This novel has a great sociopathic character who you sort of love to hate. He met his match in Cecilia. I have to admit, I didn't realize this was a second book with the main character, Paul. Even missing the first book, it was a complete novel and worked well as a standalone.

3/5 stars

Thank you Bookouture Audio for the advanced listening copy!

First off... apparently this book is a sequel?? I had no idea, so that could be part of the problem lol! Based on other reviews I read, I think I would have enjoyed this one way more had I read the first one. Secondly, Paul was INSUFFERABLE. I mean, I get that that's his character but listening to his portion of the audio was truly painful.

Other than that, this book was okay! There were some pretty shocking twists and it was definitely a fast-paced, intriguing story. Pretty middle of the pack overall and not going to stand out in a year from now, but I didn't mind the listen overall! I'd read more by this author for sure. I think the potential was there, it was just these characters that I struggled with!

SYNOPSIS -- Cecelia and Paul are in Paris celebrating what should be a very romantic first anniversary. Unfortunately, Paul hasn't been feeling well, and, with his desperate need for control, that just won't do. As these two try to navigate the trip, they're forced to contend with the fact that their marriage may not be quite as fated as it first appeared to be. You see, these two both have secrets, and something tells me they're all going to come to light in Paris.

I have read other books by this author. I always love the writing and I find it to be rather interesting. This was no exception. I found this book to be intriguing. Will be picking up more from this author.

"The Second Mrs. Strom" by Kaira Rouda is a psychological thriller that’ll likely hook you, even if you didn’t read the first book, Best Day Ever—which I didn’t! But don’t worry, you can still follow along just fine.

This is one twisted tale of love, lies and revenge.

The story centers on Paul and Cecelia, a married couple celebrating their one-year anniversary in Paris. But don’t be fooled by the glamorous setting—this relationship is far from picture-perfect. Cecelia may seem like the doting wife, but she’s got secrets of her own. And Paul? Well, he’s as narcissistic and manipulative as they come. Their marriage is more of a battleground than a love story, with both characters plotting and scheming.

The book is told through rotating chapters from Paul and Cecelia’s perspectives, which adds to the suspense as you try to figure out who’s playing who. Paul’s misogynistic, controlling behavior is on full display, while Cecelia seems like she’s had enough and has a plan of her own. Neither of them is likable, which, I’ll admit, threw me off at first, but once I embraced the fact that these two are meant to be unhinged, I was all in. Their constant bickering and underhanded tactics make for a wild, twisted ride. Especially when you realize Cecelia’s motives are deeper than just a bad marriage.

The audiobook, narrated by Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard, really highlights the two characters’ distinct voices. That said, the narration didn’t completely sell me—there were moments when the back-and-forth timeline made things a bit confusing to follow.

Overall, The Second Mrs. Strom is a well-crafted thriller where you’re not rooting for either character—you’re just watching them spiral deeper into their own mess. If you like thrillers with dark, twisted characters, you’ll enjoy this one.

Special thanks to Bookouture Audio for the advanced listener copy via the NetGalley app!

Another good one from Rouda!! This one kept you guessing trying to figure out what these two were up to you know they both have something nefarious going on but you are never sure what or if you are wrong about one or the other! I enjoyed the dual povs and the flashbacks, neither of these 2 are at all likeable but that's half the fun is you can't root for either one!


Nick Landrum narrated the Paul Strom chapters and i liked his narration but I have to say the times he was narrating the thoughts inside in head it reminded me of the Whistler, that is not a bad thing but my mind kept thinking how much he sounds like the Whistler. Laurence Bouvard narrated the female chapters she did a very good job.


Highly recommend this one!

I received this audiobook from the publisher Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

The Second Mrs. Strom written by Kaira Rouda reminds me of a no-rules edition of MMA. All the characters in the book are vile, and everyone is scheming against each other to enact revenge.

While I typically enjoy thrillers, The Second Mrs. Strom felt too predictable and one-dimensional. The book fell flat for me, with no one really to root for (who was our protagonist, anyhow?!) and no real plot twists or layered plot lines.

Most of the novel occurs in Paris, France, while Cecilia (Mrs. Strom #2) and Paul (Mr. Strom) celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Over this week-long trip, we witness two people pursuing the Parisian tourist areas. What's clear from the get-go is that both Cecil has and Paul essentially despise each other.

Paul, a control freak and sociopath, already has a mistress back at home, and he's also a con artist who makes women believe he loves them in an effort to extort them for children, money, attention, and more. Meanwhile, Cecilia is no wonderful human either. She is materialistic, calculating, and vengeful. Both Cecilia and Paul will go as far as to kill to meet their life-long goals.

While I read this book quickly, I didn't feel compelled to return to my Kindle after a reading break. I won't be continuing with this series, but there are undoubtedly readers out there who will enjoy this read and series.

Bookouture, Kaira Rouda, and NetGalley provided an ARC of The Second Mrs. Strom, and I thank them all for the opportunity to review it.

Paul is self-centered, narcissistic and controlling. He likes Cecilia to do what he tells her when he tells her. But this trip is not going as he anticipated.

Paul is ready to start a family. He though Cecilia was as well. But this trip is showing him otherwise.

Loved the dual POVs and seeing things from both sides.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Bookouture Audio for an ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I look forward to reading other books by this author. There were so many twists in this book I didn’t see coming. But then again I rarely can figure books out. I would definitely recommend this book

This book is the sequel to Best Day Ever, but it can be read as a standalone. Paul is still a narcissist in this sequel. We see his sly and conniving behavior present in this follow up book. But has he met his match in his new wife Cecelia?

I loved this well crafted story as the plot played out at a fast pace. I found both of the main characters despicable, so that left me to not care about the outcome as far as either of them was concerned. They were both unhinged. I did enjoy figuring out what Cecelia had planned as the story progressed. Overall, this was a good read. 3.5 stars round up.

The narrators Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard were great.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Kaira Rouda knows how to write a character that you’ll love to hate. This book is a sequel to Best Day Ever, which is also worth the read, but can also be read as a standalone novel. A little suspense, a little mystery, and a lot of drama.

The book is a story about married couple who are travelled to Paris for one year anniversary , however they are constantly fighting with each other . The book rotates between the two characters Paul and Cecilia . The book goes back and forth between current time and time before they came to Paris. Paul seems to be a selfish person who believes in women belong as a housewife have nothing more than that . He isolates his wife from any type of friendship . Now to narration I felt that With the book going back and forth between time it was difficult sometimes to follow . I like the twist and turn in the end . Thank you, Bookouture Audio And netgalley for the copy of the audiobook .

I like Kaira Rouda. I've been to her book tours, I have signed copies of several of her books and read Best Day Ever....but I struggled with this one. Rouda does a good job of creating really heinous men, but Paul Strom is a character she should have left alone. I enjoyed Best Day Ever but did not like Paul Strom at all, I was really hoping this time the wife would be a bigger part earlier, and she was.... but she was just as awful as Paul. I was so disappointed that the female character was as unlikable as Paul that I just really struggled with it, and the narration definitely did not help. The male narrator was so over the top pretentious, which I understand is the character, but it was just over done and it wasn't fun to listen to. The female narrator was okay at best but for me not enough to make me excited to listen to that part.

I hate to give a book I was given for free such a negative review but this was one of the worst books I’ve ever read… there was absolutely no redeeming element or development in any of the characters- they were all totally devious and depraved, their language and interactions were sooo cringey and unnatural and there wasn’t really even a specific plot or storyline- just a bunch of random interactions and monologues of a super messed up couple who married each other for the wrong intentions and are both trying to do things behind the other persons back… I honestly thought this was the authors first book and would have dnfed it a few chapters in if not for promising a review. Also the audiobook narrators were awful. The woman talked like a California valley girl and literally grated on my ears. I was listening to it at 1.75 speed just to get through it as fast as possible haha… At the very least I guess I can just be grateful to NetGalley for allowing me to give this author a chance so I will never have to read a book from her again 😂

I loved this audiobook! It was read in a way where it kept my interest and had me second guessing what may happen next. Highly recommend if you're looking for a good quick read.

The cat and mouse game being played in this novel left my jaw on the floor! Who’s playing who and who comes out on top? I couldn’t wait to find out! This was a really fun read and the narrators were fantastic.

Thank you to Bookouture audio for this advanced readers copy of Kaira Rouda's The Second Mrs Strom. I'll admit this was not my favorite book - and there have been few books where I have despised the main characters as much as Paul and Cecilia. But I eventually realized I am NOT supposed to like them. They are twisted. Both of them. The book is the story of a married couple, on their one year anniversary, and constantly at each other. The book uses rotating chapters told from the perspective of the two characters. The audio book is thus narrated in two voices. I am not convinced the narration sold me, and that made it harder, but it is what it is. The book, as other reviews point out, is twisted. It is a wild ride to the end, I am not rating it high, but mostly because I just didn't enjoy that type of story-telling.. Apparently Paul was featured in an earlier book, and perhaps that will draw others to it.

3.5 stars

I didn’t realize this was book two in a series, but this read like a standalone book which was really nice.

Even though the MC Paul is a psychopath, I was still cheering for him through out the book. I’m not sure what that says about me, but I’m hoping it’s because the author somehow made him likeable.

The twists were not shocking, but I still really liked them. I’m not sure what I thought about the ending.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I just found out that this is a second book, I had no idea even after the conclusion!
I was so happy with the conclusion of this book. It felt like righteous justification. I loved the writing and pacing of the story. I definitely need to read the first book because this is one villain that deserves a bit more time in the sun before an epic demise.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance copy of this audiobook

Thank you, Bookouture Audio for this copy in exchange for my review.

Wow, I really enjoyed this! I hadn't read Best Day Ever so I wasn't aware of the backstory but from what I gather, that's totally OK.
I was guessing the entire time who to believe and who was "the bad guy". It was twisty and engaging and everything to keep me invested.
I am definitely going to pick up a copy of Best Day Ever now.

Such a great read, I was excited to get this book as an ARC reader and it was an amazing book to read. I enjoyed how it started and kept going till I finished it. Don’t wanna stop. Very captivating and reverting. The storyline is so intriguing I highly recommend this book