I requested this several years ago and I don't think it's a book for me anymore. So I will not be reviewing at this time, but if I do read it, I will update this review. Thank you for the opportunity.

I left a 4 star rating when I read this book 4 years ago but didn't write a formal review. I am marking the rating here to move this book off my shelf.

At the one year anniversary of her ‘husband’s’ suicide, Katrina ‘Trina’ Petrov just wants to be alone and far away from her friends and family. Her other ‘First Wives Club’ friends want her to come home for their monthly meeting. Deciding to stall as long as possible, Trina ends up purposefully delaying her return to the US. Suffering from jet lag and children in the next hotel room crying, she heads to the hotel bar in Miami since she’s hungry and can’t sleep! While in the bar, she meets Wade who happens to be a Country Music star just off of a tour. Trina has no idea who he is…and now the story takes off!
Wade needs Trina to make sure his ex-girlfriend understands what ex means. Trina stumbles across some issues from her husband’s suicide, that makes the cause of death seem more like homicide. Trina’s friend is critically injured helping Trina. Wade is becoming more and more emotionally involved with Trina, and all the First Wives Club players come out to make sure their issues are safeguarded.
The perfect combination of heat, heart, passion, and suspense, this is a fabulous second installment in the First Wives Club series!
You need to read this book!

The story begins in Italy with Trina Petrov trying to escape the turmoil of her life in the states. Her marriage-by-contract-only ended disastrously, her private life is not private and her well-intended friends (especially Avery) was more than she could handle. She needed to escape for a while.

Before leaving Italy she platonically shares her meal with a stranger. He’s a bit cocky but entertaining and she has no idea this cowboy is a country music superstar. Wade Thomas can’t believe Trina doesn’t know him…at all. This intrigues him while he finds it refreshing that Trina likes him for him. Nothing more.

In their shared individual desire of anonymity they find a bond that grows from Italy to Florida, Texas and New York.

Once home Trina must tie up loose ends of her marriage. She enlists Avery to help and the party begins! Suspense galore! An already good read just got better!

Wade follows Trina to support and help as he can. He finds there is a lot more to Trina, her life, and friends than meets the eye.

This book has it all - bonding of people that is so special it's admiring, it has mystery and crime for the suspense lover, and it has love for those that believe.

You'll want to read it more than once.

Having enjoyed the first instalmentof this series, I expected nothing less of the second book. It was good to be back in the series with the characters that I fell for in the first book. I liked Trina and Wade's relationship development and the story was good.

A great continuation of the First Wives Series, as Catherine Bybee reels in another winner. With interesting concept for the series, so far every story has been filled with intrigue, suspense and romance. Of course am a bit late with this book, having read the rest of the series!

A series not to be missed!

Adrenaline pumping yet a very heartwarming romantic thriller, “Half Empty” is the second book in the First Wives Club series by Catherine Bybee.

It was not the most romantic meeting; in fact, it could be said it was a cliché… Newly widowed Trina Petrov met country-music superstar Wade Thomas in a bar! But, what followed was a rollercoaster ride beginning with a chartered plane to the Bahamas then to Texas and finally New York where the mystery began to unravel or was it revealed?

Both Trina and Wade were not looking for love. They were not looking for a one-night stand either. They were just minding their own business but Eros with the help of the Moirai changed their plans and eventually their destiny.

“Half Empty” is a refreshing take on the music superstar trope. Wade Thomas was expecting that all the crazies would be coming from his side, that financially, he was the one who had to more to give. The twist in the trope was it was Trina, the non-famous one who was richer, and everything was happening because of her!

Another surprise, the adrenaline pumping action is worthy of Jason Bourne but with a mob twist.

“Half Empty” is Rated T for Teens. Parental guidance is advised due to violence.

In this second book its Trina Petrov's turn to find true love. Trina's situation was unique when she didn't get divorced but her husband had died. But now trouble is finding its way to Trina, but she doesn't want to deal with it and wants a break. Where she meets a stranger whom intrigues her.

Wade Thomas is tired and wants a break of being a superstar so when he meets a beautiful woman whom doesn't have a hot clue who he is, he jumps at the opportunity to get to know her more. But he didn't know what all came with Trina and his mom doesn't necessarily agree with this match as well. Now they have to sides plotting against them.

I adored this book. I loved the balance of intrigue, drama, suspense and love.

When Trina Petrov accepted to become a wife by contract, she never imagined she would one day become one of the wealthiest women in the world. To recover from the tragic death of the husband and come to grips with her new reality, Trina takes off to Italy where no one knows her. On her way back home, she meets sexy country-music superstar Wade Thomas, not that she has any idea who he is... When Wade tries to throw his charm around with beautiful Trina, he gets absolutely nowhere. The fact she doesn't know him is quite refreshing. Not ready to let her out of his sights, Wade manages to convince Trina to fly home with him. The more time they spend together, the easier it is to fall in love. But as Wade and Trina's relationship heats up, so does the relentless pursuit of a killer. Another thrilling romance of the First Wives gang and their handsome men...

I absolutely loved this story by this author who always manages to write an instant 5 star read. I loved the storyline and the main characters in the story. The author did a magnificent job with the emotions written throughout the story. This is a definite must read.

Fantastic story about forgiveness and starting anew, this book was so compelling and suspenseful. The suspense is not of the criminal kind, but rather the suspense (or worry) about the events that will happen as the story unfolds, and its effects on the people involved. It kept me glued to my Kindle and that day there was no gym and no cooking.

It’s been three years since the death of Rachel, Beth’s sister. Her parents haven’t dealt well with their tragic loss and their response is to restrict Beth’s movements in an effort to protect her from harm. Their worry about something happening to their remaining daughter has succeeded in smothering Beth to the extent that she’s acting out and rebelling against her parent’s restrictions. In one such rebellion, she sneaked out to a party where she meets this guy she liked a lot and loses her virginity to him. That forges a bond that she needs to keep secret from her parents so they won’t ground her for eternity.

Beth is counting the days until she graduates from high school and can escape her town. Everybody looks at her with pity as the girl whose sister died in a car accident. When finally, her senior year starts, she meets the guy she had sex with, and to her horror, she learns he’s the person responsible for her sister’s death.

Beth is in a turmoil because she feels a bond with Chase, she understands her sister’s death was an accident and feels for Chase who is ridden with guilt. On top of that, the whole school and her parents are in an uproar and claiming for his expulsion from school, claiming Beth cannot be made to withstand attending school with a murderer.

We live Beth’s suffering from her lack of freedom, her confusion about her feelings for Chase, her desire to be with him but also hide her feelings so she won’t be rejected by her friends, and her rebellion about her life in general. Chase is anguished about his role in Rachel’s death, has been punished with three years in prison, but the prison of his soul is worse. He feels he deserves all the punishment he gets in school. There’s also Jeff, Rachel’s boyfriend, who comes back from two years abroad, where he was sent to get over his loss. He comes back revengeful and hostile against Chase and strangely possessive and overprotective with Beth.

This plot moved fast and was so riveting. I loved how Chase and Beth supported each other in the few moments they could steal together. Beth’s relation with her parents was stormy and fraught with yelling and fights, yet through it all you could feel their love, anguish and worry about their “surviving daughter”. Their life is strife in confusion and heartbreak. The road to redemption and forgiveness was very tumultuous, suspenseful and heart-breaking. Secrets come out that shed light on the events of three years ago and make forgiveness achievable. The meaning of the book’s title is a wonderful conversation between Chase and Beth, meaning that Chase looks for one small thing every day to make his life worth living, and thus gives Beth a great lesson in thankfulness and acceptance. Great story!

I have chosen not to read and review this tile. While the blurb drew me to the story, I was not engaged with the characters or the way the story was written.

I appreciate the opportunity to review this early title and am looking forward to the next title through your company.

Thanks,
Laura

I always enjoy Bybees novels. The story is always interesting and enjoyable. The romance is believable and well written.

I'm not sure Ms Bybee could have added any more excitement into Half Empty. There is so much action between the covers that I couldn't put it down because there was always something exciting going on with a murder to solve, attempts on their lives, and suspicious accidents happening to friends and people around them, it's an outstanding story. 5 Stars*****

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author.

3.5 Stars

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

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

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

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

I have read all the books in this series and this one is my favorite so far. Trina and Wades story is great. When they first meet they are both in a bad place, Trina especially. Wade is a famous country singer and Trina has no clue who he is . Trina’s husband kills him self, his mother dies as well and that leaves Trina the sole heir to an Oil Company and overnight millionaire.

Trina and Wades relationship develops while Trina is still trying to mange her new business and wealth. Wade stands by her and does as all he questions he knows he should. He likes Trina and the fact that she doesn’t want him because of his fame and wealth.

This is another great book full of suspense and romance by Mrs. Bybee. This book is wrote with dual POV, great characters and sexy parts as well. I’m so ready for book #3.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

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

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

In book one, Fool Me Once, we are introduced to the women of the First Wives Club - Lori, Trina, Avery and Shannon. Lori is a lawyer who helped the three other women broker marriages of convenience (the “husbands” were in need of a “wife”, in exchange for millions of dollars at the end of the “marriage” - which was usually contracted to last less than two years). I suppose you probably could read these books as standalones, but the first book (which was mainly about Lori) introduced everyone, the reason why they were all coming together at this particular time to form the club, and set up book two, Half Empty. The next book, Catching Shadows, is set up in book two. I love a good series that continues a story but focuses on different people, so I’m all excited about this series! At least, I am now that I’ve gotten used to the idea that Ms. Bybee is writing romantic suspense.

Anyway, Half Empty is about Trina, who was widowed one year ago when her husband shot himself in the head. She and her husband, Fedor, were good friends, so she’s mourning the loss of a friend, not that of a lover. Instead of hanging around for her friends to descend on her for the anniversary of her husband’s death, she takes a trip and spends several weeks in Venice. When she’s reluctantly on the way home, she meets handsome, charming Wade Thomas in a Miami hotel bar, and doesn’t realize he is a famous country music star.

Wade is instantly smitten with Trina, and finds her disinterest in him charming. As they spend a couple days together making their way back home to Texas, Wade knows he wants this woman in his life.

Trina is a bit harder to convince. For starters, the past year she’s had a couple bad experiences dipping her toes back into the dating scene. But then there’s also the situation with her former father-in-law, who’s basically a bad dude and is after the fortune she inherited when his son (and the mother of his son) passed away. As it becomes apparent that Fedor’s father is willing to take extreme measures to get his hands on the inheritance, everyone close to Trina is in danger.

Where I felt the first book in the series was a little light on the romance, Half Empty does a much better job of developing Trina and Wade’s relationship. They start off taking things slow, but launch into hot and heavy once feelings are declared and intentions are stated. I liked Trina, but REALLY liked Wade. He was the perfect blend of cocky, confident, and charming, but also knew his place. When Trina’s life (and everyone close to her) is endangered, Wade wants to keep her safe. But there’s none of this macho “nobody is going to protect my woman other than me” nonsense. He’s all about letting the hired security guys take care of business.

“Forensics didn’t find any prints in the office.”
Wade felt a little lost. “Okay?”
“As in any. Not one. Not Avery’s, not Trina’s, not Fedor’s...not the maid. None!”
“Oh, hell,” Jeb said.
“Exactly,” Rick said to Jeb.
“I sing songs for a living, mind catching me up here?” Because it seemed the three of them were talking in a different language.

I loved that even though Trina felt guilty for getting Wade involved in such a dangerous situation, there was none of this “I’m breaking up with you for your own good” malarky. Wade worked hard to show Trina how much he cared for her, and she let him. They didn’t hide their feelings or hold back their thoughts. These were adults, who actually acted like adults. And it was SO refreshing!

As far as the suspense plot goes, it’s not exactly suspenseful - we all know who the bad guy is, and what his end goal is. It’s just a matter of watching everything play out. It never had me on the edge of my seat. But it still kept me entertained and engaged.

Ms. Bybee is a skilled author - her writing is excellent, her dialogue fantastic, and the characters extremely likeable, so even if there are some aspects of the book that aren’t as strong, I still enjoy her books. Half Empty didn’t disappoint, and I’m looking forward to Avery’s story in Catching Shadows. Hopefully there will be a book for Shannon, too!

* thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

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

After the women supported Trina, she insists on travelling alone and we catch up with her in Venice, Italy. As she flies home, hoping to avoid meeting up with the FWC ladies, she goes via Miami, where she meets Wade. And that scene where they meet is just perfect – the timing, the humour, and the ignorance of his identity. It sets up a friendship which is a lovely feature of the relationship between these two.

The drama comes from Trina's dead husband's Russian father – and it is complicated, but reads well – and as the gang rally round, and Wade also stays to support her, she starts to think that maybe it is time to live again. The honest communication between her and Wade is really engaging and works really well at cementing their relationship, even in these difficult conditions.

Whilst this may concentrate on their relationship, it is a bigger story, and Avery in particular suffers from the Russian connection. I am hoping that she will get her happily ever after soon, but there weren't as many hints as I wanted!

Great read – just make sure you read them in order.

I love books set in Venice and this one was no exception even if the action quickly moved back to the US. An unusual premise, a first wives club for divorcees following put up marriages to wealthy men for a variety of reasons. In Trina’s case her husband dies and she turns out to be billionaire rich. When she meets Wads, cute cowboy singer, there’s fun and games aplenty.