Kristin's Bookshelf

The Wife Across the Street
By James Caine
Narrated by Alexandra Cohler
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.25)

While I enjoyed listening to this book overall, I did have a few challenges with it. My biggest struggle was reading a female perspective, particularly that of a female domestic abuse survivor, written by a male author. Without giving anything away, I found Sidney difficult to relate to at times, especially when it came to some of the people she chose to trust.

Sidney and her son, Ollie, are trying to build a new life after escaping an abusive home. When they move across the street from a family that appears to have it all, it doesn’t take long for the cracks in that perfect façade to begin showing.

I’m also realizing that I absolutely despise the cheating spouse trope. It seems to pop up in so many domestic thrillers, and it rarely adds anything for me other than distaste for all characters involved.

The explanation behind everything was a bit far-fetched, but I’m usually willing to go along for the ride if the story is entertaining. The final act delivered plenty of tension, and I especially enjoyed Sidney’s last interaction with Brandon. That ending left me satisfied, even if some of the journey there required a bit of suspended disbelief.

I definitely would be interested in checking out more from James Caine.