I think I might read too many books in the thriller/suspense genre because if the author isn't REALLY good about surprising you with twists & a shocking ending I have found that I can predict things from the beginning of the book. This book did keep me page turning & finishing it in a few days but I have to admit I think I was more just anxious to get to the end so I could get to my next book on my list. I don't want to give away any spoilers in this book for future readers but there were 3 specific things that I predicted from the get go as far as Rebecca stepping into Nicole's former life with Richard go, who Olivia really is & what really happened to Nicole and everyone else along the way. I think the author could have done a better job with her twists & not being so predictable. I think she does do a good job in showing how women can get trapped in abusive relationships but it was also frustrating to see how Nicole went from being independent & loving herself to giving up everything for this man & daughter that treated her like absolute crap. She had already been through it before so why again?? Didn't she learn the first time? It is hard for me to give a high star rating for this book because it was too predictable for me. I like to be shocked & have that jaw dropping feel throughout a book. Unfortunately, this didn't have that effect on me.

A Special Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

This is the first book I have read from Sheryl Browne. It will not be my last. This book had alot of back and forth, but the ending was surprising!!

This was a very intense book at times... for some reason though I did not fully enjoy it. But it was a great novel just not the story line that I usually enjoy. The writing was very good and I still recommend this to anyone who wants a great thriller!

When the author saw that I was going to read this book, she said she hoped I would enjoy it. My answer was simple: 'I am sure I will be in for a treat, as usual.'

Every story I have read from her before was a gem and I was convinced she was not going to disappoint me.

Maybe I should call myself Madame Soleil from now on (lol), because my prediction came true.

The main part of the story is told by the two most important characters Nicole and Rebecca. Nicole takes us back into the past and Rebecca keeps us entertained in the present. 

Straight from the start, you feel that something is off and you better make sure you only open this book when you are free for the next few hours. No way will you be able to put it down. So, please be warned.

The author throws so much at you that you don't know anymore if you are coming or going. You are kidnapped by the product of her brain waves and I sometimes had to pick my jaw up from the floor. 

I think I might have convinced you that I totally and utterly loved this fascinating work of art. 5 stars.

Thank you, Sheryl Browne, Bookouture and Netgalley.

Wonder what it would be like to have your friends perfect life? Wonder no more! This book is the story of a woman who helps her friends grieving husband when her friend dies. She finds herself tangled in her life. She gets together with him and mothers her friends daughter. It is really an amazing story. I have always enjoyed is the grass greener stories.

I started out struggling with this book. I didn’t think I was going to like it. This really goes to show you really need to get a few chapters in to see where a book is going. Sometimes more than that.

Rebecca has just lost her best friend Nicole and is trying to grapple with why her friend would take her own life. She wouldn't though, would she? If she didn't, then what really happened?

Richard is a dream husband, although he comes with a daughter that is less than pleasurable. Actually she's quite awful.

There was an element of surprise, a true twist which is hard to achieve.

I don't want to say any more for fear of giving too much away but it's definitely worth reading!

Thank you to netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of this Sheryl Browne’s latest psychological thriller.

Rebecca is shocked to receive news of the death of her close friend, Nicole. Returning from France she seeks to give comfort to Nicole’s grieving husband, Richard, and his daughter, Olivia. However, something isn’t quite right. Rebecca looks more deeply into Nicole’s life yet also finds herself drawn to Richard.

Psychological thrillers and police procedurals are my comfort reading. I know some prefer cosy mysteries but I enjoy a darker experience. So naturally I whizzed through this book.

The chapters alternate between different characters’ points of view. Mainly Rebecca in the present and Nicole in the past though later on others make an occasional appearance. This naturally means the reader knows more about the past than Rebecca and so provides more tension.

When it comes to ‘Second Wife’ there is so much that I would like to say but as it would drift into spoiler territory I am going to be disciplined and stay quiet. There certainly are plenty of shocking twists and OMG! moments.

I will say though that for me the final section of the novel did become a bit melodramatic and at times confusing. I also felt quite ambiguous about its ending though that’s often the intention of the author in this kind of novel.

Overall, ‘The Second Wife’ ticked plenty of boxes for a dark and twisty domestic thriller.

Well I wasn't expecting that twist. WOW!

I will say that was not a fan of Rebecca wanting a relationship with Nicole's husband Richard so soon after her death. I think the book would have been better if they were not best friends but acquaintances.

The story line jumps around between Nicole and Rebecca. At times I did get confused as to what was going on but not enough to lose the story line.

The first half was slow but the second half made up for it and the twist towards the ending made me bump the rating up a star.

Thank you for allowing me an advanced read of this book.

I was desperate to get my hands on this book after thoroughly enjoying the Babysitter. This book did not disappoint.
It had me totally gripped and I found myself unable to put it down and reading into the early hours! The storyline is simply amazing and written from the 4 main characters point of view - very well done!

This book really is a gripping with twists you don’t see coming!

The story centres around Nicole who believe she has found the perfect man, Richard. He is, handsome, charming, and a real catch. They hit it off and thier relationship then moves very quickly and soon she finds herself married and living in a beautiful big house with the delightful Richard and his 20 year old daughter, Olivia.
Fast forward a year later, Rebecca meets Richard at her best friend Nicole's funeral. Nicole had apparently drown herself after Going through a dark time after loosing her mother. Rebecca knowing what she does, can't believe that her friend she knew so well, would take her own life. She takes it upon herself to get to know Richard, and begins to fall for her best friend's husband which wasn’t part of the the plan, or wa it. Rebecca is hell bent to find out what happened to Nicole.

Highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed!

A very enjoyable read! I was very interested in getting my hands on this one after I read the blurb and I am pleased to say that I was not let down.

The story is written very well and the characters are interesting and jump off the page. I would recommend this read!

If you like suspense books you will love this. This is the first book that I have read by this author and it won’t be the last.
It is interesting, well written and keeps the suspense going throughout the book.

The Second Wife is a book about how women can be manipulated not just by men but by women too.
Nicole decided to celebrate the year anniversary of getting out of an abusive relationship when she met the perfect man for her. Within months she had sold her home, married and bought a new house with husband Richard. All was looking perfect until Richards daughter started showing her true colours. Nicole couldn't cope mentally and took her own life.
Richard then moves onto his next conquest. This conquest being Rebecca (Nicole's best friend), who knows things are not what they seem. Will she get to the bottom of things before its too late?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is definitely one that everyone should add to their "must read" list.

The Second Wife is a solid, gripping thriller that I couldn't put down.
Nicole thought she had found the perfect man, Richard. Charming, handsome, a real catch. Their relationship moves quickly and soon she finds herself married and living in a beautiful house with Richard and his 22 year old daughter, Olivia.
Moving forward a year later, Rebecca meets Richard at her best friend Nicole's funeral. Nicole had drown herself after dealing with depression. Rebecca can't believe that her friend would take her own life. As she gets to know Richard, and begins to fall for her best friend's husband, she is determined to find out what happened to Nicole.
I predict that this book will become a popular thriller this year, I would recommend it to those who enjoy this genre.

** spoiler alert **

Thank you so much to Bookouture and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Holy moly this book was so good. I've never read anything by Sheryl Brown before and this was amazing. Perfect mix of suspense, romance, and drama all rolled into a book I couldn't put down.

When Rebecca's best friend Nicole dies of apparent suicide, Rebecca can't believe that her friend would do that. Nicole had been in an abusive relationship for years and after swearing off guys for good met a new seemingly amazing guy and got married fairly quickly. So why did she choose to take her own life? After meeting Richard and his daughter Olivia at the funeral, Rebecca finds herself inexplicably drawn to Richard and understands what her friend saw in him. After moving in with them after a very short amount of time Rebecca begins to see what Nicole didn't see in the beginning either. With help from a good friend and guy that was in love with Nicole, Rebecca plans a way to get revenge for her best friend and for the other women tainted by a man disguising his true self.

This book was beyond excellent. I was immediately hooked from the beginning and could not put it down if my life depended on it. I loved how it went from past with Nicole to the present day with Rebecca living with Richard and Olivia. At first I thought Rebecca was falling for the same things that Nicole did and that irked me like you would not believe until I realized she had known all along how he really was. I loved how instead of cowering down and taking it like she was supposed to, she found the perfect way to exact revenge on him and his supposed daughter.

I'm so glad this book touched on the topic of how people can be so deceiving and look a certain way but underneath all of that they are a completely different person. I'm a huge fan of any book that touches on domestic abuse and husbands just after their wives money because it is a huge problem that never seems to go away no matter how many times it happens.

Thank you again to Bookouture and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book. I enjoyed it so so much.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC for my honest review.

I found this book OK. There wasn't anything really new or shocking about it. The characters were ok, I disliked and liked the people I was meant to. I am a bit confused about the title... I am really not sure where it came from. Maybe I missed something.

Overall a decent read.

I have read The Affair and loved it so I was excited to read Sheryl Browne’s latest novel Thd Second Wife.

It didn’t disappoint with loads of drama , twists , intrigue and a fantastic plot. The characters she has created are fantastic, I was really rooting for good to prevail and my heart was breaking at some points.

Two friends Nicole and Rebecca are separated by miles but still remain close and keep in touch regularly.

After Nicole leaves her first abusive marriage she finds the man of her dreams Richard and she cannot wait to share her happiness with Rebecca. She emails and texts Rebecca keeping her up to date on her idyllic life.

The one fly in the oniment is her step daughter Olivia who seems to be going out of her way to cause trouble .

When Nicole suddenly commits suicide Rebecca vows to personally find out more about Nicole’s life . She comes to Nicole’s funeral and meets Richard and Olivia . She sooon finds herself emerged in their lives as they both welcome her into their lives with open arms .

Was Nicole drepressed? Is Richard a genuine caring man? Or does he have a hidden side? What about Olivia’s part in Nicole’s death?

These questions are all answered in the most shocking way. Although I had figured out some of the answers I was still astounded by some of the storyline.

Fantastic writing by Sheryl Browne. The book is told from different perspectives and timelines and this is very thought provoking and grabs your attention.

A book that explores many issues - abuse, relationships, jealously, lies, control, manipulation , personality disorders to name a few . If you enjoy psychological thrillers this is definitely one to put on your list .

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this page turner.

Wow! This book completely caught me off guard. I expected a well written suspense filled book, because that is what I expect from Sheryl Browne. I got that and much more! This book was so dark, twisted and pure evil. Yes thriller lovers this has all the right ingredients!

Just after reading the description I knew I would love it. Two best friends, one dies and the other one immediately steps right into her life. What??? Seriously?? How scandalous is that? Husband, house, dog and all! I kept thinking what the hell is Rebecca doing? Honestly does she not realize something is not right? I felt anxious the entire time wondering just how far Rebecca would take things. I was freaking out wondering what really happened to Nicole. Do we know the truth? Is there more to her story?

I was so bewildered as to the dynamics of the relationship of Richard and his daughter Olivia. It is great that he is supportive of her but wow, talk about spoiled little daddy's girl. I found myself confused and angry with just how protective he was with her.

I loved this book, it is my favorite book so far by this author. She took dark and evil to a new level with this one! I have to point out that I love this cover! Such a beauty. Of course in true fashion she tied this cover into the story. I swear this and the cover for The Affair are two of the most attractive covers out there!

The Second Wife by Sheryl Browne has a very intriguing premise.

Check it out:

She made her bed. You’ll lie in it. Rebecca and Nicole swore to be best friends forever. But three years after they last met up, Rebecca receives a phone call from Nicole’s devoted husband, Richard. Nicole is dead, a tragic suicide. Drowned in a river close to her family home, Richard was the one who pulled her body from the water. Now he can’t even speak about what happened.

While Rebecca reels from the news, she reads her friend’s last letters to her and begins to wonder if she knew Nicole at all. What secrets was she keeping from all the people who knew and loved her? As Rebecca gets closer and closer to Richard, things go too far and she begins to slip into Nicole’s old life – staying in her home, sleeping in her bed… But if she’s going to become the wife Nicole never was, can she keep herself safe?

The book is excellent, the writing is fantastic. I was engaged from beginning to end and I so admire an author who can weave a suspenseful tale. You will be so addicted to finding out what happened to Nicole that you might forgo all of your responsibilities!

Due out January 29.

The Second Wife by Sheryl Brown available January 29, 2019!

Rebecca and Nicole have been best friends since college. Rebecca is shocked to hear that her best friend, Nicole, has committed suicide shortly after getting married and starting what seemed like a happier new life as a newlywed. When she attends the funeral she decides to get closer to Nicole's husband Richard and his daughter, Olivia, to see if her death is as suspicious as she feels it is. But as she grows closer to Richard she starts to feel she might be betraying her friend.

I usually love domestic thrillers but this one wasn't a favorite for me. It did have some good twists, although the biggest one was somewhat obvious to me. I also felt the ending fell flat. Overall, I was a little disappointed with this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rebecca and Nicole are close friends who don't get to see each other as much as they would like to - Nicole marries the charming Richard who also has a teenager, Olivia. Nicole soon becomes unhappy in her marriage and finds Richard's daughter Olivia to be very manipulative, although Richard does not believe it. She vents to Rebecca about the good and the bad. Then, Rebecca gets word that Nicole has committed suicide. Devastated, Rebecca vows to be there for Richard. She soon finds out why Nicole fell for the handsome gentleman, but also starts to feel that something was not quite right. She knows Nicole felt trapped and promises to find out what really happened to Nicole.
I really enjoyed this book! It has suspense, drama, twists and turns that made me not want it to end!
Thank you to Sheryl Browne, Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC of this awesome book!