3.5* Well, Rouda has done it again...after meeting Paul in The Best Day Ever I wondered if things could get any worse for him and anyone in his path. Answers are had in this next installment. You certainly could read these as stand-alones, but I was glad to have the full picture of this ruthless character from the previous book. I think of him as the male Mrs. Parrish (Liv Constantine books). I mostly go after stories where the characters are likable, but you can't help but love to hate them and see what outlandish things happen next! Dual narrators made this one enjoyable and easy to follow.
I do believe we have been set up for even maybe a new leading character in a future book. I'll be waiting...
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

I consumed The Second Mrs. Strom through an audiobook via netgalley. I think this book is absolutely suitable for audio form. It was quick, easy to follow along, and the narrator did a great job telling the story. The story itself felt unoriginal. I feel as if I have read similar books like this. The characters were annoying, the twists were just okay, and some of it felt a bit unbelievable. It wasn't a bad story and I think it would be fine for a mindless beach read but if you're looking for something more captivating or unique, this book isn't for you. I should also mention, I did not read the first book as I did not realize this was part of a series. It did well as a standalone but perhaps reading the first book may have made my experience better.

One of my favourite thriller tropes is a seemingly perfect married couple that is not at all what they seem…and this delivers just that.What a great use of dual perspectives to keep you on your toes while piecing together the story of this very dysfunctional, dangerous couple!
This gave me creepy “Don’t Worry Darling'' vibes as Paul and Ceclia’s overly shiny exterior starts to crack and we see how artificial their relationship really is. It felt like a drawn out game of cat and mouse, keeping you guessing until the very end about who was the cat and who the mouse!

This one won’t be for you if you don’t like chapters laid out in a non-chronological timeline, and for me, this was missing something to make it stand out in the sea of psychological thrillers on the market today.

The Second Mrs Strom was a thoroughly enjoyable novel about entirely unlikeable characters. (a feat the author pulls off very well in her previous books also). The narrators were absolutely perfect, adding depth and nuance to the story that made listening to this audiobook a delight. Highly recommend!!!

Not my favorite. Thought the audio book would help me get into the story more but still struggled. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

When I first started listening to this book I wasn’t aware it was a sequel to a previous book called ‘First Day Ever’. Now as I am a little bit OCD (well in truth a massive bit) I had to stop reading and download the first book to read first. The first book gives us the opportunity to first meet Paul Strom. However I will say you can absolutely read The Second Mrs Strom as a standalone read.

My first thought after finishing this book was what an utterly despicable and appalling person Paul Strom was. I actually think my blood pressure rose a few notches as I was reading . Now I’m one of these strange people who love awful characters in books, think of the author Liz Nugent and her books , that’s he sort of characters I mean. And Paul Strom is up there with those characters.
This was a fast paced and twisty read with untrustworthy characters and it difficult to know who you can actually trust. From the very start I was gripped by the story and by the end I needed a lie down after all the drama. Kaira Rouda has yet again written a superb read packed full of suspense and tension .

This was a lot of fun. Sure, some of the twists were a bit telegraphed, but I still really enjoyed this audiobook. I was satisfied by the ending, too. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This relatively short high quality audio had me gripped from the second I started. Told by the 3 main characters pov over multiple timelines starting in Paris on an anniversary and flitting back to various events. I did gueese the twists about 40% in but this just enhanced my enjoyment. The pov back and forth made it so compelling. The husband character was written to clearly shiw his controlling nature. The wife was so cleverly written it explained her present her past and her future. The other women was written to create tention.
It's a fab domestic thriller . Loved the narration. Recommended for anyone who enjoys a good multiple pov listen. 5 star.
Thanks netgallery and publisher and author and narrator

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars in the newest book by Kaira Rouda.

Cecilia had a rough upbringing having been put up for adoption as a baby. When a family fostered her, she fell in love with them and felt she finally found her forever home. But when her foster mom became pregnant and had a baby, she had Cecilia returned to the foster home, citing “behavior issues.”

Now that she’s grown up, Cecilia is determined to have the life she feels she deserves and she sets her sights on Paul Strom. Paul has just inherited a huge amount of money from his much older female companion and is ready to spend it on a younger woman. The two seem like a match made in heaven.

But as they spend their one year anniversary in Paris, it seems as though both of their masks are slipping and their true intentions are coming out. Who will come out with what they want?

This was a 3.5 star read for me. I didn’t feel there were any crazy twists and turns and the book played out as expected. Despite that, however, I found myself engaged while listening to the audiobook. The narrator’s did a wonderful job snagging my attention!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kaira Rouda, and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook ahead of the expected release in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed "The Second Mrs Strom". I especially appreciated the 2 narrators for each character's chapter. It kept me guessing until the end and was a quick moving book. I also loved the continuation of Paul's character from "Best Day Ever." I highly recommend this book, especially if you liked "Best Day Ever".

After Best Day Ever, the first Paul Strom novel, I dove into this sequel. I love psychopath Paul and the love affair he has with himself

I do suggest that you read the first book first. Not only is it a great read, but there are a lot of spoilers in the sequel

This time, we’re in Paris with Paul’s second wife on their one year anniversary. The story is told from his, hers and another woman’s point of view

I could tell from the very beginning that Paul didn’t have the advantage he previously had. I loved his narcissistic genius, but felt it lacking this go around. He ignored so many giant red flags and let wife Cecilia treat him like crap

I could see the twist coming from chapter one and I don’t know why he didn’t. I get he’s arrogant and can’t imagine anyone having any negative thoughts about himself, but there’s limits, surely?

I did enjoy Cecilia, but she made some really stupid decisions too. There didn’t seem to be a linear pattern to her thought process, so I couldn’t quite figure her out

There were quite a few coincidences and I wasn’t dazzled by the reveals and ending. Reviews are super high on Goodreads, so maybe I’m missing something

I didn’t dislike this book, I liked the characters and premise. I liked the past/present and multi POV storytelling too.
I was just super disappointed that no one was especially smart and the twists weren’t twisty

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

"THE SECOND MRS. STROM" was my SECOND-favorite "Paul Strom" book.

Yes, author Kaira Rouda's "BEST DAY EVER" (the first "Paul Strom" book and one of my BEST BOOKS EVER) was a very, very tough act to follow.

A standalone read, "THE SECOND MRS. STROM" spotlights the one-year wedding anniversary of one of my favorite fictional delusional narcissists Paul, and his new young, gorgeous wife Cecilia.

Both husband and wife have different agendas.

Although this book was pacy and entertaining, it lacked the thrill factor of "BEST DAY EVER".

(Perhaps my expectations were too high????)

Many of the twists were contrived and eye-rolling. Plot holes were plentiful.

Also, this book was released seven years after "BEST DAY EVER".

(That is a long time to wait for a sequel).

I listened to the audiobook read by Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard. Both narrators did an outstanding job with the narration.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Also, this book was released seven years after "BEST DAY EVER".

(That is a long time to wait for a sequel).

I listened to the audiobook read by Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard. Both narrators did an outstanding job with the narration.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a audiobook advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review

I’ve read all of Kaira Rouda’s books, and this is by far my favorite. I loved these crazy ladies and enjoyed watching Paul squirm! Five stars.

Kaira Rouda’s "The Second Mrs. Strom" is a thrilling sequel to her previous novel, "Best Day Ever." In this gripping follow-up, Rouda delves deeper into the world of narcissistic sociopaths with a narrative that’s both suspenseful and engaging.

The story centers around Paul Strom, a character you'll love to hate. His manipulative, controlling, and despicable nature is portrayed with such intensity that he becomes a fascinating yet infuriating figure.

Rouda’s writing is excellent, with well-developed and complex characters that add depth to the story. The plot is perfectly paced, filled with twists that keep readers on edge. Whether you’re turning pages or listening through an audiobook, the experience is equally compelling. The narrator’s performance is great, bringing Paul’s character to life with clear, impactful voice work and perfect pacing. This sequel is a fast-paced, entertaining read—ideal for a cozy night in with a glass of wine or a bowl of popcorn. If you’re a fan of dramatic, suspenseful thrillers, this book is a must-read. 4 stars! My friends at @thrillerbookloversthepulse can't stop talking about this one. Make sure and add it to your to be resd list.

Please note: while "The Second Mrs. Strom" can be enjoyed as a standalone, reading "Best Day Ever" first enhances the experience, providing valuable context and background.

PUB DATE: Aug 16, 2024

Thank you @kairarouda, @thrillerbookloversthepulse, and @netgalley for the ARC & ALC.

#thrillerbooks #thrillerbookrecs #bookreview
#booksofinstagram #tbr

Thanks NetGalley and Kaira Rouda for the opportunity to listen to this ARC!

The Second Mrs. Strom observes a couple's seemingly idyllic anniversary celebration in Paris, which gradually reveals their true identities. While the novel presents an intriguing concept and a few unexpected surprises, its shortcomings are evident. The characters lack appeal, and the narrative becomes monotonous and dull. Nonetheless, a suspenseful thread motivates the reader to continue, ultimately rendering the book a decent read.

The author keeps your guessing through entire book on who is going to kill who at the end. I love how she built up your annoyance with the characters. Paul is not as bright as he thinks he is. What irony he loves mystery/thriller books. Great read!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️




✨ competitive relationship
✨ secrets
✨ cliffhanger


✨ I was put off first with the book cover but don’t be fooled. The book was amazing!
I thought it will a typical story of a girl looking for a rich husband but the plot has a different direction of secrets. Both of them are so competitive to each other but they weirdly love each other🤦🏽‍♀️
It was a complicated one and definitely worth the read.


✨ the story has a cliffhanger I believe as it doesn’t add up with the whole scenario and I wish it could be.
The cover itself is the only one put me off but everything from the first chapter to the end is amazing!



✨ Thankyou bookouture for the arc copy of this book for a honest review.


🫶🏼shaye.reads

The people in this book are all horrible and so is this story. I felt this book was predictable, at times repetitive and frankly disappointing. The premise has been overdone, and there were no growth in one horrible character in the story. The ending was bad. I just didn't like this book .

If you like reading a story about horrible, vindictive, narcissistic people then this is the novel for you.

Paul Strom has married again. But now he's the rich one after his stint at being a boy toy has ended with his paramour's death. Cecilia is everything he wants after his disastrous first marriage and the loss of his two sons (see first book). She is young and beautiful and will help him take Hollywood by storm. Unfortunately, he doesn't really know her very well at all. And she has her own ideas about what this marriage is going to do for her.

This was just too much nastiness for me. Both Paul and Cecilia are such hideous people that I could barely get through this though others might like this kind of psychological drama. At first, I was drawn in and hoped that perhaps the whole plot would turn out different than expected, but, alas, it was predictable and thus I just read the twisty mess to get to the epilogue. I was not happy with the conclusion either. Definitely read Best Day Ever first before you tackle this one if you really think you need more.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along with the e-book, both provided by the publisher. I really wanted to like this one, but I do not like this type of trope where bad people get away with so much evil behavior. I liked the voice of the male narrator, but the female's voice was like nails on a chalkboard and got on my nerves with the breathy high-pitched sound.

Paul Strom is back with a new wife and enjoying their year anniversary in Paris. Paul is just as egotistical as ever, and I was here for it. I loved that in this book we got his perspective as well as his second wife, Cecelia’s. It was nice to see that Paul might have met his match with her! This book was fast-paced and well-crafted, and I loved trying to piece everything together.

I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the dual narrators. I would have liked the same narrator for Paul from Best Day Ever, but understand the books were published 7 years apart so that might not have been possible.

Thank you Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse, Bookouture, and NetGalley for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.