A fast paced read.
Some good twists but not the best from this author.in my opinion.
A decent thriller.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

My secret past is coming to get me.
Pregnant Soriah is happy with her life married to her lovely husband Marcus, but she holds secrets going back and it won't be left there.
The quiet wife is a story jumping out to be told, as the author takes us back and forth for readers to find the truth.
Chilling gripping chapters that sends shivers, a well written book with plenty of mind blowing chapters.
Sets out to be just a few chapters that you find yourself wanting to read the next as it can't be left alone.
I loved it.

This was one of the best reads I have read in awhile! I will be looking for more reads from this author. Soriah is definetly a quiet wife. No matter what life throws at her she remains quiet. The book flips between past and present so you do not have to guess what happened. I thougt I had the book figured out but I was very wrong. I was actually shocked at some points. You will not regret buying and reading this book!

Another twisty story from Diane Saxon and while it became somewhat obvious where the story was going, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. There are a few nasty characters but they add to the plot.

This is the first book of 2025 I have read and the bar has been set VERY high!! This psychological thriller is ridiculously hard to put down! The plot is centred around Soriah, a woman in her late 30s, who is married to Marcus, and struggling to conceive a much longed for baby. We learn early on that Soriah was the target of the unwanted advances of a peer at college. The story plays out in 2 distinct timelines, revealing the events at college 20 years previously, and current events, with Soriah receiving some unwanted communications, leading her to believe someone is threatening her. The intersection of these 2 timelines is superb - smoke and mirrors at their finest!!

A gripping read, fantastic plot and talented writing - this book is perfect!!

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

Wow what an amazing, unputdownable thriller, I found this book so hard to put down, I loved the book so much I will definitely be recommending this one.

Trigger Warning: SA, DV, and other traumas.

Wow. What a whirlwind of emotions as I finished this book. Part of me cannot believe how much trauma the main character, Soriah, endured in this book. The other part of me wonders how the heck the author thought up this story. Twister, dark, but very cleverly written.

I loved the dual time line in telling this story. It was very smoothly written and helped the story progress. It was also told from multiple points of views between the dual time lines. This books definitely touches on seem very sick, dark and twisted concepts. Sexual assault, stalking, murder, domestic violence, kidnap, and multiple avenues of drama. If you are triggered by those things, this book probably isn’t for you because it goes into this way in depth.

The plot was good, the climax was good, the ending was good (but predictable). I like that Soriah finds her strength eventually and overcomes what she’s been faced with.

I can’t say much else without my giving the book away or mentioning spoilers.

Definitely worth a read and is 10/10 in the thriller/suspense category.

When you pick up a Diane Saxon novel you know you're in for a treat. She doesn't shy away from difficult subjects and I feel writes empathetically about her characters. This book centres of Soriah, both present day and flashbacks to 20 years previously while she was in college.
In college we meet her friend Gilly and Craig, a wannabee boyfriend, who collude together to create a relationship between Soriah and Craig. This has a disastrous outcome and effects the rest of Soriah's life.
Added to this we have a secret POV, someone who is watching Soriahs every move.
This novel is tense, most of the characters are likeable, but of course it wouldn't be a thriller if there weren't some nasty characters too. And some of those are definitely who you wouldn't expect.
To date this is my favourite Diane Saxon novel. I couldn't put it down

The Quiet Wife was an absolute page-turner. I found it incredibly difficult to put down as the story kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating what would happen next. The author masterfully weaves tension and intrigue throughout, making it a truly captivating read. Highly recommend!.

I was recently given the opportunity to review The Quiet Wife, and managed to fly through it in two sittings. (Thanks Net Galley!) The book takes place in two timelines, but with the same characters. I thought that might get confusing, but each chapter is very clearly labelled so we always know where we are. The main character is written as both a teenager and as an adult, and it's not hard to tell them apart. Her thoughts and feelings really sound youthful in those younger chapters. If you like books with a ton of action and drama, this one should satisfy. It is one thing after another! Bonus points for the adorable kitty.

Overall I really enjoyed the book. It kept my attention and had great twists! I recommend this to anyone who enjoys thrillers.

I enjoyed this book- it was a quick read for me and did keep me guessing. I was actually surprised with a few of the turns it took. Ultimately, I really liked the themes of strength and family in the book.

Overall I really liked this book! It kept my attention from the beginning. There were a lot of moving parts and I did like the story telling that took place at different times (past and present). I did guess the main ending but there was one twist I didn’t see coming!

Soriah, has a troubled past Twenty years ago she was kidnapped and raped. and now her kidnapper is being released from prison,

She is experiencing some odd events in her life but it's her very own secret that haunts her the most.
Past and present collide and what happens next is both gripping and unexpected.

This book is amazing to read, I did not and could not guess what was going to happen next and I was gripped.
As the story unfolded and I knew more about Soriah I was amazed that her secret did not reveal itself sooner.

a fab read

Soriah is married and plagued with issues from her past & strange things start happening that have forced her to face it. I haven’t read a decent thriller in a while, but this one was pretty good..
Thanks Netgalley for the copy!

"The Quiet Wife" by Diane Saxon is a chilling and suspenseful psychological thriller that will leave you breathless. Jodi, the protagonist, is trapped in a suffocating marriage with a controlling and emotionally abusive husband.

**What Makes It Stand Out:**

* **Atmospheric Tension:** Saxon masterfully builds suspense, creating an atmosphere of dread and unease that permeates every page. The pacing is impeccable, with the tension steadily increasing until it reaches a fever pitch.
* **Compelling Protagonist:** Jodi is a complex and sympathetic character. Her internal struggles are realistically portrayed, making her both relatable and unforgettable. The reader truly feels her fear, her desperation, and her growing determination to break free.
* **Unpredictable Twists:** The plot takes several unexpected turns, keeping the reader constantly guessing. Just when you think you've figured things out, Saxon throws in another curveball, leaving you reeling.

**Minor Criticisms:**

* **Some Predictability:** While the overall plot is unpredictable, some of the smaller twists and turns might be anticipated by seasoned thriller readers.

**Overall:**

"The Quiet Wife" is a captivating and thought-provoking read. It's a powerful exploration of the complexities of domestic abuse, highlighting the insidious nature of emotional manipulation and the courage it takes to break free.

**Recommendation:**

I highly recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers, particularly those who enjoy stories with strong female protagonists and a focus on suspense and suspense.

The Quiet Wife by Diane Saxon delivers a dark and suspenseful tale about trauma, resilience, and the complexities of survival. Told through alternating timelines spanning 20 years, the story follows Soriah, a woman haunted by the events of her past. Two decades ago, she endured a horrific ordeal at the hands of an obsessed fellow student, and now, as her assailant is released from prison, the life she’s carefully built begins to unravel.

The premise is gripping, and Saxon weaves an unsettling atmosphere that grips you from the start. The alternating timelines create an effective narrative structure, slowly revealing the depth of Soriah’s pain and the lengths she’s gone to in order to shield herself from her past. Themes of abuse, obsession, and the enduring effects of trauma are explored with unflinching honesty, making this book a challenging but thought-provoking read.

Soriah is a layered protagonist whose choices reflect the messy and non-linear nature of healing. While some of her decisions might leave readers puzzled or frustrated, they feel authentic to her experience as a trauma survivor. That said, her naivety and insistence on secrecy regarding her past sometimes felt contrived, especially as these choices repeatedly led to further danger.

The supporting cast adds complexity to the narrative, though not all relationships are equally developed. Soriah’s husband, Marcus, comes across as unsympathetic and one-dimensional, making it difficult to understand the dynamics of their marriage or why Soriah remains in the relationship. Conversely, Soriah’s mother stands out as a grounding presence, offering moments of wisdom and emotional clarity amidst the tension.

While The Quiet Wife delivers plenty of twists and turns, not all of them land as intended. The major plot twist is foreshadowed early, which may leave seasoned thriller readers underwhelmed. The suspense leading up to the reveal is palpable, but the payoff lacks the emotional punch it seems to aim for. Additionally, some threads remain unresolved by the end, leaving questions about certain characters’ motivations and the aftermath of key events.

Despite these shortcomings, the book is a fast-paced and compelling read. Saxon’s prose is engaging, and the suspense keeps the pages turning. While it doesn’t break new ground in the psychological thriller genre, The Quiet Wife is a solid choice for fans of dark, character-driven stories that explore the long shadows cast by trauma.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The story follows Soriah, told through alternating timelines spanning 20 years. In the past, Soriah endured a harrowing experience at the hands of a fellow student obsessed with her. Fast-forward to the present: she’s married, trying to start a family, and doing her best to keep her traumatic past buried—until her assailant is released from prison.

This book tackles heavy themes such as abuse, sexual assault, and the effects of obsessive, toxic behavior. The Quiet Wife is not for the faint of heart, as it delves into subjects that could provoke feelings of discomfort or distress, especially for those who’ve experienced similar situations.

A major plot twist is revealed, though it fell flat for me—I saw it coming almost as soon as the first clue was dropped. It might be because I’ve read too many books with similar twists, or perhaps the narrative didn’t build enough suspense around the reveal.

Soriah’s husband, Marcus, is as unlikable as expected, but even his ending didn’t deliver the satisfaction I was hoping for. Soriah herself is a deeply complex character. She endured unimaginable pain, and I can’t say what I’d do in her shoes. Some of her decisions didn’t resonate with me, but it’s important to acknowledge that victims respond to trauma in varied ways, and her reactions felt authentic, even if they didn’t align with what I might have chosen.

That said, the ending left me wanting. It lacked the closure I felt the story deserved, and something critical seemed to be missing, preventing it from fully landing its emotional impact.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I want to be ordinary. To fade into the shadows where no one notices me and live a quiet life. A normal life. But I am not ordinary. Not anymore! Good book! This book had suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, a sort of who done it and a few crazy twists and turns! The story was interesting, it wasn't one of my top favorite but still worth reading! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I thought this was a fast-paced read, but I walked away still not understanding the motivations of some of the characters. The story centers on Soriah and is told in alternating timelines from 20 years ago to current. Soriah suffered an unthinkable situation driven from a fellow student who was unhealthily obsessed with her. Fast-forward 20 years, she is now married and trying for a baby, while managing to keep her past buried, when her assailant is released from prison. She starts receiving threatening texts and anonymous gifts and is convinced her nightmare is starting again.

Soriah is a pretty naive character, in my opinion, and I never really understood why she went to such lengths to keep her past a secret. Her mom was a great character, though, and I felt like she helped her understand how to look at the big picture. I also didn't really understand the dynamic between Soriah and her husband Marcus- I wish I could have gotten more details into that relationship in the beginning because once other things started happening, I didn't feel like I had a baseline. There were plenty of twists and turns in the book, some which I figured out and some which I didn't. I thought the ending was satisfying, though I was still left with some unanswered questions.

Overall, I liked this book but I can't say I loved it- there were a couple things that I felt were just never made clear. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.