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Alys finds herself with an adult daughter and a selfish husband who makes her redundant from her job. She feels like life has passed her by. Her daughter in on the brink of a new career as a chef and Esme’s dreams make Alys regretful that she achieved none of her own.

But then Alys meets the restaurant owner’s husband Sam and it is her first husband who almost died in a car crash over 20 years ago. He didn’t want Alys to live with an invalid so left her in the hope that she would chase her dreams. Can she follow her heart now…?

The Wife’s Choice was completely compelling. I was so caught up in Alys’ story and was anxious for her to have a happy ending. I always say it is the sign of a good book when it makes you feel strongly towards a character. I was incredibly angry with Hugh’s behaviour, the continual put downs, destroying her confidence, and later, the outright lies.

The characters are all realistic and Alys’ vulnerability is endearing although I also wanted to shout at her to stand up for herself! I could understand the choices that the characters made, whether through love, jealousy or fear

The Wife’s Choice is filled with sadness and regret yet it is also uplifting as Alys rediscovers her passions and dreams. I think the message of this book is loud and clear: don’t sacrifice your happiness out of fear or loyalty, and always be true to yourself. I will definitely try!

I have previously reviewed My Husband’s Lie, The Little Shop on Silver Linings Street, The Beekeeper’s Cottage, The House at Hope Corner and Christmas at the Little Cottage on the Hill by Emma Davies.

Emma Davies Media Kit:

Title:  The Wife’s Choice

Publication Day: August 4th 2020

Author:   Emma Davies

Buy  Links:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0885VW3LWSocial

Apple: https://apple.co/2yr0aMj

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3dpp5OU

Google: https://bit.ly/3cdewhS

Description:

Tell your most devastating secret, or risk losing your only daughter…

Then: Twenty years ago, Alys’ husband, Sam, was in a terrible car accident that left him fighting for his life. His recovery was slow and painful and, just at the point when Alys began to hope, he sent her away, refusing to see her ever again for reasons she could never understand.

Now: Married again and living in a new town with a new family, Alys feels like she’s sleepwalking through life. She’s just lost her job, her grown-up daughter is flying the nest, and her new husband doesn’t see – or even seem to care about – the downward spiral she is in.

But a chance encounter changes everything. As the life she could have had crashes into the one she settled for, Alys must decide whether or not to reveal the lie she’s been telling everyone all these years. Will it tear apart the ones she loves, or could it set them free?

The Wife’s Choice is an emotional, page-turning family drama about the difficult choices and sacrifices we make to protect the ones we love. Perfect for fans of Amanda Prowse, Kerry Fisher and Jodi Picoult.

Author Bio:

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: ‘I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.’ Well the job in the design studio didn’t work out but she’s now a forty something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true.

After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband, three children, and two guinea pigs in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life. It’s a county she adores, her love of its beautiful people and landscapes providing endless inspiration for her books, and in fact the only thing that would make Shropshire more idyllic is if it were by the sea.

Author Social Media Links:

Pop over to her website www.emmadaviesauthor.com where, amongst other things, you can read about her passion for Pringles and singing loudly in the car. You can also wave to her on twitter @EmDaviesAuthor / https://twitter.com/EmDaviesAuthor or find her on Facebook (a little too often than is good for her): https://www.facebook.com/emmadaviesauthor/

Cassie is devastated when her only child dies in a tragic accident. Shortly after Josh’s funeral, Kim turns up on the doorstep with baby Samuel and he is the spitting image of Josh as a baby. Cassie begins to obsess over her new grandson but strange things start to happen…

It is clear that Cassie and Kim both have secrets from the past which they are desperate to keep hidden. Cassie receives mysterious text messages which descend to blackmail while Kim is evasive about the details of her relationship with Josh.

The narrative is delivered through multiple viewpoints including Josh in flashback chapters. These are particularly poignant as we know he has died and we are witnessing the events that lead to tragedy.

Cassie, Kim and Josh’s ex Jemma are all emotionally written by Sheryl Browne to create sympathy, whilst also raising questions about their actions and motives. The grief of losing a loved one is realistically portrayed and sensitively written. These characters have a vulnerability which makes them appealing despite their dubious activities.

Some parts of The New Girlfriend are quite dark. Kim’s homelife is quite tragic to read about, yet her stalking and desperation is creepy yet heartbreaking. The sinister messages and mental breakdown of Cassie, the tension in Cassie and Adam’s marriage all contribute to the sense of unease and danger that make us as readers feel concerned for the characters.

The final page is truly jaw dropping and I wasn’t expecting it at all (no spoilers!) Overall, this was an enjoyable book to read: part psychological thriller, part family drama but definitely emotional.

I have previously reviewed The Perfect Sister, The Second Wife, and The Affair by Sheryl Browne.

Book Description: