The Son-in-Law

By: Jane E. James

Narrated by: Bethan Rose Young, Ffion Aynsley

This title contains strong language and mature themes, including references to sexual violence, abuse of minors and animals, and suicide, that some listeners may find upsetting. Discretion is advised.

I just met my new son-in-law . . . And he’s my ex-husband.

They’re here. I watch them arrive from the kitchen window. My pregnant daughter and her new husband. They’ve barely known each other six months.

I greet him with a tight smile that he recognizes as fake.

Luke is no good for my beautiful, fragile Cerys. He’ll break her heart. I know that because he broke mine — when he was married to me.

I don’t know what he’s after. But I’m going to make it my business to find out.

Don’t underestimate me. I’ll do anything to keep my daughter safe.

©2023 Jane E. James (P)2024 Audible Ltd.

Annoying

Cerys was the most irritating I hate to say stupid character I have ever read. I stopped listening multiple times but only came back because I wanted to know the end.

Characters are very well defined— very visual.

There was a lot of time spent on things that just happen if you’re a landowner or a farm owner and you have to take care of them; nothing salient to moving the story forward at all.

Amazing

What a good book. Amazing storyline. I wouldn’t have been so protective of my daughter after she married my ex husband though.

The daughter is awful!!

The narrators did well, but oh my God this daughter is awful, entitled and needs a wake up call in the beginning of the book. Getting with your mom’s ex, regardless if you didn’t know right away. When you found out a break up should have ensued. Weird plot, but ok enough to listen to through the end.

If You LOVE DRAMA!!!!!!!!

First off the narrator was fantastic for these characters!

This is kind of a Mildred Pierce-esque type of story. Mother/Daughter love rivalry with crazy plot twists. But this is a 1990's Old School Lifetime Movie DRAAAMMAAAA! So if you are into those types of stories you will love this. I have to agree with the other reviewers: The character of the daughter is insanely annoying!! There are soooo many times in this story I wanted to pull out my motherly belt, give her a spanking, and send her to her room for the duration!! When the mother's voice came back into the story I was relieved and was like - shut up kid, grown ups are talking! Yet even with all of that her character was written appropriately for her age and situation but still. So kudos to the writer for keeping her consistent.

The daughter did make me roll my eyes a lot but I loved this story. I would love a continuing novel that turned into an actual haunting because there is enough history on this land to warrant one. I identified with the character of the mother for sure. However, having raised a daughter myself, I would not have been so clingy but I do understand the choices the mother makes.

Do I recommend? YES! Especially if you like love, mystery, drama or old Lifetime movie plotlines. Which I do.