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The Next Wife
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.
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.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2021
About the author
Kaira Rouda
40 books2,554 followersKaira Rouda is a USA TODAY and Amazon Charts bestselling author of contemporary fiction exploring beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Her suspense novels include BEST DAY EVER, THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER, ALL THE DIFFERENCE, THE NEXT WIFE and SOMEBODY'S HOME. Her next novel, THE WIDOW, is out December 1, 2022.
She lives in Southern California with her family and is at work on her next novel. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest: @KairaRouda; and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books.
If you'd like to host Kaira at your book club, please reach out through her website KairaRouda.com
Sign up to receive a monthly email from Kaira with exclusive sales news, book excerpts, sweepstakes, and giveaways at: kairarouda.com/signup/
She lives in Southern California with her family and is at work on her next novel. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest: @KairaRouda; and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books.
If you'd like to host Kaira at your book club, please reach out through her website KairaRouda.com
Sign up to receive a monthly email from Kaira with exclusive sales news, book excerpts, sweepstakes, and giveaways at: kairarouda.com/signup/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,429 reviews
November 1, 2022
Woah! This is great kind of crazy show I honestly admired! It never bores you! You just pop out your eyes and let your jaw drop at each second one of the characters does something shocking! When we reach the end we think everything is so obvious from the beginning. But the conclusion of the story says otherwise which earned additional star from me! I let out long laugh and I’m still grinning like Cheshire Cat ( actually my husband thinks I’m looking more like Garfield because of too much lasagna consumption! Who cares! )
Did you seethe with anger anytime you read narration parts of Tish and hate her with every fiber of your being like me! My goodness, this narcissistic, obsessive, irritating, selfish, gold digger, man eater is truly nightmarish other woman you curse the day she was born!
There are four narrators of the story. Kate Nelson- original wife, founder of EventCo., an ambitious, creative entrepreneur, skillful business woman, stylish, sophisticated but unfortunately focusing on her work prevented her realize her husband is snapped by 25 years younger version of her.
Second narrator is the next wife Tish, a Southern belle, manipulator, ambitious, power thirsty, cunning, luring her boss to divorce his wife, making plans to take over the company’s control. She’s always a few steps ahead from the baggages a.k.a. ex wife Kate and their 21 years old daughter Ashlyn.
Third narrator is Ashlyn who feels betrayed after her father left her mother for a woman only a few years older than her: the very same woman acted like her friend and she shared her secrets, her family problems with her. How could she be so fool!
Fourth narrator is John, in 51, co founder of EventCo, suffering from heart condition, falls for the charms of her executive assistant Tish, leaving his wife but as soon as he spends more time with his precious wife, he realizes he made a huge mistake. His princess wife is obsessed, controlling, jealous, snooping around his texts, forbidding him to contact with his ex out of work hours! You dig your own grave, John, you don’t still think we’re gonna pity on us, do you?
As the company’s IPO launch turns into big success and John shares the credits with his ex wife and daughter at the stage, dear Tish seethes with jealousy and five million ways to carve the eyes out of Kate, she forms her plan to take her husband dearest away from the crowd for a romantic getaway where he proposed her to rekindle their romance because she starts to feel something is off with him. She already catches him text to his ex wife, taking with her behind her back!
Tish planned everything. She’ll save her marriage. She always thinks it through. But when things get out of control and their innocent weekend getaway turns into a nightmare, will she find a way to fix everything for her own benefit?
This is fast, tricky, entertaining, great popcorn, binge worthy reading I highly recommend!
Especially the ending was so much satisfying! I still laugh aloud! It resembles villanelle laugh but who cares! Revenge is a dish best served cold!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas&Mercer for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Did you seethe with anger anytime you read narration parts of Tish and hate her with every fiber of your being like me! My goodness, this narcissistic, obsessive, irritating, selfish, gold digger, man eater is truly nightmarish other woman you curse the day she was born!
There are four narrators of the story. Kate Nelson- original wife, founder of EventCo., an ambitious, creative entrepreneur, skillful business woman, stylish, sophisticated but unfortunately focusing on her work prevented her realize her husband is snapped by 25 years younger version of her.
Second narrator is the next wife Tish, a Southern belle, manipulator, ambitious, power thirsty, cunning, luring her boss to divorce his wife, making plans to take over the company’s control. She’s always a few steps ahead from the baggages a.k.a. ex wife Kate and their 21 years old daughter Ashlyn.
Third narrator is Ashlyn who feels betrayed after her father left her mother for a woman only a few years older than her: the very same woman acted like her friend and she shared her secrets, her family problems with her. How could she be so fool!
Fourth narrator is John, in 51, co founder of EventCo, suffering from heart condition, falls for the charms of her executive assistant Tish, leaving his wife but as soon as he spends more time with his precious wife, he realizes he made a huge mistake. His princess wife is obsessed, controlling, jealous, snooping around his texts, forbidding him to contact with his ex out of work hours! You dig your own grave, John, you don’t still think we’re gonna pity on us, do you?
As the company’s IPO launch turns into big success and John shares the credits with his ex wife and daughter at the stage, dear Tish seethes with jealousy and five million ways to carve the eyes out of Kate, she forms her plan to take her husband dearest away from the crowd for a romantic getaway where he proposed her to rekindle their romance because she starts to feel something is off with him. She already catches him text to his ex wife, taking with her behind her back!
Tish planned everything. She’ll save her marriage. She always thinks it through. But when things get out of control and their innocent weekend getaway turns into a nightmare, will she find a way to fix everything for her own benefit?
This is fast, tricky, entertaining, great popcorn, binge worthy reading I highly recommend!
Especially the ending was so much satisfying! I still laugh aloud! It resembles villanelle laugh but who cares! Revenge is a dish best served cold!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas&Mercer for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
May 7, 2021
So disappointing.
This is my third book by Rouda and I have to say the magic is wearing off. Her first book, Best Day Ever, I gave 4 stars. Her second book, The Favorite Daughter, I gave 3 stars. I think even 2 stars may be too generous for The Next Wife.
I hated every single character in this book. They exhausted me as did the repetition. The entire book is the same discussions over and over and over again. The writing seemed juvenile, the storyline was completely absurd, and the ending did nothing to redeem this. To be honest, I'm not so sure I'll be grabbing Rouda's next offering. Next! 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my copy.
This is my third book by Rouda and I have to say the magic is wearing off. Her first book, Best Day Ever, I gave 4 stars. Her second book, The Favorite Daughter, I gave 3 stars. I think even 2 stars may be too generous for The Next Wife.
I hated every single character in this book. They exhausted me as did the repetition. The entire book is the same discussions over and over and over again. The writing seemed juvenile, the storyline was completely absurd, and the ending did nothing to redeem this. To be honest, I'm not so sure I'll be grabbing Rouda's next offering. Next! 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my copy.
April 9, 2021
3.5 stars
When I saw this offered as an AMAZON FIRST selection for APRIL, I didn’t even NEED to read the other descriptions! I loved “Best Day Ever” (5 ⭐️) and also enjoyed “The Favorite Daughter” (4 ⭐️)
This one takes third place of the three, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to read. It’s just a much more simplistic plot. 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 will stand out from the crowd if you are a die hard thriller reader like I am!
I caught a CLUE early on and predicted the outcome.
Kate Nelson had it all. The husband. A beautiful daughter. And, a business that she and John built together.
Until the typical mid life crisis reared its ugly head-and John divorced Kate for Tish, a woman just a few years older than his daughter Ashlyn.
Tish thought she won. Until she discovered that John and Kate seemed to be growing closer again as the business celebrated its first IPO. She is not going to allow Kate to take him back.
Oh John! To be loved this much...
Mrs. Nelson vs. Mrs. Nelson !
May the games begin!
Find out which wife was victorious on May 1, 2021 unless you subscribe to Amazon Prime-members can read this one now!
When I saw this offered as an AMAZON FIRST selection for APRIL, I didn’t even NEED to read the other descriptions! I loved “Best Day Ever” (5 ⭐️) and also enjoyed “The Favorite Daughter” (4 ⭐️)
This one takes third place of the three, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to read. It’s just a much more simplistic plot. 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 will stand out from the crowd if you are a die hard thriller reader like I am!
I caught a CLUE early on and predicted the outcome.
Kate Nelson had it all. The husband. A beautiful daughter. And, a business that she and John built together.
Until the typical mid life crisis reared its ugly head-and John divorced Kate for Tish, a woman just a few years older than his daughter Ashlyn.
Tish thought she won. Until she discovered that John and Kate seemed to be growing closer again as the business celebrated its first IPO. She is not going to allow Kate to take him back.
Oh John! To be loved this much...
Mrs. Nelson vs. Mrs. Nelson !
May the games begin!
Find out which wife was victorious on May 1, 2021 unless you subscribe to Amazon Prime-members can read this one now!
June 18, 2023
They say 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' and if you ever want to understand what they mean by this then ‘The Next Wife’ defines that timeless quote.
A brief overview
John and Kate create a successful business, but the bubble is to burst on this seemingly ideal marriage because John dumps Kate and then marries his much younger assistant, Tish. Yawn, yawn - yep it was. Anyways, John not long into his new marriage starts to believe he might have made a huge mistake and without the knowledge of his younger bit of fluff he tries to woo back his ex-wife. Isn't this guy a bloody jerk!!!
Who better to know what a man will do to hide his infidelity than the once mistress. John cheated on Kate with Tish. So it should be no surprise that Tish can see the signs and pattern when John wants to cheat on Tish with Kate. Like I said this guy is a complete twat, but Tish is no fool remember!!!
For one I do believe in the saying ‘If he cheats with you, he will cheat on you’!!!
Comments
Unfortunately there was nothing gripping or different about this. A well trodden path which is not to be dismissed for that reason but the whole book and storyline felt unoriginal and little new twists or themes were woven into the story to pull me into the book. It was very predictable unfortunately and I flipped the pages which is not a good sign.
All of the characters were dislikeable which is so important to me. I could not relate to any of them but I particularly disliked John, Kate and Tish - yes - so all of them.
It felt the author created lots of drama but not a story - if that makes sense. Like having all the ingredients to make a cake but no recipe card for the particular cake you want to be eating later. The writing and pace was very good though.
Please read other reviews from GR friends that enjoyed more. For me it was a 2 stars. Sorry.
A brief overview
John and Kate create a successful business, but the bubble is to burst on this seemingly ideal marriage because John dumps Kate and then marries his much younger assistant, Tish. Yawn, yawn - yep it was. Anyways, John not long into his new marriage starts to believe he might have made a huge mistake and without the knowledge of his younger bit of fluff he tries to woo back his ex-wife. Isn't this guy a bloody jerk!!!
Who better to know what a man will do to hide his infidelity than the once mistress. John cheated on Kate with Tish. So it should be no surprise that Tish can see the signs and pattern when John wants to cheat on Tish with Kate. Like I said this guy is a complete twat, but Tish is no fool remember!!!
For one I do believe in the saying ‘If he cheats with you, he will cheat on you’!!!
Comments
Unfortunately there was nothing gripping or different about this. A well trodden path which is not to be dismissed for that reason but the whole book and storyline felt unoriginal and little new twists or themes were woven into the story to pull me into the book. It was very predictable unfortunately and I flipped the pages which is not a good sign.
All of the characters were dislikeable which is so important to me. I could not relate to any of them but I particularly disliked John, Kate and Tish - yes - so all of them.
It felt the author created lots of drama but not a story - if that makes sense. Like having all the ingredients to make a cake but no recipe card for the particular cake you want to be eating later. The writing and pace was very good though.
Please read other reviews from GR friends that enjoyed more. For me it was a 2 stars. Sorry.
May 30, 2021
Kaira Rouda killed it with this latest book! I absolutely loved it! If you have not read a book by her, you don't know what you are missing! She is fantastic at writing that character that you love to hate! Well hey Tish...that would be you girlfriend!
John and Kate are a perfect couple...married for a long time..they have built an empire together with their highly successful business...Along comes Tish...20 years younger with her mind set on her boss John..
Tish was the kind of character that I absolutely love! I can't get enough of a hot mess express character...that doesn't know they are a hot mess! Tish has a snarky inner voice that we are privy to..it literally had me laughing out loud! It started out with a bang and didn't let up!
As John, Kate and Tish all continue to work together, well it is awkward...things got a little crazy..who will win this cat and mouse game? A wild and fun ride..you will want to see for yourself!
Thank you so much to Thomas & Mercer for my gorgeous gifted copy!
John and Kate are a perfect couple...married for a long time..they have built an empire together with their highly successful business...Along comes Tish...20 years younger with her mind set on her boss John..
Tish was the kind of character that I absolutely love! I can't get enough of a hot mess express character...that doesn't know they are a hot mess! Tish has a snarky inner voice that we are privy to..it literally had me laughing out loud! It started out with a bang and didn't let up!
As John, Kate and Tish all continue to work together, well it is awkward...things got a little crazy..who will win this cat and mouse game? A wild and fun ride..you will want to see for yourself!
Thank you so much to Thomas & Mercer for my gorgeous gifted copy!
February 9, 2021
I'm so excited for you to meet Tish and Kate, the stars of THE NEXT WIFE. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for reading!
June 27, 2021
I am a huge Kaira Rouda fan. Her two previous books sit firmly on my favorites shelf. I had been so anxiously awaiting this latest release. And maybe that’s the issue?🤷🏻♀️. Perhaps my expectations were too high.
Kate and John have built a successful company together from the ground up. All the while raising a daughter at the same time. Your typical rags to riches as they watch their dreams come to fruition.
Until Tish enters their lives. She gains a job at John and Kate’s company as John’s assistant. John is quickly smitten and leaves Kate for the new younger woman. But it’s not like Kate can just vanish from their lives. She owns half the company. Can all three learn to work together amicably? Ha!
Oh, I wanted to love this book! I really did! And I tried…but alas it wasn’t to be.
Kaira Rouda has the ability to create some of the wildest characters you will love to hate. But Tish just lacked that spark. I needed more from her.
The twist was fairly obvious early on. So no surprise waiting for me at the end.☹️
I am still a huge fan of this author. And as before…I am watching and waiting for her next release.
A buddy read with Susanne.
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Kate and John have built a successful company together from the ground up. All the while raising a daughter at the same time. Your typical rags to riches as they watch their dreams come to fruition.
Until Tish enters their lives. She gains a job at John and Kate’s company as John’s assistant. John is quickly smitten and leaves Kate for the new younger woman. But it’s not like Kate can just vanish from their lives. She owns half the company. Can all three learn to work together amicably? Ha!
Oh, I wanted to love this book! I really did! And I tried…but alas it wasn’t to be.
Kaira Rouda has the ability to create some of the wildest characters you will love to hate. But Tish just lacked that spark. I needed more from her.
The twist was fairly obvious early on. So no surprise waiting for me at the end.☹️
I am still a huge fan of this author. And as before…I am watching and waiting for her next release.
A buddy read with Susanne.
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
April 2, 2021
Not a single likable character in the book. The writing dialogue is juvenile. One of the worst books I’ve ever read. I’m glad it was free on Kindle
April 4, 2021
Wow, I'm stunned by the high ratings. I found this to be one of the worst books I've ever had the displeasure of reading. Total amateur hour. Dull, boring, unoriginal plot. Flat writing, flat characters. No atmosphere. Inauthentic dialogue and interactions between shallow characters. And zero twists or turns, no surprises, right down to the totally obvious and predictable ending. A total dud.
June 13, 2023
A decent 3 star Audible listen ( picked up for 2.99)
A War of the Roses in an office setting!
These ladies really go after each other in a fierce way, digging their heels in every step of the way. The characters are all unlikeable with some being worse than others. The kind that give you a slimy feeling! EWW....
There are 4 narrators and they are all very dramatic (which matches the tone) and one had a southern drawl that got on my nerves (thank goodness he was a minor character).
Entertaining overall, but felt too long and a little repetitive with the same type thing happening over and over. It was fine for a mindless, light listen.
9 hrs/ 46 min Narrated by: Megan Tusing, Teri Clark Linden, Stephen Graybill and Rachel L. Jacobs
A War of the Roses in an office setting!
These ladies really go after each other in a fierce way, digging their heels in every step of the way. The characters are all unlikeable with some being worse than others. The kind that give you a slimy feeling! EWW....
There are 4 narrators and they are all very dramatic (which matches the tone) and one had a southern drawl that got on my nerves (thank goodness he was a minor character).
Entertaining overall, but felt too long and a little repetitive with the same type thing happening over and over. It was fine for a mindless, light listen.
9 hrs/ 46 min Narrated by: Megan Tusing, Teri Clark Linden, Stephen Graybill and Rachel L. Jacobs
February 25, 2021
It's not often a thriller is LOL funny, but Kaira's always are, and she never disappoints. The Next Wife is twisty and surprising - the perfect summer read.
June 24, 2021
Review posted to blog: Far-fetched, yet entertaining.
As a huge fan of Kaira Rouda, I jumped at the chance to read “The Next Wife” - as “Best Day Ever” was one of my favorite reads and “The Favorite Daughter” was also quite fabulous and both Paul Strom and Jane are characters I won’t soon forget.
While I enjoyed “The Next Wife” - I didn’t quite love it.
Why? Suspending disbelief is not my strong suit and this thriller requires it.
A family who had everything. Kate, John and Ashlyn. Torn apart by infidelity, after John leaves his wife for a woman close to his daughter’s age.
Tsk Tsk John! Be careful what you wish for.
The new wife who wants it all and more.
Tish, was it worth it?
Baawaaaahhhh!
If only this thriller kept me on my toes. If only I didn’t guess the ending early on. Rolling my eyes occurred more than once. Thank goodness Kaceey kept me company!
A buddy read with Ms. Kaceey. Thank you for reading this one with me Kaceey! I so enjoyed our discussions over this far-fetched read!
Thank you to Amazon First/Amazon Prime for the arc.
Published on Goodreads and Twitter
As a huge fan of Kaira Rouda, I jumped at the chance to read “The Next Wife” - as “Best Day Ever” was one of my favorite reads and “The Favorite Daughter” was also quite fabulous and both Paul Strom and Jane are characters I won’t soon forget.
While I enjoyed “The Next Wife” - I didn’t quite love it.
Why? Suspending disbelief is not my strong suit and this thriller requires it.
A family who had everything. Kate, John and Ashlyn. Torn apart by infidelity, after John leaves his wife for a woman close to his daughter’s age.
Tsk Tsk John! Be careful what you wish for.
The new wife who wants it all and more.
Tish, was it worth it?
Baawaaaahhhh!
If only this thriller kept me on my toes. If only I didn’t guess the ending early on. Rolling my eyes occurred more than once. Thank goodness Kaceey kept me company!
A buddy read with Ms. Kaceey. Thank you for reading this one with me Kaceey! I so enjoyed our discussions over this far-fetched read!
Thank you to Amazon First/Amazon Prime for the arc.
Published on Goodreads and Twitter
November 4, 2021
1.5 stars
For a domestic thriller, this book was quite boring.
Kate is the original Mrs. Nelson. Her and her husband John started a successful company together and have a teenage daughter, Ashlyn. John falls in love (or lust) with a woman half his age and leaves his wife to marry Tish. John slowly realizes that his new marriage with Tish might have been a mistake. After the Nelson family company goes public, Tish takes John on vacation to de-stress and rekindle their fading relationship. John drinks too much one night, when he has a heart attack and suddenly dies.
From there, Kate and Tish are in a constant bickering battle with each other over who controls the company and owns what. Each Mrs. Nelson aims to deceive and be one step ahead of the other. Ashlyn is also angry and confused about her dad’s fate and choices. She investigates the series of events and wants to take down Tish. With much petty drama, we find out how John really died and which wife wins in the end.
The characters were shallow, immature, and not well developed. The plot was slow to progress and felt like the same fighting between the wives over and over again with no real growth or insight. The twist was predictable, but the ending was still somewhat interesting. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book, but nevertheless I was curious to see how it all played out. Overall, The Next Wife was a bit disappointing, as it lacked depth and excitement.
For a domestic thriller, this book was quite boring.
Kate is the original Mrs. Nelson. Her and her husband John started a successful company together and have a teenage daughter, Ashlyn. John falls in love (or lust) with a woman half his age and leaves his wife to marry Tish. John slowly realizes that his new marriage with Tish might have been a mistake. After the Nelson family company goes public, Tish takes John on vacation to de-stress and rekindle their fading relationship. John drinks too much one night, when he has a heart attack and suddenly dies.
From there, Kate and Tish are in a constant bickering battle with each other over who controls the company and owns what. Each Mrs. Nelson aims to deceive and be one step ahead of the other. Ashlyn is also angry and confused about her dad’s fate and choices. She investigates the series of events and wants to take down Tish. With much petty drama, we find out how John really died and which wife wins in the end.
The characters were shallow, immature, and not well developed. The plot was slow to progress and felt like the same fighting between the wives over and over again with no real growth or insight. The twist was predictable, but the ending was still somewhat interesting. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book, but nevertheless I was curious to see how it all played out. Overall, The Next Wife was a bit disappointing, as it lacked depth and excitement.
October 19, 2021
I always enjoy Kaira Rouda's novels and "The Next Wife" was no exception. I was pulled in right away and had a hard time putting the book down.
I did correctly guess a thing or two early on, but still really enjoyed the story. While this wasn't my favorite from the author, I thought it was a very good read.
Gripping and entertaining, "The Next Wife" has me excited to see what's coming next from Kaira Rouda!
May 1, 2021
Quick thoughts:
Kaira Rouda’s books are so creepy good, and The Next Wife is her newest!
Kate is a woman who has it all, until she doesn’t. Her husband cheats with a woman named Tish who is now friends with Kate’s daughter, Ashlyn. Tish also has it all. She’s young and newly married, living luxuriously.
But Kate is still in the picture, and John may still be a cheater. Tish cannot let that happen. The Next Wife is a juicy, dramatic, quick-reading, twisty mystery thriller!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Kaira Rouda’s books are so creepy good, and The Next Wife is her newest!
Kate is a woman who has it all, until she doesn’t. Her husband cheats with a woman named Tish who is now friends with Kate’s daughter, Ashlyn. Tish also has it all. She’s young and newly married, living luxuriously.
But Kate is still in the picture, and John may still be a cheater. Tish cannot let that happen. The Next Wife is a juicy, dramatic, quick-reading, twisty mystery thriller!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
April 26, 2021
This was a fun and quick read, and as always with Kara Rouda, a page-turner. But it lacked the bite and the verve of her two previous books, which I loved. An entertaining book but read a little more like a soap opera than a thriller. Good ending, as always, with this author, who is very good at plotting. But I hope Rouda goes back to her more twisted and devious fare next time. This was kind of a garden variety thriller with garden variety murder — I miss the more unique psychological portraits Rouda has painted of her protagonists, and others, the past.
3+ for readability and humor, but not as great as her other two. I’ll still be waiting excitedly for her next one.
3+ for readability and humor, but not as great as her other two. I’ll still be waiting excitedly for her next one.
April 21, 2021
This book was slow, shallow and straight forward. The first ~10% was ok but it went downhill from there. I was expecting the wives to try and outsmart each other and make some clever moves but the majority of the book was essentially some immature bickering and trying to one up each other. It was incredibly shallow and soapy.
There was no real development or major revelations throughout the book. Ashlyn the daughter investigates Tish’s past but it was really just a filler because that information is already told from Tish’s perspective and it's nothing exciting.
All the characters were superficial and not likeable at all. The husband was desperate and an absolute door mat, his character made me think - is he really a CEO? I found it ridiculous how he was forced by his wife to leave his own IPO party early for a weekend away…”no” just isn’t in his vocabulary?
I wouldn’t even recommend this as a quick read.
There was no real development or major revelations throughout the book. Ashlyn the daughter investigates Tish’s past but it was really just a filler because that information is already told from Tish’s perspective and it's nothing exciting.
All the characters were superficial and not likeable at all. The husband was desperate and an absolute door mat, his character made me think - is he really a CEO? I found it ridiculous how he was forced by his wife to leave his own IPO party early for a weekend away…”no” just isn’t in his vocabulary?
I wouldn’t even recommend this as a quick read.
May 13, 2021
The Next Wife is a great domestic thriller about a woman, her husband and his family. John and Kate had the perfect life with a successful company and a daughter, Ashlyn. John left Kate for his young assistant, Tish. A few years later John isn’t happy and thinking about leaving Tish. On a romantic getaway, the unexpected happens and everyone is trying to figure out what actually happened. Ashlyn is convinced Tish is guilty and will do anything to prove it even putting herself at risk. The Next Wife caught my attention from the first page and left me guessing the whole time. The story is told from multiple perspectives which help the reader understand the characters. There are many flashbacks which gives more background on the characters. I found all of the characters interesting, and I liked how all of the characters had flaws. The drama and tension between the two families added to the story. I recommend The Next Wife to fans of domestic thrillers.
Thank you Megan Beatie Communications and Amazon Publishing for The Next Wife.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
Thank you Megan Beatie Communications and Amazon Publishing for The Next Wife.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
April 9, 2021
1.5 This was an Amazon Prime First Read and it was simply awful! Bad pick on my part. I kept reading, waiting for the promised devious events, twists, turns, anything, but no......just predictable ridiculousness! I couldn’t decide which character was the most despicable. Gullible John, cheating on first wife Kate, marrying Tish, then going behind her back. First wife Kate, smart and unforgiving. Gold digger Tish, plotting and hating. Or could it have been daughter Ashlyn? Spoiled and willful. Simplistically written, told in all 4 voices, one more horrible than the next. Yes, there was some mid book skimming involved. Avoid at all costs.
September 14, 2021
Remember that proverb.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned😈 Yeah that came to mind more than once reading this book.
I'm just going to get this out of the way now, John is a jackass, no matter how you want to slice and dice it that's, a fact. Did he deserve what he got? Probably not, but I know I won't be loosing any sleep over it. So now we have that out of the way, I can talk about the rest of the story, huge power play happening between all the female characters of the book, and even quite a bit of danger so there's never a dull moment. I found this book very hard to put down once I started it. Never completely sure which way the story was going to go, and who the plot would end up favouring till the very end.
Got to love that epilogue, or as I think of it now, the big reveal.🤯😱
Happy Reading📚📚📚📙📖📗📘📕📒📚📓
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned😈 Yeah that came to mind more than once reading this book.
I'm just going to get this out of the way now, John is a jackass, no matter how you want to slice and dice it that's, a fact. Did he deserve what he got? Probably not, but I know I won't be loosing any sleep over it. So now we have that out of the way, I can talk about the rest of the story, huge power play happening between all the female characters of the book, and even quite a bit of danger so there's never a dull moment. I found this book very hard to put down once I started it. Never completely sure which way the story was going to go, and who the plot would end up favouring till the very end.
Got to love that epilogue, or as I think of it now, the big reveal.🤯😱
Happy Reading📚📚📚📙📖📗📘📕📒📚📓
July 14, 2021
I was really disappointed by this book, and thought about not finishing it several times. There were so many plot holes and changes that didn’t make sense (for example first they didn’t want a police investigation because of the bad press and then suddenly they involved the police anyway) and the characters were really annoying and shallow. I also got tired of reading ‘I’m so strong, she will pay’ and so on. Such a waste of time
April 11, 2021
This might be the worst book I've ever read. The plot was extremely predictable. The language was repetitive at best, boring at worst. The characters were flat and undeveloped. The story was told from the viewpoints of these characters, but their voices were indistinguishable from each other. The same thoughts were repeated over and over and over, until I wanted to throw the Kindle up against the wall. Worst waste of money EVER.
June 7, 2021
This book reads like a rejected lifetime movie script, except without any fun twists (unless you want to count the epilogue, but lol).
It is a lot more bearable though if you picture Tish maniacally twirling her villainous mustache the whole time.
It is a lot more bearable though if you picture Tish maniacally twirling her villainous mustache the whole time.
July 9, 2021
3.4, rounded down. This is essentially the same book as her previous two novels, and although it was incredibly amusing at times, it started to get old fast. If this had been a debut, it might perhaps have gotten a higher rating from be, who knows. Just how many books can someone write from a sociopath's perspective? At times I could swear I was reading The Favorite Daughter again, it was that similar at times! Despite the similarities, I did find myself amused at times, chuckling at just how greedy and delusional Tish was, so that was definitely a bonus. Everything said, I still really enjoy the fast-paced, easy flow of Rouda's writing, and this is definitely the type of book someone could easily read in one or two sittings. I'd recommend this to those who don't read thrillers/suspense on a regular basis, but for those who do, I might recommend giving this one a pass, or to just go in with lower expectations, especially if you've read Best Day Ever and The Favorite Daughter. Moving on to the next great '21 Read!!
April 25, 2021
Kate Nelson and her husband John built a very successful company from the ground up. They had it all, money, a happy marriage, a family with their daughter, Ashlyn. That is until Tish, the next wife comes into the picture and Kate is forced to watch as her perfect family crumbles.
The Next Wife is the perfect escape. A twisted cat and mouse game. It's packed with extremely unlikeable characters and a storyline that at times really made me want to scream. It's entertaining and just what I needed on this rainy Saturday afternoon.
Huge thank you to MBC Books and Thomas & Mercer for my gifted copy!
The Next Wife is the perfect escape. A twisted cat and mouse game. It's packed with extremely unlikeable characters and a storyline that at times really made me want to scream. It's entertaining and just what I needed on this rainy Saturday afternoon.
Huge thank you to MBC Books and Thomas & Mercer for my gifted copy!
September 3, 2020
OK - that cover! I mean ... LOVE
Rouda writes another captivating tale that takes us inside the heads of characters who surprise and delight with their mischief. Lots of twists and turns and, as always, an ending that you won't see coming, I found this the perfect escape!
Rouda writes another captivating tale that takes us inside the heads of characters who surprise and delight with their mischief. Lots of twists and turns and, as always, an ending that you won't see coming, I found this the perfect escape!
September 28, 2021
Audio - 4 Stars
Story - 3 Stars
Story - 3 Stars
May 14, 2021
⭐️3.5 - 4 Stars⭐️
The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda was one hell of a crazy bitch corporate world, domestic drama. It’s a little twisty and gives the reader a good helping of suspense. The characters in this story are totally despicable.
Kate Nelson, always dressed in business suits at the office has been traded in for the newer model by her husband, John. She had had the perfect family, a thriving business they built together and her daughter Ashlyn but her husband decided he had to have Trish his executive assistant, a women half his age and then he ended up marrying her.
John’s second wife Trish Nelson is obsessive, unhinged and so irritating, what a nightmare of a human.
The Nelsons all work together at EventCo but EventCo is about to go public. For the sake of appearances it’s decided that John can’t have both his ex-wife and current wife working for him there as it will scare off the shareholders and could be bad publicity. Tish is asked to leave the company.
Tish is suspicious that her husband wants to get back with Kate when John and Kate are sending sneaky texts to each other and having secret meetings. And just maybe John is considering to ask Kate for another chance.
Tish has a plan and whisks John off on a holiday to their other home in Telluride just after the company announcement .
The hostilities continue to heat up between the wives and are just beginning to get ever hotter.
I did enjoy this domestic psychological thriller story of revenge, rage and greed. A light, easy and entertaining fun read to devour!
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for a copy to read and review
The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda was one hell of a crazy bitch corporate world, domestic drama. It’s a little twisty and gives the reader a good helping of suspense. The characters in this story are totally despicable.
Kate Nelson, always dressed in business suits at the office has been traded in for the newer model by her husband, John. She had had the perfect family, a thriving business they built together and her daughter Ashlyn but her husband decided he had to have Trish his executive assistant, a women half his age and then he ended up marrying her.
John’s second wife Trish Nelson is obsessive, unhinged and so irritating, what a nightmare of a human.
The Nelsons all work together at EventCo but EventCo is about to go public. For the sake of appearances it’s decided that John can’t have both his ex-wife and current wife working for him there as it will scare off the shareholders and could be bad publicity. Tish is asked to leave the company.
Tish is suspicious that her husband wants to get back with Kate when John and Kate are sending sneaky texts to each other and having secret meetings. And just maybe John is considering to ask Kate for another chance.
Tish has a plan and whisks John off on a holiday to their other home in Telluride just after the company announcement .
The hostilities continue to heat up between the wives and are just beginning to get ever hotter.
I did enjoy this domestic psychological thriller story of revenge, rage and greed. A light, easy and entertaining fun read to devour!
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for a copy to read and review
April 10, 2021
This was an Amazon “first reads” choice and I was immediately sold upon reading the description. Terrible people doing mean things to each other? Sign me up! The story centers on Kate and Tish, the former being the first wife and business partner of John, and the 2nd being John’s current and much younger wife. Tish and John have been married a few years now and she suspects he is losing interest. Kate is still highly angry that John left her to begin with. What follows is a twisty tale where it’s difficult to determine who the real villain is.
No one in this book is terribly likeable but Tish is the worst of the worst. You will spend the book frustrated with her to no end, but also quickly turning pages to see what happens next.
The story is well crafted, with clues dropped throughout. I thought I had it all figured out but there was a twist that led me another direction, followed by another twist that led me back to the first direction. I was never truly sure until it was all revealed.
Overall, I liked the book and I would definitely recommend it to those who like domestic suspense and mysteries!
No one in this book is terribly likeable but Tish is the worst of the worst. You will spend the book frustrated with her to no end, but also quickly turning pages to see what happens next.
The story is well crafted, with clues dropped throughout. I thought I had it all figured out but there was a twist that led me another direction, followed by another twist that led me back to the first direction. I was never truly sure until it was all revealed.
Overall, I liked the book and I would definitely recommend it to those who like domestic suspense and mysteries!
May 4, 2021
2.75 stars
The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda is a domestic thriller told from three points of view. We have Tish, the greedy, shallow, heartless second wife determined to keep her acquisition...aka new husband. We have Kate, the ruthless, conniving first wife who built a multi-million dollar company with her husband, only to be humiliated and replaced by a younger version. And we hear from Ashlyn, the sleuthing, teenage daughter who is caught up in the trauma-drama of it all. After the company goes public, Tish decides to whisk her husband away on a romantic rendezvous, whether he wants to or not, and the trip turns into anything but relaxing and romantic.
This story started off strong. It was candid, sordid and looked like it might be a riveting, delicious drama. Unfortunately, it soon became fairly repetitive, predictable and borderline ridiculous. It has short chapters and a simplified writing style that make it easy to consume and if you’re looking for a fluffy, soap opera-ish thriller, this may work for you. I really enjoyed Kaira’s previous two books, but unfortunately, The Next Wife felt rather unrealistic, unsurprising and lacked enough substance and originality to make it an enthralling thriller.
The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda is a domestic thriller told from three points of view. We have Tish, the greedy, shallow, heartless second wife determined to keep her acquisition...aka new husband. We have Kate, the ruthless, conniving first wife who built a multi-million dollar company with her husband, only to be humiliated and replaced by a younger version. And we hear from Ashlyn, the sleuthing, teenage daughter who is caught up in the trauma-drama of it all. After the company goes public, Tish decides to whisk her husband away on a romantic rendezvous, whether he wants to or not, and the trip turns into anything but relaxing and romantic.
This story started off strong. It was candid, sordid and looked like it might be a riveting, delicious drama. Unfortunately, it soon became fairly repetitive, predictable and borderline ridiculous. It has short chapters and a simplified writing style that make it easy to consume and if you’re looking for a fluffy, soap opera-ish thriller, this may work for you. I really enjoyed Kaira’s previous two books, but unfortunately, The Next Wife felt rather unrealistic, unsurprising and lacked enough substance and originality to make it an enthralling thriller.
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