The Ex-Wives
by Jenna Kernan
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Description:
Two ex-wives. Two missing girls. Will yours be next? Pulling a batch of my husband’s favourite golden oatmeal cookies from the oven, I smile to hear my daughter Phoebe playing in the treehouse outside. I was once so close to losing everything, but since I married handsome Jackson, I have a perfect life. Jackson might tell me what to wear, but he just likes to buy me nice things. He says I don’t need a job, and why would I want one? I can spend all day taking care of Phoebe and running errands in the fancy car Jackson gave me—he knows everywhere I go, and I love how much he wants to keep me safe. But my whole world shatters when I find out Jackson is a liar. He never mentioned he was married before—twice. I love him so much. But how can I trust him now? Desperate for answers, I search our pristine house top to bottom. I thought Jackson was caring: but is it a way to control me? When I track down his ex-wives, I see fear in their eyes. Both these women had little girls just like me. And when they left Jackson, their daughters went missing. Devastated I’ve put Phoebe in danger, I have no choice but to find the truth about those poor girls. To protect Phoebe, I must pretend to still be the perfect wife, even though fear floods through me at Jackson’s touch. But how far will I have to go? And what will happen to me and my sweet child if my husband finds out?
👀🔪 MY REVIEW👀🔪
This was my first book by author Jenna Kernan. From the very first page it got my attention. It starts off very slow with chapters flipping between then and now, allowing you to see just how much their relationship changes. It is a true psychological thriller with so many jaw-dropping twist in every sense of the word. The twists and turns are completely unexpected. Some were just totally unbelievable. The author repeats herself so much in the beginning that I almost stopped reading it. The only reason I kept going was because I just had to know if she was able to get her daughter Phoebe out of this extremely abusive situation. About mid way through it really picks up, the repeating stops and the story takes off to the point that it becomes completely and utterly impossible to put down.
*******Disclosure*******
I received a free E -ARC copy of this book from netgalley prior to release. Many thanks to NetGalley ,the publisher and the author for the chance to read and review a copy of this interesting book in exchange for my honest review. I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions I have expressed are my own. As always if you like the book you read please take the time to leave a review for the author in places like goodreads & Amazon. It does not have to be long. Just a few sentences saying you liked the book will do. Authors really appreciate every review they get !
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#TheExWives #NetGalleyReviewer
#bookouture

This was one edge of your seat, nail bitting novel! Elena is married Jackson who she has come to realise is not the man of her dreams but rather of her nightmares. In order to survive, her and Phoebe will need to escape but they’ll always be watching their backs…
A real heart racing read which at times reminded me a bit of “Sleeping with the Enemy”. I found myself at times screaming at Elena and later on cheering her on- She’s one brave cookie!!!

There are some very upsetting themes in this novel to be aware of -in particular domestic abuse, child abuse, attempted murder and hints of animal cruelty.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this thrilling arc.

I’m not usually a fan of me-against-the-world type books, which feel too anxiety-inducing and claustrophobic for me to enjoy the way I do other thrillers, but I actually finished this one which says a lot. If you like or at least can tolerate seemingly insurmountable domestic evil to reach the inevitable payback moment, you will probably like this book. Since it’s not my favorite thriller sub-genre - and I couldn’t get past some of the heroine’s dumb choices - I’d give it a 3 out of 5.

Elena married Jackson and she thought all her dreams had come true. Jackson was rich, the mayor, and he was so charming. Once the ink is dry on the marriage certificate he becomes one controlling freak and she needs to account for every penny she spends, She can only wear dresses or skirts and only certain colors. She is visited by an FBI agent who says she is investigating Jackson in abduction of two of his step daughters.

The second ex-wife had tried to warn her that she he was a monster and she shouldn't marry him. She said if she tried to leave him he would hurt her daughter. Can she protect Phoebe and get out of this alive?

You get so engrossed in all the awful things Jackson does, You will feel sorry for Elena for getting herself into this situation. Jackson will be the man you love to hate. Adducting and gripping domestic thriller you won't want to miss.

The Ex-Wives is a domestic thriller that follows Elana as she tries to escape from an abusive relationship with a very dangerous man. Early in the book (almost page one), Elana finds out that the FBI is investigating her husband, who they believe is responsible for the disappearances of his ex-wives' children. The chapters alternate between the start of Elana's relationship with Jackson and the current time. The first half of the book moves pretty slowly, with the second half significantly picking up pace. I had a hard time with the characters - none of them were likable or relatable, including Elana. Elana made several decisions that I found very unrealistic. Similarly, I thought the end was unbelievable. Overall, I did not overly enjoy this book.

Wow what an intense psychological thriller. This one had my heart beating fast and often times yelling at the main character. My heart broke for poor Phoebe who had to endure clear emotional abuse from her “stepdad”. This book had me reading well into the night. I loved the beginning how it was a then vs now set up as it really helped the reader piece together all of the parts. If you are a fan of thrillers this is a must read. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. Thank you net galley and publisher for the advanced read.

Ugh. This is not a very good read for me, not at all. I couldn't even find any redeeming qualities in this book.

The main character is such a weak-ass character. She's such an idiot and I just wanted to punch some sense into her everytime she makes a stupid decision. Everytime she lets anyone trample over her and dictate her every action, I feel so so upset! Ugh.

Also, some of the twists were necessary and forced that it didn't really add anything new to the story. I'm sorry but this book is clearly not for me. Thank you Netgalley foe the ARC.

Domestic thriller that is tough to put down, I flew through this one! Elana is a widow with a young daughter, struggling financially. She meets & falls hard and fast for Jackson, a small-town mayor. After a whirlwind romance, she agrees to marry him. Things seem to good to be true, but of course, as she soon learns, things are truly too good to be true.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller by Jenna Kernan. I have not read her before but will definitely be on the look out for more of novels. Recently widowed Elana meets Jackson who seems to be the perfect man to make her and her daughter's life everything they have always dreamed. Little does she know what a ride she is in for. Exciting read that I flew through!

This was my first book by this author, but it certainly won't be the last. A spine-chilling read. From the first word to the last I was hooked. Just when I thought I had figured things out, sharp turn to the right and BAM! I love when the author throws that red herring at you - making you think you've got it. I love that element of suprise.

#TheExWives #NetGalley
An ok read.
Elana, a widow with a young daughter, is swept up by Jackson, a rich, young mayor in Florida. On the eve of her wedding she is warned not to marry him by one of his ex wives. She is convinced by her fiancé that this woman is crazy and she happily marries Jackson. She quickly learns that he had two previous marriages and both of his stepdaughters from these unions have disappeared. Jackson controls her every movement and decision. Fearing for her daughter Phoebe, Elana concocts a dangerous plan to get away from her husband. But will this plan succeed?
To know this you've to dive into it.
This proved to an ok read for me as it deals with the issue of domestic violence and all which I've read recently in a book and was done excellently in comparison to this book.
Although you can read it one time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me an advance copy.

The Ex Wives by Jenna Kernan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed this fast paced psychological thriller. Elana finds the man of her dreams. She is recently widowed and vulnerable. Jackson seems to be the perfect man. He is very wealthy and able to give Elana and her daughter everything she could ever want. Jackson turns out to be someone that she constantly fears. Two missing girls of Jackson’s ex wife’s are missing and the FBI are suspecting Jackson. Will they ever find the missing girls?
Thank you for the ebook in exchange for my my honest review.

Two ex-wives. Two missing girls. Will yours be next?

Pulling a batch of my husband’s favourite golden oatmeal cookies from the oven, I smile to hear my daughter Phoebe playing in the treehouse outside. I was once so close to losing everything, but since I married handsome Jackson, I have a perfect life. Jackson might tell me what to wear, but he just likes to buy me nice things. He says I don’t need a job, and why would I want one? I can spend all day taking care of Phoebe and running errands in the fancy car Jackson gave me—he knows everywhere I go, and I love how much he wants to keep me safe.

Jackson is one of those men that devastate women's lives, he is arrogant, egotistical and lies, only interested in his own gratification that suit his needs and in the process destroy others. He is hiding secrets and beholds many traits that are unbecoming which also result in the shattering of others. Once Phoebe find out about previous marriages and tracks down these women, she fears for the life of her daughter, also with good reason.

This is a great story that draws you in and another I read in one sitting. Definitely a book I would recommend and will look out for others by this author. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

This ones a tough one to give feedback for. The writing style was great and I almost felt like I was in a movie I was right there with them. BUT I have a hard time reading books where psychological suspense necessarily includes domestic violence and waiting to see if a battered woman will kill her abuser. I think for fans of The Push this book will check. those. boxes though so I’ll pass the torch to them

This book was great! I could not put it down. There were so many twists and turns that I did not see coming. I had to know what was going to happen to Phoebe and Elana. Also, I loved reading how strong Elana was and how she would do anything to protect her daughter.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jenna Kernan and Bookouture for this ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a ebook ARC of this title.

My issues with this book are plot-related more than style or topic, and I'm not sure how to discuss without spoiling. My biggest gripe? The main character, Elana, is an idiot. Just an absolute moron. She handles every single situation so ridiculously that I cannot fathom a real person would do this. (Spoilers, I'm sorry)

Your fiance introduces you to a woman that he later says is his first wife and you aren't furious that he didn't tell you about his two failed marriages? At no point prior to you realizing he's an abusive POS do you push back at all on him dictating what you wear and how you spend money? Fine, okay, I can buy it, women find themselves in terrible situations and ignore red flags all the time. But it becomes IMPOSSIBLE about two thirds of the way in, when he frames her for breaking her daughter's arm and having a drug habit. First off, she's repeated that she doesn't even drink, and people can testify to that. Secondly, the detective says her husband claims the daughter's arm was broken for days and he had to take her to the hospital because the mom refused - except mom has a perfect alibi in the case of the daughter's friend's mom, who not only saw the daughter sans broken arm that afternoon, but can also testify that the husband picked her up, and that mom showed up later looking for her unaware that the husband picked her up. They cannot convict her of a drug charge without a lawyer, and given that there's been no evidence of any issues, pretty sure they'd throw out the brother-in-law arresting her and finding planted drugs. I'm not sure the author was even trying to have this be plausible, and yet, does Elana think of any of this? NO. SHE JUST SIGNS PAPERS WITHOUT READING THEM. And then decides the best course of action is to LET HERSELF BE MURDERED to save her daughter. And when she finally gets evidence that her husband is involved in the missing child case, does she contact the FBI? No, she drives over to the first wife's house, who she already knows is friendly with her husband and is not an ally, and lets her burn the evidence!!!

It was twisty and soapy and a quick read, and I thought the way in which Elana finally got out was smart and tense, but lord, I was genuinely yelling while reading this book. Some of the twists were just completely implausible and unnecessary.

Thank you to #NetGalley for letting me read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This book sucks you in with high stakes as Elana finds out that her abusive husband (formerly the town’s mayor) has a history horrific beyond her knowledge, including a history of stepdaughters around Elana’s daughter’s age who have disappeared. Federal agents alert Elana about her husband’s past, and she has to figure out how to keep herself and her daughter out of his clutches. Alternating between Elana’s present turmoil and flashbacks through the marriage, the book was grippingly written, and Elana was an easy protagonist to root for, particularly against her awful husband and his formidable family. The Mennonite subplot set this book apart from other domestic thrillers of its ilk.

The Ex-Wives by Jenna Kernan

The Ex-Wives by Jenna Kernan is filled with jaw-dropping suspense. This is my first book by the author and I was blown-away by her talent. Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. I finished it in one night.

Synopsis:
My husband Jackson and I just got married. He is an excellent partner and stepfather to my daughter Phoebe. Jackson is handsome and rich. He loves me so much that he even tells me what clothes to wear. Yes, he wants to know where I am and gets mad when I do not immediately answer my phone, but that is only because he cares.

Humm...why is Jackson lying? I just found out he has been married twice and both of his stepdaughters mysteriously disappeared after he divorced. Jackson would never hurt Phoebe, would he?

Readers can't help being drawn into The Ex-Wives by Jenna Kernan as the story unfolds. The author puts them right in the middle of the action with vivid descriptions of interpersonal relationships. This domestic thriller is a compelling read, but it is not for the faint of heart. Be sure to check the trigger warnings before proceeding.

The Ex-Wives by Jenna Kernan is available on October 10th.
( 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for sharing this intriguing thriller with me. Your kindness is appreciated.

It took until about 15% for me to get into it, but after that, I read the book in one sitting.
Elana is a strong character, caught in an awful situation.
The dynamics of her husbands family were fascinating.
I received a copy via NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

Holy moly! It’s been a while since I’ve read a good thriller/mystery book. This checked all the boxes. While, I never met Jackson, his creepy-ness was pouring out of the book. And the determination and courage that Elana showed is nothing short of amazing. I can not wait to read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!