This is interesting. Different from other thrillers and suspense books that I’ve read, for sure. A lot of mob scenes and not what we would ever experience in daily life, making it a little difficult to connect to the characters. A fun read for sure, and quick. I enjoyed it.

First off, thank you, @NetGalley (#NetGalley) & and publishers, for the ARC of this book. 4 widows, mobsters & shady businessmen, what could go wrong. Set in 1985/1986. This is not a creepy "who done it," but a light thriller with a good twist & a "happy" ending. There are funny parts that remind me of the Stephanie Plum series from Janet Evanovich & serious parts. I enjoyed this book.
Reviewed on Goodreads also

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. I love several of these authors, so I was SO sad when I learned their audiobook would only be on a platform I didn't have. And it was set in 1985! Featuring widows and the mob! I was heartbroken. Thankfully, they are now turning it into a book! That you can read! And read I did. I love how each of these writers brings their own flair and voice to their characters, but the story is woven together so seamlessly. The story itself is twisty and a fast read. It definitely reads as funnier rather than dark, which was a bit of a surprise given what I've read from the others, but it worked really well.

This was a fun book to read! I really enjoyed the writing and love that it was a group project by 4 very talented writers.
After 4 lawyers are killed in a plane crash their widows are left to deal with the fallout as secrets unfold and enemies becomes friends.
I thought the story was well told though I did kind of expect a more intense twist. That said I still really like the book over all.
For a more in-depth (while still spoiler free review) please check out my YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypIOyYLeStk

Reading this was like jumping in a time machine back to the 80's, and I LOVED IT! A fantastic funny thriller that was just too fun to read! I've only read one of these authors before (Belle) but now I can't wait to read the others!

When the four partners of a prominent law firm are killed in a mysterious plane crash, their widows must come together to uncover the truth in this explosive, edge-of-your-seat novel.

This was pretty good. I liked the characters but the plot was a little boring and predictable. I didn't hate it, though.

*sigh*

I think I'm the odd one out here. I thought I would love this but had to DNF at 25%. The dialogue was cringy and awkward (example: woo woo wacko, did you boink, take a chill pill), the characters were horrible and indistinguishable and in the 25% I read, there was nothing that made it seem like this was set in the 80s.

Great cover though.

Thank you @bookmarked for the #gifted copy of this ebook!

This book starts out with a literal crash landing. 4 partners from a law firm crash and burn outside of New York City instantly killing everyone on board. Left in the wake of destruction is some upset Mafia men, many buried secrets, a lot of questions and the women trying to piece together this mess! 4 women, all vastly different try to make sense why the men were all on the plane, where the stack of 4 million dollars went all while doing it quickly to stay out of the crosshairs of the mafia.

Thoughts: I loved the concept of this one because for me I don’t read a lot of books about the Mafia. I liked the mystery behind the opening scene and plane crash with all of the lies and secrets those men took with them. The downside for this book for me however was this one felt a little weak for me. The story seemed very surface level and predictable with the characters not making decisions that seemed logical. It’s very over the top and certainly a popcorn thriller. If you don’t mind that I say grab your martini and give it a try!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this book, with my honest review below*

Young Rich Widows is a suspenseful and light read that I’m still shocked was written by four different authors! This part mystery part drama and smaller part humorous book follows four different widows in Krystle, Camille, Justine and Meredith. What starts as a mystery in getting to know some of the conflicts and challenges in the widows lives quickly turns into a mystery of trying to understand if their husbands and partners deaths were caused by an accidental plane crash or something more sinister.

I enjoyed following along with the widows as they revealed more about their pasts and slowly began working together to solve for the culprit(s) that might be behind the deaths. The book was a consistent read throughout despite multiple authors and perhaps each widows unique personality was well written due to this. . I would love a sequel as the widows have shown they are strong individuals not defined by their husbands, and have a lot of work they’re capable of getting done.

"Young Rich Widows" by Vanessa Lillie, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan, and Kimberly Belle earns a 3-star rating. This collaborative work explores the lives of young widows grappling with newfound wealth and showcases the diverse storytelling talents of the contributing authors.

The anthology offers a variety of perspectives on the theme, with each author bringing a unique voice to the exploration of the intersection between loss and affluence. While the collection may lack a seamless cohesion due to differing writing styles and tones, this diversity contributes to the richness of the reading experience.

Readers will find individual stories that resonate and captivate, providing moments of emotional depth and intrigue. The collaborative effort shines a light on the complexities faced by young widows in various scenarios, and each narrative, though distinct, contributes to the overall tapestry of the anthology.

For those seeking a nuanced exploration of the challenges young widows face within the context of wealth, "Young Rich Widows" offers a compelling collection that, despite minor inconsistencies, delivers a positive and thought-provoking reading experience.

Highly Entertaining!

If you are looking for a top-notch scandalous novel written by some of the top thriller authors (dream team)) with engaging narrators and four killer brilliant laugh-out-loud recently widowed—look no further!

YOUNG RICH WIDOWS earns a 5-star, and I would love to see a sequel in the future! Think: “First Wives Club.”

Set in Providence, Rhode Island, in the 80s, there are four partners of a prominent law firm. They have been killed in a private jet plane crash. Was it intentional or an accident?

After further investigation and sleuthing, it appears they were associated with the mafia. Now, the widows must band together, which is difficult since they dislike one another.

The team wasn’t supposed to be in NY, and a large sum of cash burned up with the plane. Why were the four partners on the same plane? Were they part of the mafia, or were they in the middle of investigating them?

Now it is up to the four widows to find out what happened and, at the same time, keep themselves out of harm's way.

What happened, and is there any evidence? Are they next? Is someone out for revenge? What about hidden messages?

Plus, there are secrets between these partners and the wives soon discover.

THE WIDOWS:
Justine: a former fashion model adjusting to suburban life.
Camille: a beautiful, young second wife some suspect is a gold digger.
Krystle: committed to leaving the firm to her sons after her husband worked his whole life to support them.
Meredith: (funny) a stripper at the local club who was in a secret relationship with the firm’s sole female partner.

Tragedy brought these four unlikely women together. These women do not get along, but before they are done, they must band together to keep safe and bring down the bad guys. These women are intelligent, tough, witty, and tenacious!

The widows must find the answers to protect their inheritance, their families, and their lives

Meet Authors: Kimberly Belle, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan, and Vanessa Lillie. If you have not read their books, here is a chance to sample their work.

Each story fits seamlessly, glued to e-book and audio until the satisfying conclusion.

Wild, crazy, and full of humor! What is not to like? It sounds as though this was a collaborative effort during the pandemic. So thank you, ladies, for providing some great entertainment! I loved meeting the widows, each with their unique personalities.

Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley, for a gifted ARC digital reviewer copy in exchange for honest feedback.

I also listened to the audiobook when it came out: The narrators: Dina Pearlman, Karissa Vacker, Helen Laser, and Ariel Blake delivered an outstanding performance!

Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: April 2, 2024 (paperback)
April 2024 Must-Read Books

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC of Young Rich Widows. I really enjoyed reading this, liked the setting of the 80's, it almost reminded me a bit of Dynasty!
I always enjoy the different POV in a boob.

Thank you again!

When I saw this book available on NetGalley, I instantly knew I needed it. Four incredible authors working together to write one unforgettable story. The message it sent is EVERYTHING. I had chills while I read the final chapter. This had such a heart breaking start, but the ending was so worth it. I highly recommend this book to lovers of all genres, and especially women!

This one is good and a great audio (free on audible)

This is thriller meets mob as told by Kimberly Belle. I think because she is part of this author team it didnt get as twisty so a tad campy.

I think this group should write again because it was good it combined comedy with the twists and turns of a thriller and a mobster backround through the adventure. Parts of it felt too ehhh for it to be a 5 star but I do believe if you are into any of these authors or thrillers you HAVE to pick this up.

3 Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was pretty excited about getting approved for this one because it sounded right up my alley! While not a super thriller with a ton of mystery, it did give me some serious Erin Brockovich/mafia movie vibes!

When four law firm partners are killed in a plane crash, their widows must uncover some secrets and figure out why the mob is after them.

These four main women characters are not necessarily likable, but are really fun with their snarky, snappy attitudes towards each other. Especially Krystle - she’s a hoot! I laughed out loud a few times!

Fun and entertaining for anyone looking for a light, but over the top mystery!

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks for my advanced copy to read and review.

3.5 🌟. This book was a fun time. With having female relationships, lawyers, the mob, deaths, murder, secrecy, and civil justice; I thoroughly enjoyed this book the whole way. This book was fast paced, but wasn't exactly anything groundbreaking hence the rating. I would recommend for a good time, but no crazy twists or reveals and feels similar to books I've read before! I also really enjoyed the main characters and their stories. Thank you to the publisher, authors, and Netgalley for this ARC!!

Enjoyable and easy-to-read, this book features a captivating story told from four different character perspectives. Set against the backdrop of a plane crash that leaves four widows clueless about their partners' mysterious law firm dealings, the plot unfolds with elements of the mob, missing money, and a life-threatening report. The widows join forces to unravel the unfolding mystery, leaving readers in suspense about whether they can uncover the truth in time. Ideal for those seeking a light, entertaining read during the Christmas break, but not recommended for those looking for a complex thriller.

The book has been narrated from multiple perspective and the writing is gripping. Set in a Providence, Rhode Island. The plot takes us deep in the 80s, the four partners of a law firm gets killed in plane crash but instead of making the book gloomy, the authors have added humour in it and their distinct voices have made the book even more interesting. The partners who gets killed in a crash, their wives get to the bottom of the mystery and think about the future of the firm. They learn about some secrets and the mystery gets deeper. But will they get tangled in it or find their way out of it? The book will take you on a wild ride with elements of suspense, mystery and humour. The characters have their own personalities. I felt that each of them added something to the story. When they all came together, the story became twisty and humorous. I haven’t read any book like this before so I am grateful to the Authors & Publisher.

Many Thanks to Netgalley.

I love the 80s vibes in this one! I had fun reading this and finished in one sitting.. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Very cleverly written - short but enjoyable. I think th mystery was lacking a little especially when the mob came in but generally very enjoyable. *3.5 stars