Review: The Woman He Loved Before by Dorothy Koomson

The Blurb (from
Libby has a nice life with a gorgeous husband and a big home by the sea. But over time she is becoming more unsure if Jack has ever loved her ? and if he is over the death of Eve, his first wife. When fate intervenes in their relationship, Libby decides to find out all she can about the man she hastily married and the seemingly perfect Eve. Eventually Libby stumbles across some startling truths about Eve, and is soon unearthing more and more devastating family secrets. Frightened by what she finds and the damage it could cause, Libby starts to worry that she too will end up like the first woman Jack loved...Tense and moving, The Woman He Loved Before explores if the love you want is always the love you need ? or deserve.

My Review
This book made my family grumpy. I was gripped from the beginning and could not put it down. The family were ignored for a couple of days, guests were given short shrift!

Dorothy Koomson manages to create such wonderful characters - lovable, likeable, beautiful, characters you want to be friends with ... and characters you love to hate too. She weaves a wonderful story around Jack and Libby, gently teasing out the sinister details, to create a tense, emotional and touching love story.

The details of Eve's life, told through diaries found by Libby, are sad and depressing. But ultimately the inner strength of both Eve and Libby is uplifting and wonderful. It is a rare book that gets a 5/5 from me, but for this one it was easy. Koomson's earlier novel, Ice Cream Girls, was one of my favourites, and she has done it again with The Woman He Loved Before. Absolutely one of my favourite authors.

Rating: 5/5