In "The Perfect Wife" by J.P. Delaney, Abbie wakes up to discover she is an android copy of her husband's missing wife, leading to a close examination of the emotional dynamics in a relationship. The story delves into the complexities of love, perfection, and individuality, with different narratives unfolding in various time periods to reveal unexpected twists and turns.

The book presents a unique premise where Abbie, an AI companion robot resembling Tim's deceased wife, navigates her identity and memories while trying to connect with her autistic son and fulfill the role of a perfect wife. The writing style incorporates first and second person narratives, creating a darkly imaginative and intelligent exploration of technology's impact on empathy and accountability, culminating in a shocking revelation that keeps readers engaged till the end.

Characters:

Characters grapple with identity and morality, particularly Abbie and Tim's contrasting perspectives on love and control.

Writing/Prose:

The prose features unique narrative choices, alternating perspectives that enhance the psychological tension but may disrupt flow.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately weaves the life of Abbie, who awakens as a cobot, with her husband's hidden truths, exploring themes of love, loss, and technology.

Setting:

The setting integrates a high-tech world, enhancing themes related to AI and family dynamics.

Pacing:

Pacing is inconsistent, flowing smoothly in parts while dragging in others, especially through character development.

You’re having that dream again, the one where you and Tim are in Jaipur for Diwali. Everywhere you look, every doorway and window, there are lanterns and candles, firecrackers and fairy lights. Courty...

Notes:

The Perfect Wife is written by J.P. Delaney, known for bringing a technology twist to psychological thrillers.

The protagonist, Abbie, wakes up with no memory, only to discover she is a cobot—a companion robot designed to resemble his deceased wife.

The story explores themes of artificial intelligence, emotional relationships, and the impact of technology on family dynamics.

Chapters alternate between two perspectives: one in second person focusing on Abbie and another in first person plural from Tim's company's employees.

Tim Scott, a tech billionaire, is a controlling figure who faces moral questions about technology and love throughout the novel.

Abbie's son, Danny, who has Heller's syndrome, represents real-life challenges associated with autism in the narrative.

The book contains elements that prompt readers to question ethical boundaries in relationships with artificial intelligence.

Readers have mentioned the ending contains unexpected twists, which keeps the suspense and intrigue high throughout the book.

Delaney uses a unique narrative style, sometimes shifting between voices that explore the past and present of Abbie's life.

The book was received with mixed feelings about pacing and character development, yet many found its concept fresh and engaging.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include themes of death, grief, trauma, autism portrayal, and potential psychological manipulation.

From The Publisher:

The perfect life. The perfect love. The perfect lie. From the bestselling author of The Girl Before comes a gripping psychological thriller. . . .

"Mind-bending . . . Delaney takes domestic suspense beyond its comfort zone."-The New York Times Book Review

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

A COSMOPOLITAN NEW MUST-READ

Abbie awakens in a daze with no memory of who she is or how she landed in this unsettling condition. The man by her side claims to be her husband. He's a titan of the tech world, the founder of one of Silicon Valley's most innovative start-ups. He tells Abbie that she is a gifted artist, an avid surfer, a loving mother to their young son, and the perfect wife. He says she had a terrible accident five years ago and that, through a huge technological breakthrough, she has been brought back from the abyss.

She is a miracle of science.

But as Abbie pieces together memories of her marriage, she begins to question her husband's motives-and his version of events. Can she trust him when he says he wants them to be together forever? And what really happened to her, half a decade ago?

Beware the man who calls you . . .

THE PERFECT WIFE

Ratings (6)

Loved It (3)
Liked It (2)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (12):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (5)

1 comment(s)

eljpal578

Loved It

3 months

I read this book a week ago and I'm still thinking about it. It was one of the strangest books I've ever read, but strange in a good way. It had a lot of layers to it -- it made me ponder the growing prevalence of artificial intelligence and what it means to be human. The book had lots of twists and turns -- I completely didn't see the ending coming. However, it was deeper than the typical thriller. I recommended it to my book club because I thought It would lead to a really interesting discussion.

Thanks to NetGalley for the preview copy!

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About the Author:

JP Delaney is a pseudonym for a writer who has previously written fiction under other names. Delaney is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Girl Before, which is being brought to the screen by Academy Award winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's…

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The Perfect Wife

J.P. Delaney