I really enjoyed this book, despite the main characters being completely unlikeable! This might be the first book I've read where I hate both characters, yet still was excited to keep reading and liked the book. I think the unlikeable characters is what gives the book that extra twist! I listed to the audio version which was great with its multi-cast narrators.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC.

Paul Strom has the best night planned for his second wife Cecelia on their 1st wedding anniversary night - they are in paris, the best place to be in for this celebrations!
Paul is a controlling partner, but he has not revealed this side of his to his new wife - he has plans towards the end of the night for her - he knows a secret that she doesn't know he knows!

Cecelia has of course made her own plans as she is equally deceiving!
This was one thrilling ride but did feel like it fell through sometimes and was a bit too dragged - overall I will recommend this as a one time read - this is a sequel to Best Day Ever!

What is it about? A newly married couple. Both with secrets, both knowing secrets about the other. Takes place in Paris on couple’s one year anniversary but does flash back to help the reader understand the journey of these two people to have arrived in the tension they are in during the anniversary trip.


The characters: Paul (husband) - narcissistic, pathological liar and cheater, controlling, extremely vain. Unlikable narrator #1. Cecilia - also lies. Uses condescension as a tool to set Paul off. Unlikable narrator #2.

How I felt about it? This was a domestic and psychological thriller all rolled into one. This was hysterical at times. I found it difficult to know who to root for as both main characters are difficult to like. As much as they are hard to like, they are fun to read. Their thoughts and actions are so self-involved and self-centered you can’t help but laugh out loud.This was a book that perpetually draws the reader in - you can’t help but wonder what crazy shenanigans these two will get into next from page to page until the end. All loose ends are tied up. Strongly recommended for lovers of this genre. 5 ⭐️ read for me.

Thank you @NetGalley and @Bookouture for an audible version of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I am disappointed that I didn’t realize until the end of this book that this wasn’t Mr. Storm’s first book. I’m curious what was told in that first book and I definitely will need to be checking it out. This is one of those books where you can’t find any characters you can truly like, but while I hated them they were well written and even better voiced in the audiobook. The narrators did an excellent job and I listened until about 80% despite having the kindle as well because I liked the way they were reading it so much better than my internal voice. I will admit I called some twists coming but some others I had gotten wrong. The mystery was good and I can’t be sad about the ending at all. Some people truly do get exactly what they deserve. Paul and Cecelia are in Paris, it’s their last day and Paul is determined it will be romantic. The perspective changes between the two of them and the time frame, giving some background. As the two go through their final day in Paris the reader realizes that they both have secrets and watching what happens as those secrets start to come to the surface was quite entertaining.

Mr Strom is back and as arrogant as ever! A bit slow moving, but the end was satisfying! I enjoyed the Easter eggs to the first book, but wish there would have been more involvement from Mia. Also missed opportunity to name the book Best Night Ever. Overall, entertaining audio listen!

I really enjoyed the first book about Paul Best Day Ever and I was very happy to read this book. The book follows Paul and Cecilia (Paul’s new wife) are in Paris celebrating their first wedding anniversary.
I listened to the audiobook read by Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard. Both narrators did an amazing job with the narration.
This was a very enjoyable fast-paced and twisty read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

What a read especially the audio version! We get multiple people’s point of view in this story and boy is it needed because it makes the twist that much better. I really thought this would go another way but that’s because I thought it was going to be predictable and it wasn’t thankfully.

This book is absolutely crazy in the best way! The characters are so twisted. You think you know what happening and how it’s going to end, but you’re wrong. I didn’t like any of the characters, but with this book, that’s a good thing. There’s not much I can say without spoilers, but if you love a hot mess, a book that keeps you guessing until the last page, this is definitely a must read!

Kaira Rouda writes excellent domestic thrillers. And her latest, The Second Mrs Strom brings back a character you’ll absolutely love to hate: Paul Strom, last seen in Rouda’s 2017 Best Day Ever. Paul is a narcissist who feels the need to be in control, who always wants to project an image of perfection. He thinks this time he finally has the perfect life. He’s in Paris to celebrate the first anniversary with his second wife, Cecilia. But things haven’t been going as planned, not by a long shot. His wife is no longer the compliant doting wife he married. She’s willful, opinionated, and is developing an independent streak he’s not the least bit thrilled with. She also may not be the woman she’s been presenting herself to be. As we jump back and forth in time we get a deeper understanding of these characters and their motivations. It’s a delightfully twisted tale and at times feels very much a cat and mouse experience, and yet who is the cat and who is the mouse? You can definitely read this one with having read Best Day Ever, however if I had to guess anyone who reads and enjoys this one will want to go back and and read Paul Strom’s original adventure. Both narrators do an excellent job and I’d like to thank Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review an advanced audio copy of The Second Mrs Strom.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2ZSUEKKKJ3GKG/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrators. I read the book prior and while you don’t have to, certain things will make more sense if you do. All the characters and purposefully unlikable and I struggled with that but it was a quick read that held my interest throughout.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This book follows the narcissistic Paul Strom and his beautiful SECOND wife, Cecelia, in Paris where they are celebrating their one year wedding anniversary.
Though I did not know exactly how this book would play out, it was predictable for the most part. I was waiting for a plot twist of some sort, which did not come. The book kept me engaged, but not what I expect from a psychological thriller. I woukd like to thank the Publisher, NetGalley and the author for gifting me the ARC of this book.

Bestselling author Kaira Rouda (a long-time favorite and the queen of dark humor) is back with our favorite love-to-hate narcissistic devilish character from Best Day Ever (5 Stars), Paul Strom, in her latest dazzling thriller, THE SECOND MRS. STROM!

About...

Paul was left money by the rich Palm Beach older woman, Esther, divorced from Mia, his first wife, and estranged from his kids, now married to a much younger and beautiful Cecilia. They met at Esther's funeral. Was this a chance meeting or planned?

Paul is full of himself. He has an exciting Paris trip planned for their anniversary. Of course, he wants to control everything. Cecilia seems to be naive and goes along with Paul's narcissistic behavior, but watch out. There is more to Cecilia than you know as the book moves along.

Has Paul met his match? Absolutely! Paul is in for a surprise he never saw coming.

My thoughts...

Wickedly delicious!

OMG!! 5 STARS +++ Top books of 2024! The minute you receive a Kaira Rouda book, you drop everything. I have never laughed so hard. Paul has met his match! I LOVED this book! The banter and the one-liners are hilarious and highly entertaining.

A razor-sharp, gripping psychological thriller page-turner!

The dinner at the Eiffel Tower was priceless. I stayed up all night to finish in one sitting (well worth it-audio and e-book) and now cannot wait for the next—bring it on—more Cecilia Strom to continue. I loved all the supporting characters. Kaira, you outdid yourself!

No one does dark humor and snark better than Kaira Rouda! Since I live between West Palm and Palm Beach, I loved hanging out on Palm Beach Worth Avenue with all these fun, devilish characters. I can see Worth Avenue out my window, and every time I walk down the street or ride my bike, I think of Paul, Esther, and Cecilia. I would love to have seen Paul and Cecilia in the exquisite Florentine Room at the chic HMF (named after the resort's founder, Henry Morrison Flagler), Palm Beach's hottest and glam social scene at The Breakers!

What wicked FUN in Paris on the last night! —Best Night Ever! What an adventure and, oh, those twists! I loved seeing Cecilia from the beginning to the bold ending! REVENGE.

This book is a non-stop rollercoaster of entertainment. You'll find yourself laughing out loud, and you'll want to revisit it for the sheer joy it brings. Paul is a riot, and Cecilia is a killer character. To truly understand Paul's character and his first wife, you must read Best Day Ever first.

THE SECOND MRS. STORM checks ALL boxes! I have read all of Kaira's books and featured her on my #AuthorElevatorSeries three times, a devoted long-time fan. This is my absolute favorite of hers—a sequel, please.

Yes, a sequel is on the way! Family Secrets #2, What the Nanny Saw: A totally gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist, is set to release on Nov 13. I'm eagerly looking forward to catching up with Cecilia! (I'm thrilled to be part of the Bookouture blog team and to host on Nov 13).

Recs...

Kaira Rouda, Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose, Emily Shiner, Miranda Rijks, and Daniel Hurst fans, you MUST get this gem on your list! If you have not read Kaira Rouda, you better get started. She will become your favorite too!

Audiobook...

The audiobook was fantastic, narrated by the talented duo Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard, making the characters sizzle and come alive. A must-listen audio!

Special thanks to Bookouture for a gifted digital ARC and ALC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Pub Date: Aug 16, 2024
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The Second Mrs Strom by Kaira Rouda and narrated by Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard
was a completely gripping psychological thriller that will have you hooked from the very beginning till the end and very cleverly written. I loved it.

Now, If you had met me a year ago, you would never notice me. I am a beautiful woman, and a struggling nobody in a tiny apartment, I am invisible…......People walk past me and they don't see me........

I can't believe it I am now here I am in Paris, with my husband Paul. It was a whirlwind courtship with a stunning beach proposal I am so lucky and I have a huge diamond ring that sparkles in the light sitting on my finger..........Other women look at me with are so jealous!!! Paul is so handsome and rich.....I am the luckiest woman alive! We are so in love!!

But, they are so wrong!!! I am hiding a dark secret!

On our first meeting, Paul fell in so in love with me but, it wasn’t the coincidence he thinks it was. I wanted nothing from him, even all his money will not change how I feel about him!!!
And now he’s wronged me, I will stop at nothing to get what he owes me!!!!

WoW this was so good.........This is the first book I have read and listened to by this author and it will not be the last! I loved it

Big thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture audio for my ARC.

I hadn't read or listened to the first book so initially I thought it would have an impact but it doesn't - it all comes together. From the start I developed a distaste for Paul and the narrator captured how I imagined him to sound like - absolutely hateful. I binged this listen and it worked well as I wanted to find out how all the characters interacted and how it got resolved. I am now sufficiently intrigued to go back and listen to book 1 to see if it as good as this one. I like the way the ending is open.

The Second Mrs. Strom follows Cecilia and Paul who are spending their one year anniverary in Paris. Paul thinks that he can control every aspect of Cecilia's life but he doesn't even know the half of it. Just like Paul, Cecilia is hiding his past from her. Now they are playing a game of cat and mouse with each other as they are spending their last day in Paris. Paul and Cecilia meet at a Celebration of Life for Paul's former companion. From that day on they had a fast paced romanace that has them married only 6 months of dating. Only one of them are going back from thier romantic vacation.

THE SECOND MRS STROM is by Kaira Rouda and narrated by Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard, published Aug. 16th.

A story with very unlikable characters, the multi-POV narration gave this domestic suspense points in the "who is worse" race! I think for those in the mood for this kind of popcorn suspense, it will be a hit. Unfortunately, I am in my August doldrums and it didn't have the punch I was hoping for. Still, it was a nice distraction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard do a fantastic job narrating this book and I highly recommend the audio version.

A male black widow killer meets his match his current wife. Paul Strom is an insufferable narcissist that preys on wealthy women who mysteriously end up dead after leaving him their fortunes. The current Mrs Strom has set her sights on Paul and its a race to see who will survive.

I honestly did not like Paul or Cecilia. I found the beginning of the book to be a bit slow but the pacing does pick up. I did like the alternating timelines which help fill in the background a bit. Despite being a part 2 of a series, this can be read as a standalone. This is definitely an entertaining read and would be good for the beach.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Good listen an overbearing narcissist husband a first anniversary in Paris what can go wrong lots of twists and turns

Well worth a listen

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Second Mrs. Strom by Kaira Rouda will be released on August 16th, 2024.

Another miss for me. I, unfortunately, found the characters to be very annoying and I really didn't connect with any of them.

Let me start by saying I never read A Perfect Day and didn't actually know this book was a sequel (although the title sort of suggested as much), which, from reading other reviews, perhaps is a good thing due to the overabundance of spoilers. As such, though, I had difficulty connecting with two very unlikeable characters in Paul and Cecilia. At least Paul is so viciously unlikeable he's actually quite funny. The Paris setting is perfect for this tale of misery, and Paul's ineptness at portraying himself as anything other than a self-righteous tourist who can't even pronounce "merci" is hilarious. Unfortunately, most of the twists are heavily foreshadowed, and I'm left somewhat baffled that Paul never figured out what Cecilia was doing, especially given what he's done himself in the past. The jumps between Cecilia's and Susan's diaries and Cecilia's recollections were a bit jarring and confusing, and at times felt contradictory or, at least, that the character was hiding key details even from herself. The narration by Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard is excellent. If you enjoyed Mr. & Mrs. Smith or War of the Roses, you will most likely enjoy this slow-burn thriller.