At first, I was ruffled by the implausibility of an intelligent woman letting herself get into such a compromising position, and then I remembered that the main character (although much younger and less worldly) in my own novel series was lured into a similar predicament by a master manipulator. I realized I was too hasty and a few chapters in . . . WOW . . . I was so curious and entertained that I truly wasn’t bothered by that detail anymore.
This author has a bag of tricks and all the plot points under control, so suspend your reality and go for this wild ride! I’m a fan of crime, mystery, and thrills . . . this novel tics all three boxes. I found the overall pacing and the twisty elements very enjoyable.
The Trapped Wife does reveal some dark secrets along the way. I’m not a sensitive reader, but I do empathize with those that are . . . so be aware that there are a few details of trauma in this novel that may upset some folks. Be sure to view the blurb and an excerpt before purchasing to avoid any “triggers”.
Let me level with you and say about two-thirds of the way through I was leaning toward a four-star review, instead, the final surprizes sucker punched me in the gut and changed my mind. Well played Samantha Hayes! 5 stars!
I’d like to thank the author, NetGalley, and Bookouture for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The Trapped Wife for an honest review.
