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The Next Wife Paperback – May 1, 2021

4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 37,106 ratings

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An Amazon Charts bestseller.

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.

"Layla" by Colleen Hoover for $7.19
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover comes a novel that explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love. | Learn more

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Kaira Rouda

The Next Wife

An Amazon Best Book of the Month: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

One of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of 2021

Winner of the 2022 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award in the Best Suspense Category, and First Runner Up to the 2021 Best Book of the Year

“Rouda hits the ground running and never stops…[The Next Wife] is so much fun that you’ll be sorry to see it end with a final pair of zingers. The guiltiest of guilty pleasures.” Kirkus Reviews

“This gripping psychological thriller from Rouda (The Favorite Daughter) offers a refreshing setup…Rouda keeps the reader guessing as the plot takes plenty of twists and turns. Suspense fans will get their money’s worth.” Publishers Weekly

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Add another scorned woman and you have the ingredients for one firestorm of a novel…Bring the popcorn for this high-noon of a novel, replete with deliciously snarky dialogue and a satisfying twist.” Library Journal

“Kaira Rouda balances the sassiness and wit of Real Housewives with the suspense and excitement of a Hitchcock film, creating a true page-turner that is sharp and fun while still gripping and tension filled. The Next Wife is almost impossible to put down!” —The Nerd Daily

“This is a guilty pleasure of a thriller: fast, dramatic, and satisfying.” Business Insider

“A delicious revenge thriller, this will elicit an evil chuckle or two as characters match wits and ultimately get what is coming to them.” Parkersburg News and Sentinel

The Next Wife is trademark Kaira Rouda with its deliciously devilish women and inherently ignorant men, but this might be one of her most villainous novels yet.” —Bookreporter

“A carefully crafted domestic and psychological thriller of a novel by [an] author with a genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative storytelling style that fully engages the reader’s attention from first page to last, The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda will prove to be an immediate and enduringly welcome addition to community library collections.” —Midwest Book Review

“A fast, fun read that is a perfect addition to your summer list.” Seattle Book Review

“In The Next Wife, two women go ruthlessly head-to-head. Kaira Rouda knows how to create the perfect diabolical characters that we love to hate. Equally smart and savage, this is a lightning-fast read.” —Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of The Other Mrs.

“Rouda’s talent for making readers question everything and everyone shines through on every page of her propulsive new thriller The Next Wife. Her narrators are sharp and unpredictable, each one with a tangle of secrets to unravel. The Next Wife will leave you tense and gasping, with a chilling twist you won’t see coming.” —Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Flight

“One of the most insidious, compulsive books I’ve read recently. Kaira Rouda has a way of drawing you in with great characters, fast-paced writing, and a story that won’t let you go. Brilliant, dark, and dazzling.” —Samantha Downing, USA Today bestselling author of My Lovely Wife and He Started It

“One man. Two wives. Kaira Rouda has masterfully created cunning twists and sharp narration that take you on an unexpected and delicious journey and will leave you with a gasp. Devious and fun, The Next Wife should be the next book you read!” —Wendy Walker, bestselling author of Don’t Look for Me

“I absolutely inhaled The Next Wife. Nail-biting suspense, dark humor, and family intrigue. I savored every page and now have the worst book hangover. Loved it!” —Michele Campbell, internationally bestselling author of The Wife Who Knew Too Much

The Favorite Daughter

“Kaira Rouda’s husband, Harley, may have recently been elected to Congress, but she isn’t looking to make a name for herself just as a politician’s wife…The Gone Girl–style domestic suspense novel follows Jane, a narcissistic perfectionist dealing with the death of her daughter.” Washington Post

“[An] exceptional psychological thriller…suspense fans will be amply rewarded.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Will hit you right in the heart.” Bustle

“Rouda delivers a wickedly perfect thriller with The Favorite Daughter.” Good Life Family Magazine

“Delightfully wicked fun!” Kirkus Reviews

“Involving psychological suspense that reveals the cracks in what seems like a perfect life.” Booklist

“B. A. Paris and Shari Lapena fans will fall head over heels for this suspenseful psychological thriller set in an upscale Southern California community.” —POPSUGAR

“Intense, creepy, and classic Rouda. A chilling story, told so well. Don’t miss it!” —J. T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author

“Leaves you wanting more.” —Liv Constantine, bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish

“A smart, wickedly plotted psychological thriller brimming with dark surprises.” —Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author

“Compulsively readable and deeply satisfying psychological suspense.” —Christina Alger, USA Today bestselling author of The Banker’s Wife

“Alfred Hitchcock meets Patricia Highsmith in this masterful novel of psychological suspense. Quietly horrifying, tightly wound, and diabolical, The Favorite Daughter is a stunning page-turner.” —A. J. Banner, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and #1 Amazon bestselling author

“Crafty, unsparing, and gloriously Hitchcockian—a masterful glimpse into a world of privilege and appearance with a nasty edge.” —Emily Carpenter, bestselling author of Burying the Honeysuckle Girls and Every Single Secret

“Both compelling and addictive, The Favorite Daughter is a roller coaster of a ride that will have you twisting and turning.” —Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, bestselling authors of Girls’ Night Out

Best Day Ever

“A tensely written, shocking book that will hold readers on the edge of their seats to the very last page.” Publishers Weekly

“This latest psychological thriller from bestselling Rouda is destined to fly off the shelves, enticing readers to ride along as this multifaceted day in the life of the Stroms unfolds.” Library Journal (starred review)

“Darkly funny, scandalous, and utterly satisfying.” Kirkus Reviews

Review

The Favorite Daughter

“Kaira Rouda’s husband, Harley, may have recently been elected to Congress, but she isn’t looking to make a name for herself just as a politician’s wife…The Gone Girl–style domestic suspense novel follows Jane, a narcissistic perfectionist dealing with the death of her daughter.” Washington Post

“[An] exceptional psychological thriller…suspense fans will be amply rewarded.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Will hit you right in the heart.” Bustle

“Rouda delivers a wickedly perfect thriller with The Favorite Daughter.” Good Life Family Magazine

“Delightfully wicked fun!” Kirkus Reviews

“Involving psychological suspense that reveals the cracks in what seems like a perfect life.” Booklist

“B. A. Paris and Shari Lapena fans will fall head over heels for this suspenseful psychological thriller set in an upscale Southern California community.” —POPSUGAR

“Intense, creepy, and classic Rouda. A chilling story, told so well. Don’t miss it!” —J. T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author

“Leaves you wanting more.” —Liv Constantine, bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish

“A smart, wickedly plotted psychological thriller brimming with dark surprises.” —Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author

“Compulsively readable and deeply satisfying psychological suspense.” —Christina Alger, USA Today bestselling author of The Banker’s Wife

“Alfred Hitchcock meets Patricia Highsmith in this masterful novel of psychological suspense. Quietly horrifying, tightly wound, and diabolical, The Favorite Daughter is a stunning page-turner.” —A. J. Banner, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and #1 Amazon bestselling author

“Crafty, unsparing, and gloriously Hitchcockian—a masterful glimpse into a world of privilege and appearance with a nasty edge.” —Emily Carpenter, bestselling author of Burying the Honeysuckle Girls and Every Single Secret

“Both compelling and addictive, The Favorite Daughter is a roller coaster of a ride that will have you twisting and turning.” —Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, bestselling authors of Girls’ Night Out

Best Day Ever

“A tensely written, shocking book that will hold readers on the edge of their seats to the very last page.” Publishers Weekly

“This latest psychological thriller from bestselling Rouda is destined to fly off the shelves, enticing readers to ride along as this multifaceted day in the life of the Stroms unfolds.” Library Journal (starred review)

“Darkly funny, scandalous, and utterly satisfying.” Kirkus Reviews

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas & Mercer (May 1, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 311 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 154202594X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1542025942
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 37,106 ratings

About the author

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Kaira Rouda
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Kaira Rouda is an award–winning, USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author of contemporary fiction that explores what goes on beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Her novels of domestic suspense include The Widow, Somebody’s Home, The Next Wife, The Favorite Daughter, Best Day Ever, All the Difference, Beneath the Surface – optioned for a feature film – and Under the Palms. Her next novel, The Second Mrs. Strom, is out in August 2024, and Only the Nanny in November 2024. To date, Kaira’s work has been translated into more than a dozen languages. Three of her novels have been named Amazon Editor’s Picks for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense. The Next Wife was named a Suspense Magazine’s Best Book of 2021 Award, and a 2022 Silver Falchion for Best Suspense Novel and a 2022 Silver Falchion first runner-up for Best Book of the Year.

She lives in Southern California with her family and is working on her next novel. Please sign up for her newsletter to learn about new releases and exclusive content on her website, and follow her on social media.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
37,106 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the plot engaging with twists and turns. They describe the book as an entertaining, quick read with fast pacing. Readers appreciate the different perspectives from different angles. However, opinions differ on the character development - some find them well-developed and engaging, while others feel they come across as pretentious or unlikable.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

1,042 customers mention "Suspenseful"805 positive237 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful plot with its twists and turns. They find the story engaging and fast-paced, with a satisfying ending. The book hooks them from the first paragraph and keeps their attention until the end.

"...The characters, narration, writing and story line was really really good...." Read more

"...The characters left so much to be desired. The story was okay and I'm going to read another book by this author because I can't decide if I'm a fan..." Read more

"...A well-written story with likable characters; even the killer is sympathetic, which makes for an intelligent read...." Read more

"I couldn't put this book down. Finished it in two days. The ending was unexpected and so satisfying!..." Read more

780 customers mention "Readability"655 positive125 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They describe it as a light, entertaining thriller that keeps them hooked once it gets going. The characters are relatable and complex, with strong female characters.

"Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I read it in two rounds of sprint reading because I didn’t want to put it down. The first half is wonderful...." Read more

"...it seems, if you like this style of story then this is readable, possibly enjoyable but it might also disappoint if you go in with expectations too..." Read more

"...All except the murderer, of course! It was entertaining, which is what books are supposed to be. Would I be friends with any of these women? No!..." Read more

"This is a fabulous read...." Read more

235 customers mention "Pacing"166 positive69 negative

Customers find the book's pacing fast and easy to read. They appreciate the simple, fast-flowing prose and breezy writing style. The story is described as intelligent yet still beautiful.

"...Kate is middle-aged but still beautiful and intelligent. Both women work at the business before and after John leaves Kate for Tish...." Read more

"...The kind of story many of us give the popcorn bucket to. A light, entertaining book you can read in a sitting or two, but not one that..." Read more

"...The plot becomes convoluted and seems rushed. There are several incidents that don’t seem realistic at all. Really great books suspend disbelief...." Read more

"...Sorry I can't be more helpful. Its a fast read and like I said, I read a lot so sometimes some books are just a bit better than others...." Read more

59 customers mention "Page turner"59 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the book's engaging story. They found it fast-paced and kept turning pages until the end. Readers enjoyed the rich, yet twisted characters.

"...A real page-turner that keeps you guessing and the ending is a real surprise!" Read more

"...Kept me turning the virtual page!" Read more

"It was a page turner, although maybe it shouldn't have been so easy to figure it out. If you get it for free, read it, but don't pay the full price." Read more

"This was such a page turner, filled with plot twists and shape shifters. This author is now an auto buy for me." Read more

43 customers mention "Perspective"39 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the multiple viewpoints. They find the story engaging and find the first-person narration style enjoyable.

"...Oh well. Loved the characters and narration. Good job." Read more

"...It’s all first person, present tense, multiple narrators. A couple of very well done unreliable narrators as well...." Read more

"...These people delight in talking, and they tell their stories so well that I will let them speak for themselves here...." Read more

"...She thinks she's in control, but is she? This is told by four points of view: Tish, John, Kate, and Ashlyn, Kate and John's daughter...." Read more

333 customers mention "Character development"185 positive148 negative

Customers have different views on the character development. Some find the characters well-developed and engaging, with the story told from each character's voice. Others feel the characters come across as pretentious, lazily written, and perpetuate unflattering stereotypes about women. There are also complaints about unrealistic events and implausible situations.

"...Oh well. Loved the characters and narration. Good job." Read more

"...There are several incidents that don’t seem realistic at all. Really great books suspend disbelief. This one did not do that...." Read more

"...Can we say, Marilyn Monroe? A well-written story with likable characters; even the killer is sympathetic, which makes for an intelligent read...." Read more

"...But I'm heartily sick of these lazy characterizations of women and poor people and abuse victims. Do better, authors and publishers. It's 2021." Read more

330 customers mention "Writing style"204 positive126 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style. Some find it well-written and readable, with simple prose and fast-flowing narrative. They appreciate the author's explanation of what the new wife goes through. However, others feel the writing style turns sophomoric and silly at times, making it difficult to read. They also mention the dialogue is awkward and embarrassing at times.

"...The characters, narration, writing and story line was really really good...." Read more

"...If it’s bad, I say nothing and move on to the next. But this book was so poorly written that I felt compelled to leave one...." Read more

"...A couple of very well done unreliable narrators as well. The first half of the book is brilliant. Well crafted and executed. Believable...." Read more

"...is used a lot it seems, if you like this style of story then this is readable, possibly enjoyable but it might also disappoint if you go in with..." Read more

136 customers mention "Entertainment value"83 positive53 negative

Customers have different views on the book's entertainment value. Some find it entertaining, addictive, and satisfying with an unexpected and satisfying ending. They describe the characters as complex, likable, relatable, and untrustworthy. Others feel the book is predictable, clichéd, lacks humor or drama, and the twist is not overly surprising.

"...Tish, the second wife, though diabolical is funny and at times I root for her despite the selfish, cruel person she is shown to be...." Read more

"...Every single person in this book is insufferable, especially Tish. -hate Tish -hate John -hate Kate..." Read more

"...Finished it in two days. The ending was unexpected and so satisfying!..." Read more

"Totally a great book, I love this book, it was funny with a great read,looking forward to reading the next book" Read more

Enjoyable read
3 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable read
First things first—this cover is GORGEOUS! I will admit that I was drawn to this book because of the cover and this was my first read from Kaira Rouda.The Next Wife started off strong for me and I was fully in it, committed and ready to buckle up for the ride. But, after part 1 things went a little down hill and I found myself disengaging. I’m not sure if it was due to the lack of heroine in the story or that it started to feel repetitive at times, but I stuck with it and just had to know who the heck done it!The conclusion was clever and well plotted and I have to give kudos to Rouda for the way she pulled everything together. I had my suspicions, but was still pleasantly surprised a bit in the end.Overall, this was a good Kindle First Picks read and I look forward to checking out other works from this author.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2021
    I loved this book. For those that provide not so good reviews are wrong. Some will like it some won't but it was great. The characters, narration, writing and story line was really really good. Now, for my opinion ***SPOILERS*** At first i was excited about the plot, i was HOPING John actually did make a new will, that he did it while drunk, right after getting a tattoo (LOL), or just did it as a dope head in total lust. That would of been original. After i realized Tish did forge the will, i thought it was too general and yes, like Hallmark. That disappointed me, too run of the mill thing in a story line, move on from that. Same old same old. The bad woman. Not original. I would of loved how it played out if John actually did redo the will AND he really did die of natural heart attack. That would of played out nice. The poison and the fake will was too "been there". NOW, the edge that Kate was up to no good was awesome and that was surprise, though i did suspect she was up to no good and did kill John. I like that. If Tish was NOT up to no good and she DID inherit everything, it would of been great to see Tish's family com out of the wood work and cause some riffs. I like the daughters character and narration too. All was good, but i think 80% of the story has been done already and it bored me slightly, i kept going to see if there was a surprise at the end, and there was to some degree, but i think there could of been SOME real drama if the husband did really make a mess of things - watch them all blow up each other LOL. Great book though, but i knew about 1/4 in where it was going, but i was hoping John really did change the will. Oh well. Loved the characters and narration. Good job.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2021
    Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I read it in two rounds of sprint reading because I didn’t want to put it down. The first half is wonderful. I didn’t always understand some of the business/corporate stuff that was talked about, but I was able to follow the story regardless. It’s all first person, present tense, multiple narrators. A couple of very well done unreliable narrators as well.
    The first half of the book is brilliant. Well crafted and executed. Believable. Heart wrenching at times. Lots of intrigue.
    The book takes a bit of a nosedive a little past the halfway mark. The plot becomes convoluted and seems rushed. There are several incidents that don’t seem realistic at all. Really great books suspend disbelief. This one did not do that. And every time something implausible happened, I was yanked right out of the story.
    This is, frankly, just a book about horrible people doing horrible things to each other. The only lead character who I think might be a good person is, unfortunately, rather underdeveloped. Several relationships and connections throughout the novel are severely underdeveloped as well, which was a real shame.
    However, with all of that said, I did enjoy the book. I got to read it for free, but I’d probably spend the money to have it as an ebook. I would not buy a print version, though.
    This novel is full of delightful and tricksy twists and turns that kept me reading no matter how annoyed I was with some of the more technical shortcomings.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2021
    It was a pretty good telling of the flooded genre of fighting wives. It kept my attention pretty well. It's not the best story but not the worst I've read with this plot point. The story reads well, falls flat at time and is a little wordy at points but humor and suspense is incorporated that draws you back in when it starts to get a little dry. Tish, the second wife, though diabolical is funny and at times I root for her despite the selfish, cruel person she is shown to be. Other times I root for the ex wife but she isn't very likable either. The characters left so much to be desired. The story was okay and I'm going to read another book by this author because I can't decide if I'm a fan based on this book alone. This sort of story is used a lot it seems, if you like this style of story then this is readable, possibly enjoyable but it might also disappoint if you go in with expectations too high. I can take it or leave it so I don't necessarily recommend it but all book lovers are unique to what we enjoy and should take reviews with a grain of salt.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2021
    “The Next Wife” by Kaira Rouda is about anger; anger that protects and motivates; anger that pushes people to fight back; anger that drives people to pursue goals that were previously impossible. Characters pull readers into the drama through alternating first person present tense narratives, John, the husband; Ashlyn, the daughter; Kate, the first wife; and Tish, the next wife. Readers see the same events from different points of view, with different interpretations, and different perspectives. These people delight in talking, and they tell their stories so well that I will let them speak for themselves here.

    They talk directly to readers: “Let me explain that to you.” “Can’t you imagine it?” “You can understand my anger with this situation now, I’m sure.” “We planned it this way.” “I don’t know why I added that, but I did.” “I take a deep breath and calm myself. Focus.” “I am such a fool. I threw everything I had away.” “I’m not naive. Not anymore.”

    They grumble about everything: “I need answers.” “I fight the urge to say what I really think.” “I don’t appreciate her much at all anymore.” “She really needs to get over herself.” “It’s annoying, unprofessional.”

    They evaluate and plan: “I’m going to get them.” “You lied. I trusted you, and you let me down again.” “There is so much I don’t understand.” “But I’m lying.” “I just may have a few more tricks up my little old sleeve.” “I can’t believe this is happening. There’s no more time to talk.”

    I loved every spiteful, malicious, page of “The Next Wife.” Every single one of the group is irate, vindictive, conniving, and downright bitter. There is not a nice one in the bunch. They are people we love to hate. The only thing they all agree on is that it is not easy being the next wife.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Stacey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
    Reviewed in Canada on December 22, 2024
    I rarely review books but this one was so, good. So many unexpected twists. I read a lot of mystery books. So excited to find another amazing author.
  • Andie Cayne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2024
    Quite a rollercoaster with the main characters telling the story in first person. Some nice little twists and a brilliant ending.
  • Ketaki18
    5.0 out of 5 stars A twisted tale
    Reviewed in India on September 27, 2021
    The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda

    About the book

    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.

    About the Author

    Kaira Rouda is a multiple award–winning USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction that explores what goes on beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Her novels of domestic suspense include The Favorite Daughter, Best Day Ever, and All the Difference. To date, Kaira’s work has been translated into more than ten languages. She lives in Southern California with her family and is working on her next novel.

    My take

    This is the story of two wives of John Nelson - Kate and Tish. Kate, his ex wife, with whom he has built a life together, a company called EventCo that is soon broadening it's horizons into the public domain, and with whom he has a teenaged daughter Ashlyen. And Tish, his current wife of three years, who was his executive assistant, and whom he started believing to be a soulmate while being stuck in his midlife crisis.

    The story is narrated from alternating points of view of the three ladies, their play for power, their mind games to score against each other, and the consequences of their actions.

    I felt angry at Tish for stealing John and his family life from Kate and Ashlyn, and even though Tish's character tries to justify her actions, they don't always feel rational.

    Kate is portrayed as a strong woman who has withstood the humiliation of her husband and co partner of the company she started leaving her for a woman half her age and with one fourth her brains.

    Ashlyn is the typical teenager who gets exposed to the bitter realities of life sooner than she should,and how they shape her is worth the read.

    Even though the plot is simple, the twists and turns keep us hooked. We crave to know who wins, what really happened, and there are some unexpected revelations, even though I had partially predicted them.

    The language is simple yet flowing and narration is well paced.
    The cover page is very attractive and intriguing, and I loved it.

    I have seen many mixed reviews for this book. It has been called regressive and stereotyping towards women and its attitude towards marriage. Well, maybe, but again, we don't change our beliefs by reading a thriller. So I will say I enjoyed the read and whatever adrenaline it filled me with.

    I rate it 3.5 stars.
  • Amanda Davis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in Australia on August 8, 2021
    I chose 5 stars, because it kept me wondering the whole time, a small plot twist towards the end, kind of expected something but wasn't 100% sure. Great book.
  • Debbie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 11, 2024
    Ooh that ending was worthy! Thoroughly enjoyable read, excellent and very believable characters. I loved the chapter PoV's and the story unrolled before you. The second Mrs Nelson should have known that ex wives do have teeth!