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The Last Wife
From the internationally bestselling author of The Perfect Girlfriend.
Two women. A dying wish. And a web of lies that will bring their world crashing down.
Nina and Marie were best friends—until Nina was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Before she died, Nina asked Marie to fulfill her final wishes.
But her mistake was in thinking Marie was someone she could trust.
What Nina didn’t know was that Marie always wanted her beautiful life, and that Marie has an agenda of her own. She’ll do anything to get what she wants.
Marie thinks she can keep her promise to her friend’s family on her own terms. But what she doesn’t know is that Nina was hiding explosive secrets of her own…
Two women. A dying wish. And a web of lies that will bring their world crashing down.
Nina and Marie were best friends—until Nina was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Before she died, Nina asked Marie to fulfill her final wishes.
But her mistake was in thinking Marie was someone she could trust.
What Nina didn’t know was that Marie always wanted her beautiful life, and that Marie has an agenda of her own. She’ll do anything to get what she wants.
Marie thinks she can keep her promise to her friend’s family on her own terms. But what she doesn’t know is that Nina was hiding explosive secrets of her own…
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2020
586 people are currently reading
10163 people want to read
About the author
Karen Hamilton
6 books711 followersKaren Hamilton caught the travel bug after an early childhood spent abroad (Angola, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Belgium and Italy) and having worked as cabin crew for a major airline.
In 2006, she and her husband put down roots in Hampshire UK and four years ago, she later gave up flying to raise their three sons and concentrate on her writing.
In 2009, she decided to 'become a writer.'
The Perfect Girlfriend is her first novel (released March 2018).
In 2006, she and her husband put down roots in Hampshire UK and four years ago, she later gave up flying to raise their three sons and concentrate on her writing.
In 2009, she decided to 'become a writer.'
The Perfect Girlfriend is her first novel (released March 2018).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 901 reviews
January 2, 2021
Here comes another unpopular, exiled to the minority kingdom review! After reading so many things about the book and past works about the author, as a die-hard thriller fan, I went blind to this reading but I couldn’t decide which character was the worst one! Don’t get me wrong! I always enjoy reading unlikable, twisted characters’ adventures but this time: they were unrealistically despicable. They reminded me of 80’s Dallas, Falcon Crest, Dynasty kind of villains: full of clichés and over exaggerated characterization.
The plot of the book was interesting. Two women’s close friendship throughout the years and then one of them gets sick and she has a dying wish. Before Nina dies she makes her best friend Marie promise to take good care of her family ( her husband Stuart and her dear kids). Of course Marie promises because she loves her friend and she is also pathological and cold blooded liar who can use her new responsibility for her own benefit. She wants to have kids with her own husband Ben but she realizes her husband and she slowly drift apart and she may take over the place Nina left in her family.
But what if her dear passed away friend is also liar like her and her plan B to save herself puts her into more trouble? As web of lies start to pour down and Marie starts getting threatening messages. Somebody really wants to destroy her new life and bring out her secrets. Oh Marie, you should have second thoughts before you say yes to Nina!
Overall: The pacing and growing mystery kept my attention intact and I wanted to keep reading even though I can guess how the story will conclude. The most irritating factor for me was unreliable characters and their never ending schemes, lies, secrets. But the story’s progression and the writing style never got me bored. So I decided to give my three stars. I wish I could I liked the book more but not only protagonists but also the supporting characters irritated the hell of me.
Special thanks to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN/Graydon House for sharing this intriguing ARC in exchange my honest review.
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The plot of the book was interesting. Two women’s close friendship throughout the years and then one of them gets sick and she has a dying wish. Before Nina dies she makes her best friend Marie promise to take good care of her family ( her husband Stuart and her dear kids). Of course Marie promises because she loves her friend and she is also pathological and cold blooded liar who can use her new responsibility for her own benefit. She wants to have kids with her own husband Ben but she realizes her husband and she slowly drift apart and she may take over the place Nina left in her family.
But what if her dear passed away friend is also liar like her and her plan B to save herself puts her into more trouble? As web of lies start to pour down and Marie starts getting threatening messages. Somebody really wants to destroy her new life and bring out her secrets. Oh Marie, you should have second thoughts before you say yes to Nina!
Overall: The pacing and growing mystery kept my attention intact and I wanted to keep reading even though I can guess how the story will conclude. The most irritating factor for me was unreliable characters and their never ending schemes, lies, secrets. But the story’s progression and the writing style never got me bored. So I decided to give my three stars. I wish I could I liked the book more but not only protagonists but also the supporting characters irritated the hell of me.
Special thanks to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN/Graydon House for sharing this intriguing ARC in exchange my honest review.
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June 26, 2021
*2.5 stars *
For me, The Last Wife would best be described as a domestic drama, I certainly wouldn’t call it a crime novel per se; although within the course of the journey, a few people do come to an untimely end. It is told by the protagonist, a young(ish) single woman, named Marie, and is a dark journey.
Everything in the complex plot stems from a holiday in Ibiza shared by Marie, her best friend Nina, Nina's boyfriend [and subsequent husband] Stuart, Marie's boyfriend Charlie, and Nina's friend Camilla [from some years ago]. Towards the end of their holiday Nina, Camilla and Charlie took a trip out in a motor boat, during which Charlie somehow fell overboard and drowned.
The key element throughout the book is Marie's relationship with Nina, who was her best friend at school and art college. Marie is now a photographer, and her work forms an important ingredient to this novel. Marie is a clingy sort of person; jealous of anyone else, male or female, who becomes close to Nina. Following Nina’s marriage to Stuart, they soon have two children, but their happiness isn’t to last, when Nina is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Marie's greatest wish is to have a child herself with her current boyfriend, Ben - but to her chagrin she seems unable to conceive.
Ben is getting tired of his relationship with Marie, which now revolves around conceiving a child, and eventually leaves her. Then Camilla, who has been living in Canada, returns with her teenage daughter, Louise. Marie suspects that Camilla has designs on Stuart and realises that the only way to prevent their marriage is to seduce Stuart, and there hangs the tale.
I found the pace incredibly slow, and the characters unlikeable to the point of irritation, not one of my favourites.
For me, The Last Wife would best be described as a domestic drama, I certainly wouldn’t call it a crime novel per se; although within the course of the journey, a few people do come to an untimely end. It is told by the protagonist, a young(ish) single woman, named Marie, and is a dark journey.
Everything in the complex plot stems from a holiday in Ibiza shared by Marie, her best friend Nina, Nina's boyfriend [and subsequent husband] Stuart, Marie's boyfriend Charlie, and Nina's friend Camilla [from some years ago]. Towards the end of their holiday Nina, Camilla and Charlie took a trip out in a motor boat, during which Charlie somehow fell overboard and drowned.
The key element throughout the book is Marie's relationship with Nina, who was her best friend at school and art college. Marie is now a photographer, and her work forms an important ingredient to this novel. Marie is a clingy sort of person; jealous of anyone else, male or female, who becomes close to Nina. Following Nina’s marriage to Stuart, they soon have two children, but their happiness isn’t to last, when Nina is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Marie's greatest wish is to have a child herself with her current boyfriend, Ben - but to her chagrin she seems unable to conceive.
Ben is getting tired of his relationship with Marie, which now revolves around conceiving a child, and eventually leaves her. Then Camilla, who has been living in Canada, returns with her teenage daughter, Louise. Marie suspects that Camilla has designs on Stuart and realises that the only way to prevent their marriage is to seduce Stuart, and there hangs the tale.
I found the pace incredibly slow, and the characters unlikeable to the point of irritation, not one of my favourites.
June 18, 2020
I'm not sure what has happened to thrillers this year! So many have turned out to be family dramas with very little suspense.
Super disappointed.
I so enjoyed her novel last year, The Perfect Girlfriend. It was cray-cray in the best way. I can't say much about her newest (sadly), but I want to be completely honest. I struggled from the beginning and it felt like torture just getting to the 30% mark. I didn't like any of the characters, the pace was turtle slow and the narrative felt disjointed, no flow, no investment or anyone to "root for".
There are lots of so called secrets, lies, manipulation, but no nothing intriguing or engaging. I'll just call this one a struggle bus.
Loved her last, so I haven't lost all hope for this author.
Thanks so much to Harlequin and NG for my advanced copy. If you want to check it out, July 7, 2020.
Super disappointed.
I so enjoyed her novel last year, The Perfect Girlfriend. It was cray-cray in the best way. I can't say much about her newest (sadly), but I want to be completely honest. I struggled from the beginning and it felt like torture just getting to the 30% mark. I didn't like any of the characters, the pace was turtle slow and the narrative felt disjointed, no flow, no investment or anyone to "root for".
There are lots of so called secrets, lies, manipulation, but no nothing intriguing or engaging. I'll just call this one a struggle bus.
Loved her last, so I haven't lost all hope for this author.
Thanks so much to Harlequin and NG for my advanced copy. If you want to check it out, July 7, 2020.
July 10, 2020
2.5 stars.
Unlikable and unreliable characters within a dramatically implausible plot.
An intriguing premise that piqued my curiosity. I do like books with unreliable, manipulative characters which this novel has plenty of. I can tolerate unlikable characters as long as they are entertaining and unique. Unfortunately I didn’t find any of these characters remotely interesting. Within the first several pages I knew I wasn’t clicking with the narrative.
The main character was extremely conniving and sneaky. From the start her personality felt forced and overly dramatic and I just wasn’t buying into it. This distracted me and overshadowed any sort of enjoyment I may have found within the storyline.
The plot lacked tension and suspense. There wasn’t anything about the storyline that kept me curious or intrigued. It was an entertaining story but overall it was unthrilling and unmemorable.
This was my first experience with this author and this simply wasn’t a good fit for me. I need my storylines to have plausibility and characters worth rooting for (whether likeable or not). I have heard great things about her previous book, The Perfect Girlfriend, which I hope to try out soon for comparison.
Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy!
Unlikable and unreliable characters within a dramatically implausible plot.
An intriguing premise that piqued my curiosity. I do like books with unreliable, manipulative characters which this novel has plenty of. I can tolerate unlikable characters as long as they are entertaining and unique. Unfortunately I didn’t find any of these characters remotely interesting. Within the first several pages I knew I wasn’t clicking with the narrative.
The main character was extremely conniving and sneaky. From the start her personality felt forced and overly dramatic and I just wasn’t buying into it. This distracted me and overshadowed any sort of enjoyment I may have found within the storyline.
The plot lacked tension and suspense. There wasn’t anything about the storyline that kept me curious or intrigued. It was an entertaining story but overall it was unthrilling and unmemorable.
This was my first experience with this author and this simply wasn’t a good fit for me. I need my storylines to have plausibility and characters worth rooting for (whether likeable or not). I have heard great things about her previous book, The Perfect Girlfriend, which I hope to try out soon for comparison.
Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy!
June 21, 2020
Can't say I'm a fan of The Last Wife.
Let me start by making a fair point...this isn't a suspense or a thriller. It's a domestic drama, with very little in the way of mystery or intrigue. It's filled with not-even-remotely pleasant characters who do nothing but lie and manipulate, yet even that somehow falls flat. It's page after page of Marie's internal dialogue...and Marie is a little cuckoo.
This being my first Karen Hamilton novel, I have nothing to compare The Last Wife to...but the writing felt incredibly clunky and disjointed, and the dialogue was terrible. It reminded me of a soap opera, where a character drops, what's supposed to be, a riveting line...then the camera dramatically zooms in for a close-up while the background music loudly plays, "Dun, DUN, DUNNNNNN!" 🙄 The characters weren't defined at all...I couldn't get any real sense of who they were, or what motivated them. It was glossed over.
The "mystery" was entirely secondary to Marie's endless ramblings, and resulted in a conclusion which was anti-climatic, at best.
I can't recommend this one, but if, after reading a variety of reviews, this novel sounds like your jam, it's available for purchase on July 7, 2020.
My sincere appreciation to NetGalley and Harlequin for my review copy.
Let me start by making a fair point...this isn't a suspense or a thriller. It's a domestic drama, with very little in the way of mystery or intrigue. It's filled with not-even-remotely pleasant characters who do nothing but lie and manipulate, yet even that somehow falls flat. It's page after page of Marie's internal dialogue...and Marie is a little cuckoo.
This being my first Karen Hamilton novel, I have nothing to compare The Last Wife to...but the writing felt incredibly clunky and disjointed, and the dialogue was terrible. It reminded me of a soap opera, where a character drops, what's supposed to be, a riveting line...then the camera dramatically zooms in for a close-up while the background music loudly plays, "Dun, DUN, DUNNNNNN!" 🙄 The characters weren't defined at all...I couldn't get any real sense of who they were, or what motivated them. It was glossed over.
The "mystery" was entirely secondary to Marie's endless ramblings, and resulted in a conclusion which was anti-climatic, at best.
I can't recommend this one, but if, after reading a variety of reviews, this novel sounds like your jam, it's available for purchase on July 7, 2020.
My sincere appreciation to NetGalley and Harlequin for my review copy.
July 10, 2020
The Last Wife takes us into our main character, Marie's head, after the death of her best friend, Nina, who had what Marie wants most. A tangled, messy, twisty web of obsession, jealousy, possession and secrets start to form. Being in Marie's head is intense, and her thoughts are a bit much at times. I wasn't sure how to feel about her, and, at times, I felt empathy for her, and she entertained me and other times I was rolling my eyes at her.
There are a few unlikeable characters here with secrets of their own weaved into the story making this a twisty one. It's all about those secrets and the story takes on a lighter feel to it then this dark and twisted reader is used to. The drama to the story moves it forward and there's are a few strings to the storyline. I became tangled up in the strings trying to figure out what direction the story was going and just when I thought I untangled the line, it got tried up in another one. Around the halfway mark, the story goes in a direction I was not expecting, and buried secrets start to come to light. Marie is determined to find the answers, and the tension begins to rise, and I was exhausted from looking for answers to my questions.
Things wrap up well and this one makes for a lighter, suspenseful read with some drama to it!
I received a copy from the publisher for a blog tour.
There are a few unlikeable characters here with secrets of their own weaved into the story making this a twisty one. It's all about those secrets and the story takes on a lighter feel to it then this dark and twisted reader is used to. The drama to the story moves it forward and there's are a few strings to the storyline. I became tangled up in the strings trying to figure out what direction the story was going and just when I thought I untangled the line, it got tried up in another one. Around the halfway mark, the story goes in a direction I was not expecting, and buried secrets start to come to light. Marie is determined to find the answers, and the tension begins to rise, and I was exhausted from looking for answers to my questions.
Things wrap up well and this one makes for a lighter, suspenseful read with some drama to it!
I received a copy from the publisher for a blog tour.
June 9, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin-Trade Publishing for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Marie's dying friend Nina asks her to watch over her husband, Stuart and children, Felix and Emily, she takes that vow seriously. When her own relationship falls through, Marie moves to "plan B' and decides that Nina's family will now be hers. But as Marie is about to discover, her best friend had secrets of her own. Will Marie be able to handle the truth?
This was one twisty obsessive train wreck that I won't soon forget! By the end of the story, it was impossible to say that one character was nuttier than another. Is Marie a hero? Victim? Villain? All I know is that she belongs to the one book club that I don't ever want to be asked to join.
Goodreads review 09/06/20
Expected Publication Date 07/07/20
#TheLastWife
When Marie's dying friend Nina asks her to watch over her husband, Stuart and children, Felix and Emily, she takes that vow seriously. When her own relationship falls through, Marie moves to "plan B' and decides that Nina's family will now be hers. But as Marie is about to discover, her best friend had secrets of her own. Will Marie be able to handle the truth?
This was one twisty obsessive train wreck that I won't soon forget! By the end of the story, it was impossible to say that one character was nuttier than another. Is Marie a hero? Victim? Villain? All I know is that she belongs to the one book club that I don't ever want to be asked to join.
Goodreads review 09/06/20
Expected Publication Date 07/07/20
#TheLastWife
September 6, 2022
Bloody hell another average read for me a prose that has been done a thousand times best friends Marie so tom Nina who is dying reveals a secret to Marie who is envious of Nina who has a family lovely home 🏡 a loving husband , but Marie wants it all.
Unlovable characters & the plot line done ☑️ a thousand times before I liked The Perfect Girlfriend but this no.
Unlovable characters & the plot line done ☑️ a thousand times before I liked The Perfect Girlfriend but this no.
May 3, 2020
When Marie’s best friend, Nina, dies from a terminal illness, Marie takes it upon herself to honor Nina’s dying wish to be there for her family in any way. What Nina never knew is that Marie always wanted her life, and now she’s going to have it. What Marie never knew was the secrets Nina carried, and how they might have an effect on her now.
THE LAST WIFE is a slow burn suspense story. I was hooked and invested by the wonderful writing of author Karen Hamilton, who has a way with words and fleshing out her characters. Marie is a crazy woman whose actions left me exasperated. However, by the end, I may have felt a little differently towards her.
If you can enjoy a suspenseful story that revs up slowly, then back down, then up, and then down...until you’re near the end, I would recommend this to you. I love books where nothing is what it seems, and that’s what this book is.
Thank you to The Graydon House, Karen Hamilton, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
THE LAST WIFE is a slow burn suspense story. I was hooked and invested by the wonderful writing of author Karen Hamilton, who has a way with words and fleshing out her characters. Marie is a crazy woman whose actions left me exasperated. However, by the end, I may have felt a little differently towards her.
If you can enjoy a suspenseful story that revs up slowly, then back down, then up, and then down...until you’re near the end, I would recommend this to you. I love books where nothing is what it seems, and that’s what this book is.
Thank you to The Graydon House, Karen Hamilton, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2020
I absolutely loved The Perfect Girlfriend so I was excited to read the new book from Karen Hamilton. The Last Wife was another twisty and compelling psychological thriller and I was hooked. It was a bit of a slower pace but I really enjoyed it.
Marie and Nina had been best friends forever. Marie would do anything for Nina and her family. When Nina is diagnosed with cancer Marie promises to do everything that she can for Nina’s husband and kids. But after Nina’s death she starts to learn things about her friend from their past. Things that will change the way she thinks about Nina.
It is a story where you never know who is telling the truth, of obsession and lies... be careful what you wish for.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
Marie and Nina had been best friends forever. Marie would do anything for Nina and her family. When Nina is diagnosed with cancer Marie promises to do everything that she can for Nina’s husband and kids. But after Nina’s death she starts to learn things about her friend from their past. Things that will change the way she thinks about Nina.
It is a story where you never know who is telling the truth, of obsession and lies... be careful what you wish for.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
July 11, 2020
The Last Wife by Karen Hamilton is a thriller that centers around jealousy and deceit. This one is the story of two women who were once best friends, or so it seemed.
Marie and Nina had been friends forever so when Nina is diagnosed with a terminal illness she turns to her friend Marie and requests that Marie look after her family when she’s gone. Marie of course is more than happy to do so, however, Marie is quick to agree to suite an agenda of her own.
Marie is desperate for a child and after Nina’s passing she finds her own relationship at an end. Marie quickly moves on from her failed relationship though by starting another with Nina’s husband as she quickly moves into her best friend’s life. That move for Marie however unleashes a bombshell from Nina’s past she wasn’t expecting.
The Last Wife was a story that to me seemed to move at an incredibly slow pace which ended up for me a fight to hold my attention. It is also one you have a somewhat unlikable and unrealiable narrator so that didn’t help my enjoyment. It seemed to take forever to get passed the opening obsession with the late best friend and move to other things so in the end I felt this one only came in at 2 1/2 stars for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Marie and Nina had been friends forever so when Nina is diagnosed with a terminal illness she turns to her friend Marie and requests that Marie look after her family when she’s gone. Marie of course is more than happy to do so, however, Marie is quick to agree to suite an agenda of her own.
Marie is desperate for a child and after Nina’s passing she finds her own relationship at an end. Marie quickly moves on from her failed relationship though by starting another with Nina’s husband as she quickly moves into her best friend’s life. That move for Marie however unleashes a bombshell from Nina’s past she wasn’t expecting.
The Last Wife was a story that to me seemed to move at an incredibly slow pace which ended up for me a fight to hold my attention. It is also one you have a somewhat unlikable and unrealiable narrator so that didn’t help my enjoyment. It seemed to take forever to get passed the opening obsession with the late best friend and move to other things so in the end I felt this one only came in at 2 1/2 stars for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
February 6, 2024
This book was a trainwreck. Here, in no particular order, are some random things that I hated:
- Marie is a truly horrible main character. We know from the first sentence that she's a nut and a loser. Literally no one likes her. Also she's a member of a iterary trope I've bemoaned in other reviews: The Woman Who Can't Get Pregnant and Goes Psycho. Please, authors, can we not have this anymore?
- All of the other characters are equally if not more dreadful than Marie. Two of them, Nina and Charlie, were dead before the action even started so we only see them through Marie's warped viewpoint.
- The "mystery" of Charlie's death is solved about halfway through, but somehow the author keeps going over and over it, adding tiny, unimportant details and then having these new revelations throw Marie for a loop.
- The plot meanders all over the place forever and the ending makes no sense in any known universe.
I do have one positive thing to say - the narrator of the audiobook was very good.
- Marie is a truly horrible main character. We know from the first sentence that she's a nut and a loser. Literally no one likes her. Also she's a member of a iterary trope I've bemoaned in other reviews: The Woman Who Can't Get Pregnant and Goes Psycho. Please, authors, can we not have this anymore?
- All of the other characters are equally if not more dreadful than Marie. Two of them, Nina and Charlie, were dead before the action even started so we only see them through Marie's warped viewpoint.
- The "mystery" of Charlie's death is solved about halfway through, but somehow the author keeps going over and over it, adding tiny, unimportant details and then having these new revelations throw Marie for a loop.
- The plot meanders all over the place forever and the ending makes no sense in any known universe.
I do have one positive thing to say - the narrator of the audiobook was very good.
July 16, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
People think that envy is a bad thing, but in my opinion, envy is a positive emotion. It has always been the best indicator for me to realize what’s wrong with my life. People say, “Follow your dreams,” yet I’d say, “Follow what makes you sick with envy.”
…surely everyone fibs? It’s not just me. Lies make life palatable. It’s simply unavoidable at times. I do it to protect myself and others. Surely, it’s not a bad thing to tell people what they want to hear? Sometimes, there’s no choice.
It’s amazing how many noises can sound like police sirens if you have a guilty conscience.
I’ve never known a murderer before. I wouldn’t admit this to just anyone, but it’s really quite morbidly exciting!
My Review:
This heralds my first experience reading this wily author and I am ever so impressed, her clever storylines were cunningly paced, well nuanced, and laced with brain-tickling intrigue while taut with tension. Her compelling characters were deliciously twisty, uniquely tainted, and curiously torqued. Written from the first-person POV of Marie, who was obviously emotionally and a bit mentally unstable as well as a compulsive liar, obsessively driven, paranoid, and riddled with anxiety, just to name a few of her most pesky symptoms. The insightfully written and profoundly shrewd use of inner musings and observations detailing Marie’s obsessive and deceptive traits and compulsions were spot on and brilliantly crafted. I was riveted to my Kindle and thoroughly entertained while I immersed myself in Marie’s troubled yet compelling gray matter and devious schemes. It was divinely twisty.
People think that envy is a bad thing, but in my opinion, envy is a positive emotion. It has always been the best indicator for me to realize what’s wrong with my life. People say, “Follow your dreams,” yet I’d say, “Follow what makes you sick with envy.”
…surely everyone fibs? It’s not just me. Lies make life palatable. It’s simply unavoidable at times. I do it to protect myself and others. Surely, it’s not a bad thing to tell people what they want to hear? Sometimes, there’s no choice.
It’s amazing how many noises can sound like police sirens if you have a guilty conscience.
I’ve never known a murderer before. I wouldn’t admit this to just anyone, but it’s really quite morbidly exciting!
My Review:
This heralds my first experience reading this wily author and I am ever so impressed, her clever storylines were cunningly paced, well nuanced, and laced with brain-tickling intrigue while taut with tension. Her compelling characters were deliciously twisty, uniquely tainted, and curiously torqued. Written from the first-person POV of Marie, who was obviously emotionally and a bit mentally unstable as well as a compulsive liar, obsessively driven, paranoid, and riddled with anxiety, just to name a few of her most pesky symptoms. The insightfully written and profoundly shrewd use of inner musings and observations detailing Marie’s obsessive and deceptive traits and compulsions were spot on and brilliantly crafted. I was riveted to my Kindle and thoroughly entertained while I immersed myself in Marie’s troubled yet compelling gray matter and devious schemes. It was divinely twisty.
December 29, 2020
Nina and Marie have been lifelong best friends. Tragically, Marie is left alone after Nina dies following an illness and Marie promises to fulfill her dying wishes. Nina didn't realize that her dying wish put Marie exactly where she wanted to be, living Nina's life. Marie steps in and assumes Nina's life, having no idea that Nina had secrets of her own.
This book started so strong. I expected a fast, highly entertaining read. Unfortunately the thrill faded fast and took my interest with it. Towards the midpoint I couldn't believe so much of the story was left. By the end, I wished I didn't spend my time on it as the 2nd half didn't offer much.
2.5 stars
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book started so strong. I expected a fast, highly entertaining read. Unfortunately the thrill faded fast and took my interest with it. Towards the midpoint I couldn't believe so much of the story was left. By the end, I wished I didn't spend my time on it as the 2nd half didn't offer much.
2.5 stars
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2020
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 7, 2020
Karen Hamilton, author of “The Perfect Girlfriend”, is back with her latest novel, “The Last Wife”. Hamilton is known for her psychologically twisted, suspenseful novels, and I went into this story with those expectations and Hamilton delivered….sort of.
Nina and Marie had been best friends for years, and when Nina was diagnosed with a terminal illness she made one request of Marie- ensure that her family was taken care of. After years of struggling with infertility in an unhappy marriage, Marie jumps at the chance to immerse herself into her best friends’ family, under the guise of fulfilling her best friends’ wishes. Now, Marie is living Nina’s life; living in her house, raising her children, even married to Nina’s husband. But when threatening letters and packages start coming to the house, Marie wonders what secrets Nina was hiding and what kind of life she so readily jumped into.
Hamilton really had me on the edge of my seat in “The Perfect Girlfriend”. I loved the “Single White Female” vibe of the obsessive, possessive and completely psychotic main character. “The Last Wife” started out the same way; Marie, always jealous of Nina’s life, gets the chance to take over and literally replace Nina, and jumps at the chance. The novel starts, from Marie’s perspective, describing her thoughts and dreams to literally take what Nina has.
However, soon the novel started to be something else entirely. Once Marie has Nina’s life, she becomes immersed in solving the death of her ex-boyfriend, who died while he and Marie were on vacation years ago. Now, Marie is focused on finding the killer, and revealing the secrets of everyone in her new life. I felt like I was reading two different novels.
I loved the crazy, obsessive, stalker Marie, and I wanted more of her. I wanted more of her background, more of her whacked-out relationship with Nina, more of their history together. After marrying Nina’s husband, Marie becomes completely sane, and turns her focus on Nina’s secrets. What happened to crazy Marie?
Both the plot lines in this novel are good, but I wish Hamilton had chosen one and stuck with it. Of course there are a few twists throughout, and the ending brings about all the right answers and associated feelings of contentment, but I felt like I was reading two novels at the same time, and it really didn’t help the flow of the novel. I was left confused and disjointed, and I would’ve loved a more consistent plot. However, Hamilton has writing chops (I witnessed them in “The Perfect Girlfriend”) and for the most part, they are on display here. If her next novel is organized and flowing like “Girlfriend” was, I’m all over it.
Expected publication date: July 7, 2020
Karen Hamilton, author of “The Perfect Girlfriend”, is back with her latest novel, “The Last Wife”. Hamilton is known for her psychologically twisted, suspenseful novels, and I went into this story with those expectations and Hamilton delivered….sort of.
Nina and Marie had been best friends for years, and when Nina was diagnosed with a terminal illness she made one request of Marie- ensure that her family was taken care of. After years of struggling with infertility in an unhappy marriage, Marie jumps at the chance to immerse herself into her best friends’ family, under the guise of fulfilling her best friends’ wishes. Now, Marie is living Nina’s life; living in her house, raising her children, even married to Nina’s husband. But when threatening letters and packages start coming to the house, Marie wonders what secrets Nina was hiding and what kind of life she so readily jumped into.
Hamilton really had me on the edge of my seat in “The Perfect Girlfriend”. I loved the “Single White Female” vibe of the obsessive, possessive and completely psychotic main character. “The Last Wife” started out the same way; Marie, always jealous of Nina’s life, gets the chance to take over and literally replace Nina, and jumps at the chance. The novel starts, from Marie’s perspective, describing her thoughts and dreams to literally take what Nina has.
However, soon the novel started to be something else entirely. Once Marie has Nina’s life, she becomes immersed in solving the death of her ex-boyfriend, who died while he and Marie were on vacation years ago. Now, Marie is focused on finding the killer, and revealing the secrets of everyone in her new life. I felt like I was reading two different novels.
I loved the crazy, obsessive, stalker Marie, and I wanted more of her. I wanted more of her background, more of her whacked-out relationship with Nina, more of their history together. After marrying Nina’s husband, Marie becomes completely sane, and turns her focus on Nina’s secrets. What happened to crazy Marie?
Both the plot lines in this novel are good, but I wish Hamilton had chosen one and stuck with it. Of course there are a few twists throughout, and the ending brings about all the right answers and associated feelings of contentment, but I felt like I was reading two novels at the same time, and it really didn’t help the flow of the novel. I was left confused and disjointed, and I would’ve loved a more consistent plot. However, Hamilton has writing chops (I witnessed them in “The Perfect Girlfriend”) and for the most part, they are on display here. If her next novel is organized and flowing like “Girlfriend” was, I’m all over it.
August 16, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘I’m not stressed, I’m seething, but there are no words, no decent ways of breaking the news to him that his perfect wife seems to have had secrets.’
Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend and now The Last Wife, is a Sunday Times bestselling writer. Hamilton’s new novel is a dark psychological drama, filled with secrets, lies and long held truths. This slow burn domestic fiction title completely ensnares the reader in this complicated tale of promises, friendship and envy.
The Last Wife unveils a complicated and untrustworthy tale of a long standing friendship, a promise and a whole of host of lies. When Karen Hamilton’s novel opens, we meet Marie, who has recently lost her best friend Nina to a terminal illness. Nina leaves behind a loving husband and two children. Nina made her oldest friend vow to uphold three promises, but Marie is ready and waiting to jump straight into Nina’s shoes. Can Marie be trusted to follow these promises? As the story slowly unravels, we see just how fixated Marie is on living Nina’s life. From parenting Nina’s two children, sleeping with her husband Stuart and living in Nina’s family home, Marie seems to have slipped very easily into Nina’s life. But Marie needs to watch her back, Nina left behind some unfinished business and plenty of dark secrets, which Marie is about to discover.
The Last Wife is my second helping of British based author Karen Hamilton’s work. I really enjoyed Hamilton’s 2018 debut, The Perfect Girlfriend. While it did take some time for me to settle into this one, I’m glad I persisted, it was a steady and revealing race to the finish line!
At first I was more than little perturbed by the lead character Marie. The events of the novel are solely narrated from Marie’s perspective. Marie came across as selfish, entitled, opportunist, obsessive and psychologically damaged. I would have liked to have delved more into Marie’s issues and I do confess to psycho analysing her for the bulk of the novel! There were times when I felt a significant amount of empathy and understanding for Marie, but other times I thought she was just plain crazy! I think the author intended for the reader to feel like they are on both sides of Marie’s fence. I couldn’t settle on Marie being unreliable or truthful. I constantly scrutinized Marie’s intentions and motivations, she was a perplexing lead!
The support cast are an interesting bunch too. From Nina, Marie’s best friend, who clearly leaves behind a legacy of lies and secrets behind, to Nina’s seemingly innocent husband Stuart, through to suspect family members, friends and acquaintances. Hamilton keeps the audience guessing and on their toes throughout the duration of The Last Wife. We are never certain of who we can trust. With a good dose of suspense, intrigue and a plenty of plot curveballs this one sure does send your mind in a spin! I really liked the use of a past murder mystery which foreshadowed the present day events. It worked well. Overall, I found The Last Wife to be an atmospheric read, full of tension and agitation. I know I felt deeply unsettled from the get go with The Last Wife. I was also compelled to stay with this one until the bitter end to unlock the past, understand the present, solve the other murder that arises, witness the cover ups unfurl and learn Marie’s final fate. This really reiterates that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, life can be messy!
The Last Wife provides plenty of introspection in terms of how events of the past can weigh heavily on our relationships. With a convergence of the past, present, secrets, lies, acts of concealment and deception all present in the one storyline, The Last Wife is a convoluted domestic drama that I recommend.
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
‘I’m not stressed, I’m seething, but there are no words, no decent ways of breaking the news to him that his perfect wife seems to have had secrets.’
Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend and now The Last Wife, is a Sunday Times bestselling writer. Hamilton’s new novel is a dark psychological drama, filled with secrets, lies and long held truths. This slow burn domestic fiction title completely ensnares the reader in this complicated tale of promises, friendship and envy.
The Last Wife unveils a complicated and untrustworthy tale of a long standing friendship, a promise and a whole of host of lies. When Karen Hamilton’s novel opens, we meet Marie, who has recently lost her best friend Nina to a terminal illness. Nina leaves behind a loving husband and two children. Nina made her oldest friend vow to uphold three promises, but Marie is ready and waiting to jump straight into Nina’s shoes. Can Marie be trusted to follow these promises? As the story slowly unravels, we see just how fixated Marie is on living Nina’s life. From parenting Nina’s two children, sleeping with her husband Stuart and living in Nina’s family home, Marie seems to have slipped very easily into Nina’s life. But Marie needs to watch her back, Nina left behind some unfinished business and plenty of dark secrets, which Marie is about to discover.
The Last Wife is my second helping of British based author Karen Hamilton’s work. I really enjoyed Hamilton’s 2018 debut, The Perfect Girlfriend. While it did take some time for me to settle into this one, I’m glad I persisted, it was a steady and revealing race to the finish line!
At first I was more than little perturbed by the lead character Marie. The events of the novel are solely narrated from Marie’s perspective. Marie came across as selfish, entitled, opportunist, obsessive and psychologically damaged. I would have liked to have delved more into Marie’s issues and I do confess to psycho analysing her for the bulk of the novel! There were times when I felt a significant amount of empathy and understanding for Marie, but other times I thought she was just plain crazy! I think the author intended for the reader to feel like they are on both sides of Marie’s fence. I couldn’t settle on Marie being unreliable or truthful. I constantly scrutinized Marie’s intentions and motivations, she was a perplexing lead!
The support cast are an interesting bunch too. From Nina, Marie’s best friend, who clearly leaves behind a legacy of lies and secrets behind, to Nina’s seemingly innocent husband Stuart, through to suspect family members, friends and acquaintances. Hamilton keeps the audience guessing and on their toes throughout the duration of The Last Wife. We are never certain of who we can trust. With a good dose of suspense, intrigue and a plenty of plot curveballs this one sure does send your mind in a spin! I really liked the use of a past murder mystery which foreshadowed the present day events. It worked well. Overall, I found The Last Wife to be an atmospheric read, full of tension and agitation. I know I felt deeply unsettled from the get go with The Last Wife. I was also compelled to stay with this one until the bitter end to unlock the past, understand the present, solve the other murder that arises, witness the cover ups unfurl and learn Marie’s final fate. This really reiterates that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, life can be messy!
The Last Wife provides plenty of introspection in terms of how events of the past can weigh heavily on our relationships. With a convergence of the past, present, secrets, lies, acts of concealment and deception all present in the one storyline, The Last Wife is a convoluted domestic drama that I recommend.
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
July 4, 2020
I didn't love The Perfect Girlfriend but was curious to see how The Last Wife would be...
I enjoyed the first half ... read through it pretty fast. Maria's character was interesting and I was curious to see where her story went. Somewhere along the way it just gets to be too much ... very unbelievable, the storyline takes a weird turn and there's too much going on to keep everything straight. The characters are lacking and I felt as though in many circumstances they needed more. I didn't feel connected to any of them at all.
In the end I found this book quite frustrating, jumbled and lacking the jaw dropping moment of a thriller. With that being said - this is not a thriller ... sorry guys! This is a family drama with very little suspense.
Thanks to Harlequin - Trade Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy!
I enjoyed the first half ... read through it pretty fast. Maria's character was interesting and I was curious to see where her story went. Somewhere along the way it just gets to be too much ... very unbelievable, the storyline takes a weird turn and there's too much going on to keep everything straight. The characters are lacking and I felt as though in many circumstances they needed more. I didn't feel connected to any of them at all.
In the end I found this book quite frustrating, jumbled and lacking the jaw dropping moment of a thriller. With that being said - this is not a thriller ... sorry guys! This is a family drama with very little suspense.
Thanks to Harlequin - Trade Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy!
March 28, 2021
Nina's dying wish was for best friend Marie to take care of her family - though I don't think she meant it quite so literally!
Whilst it's easy to dislike the main protagonist, you have to admire her tenacity.
Having not been able to conceive with partner Ben, Marie had always longed for the family that Nina had with Stuart - including two wonderful children Felix and Emily.
There's quite a lot of contrivance to the plot as Marie and Ben splitting allowing for her to comfort and get close to Stuart...
What holds everything together is a secret from the past that Marie is desperate to solve whilst her new whirlwind romance takes off.
The mystery itself was intresting enough to keep me hooked, though the drama of the perceived notion of sweeping in was just as interesting.
There were a few little moments where Stuart would remark that Nina would do things differently also added some nice tension to the new couple.
Whilst it's easy to dislike the main protagonist, you have to admire her tenacity.
Having not been able to conceive with partner Ben, Marie had always longed for the family that Nina had with Stuart - including two wonderful children Felix and Emily.
There's quite a lot of contrivance to the plot as Marie and Ben splitting allowing for her to comfort and get close to Stuart...
What holds everything together is a secret from the past that Marie is desperate to solve whilst her new whirlwind romance takes off.
The mystery itself was intresting enough to keep me hooked, though the drama of the perceived notion of sweeping in was just as interesting.
There were a few little moments where Stuart would remark that Nina would do things differently also added some nice tension to the new couple.
November 23, 2021
My thanks to Harlequin and Karen Hamilton. I've been on a roll the last year with this publisher. I just didn't like what I read of this book. And no, I didn't read far, so take this review with a grain of salt! I hate these kind of books. I can't blame it on the author. This may just be a great book. But, it is not a book or story for me. I have a tendency to spill my guts. I'm not someone who holds back. So, I often have a hard time putting myself "there." Hated this.
October 19, 2020
I love me an unreliable, unlikeable character but I have to enjoy or at least be entertained by the bad guys' antics. The Last Wife is full of the most boringly unpleasant nitwits I just couldn't finish it. Truly did not care. Which is interesting because the other book I read by Karen Hamilton also featured a total psychopath narrator but that one was fun! This is a draaaaag.
March 4, 2020
Devoured this. A beautifully portrayed unreliable narrator in Marie, plus the type of twisty unpredictable psych thriller plot that I love based in a beautifully obsessive friendship.
Full review to follow for publication in June.
Full review to follow for publication in June.
Read
July 3, 2020DNF - I do not rate or review a book I do not want to finish.
January 18, 2021
3.5/5
I am so unsure on my feelings for The Last Wife by Karen Hamilton. I loved the author's previous book The Perfect Girlfriend, but there was just something about this one that made it feel a little flat to me. It is a slow burn which is much like her previous novel and something I didn't mind, and I did really like the end, but the middle of the book has me saying hmm. This is another story about obsession, and those are always hit or miss for me, but The Perfect Girlfriend had much of the same vibes and totally worked for me. I kind of wish Hamilton had done something different with this one which also probably affected my perspective of it.
I did love the unreliable narrator aspect and you really don't know what Marie (or anyone) is capable of. No one is as they seem which is something I am always a huge fan of, and I think that is something that was done very well. I am a fan of Hamilton's writing style and the way she writes her characters, and nothing changed with that in The Last Wife. This book is also full of unlikeable characters which seems to be a theme for me, and there isn't anyone you can really like. So if you want a book where you can connect and feel for a character, this is not the one. It was pretty crazy, and while it wasn't a huge win I did enjoy it. I recommend the audio for anyone interested, and thought the narrator, Michelle Ford, did a great job with it. I will be keeping my eyes peeled for Hamilton's next book!
I am so unsure on my feelings for The Last Wife by Karen Hamilton. I loved the author's previous book The Perfect Girlfriend, but there was just something about this one that made it feel a little flat to me. It is a slow burn which is much like her previous novel and something I didn't mind, and I did really like the end, but the middle of the book has me saying hmm. This is another story about obsession, and those are always hit or miss for me, but The Perfect Girlfriend had much of the same vibes and totally worked for me. I kind of wish Hamilton had done something different with this one which also probably affected my perspective of it.
I did love the unreliable narrator aspect and you really don't know what Marie (or anyone) is capable of. No one is as they seem which is something I am always a huge fan of, and I think that is something that was done very well. I am a fan of Hamilton's writing style and the way she writes her characters, and nothing changed with that in The Last Wife. This book is also full of unlikeable characters which seems to be a theme for me, and there isn't anyone you can really like. So if you want a book where you can connect and feel for a character, this is not the one. It was pretty crazy, and while it wasn't a huge win I did enjoy it. I recommend the audio for anyone interested, and thought the narrator, Michelle Ford, did a great job with it. I will be keeping my eyes peeled for Hamilton's next book!
June 25, 2020
Nina and Marie were best friends. Then Nina was diagnosed with a terminal illness and made Marie promise to look after her family - her husband and children. But, we are told that Marie has her own agenda and Marie always wanted Nina's perfect life.
This was such a twisted story, with an unreliable narrator and unlikeable characters throughout! That said, I usually enjoy both of these things. I went along thinking the story was headed in a certain direction but I was completely mistaken. Secrets were uncovered and I enjoyed the plot twists. While this one was slower than my usual reads, it really kept me guessing throughout. 3.5* rounded up.
This was such a twisted story, with an unreliable narrator and unlikeable characters throughout! That said, I usually enjoy both of these things. I went along thinking the story was headed in a certain direction but I was completely mistaken. Secrets were uncovered and I enjoyed the plot twists. While this one was slower than my usual reads, it really kept me guessing throughout. 3.5* rounded up.
July 29, 2020
This book was just as good as the first book I read by Hamilton. I love how twisted she writes. I was not surprised it the turn out but it was a good read.
December 16, 2020
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**2.5 stars**
The Last Wife by Karen Hamilton. (2020).
Two women. A dying wish. And a web of lies...
Nina and Marie were best friends until Nina died from a terminal illness. Before she died, Nina asked Marie to make her three promises. Trusting Marie was her final mistake. Because Marie has always envied Nina's perfect life - loving husband, adorable kids, beautiful house. Marie has an agenda of her own, and she'll do anything to get what she wants. But what Marie doesn't know is that Nina was hiding her own explosive secrets...secrets that threaten everything.
I was looking forward to this one because I absolutely loved the author's debut novel (The Perfect Girlfriend); it was one of my favourite reads of 2018. I saw pretty mixed reviews for this one but had no hesitation in reading. Unfortunately, I'd have to side with those that didn't really enjoy this book much. It felt like it was trying to be really clever except it ended up feeling a bit far-fetched really. The other issue was the lead character, Marie. She clearly had issues and an obsessive relationship with Nina which led to an obsessive relationship with Nina's family. But to be frank, she was just really unlikable and her personality was horrid. I'm all for unreliable narrators and having the 'bad' character as the lead, but there has to be something relatable/likeable/redeeming about them and I didn't find any of that with Marie. As to the secrets and so on...it just wasn't a great storyline. As more details are slowly revealed it was quite obvious where it was all going.
Overall, this one was pretty disappointing particularly in comparison to the author's previous book. I'd still give her next one a try because that's how much I loved her previous one.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
**2.5 stars**
The Last Wife by Karen Hamilton. (2020).
Two women. A dying wish. And a web of lies...
Nina and Marie were best friends until Nina died from a terminal illness. Before she died, Nina asked Marie to make her three promises. Trusting Marie was her final mistake. Because Marie has always envied Nina's perfect life - loving husband, adorable kids, beautiful house. Marie has an agenda of her own, and she'll do anything to get what she wants. But what Marie doesn't know is that Nina was hiding her own explosive secrets...secrets that threaten everything.
I was looking forward to this one because I absolutely loved the author's debut novel (The Perfect Girlfriend); it was one of my favourite reads of 2018. I saw pretty mixed reviews for this one but had no hesitation in reading. Unfortunately, I'd have to side with those that didn't really enjoy this book much. It felt like it was trying to be really clever except it ended up feeling a bit far-fetched really. The other issue was the lead character, Marie. She clearly had issues and an obsessive relationship with Nina which led to an obsessive relationship with Nina's family. But to be frank, she was just really unlikable and her personality was horrid. I'm all for unreliable narrators and having the 'bad' character as the lead, but there has to be something relatable/likeable/redeeming about them and I didn't find any of that with Marie. As to the secrets and so on...it just wasn't a great storyline. As more details are slowly revealed it was quite obvious where it was all going.
Overall, this one was pretty disappointing particularly in comparison to the author's previous book. I'd still give her next one a try because that's how much I loved her previous one.
not-for-me
May 1, 2020Sorry, but this one's a DNF for me...
20% of the way in and I want to throttle the main character 😬 I'm all up for unlikeable characters. Done well, they can make a book. Unfortunately, Marie is just too irritating for me and I couldn't care less about the outcome for her.
I went in expecting a thriller, but I found that there's nothing there to hold your attention or grip you to the story. No mystery, just slightly withheld information about the best friend's dying wishes. Whoop de doo 🙄
Hopefully others will get on better with this than me!!
20% of the way in and I want to throttle the main character 😬 I'm all up for unlikeable characters. Done well, they can make a book. Unfortunately, Marie is just too irritating for me and I couldn't care less about the outcome for her.
I went in expecting a thriller, but I found that there's nothing there to hold your attention or grip you to the story. No mystery, just slightly withheld information about the best friend's dying wishes. Whoop de doo 🙄
Hopefully others will get on better with this than me!!
May 25, 2020
The Last Wife by Karen Hamilton is a solid, palatable read, although I must say that I never felt completely invested in either the characters or the storyline. Having enjoyed the author's previous novel, I was very much looking forward to this one but, unfortunately, it ultimately fell a bit flat.
Nina and Marie are the best of friends, so when Nina dies, Marie naturally steps into the role of caretaker for the family she left behind. Suddenly Marie is living the life that she has always coveted, but perhaps Nina's life is not as perfect as it has always appeared from the outside looking in. As for Marie, are her intentions as honest and altruistic as they seem?
While I did enjoy the overall premise of the story, I felt that it was a tad drawn out and, ultimately, anticlimactic. Based on the strength of her previous work, however, I am certainly willing to read more from this author. 3.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for this ARC.
Nina and Marie are the best of friends, so when Nina dies, Marie naturally steps into the role of caretaker for the family she left behind. Suddenly Marie is living the life that she has always coveted, but perhaps Nina's life is not as perfect as it has always appeared from the outside looking in. As for Marie, are her intentions as honest and altruistic as they seem?
While I did enjoy the overall premise of the story, I felt that it was a tad drawn out and, ultimately, anticlimactic. Based on the strength of her previous work, however, I am certainly willing to read more from this author. 3.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for this ARC.
October 18, 2020
I loved The Perfect Girlfriend so was looking forward to picking up The Last Wife. It was another unstable perspective but milder with a slow-burn pace. It was easy to get into with enough layers to keep you reading. In comparison to The Perfect Girlfriend, it didn’t have the same addictive pace but it definitely still had it’s cringeworthy moments delivered through the clingy perspective. It also at times reminded me of a Ruth Ware type of modern mystery. It was altogether an entertaining read. 4 stars.
June 16, 2020
Well... I have heard amazing things about Karen Hamilton's first novel The Perfect Girlfriend. I haven't read that one yet but well...... where do I start with this one?
I felt that the novel was very disjointed. I loved the crazy obsessive stalker Marie character and I wanted to see more of her! I wanted to see more of her whacked out relationship with Nina. I thought the novel was going to pursue that avenue and it just took on a completely different plot line. I wish Hamilton would have chosen one of the plots and stuck with it. I feel like there was two stories in one here... it just completely through me off.
I found the pacing to be off and was more of a slow burn. I couldn't quite figure out what the point of this novel was and left me feeling frustrated and just lost haha.
Mmm... I might take a look at her previous novel but I can't really recommend this one.
2.5/5 stars
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harlequin for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: 7/7/20
Published to GR: 6/16/20
I felt that the novel was very disjointed. I loved the crazy obsessive stalker Marie character and I wanted to see more of her! I wanted to see more of her whacked out relationship with Nina. I thought the novel was going to pursue that avenue and it just took on a completely different plot line. I wish Hamilton would have chosen one of the plots and stuck with it. I feel like there was two stories in one here... it just completely through me off.
I found the pacing to be off and was more of a slow burn. I couldn't quite figure out what the point of this novel was and left me feeling frustrated and just lost haha.
Mmm... I might take a look at her previous novel but I can't really recommend this one.
2.5/5 stars
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harlequin for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: 7/7/20
Published to GR: 6/16/20
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