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The Marriage Lie
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Mystery & Thriller (2017)Even the perfect marriage has its dark side…
Iris and Will's marriage is as close to perfect as it can be: a large house in a nice Atlanta neighborhood, rewarding careers and the excitement of trying for their first baby. But on the morning Will leaves for a business trip to Orlando, Iris's happy world comes to an abrupt halt. Another plane headed for Seattle has crashed into a field, killing everyone on board, and according to the airline, Will was one of the passengers on this plane.
Grief-stricken and confused, Iris is convinced it all must be a huge misunderstanding. But as time passes and there is still no sign of Will, she reluctantly accepts that he is gone. Still, Iris needs answers. Why did Will lie about where he was going? What is in Seattle? And what else has he lied about? As Iris sets off on a desperate quest to find out what her husband was keeping from her, the answers she receives will shock her to her very core.
Iris and Will's marriage is as close to perfect as it can be: a large house in a nice Atlanta neighborhood, rewarding careers and the excitement of trying for their first baby. But on the morning Will leaves for a business trip to Orlando, Iris's happy world comes to an abrupt halt. Another plane headed for Seattle has crashed into a field, killing everyone on board, and according to the airline, Will was one of the passengers on this plane.
Grief-stricken and confused, Iris is convinced it all must be a huge misunderstanding. But as time passes and there is still no sign of Will, she reluctantly accepts that he is gone. Still, Iris needs answers. Why did Will lie about where he was going? What is in Seattle? And what else has he lied about? As Iris sets off on a desperate quest to find out what her husband was keeping from her, the answers she receives will shock her to her very core.
334 pages, Paperback
First published December 27, 2016
About the author
Kimberly Belle
19 books4,731 followersKimberly Belle is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author with over one million copies sold worldwide, with titles including The Paris Widow, The Marriage Lie, a Goodreads Choice Awards semifinalist for Best Mystery & Thriller, and the co-authored #1 Audible Original, Young Rich Widows. Kimberly’s novels have been optioned for film and television and selected by LibraryReads and Amazon & Apple Books Editors as Best Books of the Month, and the International Thriller Writers as nominee for best book of the year. She divides her time between Atlanta and Amsterdam.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,973 reviews
June 28, 2019
**Spoilers**
Until the 80% mark, this book was a solid 4/4.5 stars. Good plot, good characters, great pacing with a highly engaging prose. So why one star? We'll come back to that.
It starts off with a plane crash, one in which Will Griffith had been a passenger. Will, you see, never should have been on that flight.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, the grieving widow is confronted with a situation that indicates the marriage was based on mistruths. Will was far from who he said he was. I mean, the oh-shit-oh-no-he-didn't kind. Everything he'd ever told Iris about his past (or present) were lies.
Iris- with help from her twin brother- sets out to get answers only to discover a sinister plan, one that could potentially make her an accessory to embezzlement, perhaps even lead to her demise.
During this period, Iris has a great support system. The aforementioned brother, her parents, Evan the lawyer (who lost his wife and daughter in the crash). Then there was Corban, Will's gym buddy/friend who, surprisingly, had never met Iris. Corban is a tall, cover-of-a-magazine-handsome Black man.
Turns out Corban was also the villain. A Black man as the psychotic, delusional, narcissistic criminal? The lone black male in an array of non-POC characters. The only black male character, not penned by an African-American writer, that I've ever seen in a mainstream book (Alex Cross aside).
The message was cleverly constructed but it was one I easily deciphered. That Corban had his head blown to bits (while holding Iris hostage) was yet another message. Subliminal, yet it re-calibrates perception of the black man.
Do you want to know why I gave this one star?
I have 3 Black sons who, prior to moving to the US for college, had the biggest afros. Afros which they wore with pride while attending schools in England and France. Well mannered, articulate and kind boys.
The minute they stepped on US soil, my sister plowed the afros to within an inch of their scalps. Out went any clothing with a hood. Should they leave school after 6 pm, they are not allowed to use any cab service except those we had pre-approved and even then, only with selected drivers.
As Tall as they are, they know to avoid any behavior that could be misconstrued as menacing or threatening. Their hands must be visible while in public and the 3 must NEVER move as a group. No group trips to the mall, Burger King or whatnot. NEVER.
Am I paranoid? Certainly.
Initially, when we were introduced to Corban, I was beyond excited. Finally, a beautiful Black man as supporting cast, I said. I hope K. Belle doesn't make him the antagonist, I said.
I spoke too soon.
How terribly cliche, Ms Belle and what a shame that is.
February 7, 2017
This book was the definition of suspense and compulsive reading. I didn’t want to put it down! As this was my first experience with a Kimberly Belle novel, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but my Nana Book Bestie assured me it was a must read and I had to get my hands on it. As always, her recommendation didn’t disappoint and am happy to say I’m the newest member of the K-Belle Fan Club! After a few longer books, I was looking for something to be a quick, thrilling read that I could get through in the blink of an eye, and here it was!
My greatest pleasant surprise was how much I connected with the characters in this story. Usually, when I’m reading psychological suspense, I enjoy the thrilling aspects but feel the character depth and development is lacking; not so here. The characters were diverse in gender, sexuality, and race, but without being so in a pushy, “I’m trying to be diverse” kind of way. I also loved how it felt I was along the journey with Iris; I kept wondering just where we would end up, and while I didn’t feel this book contained a large twist, I was grateful for that. Too many times I’ve entered into a book with my expectations hinged on one shocking moment, and this book was more reliably enjoyable. I found comfort in a “normal” ending as it caused me to focus on the characters and writing style in greater detail.
If you are looking for a quick read that you simply can’t put down, I highly recommend picking up The Marriage Lie. It had all the components of a book to bust your reading slump and get into the groove of enjoying reading again. This is just a personal note, but I would LOVE to see a spin off book featuring Evan Sheffield and his personal journey after the events of TML. Also, I may have a slight book crush on him. Book Boyfriend Evan; it has a nice ring to it.
My greatest pleasant surprise was how much I connected with the characters in this story. Usually, when I’m reading psychological suspense, I enjoy the thrilling aspects but feel the character depth and development is lacking; not so here. The characters were diverse in gender, sexuality, and race, but without being so in a pushy, “I’m trying to be diverse” kind of way. I also loved how it felt I was along the journey with Iris; I kept wondering just where we would end up, and while I didn’t feel this book contained a large twist, I was grateful for that. Too many times I’ve entered into a book with my expectations hinged on one shocking moment, and this book was more reliably enjoyable. I found comfort in a “normal” ending as it caused me to focus on the characters and writing style in greater detail.
If you are looking for a quick read that you simply can’t put down, I highly recommend picking up The Marriage Lie. It had all the components of a book to bust your reading slump and get into the groove of enjoying reading again. This is just a personal note, but I would LOVE to see a spin off book featuring Evan Sheffield and his personal journey after the events of TML. Also, I may have a slight book crush on him. Book Boyfriend Evan; it has a nice ring to it.
February 27, 2017
*3.5 stars*
Ever wish that you just didn’t have to rate a book? That you could simply read it, ponder its significance, or lack thereof, and then…*gasp*…move on? For us avid reviewers here on Goodreads, that’s not really an option. We take our *job* very seriously, as we should, because there is an emptiness that lingers after finishing a book when we don't outwardly express our thoughts in some way. It can almost feel as though we didn't read the book at all…we become those trees, crashing down soundlessly in deserted forests.
But sometimes it’s hard being critical, dammit. And not every emotion can be adequately explained or fairly measured through a limited band of stars. I’ll give it a shot, though, so my experience with this book doesn't friggen disintegrate.
I’m giving this book three and half stars, but it’s a really GOOD three and a half stars! I loved the premise of this story, and the writing in the beginning did a tremendous job pulling me in. It was impressive and had me flipping those pages like the animalistic page-flipper I can sometimes be, dying to know what was going on and where all the suspense was leading.
Lies, lies, lies…and then some more lies. That is the basis of this story. After her husband is killed in a plane crash, Iris learns that Will was not at all the man she thought he was. This book then becomes driven by Iris’s frantic chase of the truth, as she gathers shocking bits and pieces of her husband’s past and struggles to fit them all together.
This story expertly poses the question: Can you truly know someone if everything they've ever told you about themselves is a lie? And then attempts to answer this question through a plot overflowing with doubt and suspicion. You will question the validity of everything, and it is addicting, to say the least.
My qualms can best be expressed through a strange comparison of a beloved old game show I used to watch with my grandmother—The $10,000 Pyramid, with host, Dick Clark. I’m referring to the speed round at the end, when the winning pair of contestants guess at category titles listed on the pyramid. The answers typically go like this: "Things a mortician would say!"
While reading, I felt as though every single character in this book could have been neatly pressed inside one of those golden triangles of stereotypes on that pyramid. The criminals did and said what you'd expect them to. The lawyer was a textbook case. The psychologist said everything you’d expect a qualified psychologist to say. The gay man fit the hollywood stereotype to a T. The pretty, popular girl in high school was as generic as they come… and I think you get the point.
It felt like this author played strictly by the rules, not venturing too far outside the box while composing her cast of characters, and it didn't really seem as if the use of stereotypes was necessary to enhance this plot (as sometimes is the case).
I know my complaint is pretty elaborate, but the thing is, I really did enjoy this read—namely the first half. The second half began to lose its spark a bit, but the first fifty percent or so was solid enjoyment. Then there’s the very ending…that final, tiny twist after the twist that sneaks in as quietly as a whisper, but changes the dynamic entirely. Kind of crazy—and I kind of loved it.
A good read that I’d recommend to thriller seekers! (And possibly The $10,000 Pyramid show lovers?)
Ever wish that you just didn’t have to rate a book? That you could simply read it, ponder its significance, or lack thereof, and then…*gasp*…move on? For us avid reviewers here on Goodreads, that’s not really an option. We take our *job* very seriously, as we should, because there is an emptiness that lingers after finishing a book when we don't outwardly express our thoughts in some way. It can almost feel as though we didn't read the book at all…we become those trees, crashing down soundlessly in deserted forests.
But sometimes it’s hard being critical, dammit. And not every emotion can be adequately explained or fairly measured through a limited band of stars. I’ll give it a shot, though, so my experience with this book doesn't friggen disintegrate.
I’m giving this book three and half stars, but it’s a really GOOD three and a half stars! I loved the premise of this story, and the writing in the beginning did a tremendous job pulling me in. It was impressive and had me flipping those pages like the animalistic page-flipper I can sometimes be, dying to know what was going on and where all the suspense was leading.
Lies, lies, lies…and then some more lies. That is the basis of this story. After her husband is killed in a plane crash, Iris learns that Will was not at all the man she thought he was. This book then becomes driven by Iris’s frantic chase of the truth, as she gathers shocking bits and pieces of her husband’s past and struggles to fit them all together.
This story expertly poses the question: Can you truly know someone if everything they've ever told you about themselves is a lie? And then attempts to answer this question through a plot overflowing with doubt and suspicion. You will question the validity of everything, and it is addicting, to say the least.
My qualms can best be expressed through a strange comparison of a beloved old game show I used to watch with my grandmother—The $10,000 Pyramid, with host, Dick Clark. I’m referring to the speed round at the end, when the winning pair of contestants guess at category titles listed on the pyramid. The answers typically go like this: "Things a mortician would say!"
While reading, I felt as though every single character in this book could have been neatly pressed inside one of those golden triangles of stereotypes on that pyramid. The criminals did and said what you'd expect them to. The lawyer was a textbook case. The psychologist said everything you’d expect a qualified psychologist to say. The gay man fit the hollywood stereotype to a T. The pretty, popular girl in high school was as generic as they come… and I think you get the point.
It felt like this author played strictly by the rules, not venturing too far outside the box while composing her cast of characters, and it didn't really seem as if the use of stereotypes was necessary to enhance this plot (as sometimes is the case).
I know my complaint is pretty elaborate, but the thing is, I really did enjoy this read—namely the first half. The second half began to lose its spark a bit, but the first fifty percent or so was solid enjoyment. Then there’s the very ending…that final, tiny twist after the twist that sneaks in as quietly as a whisper, but changes the dynamic entirely. Kind of crazy—and I kind of loved it.
A good read that I’d recommend to thriller seekers! (And possibly The $10,000 Pyramid show lovers?)
July 17, 2017
Audiobook.....
"I can't take another moment of this parade of mourners" says Iris! Me Either!
Iris is exasperating to listen to. "My Will"..."My Will"...."My Will"..... he is supposed to be in Orlando.... I'm exhausted listening to Iris repeat herself - whine like a two year old - be rude to everyone around her- ( yucky verbally rude). I just stopped caring about the story!
Iris is a psychologist. Frightening! Just frightening!!!
2 stars FOR ME....at the same time I DO UNDERSTAND READERS ENJOYING THE PLOT... THE SUSPENSE...THIS BOOK. I was interested, too, but that whiny - repetitive voice of Iris's was too annoying. NOT LIKE THE IRIS I KNOW!!
"I can't take another moment of this parade of mourners" says Iris! Me Either!
Iris is exasperating to listen to. "My Will"..."My Will"...."My Will"..... he is supposed to be in Orlando.... I'm exhausted listening to Iris repeat herself - whine like a two year old - be rude to everyone around her- ( yucky verbally rude). I just stopped caring about the story!
Iris is a psychologist. Frightening! Just frightening!!!
2 stars FOR ME....at the same time I DO UNDERSTAND READERS ENJOYING THE PLOT... THE SUSPENSE...THIS BOOK. I was interested, too, but that whiny - repetitive voice of Iris's was too annoying. NOT LIKE THE IRIS I KNOW!!
March 6, 2018
Wow- I can't. I can't. I CAN'T LISTEN ANYMORE!!
I may look for the written version sometime, but this book is terrible on audio. Iris, with her whining, crying and oh my gosh...uh-uh, nope..
I may look for the written version sometime, but this book is terrible on audio. Iris, with her whining, crying and oh my gosh...uh-uh, nope..
February 9, 2018
Surprisingly good thriller about a widow determined to find out about her late husband’s mysterious past.
Married to her husband Will for seven years, Iris couldn’t be happier. Her friends warn her that the seven year itch is approaching, but she and Will are still blissfully in love. Sounds too good to be true, right?
Well when Will unexpectedly dies in a plane crash, Iris learns that the man she married was not the man she thought he was. She begins digging into her husband’s past and discovers there was a whole lot more to Will than she could have ever imagined. She begins questioning her entire marriage, and the more she discovers the more she learns about Will, the more she puts herself in danger.
The Marriage Lie is a fast-paced, suspenseful, action-packed read filled with unpredictable twists and turns that kept me on my toes! I had low expectations for this book--I’m not exactly sure why, but I think the title turned me off and made me think that this was going to be a very different book than it actually was. The plot is a bit over-the-top, but since it was different than so many of the thrillers I have been reading lately, I was able to turn off my inner critic and immerse myself in the fun!
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway!
Married to her husband Will for seven years, Iris couldn’t be happier. Her friends warn her that the seven year itch is approaching, but she and Will are still blissfully in love. Sounds too good to be true, right?
Well when Will unexpectedly dies in a plane crash, Iris learns that the man she married was not the man she thought he was. She begins digging into her husband’s past and discovers there was a whole lot more to Will than she could have ever imagined. She begins questioning her entire marriage, and the more she discovers the more she learns about Will, the more she puts herself in danger.
The Marriage Lie is a fast-paced, suspenseful, action-packed read filled with unpredictable twists and turns that kept me on my toes! I had low expectations for this book--I’m not exactly sure why, but I think the title turned me off and made me think that this was going to be a very different book than it actually was. The plot is a bit over-the-top, but since it was different than so many of the thrillers I have been reading lately, I was able to turn off my inner critic and immerse myself in the fun!
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway!
January 12, 2019
Okay first off I am definitely all about how a book makes me feel while reading and after finishing it. The emotions can either be positive or negative doesn't matter it just has to make me feel something. Have you ever felt like you were just reading a book just to finish it? To be totally honest that is how I felt. It just seemed like I was just reading it and knew what was going to happen next. Although I did like the storyline and the characters which kept me interested enough to finish this book otherwise it was definitely a strange feeling for me!
THE MARRIAGE LIE by KIMBERLY BELLE is a good domestic psychological thriller that had me pretty engaged and interested throughout the first half of this book. Then it fell a little bit flat as I could see where everything was headed and there were no real surprises for me along the way or even on the outcome. So with that being said I am pretty sure that is why it just wasn't a better read for me.
KIMBERLEY BELL does deliver a well-written and interestingly enough read here but with typical characters. I did really like the premise of this story and needed some clarification on some of the events that transpired to keep me wanting to turn those pages to get to the ending.
To sum it all up it was an interesting, slow-paced, suspenseful, quick and easy read with a satisfying and twist ending! Would I recommend if asked? Sure it was still mostly enjoyable!
All of Brenda and my reviews can be found on our sister blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com
THE MARRIAGE LIE by KIMBERLY BELLE is a good domestic psychological thriller that had me pretty engaged and interested throughout the first half of this book. Then it fell a little bit flat as I could see where everything was headed and there were no real surprises for me along the way or even on the outcome. So with that being said I am pretty sure that is why it just wasn't a better read for me.
KIMBERLEY BELL does deliver a well-written and interestingly enough read here but with typical characters. I did really like the premise of this story and needed some clarification on some of the events that transpired to keep me wanting to turn those pages to get to the ending.
To sum it all up it was an interesting, slow-paced, suspenseful, quick and easy read with a satisfying and twist ending! Would I recommend if asked? Sure it was still mostly enjoyable!
All of Brenda and my reviews can be found on our sister blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com
February 21, 2017
The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle is a 2017 MIRA publication.
Wow! The Marriage Lie is an outstanding domestic thriller that captured my attention from page one and never let go.
Iris and Will are happily married, blissful, even, until Will leaves town on a business trip. As word trickles back to her that Will may have been on an ill-fated flight, Iris discovers her husband may not be the man she thought he was. As she peels away the layers of the foundation her marriage was built upon, one shocking revelation after another is unearthed, until Iris finds herself in deep trouble, unsure what or whom to believe or trust.
Was Will on the plane that crashed? Could he still be alive? If so, why did he lie to her? Did Will place Iris in danger?
The stories centered around double lives or big secrets revealed after the sudden death of a spouse has always drawn me into their web. This story, however, did not employ that slow, steady, atmospheric pacing some domestic or psychological thrillers use in these instances. This book charges from the gate and maintains a breakneck speed, but still captures that atmospheric tone that makes your spine tingle with the anticipation, knowing something truly sinister is afoot.
The characters really stand out in this one. Iris’s emotional turmoil is palpable and felt truly genuine. The secondary characters are also well drawn and made a terrific supporting cast.
I had heard good things about this book, but, I never imagined it would be this good.
I highly recommend this one to fans of psychological thrillers/ domestic thrillers, or to anyone who enjoys a taut novel of suspense.
4.5 stars
Wow! The Marriage Lie is an outstanding domestic thriller that captured my attention from page one and never let go.
Iris and Will are happily married, blissful, even, until Will leaves town on a business trip. As word trickles back to her that Will may have been on an ill-fated flight, Iris discovers her husband may not be the man she thought he was. As she peels away the layers of the foundation her marriage was built upon, one shocking revelation after another is unearthed, until Iris finds herself in deep trouble, unsure what or whom to believe or trust.
Was Will on the plane that crashed? Could he still be alive? If so, why did he lie to her? Did Will place Iris in danger?
The stories centered around double lives or big secrets revealed after the sudden death of a spouse has always drawn me into their web. This story, however, did not employ that slow, steady, atmospheric pacing some domestic or psychological thrillers use in these instances. This book charges from the gate and maintains a breakneck speed, but still captures that atmospheric tone that makes your spine tingle with the anticipation, knowing something truly sinister is afoot.
The characters really stand out in this one. Iris’s emotional turmoil is palpable and felt truly genuine. The secondary characters are also well drawn and made a terrific supporting cast.
I had heard good things about this book, but, I never imagined it would be this good.
I highly recommend this one to fans of psychological thrillers/ domestic thrillers, or to anyone who enjoys a taut novel of suspense.
4.5 stars
September 17, 2019
We had the honour of Kimberly Belle joining us for a Q & A in the Behind the Pages group.
To View what Kimberly had to say about her books
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
My review
This is not your typical marriage lie here. Kimberly Belle skillfully weaves the layers of deception here with the lies and secrets in this marriage. She builds that suspense and tension to keep me turning those pages as fast as I could. Then reveals those secrets at just the perfect time to keep me on my toes and guessing just how deceitful Will is.
I loved our main character, Iris, who wears her heart on her sleeve and I wanted to be her best friend. She is strong yet vulnerable and I enjoyed her character's growth. At times I wanted to yell at her and others I wanted to hug her.
The ending came together so well and satisfying for me and I was left a little surprised with that final twist. I highly recommend for an entertaining easy read.
To View what Kimberly had to say about her books
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
My review
This is not your typical marriage lie here. Kimberly Belle skillfully weaves the layers of deception here with the lies and secrets in this marriage. She builds that suspense and tension to keep me turning those pages as fast as I could. Then reveals those secrets at just the perfect time to keep me on my toes and guessing just how deceitful Will is.
I loved our main character, Iris, who wears her heart on her sleeve and I wanted to be her best friend. She is strong yet vulnerable and I enjoyed her character's growth. At times I wanted to yell at her and others I wanted to hug her.
The ending came together so well and satisfying for me and I was left a little surprised with that final twist. I highly recommend for an entertaining easy read.
April 10, 2018
Review was originally published on Through the Chapters|Blog
*2.5 stars*
The story has a promising beginning. The plot is evolving quickly, bringing the readers to the core of the narrative.
Being said that, Iris and Will is a happily married couple, for seven years now, and they still seem madly in love. But their safe heaven has been destroyed when Iris finds out that her husband was a victim of the plane crush, which he wasn’t supposed to take. As a result, Iris launches her own investigation to discover the reasons that led her spouse to his intimidating death. She deals with some unexpected and disturbing secrets of Will’s past.
To my humble opinion, it was a mediocre read. It wasn’t a mind-blowing or a captivating thriller. In contrast, it was quite a predictable one and sometimes even boring.
Regarding Iris character, I found her nagging for crying throughout the story and telling everyone that her husband was alive. She gave me the impression of a clinging and a weak-willed wife as she was over depended on her spouse. She also can be characterized as a gullible for comforting herself with the lies Will told her over the years. She didn’t know hell lot things about her husband and she was OK with that?
Seriously? And she was a psychologist? Like seriously? She didn’t notice something was wrong after seven year of marriage? She either was a shitty psychologist or a shitty and an easily manipulative wife.
Or both.
Finally, I would prefer a totally different ending, something really shocking to compensate me for the lack of great twists. All in all, this ending was as mediocre as the whole story.
*2.5 stars*
The story has a promising beginning. The plot is evolving quickly, bringing the readers to the core of the narrative.
Being said that, Iris and Will is a happily married couple, for seven years now, and they still seem madly in love. But their safe heaven has been destroyed when Iris finds out that her husband was a victim of the plane crush, which he wasn’t supposed to take. As a result, Iris launches her own investigation to discover the reasons that led her spouse to his intimidating death. She deals with some unexpected and disturbing secrets of Will’s past.
To my humble opinion, it was a mediocre read. It wasn’t a mind-blowing or a captivating thriller. In contrast, it was quite a predictable one and sometimes even boring.
Regarding Iris character, I found her nagging for crying throughout the story and telling everyone that her husband was alive. She gave me the impression of a clinging and a weak-willed wife as she was over depended on her spouse. She also can be characterized as a gullible for comforting herself with the lies Will told her over the years. She didn’t know hell lot things about her husband and she was OK with that?
Seriously? And she was a psychologist? Like seriously? She didn’t notice something was wrong after seven year of marriage? She either was a shitty psychologist or a shitty and an easily manipulative wife.
Or both.
Finally, I would prefer a totally different ending, something really shocking to compensate me for the lack of great twists. All in all, this ending was as mediocre as the whole story.
April 18, 2017
Although the story is not very original, it still had a few surprises. This book had my attention from the very beginning and kept it till the very end. I'm impressed, a very good read.
June 2, 2017
I rolled my eyes too many times reading this book, that my eyes rolled out of my head.
November 18, 2017
This book has very racist overtones. Avoid at all costs. It plays up the stereotype of overly strong, overly sexual black male predators preying on innocent defenseless white women. PUBLISHERS, PLEASE stop publishing books that contain these racist tropes. AGENTS, tell your clients to stop bringing their prejudice and bias into their writing. So sorry I wasted my time and money on this one. From now on I will check goodreads before I buy. Had I done that I would have seen the other reviews addressing the racist nature of this novel. Ms. Belle, you're a good writer, and this could have been a good story. Please get some sensitivity training before you write your next one.
September 14, 2016
Wow! This was one rollercoaster ride of a great book! In fact, I am still feeling the adrenaline rush of that last sentence.
Most definitely one of my favorite books I have read this year!
Most definitely one of my favorite books I have read this year!
June 23, 2019
3 Stars.
In an instant, Iris’s life is shattered. A news report. A plane crash. Her husband’s name. A flight he wasn’t even supposed to be on. An impossibility.
Iris is sure it’s a mistake. After all, he was supposed to be on a different flight altogether. Why would he lie? She desperately needs an explanation.
What a premise. Grief, despair, lies and deceit. If you’ve ever suffered loss or have been married and have been a victim of deceit, this is a novel that hits home in some way, shape or form. Unfortunately for me it did just that. So real and true, if you know those feelings, they are embedded deep within you.
The pain and intensity the character of Iris goes through - it’s palpable and yet I’m sorry to say that her personality bugged me. And I mean, bugged me. Her all consuming love for a man that lied to her for the entire course of their marriage, it made my eyes roll! If you’ve read this, I hope you’ll understand why and not think ill of me..
This is now the third book I’ve read by Kimberly Belle and it was my least favorite. That aside, it was quite well written and fast-paced, however, it just wasn’t for me.
Published on Goodreads on 6.23.19.
In an instant, Iris’s life is shattered. A news report. A plane crash. Her husband’s name. A flight he wasn’t even supposed to be on. An impossibility.
Iris is sure it’s a mistake. After all, he was supposed to be on a different flight altogether. Why would he lie? She desperately needs an explanation.
What a premise. Grief, despair, lies and deceit. If you’ve ever suffered loss or have been married and have been a victim of deceit, this is a novel that hits home in some way, shape or form. Unfortunately for me it did just that. So real and true, if you know those feelings, they are embedded deep within you.
The pain and intensity the character of Iris goes through - it’s palpable and yet I’m sorry to say that her personality bugged me. And I mean, bugged me. Her all consuming love for a man that lied to her for the entire course of their marriage, it made my eyes roll! If you’ve read this, I hope you’ll understand why and not think ill of me..
This is now the third book I’ve read by Kimberly Belle and it was my least favorite. That aside, it was quite well written and fast-paced, however, it just wasn’t for me.
Published on Goodreads on 6.23.19.
March 11, 2017
Iris Griffith always thought that her marriage to Will was secure. Together they are celebrating seven years of marriage and are trying to start a family. Will is a guest speaker in a business conference and leaves in the morning for Orlando. Later that afternoon, Iris is notified that her husband was killed aboard a plane that crashed enroute to Seattle. Grief stricken, Iris refuses to believe that Will is dead and is adamant that he never boarded that flight.
As the days pass, Iris still cannot belive that Will would lie about his travel plans. She decides to investigate herself to find out the truth. Iris begins to uncover inconsistencies in Will’s past and feels betrayed. Along the way, she meets a friend of his that he has never mentioned. As her journey continues, she learns much more about Will’s past and clues are revealed.
This psychological thriller is an addictive read because of the gradual momentum that builds throughout the story. The characters introduced are engaging and I was not sure who to trust. It was quite the page turner!
$3.99 digital platforms 3/11 https://www.facebook.com/suzyapproved...
As the days pass, Iris still cannot belive that Will would lie about his travel plans. She decides to investigate herself to find out the truth. Iris begins to uncover inconsistencies in Will’s past and feels betrayed. Along the way, she meets a friend of his that he has never mentioned. As her journey continues, she learns much more about Will’s past and clues are revealed.
This psychological thriller is an addictive read because of the gradual momentum that builds throughout the story. The characters introduced are engaging and I was not sure who to trust. It was quite the page turner!
$3.99 digital platforms 3/11 https://www.facebook.com/suzyapproved...
November 29, 2017
The problem with a book that are about a super happy couple who have a great marriage and then one finds out that everything was a lie is that it is a little on the depressing side.
Jilly's not a fan of depressing.
Jilly likes funny, sarcastic, romantic, ass-kicking, paranormal, bloody, and twisty, but not really depressing.
So, why did Jilly read this? Because she is obviously losing her mind, which should be clear by the way she is referring to herself in the third person.
Jilly's not a fan of depressing.
Jilly likes funny, sarcastic, romantic, ass-kicking, paranormal, bloody, and twisty, but not really depressing.
So, why did Jilly read this? Because she is obviously losing her mind, which should be clear by the way she is referring to herself in the third person.
May 27, 2017
The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle was a fast paced suspense thriller that kept me engaged right from the get go, but my rating isn't going to be a 5 will tell you why?
Although the premise was an original concept I just thought the ending left me a bit flat I was saying to myself that it could have packed a bit more punch, that's not to say I didn't like it which I did.
Will & Iris Griffiths are happily married have good jobs & nothing could tear them apart, until a plane crash changes their lives forever. Iris gets a call that she doesn't want to hear her husband Will is dead, Iris doesn't believe it for one second as he was supposed to be somewhere else.
Its not until she gets a call from a woman at Liberty Airlines that reality sets in she is totally inconsolable but she finds another man named Evan who also lost his wife & children, together they find out that Will had some dealings in embezzlement & he wasn't the man she had married.
Iris who is beside herself about losing will looks into Will's past she finds a lot of inconsistencies this chills her to the core & sets out to find the truth.
then she also enlists the help of her brother Dave which makes for a really good plot he is so devoted to Iris he won't stop till he finds the truth, its not until he finds out about Corbin Hayes who was his friend from the gym that things start to heat up, Iris then receives text messages saying its from Will BUT HOW CAN IT BE WHEN WILL IS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!!
What happens from now on is one big cat & mouse game to find out the truth!!
Really enjoyed this one . 3.5 stars
Although the premise was an original concept I just thought the ending left me a bit flat I was saying to myself that it could have packed a bit more punch, that's not to say I didn't like it which I did.
Will & Iris Griffiths are happily married have good jobs & nothing could tear them apart, until a plane crash changes their lives forever. Iris gets a call that she doesn't want to hear her husband Will is dead, Iris doesn't believe it for one second as he was supposed to be somewhere else.
Its not until she gets a call from a woman at Liberty Airlines that reality sets in she is totally inconsolable but she finds another man named Evan who also lost his wife & children, together they find out that Will had some dealings in embezzlement & he wasn't the man she had married.
Iris who is beside herself about losing will looks into Will's past she finds a lot of inconsistencies this chills her to the core & sets out to find the truth.
then she also enlists the help of her brother Dave which makes for a really good plot he is so devoted to Iris he won't stop till he finds the truth, its not until he finds out about Corbin Hayes who was his friend from the gym that things start to heat up, Iris then receives text messages saying its from Will BUT HOW CAN IT BE WHEN WILL IS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!!
What happens from now on is one big cat & mouse game to find out the truth!!
Really enjoyed this one . 3.5 stars
June 15, 2017
The Marriage Lie is a definite thrill ride, a truly great page turner! This is the first book that I've read by Kimberly Belle so I wasn't sure what to expect; I can definitely say it won't be the last book of hers that I read!
Yes, it is another story of a wife who finds out secrets that her husband kept from her. Yep. I know. At least this time she doesn't have amnesia in the process!! The difference with this book is how well it is written, how quick paced the dialogue flows, how much the characters resonate with you and how personable they are. The MC has a group of people who support her - her family, a twin brother, a good friend whom she actually can trust, and you feel that she is a real person in a very real situation unlike many stories where every single person is just a bit on the insane side and coming out with a hidden agenda.
As the story progresses you know, just know, that there cannot be a "happy ending" for this gal and you want there to be one. It can't happen and yet I have to say that never in a million years did I suspect the ending that we got. Never. Ever. And it was perfect. I felt so incredibly satisfied as a reader and as a woman. I wanted to do fist pumps in the air and I am not a fist pump in the air kind of a person! Yeah.... I definitely recommend this book. It's fast paced, easy to read and something that you will enjoy especially by the beach in the summer time. Go for it!
Yes, it is another story of a wife who finds out secrets that her husband kept from her. Yep. I know. At least this time she doesn't have amnesia in the process!! The difference with this book is how well it is written, how quick paced the dialogue flows, how much the characters resonate with you and how personable they are. The MC has a group of people who support her - her family, a twin brother, a good friend whom she actually can trust, and you feel that she is a real person in a very real situation unlike many stories where every single person is just a bit on the insane side and coming out with a hidden agenda.
As the story progresses you know, just know, that there cannot be a "happy ending" for this gal and you want there to be one. It can't happen and yet I have to say that never in a million years did I suspect the ending that we got. Never. Ever. And it was perfect. I felt so incredibly satisfied as a reader and as a woman. I wanted to do fist pumps in the air and I am not a fist pump in the air kind of a person! Yeah.... I definitely recommend this book. It's fast paced, easy to read and something that you will enjoy especially by the beach in the summer time. Go for it!
May 25, 2017
I had high hopes for this book from its many high ratings. It started with an intriguing concept and the suspense was good at the beginning. Then the plot became overwrought and ridiculous. The wife kept reminding us that she was a psychologist but failed to show much constructive thinking and was overly dependent on others. She came across as immature. I struggled with the book until the end, but angry at myself for doing so. Too much repetition and cliches,and for me the story became too unbelievable and did not raise any sympathy for the characters. Good twist right at the end though.
March 2, 2016
After her husband's mysterious death, Iris Griffith begins to investigate whether her husband, Will, is the man she thought she knew, bringing her from Atlanta to Seattle as she tries to uncover his secretive past. A taut story with plentiful twists and turns, THE MARRIAGE LIE is a wild ride.
Thanks to MIRA Books for an early copy of the novel.
Thanks to MIRA Books for an early copy of the novel.
July 5, 2017
The audiobook version of this novel was great, the storyline and writing had me invested and the writing flowed nicely. A book about the ramifications of building a marriage on a bed of lies and the consequences of that. A few nice surprises along the way to keep the suspense and the pages turning. Also loved the ending!
September 3, 2019
An amazing psychological thriller that was full of surprises!
My second book by Belle and another hit! I didn’t enjoy it as much as “Dear Wife”, but I have “Dear Wife” so high up on a pedestal, it’s hard to match!
The blurb on this one sounded interesting, but I put off reading it...thinking it was a typical domestic thriller. Then I read “Dear Wife” and absolutely loved Belle’s writing, and an opportunity for a Buddy Read came up and I love those!
Iris is shattered when she receives a call telling her that her husband was on a flight to Seattle that crashed...with no survivors. He was scheduled to fly to Orlando for a work conference, so she refuses to believe the news and starts her own investigation. She finds a dark side to Will, and so many lies. And realizes that Will wasn’t the person she thought she married.
“There’s a sucker born every minute out of heartache.”
One of my favorite characters was Iris’s brother. He was so devoted and witty. Iris could be a little over-the-top at times. But hey...she unexpectedly lost her husband, then found out everything he told her was a lie! I think I’d be pretty angry and emotional, too.
This book kept surprising me. Even the ending was a shocker. Totally enjoyable!!
My Rating: 4.25 ⭐️’s
Published: January 1st 2017 by MIRA
Pages: 352
Recommended: Yes
My second book by Belle and another hit! I didn’t enjoy it as much as “Dear Wife”, but I have “Dear Wife” so high up on a pedestal, it’s hard to match!
The blurb on this one sounded interesting, but I put off reading it...thinking it was a typical domestic thriller. Then I read “Dear Wife” and absolutely loved Belle’s writing, and an opportunity for a Buddy Read came up and I love those!
Iris is shattered when she receives a call telling her that her husband was on a flight to Seattle that crashed...with no survivors. He was scheduled to fly to Orlando for a work conference, so she refuses to believe the news and starts her own investigation. She finds a dark side to Will, and so many lies. And realizes that Will wasn’t the person she thought she married.
“There’s a sucker born every minute out of heartache.”
One of my favorite characters was Iris’s brother. He was so devoted and witty. Iris could be a little over-the-top at times. But hey...she unexpectedly lost her husband, then found out everything he told her was a lie! I think I’d be pretty angry and emotional, too.
This book kept surprising me. Even the ending was a shocker. Totally enjoyable!!
My Rating: 4.25 ⭐️’s
Published: January 1st 2017 by MIRA
Pages: 352
Recommended: Yes
February 20, 2019
3.5 stars
The story was entertaining and held my interest and I would totally read another book by this author. However, this was by no means a perfect read. It really tested my patience as there were a few times I was left shaking my head and questioning if things happening were realistic or not. I think for sure this is a book you just have to approach the same way you would a cheesy, melodramatic tv movie, just sit back, relax, and don't take it too seriously.
Iris and Will are so very much in love and living a perfectly nice life together. But that doesn't make for an interesting story by itself so of course the author is going to add some drama. Will leaves for a business trip in Florida but later in the day Iris receives news he was on board a plane that crashed while headed to Seattle. Guess what? No survivors. So poor Iris now has a dead husband and has to figure out why he lied about where he was going on his trip. And of course this brings up the question, can you ever truly know someone?
I did enjoy this one even with its flaws. I didn't really care all that much for Iris as a character but following her as she discovered piece by piece stuff about her husband was more than enough to really drive the story and sustain my interest. There's definitely some things you can see coming a mile away but there were also a few things I wasn't 100% sure about until the end. And speaking of the end of the book, when I got to the Acknowledgment page I had to go back on my Kindle to make sure I hadn't accidentally skipped a chapter. It was a rather abrupt ending but I got to give the author credit for really catching me off guard as I wasn't expecting the book to end that soon.
If you are looking for an entertaining but relatively mindless read this is probably a safe bet.
The story was entertaining and held my interest and I would totally read another book by this author. However, this was by no means a perfect read. It really tested my patience as there were a few times I was left shaking my head and questioning if things happening were realistic or not. I think for sure this is a book you just have to approach the same way you would a cheesy, melodramatic tv movie, just sit back, relax, and don't take it too seriously.
Iris and Will are so very much in love and living a perfectly nice life together. But that doesn't make for an interesting story by itself so of course the author is going to add some drama. Will leaves for a business trip in Florida but later in the day Iris receives news he was on board a plane that crashed while headed to Seattle. Guess what? No survivors. So poor Iris now has a dead husband and has to figure out why he lied about where he was going on his trip. And of course this brings up the question, can you ever truly know someone?
I did enjoy this one even with its flaws. I didn't really care all that much for Iris as a character but following her as she discovered piece by piece stuff about her husband was more than enough to really drive the story and sustain my interest. There's definitely some things you can see coming a mile away but there were also a few things I wasn't 100% sure about until the end. And speaking of the end of the book, when I got to the Acknowledgment page I had to go back on my Kindle to make sure I hadn't accidentally skipped a chapter. It was a rather abrupt ending but I got to give the author credit for really catching me off guard as I wasn't expecting the book to end that soon.
If you are looking for an entertaining but relatively mindless read this is probably a safe bet.
February 21, 2020
Even the perfect marriage has its dark side…
3.5 Stars I think... I'm kind of on the fence. There were parts I really enjoyed, and some I didn't.
From the opening scenes of the book it appears that Iris and Will have a great marriage. They seem very happy, in love, and trying to have a family. The next morning a plane headed to Seattle crashes and Iris learns that Will was one of the passengers. However, he was supposed to be going to Orlando? I expected this one to be action packed and full of twists and turns. I didn't find it to be that way. I felt like I pretty much knew what was going on most of the story, but I was still intrigued to find out about all the lies and deceit going on in their marriage. I guess this is what people describe as a slow burn? Iris spends much of the story uncovering the details of Will's past. Instead of being like a suspenseful thriller, I found it to be more like an exploration of marriage and how far someone will go in their relationships.
Side Note: Loved the ending!
3.5 Stars I think... I'm kind of on the fence. There were parts I really enjoyed, and some I didn't.
From the opening scenes of the book it appears that Iris and Will have a great marriage. They seem very happy, in love, and trying to have a family. The next morning a plane headed to Seattle crashes and Iris learns that Will was one of the passengers. However, he was supposed to be going to Orlando? I expected this one to be action packed and full of twists and turns. I didn't find it to be that way. I felt like I pretty much knew what was going on most of the story, but I was still intrigued to find out about all the lies and deceit going on in their marriage. I guess this is what people describe as a slow burn? Iris spends much of the story uncovering the details of Will's past. Instead of being like a suspenseful thriller, I found it to be more like an exploration of marriage and how far someone will go in their relationships.
Side Note: Loved the ending!
December 31, 2016
I had REALLY high hopes for this book, given the 5 star reviews found everywhere on GoodReads. While it was good, I wouldn't call it outstanding. The main character is annoying, and quite dumb at times. The story felt underwhelming until the very end, which was a nice twist, but not enough to save the book. I'd pass.
February 11, 2020
"This is what death does. It forces intimacy at the same time it snatches it away."
Sometimes predictable, but with a relatable narrator who "bares her soul" to you, with lines like that, it held my interest from start to finish.
And, (no spoilers here) I ask you...did you ask Siri, what Iris asked Siri (about 65% into the book) just to see if the answer would be the same?? I did!!
Sometimes predictable, but with a relatable narrator who "bares her soul" to you, with lines like that, it held my interest from start to finish.
And, (no spoilers here) I ask you...did you ask Siri, what Iris asked Siri (about 65% into the book) just to see if the answer would be the same?? I did!!
March 16, 2017
Psychological thriller.
Really enjoyed this book, in some parts became long and boring. Every character in this story has problems but you couldn't help yourself to like them. Romantic thrillers not my kind of books, this one was suggested to me, glad I read it. Answered all the questions at the end, surprising ending was shocking. Yes I would have done the same thing, but before...
Really enjoyed this book, in some parts became long and boring. Every character in this story has problems but you couldn't help yourself to like them. Romantic thrillers not my kind of books, this one was suggested to me, glad I read it. Answered all the questions at the end, surprising ending was shocking. Yes I would have done the same thing, but before...
March 19, 2017
This must be a manual of everything a good writer should avoid and never, ever do. How on earth was this compilation of misogyny, cliché, stereotypes, performative allyship (and at some points just frankly homophobia, like in the passage the author states that one thing you can count on with gay urban men is to have good drugs???? What?????), slut-shaming (a psychologist who works with teens slut shaming a student? Like...really?????), terrible police procedure, plot holes, far-fetched scenarios, inane characters, inconsistent scenarios, racism, and prob other disgusting things I'm forgetting ever got published???
I feel dirty for having touched this book.
I feel dirty for having touched this book.
April 9, 2017
Unputdownable! A page turning psychological suspense by a new to me author.
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