If you’re craving a psychological thriller that feels like a cross between a glamorous love story and a classic gothic novel, then The Wife Before by Shanora Williams might just be your next favorite read.

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When Samira Wilder trades her unlucky life in Miami for a fairytale wedding with Roland Graham, a charming pro golfer, it feels like a dream. Moving into a luxurious mansion should be the icing on the cake, right? But as soon as she steps into the house, it’s clear this place has more secrets than rooms—and they’re not all good.

The mansion, with its creepy echoes of Roland’s late wife Melanie, quickly turns from dream home to haunted house. Discovering Melanie’s old journals, Samira finds herself tumbling down a rabbit hole of doubts and suspicions about what really happened to the first Mrs. Graham.

Shanora Williams really knows how to keep you on your toes. Just as you think you’ve got a handle on the story, she throws in twists that have you questioning all your ideas. Samira is a standout character—strong, smart, and just a bit stubborn but also relatable. Watching her navigate the mansion’s secrets and the tangle of her new husband’s past was as thrilling as it was nerve-wracking. What I loved most about this book was how it played with elements of the gothic thriller genre in a modern setting.

Shanora Williams delivers a solid thriller that’s perfect for anyone who loves a good mystery with a heavy dose of atmosphere.

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