The Wife Between Us Book Review: A Domestic Thriller
Hello and welcome back reader friends! Today we’re going to be discussing a great book I recently read for the 2nd time. In my The Wife Between Us book review I’ll be sharing my full thoughts on this awesome book. But don’t worry if you haven’t read it because I won’t be sharing any spoilers.
I’ve been slowly getting into the thriller genre for the past couple of years, and Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen have become one of my favorite writing duos. Their books are all completely different, telling the stories of complicated women and their even more complicated friendships and relationships.
Take The Wife Between Us. At first it seems like the story of a jealous ex-wife who will do anything in the name of love. She sees her ex husband about to get remarried to a pretty young woman and seems to have something of a psychotic break. But there are always secret complexities of an enviable marriage, that outsiders aren’t always privy to.
I hope you enjoy my The Wife Between Us book review. I first read this book a couple of years ago and realized recently that I could not remember what happened, but that I really enjoyed the story. Did it live up to my memories? It sure did. And did I remember who could be trusted?
Not at all! It was so fun to dive into this story again to try and figure out what was going on. And remember, if you are looking for more recommendations you can read more of my book discussions here.
What is The Wife Between Us About?
Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen’s The Wife Between Us is a chilling tale that takes place in New York City. It tells the intertwined stories of a recent divorcée and her ex husband’s new fiancee. Post divorce, Vanessa is living with her Aunt Charlotte and barely hanging on. She seems to use drinking as a coping mechanism for her sadness about the end of her marriage. Her general well being as well as her dependence on alcohol cause problems for her at work.
Meanwhile, Nellie seems to have it all. She’s engaged to a rich man who takes care of her and wants to start a family with her. But the younger woman is constantly bothered by Richard’s first wife. What does this woman want from her, and why won’t she leave her alone?
At first it seems like the story of one woman struggling to get over a marriage while another prepares for her new marriage. But soon secrets and real personalities are revealed. The twisty plot just keeps getting more convoluted.
The Wife Between Us features masterful twists and a gripping plot. It’s a clever thriller that will keep you guessing the entire book.
Who are Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen?
Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen are the authors of The Wife Between Us as well as a few other thriller novels. Some of their works that they have written together include:
- An Anonymous Girl
- You Are Not Alone
- The Golden Couple
I really enjoyed The Wife Between Us (as well as their other join novels) because it was a complete roller coaster-ride of a novel. The story is told by an unreliable narrator that keeps you guessing throughout most of the book.
Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen also publish books on their own as well. You can read more about their separate works here and here.
Should I Read The Wife Between Us?
Yes, I would recommend it if you like domestic thrillers. This one kept me guessing because it felt very sinister. I was really worried about Vanessa’s mental health and about how her divorce was affecting her. If you enjoy a psychological thriller about characters discovering dangerous truths, this book is definitely for you.
As I mentioned previous, I first read this book a couple of years ago and even the second time, it kept me glued to the book until the very end. You may enjoy this book if you liked Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, the Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine, or anything by Karin Slaughter.
Is this available in Audiobook format? Who narrates The Wife Between Us?
Yes, The Wife Between us is available in Audiobook. I purchased it with one of my audible credits a couple of years ago. The audiobook is 11 hours and 30 minutes long. The audiobook for The Wife Between Us is narrated by Julia Whelan.
Trigger Warning
This topic does include some more difficult topics. Please be aware that the following situations occur in this story.
- Domestic Abuse
- Gaslighting
- Mental Illness
Will it take a Long Time to Read The Wife Between Us?
No, because once you start reading you won’t be able to stop! I’m serious. This is a quick read because you will be sucked in by the unforgettable twists and won’t want to put it down.
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this story because of the unique plot line. I love complex female characters and everyone in this story fit that description. They were also relatable characters. I felt so bad for Vanessa while she was on her downward spiral and trying to fix her life.
I can’t discuss the plot too deeply because I don’t want to give anything away. The only thing I will say is that the end of the story took me by complete surprise. I do consider myself an amateur when it comes to solving mysteries and predicting endings, but I have a feeling even the most season readers won’t be able to figure this one out.
In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this The Wife Between Us book review! I am newer to the genre of psychological suspense books and felt like this was a really great one to read. The main character is fascinating and flawed and I found myself rooting for her until the very end. This book was a suspenseful roller-coaster ride and I think if you check it out, you’ll agree.
xo Marian
But wait, there’s more!
If you enjoyed today’s book review, make sure you check out more of my book discussions here. And if you like fascinating characters, you should read my review of The Golden Couple which is also by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.
