The Wife Between Us (2018) – Book Review

MY REVIEW

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: St. Martin's Press; First Printing edition (January 9, 2018)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1250130921

ISBN-13: 978-1250130921

Click Photo for Purchase Link 

“When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.

You will assume you are reading about a jealous ex-wife.

You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement – a beautiful, younger woman who is about to marry the man they both love.

You will assume you know the anatomy of this tangled love triangle.

Assume nothing.

Twisted and deliciously chilling, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's The Wife Between Us exposes the secret complexities of an enviable marriage - and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.

Read between the lies”

The tags “assume nothing” and “read between the lies” are quite accurate. You should assume nothing while reading this book. Put aside all pre-conceived notions and ideas as to who the players are in this book, as well as who is who, and who is controlling the situation.

There are three truths to this marriage:

** Hers
** His
** Actual

I received this as an advanced reader copy in late 2017. I was not compensated at all for this review and these are my own thoughts after reading the novel.

[First ARC I ever received. It was an interesting book that took a few times to read]

It took me two thorough readings to really understand it and process it. It can be, if you like the genre, an addictive read. The second time I went through the book in two days and enjoyed it more on the second round than the first.

It is engaging and keeps you guessing, at least it did me. The last two chapters are very important to this story and reveal a lot of truths the reader will have no idea existed. They also explain the flashbacks and other characters being mentioned as well as their relevance to the story. They are, I feel, the most important chapters of the book.

Before I continue, it should be noted there might be some subject “triggers” for people:

** Excessive Drinking/Alcoholism references
** Death (at least 3-4 character deaths are discussed/mentioned)
** Mental Illness
** Spousal Abuse
** Infidelity
** Stalking

These subjects are also carefully woven in the story of the players as well as play huge roles in the plot. If these subjects are bothersome to the reader – please avoid the novel.

With that said …

Within the first few chapters, there was a HEAVY presence of brand names mentioned, four (4) on one page alone. In about ten (10) pages, there were eleven (11) brands names dropped which made it feel like it was either an advertisement or a sponsored book. Thankfully the issue resolved itself as the book progressed. I know the authors have a second book out, so I’m hoping this isn’t a recurring theme in their books.

The story is written in three parts. Part one (1) seems to bounce back and forth between Vanessa and Nellie’s stories. They’re told in first (Vanessa) and third (Nellie) person views. It is only at the end of part one (1), that we learn the truth about them.

As the book begins, young Nellie is looking forward to marrying Richard and older Vanessa is remembering her marriage to Richard. Is Vanessa a scorned ex-wife or is she trying to protect her replacement and keep her from making a huge mistake as she did? We know that Vanessa won’t have peace until it is over. Who is stalking Nellie? Why did Richard leave Vanessa? All will be revealed deeper into the novel.

We do know that one of Richard’s wives “wasn’t who he thought she was”. We learn more about her identity towards the end of the novel. She is briefly mentioned (not by name) in the beginning and not brought up again.

From the beginning, Nellie is plagued with strange calls and even an issue with a wedding photographer (which in the end we learn the truth about). We learn that even Nellie has two personas: a teacher and waitress. Each one is different, but suits her.

The tale of Vanessa is a shattered woman (in her mid/late 30’s) living with her aunt post-divorce, and Nellie is a buoyant 27 year old young woman who is embarking on what she thinks is a perfect future with the man of her dreams.

At the end of part one, a truth is revealed about Vanessa and Nellie.

Part Two (2) is far more stable and stays with Vanessa’s side of the story – which is now in first person story mode.

The name of her replacement? Emma. In this part, the reader learns that death and anxiety has plagued Vanessa from her youth – even in her college days, particularly a young girl she was responsible for. And, the reader learns one of the reasons behind her failed attempts at getting pregnant stemming from a college incident.

As Vanessa tries to keep Emma from marrying Richard, the reader is thrust into why Vanessa and Richard divorced, and why she is desperate to stop Emma – Richard. Richard offers more money for Vanessa to get help. As always, he’s trying to manipulate the situation – or is he? Is Vanessa really obsessed or does she have a right to be concerned?

In an attempt to save Emma, Vanessa relives a terrifying college ordeal which contributed to some of her present-day problems surfaces. But, while one girl couldn’t be saved, she is desperate to save another.

As the book progresses, it becomes evident Vanessa carefully constructs the events surrounding the end of the marriage, and her reasons as to why it went the way it did – again, Richard. The breakup plays out - carefully orchestrated in detail - the beginning to the end.

Vanessa’s own college affair with a married man, the same thing that has now happened to her, is revealed.

As the reader gets deeper into the story, they start seeing a different side to Richard – an abusive, manipulative person. The reader will either see Vanessa as an unstable woman or one who is trying to get to the truth of everything that has happened from the beginning of the marriage as well as the end.

Vanessa is also wondering who was really stalking her in the beginning: the brother of the dead girl (from college) or the dark haired wife before her. Vanessa reveals she’s been talking with a therapist but doesn’t say who. It is here that we learn when Richard’s affair with Emma began, and we learn why Vanessa didn’t mind. We also learn why she didn't leave.

Part Three (3) begins (again in first person mode) with Vanessa reconsidering what she has set into motion. She learns more about what Richard is about: abuse and using fear to dominate. She is desperate to stop it thinking it wouldn’t have gotten as far as it did.

She also realizes it isn’t enough to stop Emma from marrying Richard, but he also must be stopped – he’ll only move on. She doesn’t want him back at all – she just wants him stopped.

Emma isn’t convinced that Vanessa is stable – even with evidence as to Richard’s own deception. Vanessa recalls her secret diary that Richard found – and the readers soon learn that Richard isn’t the man we think he is. Emma soon learns he isn’t who she thought he was either. That is a recurring theme here in the book – someone not being who they were thought to be.

As the book rushes to the end (compared to how it started off slow) – the reader learns how Richard tracked Vanessa’s movements in the beginning of their relationship and how he now tracks Emma. Vanessa reveals her part in the entire affair which infuriates Emma.

Emma agrees to stop the wedding – but on her terms, not Vanessa’s. Emma wavers a bit – why though? Does she not really believe Vanessa? Was it an act? And, what about the woman before Vanessa? Who is she? What happened to her? Where is she?

Vanessa finally confronts Richard – and he isn’t too happy with her newfound confidence. In his final act of dominance, Richard shows the reader, Emma, and even his sister (Maureen) what he is truly like – what lies beneath his exterior. Maureen acts as if he is the victim. But, she is satisfied with what has happened.

After seeing Richard one final time – Vanessa is able to put the marriage behind her, leaving behind all remnants of it. Maureen tells Vanessa the truth about their parents’ accident and her father’s violent past. She also still thinks it is Vanessa who is holding on to the marriage and not her brother.

Vanessa goes to her therapist one last time. And, the reader learns who Kate really is and her connection to Vanessa.

But, that isn’t the only surprise the reader is treated to. Vanessa reconnects with an old friend and is going to be teaching again, as she did before marrying Richard.

In the Epilogue we learn about Emma (which is told from her point of view) and her role in the affair (along with her reasons) – she is also connected to Vanessa. But, Emma’s connection to Vanessa goes back to Florida when Emma was 12 and Vanessa was in college. Vanessa adds that they were both wrong. They weren’t who they thought the other was.

The title is a bit confusing as I didn’t learn who the “wife between us” really was or what the title alluded to. I have noticed that other reviewers had the same issue.

Other than the potential triggers, the weird pace of part one (1), and the confusion about the title, I think I would find myself re-reading this down the road. I did enjoy the book and it is different from the usual genres I read. The style is very different as well.

I would recommend reading it at least twice before reviewing it – and take notes as I did.

This book is not for everyone. If you do not like complicated twists - I don't recommend it. If you are confused by multiple points of view - I do not recommend it. If you are looking for a quick/fast read - I do not recommend it.

I found it a solid read. I was also sent their second book – “An Anonymous Girl” to review.

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Sarah Pekkanen

Sarah Pekkanen is the internationally and USA Today bestselling author of seven previous novels. A former investigative journalist and feature writer, her work has been published in The Washington Post, USA Today, and many others. She is the mother of three sons and lives just outside Washington, D.C.


Greer Hendricks

Greer Hendricks spent over two decades as an editor. Prior to her tenure in book publishing, she worked at Allure Magazine and earned her Masters in Journalism from Columbia University. Her writing has been published in the New York Times and Publishers Weekly. Greer lives in Manhattan with her husband, two children, and very needy dog, Rocky. The Wife Between Us is her first novel.