🌹 The First Mistake 🌹 (2019) - Book Review

MY REVIEW

Hardcover: 304 pages

Publisher: Minotaur Books; 1st Edition (June 11, 2019)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1250192021

ISBN-13: 978-1250192028

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“THE WIFE: For Alice, life has never been better. With her second husband, she has a successful business, two children, and a beautiful house.

HER HUSBAND: Alice knows that life could have been different if her first husband had lived, but Nathan’s arrival into her life gave her back the happiness she craved.

HER BEST FRIEND: Through the ups and downs of life, from celebratory nights out to comforting each other through loss, Alice knows that with her best friend Beth by her side, they can survive anything together. So when Nathan starts acting strangely, Alice turns to Beth for help. But soon, Alice begins to wonder whether her trust has been misplaced . . .

The first mistake could be her last.”


Thank you to Minotaur Books for the advanced review copy. A positive review was not required. All words and thoughts are my own. 

“The First Mistake”, a psychological thriller, is Sandie Jones’ second novel. It is a stand-alone read so if you haven’t read “The Other Woman” you won’t need to. The books are not part of a series.

[ARC - Actual cover of the novel]

[The ARC's packaging]

Like her previous book, this one is also is written in United Kingdom (British) English with their spellings. As I had read another “Brit Chick Lit” book and “The Other Woman” prior to this, I caught on pretty quick.

Like her previous novel, Jones begins this will a chilling prologue from obviously the antagonist’s point of view – the person planning the evil that will come to the surface in the book.

Alice’s life could have been different had her first husband, Thomas Evans lived. She is now remarried with a second child. Nathan Davies, her second husband, seemingly has brought her happiness and life back together. Alice is also a successful business woman carrying on the company legacy of her first husband Tom, but she is battling inner demons that could sabotage her happiness and success.

However, it is a good time for Alice when she meets Beth – a true friend who doesn’t judge her. Someone to celebrate with, commiserate with, and talk to. A “mom” friend as well since Beth is a single mother to Millie who becomes Olivia’s friend.

The story is divided in three (3) parts:

#1) Present Day – Alice

#2) Nine Years Earlier – Beth

#3) Present Day – Alice & Beth

Alice soon discovers the truth about her first husband Tom (Sophia’s dad), Beth, and Nathan (Olivia’s dad). The truth threatens Alice’s marriage and her friendship with Beth. The truth can also impact the friendship between Olivia and Millie.

Alice has to now reconcile Tom’s “accident” with what she’s seeing on Facebook, in addition to a real estate “deal of a lifetime” that her husband Nathan thinks could be a turning point for her company, one that will put it on the map. But, Alice also has to wonder if Nathan is having an affair and motivated by other factors.

Then there is Beth’s agenda – revenge for what happened to her. Why doesn’t she want to meet Alice’s husband? In three years, Beth has yet to meet Nathan, who begins to wonder if Beth exists.

As usual, Jones weaves the tale in unimaginable turns and twists. Just when you think you know what is going on, you have to recalculate your assessment. Jones doesn’t have the big reveal until the last 20-30 pages of the novel – and it is usually different than what you think. It does keep you guessing.

The last page (which is about five to six sentences long) of the novel will leave you asking – what JUST happened?

I read it in the three parts (prologue/part one; part two; part three/epilogue) over four (4) days, skipping a day before reading the end of the book.

The previous book’s title – “The Other Woman” connected to the plot of that story. I am still left wondering what “The First Mistake” was and who it was referring to: Alice, Tom, Nathan, or Beth. Perhaps I missed it, but I didn’t see a connection between the title and plot.

This is definitely a book that requires paying attention. I honestly had to re-read the last chapter and epilogue over a few times. For some readers, it can be a complicated plot. I did find it interesting and original.

If you’re sitting on the fence with this one – borrow it from a friend or library first.

For the readers who enjoyed “The Other Woman”, they might enjoy this novel.

2 ⭐⭐/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SANDIE JONES has worked as a freelance journalist for over twenty years, and has written for publications including the Sunday Times, Woman’s Weekly and the Daily Mail. She lives in London with her husband and three children. The Other Woman was her debut novel.