Book Review: The Life She Wants by J.M. Hewitt

 

                                                     Kindle Edition, 240 pages
                                                   Published July 8th 2021 by Canelo

                                                              buy from Amazon 

You want to save your marriage. She wants to destroy it.
Paula worries that her marriage to Tommy is hanging by a thread. She loves how safe her husband makes her feel, but lately, it seems like he’s pulling away from her, and he keeps avoiding a much-needed conversation about finally having children.

When Tommy suggests a cruise getaway for the two of them, Paula is thrilled. He’s fighting for this marriage, and he’s even promised that they will talk about growing their family. It’s Paula’s dream come true. Until the couple meets beautiful Anna.

From the moment Anna appears in their lives, things start to go wrong for Paula. She finds herself trapped in a sauna. Her hair is destroyed at the salon. Money goes missing from her cabin. At first, Paula thinks she’s paranoid in suspecting Anna is turning her dream holiday into a nightmare. But soon, it becomes clear that Paula may not be the only woman fighting for Tommy’s affections. The only question is why…

The Life She Wants is a suspenseful psychological thriller with a twist. Perfect for fans of Catherine Ryan Howard, Ruth Ware, and Lisa Jewell.

                                                               MY REVIEW:

The Life She Wants by J.M. Hewitt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paula and Tommy and have been married for many years and all she wants is to have a family. He is all about his career and keeps having excuses to put off having kids. One day he surprises her with a cruise. She is thrilled, as she seems to think their marriage is in trouble. But when they get on the cruise he seems to have different ideas than she does.
On the first day she goes to the sauna only to find out she isn't alone. There is a naked, beautiful woman in there. She is Anna and when she leaves then Paula finds herself locked in the sauna. Not long after that Anna "saves" her. Of course Tommy doesn't believe that anyone would lock Paula in the sauna. Seems like everytime Paula turns around something is happening to her and it always seems to be when Anna is around. At first Anna and Paula seem to be friends and the first night Paula even invites Anna to eat dinner with her and Tommy. As the days go on though Anna seems to have Tommy in her sights.
This was a quick read in 1 sitting and I couldn't put it down. There was even a twist at the end that I didn't see coming.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC to review.

View all my reviews

                                                            J.M. Hewitt


Website
http://www.jmhewitt.net

Twitter
jmhewitt

Genre
Crime





Silver Prize in the author v author competition 2008 (supported by the National Literary Trust)

Shortlisted for the Inspire and Mentor Campaign – selected by Jojo Moyes 2012

Two books independently published in 2010 and 2013

Longlisted for the Retreat West First Chapter Competition 2015

Winner of the BritCrime Pitch Competition 2015

Winner in the Twisted 50 Short Story Competition 2016. Short story 'Fingers' to be published in the Twisted 50 Anthology.

Appearing at the Felixstowe Book Festival in 2015 and 2016 and the East Anglia Author Festival 2016.

Member of the CWA, ITW and East Anglian Authors.

Exclusion Zone and The Hunger Within published 2016 / 2017 by Endeavour Media.

The Night Caller published by Bookouture 2019.

www.jmhewitt.com
Twitter: @jmhewitt
FB: www.facebook.com/j.mhewittauthor