mystery surrounding Dani and her mother's death, there are things that come to the surface that are unnerving and dangerous. Why has Max been so secretive and what is it about that green house that makes it an off limits part of the Asherley estate? Will this new wife find out what has happened before fate steps in and finds her at the mercy of Rebekah's ghost and Dani's irrational behavior?
Reading this book and discussing it made it was such a great experience. Both Jan and I really liked it and felt it was able to establish a clear line of mystery, suspense and wrapped everything up quite well at the end. So, thank you, Jan for sharing this book with me.
I do recommend it to those who so like a book that while giving a nod to a past book, then sets itself up as quite a wonderful story on its own.
Thank you to Lisa Gabrielle, Penguin Group Viking, and Edelweiss for a copy of this intriguing story.
Have to say also that the setting of Long Island did sit quite well with me being a former Long Islander.
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August 12, 2020
Imitation is defined as the action of using something as a model.
Imitation n. the highest form of flattery.
“The Winters” has thrilled some readers. And, some could not get past comparing it to “Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier” I chose to read “Rebecca” and “The Winters” simultaneously, so I could contrast and compare for myself.
I LOVED READING THESE TWO BOOKS AT THE SAME TIME!
It is a reimagining of the classic gothic tale, this time set in the Hamptons.
There is still a widower, Senator Max Winter.
A glamorous first wife, Rebekah, who will haunt Max’s younger, plainer second wife, who true to the original, is never referred to by her first name, just as “you”, Max’s fiancé or “Mrs. Winter”.
But, instead of an inhospitable housekeeper (Mrs. Danvers or Danny) there is a teenage daughter, Dani, who will try to make her life a living hell at Asherley. (Manderley in the original)
Excerpt: If Dani was a product of Rebekah’s mothering, even Rebekah ceased to be my antagonist. They may not have been related by blood but fifteen year old girls don’t learn this particular brand of toxicity, the insults, the shaming, the trickery from men. They learn it from other women.”
True to the original, the book opens with a dream...”Last night Rebekah tried to murder me again” as the second “Mrs. Winter” narrates from where her family is living now...
As the book progressed, I knew what had happened in the original, so, I had a unique sense of foreboding about what would happen in the reimagined scene. Personally, this did not take away from my enjoyment of the book at all-quite the opposite!
While I was reading Rebecca, I was enjoying the (dysfunctional) Downton Abbey feel and dialogue but also imagining that if the book were being released for the first time, today, we would be appalled by how Max treated his second wife, and be rooting for her to make a “different choice”.
He was just as bad as Mrs. Danvers was, to me! But times, and marriages, were different 80 years ago when the book was written.
This second “Mrs. Winter”, though intimidated by the woman who came before her, was not quite as naive.
Rebecca set the standard for gothic literature.
But, “The Winters” is a clever novel of suspense, and I was able to enjoy it without feeling the need to compare the two-
I am glad I chose to read it!
Trigger warning: Cruelty to animals- 😡 HATED THAT!
Imitation n. the highest form of flattery.
“The Winters” has thrilled some readers. And, some could not get past comparing it to “Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier” I chose to read “Rebecca” and “The Winters” simultaneously, so I could contrast and compare for myself.
I LOVED READING THESE TWO BOOKS AT THE SAME TIME!
It is a reimagining of the classic gothic tale, this time set in the Hamptons.
There is still a widower, Senator Max Winter.
A glamorous first wife, Rebekah, who will haunt Max’s younger, plainer second wife, who true to the original, is never referred to by her first name, just as “you”, Max’s fiancé or “Mrs. Winter”.
But, instead of an inhospitable housekeeper (Mrs. Danvers or Danny) there is a teenage daughter, Dani, who will try to make her life a living hell at Asherley. (Manderley in the original)
Excerpt: If Dani was a product of Rebekah’s mothering, even Rebekah ceased to be my antagonist. They may not have been related by blood but fifteen year old girls don’t learn this particular brand of toxicity, the insults, the shaming, the trickery from men. They learn it from other women.”
True to the original, the book opens with a dream...”Last night Rebekah tried to murder me again” as the second “Mrs. Winter” narrates from where her family is living now...
As the book progressed, I knew what had happened in the original, so, I had a unique sense of foreboding about what would happen in the reimagined scene. Personally, this did not take away from my enjoyment of the book at all-quite the opposite!
While I was reading Rebecca, I was enjoying the (dysfunctional) Downton Abbey feel and dialogue but also imagining that if the book were being released for the first time, today, we would be appalled by how Max treated his second wife, and be rooting for her to make a “different choice”.
He was just as bad as Mrs. Danvers was, to me! But times, and marriages, were different 80 years ago when the book was written.
This second “Mrs. Winter”, though intimidated by the woman who came before her, was not quite as naive.
Rebecca set the standard for gothic literature.
But, “The Winters” is a clever novel of suspense, and I was able to enjoy it without feeling the need to compare the two-
I am glad I chose to read it!
Trigger warning: Cruelty to animals- 😡 HATED THAT!
October 17, 2018
The Winters by Lisa Gabriele is a thriller that was inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel Rebecca. What the author has done with this retelling is bring the story into the present time in America and give her own little twist on the tale.
A young woman who was working in the Cayman Islands met Max Winter at her job catering to rich clients. Max was different than other men she’d met in her lifetime and before she knew it she was falling in love. However there was not supposed to be any fraternizing between guests and staff and after a threat from the boss to be sent to another island Max proposes she join him at his estate in America.
With the promise of an upcoming marriage our naive young and in love lady finds herself surrounded by secrets in the Asherley estate. Around every corner and in every nook and cranny there are reminders of the first Mrs. Winters, Rebekah. And with a teenage daughter also to deal with before her marriage can even take place the soon to be bride finds herself falling deeper and deeper into those secrets of the past.
The Winters is one of those thrillers that is just oozing with family drama once our nameless main character tries to join the Winter’s family. There’s always a back and forth going between the three as readers start to also uncover the secrets of the past to keep a reader on the edge then a few twists and turns to wrap it all up. Definitely one I’d recommend checking out.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Edelweiss.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
A young woman who was working in the Cayman Islands met Max Winter at her job catering to rich clients. Max was different than other men she’d met in her lifetime and before she knew it she was falling in love. However there was not supposed to be any fraternizing between guests and staff and after a threat from the boss to be sent to another island Max proposes she join him at his estate in America.
With the promise of an upcoming marriage our naive young and in love lady finds herself surrounded by secrets in the Asherley estate. Around every corner and in every nook and cranny there are reminders of the first Mrs. Winters, Rebekah. And with a teenage daughter also to deal with before her marriage can even take place the soon to be bride finds herself falling deeper and deeper into those secrets of the past.
The Winters is one of those thrillers that is just oozing with family drama once our nameless main character tries to join the Winter’s family. There’s always a back and forth going between the three as readers start to also uncover the secrets of the past to keep a reader on the edge then a few twists and turns to wrap it all up. Definitely one I’d recommend checking out.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Edelweiss.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
November 12, 2018
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars - I absolutely LOVED this book. It took me a little longer than usual to read this suspenseful book, but I think that was only because I didn’t want it to end. It is beautifully written and the descriptions and character observations really pull you into the story. I cannot recommend this book enough.
An unnamed narrator opens the book with the line, “Last night Rebekah tried to murder me again” and the suspense doesn’t let up until the very last page. The unnamed future Mrs. Winter is an average young girl working at a resort in the Caymans to pay off her late father’s debts. She meets Max Winter, a well known wealthy senator and recent widower from Long Island. They quickly fall in love and return to his private estate. Once there she quickly discovers she is in over her head. The mansion is cloaked in the late Mrs. Winter’s memory from the decor, the numerous seemingly perfect photographs of her, to the eerily similar look of their rebellious teenage daughter, Dani. The young woman tries to adjust, but she is met with resistance at every turn. As she falls deeper in love with Mr. Winter and more afraid of his daughter, she unearths dark secrets this family wants to stay buried.
I made several guesses along the way, and although I got close a couple times, I didn’t put all the pieces together until the very end. While this story is inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, I have not read that book and do not think any prior knowledge of that book is necessary to understand and love this book. If you enjoy a beautifully written, well-crafted suspenseful thriller this is the book for you.
Thanks again to the author @lisagabrieletv for gifting me a personalized, autographed copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
An unnamed narrator opens the book with the line, “Last night Rebekah tried to murder me again” and the suspense doesn’t let up until the very last page. The unnamed future Mrs. Winter is an average young girl working at a resort in the Caymans to pay off her late father’s debts. She meets Max Winter, a well known wealthy senator and recent widower from Long Island. They quickly fall in love and return to his private estate. Once there she quickly discovers she is in over her head. The mansion is cloaked in the late Mrs. Winter’s memory from the decor, the numerous seemingly perfect photographs of her, to the eerily similar look of their rebellious teenage daughter, Dani. The young woman tries to adjust, but she is met with resistance at every turn. As she falls deeper in love with Mr. Winter and more afraid of his daughter, she unearths dark secrets this family wants to stay buried.
I made several guesses along the way, and although I got close a couple times, I didn’t put all the pieces together until the very end. While this story is inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, I have not read that book and do not think any prior knowledge of that book is necessary to understand and love this book. If you enjoy a beautifully written, well-crafted suspenseful thriller this is the book for you.
Thanks again to the author @lisagabrieletv for gifting me a personalized, autographed copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 2, 2018
I wouldn't say there is anything significantly wrong with this book. I guess my main issue is it didn't feel like it was something new and different. Supposedly this is a modern day re-telling of Rebecca. I haven't read the book but enjoyed the Alfred Hitchcock movie when I saw it years ago. There have been so many adaptations or re-tellings throughout the years that this one just blends in with the rest of them and doesn't stand out. I wish this could have been more than just an average read.
Thank you to First to Read for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy! I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion.
Thank you to First to Read for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy! I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion.
December 3, 2018
DNF @ 40%
Nothing happened so far and I mean NOTHING! I got bored!
Nothing happened so far and I mean NOTHING! I got bored!
October 27, 2018
First, I want to say that I love REBECCA by Daphne du Maurier. It's a book that I have read several times and I feel like I love it a bit more every time I read it. Second, this book, well we got off on the wrong foot I think. I had a hard time getting into it, found it hard to like the story and the characters. So, I took a break and then I came back to it a couple of month's later and I pick up where I left on, but this time did I choose the audio version. And, now the story felt much more to my liking.
If you have read Rebecca, then the story will have a familiar tone. However, I would say that the author has brilliantly made something new. It's more of a feeling of Rebecca than a retelling and that is a great move. It's an intense story and one thing that Lisa Gabriele has managed to do is to make the main female character, the nameless second Winter (just as with the first book) a bit stronger than the meek character in REBECCA. That has always been my problem when it comes to the story. I just like my female characters a bit gutsier.
So, the verdict. If you haven't read REBECCA or seen any of the movies/mini-series then you will have nothing to compare with, and that can be nice and you will probably be more surprised by the story than if you have read REBECCA. If you have read the book, then I will bet that the wedding scene in this book will make quite apprehensive since you probably know what will happen...
If you have read Rebecca, then the story will have a familiar tone. However, I would say that the author has brilliantly made something new. It's more of a feeling of Rebecca than a retelling and that is a great move. It's an intense story and one thing that Lisa Gabriele has managed to do is to make the main female character, the nameless second Winter (just as with the first book) a bit stronger than the meek character in REBECCA. That has always been my problem when it comes to the story. I just like my female characters a bit gutsier.
So, the verdict. If you haven't read REBECCA or seen any of the movies/mini-series then you will have nothing to compare with, and that can be nice and you will probably be more surprised by the story than if you have read REBECCA. If you have read the book, then I will bet that the wedding scene in this book will make quite apprehensive since you probably know what will happen...
October 22, 2019
3.8....light & fluffy suspense -not poppin-fresh-original- but engaging-entertaining.
August 6, 2018
A modern retelling of Daphne du Maurier's, Rebecca, set in the Hamptons of New York. I'll be up front and say that I've yet to read Rebecca (though I do have a copy on my shelf... why do I do this to myself?!). I now wish I had read the classic first just to see what had been changed to make this a more modern retelling.
This novel builds - starts off innocently enough and then slowly unravels as you turn each page. I was so intrigued and consumed by the story that I didn't even realize until just now that the narrator who is the incoming Mrs. Winters, never has a first name. Genius! I even just fanned through the book trying to find and it and thought "Wow, that's book amnesia at its finest - I JUST turned the last page!" I really did enjoy how she would play out a scenario in her head of how she thought something would play out. I do this ALL the time and it never plays out the way I imagine it!
Gabriele does such a fantastic job of weaving everything together and you really get the full on WTF just happened moments right at the end. I'm floored you guys. I mean, I had an inkling about one part but I definitely didn't see it going in this and that direction and I LOVE it when a book does that to me!
Secrets never stay buried... not forever anyways. Love can make you blind. Kids can be atrocious. Money doesn't solve anything. Just remember to trust your instincts... especially if your instinct tells you to pick up this amazing novel.
The hardest thing about reading review copies is not wanting to spoil anything for a reader... and not having anyone else to really discuss this with! So please, if you plan to read this, make a note and come back and speak with me!
Lovers of domestic suspense, psychological thrillers and an atmospheric (almost gothic type) read will absolutely fall in love with this book.
Thanks so much to Viking Books for this gifted copy!! <3
This novel builds - starts off innocently enough and then slowly unravels as you turn each page. I was so intrigued and consumed by the story that I didn't even realize until just now that the narrator who is the incoming Mrs. Winters, never has a first name. Genius! I even just fanned through the book trying to find and it and thought "Wow, that's book amnesia at its finest - I JUST turned the last page!" I really did enjoy how she would play out a scenario in her head of how she thought something would play out. I do this ALL the time and it never plays out the way I imagine it!
Gabriele does such a fantastic job of weaving everything together and you really get the full on WTF just happened moments right at the end. I'm floored you guys. I mean, I had an inkling about one part but I definitely didn't see it going in this and that direction and I LOVE it when a book does that to me!
Secrets never stay buried... not forever anyways. Love can make you blind. Kids can be atrocious. Money doesn't solve anything. Just remember to trust your instincts... especially if your instinct tells you to pick up this amazing novel.
The hardest thing about reading review copies is not wanting to spoil anything for a reader... and not having anyone else to really discuss this with! So please, if you plan to read this, make a note and come back and speak with me!
Lovers of domestic suspense, psychological thrillers and an atmospheric (almost gothic type) read will absolutely fall in love with this book.
Thanks so much to Viking Books for this gifted copy!! <3
September 1, 2018
The Winters by Lisa Gabriele is the story of a woman who after a whirlwind romance marries Max Winters she then travels to his house Asherley to live. She is feeling that she has to compete with his dead wife Rebekah to fit into the household.
This book is a modern rebelling of Rebecca by Daphne de Maurier and as I have read that book several times, I felt this modern version lacked the charm of the original story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Uk for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a modern rebelling of Rebecca by Daphne de Maurier and as I have read that book several times, I felt this modern version lacked the charm of the original story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Uk for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2019
I have been looking forward to reading The Winters for months... Unfortunately, it was just OK for me. There was nothing really outstanding about it. It was good, I just felt like it could have been great. Easy and quick read with a decent story and semi-annoying characters.
November 12, 2018
I battled between 2 or 3 stars for this title, and ultimately felt that the writing and the story deserved more than a lackluster response, so 3 stars it is! Disclaimer: I've never read Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, but I was told that by not reading the original, that I'd enjoy this retelling more (eeek!).
The Winters
is a modern day retelling of du Maurier's classic horror novel, but falls flat on the suspense and mystery that the original story embodies (I've heard it's scary AF).
Our unnamed narrator lives in the Cayman Islands, working for a boating company, trying to make a living, while supporting herself after her parents's deaths. One day at the office, she meets Max Winter—state senator and heir to the Winter family fortune. The two of them immediately hit it off and begin a whirlwind romance; an affair that is completely against the rules at her job. Max's responsibilities detour the couple's relationship and fast tracks their progress—our narrator moves to Long Island with him and is quickly engaged. Max has the life that our narrator has always dreamed about, but there's a catch. His ex wife died a year prior, and their daughter is still angry about it. Max's daughter Dani is an unstable spoiled brat, who will not let this new woman come in between her family—and she will do anything in her power to stop it.
My actual commentary on The Winters will be brief, because while the writing and atmosphere was intriguing, everything else to me fell flat. #meh The Winters is a sloooooooooooowwwwww burn, and the pay-off isn't worth it to me. While I enjoyed the dynamic between our narrator, Dani, and Max; the plot was a little lackluster. Not for a second did I think that this story had any suspense oozing from the pages. It was a family drama that dipped it's toes in a light mystery, at best.
I thought that Lisa Gabriele's writing was beautifully done; one of the best pieces of fiction I've read this year, that's for sure! As you read The Winters , you can picture everything that the author is portraying for you, while realizing that you've been captured into the plot. I know that a lot of readers have been on both sides of the spectrum with this story—some are loving it, some are hating it, but at least Lisa Gabriele's got us talking! I'm more in the middle of the road with this story, but am totally supportive of those interested in picking this story up. It's definitely a quick read, and I don't regret going on this journey.
Our unnamed narrator lives in the Cayman Islands, working for a boating company, trying to make a living, while supporting herself after her parents's deaths. One day at the office, she meets Max Winter—state senator and heir to the Winter family fortune. The two of them immediately hit it off and begin a whirlwind romance; an affair that is completely against the rules at her job. Max's responsibilities detour the couple's relationship and fast tracks their progress—our narrator moves to Long Island with him and is quickly engaged. Max has the life that our narrator has always dreamed about, but there's a catch. His ex wife died a year prior, and their daughter is still angry about it. Max's daughter Dani is an unstable spoiled brat, who will not let this new woman come in between her family—and she will do anything in her power to stop it.
My actual commentary on The Winters will be brief, because while the writing and atmosphere was intriguing, everything else to me fell flat. #meh The Winters is a sloooooooooooowwwwww burn, and the pay-off isn't worth it to me. While I enjoyed the dynamic between our narrator, Dani, and Max; the plot was a little lackluster. Not for a second did I think that this story had any suspense oozing from the pages. It was a family drama that dipped it's toes in a light mystery, at best.
I thought that Lisa Gabriele's writing was beautifully done; one of the best pieces of fiction I've read this year, that's for sure! As you read The Winters , you can picture everything that the author is portraying for you, while realizing that you've been captured into the plot. I know that a lot of readers have been on both sides of the spectrum with this story—some are loving it, some are hating it, but at least Lisa Gabriele's got us talking! I'm more in the middle of the road with this story, but am totally supportive of those interested in picking this story up. It's definitely a quick read, and I don't regret going on this journey.
September 6, 2022
Book Blog | Bookstagram
I read this novel purely for the synopsis' gothic vibe and because I’m a stepmother married to an (only slightly) older man and those themes resonate with me. I haven’t found many stories centring on stepmothers/second wives that don’t paint us as some ridiculous evil creature to be feared and ousted.
In this, the stepmother isn’t the villain! Suck it! The stepmom is more of a saviour, which is totally how I see myself just with less doing things that are saviour-like because like we're just regular, boring people and I like it that way.
Anyway, the author just got it. Maybe she’s a stepmother herself, or maybe she’s had one. Either way, I give most of my stars just for this aspect of the novel.
The atmosphere was intriguing and visceral, but aside from that, I found the plot to be a little ho-hum. If there was supposed to be a feeling of something sinister happening at the estate, or happening to The Narrator, it was lost in the pages and pages detailing the family drama/history of the Winters.
It’s definitely a slow burner of a novel. It takes a long time to lay out the relationship details and it's not until the day of the wedding, which is near the 80% mark of the book, that things start to really pick up.
As a piece of fiction, it will resonate with anyone who’s ever been a second wife or a stepmother. Emotionally, I think this book knocks it out of the park in that respect. But as a thriller or mystery, it’s a little plain and won’t work for readers who are used to big twists and shocking scenes.
Well written, but not riveting.
⭐⭐⭐½ | 3.5 stars rounded down
I read this novel purely for the synopsis' gothic vibe and because I’m a stepmother married to an (only slightly) older man and those themes resonate with me. I haven’t found many stories centring on stepmothers/second wives that don’t paint us as some ridiculous evil creature to be feared and ousted.
In this, the stepmother isn’t the villain! Suck it! The stepmom is more of a saviour, which is totally how I see myself just with less doing things that are saviour-like because like we're just regular, boring people and I like it that way.
Anyway, the author just got it. Maybe she’s a stepmother herself, or maybe she’s had one. Either way, I give most of my stars just for this aspect of the novel.
The atmosphere was intriguing and visceral, but aside from that, I found the plot to be a little ho-hum. If there was supposed to be a feeling of something sinister happening at the estate, or happening to The Narrator, it was lost in the pages and pages detailing the family drama/history of the Winters.
It’s definitely a slow burner of a novel. It takes a long time to lay out the relationship details and it's not until the day of the wedding, which is near the 80% mark of the book, that things start to really pick up.
As a piece of fiction, it will resonate with anyone who’s ever been a second wife or a stepmother. Emotionally, I think this book knocks it out of the park in that respect. But as a thriller or mystery, it’s a little plain and won’t work for readers who are used to big twists and shocking scenes.
Well written, but not riveting.
⭐⭐⭐½ | 3.5 stars rounded down
October 17, 2018
I absolutely loved this book - just could not get enough! It was so beautifully written and at times I felt like I was actually there in the Hamptons with the characters. With a cast of characters all hiding secrets from each other it was hard to know how was to be trusted. And I had it all wrong in the end - which was fantastic!
The story of an orphaned girl whose only life is work. She meets the rich senator Max Winter who whisks her away to his secluded mansion in the Hamptons to become the second Mrs Winters and step mother to his teenage daughter Dani. The house is a shrine to his first wife, the deceased Rebekah. Dani is completely devoted to her mother and makes life tough for her new mum. The longer she is there the more secrets are unveiled -and she begins to fear for her life. The ending of this book is one shock after another - brilliant!!!
Many thanks to Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
The story of an orphaned girl whose only life is work. She meets the rich senator Max Winter who whisks her away to his secluded mansion in the Hamptons to become the second Mrs Winters and step mother to his teenage daughter Dani. The house is a shrine to his first wife, the deceased Rebekah. Dani is completely devoted to her mother and makes life tough for her new mum. The longer she is there the more secrets are unveiled -and she begins to fear for her life. The ending of this book is one shock after another - brilliant!!!
Many thanks to Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
May 17, 2018
Some of these things I learned firsthand, some through bits and pieces I read online, because ours was a story that had captured the world's attention.
Like du Maurier's Rebecca with a Mean Girls makeover, this is a fun light read that certainly keeps the pages turning. It would be an ideal beach or commute read when you want something engrossing but easy and unchallenging.
The story is Rebecca updated and switched to Long Island, and part of the fun is watching Gabriele's deft re-positionings of key plot movements and big scenes. While the denouement is taken from a sub-text of Rebecca, it does become overly melodramatic here and involves key characters having a major personality transplant from earlier in the book. A last minute deluge of information about secret identities contributes to the rush to the end feel - a bit more pacing would have been better.
While this doesn't have the atmosphere of either Rebecca or its antecedent, Jane Eyre, it still recycles those tropes of the first wife, the big house, lies and secrets in an enticing way. It's not necessary to know Rebecca but if you do, it adds to the comapare-and-contrast aspect of this re-telling.
Thanks to Vintage for an ARC via NetGalley
July 14, 2018
The Winters was hugely addictive and I thoroughly enjoyed this homage to Daphne Du Maurier and Rebecca- a novel I’ve read a few times over the years.
The Winters is atmospheric and clever, with nods to the original inspiration dotted about within which enhanced the read for me beautifully. In its own right though it is also a well paced, intriguing psychological thriller with engaging and fascinating characters.
I was very drawn to Dani, with her dark nature and random twists of mood. The second Mrs Winter to be traverses the waters of her new home with wide eyed innocence before she feels that dangerous undertow pulling her down. Then there is Max Winter – charming, enigmatic and seemingly determined to make it all work.
The setting comes to life and it is a proper page turner, overall an excellent read that draws from the original work but is very much it’s own thing.
Yep. Recommended.
The Winters is atmospheric and clever, with nods to the original inspiration dotted about within which enhanced the read for me beautifully. In its own right though it is also a well paced, intriguing psychological thriller with engaging and fascinating characters.
I was very drawn to Dani, with her dark nature and random twists of mood. The second Mrs Winter to be traverses the waters of her new home with wide eyed innocence before she feels that dangerous undertow pulling her down. Then there is Max Winter – charming, enigmatic and seemingly determined to make it all work.
The setting comes to life and it is a proper page turner, overall an excellent read that draws from the original work but is very much it’s own thing.
Yep. Recommended.
October 31, 2018
After a whirlwind romance, a young woman returns to the opulent, secluded Long Island mansion of her new fiancé Max Winter—a wealthy politician and recent widower—and a life of luxury she’s never known. But all is not as it appears at the Asherley estate. The house is steeped in the memory of Max’s beautiful first wife Rebekah, who haunts the young woman’s imagination and feeds her uncertainties, while his very alive teenage daughter Dani makes her life a living hell. She soon realizes there is no clear place for her in this twisted little family: Max and Dani circle each other like cats, a dynamic that both repels and fascinates her, and he harbors political ambitions with which he will allow no woman—alive or dead—to interfere.
As the soon-to-be second Mrs. Winter grows more in love with Max, and more afraid of Dani, she is drawn deeper into the family’s dark secrets—the kind of secrets that could kill her, too. The Winters is a riveting story about what happens when a family’s ghosts resurface and threaten to upend everything.
Wow! Dani is a horrible teen. But is she? Do we believe the stories she tells about her dad not loving her and him being the bad person? Or is she such a great actress that you just want to slap her? There is a room that is a shrine to Rebekah that Dani doesn't want the new Mrs. Winters to be in. Then there is the greenhouse that Max doesn't want anyone in. Does he miss and grieve for his wife that much? There are so many questions and yes they are all answered by the end of the book. I received this from First To Read for review.
As the soon-to-be second Mrs. Winter grows more in love with Max, and more afraid of Dani, she is drawn deeper into the family’s dark secrets—the kind of secrets that could kill her, too. The Winters is a riveting story about what happens when a family’s ghosts resurface and threaten to upend everything.
Wow! Dani is a horrible teen. But is she? Do we believe the stories she tells about her dad not loving her and him being the bad person? Or is she such a great actress that you just want to slap her? There is a room that is a shrine to Rebekah that Dani doesn't want the new Mrs. Winters to be in. Then there is the greenhouse that Max doesn't want anyone in. Does he miss and grieve for his wife that much? There are so many questions and yes they are all answered by the end of the book. I received this from First To Read for review.
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October 11, 2018I picked this up far too soon after finishing Du Maurier's version and unfortunately it doesn't hold up well in comparison.
November 7, 2022
Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca is one of my favourite books of all time, so I went in with some curious trepidation on who this modern retelling of the classic gophic story work.
For the most part Lisa Gabriele's remake actually works pretty well with some simple alterations to modernised the original story.
This easiest to spot is the slight name changes: Rebecca becomes Rebekah and Maximilian de Winter is now Max Winter.
But the most interesting one being Mrs Danvers becomes Dani - Max's teenager daughter from his previous marriage with Rebekah.
In keeping with the spirit of the original the book is narrated by an unknown young women who has a whirlwind romance with Max.
The tension between the soon-to-be second Mrs Winters and Dani really helps drive this retelling.
Obviously the young teen is devastated when her mother died and they way she acts certainly makes it difficult for the house new occupant.
Whilst it's not essential to have read Rebecca, there's certainly an element of fun on seeing how the author trys to include as much as possible from du Maurier's classic.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I ended up enjoying this version.
For the most part Lisa Gabriele's remake actually works pretty well with some simple alterations to modernised the original story.
This easiest to spot is the slight name changes: Rebecca becomes Rebekah and Maximilian de Winter is now Max Winter.
But the most interesting one being Mrs Danvers becomes Dani - Max's teenager daughter from his previous marriage with Rebekah.
In keeping with the spirit of the original the book is narrated by an unknown young women who has a whirlwind romance with Max.
The tension between the soon-to-be second Mrs Winters and Dani really helps drive this retelling.
Obviously the young teen is devastated when her mother died and they way she acts certainly makes it difficult for the house new occupant.
Whilst it's not essential to have read Rebecca, there's certainly an element of fun on seeing how the author trys to include as much as possible from du Maurier's classic.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I ended up enjoying this version.
November 15, 2018
"Last night Rebekah tried to murder me again."
If that opening sentence doesn’t draw you in, little else will. Heavily inspired by Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, The Winters does an excellent job of being an exciting psychological suspense novel all on its own. So if you never read the classic, don’t fret!
The Cayman Islands. A slice of paradise on earth. But for our nameless main character, for her name is never revealed, it is anything but. Struggling to make ends meet, she seems doomed to live in poverty. Until she meets Max Winter, a wealthy senator, who sweeps her off her feet. After a whirlwind romance, Max takes his new fiancé home to Asherley, to his secluded mansion and to a life his fiancé has never known.
There is a dark cloud hanging over this secluded spot though. It comes in the shape of Max’s first wife, Rebekah. Memories of Rebekah are seeped into the mansion’s walls and haunt our nameless character, feeding her insecurities and imagination. And Max’s teenage daughter, Dani, isn’t exactly welcoming her new stepmother with open arms either.
The new Mrs Winter will soon discover Asherley holds a multitude of secrets. Who can she trust? Is her life in danger? Is she merely imagining things or are there far more sinister things ahead?
As a reimagining of a classic, this works really well. But like I said at the start, if you’ve never read the original, that isn’t a problem. Plenty of things have been changed, like the setting and the characters but The Winters is just as tense and atmospheric. I found the build-up a bit on the slow side, although it did give me a fantastic insight into the kind of person the new Mrs Winter is. Her background story makes it easy to sympathise with some of her decisions.
As to what exactly is going on at Asherley, I didn’t have a clue. The minute I thought I had it figured out, something would happen that made me doubt my theory. As the suspense grew and the threatening vibe increased, I found myself utterly engrossed. With plenty of twists and turns, this is a thoroughly enjoyable psychological thriller that completely drew me in.
If that opening sentence doesn’t draw you in, little else will. Heavily inspired by Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, The Winters does an excellent job of being an exciting psychological suspense novel all on its own. So if you never read the classic, don’t fret!
The Cayman Islands. A slice of paradise on earth. But for our nameless main character, for her name is never revealed, it is anything but. Struggling to make ends meet, she seems doomed to live in poverty. Until she meets Max Winter, a wealthy senator, who sweeps her off her feet. After a whirlwind romance, Max takes his new fiancé home to Asherley, to his secluded mansion and to a life his fiancé has never known.
There is a dark cloud hanging over this secluded spot though. It comes in the shape of Max’s first wife, Rebekah. Memories of Rebekah are seeped into the mansion’s walls and haunt our nameless character, feeding her insecurities and imagination. And Max’s teenage daughter, Dani, isn’t exactly welcoming her new stepmother with open arms either.
The new Mrs Winter will soon discover Asherley holds a multitude of secrets. Who can she trust? Is her life in danger? Is she merely imagining things or are there far more sinister things ahead?
As a reimagining of a classic, this works really well. But like I said at the start, if you’ve never read the original, that isn’t a problem. Plenty of things have been changed, like the setting and the characters but The Winters is just as tense and atmospheric. I found the build-up a bit on the slow side, although it did give me a fantastic insight into the kind of person the new Mrs Winter is. Her background story makes it easy to sympathise with some of her decisions.
As to what exactly is going on at Asherley, I didn’t have a clue. The minute I thought I had it figured out, something would happen that made me doubt my theory. As the suspense grew and the threatening vibe increased, I found myself utterly engrossed. With plenty of twists and turns, this is a thoroughly enjoyable psychological thriller that completely drew me in.
December 7, 2018
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**3.5 stars**
The Winters by Lisa Gabriele. (2018).
After a whirlwind romance, a young woman returns to the secluded mansion of her new fiancee Max, a wealthy senator and recent widower. All over the house are remnants of Max's first wife Rebekah, and living with them is Max's teenage daughter Dani who is a handful. The soon- to-be second Mrs Winter quickly grows more in love with Max, more afraid of Dani and discovers there is dark secrets in this family.
This book states on the back cover that it was inspired by "the classic novel Rebecca" (by Daphne du Maurier, 1938). I haven't read that novel myself so can't tell you how it compares haha. But I can tell you that this book was fairly enjoyable. It was a bit of a slow start and middle and then a whole lot of action with revealed secrets in the end. I did find it a bit strange that the main character is never named, that kind of bugged me for some reason. I also found the main character pretty willfully naive. Overall, this was an intriguing psychological drama novel that was 'something different'.
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**3.5 stars**
The Winters by Lisa Gabriele. (2018).
After a whirlwind romance, a young woman returns to the secluded mansion of her new fiancee Max, a wealthy senator and recent widower. All over the house are remnants of Max's first wife Rebekah, and living with them is Max's teenage daughter Dani who is a handful. The soon- to-be second Mrs Winter quickly grows more in love with Max, more afraid of Dani and discovers there is dark secrets in this family.
This book states on the back cover that it was inspired by "the classic novel Rebecca" (by Daphne du Maurier, 1938). I haven't read that novel myself so can't tell you how it compares haha. But I can tell you that this book was fairly enjoyable. It was a bit of a slow start and middle and then a whole lot of action with revealed secrets in the end. I did find it a bit strange that the main character is never named, that kind of bugged me for some reason. I also found the main character pretty willfully naive. Overall, this was an intriguing psychological drama novel that was 'something different'.
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