When this fast paced book starts out you learn about a couple so in love.... so it seems. Both have secrets and selfish interests, but what's truth and what's a lie? In the end there's only one true winner.
I can't say the characters didn't get in my nerves with their narcissistic ways, but I loved the setting in France and the interwoven French references. Overall if you like psychological thrillers then this one would be a quick easy read for you. If you like books with multiple narrators the audiobook would hold your interest.

Thank you Bookouture, Netgalley and Kaira Rouda for the audio Arc of The second Mrs Strom.
Narrated by Nick Landrum, Laurence Bouvard.

The Second Mrs Strom introduces us to Paul and Cecila who are holidaying in Paris after a whirlwind romance. It's going to be a wonderful night at the top of the Eiffel Tower, if only Cecila can over her fear of heights.

I really enjoyed this dark, twisty thriller told in 2 first person POV,s This POV really suited this book psychologically as it helped get right into both characters. The plot direction is steady and medium paced, also set on 2 slightly different timelines, which are easy to follow. With the foreshadowing, you will probably guess were the plot is going,.Not without some great twists though. Keira's style of writing and character building I really connected too so overall, it's a great fun read/listen!

This book was narrated by Nick Landrum - Paul and Laurence Boulevard - Cecila. I loved listening to both their voices, which suited the personalities of the characters perfectly.. I will be looking for more from this author as well as the narrators

4.25 stars for Storygraph. 4 stars for Amazon, Netgalley, Amazon and Goodreads.

The MMC is a pompous, narcissistic, older male who marries a woman much younger than him. He inherited money and finds the FMC at his previous partners funeral. He thinks the FMC would make a perfect, young wife- one he can control. Little does he know the FMC is much smarter than he expected.

I enjoyed this audiobook- it was an easy listen and the story was entertaining. I love reading about the rich and their lavish lifestyle. The voice actors did a great job- no complaints 😊

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! I wish I could rewind time and read this again for the first time. Paul is such a love/hate character thinking he is a sly fox that makes this story so absolutely gripping. I did not read the first story but absolutely fell in love right from the jump. I am obsessed with thrillers and found this one has put itself at the top of my list. Rouda did an incredibly job captivating the audience, developing the characters, and creating this powerful dynamic between Paul and his wife Cecilia. I cannot recommend this highly enough, 10 out of 10 huge stars!! Add this to your MUST READ LIST today!!
Huge thank you to Kiara Rouda, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

As I began to listen to this book, I contemplated discarding it several times because the male lead character, Paul, was such an awful narcissist. I used unprintable words to curse him frequently! Kudos to the narrator who so clearly expressed his personality! But, something about the story just kept prodding me to keep going and I'm very glad I did. Awful as he is, the female lead also isn't entirely likable. There were times when I wasn't really certain who was worse, Paul or Cecilia! I just had to learn which one of them would end up the victor in this battle of wits. Worth the listen!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for providing an advance review copy of this audiobook. My opinions are my own.

Still laughing by how it ends...good for Cecilia! Each character is more conniving than the next so there's a lot of plotting around and knife stabbing. It's very entertaining, I will be definitely recommend to my friends.

Thanks NetGalley, Bookouture, and Kaira Rouda for this ARC, I really enjoyed it.

I am a big fan of Kaira Rouda's books. It made me so happy to see that she brought back Paul from Best Day Ever. When the story opens, we find my favorite narcissistic, controlling sociopath, Paul, has come into quite a bit of money. His recent elderly companion left him the moolah and he has high hopes of making a name for himself in Hollywood as a producer. Paul meets his next victim, I mean his wife, at his companion's funeral. Her name is Cecelia, and she is a lot younger than Paul. No shocker there. Paul spends an inordinate amount of time trying to sugarcoat his past while attempting to control his new, young wife. I loved the writing as well as Paul's wry humor. The narration was top-notch.

Kaira Rouda is truly an underrated author! She delivers consistently twisty, fast paced, fun reads and The Second Mrs. Strom was no exception - this was a great, bingeable read.

What a good book. Loved the quick pace and it kept me wanting to keep listening. Lots of good twists. Wish I had known this was a sequel (that is also a standalone)...I'll definitely be checking out the first book!
The narrators were great!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Paul inherits a fortune from his first wife, an elderly woman that he dated for a year. He met his new wife at the funeral for her and they began their whirlwind romance and quickly wed. But Paul is keeping many secrets from his new wife and he suspects that she has a few of her own.
They make it to their first anniversary and decide to celebrate with a trip to Paris to enjoy the best the city has to offer, topping it off with an elegant dinner at the Eiffel Tower with neither of them knowing that the other has plans for how the night is going to end.
The story takes place over the course of the day and from the POV of both Paul and Cecilia but both characters are quite vile and hard to root for, but such as the author intended I believe.
I was able to listen to the audiobook and read the ebook and while I enjoyed that experience, I have to say that the male narrator was much better than the female.

"The Second Mrs. Strom" is a riveting psychological thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. This was my first read by Kaira Rouda, and I am absolutely blown away by her ability to weave a tale of suspense, deceit, and revenge. The narrative unfolds with impeccable pacing, revealing just enough at each turn to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Rouda masterfully portrays the protagonist’s journey from being a "struggling nobody" to a woman determined to seek revenge, all set against the luxurious backdrop of Paris. The complexities of the characters and the unexpected twists make this book impossible to put down. The protagonist’s internal conflict and her plan for retribution are brilliantly crafted, making you question who the real villain is. If you love psychological thrillers with deep, intricate plots and strong, complex characters, "The Second Mrs. Strom" is an absolute must-read. Highly recommended for fans of Freida McFadden and Jeneva Rose!

Side note.... Fabulous narrators.

***Thank you NetGalley and Kaira Rouda for the ARC read***
All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone

The Second Mrs. Strom By Kaira Rouda

A Slow Burn with a Satisfying Payoff

If you're a fan of The Best Day Ever, The Second Mrs. Strom is a must-read. This sequel delves deeper into Paul's story, offering a slow-paced yet rewarding exploration of his character and the world around him.

The first quarter shines with its well-developed characters and immersive world-building, reminiscent of its predecessor. While the story initially unfolds at a leisurely pace, the payoff is well worth the wait. The explosive ending delivers a thrilling conclusion that will leave readers feeling the closure they've been seeking.

If you're seeking answers and resolution after the Best Day Ever, The Second Mrs. Strom is your ticket.

**Key Points:**

* Sequel to "The Best Day Ever"
* Slow-paced start with strong character development
* Explosive and satisfying ending
* Recommended for fans of the first book seeking closure

Thank you to @thrillerbookloversthepulse for hooking me up with both the e-arc and the audio arc for review 🙏

#qotd Have you ever been to Paris?

#thesecondmrsstrom #kairarouda #bookreviews #thrillerbooklover #thepulse

I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC audiobook through #netgalley. I had not previously read The Best Day Ever which I will do doing in the near future! Paul's character was written so well. He was so controlling and infuriating. If you like to read thrillers with plot twist, I recommend this one.

Oh man, Paul is back!! And we love to hate him. His new wife Cecelia is as annoying as he is, but in different ways. There is so much passive-aggressive behavior in this, I wanted to scream. Yet the amount of dislike I had for these characters drove me further into this tale to find out just how destructive they could be toward each other. Lots of mind games are underway here and the suspense is so fun! Great story line!

The narrators did an excellent job, so much so that I feel if I were to hear the male narrator's voice, I would stay far away!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC! Y'all are the best!

The book was surprising, delicious and the ending was totally shocking. While I didn't mind the second Mrs. Storm, I absolutely couldn't stand her husband. He was hateful, rude, smarmy, a liar and just a terrible person. Once Mrs. Storm figured out what he was up to, the story picked up and I was shocked by what was going on but I did have an inkling as to what was happening. I don't want to give it away so I am not spelling anything out here. Mrs. Storm was smart and cunning and could totally give him a ride for his money.
At first I was a little confused by the multiple points of view until I figured out that the other woman was the mistress. That really changed things and gave the husband a run for his money. I just kept thinking that how in the world did this nice woman like Mrs. Storms husband but clearly she was clueless as to what a despicable person he was.
The ending was great and I was shocked.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

4.5 stars
OMG 😲 😱
From the beginning of the book i got some theories of what's truly going on but even though I was right about the night that all happened there were some many plot twist that my head was spinning 😳 The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because I was expecting an even stronger ending, something that could make my jaw drop but nevertheless I have no words for the Fmc (powerful -an idol -fighter) and as for the male character......I couldn't hate that guy more !!!
I hope Kaira Rouda will write more books because this one was impressive i want read more of her work !!!!



Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the e-Arc in exchange for my honest opinion 😀

Paul is back and he’s as horrible as ever! This narcissistic sociopath certainly is fun, but he’s met his match. You could read this as a standalone, but I’d recommend reading Best Day Ever first. The audiobook with Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard narrating is entertaining.

Thank you to the cool kids @thrillerbookloversthepulse for bringing this series to my attention and providing me an ALC. Do we think Paul may be back for season 3?

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.

Paul Strom, the self-styled Adonis of arrogance, returns in The Second Mrs. Strom. This psychological thriller, a cunning sequel to Best Day Ever, is a standalone masterpiece that will leave you breathless.

A master manipulator basking in the gilded cage of his own delusions, Strom is a predator disguised as prey. As he navigates the Parisian labyrinth with his newly acquired trophy wife, a sinister undercurrent churns beneath the veneer of luxury.

With a narrative that shifts perspectives like a kaleidoscope, this novel is a mind-bending exploration of obsession, deceit, and the fragility of perception. Prepare to be ensnared in a web of meticulously crafted suspense as the lines between reality and illusion blur. The twists are as unexpected as they are devastating. A literary cocktail of champagne and cyanide, The Second Mrs. Strom is not for the faint of heart.

I really liked The Second Mrs. Strom, by Kaira Rouda it's a marvelous story. I wasn't aware this was the second book in a series, because I enjoyed it as a standalone. However, now that I know this I can't wait to get my hands on the first book! Also the voice actors did a terrific job bringing the story to life. I highly recommend this audio book.