When this book opened with Natasha getting fed up with a job she once loved, as an intensive care nurse, then meeting Daniel, a handsome charismatic guy that's very rich.
Once they start dating, the red flags are there for all to see, I wanted to shake Natasha and tell her to run.
It's when Daniel suggests they go on a luxury cruise, and she invites her three best friends, Barbara, Michelle, and Tracey Ann, along with their husbands, that things get more interesting.
I thought to begin with this might be another of those books that was oh so predictable and I'm happy I was wrong.
A cruise ship is a great setting to allow the wives and their husbands to start revealing secrets they'd rather remained hidden.
There are some great reveals and shocks along the way. All the women and most of their husbands have had dealings with Daniel and not come out well. None of the other friends knows of their predicaments however.
I liked how the author hinted at the long last affect of the pandemic on nurses. I think a ticking time bomb that's waiting to blow. It also shows how difficult adult friendships are, particularly if not everyone goes off to marry and have children. Being the same age as the characters I could relate to a lot of the struggles.
A really quick read I couldn't put down.

The Wives by Valerie Keogh ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This thriller involves 4 couples on one cruise ship that ends in 1 death and the unraveling of friendship. No one can be trusted and the characters are unreliable.

A brilliant read by Valerie Keogh. An intreguing story from the beginning focusing around the central characters of Daniel & Natasha, who seemingly have it all. 4 girls and their husbands all going on a cruise together paid for and arranged by Daniel, but is all what it seems?

Could not put this book down, an absolutely additive read.

The Wives was a fast paced page turner. The characters weren't very likeable, and they had many secrets from each other. Supposed best friends who set out together on a cruise where secrets begin to be discovered, and events turn deadly. While I didn't love the characters, I did enjoy the storyline. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

When Natasha met Daniel at a gallery opening, their attraction was mutual. He is in finance, always by his phone, constantly working. She is a nurse manager with a successful career, who always thought she’d be someone, unlike her friends who settle down to be housewives.
The foursome, along with Barbara, Michele and Tracy Ann are friends from university, they share their ups and downs through life.
After a few months of meeting David he suggests she moved to his big penthouse with an amazing view of the city. Her tiny flat is not comparison, but it’s her place and conveniently close to the clinic.
After delivering she moved out and shortly after, he proposed.
Her friends think their relationship is going too fast, now she quits her job.
He decides to invite her three friends and their husbands on a seven-night cruise around the Zanzibar Archipelago. Her fiends are skeptical but they agree nonetheless.
Daniel’s success seems to be shady but his not the only one with secrets. The cruise seems to be the perfect setting to discover each and everyone’s hidden past.
I really enjoyed it, I couldn’t put it down

This is my second Valerie Keogh book and I loved it! This read was fast paced and kept me at the edge of my seat. The ending carried the biggest plot twist! Valerie Kepgh is becoming an auto buy author for me!

I will read anything by this author she’s a must read. It’s like a guilty pleasure for me! The only problem I finish the book to fast!!

Natasha feels that her dreams have come true when she meets the handsome perfect Daniel. Natasha believes he’s everything she ever wanted, handsome, charming and wealthy. After getting married she’s shocked when Daniel offers an all-expenses paid cruise for Natasha, her friends, Barbara, Tracy Ann and Michelle, and even their husbands!! Natasha believes this is the perfect time to show off her new life. But as soon as the trip begins Natasha she soon begins to realize that Daniel is not the perfect husband she imagined him to be. It’s apparent that Daniel is hiding dark secrets that are threatening to be exposed and it’s soon apparent that each of the wives have their own reasons for wanting him to die! When you mix alcohol, along with a lot of deception it makes a tense vacation, we watch it all play out. This was a very fast page turner, and a delightful popcorn thriller - perfect for a vacation read. Just be careful who you invite on your next vacation!

Book Review: The Wives by Valerie Keogh

Rating: 2 Stars

As someone who eagerly dives into psychological thrillers, I was excited to pick up The Wives by Valerie Keogh. The premise seemed promising: Natasha, seemingly having it all with her rich and charming husband Daniel, discovers that their perfect life is built on a shaky foundation of lies and secrets. An enticing cruise with friends and their husbands quickly morphs into a dangerous game where everyone has a motive against Daniel. The book promises a gripping plot that should keep you on the edge of your seat.

However, as I sailed through the pages, I found myself stranded in disappointment. The narrative setup was intriguing, with its promise of suspense and drama. Unfortunately, the execution left much to be desired. My biggest hurdle was the characters, each more unlikable than the last. Natasha, who should have been a compelling protagonist caught in a web of deceit, felt flat and difficult to empathize with. Her friends and their husbands didn't fare much better. Instead of rooting for them or feeling invested in their fates, I was mostly detached and frustrated.

The storyline had potential, especially with the revelations and twists that are essential in a thriller. But instead of surprising or thrilling me, the plot twists felt predictable and somewhat forced. There was a lack of depth that made it hard for me to stay engaged. Instead of being drawn into the mystery, I found myself skimming through sections, hoping for something more substantial to latch onto.

Overall, while The Wives had an intriguing concept, it ultimately fell flat for me. The characters were hard to connect with, and the suspense that should have driven the narrative was lacking. It's a two-star read for me—perhaps others might find it more thrilling, but it just didn't hit the mark for this avid thriller fan.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"The Wives" by Valerie Keogh is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complex and dark facets of marriage and trust. The novel masterfully unravels a tale of suspense, mystery, and unexpected revelations that keep the readers hooked.

At the heart of the story is Susan, a woman who seemingly has it all—a successful career, a loving husband, and a comfortable life. However, beneath the surface is a world of secrets and lies that begins to unravel when she discovers her husband, James, has been living a double life. The revelation that James has another wife, Alice, shatters Susan's world and sets off a chain of events that plunge her into a web of deception and danger.

Valerie Keogh skillfully crafts a narrative that alternates between Susan's perspective and Alice's, providing a deep and nuanced exploration of their emotions, motivations, and the psychological impact of betrayal. The characters are well-developed and believable, each grappling with their own inner demons and vulnerabilities.

The plot is tightly woven, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Keogh's ability to build suspense is exceptional, as she gradually unveils the layers of deceit and the true nature of the characters involved. The pacing is perfect, with a steady build-up of tension that culminates in a thrilling and satisfying climax.

One of the standout elements of the novel is its exploration of the themes of trust, loyalty, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets. Keogh deftly portrays the emotional turmoil and moral dilemmas faced by the characters, making their struggles relatable and compelling.

"The Wives" is a captivating and thought-provoking thriller that will leave you questioning the nature of trust and the complexities of human relationships. Valerie Keogh has delivered a masterful and unforgettable story.

This novel is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted tale of suspense and intrigue.

What a great read with twists and turns, secrets revealed. Interesting characters and how they interacted. Would recommend this book

When Natasha meets charismatic Daniel, it's a whirlwind romance and marriage. Shortly after their wedding, Daniel books them and Natasha's three best friends and their husbands on a plush cruise. When a murderer strikes, everyone has their reasons to kill, but who did finally break?

I found the book quite predictable, but also didn't like a single character so actually didn't care what happened. I genuinely couldn't figure out why the group were friends, none of them were nice! I did however like the descriptions of the cruise and of the ship, and I enjoyed the fast pace, but it didn't feel suspenseful as I worked out who had done it and why. Not my favourite by this author, but I will look out for more.

This was an enjoyable read and I really hope that there will be a second book to follow on from this one. Loved the character building and the ending was surprising.

Another great story from Valerie Keogh! This story had me guessing all the way through. I did feel that it was a little slow to start but once I got into it I struggled to put it down. I was not expecting the ending!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGally for the eARC! A twisty whodunit story filled with lies from the characters! I didn't see the ending coming- I knew someone was going to kill the main character but I didnt expect how it was done!

Valerie Keogh has a knack for keeping readers engaged and The Wives is a perfect example. Her writing kept me engaged throughout even though the characters never seemed realistic or likable. Four women, best friends for years, travel on a cruise together with their husbands, three of the couples having been invited by the new groom. As secrets are revealed division between the friends as well as their spouses continue to snowball until a death brings things to a head. Events are at times are seemingly implausible but Keogh’s writing kept me totally engaged.
Many thanks to Net Galley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of The Wives.

I've noticed lately that cruise ships seem to be the place to kill kith or kin and leave no trail. Too many people breathing the same air. These four couples come together on a tropical cruise to prove to each other how lucky they are and gossip, gossip, gossip. But when the bodies start dropping, friendships disappear and suspicions multiply quickly. The tension mounts and the couples learn exactly how close they are.

This was a good thriller and perfect for summer/holiday reading.

I love Valerie Keogh’s books and this one was enjoyable. Felt it slow down a bit towards the end but still kept me entertained.

Thank you NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

An enjoyable thriller which is quite fast paced. This is told in multiple perspectives and kept me guessing on the various motivations. A light read for the holidays.

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

This Christmas inspired flatlay features The Wives by Valerie Keogh a mystery-suspense novel set on a cruise!

This story follows four middle aged women, Natasha the FMC, and her three friends, Michele, Tracy Ann and Barbara, who head out on a cruise with their husbands. While the chapters alternate between characters, the narration does not change, so the story is quite easy to follow, you're not constantly trying to remember who is talking! The group of 4 couples head out on a cruise together on the coast of Africa, and have mixed feelings about spending the week together, specifically when it comes to Natasha's cocky and outgoing husband, Daniel. As the story progresses it becomes clear that all of the women (including Natasha) and their husbands are not the biggest fans of Daniel, in fact, there might be a few among the group who wouldn't mind if he happened to not make it until the end of the cruise....

It is a pretty easy and light read that is perfect for anyone heading off on a vacation this holiday break! It is not scary or super suspense-filled, more of a "who did it?" kind of slow reveal. There was a fair amount of storytelling in the last chapters and epilogue though, so it really does come down to the last bit to wrap things up. Overall, a decent book that falls somewhere between beach read and suspense/thriller. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher, Boldwood, for giving me a chance to read and review this book!

Thank you Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Valerie Keogh for the eARC of The Wives.

A group of friends take a boat trip and that can only mean one thing?! Secrets, jealousy and unlikeable characters! It took me a little while to engage in the narrative which was probably just me feeling distracted but once engaged, I really enjoyed The Wives.

In these psychological thrillers, you usually get a mixture of likeable and unlikeable characters, in this one. I didn't like any of them. They were so horrible to each other, you wonder what keeps them together. You definitely find out which makes for a compelling read.

3.75 stars for story graph, 4 stars for other reviewing sites.