This was a fast read and I liked Keogh’s writing style. The set-up for this book was really interesting and I liked that the story was told from multiple POVs. However, I didn’t really like any of the characters, which was disappointing. The plot twists were not anything earth shattering but were very entertaining and i definitely did not see the ending coming!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A real roller coaster of a story with its ups and downs as well as twist and turns. When so many have a reason for wanting a person gone, we’re kept guessing.

Natasha and Daniel seemed to have it all. The new couple met, moved in together and got married quickly, then only had time for a short honeymoon. Daniel was later able to take more time off, and being the wealthy man he is (one of the main reasons Natasha married him), offered to pay for a cruise, inviting Natasha’s best friends and their husbands. Doing so may have been the death of him…

This is quite the dramatic group of people! Barbara’s husband Ralph recently retired…and along with giving up work, he gave up on hobbies, leaving the house and even showering. When Daniel came into their lives, Barbara was able to escape into a fantasy where a man as sexy as him might be interested in a mundane, middle-aged woman like herself.

Tracy Ann is also getting bored in her marriage. Her husband Blake is handsome and sweet, but she doesn’t know anyone else intimately, and she’s worried her good looks will soon go by the wayside. When Daniel came into their lives, a brief moment at a party changed her life, and her marriage, forever.

Michele and her husband Don have raised their kids and are now ready for the next chapter. When Daniel came into their lives, he ended up making sure their next chapter would be bankruptcy - definitely not what they’d been working towards their whole marriage.

Basically, they all have reason want Daniel dead, and during the cruise, secrets start to come out between the eight friends. A lot of alcohol, along with a lot of deception, makes for a very tense vacation, and it was so fun watching it all play out. This was a very fast page turner, and a delightful popcorn thriller - perfect for a vacation read. Just be careful of your traveling partners! Four stars.

(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Valerie Keogh and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on November 6, 2024.)

What a fun book to read! Easy read, kept me guessing! Loved that it took place on a cruise ship. Definitely interested in reading more books by this author! Thank you net galley, the author and publisher for this opportunity!

I definitely didn’t expect much here.

You know the plot already – besties on vacation, oops secrets, oops murder…oops more secrets…toxic, toxic, toxic.

And, yes, it’s all that. But it’s also got just the right amount of scandal, a person who really needs to die (horribly if possible), and the book is chock full of surprises.

I munched my popcorn and thoroughly enjoyed the read.

Is it a beach read? Absolutely! Is it a lot of fun? Absolutely!

Enjoyed this!

• ARC via Publisher

What a great read. I was really hooked from the start, so fast paced and easy to read. Superficially the characters are all quite stereotypical, but wow, what undercurrents are going on underneath. Clever plot with an unpredictable ending.

Stunning nail biting writing yet again.

8 friends on a cruise what on earth could go wrong? Apparently everything, blackmail, deceit, murder to to start with. Page turning blockbuster I could not put this book down. Easy reading ideal for holidays, unless you are on a cruise.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book.

Thanks for the advanced reader copy of the wives.


A solid 3 star read for me. Often predictable and the characters were flat but I liked the storyline and setting on a cruise.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I finished this sooooo quickly, something about shorter chapters and multiple POV’s makes me read so fast. I really enjoyed it as I love a bit of mystery. I’m not usually that shocked by the plot twists but this one got me!! Was decent pay off in the end. I don’t think it’s one that will particularly stick with me, but it’s perfect for a quick and enjoyable read. I would have like to know more about Daniel and maybe get either some background on him or his POV, even just a chapter but regardless I had a good time reading it and couldn’t put it down until I had the answers.

Wow what an amazingly fabulous read this turned out to be and did I see the twist coming !!! No I did not !! Natasha and Daniel on a cruise taking Natasha friends all expenses paid. A chance for Natasha to show her friends how weak she’s done in Daniel but all is not what it seems and as the secrets and death occur who will be the killer?? 5+ star read for me thanks for the arc and the chance to read and review.

The Wives is full of friendships, drama, secrets and betrayal. All while on the perfect setting of a cruise ship. I didn't know who I could trust. While none of the characters are particularly likeable I think that's what made the story even better. It was like a competition of who is worse. While some of the twists were predictable, I did not predict the main twist. This is a quick and fun psychological thriller read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Four men and their wives take a cruise to relax and have some fun.
Instead of fun, each wife has a secret she has been hiding from her best friends.
It all unfolds in an unexpected shock wave.
Valerie Keogh has written a marvelous hypnotic murder mystery with The Wives.
#TheWives
#ValerieKeogh
#Boldwood
#NetGalley

Lies and secrets... and they all come back to one man, Daniel! This is such a page turner of a book. I had the crimes pinned on almost every character at some point and was still guessing right to the end - which is a big shock too! Just the kind of exciting book I've come to expect from Valerie, and she didn't disappoint. Seems Daniel thought he could get away with anything. He totally underestimated The Wives!! 5 Stars!!

This was a fast read and I liked Keogh’s writing style. The set-up for this book was really interesting and I liked that the story was told from multiple POVs. However, I didn’t really like any of the characters, which was disappointing. The plot twists weren’t anything crazy and I guessed most of them beforehand, but the ending was quite interesting.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is my first book by this Valerie Keogh and I could not put it down, it was excellent.
Natasha and her new husband invite 3 couples to holiday with them on a luxury cruise ship and what follows is the holiday from hell.
The story was full of twists and turns as lots of secrets were revealed. Lots of the characters had a motive and I had no clue which way the story was going to pan out.
A brilliant 5 star read and I can’t wait to work my way through this authors previous books.
Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Valerie Keogh for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Natasha is tired of working as a nurse so when she meets Daniel she thinks he will make the perfect husband, ,,,but Daniel has secrets she doesn’t know!
He offers her friends a free cruise. What each don’t realize is each woman has a reason to want Daniel dead — so who murdered him or did he just pass away?

A good psychological thriller although I found it a bit slow in parts. Overall the characters were good and well described but for me personally it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC which I would recommend if you are looking for a good, well written book.

This was a very slow burn, hard to get into until the end. The ending was kind of disappointing to me I was expecting more since it was such a slow burn. The idea was great just not executed as well as I would have liked.

The Wives by Valerie Keogh is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of friendship, trust, and the dark secrets people often hide. The story revolves around five women—Imogen, Ruby, Naomi, Anabelle, and Grace—who are part of a close-knit group that meets weekly for drinks and dinner. On the surface, they share a sense of camaraderie, but as the novel unfolds, it becomes clear that each of them harbors deeply buried secrets.

The novel’s tension builds slowly as small hints are dropped, leaving readers to piece together the puzzle of each woman’s life. Keogh skillfully portrays the intricacies of the women’s friendships, showing how envy, suspicion, and insecurity can erode trust. The characters are distinct and well-developed, though not always likable, which adds to the novel’s intrigue. Imogen, in particular, stands out as a complex character whose life unravels as she becomes suspicious of her friends and her own past.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is the way Keogh plays with the concept of unreliable narrators. The story is told from Imogen’s perspective, but as the plot progresses, readers begin to question her perceptions and mental stability. This element of doubt heightens the suspense, making the twists and turns more impactful.

Keogh’s writing style is taut and engaging, keeping readers on edge as the layers of deceit are peeled away. The pacing is steady, with a few sharp turns that will leave readers stunned, especially as the novel builds toward its shocking climax. The themes of betrayal, guilt, and self-deception are explored effectively, making this a psychological thriller that is both tense and thought-provoking.

While the book excels in creating suspense, some readers may find the ending a bit too abrupt, with certain threads left unresolved. However, this ambiguity could also be seen as a reflection of the unpredictability of human relationships and the complexities of the mind.

Overall, The Wives is a chilling exploration of trust and betrayal, with enough twists to keep fans of psychological thrillers thoroughly engaged. Valerie Keogh has crafted a dark and suspenseful tale that will linger in the minds of readers long after they’ve turned the last page.

Rating: 4/5

I always enjoy Valerie Keogh’s books and this was no exception I loved it. It gripped me from start to finish could not put it down once I started that was me hooked. I enjoyed the writing style and the way the characters were written. It was a thriller full of secrets lies and deceit. I can’t wait to recommend this excellent thriller and all of this author’s previous books as they just get better and better. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this great book.