Emily wasn't looking for love, but that's what she found in a crowded bar after an HR conference. On the surface Adam was attractive and fit, even if he showed an impressive lack of empathy. A top consultant at her firm, Emily is doing well and doesn't need a man in her life to make her complete, but that doesn't stop her from falling under the spell of Adam's charm and attention. During a whirlwind romance Adam becomes part of Emily's life, a part of herself that grows until she can't do without him. It seems perfect, they're living together and planning a wedding, but that all changes when Emily meets her future mother-in-law Pammie.
During their first meeting Pammie appears to be welcoming, but Emily feels like there is a strange distance between them - that Pammie is not that keen on Emily joining her family. Pammie is a widow who mostly raised her two boys on her own and she is very close to both her boys - Adam and his younger brother James. At times it feels like there is no space for Emily in the relationship, and at times it seems like Pammie is deliberately trying to split them up. As the wedding approaches Emily becomes convinced that Pammie wants to keep Adam to herself, and she becomes even more determined to marry Adam. When Pammie crosses a line that horrifies Emily it is full out war as far as Emily is concerned and she is willing to fight for herself, for Adam, and for their unborn child. Why is Pammie so determined to keep Emily out of Adam's life, and how far will she go to get what she wants?
When you read a lot it can be a challenge to find a book that is a fresh voice, or that surprises you - and The other woman managed to cover both bases. There are quite a few books out there that cover similar relationships, or that pit mother-in-law against future daughter-in-law, but few unravel the story as well as Sandie Jones has. I liked Emily from the start (even if I didn't really like the fact that she was so smitten with Adam so quickly and gave up on her life so quickly - but that's not Jones's fault). Having the story told from Emily's perspective left a lot of room for the story to develop, and avoiding spoilers gets tricky if you want to do a good review.
The highest compliment I can pay The other woman is that it was a thoroughly satisfying read, with little twists and clues that keep you wondering what is really happening (and what Emily might be imagining). The characters felt real, and this would easily translate to a television movie or a feature film without needing to be made more realistic. I have requested more Sandie Jones books to see if I like her other books because I really, really liked The other woman. Best enjoyed in a single sitting if you can. Enjoy!
If you like this book then try:
- Sticks and stones by Katherine Firkin
- The liar's daughter by Claire Allan
- Hidden lies by Rachel Ryan
- When I was ten by Fiona Cummins
- Before she was Helen by Caroline B. Cooney
- The perfect mother by Caroline Mitchell
- The better sister by Alafair Burke
- Behind closed doors by B.A. Paris
- Spare me the truth by C.J. Carver
- Either side of midnight by Benjamin Stevenson
- Good me bad me by Ali Land
- Crimson Lake by Candice Fox
Reviewed by Brilla
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