The Wife Next Door by Rona Halsall
Genre: Psychological thriller, Domestic thriller, Domestic drama, Suspense
Read: 8th October 2022
Published: 12th October 2022
★★★★★ 5 stars
DESCRIPTION:
It was meant to be the perfect break-up…
Just because it’s over between us, doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. My ex-husband and I still care for each other a lot, and we are determined to put our sweet little boy, Toby first.
Now we’ve moved into houses right next door to each other, with each of our new partners and their children. We’ve even knocked down the garden fence, so Toby can easily run between our homes.
But it seems not everyone is happy about this big, blended stepfamily. I try to ignore the viciously-worded note in the ‘new home’ card, the red pen scrawled through my divorce paperwork, and the day I find myself locked into my house, all the keys suddenly missing…
But I can’t pretend it’s all in my head when a false accusation is made against me that could destroy my life – and Toby’s – forever.
Someone doesn’t like what’s happening under these two neighbouring roofs.
What they don’t know is that they’re messing with the wrong person. And that hell hath no fury like the wife next door…
A completely unputdownable, jaw-on-the-floor psychological thriller for fans of Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Couple at No.9.
MY THOUGHTS:
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Rona Halsall's tense domestic thriller THE WIFE NEXT DOOR .
I have read all but two of this author's thrillers and I have to say that this is one of my favourites. It's in a close running with "The Honeymoon" (my first ever read by Rona) and "The Liar's Daughter" - both of which are 5 star reads. It's just one of those "love to hate but damn it was brilliant" type of reads. I was constantly irritated throughout the book with the stupid decisions and gaslighting going on but I just knew by the end I would lapping it all up having enjoyed it anyway. There are just some books with some characters that seriously get under your skin. This is one of them. And boy, did it mess with my head!
So...we have Jess, recently separated from hubby Rob and currently going through the divorce process. Together they have son Toby, whom I estimate to be around 9 years old though I'm not entirely sure. Having moved on from their marriage both now have new partners when someone came up with the hairbrained idea of blending their families and co-parenting them together. Not only that, but they purchase two houses next door to each other and each couple with their respective children move into each respective house. And thus blending their families.
What could possibly go wrong?
When Jess discovers the last two houses in a new-build estate come up for grabs, the couples couldn't resist making the most of the opportunity by purchasing them and moving in next door to each other. That way, Toby can get the benefit of living with his mum while still being able to see his dad next door. There is, of course, the added bonus that Rob's new girlfriend Carol has a 5 year old son Mo on whom Toby dotes, having always wanted a little brother. Jess' new family is not so smooth sailing. Her boyfriend Ben has a 14 year old daughter Ruby from a teenage relationship and the girl has her dad wrapped tightly around her finger with Ben always choosing the path of least resistance. Thus creating a spoilt and moody teenager adept in playing her dad and Jess off against each other.
Again, I ask...what could possibly go wrong? The answer is...everything!
Jess and Rob wanted their divorce to be amicable but this whole blended family thing takes that concept to a whole new level. Soon, things begin to go wrong though no one but Jess can see it. This in turn makes her look paranoid thus planting the idea in everyone's heads that she isn't coping with this whole new arrangement...as much as she wanted it to.
First, there is the viciously worded note written inside a "welcome to your new home" card; her defaced divorce papers; and finding herself locked inside the house - without any keys or phone. But then things are ramped up a notch when social services are called in and a false accusation is made against her that could destroy her life. Jess knows then that someone is out to discredit her. But why?
What makes it worse is that no one believes her. Least of all her partner Ben! The one who is supposed to be on her side, supporting her. Instead she finds him chumming up to her ex and his girlfriend next door while they talk about her behind her back...seemingly under the guise of "being worried about her". But are they really? Or is one of them hell-bent on destroying her life?
As the reader, we are thrust headlong into this fast paced thrill ride with barely a chance to come up for air. We wonder if Jess is actually a reliable narrator or not, if she has some mental health issues or if someone really is out to get her. But who and why? Everyone is a suspect in this addictive domestic thriller as no one escapes suspicion. I had my eye on every single one of them. Even her mother! Who had what to gain by destroying Jess' perfectly constructed life? But honestly, a blended family living next door to one another? It was a recipe for disaster.
In all honesty, I was tearing my hair out throughout this book. The complete disregard, lack of understanding or support or even care for Jess was mind-boggling! Ben, of all people, should have been on her side. But no, he was quick to jump in the boat that painted Jess as paranoid. No one was on her side. Even her mother, who I thought was at first, started singing from the same song sheet as the others. I really loved to hate everyone in this book for their complete rush to judgement towards Jess...so quick to believe she was imagining things or was being unreasonable. I wanted to bash all their heads together and drown Ruby in the Irish Sea.
But oh, what a tangled tale!
THE WIFE NEXT DOOR is an excellent psychological and domestic thriller that is a little unique. Why on earth would you want to move in next door to your ex? How could you possibly be so naive as to think it would be all smooth sailing? No matter how amicable the split, NO separation or divorce is that harmonious.
As the description states - two houses, two front doors, one family. What could possibly go wrong?
After a complex process of elimination, I narrowed it down to one person before their big reveal wondering why it took me so long. Because Rona had us chasing red herrings, that's why! Of course, it all made perfect sense. And that ending. I loved that ending. I was fist pumping the air with a resounding "YESSSS!!" at the outcome that was so expertly and neatly tied up in the most fitting of conclusions.
Overall, THE WIFE NEXT DOOR is a fast paced addictive entertaining read that can easily be devoured in one sitting. One of her best yet!
I would like to thank #RonaHalsall, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheWifeNextDoor in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Rona was born in Nottingham, grew up near Blackpool and went to college in Leeds. She then moved to Snowdonia, North Wales where she brought up her family while working as a business mentor.
She is an outdoorsy person and loves stomping up a mountain, walking the coastal paths and exploring the wonderful beaches on the Island while she's plotting how to kill off her next victim. She also makes sure she deletes her Google history on a regular basis, because... well, you can't be too careful when you spend your life researching new and ingenious ways for people to die.
She has three children and two step-children who are now grown up and leading varied and interesting lives, which provides plenty of ideas for new stories!
Rona lives on the Isle of Man with her husband, two dogs and three guinea pigs. She has been a bookworm since she was a child and now she's actually creating stories of her own, which still feels like a dream come true.
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