I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

A woman grieving loss joins an online group for moms and goes down a dangerous road of lies and obsession in author Jennifer Anne Gordon’s “Perfect Wives, Perfect Lies.”

The Synopsis

For fans of The Hunting Wives: A woman in mourning finds renewed purpose in her fake persona for an online mom group—but membership comes at a killer cost.

In the wake of losing her son, Becca also lost her marriage and her moorings. Now, work and time spent with her best friend, Lynn, are what gets her through the day. But it’s a private group of moms on social media that gets her through the long nights.

Run by Karen, the holy grail of perfect wives, Mommy Wine Time is a place where women share stories, perfectly airbrushed photos, and advice disguised as humble brags. And it’s where Becca pretends to be Lucy, with the help of a stock photo account. Lucy’s an ideal wife and mother living a dahlia-filled life in Seattle, enjoying all the things that Becca is certain she’ll never have again.

But the line between Becca’s truths and Lucy’s lies starts to blur when a series of bad deeds, daring games, and too many bottles of cheap chardonnay reveals something darker. Soon, what began as mere petty crimes escalates to kidnapping, assault, revenge, and murder. Still, the more Becca pretends, the more alive she feels . . .

This psychological thriller from the author of Pretty/Ugly takes the wine moms from Big Little Lies and Desperate Housewives, puts them in an online space where it’s easier to hide their true identities, and then gives them even darker obsessions. Cheers!

THE REVIEW

This was a compelling, gripping thriller. The author finds a great balance between quirky, chaotic conversations among the cast of characters and introspective themes that drive them forward on their journey. The rich imagery in the author’s writing creates an almost cinematic experience, allowing the reader to feel immersed not only in this online Mom group but also in the lives of these characters as a whole.

While the chaotic events and shocking crimes that escalate as the narrative progresses definitely entertain and grab the reader’s attention wholeheartedly, it is the protagonist’s struggles and journey that really cement the emotional core of the story’s uniqueness. Not only is the protagonist mourning the loss of a child and the end of a marriage, but also the life she once knew. The way her story reflects the themes of loss, self-discovery, and identity as a whole is not only profoundly moving but also balances out the shocking events that this online Mom group comes to embody as the story progresses.

THE VERDICT

A twisted, fun, and enthralling narrative, author Jennifer Anne Gordon’s “Perfect Wives, Perfect Lies” is a must-read domestic thriller. The levels of suspense and drama the story brings balance the chaotic yet quirky banter in the Mom group. Fans of shows like Desperate Housewives and Big Little Lies will absolutely love this narrative, and the twists and turns it brings will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager for the final chapter. If you haven’t yet, please be sure to preorder your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

JENNIFER ANNE GORDON is a professional ballroom dancer and choreographer by day, and a curly haired neurotic writer by night. She is an actor, a traveler, a photographer, a lover of Gothic Horror, and a dog mom. She lives in the wilds of New Hampshire with her partner on and off the dance floor. Her novels include the Kindle Award for Horror 2020 Winning book, Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent, as well as the historical Gothic novel From Daylight to Madness (The Hotel #1) as well as When The Sleeping Dead Still Talk (The Hotel #2). She also has a published collection of her artwork, titled “Victoriana {mixed media art of jennifer anne gordon}.

for benevolent stalking purposes you can visit her website http://www.JenniferAnneGordon.com

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