Paul is back! And we can’t stop talking about it at @thrillerbookloversthepulse !

Paul was a companion to a rich elderly woman for a year up until she passes away. Lucky for him, he gets her fortune. At her funeral is where he meets his second wife, Cecelia.
For their one year anniversary they are celebrating in Paris. Paul is his arrogant, narcissistic and controlling self and Cecilia is over her role of doting wife. He notices she’s not acting herself and he is losing control. Things should be perfect on their last night in Paris. But it’s starting to be everything but. Things get crazy, secrets are spilled and twists are twisting!!
This is not a thriller you want to miss. And I hope for a third, as it’s set up where we could possibly see Mr. Paul Strom again.

In The Second Mrs Strom, Cecilia and Paul travel to Paris and to the rest of the world they look like the perfect couple. Cecilia can't get pregnant and cracks start to appear in their marriage. On top of that, the trip to Paris was a last-minute surprise from Paul, which irks Cecilia and she becomes uncooperative. Paul starts to realise she may not be who she claims to be.....

Add me to the list of people who didn't know this book is a sequel and still asolutely enjoyed it!!!

The story moves fast, there's a lot of action and the characters are unlikeable-yet-lovable. Paul is the funniest character I've read in a long time. I'm not sure what that says about me, but it definitely speaks of Kaira Rouda's talent and skill with words!!

I read this book in one day! I didn’t know this was a sequel when I first saw it but honestly it was a great stand alone. I was interested in the husband and wife trope and the author did not disappoint.

Paul Strom and Cecilia (his second wife) fell in love quickly and after a year of marriage, they celebrate their anniversary in Paris. In the last day, Paul keeps saying it is going to be the “Best Day Ever” as long as it goes his way.

But throughout the day, he finds out that he and Cecilia and more secrets between them than they realized and tonight the truth comes out.


Thank you NetGallery and Bookouture for the ARC.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the book. At first glance you'd think that Cecilia is the gold-digger, but is she really? Although unacknowledged, she is the rightful heir to her mother's fortune. Paul is the one who is self-absorbed and manipulative. I love how the author creates the illusion that Paul deserves the fortune, but he doesn't. Also how the author reveals near the end who Paul's secret lover/mistress really is. In the beginning, Paul really underestimates Cecilia and in the end the author reveals how really smart she is. I really thought that it was the end when Cecilia fell over the balcony and I was for a moment so disappointed when I thought Paul had got revenge. But revenge was sweet for Cecilia. Loved how it ended.

I didn’t realize this book was a sequel until I had finished it, but luckily, it was just fine as a stand-alone book. In fact, towards the end of this book, I kept thinking “I wish I knew more about the first Mrs. Strom”. I’ll definitely be checking out “Best Day Ever”, but let’s talk about this one…

Paul and Cecilia are in Paris celebrating their first wedding anniversary. They had a whirlwind romance born out of a strange meeting. Paul was in a relationship with an elderly woman named Esther, in the hopes that when she died, he’d get her massive estate. He got his wish, and at her funeral, meets Cecelia. There was an instant attraction, and after only a few months, they are married and enjoying this windfall of money. They move to from Palm Beach to Malibu where Paul is working to get into movie production, and Cecelia is working on her art.

Everything seems very nice for them at first, but we already know Paul is a manipulative man, to have taken advantage of an elderly woman the way he did. Soon, we start to see that he is also insanely controlling, trying to keep Cecelia from making friends or accepting a job opportunity she was excited about. As the book goes along, back and forth between the couple in Paris and the past 18-ish months they’ve known each other, his control issues get worse and seem to come to a head on their trip.

One thing Paul never would have guessed was that his originally happy and compliant wife knows a lot more than he realizes, and is much more astute than he realizes. Cecelia can be manipulating, too, and she knows how to push all of Paul’s buttons. This is a poker-faced fight to the end - but who will be the victor? You’ll find out, and it’s as great as the rest of the book. Definitely a page-turner, this was a very suspenseful, yet darkly humorous, read. 4.5 stars.

(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book tour. “The Second Mrs. Strom” is slated to be released on August 16, 2024.)

This is a great thriller with tons of messy characters and messy pasts. There are lots of twists and turns however some are a bit too predictable and almost like a cheesy lifetime film that leaves you shaking your head thinking this would never happen in real life. I hated the narcissistic husband that Is Paul, and he made me root for Cecilia from the beginning. I dint realize this is a series and I can't wait to read the prior books on Paul. He's such a terrible MMC but I enjoy the story.

Everytime I read a book by Kaira Rouda I forget how much I like her writing! She writes the kind of stories that suck you in, and have you flipping the pages as fast as you can. There wasn’t anything I didn't love about this book. The characters are majorly flawed, but their backgrounds, for some of them anyways, have you feeling for them. There were some very good twists, but predictable ones, that made reading this book so enjoyable! I don’t need a shocking twist for the story to be good.
I would say if you’re in a reading slump right now then this is the book that will get you right back on track!

LOVED LOVED LOVEDDDD!! This is such a bold statement because we’re only in July BUT this book will definitely be in my top 5 books of 2024!! I don’t have a bad thing to say about it. The writing was impeccable, the storyline was super fast paced and it has me gripped the whole entire time.
This follows Cecelia and Paul as they celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary. Cecelia is living the lavish life that outsiders see as perfect. But things are far from perfect. Paul and Cecelia have their problems and Cecelia can’t forgive or forget what Paul did to her just after their wedding. While on their luxurious vacation Paul thinks he’s got away with being the narcissist he is.. but Paul is wrong, very wrong.
Iv never routed for a character as much as I did Cecelia.
You will not be bored reading this book. Phenomenal 🩷
Thank you so much for approving my arc x

I really enjoyed this psychological thriller. This was my first book by Kaira Rouda and it won't be my last. I flew through this book in about a day. It really sucks you into the husband and wife's cat and mouse game that is going on throughout the book. The ending had a good twist. I recommend this book if you like domestic thrillers/suspense.


Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the digital arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow this is a really toxic couple who rushed into marriage too quickly and are now starting to question their choices. I have to be honest I didn’t like either character in this story of a couple visiting Paris to celebrate one year of marriage. Both are keeping secrets and lying to each other and will their marriage survive or is something darker going on with both of them? I won’t spoil this one but it’s a great read.

Paul and Cecilia are celebrating their first Anniversary in a trip to Paris, and on the final day Paul has set up a special dinner for his (second ) wife. But he has a dark and secret agenda for that dinner...
Throughout the entire book we, the readers, learn, by a dual timeline and a dual POV, how Paul and Cecilia met in the first place, how they ended up together and married and how, in fact, both of them keeo secrets from each other and both of them have secret plans for their trip to Paris.

I'll first say that, before 5 minutes ago, I had no idea that THE SECOND MRS STROM is a sequel to a 2017 release book named BEST DAY EVER. Apparently, Paul was already the main character on that book.
Well, I haven't read that book and I genuinely believe that reading BEST DAY EVER is not mandatory to understand this new novel, or to feel engaged with the plot and the characters. Because I did feel invested the whole time. And I honestly don't think I "missed" something by not reading the previous book.

I really enjoyed how the chapters are alternated between past and present, and also there are some chapters that are diary entries from someone we don't really know.
Personally, I really disliked Paul, but I do believe it's the author's intention: we are supposed to hate him. And root against him.
The writing was easy and quick to follow, in my opinion. The whole book reads really fast-paced.
And even though some scenes can be very predictable, I'd say there is a final twist that might surprise some readers.

I had fun with this book It was entertaining, fun, and a crazy ride.
I highly recommend it to everyone who likes fast-paced domestic thrillers with shady characters and couples full of secrets.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Paul Strom is back!! Somehow I missed The Best Day Ever when it first came out, but I went back and read it before this one and am so glad I did! I will say it can easily be read as a stand-alone, but you don’t want to miss Paul’s antics in the first book! This one was such a delight! Going back and forth between Paul’s POV and his new wife, Cecilia, as well as dual timelines and journal entries from someone unnamed and then it all comes together for an epic conclusion! It’s so well thought out and while I was able to predict some things, I still enjoyed reading it and was shocked by a few twists! Being in Paul’s head is an awful treat, I love to hate him! He’s a misogynist, manipulator, conniving, crooked man, to name a few! It’s a fun read that I recommend adding to your TBR now!

This was my first book by this author and it was pretty good. . Perhaps if I read Best Day Ever I would have known Paul’s history and might have enjoyed it more. The story moved along nicely and I did enjoy the characters and the writing style of this author. Definitely a good thriller but at times it seemed to drag and was repetitive. . Will definitely read the first book to get more insight into the characters. Thank you to NetGalley, Kaira Routan and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Paul Strom is back and is as twisted as ever! In the sequel to "Best Day Ever", Sociopath Paul is now married to Cecilia and the couple are celebrating their first wedding anniversary in Paris.

Paul is such a brilliant fictional character; he is charming and attentive, nasty and controlling as hell - the sort of guy a reader loves to hate and just can't get enough of! Why can't his wives just behave themselves and do as they're told? Poor Cecilia is in love and doesn't know what she's in for... or does she? Has Paul met his match this time? Good job he has a pre-nup in place for his huge fortune!

I loved the twisted mind games and the cat and mouse games the characters are playing against each other - who will win?

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Kaira Rouda and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Well to start I love domestic thrillers but this kind of fell a tad flat for me. I wanted more of a believable plotline and that was a bit hard with this one. Fast paced and thrilling but it was just a tad hard to believe it all. i did give it a 3.7n but gave it a 4 becaue it was a fun wild ride.

If you like cat and mouse games and toxic relationships, this is a must read according to the The Pulse team!
Thank you @bookouture for the ARC!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗿𝘀. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗺 by @kairarouda
Pub Date: August 16, 2024

If you haven't read Best Day Ever yet, what are you waiting for? While this sequel can be read as a standalone, Best Day Ever gives you a good idea of Paul and his backstory.

In this sequel, Paul’s back and more arrogant than ever! Paris is the perfect backdrop for his first year anniversary with his second wife, Cecilia. Paul’s obsession with control is off the charts but Cecelia is no pushover. Their relationship appears to be perfect on the surface but both have secrets and their battle of wills had me on the edge of my seat! It's such a quick and bingeable read.

Paul and Cecilia were married after a whirlwind courtship and are now in Paris celebrating their first anniversary. They seemed madly in love in the beginning, but now the cracks are starting to show, and both have an ulterior motive for this trip.

The Second Mrs. Strom is the sequel to Kaira Rouda’s book Best Day Ever but can easily be read as a standalone. Flashback scenes gradually dole out the backstory, and the back and forth between Paul and Cecilia keeps the pages turning. Perfect for fans of The Next Mrs. Parrish and readers who enjoy:
• Dual POV
• Dual timeline
• Narcissistic MMC
• Unlikeable / unreliable narrators
• Cat-and-mouse suspense

My friends at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse have been buzzing about this one! Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Title: The Second Mrs. Strom
Author: Kaira Rouda
Genre: Thriller, Domestic Suspense

Disclaimer:- It's a sequel to her Best Day Ever so I'd recommend you to read that book first before delving into this one. Although you can read it as a standalone book but to understand Paul's character, I think you must read the first book.
Story :- This story revolves around the narcissistic, sociopath and controlling Paul Strom who is not done yet and his new love interest, Cecilia whom he meets at Esther's ( an old lady by whom he inherited money) funeral and soon she becomes the second Mrs. Strom and here the story begins.
Paul has spent years building his perfect life and as I said he's a sociopath so he wants to do the things in his own way and so he thinks that Cecilia is just like Mia and will be his victim but here comes the main twist, Cecelia is not like the other women, she has her own motive to come in his life. She wants revenge.
If you've read The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine, in it there's a character named Mary Ann who is not what she seems to be then I think you'll fully understand the character of Cecilia.
Overall Impression: Kaira Rouda's The Second Mrs. Strom captivates readers with its suspenseful plot and well-developed characters. From the onset, the tension builds as Cecilia navigates her new life and unravels the mysteries surrounding her husband and his past. The book is a page-turner that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Likes and Dislikes :-
Likes :- 1. Character Development: The protagonist, Jane, is portrayed with depth, showcasing her transition from a hopeful bride to a wary investigator. John Strom's complex personality adds layers to the story, making readers question his motives and actions.
2. Atmospheric Setting: Rouda excels in creating an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere, heightening the sense of unease as Jane delves deeper into the Strom family's secrets. I like to visit Paris now ☺️
3. Themes of Trust and Deceit: The novel masterfully explores themes of trust and deceit within a marriage, prompting readers to reflect on how well they truly know the people they are closest to.
4 The suspenseful narrative and unexpected twists make this book hard to put down. The psychological depth of the characters and the intricate plot keep readers engaged throughout.
Dislikes :- 1 I personally think that this should have been a standalone book with fresh characters. Now, the readers who haven't read it will have to purchase the previous book to fully understand Paul's character.
My Rating :- 4.5/5

I had a hard time getting into this book. I noticed in a review that there was actually a related book written before this, so I read that one first. It helps give the backstory of Paul, but I don't know that it's necessary to read it before this one. The ending of this book was pretty good, but the majority of it kind of dragged for me. I'm sure other readers will enjoy it more, but it just wasn't for me.

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded up)

Review: wow, I am so happy that we got a follow up to Paul and his psycho ways! I absolutely loved the first story, and this sequel did not disappoint.

Paul has managed to secure a beautiful younger wife, and inherit millions from a wealthy Palm Beach socialite. He takes his new wife Cecelia to Paris to celebrate their one year anniversary.

This trip is different, Cecelia is not a meek submissive wife that Paul thought he had. She’s a force to be reckoned with and it’s so entertaining to watch their back and forth game play out.

This is domestic suspense at its finest. The ultra wealthy characters, the unpredictable plot and twists, and a bit unrealistic thrown in makes for a great book. Both Cecelia and Paul are unhinged and unlikable but so entertaining to see all this play out. The dual POV from both characters really added a new level. It was a little repetitive in the middle and I honestly wish it was longer, especially the ending.

Thanks to @netgalley and @bookouture for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This book comes out August 16th, so plenty of time to read the first book- Best Day Ever (even though you don’t have to).