Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, so I'm not able to leave a review. I look forward to reading and reviewing books by this author in the future.

Marriage drama, murder, suspense - what more could you want. Completely gripping and compulsively readable.

a dark and suspenseful thriller with themes of empowerment, revenge, and the psychology of rage and anger on the human brain and heart.
this was definitely a page-turner, i couldn't put it down and was constantly thinking about the book even after i had put the book down.

while i usually can say i support women's wrongs, this story didn't quite nail it for me.

The Vixen Amber Halloway by Carol LaHines is a dark and gripping exploration of betrayal, obsession, and psychological unraveling. Ophelia, a professor of Dante, is devastated when she learns of her husband Andy’s affair with a colleague, Amber. Consumed by rage and insecurity, Ophelia becomes fixated on tracking the couple’s every move, even moving into a house next door to Amber’s. As she spirals into obsession, LaHines deftly intertwines themes of personal trauma and female rage, creating a chilling narrative that mixes dark comedy, suspense, and emotional intensity. This novel is both a tense revenge fantasy and a poignant portrayal of a woman on the edge.

While I really tried, I just didn’t find myself engaged in this story. I think it just wasn’t for me, but I think many will enjoy.

A well-crafted story with plenty to appreciate. The pacing, characters, and plot twists kept me interested throughout. I'm looking forward to seeing how readers respond once it's released!

In Carol LaHines’ gripping narrative "The Vixen Amber Halloway," we are introduced to Ophelia, a professor of Dante who finds herself spiraling into a maelstrom of emotional turmoil when she uncovers her husband Andy's infidelity with a charming colleague, Amber. This act of betrayal serves as a catalyst for Ophelia’s figurative descent into hell, echoing the very themes of loss and despair found in Dante's work. Through her obsessive behavior, surveillance tactics, and an intense fixation on Amber, Ophelia's journey becomes a multifaceted exploration of women’s rage, psychological breakdown, and the complexities of human relationships. Ophelia's transformation begins with the shocking realization of her husband’s infidelity, an event that shatters her sense of security and trust. The emotional devastation she experiences is compounded by the resurfacing of childhood trauma—the abandonment by her mother at the tender age of eight. This pivotal moment in Ophelia's past intertwines with her present crisis, leading to an intricate interplay of memories and emotions that drive her subsequent actions. LaHines poignantly illustrates how past wounds can haunt an individual, shaping their responses to present-day circumstances. The revelation of Andy’s affair does not merely signify a betrayal; it unearths a deeper existential crisis, forcing Ophelia to confront her fears of abandonment and worthlessness. As Ophelia descends further into her obsessive quest for knowledge about Andy and Amber, she resorts to unconventional methods of surveillance, often carrying out her investigations from the confines of her dilapidated Volvo. This choice of vehicle symbolizes her deteriorating mental state—once a reliable companion, now a mere shell of its former self, mirroring Ophelia’s own unraveling. Her decision to move into the property next door to Amber’s, a house that has fallen into foreclosure, exemplifies her desperation and disconnection from reality. What was once a life of academic achievements and respectable profession transforms into a darkly comedic and suspenseful narrative as Ophelia's fixation grows more consuming. LaHines skillfully employs elements of humor and irony in depicting Ophelia's increasingly bizarre behavior. The dark comedy woven throughout the narrative serves to highlight the absurdity of her situation, drawing readers into the complex emotional landscape of a woman grappling with betrayal and despair. Ophelia's journey becomes not just a tale of revenge but also a poignant reflection on the societal pressures women face regarding fidelity, relationships, and personal identity. Her eventual confrontation with Andy and Amber is not merely an act of vengeance; it is an eruption of bottled rage and pain, an assertion of agency in a world that has rendered her powerless. In the climax of the story, when Andy proposes to Amber, Ophelia's psychological breakdown reaches its peak. The engagement becomes the final straw, compelling Ophelia to confront not only her husband’s betrayal but also the remnants of her own unresolved trauma. Her actions reveal the lengths to which one may go when pushed to the edge, blurring the lines between sanity and madness. LaHines crafts a gripping narrative that serves as both a cautionary tale and a powerful exploration of the human psyche, leaving readers to contemplate the consequences of betrayal and the complexities of revenge. In conclusion, "The Vixen Amber Halloway" is a masterful exploration of one woman’s descent into darkness following the devastating betrayal of her husband. Through Ophelia’s obsessive surveillance, her emotional turmoil, and her ultimate confrontation with the truth, Carol LaHines creates a narrative that resonates with themes of rage, loss, and the search for identity. Ophelia’s journey not only reflects the profound impact of personal trauma but also challenges societal norms surrounding relationships and fidelity. As readers, we are left to ponder the fragility of trust and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of betrayal.

I’m not even sure what I just read. Talk about unhinged. I really wanted to stop after a certain scene with a dog(if you are a dog lover like me, skip this book).

I picked the book because of the cover. It really drew me in. But I wish I would have put it down and not finished.
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Pretty much the whole book is toxic. I wanted to love it, The book description sounds way better than the actual book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for a honest review.

This sounded like it should have been right up my street but after getting about 20% in, I can't bring myself to carry on as there is so much else I'd rather be reading

The Vixen Amber Halloway is an intriguing book, but it can be challenging for non-native speakers due to its complex vocabulary. The story throws you right in, making the beginning a bit hard to follow. However, the time jumps are one of the book’s strengths, enhancing the narrative without adding confusion.

The downside is that the anticlimactic crime makes the journey feel like it wasn’t worth the read. Despite that, it’s a beautifully written novel, though not always easy to digest.

The Vixen Amber Halloway tells the story of classics professor Ophelia, whose husband is having an affair. It's told in alternating timelines with the past focusing on Ophelia discovering the affair and subsequently stalking her husband and his affair partner, and the present focusing on Ophelia's meeting with her prison psychiatrist. They mostly discuss Ophelia's childhood after her mother left her to move to Florida with her own affair partner, and Ophelia's fear of abandonment, which is obviously exacerbated by the situation with her husband.

The story was entertaining, although it could get repetitive at times. There were numerous references to the same scenes over and over again without expanding on them too much, which in a book this short becomes a bit tedious. Since Ophelia is a classics professor, it would have been nice if there were more references to Greek mythology as well, although I did enjoy the references to Dante that were included. Ophelia had a very unique voice in this story that did a good job of showcasing how aloof and clinical she was as a character. This will be a good one for readers who enjoy books with unlikable or unreliable narrators.

Compelling angle on the spurned wife story, with terrific writing and characterizations by LaHines. Will definitely recommend to others.

This darkly comedic novel delves into the unraveling psyche of Ophelia, a professor whose life spirals out of control after discovering her husband's infidelity. The story masterfully blends suspense and dark humor as Ophelia's obsessive surveillance and quest for revenge push her closer to the edge. A gripping exploration of betrayal, trauma, and the depths of one woman’s rage, this book is as unsettling as it is compelling.

This book was interesting. I am a fan of the unhinged trope & this read like a fever dream.
I did find it repetitive. & the ending fell flat in my opinion.
I liked Ophelia. I empathized with her while I was reading but will not think of her again.

I finally finished reading this book yesterday, and I needed a day to sit with my thoughts. Having read many thrillers this year, I found the structure of this one to be quite different. The story revolves around Ophelia, who discovers that her husband, Andy, has been cheating on her with a coworker named Amber Halloway. Devastated and filled with anger and grief, Ophelia decides to follow the two lovers, carefully watching their every move. Andy's betrayal reawakens the trauma of Ophelia's mother abandoning her when she was only eight years old, causing her to become increasingly detached from reality.

Despite its relatively short length, the book manages to pack a punch. Although there is some repetition in the narration, it's important to remember that the narrator is unreliable. This aspect, while initially jarring, adds depth to the story and makes it an enjoyable read. The narrative shifts back and forth between the past and present, a technique I'm not usually a fan of. However, the author's writing made it work for me, at least most of the time.

As you progress through the book, Ophelia's mental health becomes increasingly precarious, driven by her deteriorating relationship with her husband. Given the turn of events, I found myself disliking Andy intensely. The book delves into themes of obsession, mental breakdown, and betrayal, which could be upsetting for some readers. Proceed with caution if these topics are sensitive for you.

Overall, I enjoyed the writing and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

All women have felt that primordial fire of rage; few get to release it. This novel will send you on a bullet train of a ride with a complicated and fascinating main character, laughing macabrely in spite of yourself.

This advanced reader's copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Pretty neurotic i must say. Our main character spirals into madness, we witness an unreliable narrator deep in her rage and hungry for revenge.

Thanks to Netgalley, Regal House Publishing, and Carol LaHines for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed The Vixen Amber Halloway. It was a quick, easy read. I was drawn in immediately and read it in one sitting.

I loved Ophelia, even though she was clearly unbalanced. Her actions were very erratic, I wasn't sure what she was going to do next, which made for a twisty, unpredictable read.

3 stars from me. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I'm a sucker for unhinged women and female rage stories. However, The Vixen Amber Halloway felt immature to me. The characters were one-dimensional and stereotypical, lacking creativity. The only redeeming factor is the short, easy-to-read chapters.

While this story may not have worked for me, I would give the author another chance!