Book review of The Wife Between Us
by Susan Baldani

I love stories that keep me guessing, that surprise and shock me. When I’m absorbed in a great book, I tend to forget about the world around me and let myself drift into another place and time. This is what happened while reading “The Wife Between Us.”
Written by Sarah Pekkanen and Greer Hendricks and released in January 2018, the jacket sleeve does warn you not to make assumptions about what is happening or the people involved, because nothing is as it seems. With this is mind, I began to read.
And yes, I did make assumptions and thought I had it all figured out. I mean, it seemed so obvious what was happening and who was involved. Then a little less than halfway through the book – bam! I never saw it coming. The twists and turns that happen afterwards were delightful, while at the same time a little disturbing. But in a fun way, of course.
The characters in this book have great depth and emotion. There are ex-wives, a sister and a future wife, but who is who? Don’t be so sure, as I was. There are good people and bad people, but again, which is which?
I can’t say too much about the plot without giving it away, and I don’t want to ruin the outcome for anyone. But let’s just say it’s a love story with a complex mystery intertwined throughout. There’s Vanessa, Nellie, Emma, Maureen and Kate, women who all share a varied and complex relationship with one man. His name is Richard, and he has affected the lives of each of these characters immensely. But is he charming and refined or manipulative and dangerous? And what about the women? Are they really who you think they are?
Trying to figure out the real people behind the facades is what will make this book hard to put down. And you will be surprised right up to the very end. Just when you think you finally, at last, have it all figured out, don’t be so sure. Another surprise is always lucking as you turn the page.
Sarah Pekkanen is the bestselling author of seven previous novels and Greer Hendricks was a long-time editor at Simon and Schuster; this is her first novel.

Written for The Woodbridge Magazine