Only Ever Her by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen is a book that has so much potential. The concept is one that is really intriguing, but the execution of the plot falls flat. Also, there are multiple points of view and so many sub-plots that the main story sits on the back burner for most of the novel.
Title: Only Ever Her Author: Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genres: Adult Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Rating:
It was to be the perfect wedding—until the bride disappeared.
Annie Taft’s wedding is four days away, and it will be one of the grandest anyone can remember in her small South Carolina town. Preparations are in order. Friends and family are gathering in anticipation. Everything is going according to plan. Except that Annie herself has vanished. Did she have second thoughts?
Or has something much worse happened to the bride-to-be?
As the days pass, the list of suspects in her disappearance grows. Could it be the recently released man a young Annie misidentified as her mother’s killer? Could it be someone even closer to her?
While her loved ones frantically try to track her down, they’re forced to grapple with their own secrets—secrets with the power to reframe entire relationships, leaving each to wonder how well they really knew Annie and how well they know themselves.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Only Ever Her by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
Reviewing this book without giving away the ending is difficult, however, it is one that seems to have needed quite a bit more editing. I love the idea of a runaway bride murder mystery. Although, this novel just seemed a little bit all over the place. It starts off with what seems like an enjoyable main character who is struggling with whether the man who is imprisoned for her mother’s murder years ago should be released. All of this is happening at the same time she is about to be married. It seems like Only Ever Her is off to a great start, but it just begins to spiral from here, unfortunately.
❀ Too Many Points of View
Often thrillers and mysteries are written with more than one point of view, but Only Ever Her has far too many. There is a main character, her aunt, her cousin, and a news reporter who all have there own perspective and storyline in the book. All of these characters and subplots makes the book confusing to read and distracts from the mystery of where Annie disappeared to. These side stories seem to run off in tangents and don’t add to the story at all.
❀ Too Many Sub-Plots
Only Ever Her by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen sounds like it is going to be an interesting read, but it is far from it. With too many perspectives and sub-plots, the book just becomes less interesting to read. If some of the extras are edited from the book, it could have some great potential.
About Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
Marybeth Mayhew Whalen is the author of When We Were Worthy, The Things We Wish Were True and five previous novels. She speaks to women's groups around the US. She is the co-founder of the popular women's fiction site, She Reads. Marybeth and her husband Curt have been married for 26 years and are the parents of six children. The family lives in North Carolina. Marybeth spends most of her time in the grocery store but occasionally escapes long enough to scribble some words. She is always at work on her next novel.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
I love the idea of a runaway bride murder mystery. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with this theme. It’s too bad about the too many points of view and sub-plots. Without that it sounds like it could’ve been a better read. I do like multiple points of view in a book but it does seem like it would be a little too much, even for me. Great review, Olivia! ♥
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I meant Lori! Sorry for the typo! I keep forgetting to see who published the post. Doh
No worries, Stephanie! 😉
Yes! I think that there is a lot of potential with the theme and if there had been more focus on that than the sub-plots, it could have been a fantastic read.
I was just not attracted to this book hence I didn’t request it. I wouldn’t have liked it too I think
I think that it will be hit or miss for those who do read it!
What a shame! I agree, the premise is good, but when there’s too much going on, it detracts from the real story and makes me think there wasn’t enough there to begin with.
Exactly! I kept wondering when we would return to the main plot!
I would probably get lost reading this novel, to be honest. Too many POV’s confuse me and I don’t like the idea of too many sub-plots. I’m sorry this one wasn’t better for you.
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That is exactly how I felt. Lost! Thanks for stopping by!
Sorry it didn’t work for you. The synopsis made it sound fun
Laura Thomas recently posted…Book Blast and Giveaway ~ A Curse Of The Lucky by Nathan Wrann
The synopsis does make it sound promising!
Thanks for your honest review!
This book sounds interesting anyway and I am going to give it a try. Thanks.
Very pretty cover, this sounds great
Nice floral cover, sounds like it was a good concept but wasn’t what it turned out to be.. could be better