Sally Hepworth is a favorite author who always manages to surprise me with her story lines.
In THE YOUNGER WIFE, we meet a family that has so many blemishes on their perfect facade that it was a question on how their stories would roll out. A young woman marries a much older man with 2 daughters close in age to that of his new wife, plus he has an ex-wife in a memory care facility. But can anyone live 60+ years without acquiring one or two habits that just might generate some questions if they were uncovered before the wedding? Can the sisters accept a step mother taking the place of their mother? Just what is going on when the wedding is interupted with a scream? With Sally Hepworth driving this train, there's no telling what we will find on the next page. She always leaves this reader wanting just a little more.

3.5, rounded up to 4 solely based on the last chapter.

Sometimes you read a book and you see all the foreshadowing and you just know what the twist is gonna be and then you get slapped in the face with a twist and it’s not the last twist and then you sit there, slack jawed as you bask in the twistyness of the twists.

That’s how I felt with this Sally Hepworth novel about three women all tied to one older man. For two of them, he’s their father that they’ve always loved but also can’t claim to know very well. The third, his new fiancée- younger than his daughters - and replacing his wife who he’s technically still married to but who has advanced dementia.

Secrets among the three of them like cancers, leading to doubt, suspicion and maybe even some paranoia as the wedding approaches. A wedding day filled with bloodshed…

Excellent mystery. I loved the premise and the surprises throughout. Great character building and plot development.

I’ve liked all of Sally Hepworth’s books and “The Younger Wife” didn’t disappoint! I loved the twists; kept me quickly turning pages.

This book was tricky. I’m usually a fan of those twisty books, but twisty doesn’t seem to be the right adjective for this one. Tricky feels more right.

There was a lot going on here. There were multiple POVs, each with a specific vice (food, shoplifting, alcohol). Everyone dealing with some kind of trauma.

I mostly enjoyed this book. It was intriguing and there was always something happening. What I didn’t like was that the trauma isn’t handled well and it felt like one big gaslighting party. You could say things are resolved, in a way, but ultimately, it’s left pretty open to interpretation, which felt like a disservice to its characters. It was disappointing. I know what I think but it’s up to the reader to make their own decision.

Family Secrets and Trauma

Overall, The Younger Wife is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that explores the intricacies of family relationships and personal trauma. Sally Hepworth's skillful storytelling and complex characters make this book a notable addition to the domestic suspense genre.

This was a good mystery, but a very depressing book. Everyone in this story had issues and a lot of problems. It moved along at a very even pace - no highs or lows, just a steady pace. I wasn't very invested the characters.

The saving grace was the ending.

I love Sally Hepworth's writing style. I was hooked from page one and didn't stop reading until I was finished. There were so many twists and turns. I highly recommend it for thriller readers!

I have read most of Sally Hepworth's books, as they are full of great writing, mystery and relationships. I enjoyed this one as I have all the others, I thought that this book drew out the characters really well and I loved this book. I look forward to reading all of her coming books!

This one sucked me in - family drama on all levels - parents, kids, even grandkids. There’s a mystery, a romance, and overall family dynamic drama. Highly recommend this one when it’s released in April. I’ve loved all 3 of Sally Hepworth’s books.

I have only read one other book written by this author and it also was a 3 star book for me so I am not really sure this is the right author for me. This one just did not connect with me either. I am not even sure why. Maybe because it made me sad with the amount of mental health issues that were involved here and the distrust in the marriage.

3.5 stars rounded up.

The first 75% of this book had me hooked, I couldn’t put it down as I tried to figure out what was amiss amongst our featured family. Unfortunately, the unraveling of secrets (or lack thereof?) and ending fell very flat. It’s a shame because I think I would have loved this if we could have thrown some flare for the dramatics or some dirty secrets in there. I finished this book feeling unsatisfied.

The story made me sad. The main characters have mental health issues. And the next generation isn't getting off to a good start. Tully at least married a normal guy but she doesn't trust him to tell him her truth. Can there really be abuse with no one knowing? Or did someone make up a story? So many issues all wrapped into one book. I usually like this author's books but this one just didn't connect with me.

I really enjoyed this book. It was really suspenseful and kept me glued the whole time. It was a quick read that I'll recommend to others.

In "The Younger Wife," Stephen's impending marriage to his much younger fiancée, Heather, sets off a cascade of family tensions and secrets. With adult daughters Tully and Rachel struggling with their own issues, and Stephen's ex-wife still in the picture, the stage is set for a drama-filled exploration of trust and deception. Despite the predictable dysfunctional family dynamics, Sally Hepworth crafts compelling characters whose unique personalities and secrets draw readers in from the outset. Short chapters and tantalizing hints about the wedding's aftermath keep the pages turning at a brisk pace, even if the story's twists don't quite live up to the hype of a traditional mystery/thriller.

While the reveals serve their purpose in advancing the plot, they lack the shocking impact typically associated with the genre. However, the satisfying ending, free of the discombobulation reported in earlier versions, underscores the value of reader feedback in shaping the final narrative. "The Younger Wife" offers an engaging glimpse into the complexities of familial relationships, ultimately delivering an enjoyable read despite its familiar premise.

The book started strong, great hook to get you invested and wanting to know what happened. Stephen and Heather have said their "I do's" and have gone to sign their the official paperwork, which ends with a thud, a scream, and a dead groom laying in a pool of blood.

Flash back to the months before....and you'll get to see the characters develop and doubts form. You have a daughter who is a kleptomaniac. Another daughter who eases her pain with food. You have a very young bride that has traumtic secrets and a drinking problem. A groom who divorced his wife with dementia for the younger woman. And, the ex wife that doesn't know she's an ex wife in spite of it all. She loves a good picnic, after all. But, trouble starts brewing when Rachel finds a large sum of money that her mother had been stashing....was her mother planning to leave her father before she was changed by dementia? And why?

And, then we're back to the present day....and an ending that was climatic until it wasn't.... The ending fell flat.

Sally Hepworth has once again delivered an enthralling novel with "The Younger Wife," solidifying her status as a must-read author in my book. While I hate to pick favorites, this one truly stands out for me. Filled with family drama, suspense, and an array of quirky characters, it kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

The story begins with the seemingly joyous occasion of Stephen and Heather's wedding, but quickly takes a dark turn when a disturbing incident occurs outside the church. From there, the narrative unfolds through the perspectives of various characters, revealing the events leading up to that pivotal moment.

What truly captivated me was the intricate web of relationships and secrets woven throughout the story. Each character is flawed and complex, with their own struggles and hidden depths. As the layers are peeled back, the tension builds, leaving me guessing and second-guessing until the very end.

Hepworth masterfully explores themes of addiction, trauma, and family dynamics, seamlessly blending them into the narrative. Despite the novel's contemporary setting, there's an underlying sense of unease that keeps you hooked until the final page.

If you're a fan of Hepworth's previous work or simply enjoy a gripping family drama with a twist, "The Younger Wife" is a must-read. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this compelling novel.

I love Sally Hepworth's writing style. This book is another winner, in my opinion. She uses writing devices and pacing in such a way that she prolongs suspense and keeps the reader guessing at every turn. She has won my reader loyalty.

I enjoyed the book but I’m late making my review and I can’t remember specifics about it. I’ve seen people talk about not liking the ending but I don’t recall it being offended by it.

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. Sally Hepworth always does such a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!