The Wife Before

by Shanora Williams Narrated by Tracey Conyer Lee

Overview

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shanora Williams weaves an insidiously sexy, twist-filled novel in which a new bride's fairytale marriage fast becomes a nightmare of secrets ...
Samira Wilder has never had it easy, and when her latest lousy job goes south, things only promise to get harder. Until she unexpectedly meets a man who will change her life forever. Renowned pro golfer Roland Graham is wealthy,
handsome, and caring, and Samira is dazzled. Best of all, he seems to understand her better than anyone ever has. And though their relationship moves a bit fast, when Roland proposes, Samira accepts. She even agrees to relocate to his
secluded Colorado mansion. After all, there's nothing to keep her in Miami, and the mansion clearly makes him happy. Soon, they are married amid a media firestorm, and Samira can't wait to make a fresh start-as the second Mrs. Graham ...
Samira settles into the mansion, blissfully happy-until she discovers long-hidden journals belonging to Roland's late wife, Melanie, who died in a tragic accident. With each dusty page, Samira comes to realize that perhaps it was no accident at
all-that perhaps her perfect husband is not as perfect as she thought. Even as her trust in Roland begins to dwindle and a shadow falls over her marriage and she begins to fear for her own life, Samira is determined to uncover the truth of
Melanie's troubled last days. But even good wives should know that the truth is not always what it seems ...

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for The Wife Before 

BookBub’s Best Mysteries & Thrillers of 2022 | PopSugar’s Best New Thriller and Mystery Books of 2022 | SheReads Best Mystery Books Coming in 2022 | Word Wonder Most Anticipated Non-Speculative Releases For 2022 | Goodreads What to Read Next After Colleen Hoover

“Williams does give both Melanie and Samira multiple dimensions; they're flawed but also strong and determined, and the twist at the end is a surprise.” —Kirkus Reviews

"Shanora Williams drew me in from the beginning and held me captive to the very end.  With all the scenarios that came to mind as the truth, the ending was truly riveting. This was my first book by Williams, but it will not be my last.  For lovers of a good suspenseful romance, check this one out." —Urban Reviews

“I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next with these messy lives and I was hooked, there was definitely some juicy material here making this an ideal summer thriller. Definitely recommended as a weekend binge read, this was really addictive!” —Novel Gossip

“Similar to the iconic cosmopolitan, Shanora Williams’ newest thriller starts off sweet, but quickly turns sour when a passionate marriage takes a deadly turn. Sexy, scandalous, and striking, this twist-filled psychodrama, like a cosmo, is definitely worth the hype.” —Readers Entertainment Magazine

Advance Praise for The Wife Before from Booksellers & Librarians:
 
“Shanora Williams has a keen eye for the tension that can build in a relationship... that paired with strong characters and a carefully built plot make this a read that absolutely begs to be finished in one sitting (which I did!). And that ending—let's just say it comes to a very satisfying conclusion! Plus, I'm a sucker for anything that plays on REBECCA and I got wild REBECCA vibes here!” —Becky LeJeune, Bookbar Denver (Denver, CO)
 
“This heart-pounding twisty thriller is an unexpected story of suspicion and redemption.” 
—Cari Dubiel, Twinsburg Public Library (Twinsburg, OH)
 
"An exceptional novel that you don't want to miss.” —Laura Fowler, J.V. Fletcher Library (Westford, MA)
 
“Shanora Williams weaves an intricate tale of domestic suspense. Readers will be gripped right from the very first sentence. This a must-read for thriller fans.” —Nicole McManus, My Sister's Books (Pawleys Island, SC)
 
Praise for The Perfect Ruin
 
“This twisty thriller takes readers into a high-class, sinfully privileged world populated with characters who will stop at nothing for what they want. Williams stretches out the tension as readers wonder what Lola did to hurt Ivy and whether their shared past will be revealed. With diabolical turns and surprises at every corner, it’s an ideal summer read.” —Booklist STARRED REVIEW
 
“A delicious and decadent cocktail of jealousy, passion, and revenge. I was hooked from the very first twist. You’ll love this addictive psychological thriller.”  —Alessandra Torre, New York Times bestselling author of Every Last Secret
 
"Twisty and impossible to put down! With a cast of diverse characters, Williams brings to life a twisty thriller that'll leave you reeling long after you've read the last page. 10/10 recommend." 
—Claire Contreras, New York Times bestselling author
 
"You're going to pick a side, make no mistake. And then you won't put it down until you know the truth. A shocking, sensual thriller with sharp twists."  —Tarryn Fisher, New York Times bestselling author of The Wives
 
“Williams is an award-winning author of romance and suspense novels; her tale of revenge will find an easy spot in fiction collections. Tailored for book clubs and for those who like to read about the sleazy side of rich elites.” —Library Journal
 
“In The Perfect Ruin, author Shanora Williams serves up an ice-cold revenge thriller set in the glamorous and steamy hot city of Miami.” —Book Riot
 
“The glamour of Miami has a dark side in this twisting story where nothing is what it seems.” 
—WRAL-TV (NBC) North Carolina
 
“This is a great story of revenge and the lengths someone will go to get it, and how there are many layers to people’s lives. It’s a great mix of female friendship and thriller.” —Parkersburg News and Sentinel/Marietta Times
 
“This fast-paced and incredibly entertaining book is perfect for devouring by the poolside. Everyone in this book is terrible, but I mean that in the best way possible. Williams is so incredible at writing her characters that despite the horrible things they do, you still want to root for them.” —Off the Shelf

Kirkus Reviews

2022-03-30
A second wife is drawn into the tragedy that killed the first—and must find out the truth before she’s next.

Needing to make some quick money, Samira accepts a waitressing job at a charity event where she has a meet-cute with famous golfer Roland Graham. Soon they are an item, and he’s wowing her with trips and gifts—and in the bedroom. Samira’s brother cautions her, though, to be careful; Roland’s first wife, Melanie, died under mysterious circumstances, and there’s a lot of speculation (on social media, anyway) that Roland was responsible. Samira’s doubts are soon put to rest by Roland’s reassurances, and they get married and move into Roland’s mansion in Colorado—the mansion where he used to live with Melanie. Though the setting lacks a true gothic flavor, there is a definite current of unease that affects Samira’s embracing of this luxurious lifestyle; she meets Roland’s handsome cousin, Dylan, and the housekeeper/chef, Yadira, and then she finds Melanie’s journals. Williams offers these journals in Melanie’s voice, so the reader slowly begins to learn more about Melanie’s life and marriage at the same time that Samira does: the distance that gradually grows between her and her handsome husband; her attraction to dashing Dylan; her complicated sister drama. Samira can’t confront her husband with these truths, but as she reads further and digs deeper into Melanie’s past, she understands that she must discover the truth behind her death—before it’s too late for Samira, too. Despite some comparisons to du Maurier’s Rebecca, the novel is much less atmospheric and nuanced than that classic. Williams does give both Melanie and Samira multiple dimensions; they're flawed but also strong and determined, and the twist at the end is a surprise.

A thriller with a familiar foundation but some contemporary spice.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940176083651
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	06/28/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	650,347

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