Happy belated release to this new thriller!
Thanks to MBC Books for the free early copies in exchange for our honest reviews
THE NEXT WIFE – Kaira Rouda (Released May 1st, 2021)
You can see our thoughts on her other books – BEST DAY EVER (here) and THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER (here)
Book Description:
There is no limit to the lies, suspicion, and secrets that can poison the perfect marriage in this twisting novel of suspense by USA Today bestselling author Kaira Rouda.
Kate Nelson had it all. A flourishing company founded with her husband, John; a happy marriage; and a daughter, Ashlyn. The picture-perfect family. Until John left for another woman. Tish is half his age. Ambitious. She’s cultivated a friendship with Ashlyn. Tish believes she’s won.
She’s wrong.
Tish Nelson has it all. Youth, influence, a life of luxury, and a new husband. But the truth is, there’s a lot of baggage. Namely, his first wife—and suspicions of his infidelity. After all, that’s how she got John. Maybe it’s time for a romantic getaway, far from his vindictive ex. If Kate plans on getting John back, Tish is one step ahead of her.
She thinks.
But what happens next is something neither Kate nor Tish saw coming. As best-laid plans come undone, there’s no telling what a woman will do in the name of love—and revenge
Chandra’s Thoughts: 3/5 stars
“Sad, isn’t it? How love can so quickly turn to something so painful.”
OMG these women….. both women are rightfully Mrs. Nelson, but who will win in the end? The first and original, Kate? Or the much younger and tenacious current, Tish? Let the good times roll…
This book grabbed me right from the beginning.
One thing I love about Rouda’s writing style are the short chapters that make her reads SO EASY to binge – and we all know how much I love a one-sit read. Neither of the women are ones you want to cross so it was a delight to watch the back and forth. Yep, I made myself a big old bowl of popcorn and pop pop pop —- was delivered with a very entertaining story that makes me never want to get married, first OR next!
If you’re an avid thriller reader then you’ll likely find this a bit predictable. I was right in my assumption so wasn’t surprised with any reveal. At times, the dialogue felt off and it felt a tad bit repetitive in certain places. However, the entertainment is absolutely there. Think of it as that dark Lifetime movie that we all love to enjoy. Do prepare yourself to suspend just a little bit of reality as some things just got washed over, but stay for the battle. There really is “no telling what a woman will do in the name of love – and revenge.”
My Thoughts: 3/5 stars
Another Kaira Rouda book and another incredible binge read! THE NEXT WIFE is the newest twisty and compulsive book you need in your life if you’re looking for something fun to get lost in. She always brings us some intriguing characters and we’re never short on drama. If I wouldn’t have had family activities going on, I think this would have been one of those books I could have read in one sitting.
We have three POVs here – that of Tish, Kate, and Ashlyn. Kate is the former Mrs. Nelson, the first wife and a woman scorned after her husband left her for a younger woman, even after all she’s done for him and the business they created together. Tish, the new wife, is determined to keep her new husband and nothing will stand in her way or get between them. We also get parts from Ashlyn, the teenage daughter stuck in the middle of all this chaos and drama. Now, I didn’t like either of these women – Tish and Kate. Both are just horrible, conniving, and you just can’t root for either of them. Don’t get me wrong, I love a character I can hate, but there wasn’t a single redeeming quality here which made for fun interactions.
While I loved the pacing and the entertainment, it was very predictable. If you’re an avid thriller reader then you’ll probably feel the same way. Parts felt a little repetitive and I was hoping some big twist I wasn’t going to see coming, but that wasn’t the case. It’s over the top, full of drama, and you’ll definitely have to suspend some reality here, but it was still a fun read. I’ll continue to pick up what Rouda releases and I would highly recommend her other books as well.
Jessicamap Reviews 