This book is packed with characters that readers will love to despise. The story follows a couple celebrating their first anniversary in Paris, but as the plot unfolds, we discover that both have dangerous secrets. Rouda keeps readers on edge, constantly questioning who the villain is, who the victim is, and who will ultimately come out on top. I found Paul to be unbearably unlikable, and Nick Landrum's narration was so effective that I couldn't help but feel intense disdain for him. Although I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series, it works perfectly as a standalone, with minimal backstory needed for the plot to unfold smoothly. The ending twist, while somewhat predictable, was still engaging and enjoyable. However, it left me wondering... Do three wrongs make a right?

*Thank you to Kaira Rouda, Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Told across different timelines and from various POVs, The Second Mrs. Storm is a sharp-witted, thrilling ride from start to finish. The story keeps you on your toes as the characters play off each other, each giving the others a run for their money when it comes to who’s the real "bad guy." The twists and turns are unpredictable, and the characters are brilliantly written—flawed, complex, and unforgettable. It’s a thriller that’s as fun as it is suspenseful. If you love a fast-paced, mind-bending mystery, this one’s for you.

The Second Mrs. Strom
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Kiara Rouda

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, Bookouture and Bookouture Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: I don’t want the perfect marriage. I want revenge…

If you had met me a year ago, you wouldn’t have noticed me. A beautiful woman, but a struggling nobody in a tiny apartment, invisible…

Meeting Paul changed that. And now here I am in Paris, after a whirlwind courtship and a stunning beach proposal. I smile at my handsome husband, my eyes shining in the candlelight, my huge diamond ring sparkling on the starched white tablecloth. Other women look at me in envy. They see a couple completely in love.

They’re wrong. Despite this incredible luxury vacation, my husband and I can’t escape our problems. I can’t get over what he did.

And now that he’s wronged me, I’ll stop at nothing to get it…

My Thoughts: This is the second book in the Family Secrets series but can absolutely be read as a standalone. However, I will place the caveat that one chapter in this book will spoil the first one. So if you planned to read both, I would start with the first one, Best Day Ever. I took some of the synopsis out as it gives too much away. It really is best going into this book blind, you will not be disappointed. A whirlwind romance with the second anniversary in Paris, as Paul is wealthily and he wants his wife to believe he is spoiling her beyond the impossible. Looks can be deceiving and revenge can be sweet. This follows the trope of the villain narrator with sociopathic narcissistic behaviors thrown in.

This story is presented in a dual narration by Paul and Cecelia, my favorite type of narration. Cecelia marches by the beat of her own drum and listens to no man. Paul likes things his way, or no way, in typical narcissistic fashion. The characters were well developed with depth, well fleshed out, had mystery, secrets, and were absolutely intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, multifaceted, suspenseful, twisty, and just freaking brilliant. I have been a Rouda fan since Somebody’s Home and blindly pick up anything she puts out. She has been publishing back further than that, that was just my first. And now I am hooked!

The characters are continue to be built up in this sequel. The plot is delivered in so many twisty layers. Just when you think you have read the last twist, boom another one from the left. The impeding disaster that you know will blow up fantastically is present throughout this book. The ending is perfectly explosive, and even though I know there is a third one, it does leave with intriguing thoughts to carry you over. Rouda is a master at creating unstable scenes utilizing the characters and the setting while being set in a believable reality. Rouda just crafts these unlikable, sometimes despicable characters that you love to hate, the queen of cray cray.

I had the pleasure of having both the digital and audio versions of the ARC, even if I am posting months late. My apologies to the publisher, some life things happened and it caused a domino effect in my book reviews. I am slowly getting caught up. The narrators, Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard, were phenomenal and did well with voice variation built into the character distinction. The pitch and flow were smooth and allowed me to listen at 2x speed with no issues keeping up. The third one in the series, What the Nanny Saw, is also amazing, which I will post my review soon of. This is a well crafted psychological thriller that is every bit gripping, chilling, captivating, suspenseful, twisty, and will keep you at the edge of your seat. I highly recommend, not only this book, but the whole series. Go pick up today…

In The Second Mrs. Strom, Kaira Rouda presents a deliciously twisted psychological thriller centered on a woman’s quest for revenge disguised as romance. The story follows the narrator, a beautiful woman who goes from a life of invisibility to a whirlwind courtship with the wealthy Paul Strom. Their marriage seems like a dream—luxurious, enviable, and perfect—but beneath the surface, resentment and betrayal bubble.

The protagonist, while seemingly the picture of happiness in Paris, harbors a deep grudge against her new husband, Paul. Her bitterness stems from his infidelity shortly after their wedding, but the tension goes even deeper: she is playing a long game, and her true intentions are far more sinister than Paul could ever suspect. Rouda masterfully keeps the reader on edge as the story unravels, revealing a woman who will stop at nothing to get what she believes she deserves.

The writing is sharp and suspenseful, with a delicious sense of unease permeating the narrative. The complex character dynamics and psychological manipulation create an atmosphere where trust is nonexistent and every action could have dire consequences.

The Second Mrs. Strom is a thrilling exploration of love, revenge, and the lengths one woman will go to for justice. With its shocking twists and deeply flawed characters, Rouda’s latest novel is sure to captivate fans of domestic thrillers and suspenseful tales of retribution.

These people are bananas and I am totally here for it! I did not see that last twist coming! Kaira Rouda is now on my always-read list! I can't wait to read the next installment in this series to see what these people get up to!

#TheSecondMrsStrom
#NetGalley

This was a sequel to Rouda's Best Day Ever. It took me on a roller coaster ride of suspense with fast-paced twistiness. Both narrators did an excellent job of portraying these very complex, deviant characters. For fans of Riley Sager and Megan Goldin.

Title: The Second Mrs. Strom
Author: @KairaRouda
Genre: Thriller
Rating: ★★★★½

The Feels:
This novel is far more than it first appears. Once you begin, there's no turning back—so prepare yourself for a wild ride. The Second Mrs. Strom is a psychological thriller that grips you from the very beginning, keeping you on edge until the very last page. The characters are disturbingly fascinating, with Paul standing out as one of the most compelling sociopathic husbands I’ve encountered in literature. His internal monologues are chilling, leaving you simultaneously horrified and captivated.

Set against the glamorous backdrops of Miami, California, and Paris, the story revolves around the marriage of Paul and Cecilia Strom. As a sequel to The Best Day Ever, this novel stands strongly on its own. I was immediately drawn into the twisted dynamics of the Strom family. The audiobook version deserves special mention—the voice actors brought these characters to life in such a haunting way, particularly Paul, whose voice will linger in my mind for some time.

The novel unfolds through dual perspectives, alternating between Paul and Cecilia, using journal entries, present-day events, and memories from the past. We follow Paul, a fifty-year-old aspiring Hollywood producer, and his much younger wife, Cecilia, as they embark on what should be a romantic anniversary trip to Paris. But beneath the surface, nothing is as it seems.

Their relationship began in a bizarre setting—at the funeral of an elderly friend who conveniently left his entire estate to Paul. Cecilia, a struggling artist, was drawn to Paul from the start, and within a year, they were married.

Their marriage was filled with issues from the beginning, and as their anniversary trip unfolds, it becomes clear that betrayal, vengeance, and deception are at the core of their relationship.

The secrets that unravel in this story lead to a dark, dramatic climax where the question isn’t just who will win, but who will survive. I found the ending immensely satisfying—it was the perfect conclusion to a tale brimming with manipulation, power and greed.

I highly recommend!
#bookreview #book #thriller #reading
@bookouture

Thriller Book Lovers, the Pulse did it again! I love our partnership with Kaira as she was a new to me author in 2024 but has made her way to my list of favorites and has become an auto-buy for me.

This is book two in the Paul Strom saga (known as the Family Secrets series), and I do suggest reading book 1 first, however I did read this one as a standalone and I don’t feel as though Kaira left out any details that would hinder your enjoyment of the story.

Kaira writes a fantastic unhinged story, all of the characters are off the rails, the plot is fast paced and can be unbelievable but it’s so fun that it doesn’t matter.

This book probably won’t work for you if you don’t enjoy despicable characters - luckily for me, I adore them. I will read about Paul Strom for the remainder of my days with complete joy!

I enjoyed the audio, it was narrated perfectly so that I could listen at my higher speed and get lost.

When NetGalley approved me for this audiobook, I didn’t realise it was the second book in the Best Day Ever series. However, this didn’t detract from my experience at all. Kaira Rouda provides enough background on the first Mrs Strom to make this story stand on its own. From the moment I hit play, I was hooked—I fell hard into this gripping domestic thriller and loved every minute of it.

The plot is packed with intrigue, narcissism, and revenge, keeping me engaged and constantly guessing who the true villain is. As a fan of domestic thrillers, this book hit the spot and was exactly what I was looking for.

Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard’s narration was stellar. Their pacing, delivery, and distinct portrayals of the characters’ points of view brought the story to life, making it even more immersive.

Overall, The Second Mrs. Strom is a thrilling and entertaining ride. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted domestic thriller and is a fan of Freida McFadden. I can’t wait to dive into more of Kaira Rouda’s work in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for giving me the audio ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I did not know this was a sequel to Best Day Ever, which I guess now I'll go read. I only gave this book three stars because I had a bit of a hard time engaging with it. Perhaps reading the first in the series will enhance the experience overall. Reviews mention the idea of a third in the series. I am all for that possibility.

Paul Strom is a nightmare of entitlement, selfishness, and controlling weirdness. Cecilia is his second wife and may have initially put up with his nonsense, but girlfriend is done playing games. We get to look through both points of view, and yes, it's as juicy and entertaining as you imagine. They both have plans, and it's satisfying to see how things play out. I do wish Paul hadn't been quite so easy to hate, but wow, was he ever annoying.

When netgalley approved me for this audiobook, I had no idea it was book two for some characters. I must say, I didn't even notice and it made no difference. It kept me interested and guessing. As an avid reader of domestic thrillers, it was also "fun" to have the point of view of the jerk husband that knows he's a jerk!

What the Nanny Saw is the sequel to the incredible "The Second Mrs Strom" the book which got me into the incredible storytelling of Kaira Rouda

The story follows Cecilia, on her own now, raising her baby girl, and luckily (she believes) she has found the perfect nanny (Lizzie) to help. Little does she know, that nanny has just as may secrets as she does... and her intentions are not to help Cecilia...

I cannot get enough of this series and the next is to go back to the beginning and read "The Best Day Ever". Back to front it may be, but the writing is so good that each book is a compelling read leading to the rest of the series seamlessly

Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley and the incredible Kaira Rouda for this awesome arc. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

The author does such a great job incorporating toxic marriages, egocentric characters and unreliable narrators into an entertaining read.

Goodreads says I read The Best Day Ever which is the start for the main character, even though it isn't listed as part of the series, but I don't remember reading it. So needless to say it isn't a requirement to follow this story.

I really loved hating these characters. It was so entertaining. I think a lot of the suspense and where it was headed was easily guessed, but I still delighted in listening to Paul tell us how great and deserving he is. If you are a stickler for two feet in the real world, then this book might not be for you, but if you are a fan of over the top characters, then this will be right up your alley.

I loved this was set in Paris and the couple made their way all around the city as they celebrated their one year anniversary.

Quite often I am flipping back and forth from the book and audio or maybe doing an immersive read, but this one was pure audiobook for me. And I think that was the best choice. Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard do such a good job voicing Paul's ego and Cecelia's response. It definitely made it more interesting.





Nick Landrum, Laurence Bouvard

Wow, this was so gripping and suspenseful that I was actually surprised when it ended so abruptly. My only complaint is that this wasn't longer because I wasn't ready to let go of these characters. The game of cat and mouse that the two main characters were playing was so entertaining and has me fully immersed in this. I wasn't sure who, if either of them, could be trusted and was anxiously waiting for it all to come to a head. The way the story was presented was pretty unique but a bit all over the place. I didn't mind it though because it kept me thinking throughout. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I first delved into this book, it immediately brought to mind another novel I had read a few years back. At first, I feared it might be another unoriginal story, but I was proven wrong.

While the beginning was a bit slow for me, it truly captured my attention around two-thirds of the way in. From that point on, I found myself racing through the pages at lightning speed. The novel took me on an exhilarating journey with numerous unexpected plot twists and outcomes that kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were so well-crafted, and the ending was completely fascinating. I don't want to spoil any details because every little aspect is crucial in this outstanding thriller.

I'm extremely grateful to NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary advanced copy of this book.

Kaira Rouda is an instant-read author for me. I was thrilled to see she had a new book - AND there’s a sequel coming! This first book in her new series, Family Secrets, is The Second Mrs Strom, a psychological thriller that had me hooked from the start. The chapters alternate with Paul & Cecilia’s side of events, in the present and in the past. This is a couple I just wasn’t sure about & they kept it interesting along the entire ride!

Narrators Nick Landrum & Laurence Bouvard were excellent.

Thank you, Kaira Rouda, bookouture, bookouture audio, & netgalley, for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Negalley and the publisher for this ALC. I didn't not get to listen to it in time before it expired. Once I actually read this I'll update my review.

Mr Strom has been busy. After a questionable relationship with a wealthy elderly woman leaves him the sole heir to her estate, the second Mrs. Strom crazily catches his eye. Now in Paris, she is breaking all his rules. And there could be a child no one knew about...
We all know I love angry women - this one does not disappoint.

I've read a few books by Kaira Rouda now, and I enjoyed this one just as much as the others I have read. Her thrillers are fun and twisty, definitely giving you a fun ride along the way! I love that this story was set in Paris. This story has characters you'll love to hate, in a really good way. After finishing this story, I read a few reviews and realized that this is actually a sequel to another book by the author, Best Day Ever. Although I haven't read the first book, I don't think it's totally necessary to read before diving into this book. I'll have to check out Best Day Ever now!

This was a great audio. Multiple narrators elevated the story to next level. Both narrators were smooth and transitioned the short chapters well. The speed was a tad slow for me and I sled it up to 1.75x. Even at that speed both narrators were still clear and easy to understand.

The Second Mrs Strom is a domestic thriller. Rich people behaving badly with dark skeletons in their closet. Several turns during the story led me down all kinds of dark paths! Definitely recommend. For fans of Freida McFadden, Liv Constantine, you'll enjoy this story,

Thank you @netgalley and @bookouture for a copy of this title. All my opinions are my own.