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The Silent Woman
7 hours, 32 minutes
Newlywed Jade Westmore has finally found her forever in husband Wells, a charming, successful, and recently divorced architect—only there’s one caveat. Behind the gates of their elysian estate, hidden from street view in the caretaker’s cottage … lives Wells’ first wife, Sylvie.
Three years ago, the original Mrs. Westmore suffered an unfortunate accident—and hasn’t uttered a sound since. Not a physician, psychologist, or world-renown specialist has been able to elicit so much as a word from the silent woman … until now.
On an ordinary Tuesday while Wells was away—despite instructions to never disturb the fragile woman—Jade visited her isolated predecessor bearing a peace offering: a bouquet of white lilies. Only she wasn’t expecting Sylvie to have something for her as well: a slip of torn notebook paper with a single word scrawled in shaky black ink.
That word? Run.
Newlywed Jade Westmore has finally found her forever in husband Wells, a charming, successful, and recently divorced architect—only there’s one caveat. Behind the gates of their elysian estate, hidden from street view in the caretaker’s cottage … lives Wells’ first wife, Sylvie.
Three years ago, the original Mrs. Westmore suffered an unfortunate accident—and hasn’t uttered a sound since. Not a physician, psychologist, or world-renown specialist has been able to elicit so much as a word from the silent woman … until now.
On an ordinary Tuesday while Wells was away—despite instructions to never disturb the fragile woman—Jade visited her isolated predecessor bearing a peace offering: a bouquet of white lilies. Only she wasn’t expecting Sylvie to have something for her as well: a slip of torn notebook paper with a single word scrawled in shaky black ink.
That word? Run.
Audible Audio
First published September 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,217 reviews
December 4, 2022
3.5 STARS
A Libby listen!
A mindless, predictable popcorn thriller with alluring narration! 🍿🍿🍿
A new wife, Jade, for the wealthy architect, Wells.
Jade has kind of a past Cinderella story, but is now enjoying her new life at Wells gated estate.
The original (😮) Mrs. Westmore, Sylvie, is "the silent woman". She lives in a cottage on their estate. She suffered a life altering accident and Wells felt obligated to care for her.
Can you sense a plot here?
Lifetime movie stuff, the kind you know will be a train wreck, but can't look away!
Nothing new here, no twists to knock your socks off or place you on the edge of the couch. I did enjoy several of the characters though, especially Portia (nosy neighbor who is always ready to spill the tea) and the library setting and book references (📚)!
Narrated by: Christine Lakin, Kate Rudd
Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
A Libby listen!
A mindless, predictable popcorn thriller with alluring narration! 🍿🍿🍿
A new wife, Jade, for the wealthy architect, Wells.
Jade has kind of a past Cinderella story, but is now enjoying her new life at Wells gated estate.
The original (😮) Mrs. Westmore, Sylvie, is "the silent woman". She lives in a cottage on their estate. She suffered a life altering accident and Wells felt obligated to care for her.
Can you sense a plot here?
Lifetime movie stuff, the kind you know will be a train wreck, but can't look away!
Nothing new here, no twists to knock your socks off or place you on the edge of the couch. I did enjoy several of the characters though, especially Portia (nosy neighbor who is always ready to spill the tea) and the library setting and book references (📚)!
Narrated by: Christine Lakin, Kate Rudd
Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
November 26, 2022
3.5⭐
Your dream husband! Your dream house! What a splendid life.
Okay, so it might help if his first wife wasn’t living in the guest house. How cozy!
Jade married her prince charming, Wells Westmore. So incredibly kind, generous and thoughtful.
When Well's first wife suffered serious injuries in an accident he hired around-the-clock care, setting her up on his estate. But as time passes he chose to move on in search of a new wife. Wells is sure that Jade won’t mind…he’ll just have to make sure to keep her away from the guest house. REALLY?!
Eventually, when the two women accidently come face-to-face one has a dire warning for the other!
I’m a huge fan of Minka Kent, though this probably won’t be listed as a favorite from her. But I still have one more of her reads on my shelf to read.💃
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration.
Thank you to my local library 🎧
Your dream husband! Your dream house! What a splendid life.
Okay, so it might help if his first wife wasn’t living in the guest house. How cozy!
Jade married her prince charming, Wells Westmore. So incredibly kind, generous and thoughtful.
When Well's first wife suffered serious injuries in an accident he hired around-the-clock care, setting her up on his estate. But as time passes he chose to move on in search of a new wife. Wells is sure that Jade won’t mind…he’ll just have to make sure to keep her away from the guest house. REALLY?!
Eventually, when the two women accidently come face-to-face one has a dire warning for the other!
I’m a huge fan of Minka Kent, though this probably won’t be listed as a favorite from her. But I still have one more of her reads on my shelf to read.💃
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration.
Thank you to my local library 🎧
May 16, 2024
4.25⭐
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Setting ~ California
Publication date ~ September 27, 2022
Page Count ~ 284 (39 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 7 hours 32 minutes
Narrators ~ Christine Lakin, Kate Rudd
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ 3 part story
Jade is the 2nd Mrs. Westmore, married to Wells.
Sylvie is the 1st Mrs. Westmore who lives in the guest house with round the clock nursing care.
Quite peculiar to live on the same premises as your husbands 1st wife, and she's not allowed to interact with her or the nursing staff either. Quite peculiar indeed. Not overly surprising where the plot took us, but I quite enjoyed the journey to get to the exciting ending. This is my first experience with this author and I really liked it. I can't wait to read more of her work.
Hubs in depth review:
Thought I knew the culprit halfway through, pleasantly surprised at the end. The end.
Narration notes:
Yay for 2 and they both did great.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Setting ~ California
Publication date ~ September 27, 2022
Page Count ~ 284 (39 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 7 hours 32 minutes
Narrators ~ Christine Lakin, Kate Rudd
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ 3 part story
Jade is the 2nd Mrs. Westmore, married to Wells.
Sylvie is the 1st Mrs. Westmore who lives in the guest house with round the clock nursing care.
Quite peculiar to live on the same premises as your husbands 1st wife, and she's not allowed to interact with her or the nursing staff either. Quite peculiar indeed. Not overly surprising where the plot took us, but I quite enjoyed the journey to get to the exciting ending. This is my first experience with this author and I really liked it. I can't wait to read more of her work.
Hubs in depth review:
Thought I knew the culprit halfway through, pleasantly surprised at the end. The end.
Narration notes:
Yay for 2 and they both did great.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
November 30, 2023
Instagram || Threads || Facebook || Amazon || TikTok
I call books like these FULTs, or fucked up lady thrillers, and the requirement is basically that the female narrator hasn't got her shit together and there's a Suspicious Hot Guy (SHG) who might or might not be the villain. FULTs are the best kinds of thrillers and you absolutely cannot change my mind.
I found THE SILENT WOMAN in a Little Free Library and loved the cover and thought the summary sounded amazing. It actually sounded a lot like Freida McFadden's THE WIFE UPSTAIRS, and there are a ton of similarities, but I think this is because they're both clearly inspired by Jane Eyre. The twists and some of the core elements are different enough that they don't feel exactly the same.
If you're familiar with stories like Jane Eyre and Rebecca, you know the score. A woman marries a charming and rich man only to find out that he has baggage in the form of an ex-wife who's still kind of in the picture. I liked that Jade was a biographer and met her husband through her work. She felt fleshed out and competent and nice. Don't get me wrong, I love messy ladies, but I like nice ladies, too.
I don't want to say too much more because I don't want to spoil any of the twists, but if you enjoy books written by authors like May Cobb, Lindsay Marcott, or Emily Carpenter, you're probably going to enjoy this.
4.5 to 5 stars
September 25, 2022
Whenever I’m in the mood for a twisty and bingeable thriller that I can read in one sitting I know I can pick up a Minka Kent book and it will satisfy me. When I started this I felt like I knew exactly where it would all go and I’m so pleased to say that I was pretty off. Sure I saw some minor things coming but overall I was wrong and parts left my head spinning with questions and theories that changed almost every chapter. This is super fast paced and the kind of book you don’t want to put down until you finish. I loved the old Hollywood noir vibes next to a ton of lies, betrayals and suspicions and thought that overall it was a solid suspense read and other winner from the author.
September 28, 2022
I have loved all of Minka Kent's book so far... except this one. It wasn't a bad story and it kept me interested which is why I gave it a 3. I guess it felt predictable in a way and like a familiar story and I kept waiting for a big twist that never happened. Let me take that back.. I guess there was a "big" twist but I feel like the story already made it clear on "who dun it" so the reveal was just eh. I was waiting for some shock value like I had gotten from some of her other stories. If you like Minka Kent I think you should still read it... because in the end it was a good story... and honestly looking at other reviews I think I'm in the minority with this one.
November 16, 2022
My nomination for the "2022 Eye-Roller Book of the Year" award.
Newlywed Jade Westmore marries Wells, a wealthy architect whose first wife Sylvie ("The Silent Woman") was assaulted in an almost fatal accident that left her unable to speak.
Sylvie lives in her ex-husband's caretaker's cottage, located on the premises of Wells and Jade's elysian estate. (Huh?)
Jade is not permitted to interact with Sylvie. (Huh?)
Are your eyes rolling yet?
Why would a wealthy husband keep his brain-damaged ex-wife in his backyard cottage, instead of in a reputable care home?
And why wouldn't wife #2 think that this "arrangement" was odd?
I am a Minka Kent fan and, usually, Minka Kent's fast-paced, twisty thrillers offer more elements of realism than this book.
"Listen to silence. It has so much to say" was an intriguing theme that was introduced at the beginning of the book that, unfortunately, the author abandoned.
Overall, this book was underwhelming and predictable with an abrupt ending.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a superb job with the narration.
2 stars, rounded up.
Newlywed Jade Westmore marries Wells, a wealthy architect whose first wife Sylvie ("The Silent Woman") was assaulted in an almost fatal accident that left her unable to speak.
Sylvie lives in her ex-husband's caretaker's cottage, located on the premises of Wells and Jade's elysian estate. (Huh?)
Jade is not permitted to interact with Sylvie. (Huh?)
Are your eyes rolling yet?
Why would a wealthy husband keep his brain-damaged ex-wife in his backyard cottage, instead of in a reputable care home?
And why wouldn't wife #2 think that this "arrangement" was odd?
I am a Minka Kent fan and, usually, Minka Kent's fast-paced, twisty thrillers offer more elements of realism than this book.
"Listen to silence. It has so much to say" was an intriguing theme that was introduced at the beginning of the book that, unfortunately, the author abandoned.
Overall, this book was underwhelming and predictable with an abrupt ending.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a superb job with the narration.
2 stars, rounded up.
December 16, 2022
Seeing the summary, I was afraid it was another Verity knockoff but it wasn't. It did have an injured former wife but it had a lot of different and interesting things going on.
Jade moves in with her new husband Wells and he has a strange setup. His ex-wife Sylvie lives in the guest house. She is unable to talk or do much after she slipped and fell in the pool a few years ago.
Jade isn't supposed to deal with Sylvie. Is that to keep the pressure off Jade or to keep her from discovering secrets? Jade decides to kick it with Sylvie anyway and I liked that because it was really a women caring for women story. She wanted the truth for her, whether it hurt or not, and it felt genuine.
Wells' messed up family is in the story too. His grandma who raised him and his mom who gave him up. The grandma was a movie star and her house is iconic so you kind of get "Verity x Evelyn Hugo" so that was pretty neat!
All around good book and an easy listen. Great narration.
Jade moves in with her new husband Wells and he has a strange setup. His ex-wife Sylvie lives in the guest house. She is unable to talk or do much after she slipped and fell in the pool a few years ago.
Jade isn't supposed to deal with Sylvie. Is that to keep the pressure off Jade or to keep her from discovering secrets? Jade decides to kick it with Sylvie anyway and I liked that because it was really a women caring for women story. She wanted the truth for her, whether it hurt or not, and it felt genuine.
Wells' messed up family is in the story too. His grandma who raised him and his mom who gave him up. The grandma was a movie star and her house is iconic so you kind of get "Verity x Evelyn Hugo" so that was pretty neat!
All around good book and an easy listen. Great narration.
June 28, 2023
I enjoyed this one. The ending was somewhat predictable, with a twist I didn't expect. I loved Jade and her caring personality for Sylvie. I enjoyed this all around as my bedtime read the past 2 nights. Worthwhile!
November 9, 2022
2,5 Stars!!
October 5, 2022
I really wanted to like this book but this one just fell completely flat for me. I ended up skimming the last half of the book just to finish it. Overall just felt disappointing in the plot and the characters were very one-dimensional. It's apparent that Wells is going to be the bad guy pretty early on and was disappointed there wasn't a twist from that. Very by-the-book in terms of plot where he was overprotective/jealous of Sylvie and ends up hiring someone to stalk/scare her which ends up with her having an accident in the pool. Then he overmedicates her on purpose to keep her in his house. Not very original. I wanted to like Jade because she was the main character, but just found her a bit boring and bland. Also I didn't buy that she flips so quickly on viewing Wells as a good man to him being a monster. Overall just not a great book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2023
3.5
I’m probably rounding down as I was looking for some huge twist.
I’m probably rounding down as I was looking for some huge twist.
September 25, 2022
"Deep down I suppose we’re all desperate for something be it love, attention, or validation. Some of us simply do a better job at hiding it, is all."
Jade Westmore is living the seemingly perfect life with her new husband Wells in his palatial estate while his first wife Sylvie is living in the caretaker's cottage, a shell of the woman she once was after surviving a near fatal accident three years earlier. Always silent, Sylvie has lost her ability to communicate yet there is power in that silence.
"I also know that a person can think they know someone and end up knowing nothing about them at all."
The Silent Woman is a compelling look at love vs obsession and control, speaking to an important issue for women today. My favorite thing about this book was that I sensed definite Rebecca vibes, mysterious and enigmatic in setting with both the current and former Mrs. Westmore living on the property.
Alternating between the present and the past in an effort to determine exactly what happened to Sylvie on that fateful night, Minka Kent writes chapters that offer more questions than answers, keeping me turning the pages to uncover every twist and turn. I had suspicions throughout yet I never imagined the final reveal would play out as it did. Ultimately, this story was an invaluable look at how the power of silence can transform into the courage to find power in one's own voice instead.
** Special thanks to author Minka Kent for sending me this ARC to read and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available September 27, 2022. **
Jade Westmore is living the seemingly perfect life with her new husband Wells in his palatial estate while his first wife Sylvie is living in the caretaker's cottage, a shell of the woman she once was after surviving a near fatal accident three years earlier. Always silent, Sylvie has lost her ability to communicate yet there is power in that silence.
"I also know that a person can think they know someone and end up knowing nothing about them at all."
The Silent Woman is a compelling look at love vs obsession and control, speaking to an important issue for women today. My favorite thing about this book was that I sensed definite Rebecca vibes, mysterious and enigmatic in setting with both the current and former Mrs. Westmore living on the property.
Alternating between the present and the past in an effort to determine exactly what happened to Sylvie on that fateful night, Minka Kent writes chapters that offer more questions than answers, keeping me turning the pages to uncover every twist and turn. I had suspicions throughout yet I never imagined the final reveal would play out as it did. Ultimately, this story was an invaluable look at how the power of silence can transform into the courage to find power in one's own voice instead.
** Special thanks to author Minka Kent for sending me this ARC to read and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available September 27, 2022. **
September 26, 2022
The Silent Woman is a page turning thriller! While I wasn’t necessarily surprised by the ending, I was on the edge of my seat to finish the book and find out what happened. I’m a huge fan of Minka Kelly and this book is no exception.
I enjoyed the dual points of view and all of the characters. The book was a suspenseful thriller giving me The Silent Patient meets The Last Mrs. Parish with a dash of Evelyn Hugo vibes.
Definitely something you should add to your tbr along with Minka’s other books!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed the dual points of view and all of the characters. The book was a suspenseful thriller giving me The Silent Patient meets The Last Mrs. Parish with a dash of Evelyn Hugo vibes.
Definitely something you should add to your tbr along with Minka’s other books!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2022
Although a bit predictable I enjoyed the story immensely. I found it addictive and couldn't put it down.
She was a master at character development, and through it some surprising twists. I loved the themes of strong women and women doing great things.
The audio production was superb.
This was my first by the author and I will definitely go back and read her backlist.
She was a master at character development, and through it some surprising twists. I loved the themes of strong women and women doing great things.
The audio production was superb.
This was my first by the author and I will definitely go back and read her backlist.
March 1, 2023
The definition of a popcorn thriller right here 🍿one of those books that you can fly through really easily, and tho it’s entertaining, nothing really knocked my socks off and I’ll probably forget about it in the coming weeks.
I will however say, if you’re a fan of Verity you may very well enjoy this one. (Albeit this one isn’t as dark and twisted and amazing like Verity, same theme tho.)
I will however say, if you’re a fan of Verity you may very well enjoy this one. (Albeit this one isn’t as dark and twisted and amazing like Verity, same theme tho.)
May 26, 2024
3.5 stars
September 21, 2022
I also know that a person can think they know someone and end up knowing nothing about them at all.
My 4th Minka Kent book! What is there to say without spoiling?
Every time you think you know "who did it", nope you don't. I had quite a few different theories (one was half right), then you find out the entirety of it, and it's a psychologists dream. Which I love to read about because hello mind of another. Sylvie's part of the story really cranked things up a notch. It was decently suspenseful to the very end. And I really appreciated the important elements woven in. (Was I the only one who picked up on that??) Anyway, justice is gloriouuusssss! (How else do I express my joy of how things played out without spoiling????)
You picked the wrong piece of low-hanging fruit.
Alot of parenthesis happening here. Literally subtext for what my brain is like at all times.
Thank you to the author for sending me this ARC* Pub date Sept. 27, 2022
My 4th Minka Kent book! What is there to say without spoiling?
Every time you think you know "who did it", nope you don't. I had quite a few different theories (one was half right), then you find out the entirety of it, and it's a psychologists dream. Which I love to read about because hello mind of another. Sylvie's part of the story really cranked things up a notch. It was decently suspenseful to the very end. And I really appreciated the important elements woven in. (Was I the only one who picked up on that??) Anyway, justice is gloriouuusssss! (How else do I express my joy of how things played out without spoiling????)
You picked the wrong piece of low-hanging fruit.
Alot of parenthesis happening here. Literally subtext for what my brain is like at all times.
Thank you to the author for sending me this ARC* Pub date Sept. 27, 2022
January 3, 2023
First of all, I’m quite sure I could not write a coherent book and this book had pages and made sense. But it was soooooooo played out, predictable and boring. I only kept listening because it was a book club pick. I could have stopped because I already knew the whole story and ending during the first chapter. This book was so much better when it was called Verity. That at least had a twist. And some naughty parts. This whole combining Rebecca and Jane Eyre thing should not be attempted by people who aren’t named Daphne Du Maurier or Charlotte Brontë. Do yourself a favor and pick up the FANTASTIC book Rebecca and skip this. I will have already forgotten this book by bedtime.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2023
The Silent Woman gave me “Verity” and “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” vibes in the best possible way!
Jade moves in with her new husband Wells and he has an unusual setup. His ex-wife Sylvie lives in the guest house. She had an injury years ago and unable to communicate or do much… Or is she?
Although it was predictable and I guessed all the twists I still really enjoyed this story!
It was addicting I couldn’t put the book down, it was such an amazing page turning thriller with themes of strong women, great character development and amazing storyline.
I highly recommend reading this if you want to read a truly incredible page turning thriller that you can’t stop reading!
Jade moves in with her new husband Wells and he has an unusual setup. His ex-wife Sylvie lives in the guest house. She had an injury years ago and unable to communicate or do much… Or is she?
Although it was predictable and I guessed all the twists I still really enjoyed this story!
It was addicting I couldn’t put the book down, it was such an amazing page turning thriller with themes of strong women, great character development and amazing storyline.
I highly recommend reading this if you want to read a truly incredible page turning thriller that you can’t stop reading!
October 7, 2022
Thrilling
This was the perfect book to get me out of my reading funk. It had me hooked from chapter one. It definitely keeps you guessing. The ending was perfect and everything I was rooting for! Well done Minka Kent!!
This was the perfect book to get me out of my reading funk. It had me hooked from chapter one. It definitely keeps you guessing. The ending was perfect and everything I was rooting for! Well done Minka Kent!!
October 6, 2022
So much unnecessary filler and such a predictable ending. I love Minka Kent, but this was disappointing.
May 26, 2024
Would you marry the love of your life if you knew his ex wife lives in the guest house? Jade enters into marriage with Wells, handsome, charming, comes from wealth, and they moved into his grandmothers estate. Her fame as an actress is the topic of Jades newest book and she’s taking it all in while learning about the past. But Wells’ ex wife is in a semi-vegetative state with around the clock nursing staff caring for her. Apparently, a failed suicide attempt left her unable to communicate- or did it?
I found the book interesting but wish the plot went deeper into the story, it felt a little shallow. Took me a bit to get into it and seemed to lose interest towards the end. Not bad, not memorable.
I found the book interesting but wish the plot went deeper into the story, it felt a little shallow. Took me a bit to get into it and seemed to lose interest towards the end. Not bad, not memorable.
January 14, 2023
I’m the most gullible person on the planet and even I saw that coming 😂
A “thriller” with absolutely no twists. On page one I could see where this was going and was hoping that the author was tricking me and that there would be a mega plot twistor something. However, that wasn’t the case and I predicted the ending of this book when I read the synopsis lol.
All be it very basic, it was enjoyable. I didn’t have to force myself to finish it.
The characters aren’t memorable so I’ll probably forget them by breakfast, but the author knows how to write in a way that will keep you reading even when you feel like you’ve already read a story like this a hundred times. That’s talent 😊
A “thriller” with absolutely no twists. On page one I could see where this was going and was hoping that the author was tricking me and that there would be a mega plot twistor something. However, that wasn’t the case and I predicted the ending of this book when I read the synopsis lol.
All be it very basic, it was enjoyable. I didn’t have to force myself to finish it.
The characters aren’t memorable so I’ll probably forget them by breakfast, but the author knows how to write in a way that will keep you reading even when you feel like you’ve already read a story like this a hundred times. That’s talent 😊
September 5, 2023
The cover says this is a thriller. It isn't. I kept waiting for some action or intrigue. There was little to none. The ending was disappointing and predictable. There was room for it to be something better, but nope.
The author was overly descriptive (describing a piece of paper as white as unplowed snow, why, just why?) and spent loads of time on nothing that built the characters or the story.
I was listening to the audiobook and was surprised when it ended because I expected some actual twists or turns.
The author was overly descriptive (describing a piece of paper as white as unplowed snow, why, just why?) and spent loads of time on nothing that built the characters or the story.
I was listening to the audiobook and was surprised when it ended because I expected some actual twists or turns.
November 4, 2022
unofficial review: although the ending was predictable, i enjoyed it for what it was. it was a pretty average whodunnit type of domestic thriller and the pace was great- not too fast but not a slow burn either, just the right pace to keep you wanting more!
September 27, 2023
Minka Kent does it again! This audio grabbed me from the very beginning and I could not stop listening. Lots of twists and turns until the very end. You can find this on Libby.
November 16, 2022
Three unrealized potential stars
In general, I'm a fan of Minka Kent's books. While this one was enjoyable, it didn't have that punch, that je ne sais quoi, I was hoping for.
This story felt so familiar, I had to go back and check a couple times to make sure I hadn't already read it. (For sure, no, since this is a relatively new release). I was waiting for a twist or some big drama to happen, to spice things up and differentiate it from Jane Eyre retellings like The Wife Upstairs. But it was just a straightforward and predictable story, mainly because we've seen enough variations of Jane (or, in this case, Jade) that it's hard to surprise us.
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad. But it wasn't great either. I just expected more originality and things to keep me guessing.
In general, I'm a fan of Minka Kent's books. While this one was enjoyable, it didn't have that punch, that je ne sais quoi, I was hoping for.
This story felt so familiar, I had to go back and check a couple times to make sure I hadn't already read it. (For sure, no, since this is a relatively new release). I was waiting for a twist or some big drama to happen, to spice things up and differentiate it from Jane Eyre retellings like The Wife Upstairs. But it was just a straightforward and predictable story, mainly because we've seen enough variations of Jane (or, in this case, Jade) that it's hard to surprise us.
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad. But it wasn't great either. I just expected more originality and things to keep me guessing.
December 14, 2022
Eeeeeeeek! Minka Kent is one of my favorite authors and I was sooooo excited to get my hands on this new book.
Wells is the grandson of a famous Old Hollywood actress and lives in her estate. Jade is his new wife and an author. She's currently working on a biography of his late grandmother. Wells' ex wife, Sylvie, also lives with them in the estate's guest house. During Sylvie and Wells' marriage, she had an "unfortunate" accident and now requires round the clock care from nursing staff. It's an odd set up but there's definitely more to it . . . And when Sylvie writes Jade a note that simply says "Run," that's very evident. Jade uses her detective skills as an author to uncover the truth.
Whoa! This was fast paced. Full of reveals and twists. Suspenseful and thrilling. I devoured it. Portia's recounts rocked my world. I was flabbergasted and desperate to know what was true and what was a lie and who in the world these people truly were. And then her son--who the check is this guy and what part does he play in this whole crazy mess?
Part two blew me away. Sylvie tells her story and shocking things are revealed. Prepare yourself before starting this book. It's a must read.
Wells is the grandson of a famous Old Hollywood actress and lives in her estate. Jade is his new wife and an author. She's currently working on a biography of his late grandmother. Wells' ex wife, Sylvie, also lives with them in the estate's guest house. During Sylvie and Wells' marriage, she had an "unfortunate" accident and now requires round the clock care from nursing staff. It's an odd set up but there's definitely more to it . . . And when Sylvie writes Jade a note that simply says "Run," that's very evident. Jade uses her detective skills as an author to uncover the truth.
Whoa! This was fast paced. Full of reveals and twists. Suspenseful and thrilling. I devoured it. Portia's recounts rocked my world. I was flabbergasted and desperate to know what was true and what was a lie and who in the world these people truly were. And then her son--who the check is this guy and what part does he play in this whole crazy mess?
Part two blew me away. Sylvie tells her story and shocking things are revealed. Prepare yourself before starting this book. It's a must read.
October 14, 2022
The theme of this book is watered down Lifetime movie. It was all very anti-climactic, with no real thrill to it other than attempting to discover who attacked Sylvie. The problem was that, at least to me personally, it was easily discerned before the halfway mark. I found myself unraveling the plot early into the novel, but I continued reading hoping that it would give out the typical Lifetime thriller that airs on repeat. *SPOILER* I thought that Jade would make her discovery, Wells would discover that she knows and attempt to stop her from leaving. A scuffle would ensue where ultimately Jade would become victorious but none of that happened. We had a very poorly described “chase” scene where a not so inconspicuous black SUV follows them to the hospital but nothing happens. Wells arrives at the hospital later, makes a few demands regarding Sylvie’s care and ultimately goes to jail.
Overall, the beginning started off mediocre and the end fizzled out in disappointment.
Overall, the beginning started off mediocre and the end fizzled out in disappointment.
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