*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

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance E-Copy of Young Rich Widows by Vanessa Lillie; Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan, and and Kimberly Belle in exchange of an honest review.

"In 'Young Rich Widows' readers are introduced to a fascinating world of snarky women, secrets, and lies. The story captivates with its intriguing premise and a cast of compelling characters like Justine, Camille, Krystle, and Meredith. While the pacing may feel slow in the beginning, the suspense builds steadily, leading to a surprising and satisfying ending. Although there are a few twists that may not resonate with everyone, the book keeps readers invested with its engaging narrative. Despite a few plot holes, 'Young Rich Widows' delivers an enjoyable and suspenseful read that will leave readers eager for more from the author." 3.7 Stars

Wow! These women are so fun to read about. I love how the different writing styles of the 4 authors comes through in the different chapters. I can't wait to read more widow books.

What a fun story! It took me a few chapters to get my characters straight but I loved that the story was told from four different character perspectives. This was an easy read which was perfect over Christmas break. If you are looking for an intricate thriller, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a fun, easy read then you should pick this book up!

A plane crash leaves behind four widows. They had no idea what was really going on with the law firm where their partners worked but they are about to find out and fast. What follows involves the mob, missing money, and a report that is so important that someone is willing to kill. The four widows work together to figure out what is going on. Will they figure it out in time?

I loved this book so much! The widows, the multiple POVs, the twist, it was all perfect! Those partners all got what they had coming! It was amazing!

This was an enjoyable read. When a plane crash takes the lives of 4 law firm partners, their widows have to band together to figure out what was going on in the law firm. The 4 of them come together and end up deciphering all the clues and turning the problem into a solution by the end. This was hilarious in parts, and kept me guessing as to how it was all going to come together. Thanks for the ARC.

Marvelous! Fabulous! Iconic! A total joy! I leapt upon this as Layne Fargo's They Never Learn was one of my favorite books of 2020, and now I'm excited to have three more new-to-me authors to check out. Set vividly in the midst of 1980s excess, this caper brings together four complicated women in a plot that brings to mind Ocean's 8, Erin Brokovich, Hustlers, the 80s TV series Dynasty, and unsurprisingly the 2018 film Widows which I totally went to see in theaters because it was co-written by Gillian Flynn. I was unsurprised to find that my favorite character Meredith, a smart as hell bisexual stripper, was Fargo's work, though I grew helplessly fond too of Krystle, whose mob-adjacent upbringing has chased her to the present, Camille and Justine, whose scenes together had me on the edge of my seat for reasons I'll go into in my Goodreads review where I can spoiler tag it, and hot strip club bartender Frankie, about whom I could totally read an entire book to be honest with you.

The fact that this book is apparently the beginning of a series (Desperate Deadly Widows coming 20?!) thrills me to absolute death. I'm seated, I'm ready for it, I'll devour it, I'll inject it, I'll slide copies under Netflix's door with a note suggesting six seasons and/or several movies. Let's gooooo!

My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC.