I won an advanced copy of this book from Berkley Pub.

The book deals with domestic violence. I am a survivor. Did reading this bring up memories? Yes but I choose to deal with them. I have come across so many things in life that bring up something I wish I could forget that, for me, riding it out and dealing with them is my personal best option. It may not be another’s so know that the story has the potential to take you back and make your reading decision with what is best for you. You may not want to read this review because I’m going to talk. It has taken ten years to be able to talk about it and, honestly, I still don’t talk about the really bad stuff.

If you go into reading this book thinking it is a mystery, you will be disappointed. The beginning of the book gives that away. Afterward you find out the how of everything. If you want the book to be solidly realistic, this may not be for you. There are parts that are more fantasy that reality but, in fairness, the book is fiction. Fiction. Not fact. I personally thought the unrealistic parts were interesting. Okay they had me daydreaming about my ex and making a few wishes. What I liked about this book is the three women who find out who they are. Survivors. Damaged yet survivors. They come a long way in a short time. Unrealistic maybe but it still made my heart full. Domestic violence steals so much from you. If you haven’t had the experience you may not realize just how much is taken.

Another thing I appreciated is that the author didn’t just leave it as physical. Actually more of it was mental/emotional. The stuff that crushes you. The things that play over and over in your head. I’m only speaking of my experience here. For me this was incredibly difficult. I can remember the times when I couldn’t take it anymore, the verbal assault, and I would be there asking God to just let him hit me. If you find that shocking, you have no idea how painful a verbal assault can be. My ex used his fists and feet. He also used what he could throw, he used knives, a guard dog, guns and the electrical cord with wires exposed, a wet washcloth thrown on them after the cord was plugged in. There were other, worse, things. I tell you this so you understand how deeply words can wound. The thing about verbal abuse is it can be done in a way that you don’t even understand that you are being abused. You might know to walk away if he, (or she - abusers come in both genders), punches you. But if they are just saying things, some that may have bits of truth being twisted, you might not realize that is domestic violence. You are abused and those words will stay with you long after the relationship ends. So when I read a book like this one and the author understands the pain from psychological abuse, I want to cheer. I want to write the author a thank you letter. I want to tell others to read it with a mind open to feeling the characters pain and their shame. Reading this book and seeing Imogen, Naomi and Ruby realize who they are and what they are worth, meant a lot to me. It was encouraging.

The book had me riveted. I picked it up to read every chance I had, reading far into the night. If you are looking for a psychological thriller, and don’t mind a fictional story being a mix of reality and fantasy, I would say read this book. ( )

Actions have consequences.

Phillip Rochester is abusive, manipulative and controlling. There are three women who know just how much of a nightmare he can be. One decision acts as a catalyst to start a battle in motion. Three women against one man. If hell hath no fury like a woman scorned....what about three women?

This book is disturbing, action-packed and suspenseful. I usually find at least one redeeming quality in characters, even villains...and I tried. But Phillip Rochester is just a total wanker. Not that the three women he wronged are much better. Imogen, Naomi and Ruby all have their faults and have all made huge mistakes in judgement. And normally they wouldn't have allied with each other for any reason, given their former attachments to Mr. Wanker. But.....adversity makes strange bedfellows.

I usually avoid books that center around abusive relationships, divorce, kids stuck in the middle, etc.....but this one sounded different. Revenge. Powerful emotions. And dark decisions. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop.....wow....just wow. The story is just incredi-disturbing, scary and wrong....but I couldn't stop myself wanting to finish...to find out what happened.

This story is heavy....emotional and dark. I think I might just have to watch 2 Disney movies and binge a season of Gilmore Girls to clear out my head. But, a book that can bring me on a emotional roller-coaster ride is well-written. This story moves along at a perfect pace....has plenty of unexpected twists along the way....and is stellar at building suspense and just feelings of dread, disgust, anger, sadness....

Not for the faint of heart or for those who just can't handle stories about abusive (mental and physical) relationships.

Kudos to Jo Jakeman for totally creeping me the hell out. By halfway through the book, even I was afraid of Philip Rochester! Total wanker!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
( )

Actions have consequences.

Phillip Rochester is abusive, manipulative and controlling. There are three women who know just how much of a nightmare he can be. One decision acts as a catalyst to start a battle in motion. Three women against one man. If hell hath no fury like a woman scorned....what about three women?

This book is disturbing, action-packed and suspenseful. I usually find at least one redeeming quality in characters, even villains...and I tried. But Phillip Rochester is just a total wanker. Not that the three women he wronged are much better. Imogen, Naomi and Ruby all have their faults and have all made huge mistakes in judgement. And normally they wouldn't have allied with each other for any reason, given their former attachments to Mr. Wanker. But.....adversity makes strange bedfellows.

I usually avoid books that center around abusive relationships, divorce, kids stuck in the middle, etc.....but this one sounded different. Revenge. Powerful emotions. And dark decisions. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop.....wow....just wow. The story is just incredi-disturbing, scary and wrong....but I couldn't stop myself wanting to finish...to find out what happened.

This story is heavy....emotional and dark. I think I might just have to watch 2 Disney movies and binge a season of Gilmore Girls to clear out my head. But, a book that can bring me on a emotional roller-coaster ride is well-written. This story moves along at a perfect pace....has plenty of unexpected twists along the way....and is stellar at building suspense and just feelings of dread, disgust, anger, sadness....

Not for the faint of heart or for those who just can't handle stories about abusive (mental and physical) relationships.

Kudos to Jo Jakeman for totally creeping me the hell out. By halfway through the book, even I was afraid of Philip Rochester! Total wanker!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** ( )

“Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor Hell no fury like a women scorned.”
Willam Congreve

Phillip has been abusing women and power almost his whole life. Ruby, his first wife, makes excuses, till his true colors come out. Imogene has been cast aside for his newest fling. She’s still mourning the loss of her first child and is a doting mother to their son. Naomi is Phillip’s current fling and she’s finding out what a mistake it is. Until one day events put these 3 women together and they cannot left Phillip get away with one more punch.

This book delves in Domestic Abuse. It’s upsetting to read about. As frustrating as it is to understand why women stay, the author does a great job explaining how men like this can take control over women’s lives, and prey on certain types.

This books starts and ends at a funeral, and then gives you the backstory. You will simultaneously cheer and jeer these women. You will find out how an abuser can work his game, until he can’t.

Well written, dark situations, vivid details. Look forward to reading more of this author’s work.

I received an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. ( )

Please see all of my reviews on my blog at https://www.robinlovesreading.com.

Everyone has a breaking point, and this is illustrated in this story in more ways than one. When this story begins, Imogen, Naomi and Ruby are desperately trying to hide their feelings at the funeral of Phillip Rochester. The truth of the matter is that they are all immensely satisfied that he is dead. Two were ex-wives and one was his current girlfriend. What Phillip was to these three women was hardly endearing. Phillip was an abusive, controlling man who made their lives a living hell.

Imogen desperately fears for the safety and future of the young son she shares with Phillip. When the most unlikely opportunity presents itself, she takes control. Imogen has no choice but to include Naomi and Ruby in her newfound situation with Phillip. Can the three work together to create the ideal solution to all of their problems?

Although this story is presented from Imogen’s point of view, it is told in both past and present, so the relationships Phillip experienced with both Naomi and Ruby is clearly explored. Phillip was a policeman with an impeccable record and thus was able to get away with years of abuse. Always the victim, Imogen grasps the upper hand. The situation was often touch-and-go as the women learn to work together. This most certainly becomes a matter of establishing trust. Seeing that they were all involved with Phillip at one time or another, this does not come easy. In fact, it gets rather hairy, albeit a bit humorous, at times.

At some point in the story, I experienced a complete contradiction of emotions. On the one hand I assumed that the scenario was ludicrous and I did not want to continue. But then I was sort of pleasantly surprised at the turn of events that happened in the story. The contradiction occurred when I saw the true nature of Phillip and began to understand the actions of the women. Things turned for me again when I became truly repulsed, as if I wasn’t already previously in the story. I can say that this book was incredibly cringeworthy. Despite this dichotomy, this debut novel was fast-paced and a rather quick read.

Many thanks to Berkley and to Edelweiss for this ARC. This is my honest opinion. ( )