User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
[
Spoiler time! Seriously, this is going to be long!
The storyWhere do I even begin?! Ok, first off this book is about a husband and wife who decide that murdering women is somehow a turn on and keeps their mar
Rating: really liked it
I loved this nasty little book.
Rating: really liked it
4 what the hell did I just read stars!
Samantha Downing’s outstanding, smart, entertaining debut thriller keeps you on your toes and makes you cry when you take a look at your nails because you bit them all during your read!
Welcome to your crazy train ride ! Your destination is a suburban town, meet with this lovely family, party of four. A lovely real estate agent wife, a tennis instructor husband and their smart and beautiful kids. Nope, nothing as it seems. You’re about to meet to one of the dysfunctional families.
Not Shameless, Weeds tv series kinda dysfunctional. This couple suffers from their daily routines and responsibilities of the their marriage. Never ending bill payments, children’s demands, working on the jobs without any satisfaction... As a summary all work no play ! But their solution for not being dull is finding an interesting hobby which is organizing the murders of young women.
This book is unconventional with its disturbing characters. Millicent, lovely wife takes her trophy as one of the terrifying, blood freezing, sociopathic characters of the history( definitely she is the danger, Walter White is like a Disney character when you compare him with this woman)
This is brilliant page turner makes you addicted. You never want to stop and keep on reading. It makes you paranoid, it makes you run in the dark as soon as you turn off the lights, it gives you goosebumps!
Twists are well played. The characterization is developed with so much dark humor and conclusion is surprising. A promising start! I truly enjoyed it!
Rating: really liked it
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
Wow! What a read!
I had no idea what to expect after reading the description for this novel. However, I knew I had to read it, and once I started, there was no going back.
Dark, disturbing, and so very clever. This novel really was impossible to put down.
The book opens with a man approaching a woman in a bar. He slides his phone towards her, and she reads the message he has typed on it…
“Hello. My name is Tobias”She is unsure why he is using his phone to speak to her, but his next message clears things up.
“I am deaf”The woman is unsure whether or not she wants to engage with Tobias. She assumes he’s been turned down many times. He can sense her inner struggle.
Will she stay?She has no idea just how important this decision is.
The husband and his wife, Millicent have been married for fifteen years. They have two teenage children. He teaches tennis and she sells houses. They may not be rich but they are comfortable. The family runs like a well-oiled machine thanks to “Millicent’s Commandments”. They always eat dinner together, and they have regular family movie nights. They seem like a very happy and normal family.
People will do many things to keep a marriage alive. The couple in this novel is no exception. But the ways they keep their marriage from getting boring? Well, those are VERY different.
“
My Lovely Wife” was a diabolical, unique, and thrilling read with a fantastic cast of characters. Told from the husband’s point of view, the story was engaging and twisted. Full of secrets, lies, and surprises. I was riveted and couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next, what the characters were doing to do next.
“You didn’t think we were going to stop, did you?”This was an incredible debut novel. I am very excited to see what Samantha Downing comes up with next!
I'd like to thank Berkley Publishing for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
Rating: really liked it
4.75* Sinful Stars! (rounded up)
A Brand of Crazy All its Own.
Be afraid. Be very, very afraid! Next time your neighbor or someone else smiles at you, perhaps you should just look away. Catching their eye could be extremely dangerous. Me: Smiling wickedly as I read: “I love this, but it is vile! I really shouldn’t be liking this so much, I mean, it’s so not right, but I just can’t help my darn self!"
Me: Laughing mischievously, “Oh my gosh, is this actually happening? I cannot believe she just did that!”
So what’s the premise? A man and a woman meet, fall in love and marry. Together, they have the wildest and well, most terrifying of hobbies. It’s one I’d never imagine and frankly, hope remains fictional.
For me, reading this was like eating a potato chip. I simply couldn’t get enough! The secrets are whoppers and the suspense is all consuming, gritty, grimy and was like nothing I’ve ever read before.
“My Lovely Wife” by Samantha Downing is seriously unputdownable! You simply must get your hands on it, like right this second. Beg, borrow or steal if you have to, or maybe just ask nicely, whatever works. You will not regret it.
My final thought is this: “My Lovely Wife” is freakish and demented and I loved every second of it. It is so crazy that it will make me give almost everyone I meet from now on the side-eye, including you! This was a buddy read with Kaceey. Most of the conversations I had above (smiling wickedly, etc.), happened in the context of texting with her. We went back and forth constantly, as we couldn’t believe our own eyes. It was totally awesome, thus I highly recommend this for a group read. Thanks so much as always Kaceey!
A huge thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group and to Samantha Downing for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on Goodreads, Twitter and Instagram on 9/26/18.
*Will be published on Amazon on 3.26.19 upon release.
Review also published on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Rating: really liked it
Halloween is just around the corner and it's time for some spooky books - but which ones are worth your time? Check out this BookTube Video for answers!
The Written Review: 4.5 stars
“I wanted to surprise you,” she says. “For our anniversary.”
I stare at her. My lovely wife.
“It’s demented,” I say.
She raises an eyebrow at me. Before she can speak, I put my finger against her lips.
“And it’s brilliant,” I say.”
Some couples have game night, other love to see a movie...this one likes to murder people.
My name is not Tobias. I use that name only when I want someone to remember me.
"Tobias" met his wife years ago, and he knew from the moment he saw her that she was special.
Fifteen years later, they are hitting a bit of a rough patch but the good news is, they're planning another murder.
But, what his wife doesn't know is that Tobias has been cheating...
or does she? As much as he loves her, he has to admit that sometimes (just sometimes) he can see
dark thoughts flit across her face.
Is it just their anniversary murder? Or does she have something else up her sleeve?
Whew. This book was WILD.This was a fabulous thriller and I loved figuring out all the pieces of this puzzle. There were so many moving parts (and the wife was soo deliciously evil).
I thought "Tobias" was a bit flat and dense of a main character but in all honesty, I think that ended up fitting quite well.
I do wish we spent
more time on the grand reveal - we were teased quite a bit about the motives of the earlier couple-killings and when the twist happened, I really wanted more time in that moment.
The ending felt a bit sharp, and wrapped up surprisingly quickly but all in all - this was a really good book. And not one I'll soon forget!
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Rating: really liked it
There's no denying, I'm one tough customer. Or a picky chick as I've so lovingly dubbed myself. Being the lone misfit who can't seem to get in line with a book
everyone else is awarding high ratings is proof positive. At 110 pages in, I have no choice but to jump ship. The “shocking revelations” I’ve encountered thus far aren’t enough to overcome the husband’s
bland delivery. Or more candidly, I'm bored. Maybe I’ll give Millicent’s husband another opportunity to amuse me with tales of his *lovely wife* some other day. Let's be honest though, the chances of that happening are slim.
*Thanks to Berkley for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Rating: really liked it
My Lovely Wife is advertised as a domestic thriller about a married couple who murders to keep their marriage alive. It sounds interesting enough, so sign me up. Except what I got was mostly a domestic drama with no thrills. Boo hiss.
The majority of this book reads like a play of a typical suburban family, starring the couple and their two teenage kids. We are treated to page after page of them getting ready, going to work/school, coming home, cooking and eating dinner, watching tv, and going to sleep. There are lots of teenage drama, angst, rebellion, and technology use. It's all so pedestrian and boring.
This couple has real communication issues between them. Since the story is told from the husband's perspective and the wife does most of the murdering, it's all done off-screen, which means the husband (and we the readers) don't know the details. The husband is curious about what the wife is doing, but for some odd reason, doesn't just come out and ask her. Supposedly this couple murders to keep the spark alive in their relationship, yet the husband is too squeamish to know the details. It doesn't make any sense.
It's also not clear to me why they do this. The book makes some pretty far-fetched jumps to tie a backstory together, but it isn't convincing. In fact, none of the main characters' actions really gel into real people with coherent personalities. They are all rather one-dimensional, with the only distinguishing characteristics being that the parents murder for excitement and their kids go through teenage issues.
It's always a risk to tell a story from an antihero's perspective, and in order for it to be good, the reader has to be able to understand and connect with that person. Unfortunately, I didn't really feel anything from this story. I wasn't excited or thrilled or intrigued. I mostly just read to see what happens in the end, and when I got there, I didn't really feel anything either. Considering how awesome the premise was, it's a shame this book was a solid meh for me.
Rating: really liked it
Five Crazy Solid StarsI am not going to get into very much of this plot. I went into this book blindly and suggest you do the same. It was a big surprise. Millicent and her husband have two children and live in the suburb. They seem to be a normal family like everyone else in the neighborhood. They get very bored in their fifteen year old marriage, which is very dysfunctional. They want to thrill their marriage up and they are hiding very dark secrets to keep their marriage alive.
This is one crazy thriller. It will blow your mind. I am utterly in awe. I could not believe this was a debut novel. It lived up to all the hype for me. This has everything that I love in a thriller. I loved everything about this book. This was my first solid five star for the year. I loved everything about this book. it definitely will be one of my favorites for this year. I was immediately drawn into this story. I could not put this down.
Before you open up this book make sure you have no plans for the day. Don't answer the telephone, and don't answer the door, because all you will want to do is to read this book. I am serious. At least that is how I thought. I did not want it to end. I raced through this book and read it in a day in a half.
I loved the ending. Right when I thought I had figured this one out, a big twist comes along that wasn't expected at all and it left me speechless. It was a big surprise. This one kept me on the edge of my seat. It is not a predictable read and I thought it was mind blowing and AMAZING! This one is tied in first place in my favorite shelf for this year. Crazy good!
I loved the character development and I thought it was very well written. I can't wait to read her next book.
This was a Traveling Sister read and I think we all loved it. It was a great discussion.
I want to thank Edelweiss, Berkley Books and Samantha Downing for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Available Now
Rating: really liked it
My Lovely Wife is a 2019 Berkley publication.
Sly, witty, and brilliant!!
The tile, cover, and intriguing synopsis for this book made it sound too good to pass up- and it was!!
The premise is mostly original, as a husband and wife and their two children enjoy ,what appears on the surface, to be a nice normal, healthy, family life. However, this married couple, instead of engaging in a little role play to spice up their marriage- indulge in a little murder on the side instead.
The husband, who never reveals his real name, tells this story from a first person perspective, giving us a play by play of events as they unfold, adding all his twisted inner thoughts about what has happened, what is probably happening, what he hopes will happen, and what he is afraid will happen- which is as fascinating as it is horrifying.
I can’t believe this is a debut novel!! Smart, devious, well-constructed, and wildly entertaining!! I loved it! If you love psychological thrillers, you do not want to miss this one! Relish it and savor it and try not to feel too guilty if you find yourself laughing instead being justly outraged by our narrator and his lovely wife. This book was almost TOO fun! But, if you love dark humor, twisted and disturbing plots, with loads of surprises, I promise this one will deliver everything you ordered and then some!!
5 stars
Rating: really liked it
4.5⭐️Be prepared to be shocked!😳If only I could give you a broader glimpse of what this book is about. Unfortunately, nearly everything I’d want to share would end up being a spoiler! So friends…less is more!
Millicent and her husband are living the typical suburban life. Both work, while raising two children. And of course, trying to keep up with the Jones’. Nothing out of the ordinary, really.
However, their “extracurricular activities” are, oh… a bit different than you and me (at least I hope so!)
OK, that’s all I’m going to say...This book is so twisted, so dark and macabre. I was speechless throughout! Once you’re in, it’s absolutely unputdownable! (I love that word!) And just when you think you’ve reached your maximum shock value? Well, not so fast. Samantha Downing isn’t done rocking your world and keeps the surprises coming! Did I mention this is her debut? Seriously! Cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!
Make sure to clear your calendar, pack some snacks and put everything else aside. Because you won’t be able to tear yourself away until you reach the final page! This is a must-read for all thriller fans for spring of 2019! You don’t want to miss this one! Highly recommend!
A super fun, shockingly thrilling buddy read with Susanne!
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group for a galley copy to read and review.
Rating: really liked it
I was lucky enough to win My Lovely Wife in a Goodreads Giveaway. I knew the book was about a couple that murders and that the book had really good reviews but I didn't know much more. Recently I read the book with JuJu and Gail and what a fun way to read a book like this one. There are so many twists, turns, and shocks that I could not put this book down. Every chapter ended with me wanting to find out what happened next. There was just one shock after another and it was fun to get to share my thoughts with my reading buddies.
I will call the husband Fake Tobias, for reasons that you will understand when you read the book. FT's wife is Millicent, a very successful realtor and they have two teenagers, Rory and Jenna. FT teaches tennis lessons to his rich neighbors and seems to think he has to work to impress his wife since he's not sure how he married such an accomplished, beautiful woman. His life is filled with the everyday things of work, taking the kids to school and sports events, dinner with the family every night, washing the car, tending to the home, all the normal things a normal family man will do. But FT and Millicent have a big secret, something illegal that gives them both a big thrill and they want to keep on doing this thing, despite the risks and the wrongness of what they are doing
I can't believe how much I enjoyed this dark and disturbing book and it mostly had to do with the narration and thoughts of FT. Millicent is so easy to hate and FT is a horrible person but there is something semi likable about FT, too. He loves his wife and kids and has compassion for those who have suffered sadness in their lives...think about that one...when he and his wife cause such tremendous sadness for their victims and their families. The two people cause so much damage and it's when the damage reaches their family that at least FT seems to have second thoughts.
Author Samantha Downing did a fantastic job of keeping up the suspense and mystery in this story. It's such a guilty pleasure, enjoying this book from the wrong side of murder. Thank you to Berkley Books, Samantha Downing, and Goodreads Giveaway for making this book available to me.
Published March 26th 2019
Rating: really liked it
4.25 stars
My Lovely Wife is a f*ed up psychological thriller about a husband and wife’s extremely interesting fetish! A couple married for 15 years takes up an unusual “hobby” to keep the spark alive. While their plan works to help their marriage, it can only work for so long before they are exposed. In order to keep having their secret “date nights,” they concoct an elaborate scheme resulting in a masterful game of cat and mouse.
My Lovely Wife is an ADDICTIVE and TWISTED read that held my attention from the first page. I just loved the tone! The dark humor had me laughing and smiling at some really inappropriate moments. These are characters that a reader should hate, and while the wife is depicted as being cold, there is something just so sympathetic about the husband. He is quite the clever narrator! While predicted one twist early on, I had no clue has to how things were going to play out. Oh and that last sentence? Chilling!
I have been reading a lot of mediocre thrillers lately and thought I was going to be taking a break from the genre, but Samantha Downing, with her bat sh*t crazy characters and crafty narrator, has restored my faith! I highly recommend to fans of psychological thrillers! I received an ARC of this book from Edelweiss and Penguin Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
I really enjoyed binging this! It was so fun learning more about this twisted couple and seeing the storyline flip between past and present to develop the characters and how their relationship came to be. It’s fast-paced, easy to read, and made me want to guess what would happen next. Even though I was able to predict the plot twist, I still think how the author weaved together the story makes it engaging to read.
Rating: really liked it
wow. this book makes me feel like i need to go to marriage counselling... and im single.
what a trip. i saw pretty much saw everything coming a mile away, but its the narrator who sold this book for me. he goes by the name ‘tobias’ but we never actually find out his real name. and he loves his wife and would do ANYTHING for her. hes basically a less clever, suburban version of joe from ‘you.’ its the kind of twisted psychological relationship i love reading about and the same kind of bizarre dynamic that makes me so paranoid of other people.
this is a great story for those of you looking for something psychotically entertaining.
↠ 3.5 stars
