The Loyal Wife: A gripping psychological thriller with a twist

I don't write many reviews so excuse me if mine isn't as sophisticated as some. There is no need to repeat what the story is about because you can read that when you buy her book. This is the first book I read of Natalie Barelli's but it will not be my last. This was one of those books that you start reading on a Friday night and get nothing done all day Saturday because you can't put the book down. Fast paced story and you don't have to wait long for things to start getting crazy. Several times I thought I had it figured out but would then change my mind and decide it was someone different. Very enjoyable read and I will be checking out her other books. I'm glad I found myself a new author. You will be too if you try this book. Loved it!

This was a strange and quick read. It would be best to call this a novella. I'm not sure how to present my review so I'm going to provide a list.1. The main plot is fine, believable even, but much of the story is ridiculous.2. The writing style is not very good and often not very realistic. It's like a high schooler wrote it.3. The "news" articles were laughable. I have never seen a news article written that way. I can't imagine any editor allowing them into print.4. Errors: Below is a paragraph I copied. "I cock my head at him. There’s a bit of perspiration on his top lip. I wonder if I’m making him nervous. “She’s been murdered, Frank. You honestly believe that it will go away?” That makes him wince, and I honestly can’t tell if it’s because I brought up her murder, or because I used the Lord’s son’s name in vain."I'm sorry but I don't see the Lord's son's name. Do you?5. The two rich women calling each other 'girlfriend' made me laugh out loud and then I just felt sorry for them.6. The whole thing has a rushed feeling. There isn't much back story and what things you do learn is just thrown out in a ho hum manner. There is only one actual surprise, the who. By the time you get to it in the final 10 pages you basically really don't care.7. The "epilogue" is just stupid. A nice tidy fairytale ending. So unrealistic that my eyes rolled far back into my head and I saw my brain.8. There is absolutely nothing to connect you with the characters so it's impossible to guess who might be doing what and why.I think that covers it. A soap opera episode would have been a better use of my time. I have no idea why this has high reviews but I should have listened to the low ones. I only read to the end because I gave up $3.99 for this, whatever you want to call it. If I could I'd get a refund. I can't see myself ever reading something from this author ever again. I have a list of authors to avoid. Now there's a new name on it.

I feel cheated for actually buying this book. I read the reviews, the blurb on the back cover and saw the star rating and figured it must be good. I generally find that if a book is so well received I end up enjoying it, but this book was a total let down.I caught mistakes that should never have been made. The way the two girlfriends speak to each other doesn't play out like I think was intended. Instead it just seems awkward and forced. And the main character seems to think, speak and behave like a teenager.I kept reading this book with an open mind. I just kept hoping that it would get better and I'd be glad I gave it a chance. Sadly, this was not the case. I read a lot and tend to go through a book every 3 days or so. This one took much longer because it just didn't draw me in. In the end finishing the book was worse than just putting it down and giving up on it. I was honestly a bit angry with the ending. I really hate giving bad reviews, but this book was so bad I feel like I have to write a review as a service to people that may be considering purchasing it.

Tamra comes from the wrong side of the tracks and never dreamed she would marry someone like Mike Mitchell. He is handsome, rich and a wonderful husband, until she finds out that Mike is having an affair and she refuses to be made a fool of. Tamra knows something criminal that Mike did and intends using this to get back at him.Her life is perfect until she finds some sexy underwear stuffed in Mike’s pocket, which raises the memory of a previous indiscretion he committed, which she forgave and even helped him cover. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned is given full rampage in this tale. She forgave him once, but not a second time. Now he's going to pay.It is ultimately a tale of being deceived by those you have tried to help and be nice to. In this case, Mike’s daughter from a previous marriage. The daughter is bi-polar, bulimic and a cutter. She is manipulative, deceitful and destructive as those afflicted with these conditions so often are and wants to get rid of Tamra at all costs.This is a compelling and gripping story. This book has such a mixed bag of reviews I wasn’t sure of what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. I found the story fast paced and quite engrossingI enjoyed this book very much although the ending was unexpected

I've read all of Natalie Barelli's books and I'm in love with her easy to read witty writing style. This story follows Tamra, the "loyal wife" who makes some bad choices that lead to a romp of clues, deception, and one heck of a fantastic ending. Endings are my pet peeves because so many authors seem to just give up at the end of the story. Well done! Can't wait for the next book.

Bit too fast paced for me, but enjoyable. Tamra, is fiesty, funny and no-one's fool, and it was refreshing not to have the wronged wife as a wilting violet victim. Tamra is a go-getter from page 1. Yes, there are twists and turns, but they are convincing and nowhere near the contrived, and manipulated incidents your'e supposed to believe in the majority of psychological thrillers.Her situation got maddeningly frustrating towards the end, but this only made it more of a page turner. Loved the love to hate characters; Pastor Frank and Madison. Overall, a riveting good read.

I was really looking forward to this after enjoying “The Housekeeper”. However excitement turned to disappointment and I struggled through it to be honest. I didn’t like the story and I didn’t like the characters!Not sure I’ll read any more books by this author.

I really enjoyed this . The narrator seems wildly unreliable and foreground her suspicious characters. I enjoyed the twist too. Well written and fast moving. I'd recommend it if you like a good thriller .

I really enjoyed this book. The plot & characters were believable & I particularly liked the writing style & pace. It kept me hooked all the way through & the ending was nothing like I'd expected! I have just downloaded another 2 books by this author as I was so impressed with this book.

OMG what an excellent read.Read it in almost one sitting.Could not wait to find out what was going to happen next.Would definitely recommend Natalie Barelli