🌹🌷💍 "The New Husband" 💍🌷🌹 (2020) - Book Review
MY REVIEW
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (April 14, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250107490
ISBN-13: 978-1250107497
Click Picture for Purchase Information
“Just
because you love someone doesn’t mean you know them.
Nina
Garrity learned that the hard way after discovering that her missing husband,
Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But Glen's
gone―presumably drowned while fishing on his boat―so she can't confront him
about the affair or any of his other misdeeds. A year and a half after the
accident, Nina considers herself a widow, even though the police never found a
body. Following a chance encounter with Simon Fitch, a teacher from her
daughter Maggie's middle school, Nina finds love again and has hopes of putting
her shattered life back together.
Simon, a
widower still grieving the suicide of his first wife, has found his dream girl
in Nina. His charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by
betrayal. Nina's teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes
his dad could have been, but Maggie sees a far darker side to this new man in
their lives. Even Nina’s good friends wonder if Simon is supremely devoted―or
dangerously possessive.
But Nina
is committed, not only to her soon-to-be new husband but also to resuming her
former career as a social worker. Before she can move forward, however, Nina
must first clear her conscience that she's not making another terrible choice
in a man. In doing so, she will uncover the shocking truth: the greatest danger
to her, and her children, are the lies people tell themselves.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, St.
Martin’s Press, for providing an advanced review copy. A positive review was
not required. All words are my own.
This is the second book I’ve read by the
author. The first one was the 2019 release “Saving Meghan”. These two books are
connected, so they are standalone reads.
I have to hand it to St. Martin’s Press.
Sometimes their “marketing” ideas are great! After requesting the book, and
prior to receiving it, I got a “to show he cares” package. It consisted of a
WONDERFUL scented Pine candle (which I still haven’t used), a letter to Nina
from Simon, and a recipe card.
The cover is eerily calm and creepy. And, there
will be some questionable language in it. Though the “F” word is not used in
this book.
If you enjoy suspense novels with knowing up
front who the bad guy is, you will probably enjoy this read. If you want it
stretched out and be surprised – this will be a letdown. Readers who are
observant will know that Simon Fitch is the bad guy, it is evident in chapter
six (6). He is definitely a master manipulator, and this is seen by Maggie.
Obviously, I hated Simon practically from the moment he is introduced.
In the first chapter, it starts off with a
standard third person set-up – finding an abandoned boat. And, what is
interesting – the character it starts with; isn’t seen or heard from again. That
would’ve been an interesting plot angle to explore somewhere in this novel. So,
right off this novel grabbed me.
From chapter two (2) to 29, it is told from
Nina’s POV (3rd person) and 13 year old Maggie’s POV (1st
person). However, from chapter 29 on, there was a new POV, also told in the
third (3rd) person. And, it is in chapter 29 that there is little
doubt as to who Simon is and what he is after.
The chain of events that begin this novel is
set off by Nina’s husband, Glen, mysteriously disappearing. Now, 17 months
later, she and her two children (Maggie and Connor) are moving into a house
with Simon. Simon is also a teacher at Maggie’s school.
Nina is definitely naïve, with her son Connor
worshipping Simon. The only “sane” voice of reason is Maggie. In addition to
dealing with the Simon issue, Maggie also has her middle school drama. Even
Nina’s friends Ginny and Susanna aren’t overly fond of Simon.
At the end of chapter 13, he is caught in a
lie, but no one questions it except Maggie.
There are some questionable moments that made
me roll my eyes – chapter 20 was an example, especially over a hairstyle.
The relatively short chapters made this a quick
read, and I managed to read it in about six (6) hours. It was, at points, hard to
put down. After the first break, I had managed to read 148 pages.
Overall, the plot was solid, but I found Simon’s
motives a bit weak; considering his obsession with Nina and the outlandish
efforts he went to. The main plot
centered around the first wife (Allison) who disappeared. Her fate is never
revealed, and his second wife, the deceased Emma.
Maggie at least has one ally – her friend Ben.
He is her calm voice of reason, her sounding board, and her saving grace.
It isn’t until around chapter 31 that Nina
starts seeing the “isolation” from her friends as a problem. Even when she
starts analyzing the fact that Simon uses the same cologne as her missing
husband, drives the same kind of truck, and even gets the same gifts – she tries
to dismiss it, even to the point of doubting herself. Even when a disastrous
even occurs, she still can’t see what is going on.
At times I wanted to shake Nina as she was believing
Simon over everyone else. Finally about chapter 43, she begins to question
things – including a bottle of ipecac.
For their part, and given their ages – Ben,
Maggie, and even Connor start staking out Simon’s rental property when they all
find problems with what he is saying. Connor does it only to prove his sister
wrong.
After Maggie’s life is put in jeopardy, and
Nina FINALLY catches him in a lie – Nina tosses him out of the house. It is at
this point, where I wanted to yell FINALLY as she starts seeing him in a
different light.
From there, it takes a stunning turn for Nina,
something the readers knew about 30 chapters earlier. From there, things pick
up rather quickly.
Another problem I had – both kids were seeing a
therapist. While Nina’s “therapy” was featured – there was nothing about the
kids, particularly Maggie who was having the most issues. It was a bit to
believe that Maggie hadn’t told her therapist about Simon. This is a plot point
I think the writer could’ve explored and added a bit more to the plot with,
even after Maggie’s “accident” at school.
Maggie’s reflection at the end was interesting
and eye-opening.
A gripping, suspenseful, haunting, page-turning
read that combines torture, murder, and an obsessed controlling psychopath.
It was fascinating to read, but at the same
time, it was like watching a train about to wreck while trying to signal the
engineer who is oblivious to the impending havoc and chaos.
“Just because you love someone, doesn’t mean
you know them”.
RATING:
3 ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
3 ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
3 ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating
explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
D.J. Palmer is the author of numerous
critically acclaimed suspense novels. A former e-commerce entrepreneur, D.J.
Palmer now resides in New Hampshire and is currently working on a new book.
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