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

I had not read Best Day Ever prior to reading The Second Mrs. Strom and can happily report that this book worked very well as a stand-alone book for me. I found The Second Mrs. Strom to be an enjoyable thriller which kept me engaged and wanting more.

Paul Strom and his second wife, Cecilia, are in Paris celebrating their anniversary and well, things are not going how Paul planned. Paul is a tad bit controlling - okay more than a tad bit. He is quite full of himself and his needs. Paul wants to have a baby with Cecilia, and she seems to have other plans. Both have their own agendas and readers get to read their POV's and this is where things get interesting. Things are not as they seem with this ‘happily’ married couple. I enjoyed how everything unfolded.

This was an entertaining book which made me want to read Best Day Ever!

This twisted thriller kept me guessing who to believe as lies were presented as facts. I enjoyed how the story unfolded by alternating timelines and POVs. Although this is a sequel, the enjoyment and entertainment are not diminished if you haven't read the first book featuring Paul Strom, Best Day Ever. The narrators masterfully brought the characters to life while adding a sense of foreboding and an element of intrigue. I was shocked many times as motives were disclosed. I loved how everything came together with a satisfying conclusion. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my audiobook.

3.5 ⭐️’s
In her follow up to The Best Day Ever, we once again meet up with sociopath, Paul Strom. Paul is remarried and he and the second Mrs. Strom are on an idyllic vacation in Paris, celebrating their first anniversary … or is it? With two unreliable narrators, Rouda takes us on a wild ride and someone is going to suffer the consequences! Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard do a good job bringing Paul and Cecelia to life. Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for an ALC of this book.

I wasn't too sure about this audio book, I had never read anything by the author before. I found it a bit slow moving and couldn't get into this for ages not sure if it was the story or the narrator but the last quarter and ending of the book was well done and satisfying. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this audio arc.

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.