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The Wife

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Zoe fainted on her wedding day, and she never knew why. She’s always felt sure something bad happened. Ten years later, she’s going to find out what…

It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Zoe was sitting in her hotel room, in her perfect white dress, looking forward to the moment when she would make kind, handsome Toby her husband.

Then, there was a blank.

They said she must have fainted, overcome with emotion. But nothing felt quite right afterward. Did something happen in that missing time?

Now, Toby and Zoe have two beautiful children and a perfect life. They’re planning their ten-year anniversary party for their family and friends. The invitations have been sent, the food ordered. They’re going back to the grand hotel where they got married.

But as the anniversary gets closer, it becomes clear not everyone is looking forward to celebrating. She catches Toby lying about where he’s been. One of her best friends seems to be ignoring her. And someone is spreading stories that might stop the party from happening at all.

Zoe is increasingly sure that she doesn’t have the full story. But does she want to know the truth, if it will destroy everything?

From the million-copy bestselling author, this totally gripping psychological thriller will have you hooked from the first page to the last jaw-dropping twist. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife Between Us.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 4, 2020

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About the author

Shalini Boland

39 books3,134 followers
Shalini Boland is the USA-Today bestselling author of nineteen psychological thrillers. With over two and a half million copies sold, her titles are published by Amazon Publishing, Audible, Bookouture, and Grand Central Publishing.

Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).

She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.

*** Be the first to hear about her NEW THRILLER RELEASES here: http://eepurl.com/b4vb45 ***

Now available:
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure

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5 stars
2,102 (33%)
4 stars
2,283 (36%)
3 stars
1,374 (22%)
2 stars
357 (5%)
1 star
102 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 581 reviews
Profile Image for Nilufer Ozmekik.
2,735 reviews54.5k followers
April 3, 2021
Another record time reading. As soon as I got it into my hands, I told myself stop, I had works to do: polishing script, eating snacks, forcing myself to clean some places in the house (dusting or a little vacuuming) and doing a little laundry (baby steps one shirt and one pant at a time!), cooking ( okay, this part is lie, but I had to order cooking books for my husband to improve his culinary skills, does it count as a chore? Yes, it is. It requires searching on Amazon and too many finger clicking moves!)

So as you may imagine, I skipped my chores ( correction: I ate snacks. It can be doable during your fast read)

This kind of books made me feel like Flash: I’m not the fastest people of the world. But i can be flash-reader. My eyes are itchy, my head spins! Anyways! Let’s go back to the story.

The book’s plot line is intriguing and pace is breathtakingly fast. It keeps your attention, bugging you to learn more. Zoe is the main character, mother of two, working at beauty saloon. She is easy to relate but of course she can be easily manipulated and a little naive.

Her life is centered around her husband’s family. ( thanks to her neglectful father who is the only family member alive) Especially her lovely mother in-law becomes her confidante and close friend to share her secrets.

The only thing bothered me about this book are the plot holes and extremely naive attitudes of the MC. Let’s talk more about the story line:

Zoe faints on her wedding day 10 years ago, doesn’t remember anything, having a foggy, blurry wedding day and as her 10th year anniversary is getting closer, she starts to dig out what happened to her, what was the reason behind her memory loss.

We find out the only problem about her isn’t only remembering the wedding ceremony. When she passes through the streets with her car, she sees a woman exactly looks like her missing sister ( she has also been missing for 10 years) This unexpected coincidence is the second trigger to open the can of worms!

Yes, I ask myself too many times why she acted like she had the best dreamy life and why she waited too long to question her past.

The first trigger warns her something had to be wrong is the manners of her sister in-law Madeleine who starts to avoid her by giving her cold shoulder. And her husband lied to her about business meeting : she caught him talking with Madeline in the middle of the street. Scandalous ha?

Well, keep reading because everything will be juicier throughout the preparation process of the wedding anniversary.

Overall: Fast, entertaining, gripping novel but there are plot holes, some illogical explanations and real evil delicious characters! The outcome was foreseeable but it was still twisty and enjoyable.
So I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4 before starting my new book journey.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing
this exciting ARC with me in exchange my honest review.

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Profile Image for Michael David (on hiatus).
750 reviews1,914 followers
August 12, 2020
Don’t let that generic title and book cover fool you. Shalini Boland has been a winning author of mine for quite some time, and she does NOT disappoint with THE WIFE.

Zoe faints on her wedding day...about an hour prior to walking down the aisle to marry Toby. She has no recollection of what happened right before, but when she wakes up after passing out (with a bump the size of a small Monte Carlo on her scalp), she agrees with those around her that it must be due to nerves. Ten years and two children later, she’s going to find out what really happened during that time leading up to her wedding.

This book is expertly plotted, and there are unexpected twists. I had to suspend just a bit of disbelief in the last 15% (mostly due to a few unanswered red herrings). All in all, I would definitely recommend to those who enjoy a quick, suspenseful tale that keeps the momentum.

Thank you to Bookouture, Shalini Boland, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Carrie.
3,458 reviews1,641 followers
September 9, 2020
For me Shalini Boland has become one of those authors that if I see a new book I immediately pick it up without really even giving the synopsis much of a glance. The Wife is the eighth thriller I’ve read and I was not at all surprised to find myself immediately engaged and intrigued.

In this book readers join Zoe as we learn that she has been married to her husband Toby and raising their two wonderful children while leading what seems like a perfect life. Zoe’s one regret was that she didn’t really have the wedding of her dreams and when she thinks back on that day she has trouble remembering all the details.

Now ten years after that day Zoe and Toby are planning an anniversary celebration that Zoe hopes will make up for her disappointing wedding day. However, as the planning begins Zoe couldn’t help but keep thinking back to that day and wondering just what else she couldn’t remember. The one thing she knows though was she passed out and afterwards everything went by in a blur with her feeling her world was just not right.

The Wife is a book that alternates what is going on in the present time with our characters while also flashing back to look into their past from that day ten years before. It was very easy to follow along as the timelines switched as the story seemed to run at a fast pace even with slowly building the past. As I always expect when picking up a book by this author the story flew by and of course had a twisty path to the finish.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Profile Image for Mark.
1,453 reviews
August 5, 2020
This is my 11th book review for this author since I started reviewing and have loved every one, this is no different
Zoe faints on her wedding day to Toby and as she recovers and the marriage takes place she cant help but feel ‘a bit off’ about what has happened and this feeling stays with her throughout her 10 year marriage, as her anniversary party looms ahead various things from the past start to re-appear in her life, she sights her Sister Dina who has been missing and her ex friend Cassie, now a Z list tv celeb who turns up to have her ‘hair madeover’ at the salon Zoe works at, she cant quite put her finger on it but all is not right, then her Sis In Law starts to avoid her but it seems has plenty of time for her husband
It all seems to be heading towards one big meltdown and then Zoe starts to remember more of her wedding day.....and everything Zoe thought she knew she realises couldnt be further from the truth
As always told in a very readable way with a host of easy to get to know characters, special mention for Cassie the Z list celeb who is wonderful in her slyness, the book hurtles towards a shocking end in this pitch perfect psychological/mystery thriller that fans and new readers will love

10/10
5 Stars
Profile Image for Nazanin.
1,187 reviews785 followers
September 21, 2024
3.75 Stars

Ten years ago, when Zoe was getting married to the love of her life (Toby) she fainted. When she was conscious she couldn’t remember why; maybe she fainted because of her nerves or she didn’t have breakfast or… now after these years she’s still married to Toby and they have 2 children but whenever she thought of her wedding day there was always a blank. Now with getting close to their 10-year anniversary there was so much happening and she felt something’s very wrong, she could feel it in her bones but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it…

Told in single POV, 1st person, it’s a standalone novel. It’s an easy read, fast-paced, unpredictable with a satisfying ending. All in all, I had fun reading this and hope you enjoy it as well!
Profile Image for Jessica.
333 reviews530 followers
September 9, 2020
Full review available https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...

The Wife is a wonderfully twisted domestic thriller. All the twists kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page. I won't say too much because I don't want to ruin all the twists but I highly recommend The Wife.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for The Wife.
Profile Image for Kat.
Author 12 books566 followers
August 1, 2022
The premise for this novel is that Zoe fainted on her wedding day. She wakes up surrounded by her entire family. No one knows why she fainted. The wedding goes on as planned. Ten years later, Zoe and her husband Toby have two children. Zoe is planning a ten-year anniversary party. But Zoe begins to notice things that aren’t quite right and questions what happened ten years ago. A sister who dropped off the radar decades ago seems to be resurfacing. What’s going on with her sister-in-law and her husband? Weird things are happening at work, too. Nothing makes sense.

I really liked Zoe as a character and connected to her. I liked the fast pacing and the way the mystery unfolded. One thing I like about this author’s books is that they feel like they are the perfect length and don’t have any extra padding. At points early on in the book, the narrative felt confusing between frequent time jumps and how many extraneous characters there were to keep track of. Eventually the story grew clearer and I enjoyed the twists towards the end.
Profile Image for Gary.
2,829 reviews407 followers
August 9, 2020
I always find Shalini Boland novels gripping, fast paced and unable to put down until I have reached the end. Well that’s pretty much the same with this one.

Zoe got married 10 years ago to Toby. On the wedding day Zoe fainted and never knew why but always felt that something bad happened that was erased from her memory. Ten years on Toby and Zoe have two beautiful children and a very happy life together. They are planning to have an anniversary party but with the day getting closer strange things start to happen. One of her friends starts ignoring her, she catches Toby lying to her and someone is spreading stories that might stop the party from happening at all. All the time Zoe is convinced she doesn’t know the full story of her wedding day and the desire for the truth is greater than ever.

Another excellent read told at breakneck pace. Interesting characters and a page turning plot. Another top drawer read by Shalini Boland.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sue.
1,380 reviews5 followers
September 6, 2020
THE WIFE is a gripping psychological thriller by bestselling author Shalini Boland.

Her Novels Include:
A Shirtful of Frogs (2012)
The Girl from the Sea (2016)
The Best Friend (2016)
The Millionaire's Wife (2017)
The Secret Mother (2017)
The Child Next Door (2018)
The Silent Sister (2018)
The Perfect Family (2018)
The Marriage Betrayal (2019)
The Other Daughter (2019)
One of Us Is Lying (2020)
The Wife (2020)

Zoe fainted on her wedding day, and she never knew why. She’s always felt sure something bad happened. Ten years later, she’s going to find out what…

It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Zoe was sitting in her hotel room, in her perfect white dress, looking forward to getting married to Toby.

Then, there was a blank, and she didn’t remember anything. They said she must have fainted, but nothing felt quite right afterward. Did something happen in that missing time?

Now, Toby and Zoe have two beautiful children and a perfect life. They’re planning their ten-year anniversary party for their family and friends. They’re going back to the grand hotel where they got married.

But as the anniversary gets closer, it becomes clear not everyone is looking forward to celebrating. She catches Toby lying about where he’s been. One of her best friends seems to be ignoring her. And someone is spreading stories to stop the party from happening at all.

Zoe struggles to remember…she needs to know the truth.
So many lies, betrayals and cover ups in this novel. How well do you know the people closest to you?

This novel is split between the THEN and the NOW, and it works well in revealing the whole story.
I am not going to say anymore as I don’t want to give the plot away, but this is a very riveting and powerful story. I loved it. All I can say is read this book… I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy.
Profile Image for Jannelies.
1,178 reviews114 followers
September 1, 2020
'Totally gripping' it wasn't. A nice read but it left me with some questions. Why wait ten years before trying to find out what happened? And why o why is Zoe not able to come up for herself and show the people that treat her so terrible that they are in the wrong? Zoe is not very organized, does a lot of frenzied running around and has no clue whatsoever what's realling happening around her.
It was not very hard to see what was going to happen but I must admit that I liked the epilogue a lot.

Thanks to Netgalley for this digital review copy.
Profile Image for Margitte.
1,188 reviews619 followers
February 17, 2021
Sometimes I just want to read a book and enjoy it without talking about it. This is one of them. I did not read a blurb or anything. What a difference it made!

What if you hit your head on your wedding day and cannot remember a single thing of that incident for ten years? Exactly ten years? Exactly ten years! Everything would have remained cozy and perfect until Zoe organised her ten-year wedding anniversary and stirred skeletons out of their hiding places.

The author used an economy of words, and a single focus, on the protagonist, to write a fast-paced mystery thriller. It's kind of a sad story, although the vibe is a warm family drama throughout. No slogging out of long-winded character developments for all the players in the drama. It worked for me. Zoe is the focus. Wonderful!

If I have one gripe it is the long GR blurb. Way unnecessary. :-) I read it afterwards. Don't read it. Just read the book. Trust me. ;-) I listened to the audiobook. A great experience in itself.
Profile Image for Mandy White (mandylovestoread).
2,450 reviews701 followers
August 15, 2020
Shalini Boland is an author that I can rely on having a fast paced and twisty story. The Wife did not let me down. It was a fun read, although I had my suspicions as to where it was headed and I was pretty much spot on. But even with that I was hooked and looking forward to seeing how it would end.

Zoe fainted on her wedding day.. nightmare! She has always though that something had happened but she has no memory of it. 10 years later and she and Toby are happily married with 2 kids and getting ready to celebrate their anniversary. A party has been planned at the same hotel as the wedding. As the party gets closer, Zoe’s life starts to become a mess. She catches Toby lying to her, her friends are giving her the cold shoulder and things are not going as planned. When the truth of what happened on her wedding day comes out her life is never going to be the same again,

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.
Profile Image for Martie Nees Record.
745 reviews174 followers
August 29, 2020
The story is told going back and forth in time (a style of writing that I usually like). This domestic thriller centers on a young woman who faints on her wedding day. She remembers nothing that happened before she fainted. The wedding goes on. Ten years later, on her wedding anniversary, she remembers. This is an easy, boring read that this reviewer found unbelievable. I probably would have enjoyed the novel more if I read it on a beach.

I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.

Find all my book reviews at:

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https://books6259.wordpress.com/
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Profile Image for M.
1,558 reviews
September 11, 2020
Plot holes & unbelievable situations. Hanging threads in denouement. Spoilers.

I finished the book yesterday, slept on it, and brooded about the review. I gave myself 24 hours, so here is it. I almost DNFed many times, but I’m trying to finish every book I read.

Overall, this is a fast read, if you ignore illogic and unbelievable situations. I did growl at the wimpy protagonist to “cowgirl up!” Zoe’s angst-ridden internal monologues reinforce her insecurity, obsessions, and whinging. The memory-loss folderol is annoying, but vital to the storyline. This book is padded with an unnecessary subplot about Zoe’s ex-best friend, who’s not even a red herring. The denouement is great, because it includes all the parents (in-laws included).

For readers who care: Of thirty-five chapters, twelve (I think) are flashback chapters—labeled in caps: NOW, THEN, EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO, and THE DAY OF THE WEDDING. Prologue & epilogue are not time-demarcated.

SPOILERS BELOW

No matter how strong and manipulative the murderer’s co-conspirators, a suitable bookend-epilogue is the murderer’s POV—to mirror the prologue. I do understand the urge to use the co-conspirator’s POV.

Five eye rolling emojis: How did Celia—Zoe’s cunningly intelligent, nurse MIL—miss online “tutorials” about Suxamethonium (Sux) doses? Sux is given IV, so did MIL not expect Zoe to develop a blood clot/hematoma, alerting any competent coroner? Here’s the kicker: Sux IV paralyzes muscles in seconds, so Zoe would’ve stopped breathing, suffering asphyxiation. The plot needs her to live.

Questions: If you held a heavy vase of roses, and a man reaches for your throat, what would you do? If you clutch the vase to your chest, does he reach through the roses? Hmmmm, my long-stemmed white roses had thorns. How and who got Zoe (in wedding dress) from the murder room to her dressing room? The vase shattered, but no glass shards in Zoe’s lacey dress? In/on her shoes? No water soaking her shoes, hem or skirt? Only wet patches on the murderer’s lapels? No damage to face, neck or hands of murderer—from glass shards, thorns or from victim’s finger nails and fists? When Zoe sees her dead sister, did she hallucinate or were the appearances paranormal?

I still wonder about all the 5 stars, because I seem to have read a different book. That said, I am amongst a minority of reviewers, so please read this with a shaker of salt. I apologize for the lengthy review, but for me, a lower rated book takes more time and space.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dana-Adriana B..
716 reviews295 followers
September 11, 2020
This is a great thriller, the suspense is keeping you hooked from the beginning. Zoe can't remember her wedding day, she knows she fainted, but how come? After ten years she has a beautiful family life and then something is wrong. Her sister in law is avoiding her and she is glimpsing her missing sister on the street.
I will definitely continue to read the author because I love the. writting style.
Thanks, Netgalley for this amazing book.
Profile Image for Pauline.
898 reviews
August 16, 2020
Ten years ago on her wedding day Zoe fainted in her hotel room and has no recollection how it happened. Now she is returning to the hotel for her tenth wedding anniversary and strange and unsettling things are happening again.
This was an enjoyable thriller with twist and turns .
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Christina.
550 reviews224 followers
September 8, 2020

I liked this twisty novel about a wife who has a strange occurrence of fainting on her wedding day. Throw in a vicious frenemy, a husband acting strangely, alternating timelines, and a missing sister, and you have a recipe for twisty suspense.

I found this to be a very clever story but I did think it took a little bit of time to get started. I was waiting for the promised “fast paced” and “gripping” aspects, and though they did not immediately present themselves, about halfway through the book they showed up and the action was great from then on. There were a couple of pretty great red herrings as well as more than one potential villain to suspect. The ending was a bit over the top but very enjoyable.

All in all, this novel didn’t reinvent the wheel or grab me from the beginning, but it was a fun and clever suspense read. 3.5 stars rounded up for good writing and fun characters. I’m interested to read more by this author.

Thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and Shalini Boland for the ARC!
Profile Image for Yvonne (thehorrorhive).
854 reviews353 followers
March 12, 2021
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

he Wife was typical of the genre. It was set up with an ambiguous event that would implicate the characters and future events. We were given loaded dialogue, a perfect husband and family but something missing, there’s always something missing. The prologue sets the tone; apparently everyone knows that the events don’t add up, but the protagonist, Zoe, is just living in blissful ignorance. I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the last Shalini novel I read, but that’s not to say this isn’t a good book, I did want to race through the chapters but, the believability was niggling in the back of my mind.

The Wife examines the fragile thing being the memory. Now this is where it starts to get a little sketchy for me. Is it likely for a person to forget all memories from before a knock to the head? Yes, Zoe was knocked out for several minutes and was fuzzy for most of the day afterwards. Is it though, in all the realms of possibility, is it realistic that someone could lose all memory for ten years? I did some research and although it is possible, it would be assumed that some would come back in drips and drops.

Also, I felt it was extremely convenient that the memory of the morning of her wedding came back when some revelations come to the fore. It was backed up by having her ten-year anniversary at the same hotel that they got married in. I’m not a massive skeptic but I was feeling very skeptical at this point. However, it wasn’t a completely negative reading experience, the writing style is one that I enjoy very much, and the narrative did impel me to keep reading. It had the just one more chapter feel, and I did finish the book very quickly.

The Wife did bring moments of shock but there were heartwarming moments too. Zoe’s relationship with her dad was always strained from when her mother died and her sister eventually going AWOL. He’s a man that has struggled with his own grief and didn’t know really how to reach out to the daughters that needed him. He came through in the end and it was wonderful to see him blossom into a caring father and doting grandparent. The author injected just enough detail to make the reader feel apart of the picture.

Like I said, I did enjoy this one but some of her other novels were better – I highly recommend The Other Daughter over this one. This was good, it just could have been better. There were too many glaringly obvious plot holes.
Profile Image for Louise Wilson.
3,267 reviews1,664 followers
September 3, 2020
Zoe fell and banged her head on the day of her wedding. She can't recall what had happened prior to the fall. Everything was hazy.

Ten years later, Zoe and Toby are blissfully happy in love. They are organising an anniversary party to celebrate. The only thing spoiling the party is Zoe's sister, Dina, is still missing. Zoe's friends are acting weird around her but she doesn't know the reason why.

The wife is a domestic thriller and its told in the then and now format. This is another well written book with some wicked twists. I don't want to say too much about the plotline as I would spoil it for potential readers. The pace flows smoothly. I could not fathom out where this story was going so I had to keep reading to find out. WOW! I never saw that ending coming. It took me completely by surprise. Please don't make us wait too long for your next book.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #ShaliniBoland for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Merged review:

Zoe fell and banged her head on the day of her wedding. She cannot recall what had happened to her prior to the fall. Everything was hazy.

Ten years later, Zoe and Toby are blissfully happy in love. They are organising an anniversary party to celebrate. The only thing spoiling the party is Zoe's sister, Dina, is still missing. Zoe's friends are acting weird around her but she doesn't know the reason why.

The Wife is a domestic thriller and it's told in the then and now format. This is another well written book with some wicked twists. I don't want to say too much about the plotline as I would spoil it for potential readers. The pace flows smoothly. I could not fathom out where the story was going so I had to keep reading to find out. WOW! I never saw that ending coming. It took me completely by surprise.
Shalini Boland never disappoints. Please don't make us wait too long for your next book..

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #ShaliniBoland for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vanessa Menezes.
482 reviews161 followers
August 10, 2020
On her wedding day, which was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, Zoe fainted. Even as she recovers, she feels that there is some kind of blank in her memory. But both her fiance, Toby, and his mother, Celia, assure her that she must have fainted, overcome with emotion and the marriage goes on.

Now Zoe has been happily married for ten years with two beautiful children. Toby and Zoe are planning their ten-year anniversary party for their family and friends. They’re going back to the grand hotel where they got married. But as the anniversary gets closer, it becomes clear not everyone is looking forward to celebrating.

Zoe catches Toby lying about where he’s been. Her sister in-law, Madeleine, starts to avoid her by giving her cold shoulder. And she thinks that she has seen her sister twice, a sister whom she hasn’t heard from in over ten years.

Zoe is increasingly sure that she is missing something important. But does she want to know the truth, if it will destroy everything?

This book was completely addictive from start to finish. All the characters were well written. I enjoyed all the twists in the book and never expected the last one.

The only thing I wanted more from this book was to know more about Dina. I felt that her story was left incomplete and unexplored , leaving me with more questions than answers.

But, apart from that the book was brilliant and an enjoyable read! Highly Recommended!

Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!!
Profile Image for Berit Talks Books.
2,066 reviews15.7k followers
September 13, 2020
Compulsive and fast-paced. Addictive and twisted. This is one of Shalini Bolan’s best! The book starts off with Zoe fainting before her wedding ceremony. The story then jumps forward 10 years Zoe and Toby are happily married with two children planning their 10 year anniversary party. Zoe appears to have a perfect life, but there is still something that nags her about what happened all those years ago. The book bounces between past and present. as the story progresses and the layers are peeled away you learn that Zoe’s life is not as perfect as it seems. Her sister-in-law Madeline is giving her the cold shoulder, her husband Toby is not being completely truthful with her, she keeps thinking she’s glimpsing her long lost sister, and things start to spiral out of control.

This book was packed with secrets, lies, and misdirection. Zoe was a likable character although a bit naïve. There were multiple times in the story I was frustrated with her, I just wanted her to ask the damn questions that needed to be asked! This was a definite addictive page turner. I was completely invested in the story and needing Zoe to find out the truth. The ending was twisted, surprising, and plausible. Another well done thriller from this stellar author.

This book in emojis 👰🏼 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 💇🏻‍♀️ ⛵️ 🏨

*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
Profile Image for Malia.
Author 7 books643 followers
December 6, 2020
Well, it only took me about seven years to finish this, and it’s not even a bad book! It didn’t really hold my attention the way other Shalini Boland books have, but to be fair, it’s 2020 and my attention is a fly trapped in a glass, bouncing around. I did guess most of the twists and turns and the ending wasn't really surprising, but I do think the did a good job developing her main character, even if the others fell a little by the wayside. That being said, I almost always enjoy Boland's books and will be curious to read what she comes up with next!

Find my book reviews and more at http://www.princessandpen.com
Profile Image for • Jodi Bibliophile •.
311 reviews1,160 followers
December 19, 2020
Wasn’t my favourite by Shalini but still an okay read. Didn’t really give me that WTF factor I normally get from this author and the twist wasn’t that great, but still it kept me guessing.
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,696 followers
September 14, 2020
Ten years ago, Zoe married the love of her life, Toby. It almost didn't happen. Zoe fainted right before the ceremony, hitting her head and knocking her for a loop. She kept saying she was okay when she came to .. but she lied. She was dizzy and she felt out of place. That's all a blank for her ... she remembers nothing of the fall.

She and Toby are planning a 10-year-anniversary party, inviting all their friends and family. But something is amiss.

All of a sudden, her sister in law and close female friends are avoiding her. And then she catches her husband lying about where he's been. Someone is spreading stories to stop the party from happening. She knows it has something to do with what happened at her wedding....

Did something happen in that missing time?

This page-turner begs the question ... how well do you know the people you surround yourself with? It's a steady fast pace with twists and turns and maybe a red herring or two. The characters are skillfully drawn, and not everyone is who you think they are. The ending came at a gallop, and was quite surprising.

Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this Psychological Thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Profile Image for Namita.
585 reviews32 followers
April 15, 2021
It's Zoe and Toby’s 10th anniversary and she wants to make up for the fiasco that happened at her wedding . On her wedding day Zoe fainted and never knew why but always felt that there was a reason she was blocking something from her memory. With her anniversary day getting closer strange things start to happen. One of her friends starts ignoring her, Toby seems to be lying to her and someone is spreading rumors to stop the celebration .Now more than ever Zoe is determined to get to know what exactly happened 10 years before .

The Wife is a book about secrets ,lies, betrayal and deceit with lots of twists and turns and it makes for another great read by one my favorite authors, Shalini Boland

I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
Profile Image for Erica⭐.
391 reviews
January 24, 2021
On her wedding day Zoe fainted and she's always felt that something happened beforehand but her mind has blocked it out, now she and Toby have been married 10 years, have two beautiful children and to celebrate their anniversary they are holding a party in the same hotel where they got married, but in the lead up to the celebrations Zoe feels that people are acting strangely around her, and she's becoming increasingly certain that she is being lied to. Then little by little, Zoe starts remembering things.
Profile Image for Jan.
423 reviews277 followers
September 8, 2020
Rounded up on this one...
Fast, easy read that kept me entertained but lacked in intensity.
A great beach read, or one for those times when you don’t want anything too heavy.

ARC provided by NetGalley
Profile Image for Wendy'sThoughts.
2,669 reviews3,277 followers
August 17, 2020
4 What A Difference 10 Years Makes Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
There is a reason people tell you to follow your gut instincts. Even those who do not believe in esp or deja vu still will own up to the 'Gut Instinct Thing" and how it has helped them in financial deals, personal relationships, and life-changing moments.

In Shalini Boland's The Wife, Zoe should have listened to her instinct to discover why everyone said she had fainted before her wedding.
It seems she came to, dizzy, confused with lost time, and with no memory of what had caused it or what exactly happened.

Zoe let personal doubts and worries wipe away any feelings of concern that day and now this happy couple is about to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Wonderful children were born and raised, lots of happy memories of this family together over the years for Zoe to cherish.

But lately, something is off. People are not where they said they would be, getting caught in lies they have told. This party is happening at the same location as the wedding and Zoe isn't sure if this is the best idea.

What was a very good idea indeed was this book. This has a strong hook and will get you turning the pages.

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

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