This book starts off with the wedding of Stephen and Heather, with his daughters Tully and Rachel and his ex-wife/their mother who has Alzheimer's in attendance. The five of them go into the back room to sign the registry when there is a loud crash and emergency services are called.

This is the first of Sally Hepworth's books that I've read and I was unfortunately expecting more of a thriller, but felt like this was a family drama.

I appreciated the short chapters and multiple perspectives. It kept the book moving forward quickly.

The book wraps up leaving the conclusion a little too open ended for my liking. I understand why the author did this, but it's just not my fave.

I loved hearing where the inspiration for this book came from in the Author's Note, it definitely makes this a special book for the author.

It was fine.

I think Sally Hepworth fans or fans of recently published thrillers will really enjoy this one! For me, it was a just a bit on the slow side, in terms of the central plot. On the other hand, it felt like there was A LOT going on - and I didn't feel like all the plots were all addressed in a way that provided closure. (Also...it felt like the sexual assault backstory was just added in because - it didn't add anything to the storyline.)

And that ending? What? It was so inconclusive...and not in a good, Inception, kind of way. Just in a...huh? way.

I don’t know if it was the feel of the book and writing that made me think of Moriarty so much. Or maybe it was the periodic chapters written from a completely outside perspective (that you don’t really come to find out who until around the climax of the book). Maybe it’s as a combination of both. But I loved it!
But I have not ever read a book by Sally Hepworth before, and I thought this was the PERFECT place to start. I seriously loved all of it. It was such a page turner. Somehow it’s as a mystery and a domestic family story and a story of sisters and a romance all at once. There was not that one character that you hated. Not a bit. I loved them all. I loved Tully and Rachel as sisters. I loved the endearment and heartbreak of Pam. I loved how genuine Heather was (which was refreshing). I LOVED Darcy. I even loved Sonny. What great character development. I seriously couldn’t stop listening. And the mystery was great. Enough of a twist that I saw parts coming but not even piece. And I felt completely satisfied by the end. Very well done. I guess I need to go back and read more by this author!

I found this to be another very readable book by Sally Hepworth. It was engaging and entertaining, which is what I was going for. I enjoyed Hepworth's writing style.

The story is told from the perspective of four different women, all with a relationship to Stephen Aston: Tully (older daughter), Rachel (younger daughter), Heather (wife-to-be), and a mystery woman at the wedding. The book begins near the end of the story. Stephen Aston has just divorced his wife and the mother of his children, who has dementia and is living in a care home, and married a woman the same age as his younger daughter. The wedding party has gone out back to sign the marriage documents when a scream is heard and someone calls for a doctor. The rest of the book is finding out what happened in the back room and how the characters ended up in that situation.

This is a story where you know what is happening before the characters figure it out. So, you need to do a bit of waiting while they catch up. However, I found that the characters all had their own issues that would have naturally distracted them from the truth.

I've seen a lot of discussion regarding the ending of this book. I did not find it to be disappointing. I think the story was leading there. I do think you will have to suspend your disbelief a bit, but that is to be expected with this type of story. Overall, I really liked the way Hepworth pulled it all together.

Once again, I will be interested to read more Hepworth's work in the future.

This was an entertaining, quick read about a dysfunctional family trying to come to terms with their past and the impact it has had on their lives. It all starts at the wedding of Stephen and Heather when something unknown happens, causing 911 to be called. We then go back in time to the year leading up to the wedding. Each chapter focuses on either Heather or one of Stephen’s adult daughters, Tully and Rachel. The alternating perspectives allows you to learn more about the internal demons they are each living with. It’s pretty much all included – dementia, alcoholism, eating disorders, rape, kleptomania, and both verbal and physical abuse. In addition, throughout the book Stephen’s personality and actions are in question leaving the reader to wonder just what kind of man he truly is. We then come full circle back to the wedding to find out just what happened. Afterwards, revelations are just kind of thrown at you and that is where the book didn’t work for me. I think if the ending had been written differently, it probably would have been more of a 4-star book. I still really enjoyed the majority of the book, but the ending was a disappointment.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for gifting me with an advanced copy to read and provide an honest review.

I think I have read all of Sally Hepworth’s books and loved most of them. I definitely enjoyed this book. But first, I read a lot of the reviews first and I do agree about the ending which leaves the reader deciding what the truth really is. Back to the book which starts with the prologue of the wedding, where there is an accident and you really don’t know who was hurt. Just lots of blood. We then go back in time to a year before. The book is mainly narrated by Tully, Rachel and Heather. Tully and Rachel are the daughters of Stephen, a prominent doctor and Heather is the women Stephen meets and plans to marry who is younger than his daughters. Their mom has advanced dementia and is in a nursing home. I really liked Rachel. The main theme here is abuse??? of their father to woman. I don’t want to give away any spoilers. Stephen divorces their mother who really has advanced dementia. The books really ends with the reader left to decide what the ending is. What is the truth about Stephen. That is why I gave the book 4 stars and not 5 stars because I like endings where you really know what is the truth. I want to thank net galley and the publisher for this ARC of this book for an honest review. All in all I do recommend this book in spite of the ending which is left to the readers to decide what the truth is.

The Younger Wife
by Sally Hepworth
Pub Date: April 5, 2022
St. Martin's Press
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. This author was new to me, but I will be reading more. I liked that one of the characters, Heather, was the name of a real person who won an Instagram campaign. How fun!!
I enjoyed this book! It was a fun mystery thriller.
4 stars

I've only read a few of Hepworth's other novels, but I know she's great at family dramas. There was plenty of drama happening in this book right from the start. However, some of the choices the characters make drive made me feel as though they were stupid. And the gaslighting theme the world, especially authors, has decided to run with lately is getting on my nerves. Then the ending came and I was let down. Overall, I'm in the minority for my feelings about this story. If you are looking for a slow burn, character driven story this is worth picking up.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC!

Y'all what a wild wild story! What I loved the most about "The Younger Wife" is that the ending is going to be one you walk away from wondering if you really have it figured out or not. Can you say without a doubt who the villain is in this novel? Heck, is there even a villain? Do you side with the girls, Stephen or Heather? Hepworth gives us a very twisted tale in this book.

The family drama is thick and complicated in this novel, and I'm here for it. Give me a flawed family with problems in every nook and cranny. When a new wife enters the picture, Tully and Rachel soon uncovered that their parents have a marriage coated in secrets. What unfolds is growth for the sisters, a better understanding of what came before, and the unraveling of what could be once the truth is out.

Or is it? This one is going to keep you guessing from start to finish

This is such an interesting book! The writer excels in character development, relayed carefully as the book progresses. The story is told from the perspectives of Tully, Rachel and Heather in an expertly crafted plot. I could not put this book down!

The book begins with a murder at Stephen and Heather’s wedding. There is a scream while the couple are signing the register and later a body is removed. This part of the story is told by someone other than one of the central characters. Who is murdered, and by whom is not disclosed until later in the book.

Without giving too much away, the characters each suffer from a psychological disorder which for me really amped up the impact of this book. Each woman carries a secret, unbeknownst to others. These secrets are slowly revealed at appropriate moments to keep the reader riveted.

The concept of this book was founded in part by the author’s own experience with her Great-Aunt. If you love psychological mysteries/thrillers or women’s fiction I highly recommend The Younger Wife.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the #gifted eARC.

I really wanted to love this book. I’m such a fan of Sally Hepworth and was so excited when I was approved for this eARC. Unfortunately, I think the way that she handled some sensitive and triggering topics was in really poor taste and used as a shock factor/plot twist.

Mental health and domestic abuse should never be minimized or ignored.

I can’t go into it more without giving away the plot but if you’ve read this one and want to talk about it, my DMs are open.

There are a lot of trigger warnings which I’ll leave below but be warned they do contain spoilers.

Even though this book did not work for me, I will continue to read Sally’s books and I hope that her next book works better for me.
/
/
/
/
/

cw: gaslighting, domestic abuse, alcoholism, kleptomania, miscarriage, dementia, death of a parent, rape

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbxhiCerHeO/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4612100009?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Not sure if it was my mood or if there truly is a pacing issue, but this book, even if it is considered a "slow-burn" just moved way too slow for me to stay invested in the characters or the story.

The Younger Wife

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the gifted digital advanced copy. All opinions are my own. Full review on bookstagram to come.

This book was a cross between domestic suspense mixed with plenty of good old family drama. This book reads quickly, with short chapters and alternating points of view, to where you can't put it down until you find out what happens - I read this in under 24 hours.

If you read The Good Sister and loved Wally's character, Hepworth has done it again with Darcy in this novel. I loved how supportive and quirky his character was, and he honestly stole the show for me. While I also loved Rachel and Heather, and seeing their character development unfold, I didn't love how Tully's character was portrayed (constantly hysterical) and at times it seemed the content warnings (listed below - I'd consider them mild spoilers) and character's traumas were thrown in as a plot device, which made me feel a little icky.

That being said, Hepworth's novels are so easy to read - engaging plots with interesting characters where you immediately get invested in the story and quickly flip pages to see how the characters' stories turn out. Absolutely an auto-read author for me, and I'm excited to see what's next!

⚠️Content warnings⚠️: miscarriage, rape, binge eating, domestic violence, gaslighting

4.5 ⭐️ for Younger Wife

Pages: 352
Pace: fast
Genre: thriller

Themes: locked-room mystery, childhood trauma, signs of abuse, non-traditional family dynamics, shame, financial distress, sisterhood, fallacy of making assumptions

My thoughts: this one was so bingeable! It had short chapters and easy prose that led me to finishing it in almost one sitting! I loved the family dynamics, especially because I’m so intrigued by age gaps in relationships and the drama that ensues because of them. I also loved how Hepworth set up the locked-room trope, and it kept me guessing on the culprit through the book. And she did manage to fit in one final twist that left me like 😮. If you like thrillers with a family drama angle, you’ll probably love this one!

Who should read: fans of Good Sister, First Wives Club (movie), It’s Complicated (movie)

Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review!

First off, thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy.
Secondly, this book was un-put-downable for me.

We alternate between the lives of this family with Stephen’s daughters Tully and Rachel and his new wife Heather. Stephen is a successful heart surgeon with the life Heather has always dreamed of. Tully and Rachel are trying to navigate their life the best they can between their mom having dementia and their dad remarrying young. But when things start coming into the light, they realize their picture perfect family is anything but.

I love a good domestic story and this one Sally weaves leaves so many openings for interpretation. It was a little predictable where it was heading, but I feel having the daughters each have these faults made for a more complex story. The ending was the type that was open ended, it had me somewhat doubting, like Stephen did to those around him. I also loved having the extra voice of another former wife. She added to the suspense and doubt.

All in all, I enjoyed the story and the complexity of the characters.

Y’all! I loved this one!

Not extremely surprising though considering I LOVE a good domestic thriller! It held my attention, had me second guessing so many things including myself 🤣, filled with likable AND unlikable characters, and this one has so much to discuss so it would be perfect for a book club choice! (@thereadroversbookclub nailed her choice this month!) 👏🏼

Admittedly, the ending left me stressed. S T R E S S E D. I have a love/hate with ambiguous endings because I just need closure. But again, it leaves much to talk about! 👀

I definitely recommend this if you love domestic thrillers as much as I do!

This comes out this Tuesday 4/5! Thanks so much to @macmillanusa for my gifted copy!

What's it about (in a nutshell):
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth is a creepy psychological thriller about perception versus reality.

My thoughts:
This novel grabbed my attention on page 1, and it didn't let it go. I finished it days ago, and I am still thinking about it. There are four narrators: the groom's two adult daughters, Rachel and Tully, his young bride, Heather, and one narrator that is unnamed until the end. Each has a clear, unique voice that never once confused me as they transitioned from one to another. But, here's the rub - everything else is up to you, the reader, to decide. Here are some aspects I am still considering:

It is a story that is deceptively subtle…or is it?

It is a story told by four unreliable narrators…or is it?

It is a story about lies and deceptions…or is it?

It is a story that is a slow-burn thriller from start to finish…or is it?

It is a story where good prevailed…or is it?


Characters:
Rachel is the youngest daughter of the groom, Stephen, and Stephen's old wife, Pam. She owns a bakery and is plagued by demons that have impacted her ability to make meaningful relationships.

Tully is the oldest daughter of the groom and his old wife. She is a stay-at-home mom who has a problem. She is a kleptomaniac and has been since she was a child.

Stephen is the groom in the story. He is a successful heart surgeon in his sixties. He divorced his wife, Pamela, who has dementia, to marry a woman younger than his daughters.

Heather is the younger wife and is half Stephen's age. She's an interior decorator and feels like she has a problem with alcohol.

Pam is Stephen's old wife. She has dementia and lives at a facility that can give her specialized care.

What I Wish:

I wish I could find a discussion group for this book because there is a lot to talk about. Other than that, I wish that all females hadn't been victims and all males weren't their saviors. I would rather have seen a mixed balance of this in terms of gender roles.

To Read or Not to Read:
If you like an original reality versus perception story that will have you looking for fellow readers to discuss it, The Younger Wife is the perfect novel for you.

Not really a psychological thriller per say, but more a mystery. It pretty much grabbed me from the start. Someone has been hurt, but you don't know why or how. It seems everyone is keeping a secret.

Stephen, the dad, a doctor has a past. Tully, the oldest daughter, a huge problem she's keeping a secret from everyone. Rachel, the youngest daughter, a baker that eats to forget about her secret. Then there is Heather, the younger wife, that has a secret she's keeping.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it. It was quite good and when I was finally able to sit down and read it, without being distracted by other stuff, I finished it quickly.

It hits stores on April 5, 2022

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Hepworth for the Kindle Version of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so excited to read this book and 90% didn’t disappoint! This books follows different perspectives which I always enjoy. It follows Tully and Natalie the daughters and Rachel the new wife who is closer in age to the daughters than she is to their father. Tully and Natalie aren’t excited that Rachel is their father’s new fiancé because he is still married fo their mother who has dementia. This book had me second guessing everything I thought I knew. I didn’t love the ending but the rest was 5 stars!

This is a little bit of a twisted story. It is told from the point of views of multiple characters. There is the dad, two daughters, an ex-wife, the current wife and the younger wife. There is a lot at play and some things the author leaves for the reader to draw their own conclusions.