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An ARC copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.
MY REVIEW:
A big thanks to NetGalley for providing me an early copy of this one to I can share my thoughts and reactions to it! Available July 27th, 2023!
What a roller coaster! I always expect twists and turns from Shanora but she really pulled my chain with this one.
“No one truly knows their partner, do they? I mean really, really know them, down to the mysterious depths of their souls and the hardness of their core. You can spend years with the same person, creating memories, growing together, blossoming into one . . . but you’ll never truly know what’s going on inside their heads.”
The Other Mistress, Shanora Williams
Firstly – when you very begin this one, take the triggers seriously. If you have any issues with the triggers mentioned, don’t proceed. I’m not an easily triggered individual, but that doesn’t mean these kinds of issues don’t both me. However, when given the appropriate treatment, they are powerful pieces of character development. Shanora does an all out amazing job at taking clinical issues and showcasing what this is like for people in that head space.
Secondly – I thought I knew where this one was going. I always take it as a challenge, especially with mystery and thriller books, to see how closely I can guess where the author will take it. BOY WAS I WRONG. At the very beginning I felt like she would take it down PATH A…. and about halfway through the book, I’m figuring it’s going out down PATH A VERSION 2… but by the end she was in a whole other town and country than where I thought that path was going. Which makes me enjoy a book even more when I am left guessing.
Thirdly – Human trauma and emotional damages are real. People deal with them all the time and some have breaks. I loved the character of Adira because no matter what, she was always true to herself – no matter what. She’s very aware of her own insecurities and continues to try and live her life the best way she can. That’s all we can ask for as humans really. Do our best with the hands given to us and see where life takes us.
I hope you’re enjoying your summer reading as much as I am! This is Book 2 of 20 in my #20BooksofSummer23 reading challenge!
GET IT HERE:
Adira Smith-Cortez knows how to turn around a troubled past. Now she’s a self-made multi-millionaire who takes exquisite care of herself and her only true love: her husband, Gabriel. Adira has it all—except the answer to one tormenting question: why is attentive, affectionate Gabriel cheating on her—with not just one, but two women. There’s sexy Jocelyn, a club owner. And then there’s Julianna, a celebrity makeup artist he’s even crazier about. In a tricky twist, vengeful Jocelyn offers Adira the perfect plan to get her straying spouse back . . .
It sounds simple: Adira will befriend Julianna through a fake identity, play on her and Gabriel’s vulnerabilities and cause them to split up permanently. Determined to reclaim her happiness, Adira won’t—can’t—stop to think what could possibly go wrong . . .
Until too many of Gabriel’s lies start adding up to a disquieting truth. Until Julianna discovers who Adira really is—and Jocelyn pushes Adira to ever-more-unthinkable extremes. With her world collapsing and shattering memories tearing her apart, how far will Adira’s obsession take her—and how much of herself is she willing to lose in the process . . .
“A fast-paced, psychological trip with a climax that will shock the most voracious readers. Recommended for fans of Alyssa Cole, Liv Constantine, and Megan Goldin.” —Library Journal
“Fans of The Wife Between Us, by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, won’t be able to put this one down.” —Booklist
“An intriguing story that leaves you guessing just how far these women will go to get what they want. There’s plenty of drama and spice to go around with this one!” —Shelly Ellis, author of The Three Mrs. Greys
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shanora Williams is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty romance novels, and diverse thriller novels.
She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and is the mother of three boys, has a fiercely devoted and supportive husband, and is a sister to eleven.
When she isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her family, binge reading, or running marathons on TV streaming services while scarfing down something sweet or salty.
Adventures in Literature 
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