This is not a 4-star read, in my opinion, but it's better than a 3-star rating implies...by about half a star. But, whereas I would likely round up in most cases, I think there are more "anchor" aspects to this one that will keep it at 3.

Here's the thing -- it's entertaining enough, once it gets rolling...but (for me) it took probably 150+ pages to reach that point. Maybe all the scene-setting was necessary, but it's not necessarily exciting. Also, if you've read Gone Girl, The Woman in Cabin 10, The Couple Next Door, The Girl on the Train, What Alice Forgot, etc. -- you've read this book, or at least a version of it. I couldn't escape the feeling that this was familiar ground I had trod before and, although I'm not bright enough to figure out exactly what would happen...I kinda knew something like what ultimately unfolded would happen.

OK, so, all that said, I still enjoyed the story told from different - but not simultaneous - viewpoints. And...yeah, the last third of the book wrapped up a lot quicker & tidier than the first 2/3rds unspooled, but so what? By the end (nearly 400 pages) I was ready to say goodbye to these characters. Not that I was tired of them...but it was time to move on to a different scene.

Pretty much the definition of a summer beach/pool read. It's salacious and soapy and wicked and twisty and doesn't set out to Solve the World's Problems by Discovering Our Inner Selves Through Symbolism of the Printed Word. It's just a book, telling its story, and you may not remember many details about it a week or a month later, but it's entertaining enough while it's in your hands, so just enjoy your summer.🌞 ( )

Whoa. I had a heard time getting into the twisty mystery because I really couldn't stand the main character and everything she stood for. Then I realized this I wasn't supposed to like her and it was part of an elaborate plot. I throughtly enjoyed the rest of the book. The sequel is out now and I have it on order , The Next Mrs. Parrish, can't wait. ( )

This book has been on my list since it came out in 2017. So when I received an advance copy for the The Next Mrs. Parrish, it had to read this one. Check one book off my TBR list, only 4,999 more to go.

What a fun, guilty pleasure! Told in two voices…Amber, a wannabe on the rich and famous scene and Daphne, the perfect wife, perfect life. We follow these two women and see how their lives come together. What starts as an orchestrated meeting evolves into a so-called friendship, and so much more. We are lulled into focusing on one woman’s obsession with fame and fortune and the other’s perfect husband, family, life. Be careful what you wish for! The man at the center, Daphne’s husband Jackson, is rich, smart, successful with movie star looks. But, under this perfect exterior, is the heart of a sociopath.

I did not see that coming! With Amber, I immediately took a strong dislike. She is a the picture of narcissist, a totally unlikable human. My heart is already empathizing for Daphne. A socialite with a heart of gold, although a little naive, or is she? Jackson, a character I loved/hated. The storyline was entertaining, and had me totally absorbed from the beginning. Over the top fun. I loved the character development, taking my assessment of each from one extreme to the another.

This book is full of twists and turns which makes it a perfect summer read. It sucked me in at a time when I needed an unputdownable read. As I finish this one, I’m jumping right into the sequel, The Next Mrs. Parrish. ( )

This book has been on my list since it came out in 2017. So when I received an advance copy for the The Next Mrs. Parrish, it had to read this one. Check one book off my TBR list, only 4,999 more to go.

What a fun, guilty pleasure! Told in two voices…Amber, a wannabe on the rich and famous scene and Daphne, the perfect wife, perfect life. We follow these two women and see how their lives come together. What starts as an orchestrated meeting evolves into a so-called friendship, and so much more. We are lulled into focusing on one woman’s obsession with fame and fortune and the other’s perfect husband, family, life. Be careful what you wish for! The man at the center, Daphne’s husband Jackson, is rich, smart, successful with movie star looks. But, under this perfect exterior, is the heart of a sociopath.

I did not see that coming! With Amber, I immediately took a strong dislike. She is a the picture of narcissist, a totally unlikable human. My heart is already empathizing for Daphne. A socialite with a heart of gold, although a little naive, or is she? Jackson, a character I loved/hated. The storyline was entertaining, and had me totally absorbed from the beginning. Over the top fun. I loved the character development, taking my assessment of each from one extreme to the another.

This book is full of twists and turns which makes it a perfect summer read. It sucked me in at a time when I needed an unputdownable read. As I finish this one, I’m jumping right into the sequel, The Next Mrs. Parrish. ( )

The book turned. I thought it was going to be another formulaic book about a cheating spouse but the twist over mid way through. I almost put the book down. I was getting tired of the "stupid and naive" the wife was but I should have known there would have been a twist. A little long but I am now wondering what will happen in book two The Next Mrs. Parrish. ( )