Title: The Next Wife
Author: Kaira Rouda
Published: May 2021, Thomas & Mercer
Format: ARC Paperback, 312 pages
Source: Publisher via MB Communications
Summary:
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.
My thoughts: I have been a fan of Kaira Rouda for quite a while now and am absolutely loving the new direction she is taking with her books. No one writes crazy, twisted characters like Kaira does!
I love a good revenge story and Kaira takes the basic one and turns it
completely upside down. You may think you know where this is headed, but think again. This is a book where not just one person is out for revenge, everyone is trying to one-up the other. It’s so addicting and I just could not read it fast enough. It grabbed me from the very beginning and never let up. It’s also the type of book where nothing is as it seems and the characters are so deliciously devious that you just never know what to expect next.
The story is told from multiple points of view and I really liked that. It allows us to really get to know all the players and I really think players is an apt term here, as they all end up being players in this vicious game of revenge. The only question is who will make it out on top? It truly is a most twisted game of cat and mouse, the only thing being we are never quite clear who is the cat and who is the mouse until the very end.
Not only is this book based on secrets and lies, but the twists and turns keep you guessing all the way through. The manipulations that ensue, the antics – it keeps you engaged and wanting to see how it all plays out. Yes, it is dramatic at times, but in the very best way. It’s entertaining and ever so clever as to how everything comes together at the end.
This was such a fun, thrilling, crazy read and I will certainly be recommending it to all my thriller friends. It’s definitely the perfect book to add to your summer reading list!
