Book Review: The Shadow Wife by Diane Chamberlain

The Shadow Wife by Diane Chamberlain
Published by Mira Books
Publication Date: Nov. 23, 2010
Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Fiction
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
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Could you ever fall in love with your best friend's husband? A mesmerizing story about friendship, love and sisterhood.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

“Joelle D’Angelo’s best friend, Mara, is left with brain damage after she suffers an aneurysm giving birth to her son. Alone and grieving, Joelle turns to the only other person who understands her pain: her colleague—and Mara’s husband—Liam. What starts out as comfort between friends gradually becomes something more…something undeniable.
Torn by guilt and the impossibility of her feelings for Liam, Joelle sets out determined to find help for Mara, no matter how unconventional the source. Her search leads her to a mansion in Monterey, California, and into the life of a woman shrouded in mystery. Carlynn Kling Shire is a healer and, according to Joelle’s parents, saved Joelle’s life when she was an infant. As Joelle is guided down an unfamiliar path by a woman keeping her own shocking secrets, she discovers that while some love is doomed, some love is destined to survive anything.

Please note: The Shadow Wife is the reissue of Cypress Point”

 

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of Diane Chamberlain’s books and the Shadow Wife is no exception. Diane has a knack for challenging my thoughts on what may appear on the surface to be a clear-cut ethical issue. Would I ever root for two people to commit adultery? Well no, but she develops the characters predicaments in such a way that I am as torn as the characters are. Who should the loving husband choose when he loves two women, his brain-damaged wife or his wife’s best friend and colleague?

Again, I couldn’t put this book down and Diane has such an easy to read style and expertly sets up cliff hangers at the end of each chapter, that I am just compelled to keep reading into the wee hours of the night.

This story is about a love triangle between Joelle, her best friend Mara and Mara’s husband Liam. Mara suffers brain damage giving birth to her son and Liam is left to care for his young son. Liam endures the pain of watching his once vibrant wife crumble into the shell of the woman she once was. Joelle and Liam grow closer as they both work together and care for Mara to make her comfortable.

Joelle calls upon a well-known healer, who once saved her life, to see if she can perform a miracle for Mara. The healer has her own story, a twin sister in an interracial relationship in a time when it was not accepted. Of course, the healer has a life filled with secrets of her own.

Another book full of twists and turns, love, healing, friendship, and sisterhood. I highly recommend this book.

Recommendations:

If you liked The Shadow Wife, then you may also like:

* Monsoon Memories by Renita D’Silva
* The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain
* The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain

Disclosure: I was not compensated for writing a positive review and opinions expressed are honest and my own. Purchases made from the “IndieBound” (that supports independent bookstores) or “Barnes & Noble” affiliate links will give me a small commission to help support my blog expenses without impacting your cost. Thanks for your support of my blog if you decide to purchase.

What do you think? Could you ever fall in love with your best friend’s husband? I’d love to hear your thoughts. As always, happy reading!