Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC of this audio book! I love a good domestic suspense, and this one did not disappoint. This is the second book for Mr Strom. I read Best Day Ever so long ago, and while I remember loving it, a lot of the details were fuzzy. Honestly, you don't need to have read the first book to jump right into this one. I loved that I didn't know which spouse to hate more, and even after finishing the book, I still don't know. That's what makes the book so fabulous! The narrators were great, but the male really grabbed the character and ran with it, I even began to hate his voice. I was totally entranced by the audio. This was a wonderful book I will definitely be sharing!

What a dysfunctional, wild ride this book was…Phil and Cecelia, the epitome of a power couple in a happy marriage, are on a trip to Paris. The novel is described as a as a psychological thriller (but I felt it was more of a drama with one decent twist ending) and told in dual point-of-view (the two narrators in the audio did a fantastic job!) with and now and then format. As the story progressed, I could not stand either main character whatsoever yet could not stop reading/listening to the train wreck that was unfolding. Hypocrisy and toxicity oozed from the plot…Phil and Cecelia’s marriage was unhealthy, they hated each other and each had their own agenda as to why they were still together. This book was like finding a Chinese hairless sphinx kitten/cat thingy that is truly hideous but feeling so sorry for it you take it home and it becomes your constant companion.

Paul Strom, inherits a fortune after the death of his "companion" Esther. At her funeral he meets the beautiful Cecelia, it was love at first sight. After a whirlwind romance, they get married before moving to California.

Paul decides to whisk Cecelia away for a romantic getaway to Paris to celebrate their first anniversary. The romantic trip very quickly turns sour.

This was an interesting read with timelines and POVs flipping back and forth, which is found a little confusing at times. I didn't find the storyline particularly surprising and predicted most of what was going on fairly early in the book. It was still and enjoyable read.

I found the narrators voices to be pleasant to listen to.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to listen to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Second Mrs. Strom" is the thrilling sequel to Kaira Rouda's "Best Day Ever," the book that first hooked me on her writing. I couldn't get enough and eagerly sought advance copies of her new releases when they became available!

As soon as I started listening to the audiobook, Paul's unforgettable selfish and whiney voice came rushing back, making me shiver with disgust and fascination. The narrator did an outstanding job of returning me to Paul's world. I couldn't wait to see him get his comeuppance!

While "The Second Mrs. Strom" is a standalone novel, I highly recommend reading "Best Day Ever" because it's just that good. Paul's despicable and self-centered nature is genuinely memorable. A year into his new marriage, he's in for a rude awakening when he realizes his new wife, Cecilia, won't bow to his every whim.

This book is a wild, exciting ride filled with wit and suspense. Watching Cecilia toy with Paul and put him in his place while he obliviously embarrasses himself is pure entertainment.

Thanks to Bookouture and Bookouture Audio for the advanced reading. copies provided via NetGalley. I received copies of the audiobook and ebook from the publisher. All opions are my own.

Paul and Cecilia, after a whirlwind courtship, are in Paris celebrating their first anniversary. Though they initially seemed madly in love, cracks are starting to show in their relationship, and both harbor ulterior motives for this trip. The story is told from the perspectives of both main characters, with past details revealed as the book progresses.
This was my first Kaira Rouda experience, and I was not disappointed. The pacing of this novel is masterful, with a thrilling contrast between the present-day timeline, confined to a single day, and the flashbacks spanning several years, intensifying throughout the story. Some of the reveals felt a bit too convenient, as if they were thrown in to see what stuck, but the ending was satisfying, and the pacing was good. Both narrators were quite good and easy to listen to, making the audiobook format highly recommended for this one.
It wasn't intense, but the twists were good, if not entirely gasp-worthy, and the storytelling was compelling. There's a prequel titled “Best Day Ever”, but this book can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone.
Thank you @netgalley and @bookouture for the Advanced Listeners Copy (ALC) in exchange for my honest review.

When I say I was hooked to this book, I am not exaggerating. I was not expecting to be pulled in right away. The husband’s POV was unexpected but I love stories where we get both POV’s and this book is extremely engaging from the very beginning. The narrators did a really wonderful job. I was a little confused about who Esther was to Paul but the book does a good job of clearing up any mysteries/questions I have. I like to be surprised. I like how the author eases you into the character of Paul. He seems like a normal rich man who falls for a younger woman but the way she untangles his character slowly is really interesting and realistic. I had all the characters figured out wrong which is good because I like to be kept on my toes and about mid way through I realize this with the flashbacks between the present and past, which is well done here. Also, I love that they are in Paris. It’s a good setting for the story and I love how the Eiffel Tower was saved for the end of the trip and the climax of the book. The plot twist with Cecilia was unexpected because the author does a great job of building her up to be a sweet, normal character. I’ve been interested in reading this author’s work because she seems to have interesting books and I am not disappointed. This is the best book I’ve read in a long time so I highly recommend this book.

The insufferable Paul Strom has returned! This book is just as captivating as the first.

Paul and his new wife, Cecilia, celebrate their first anniversary in Paris. He's still obnoxious and arrogant, but Cecilia has a few tricks up her sleeve.

These two, Paul and Cecilia, are a perfect match for dysfunction, creating a tension-filled narrative. I particularly enjoyed the perspectives of both characters and the excellent audio narration.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for a free copy of this book.

The Second Mrs. Strom by Kaira Rouda ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow!!! I enjoyed this (audio)book so much. I didn’t realize this was a sequel so I will be reading that next. (The best day ever). The main character was insufferable and none of the characters were likable which I found entertaining.

Thank you Kaira Rouda and NetGalley for approving my ARC request

The Second Mrs Strom by Kaira Rouda, the sequel to 'BEST DAY EVER'! Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my #GIFTED copies! I listened to the audiobook and read the ebook! My opinions are voluntary and my own!

Has Paul Strom met his match with his young, new wife, Cecilia? I think so! While in attendance of his “older lover’s” funeral, Paul meets Cecelia. Young, ambitious, beautiful and broke. Paul has just been left a fortune and needs a new wife!
Cecilia will be perfect as the next Mrs Strom — malleable, subservient and future mother to his 3 future children….well, that’s his dream at least.

Unfortunately, for Paul, Cecelia isn’t as malleable as he’d like and he is turning back to his old ways.

When Paul and Cecelia go to Paris for their first year Anniversary, Paul has a surprise for her, but, unbeknownst to Paul, Cecilia may just be at him to the punchline!

My thoughts:
Woah! Just as ‘BEST DAY EVER, I LOVED this wicked thriller! Oh, Paul, I love you so much, you narcissistic psycho! You are just too funny and way too confident! A speedy, fun and entertaining read that fans of Freida McFadden must read! This can be read as a stand alone but would be better to read the first book!

The Second Mrs. Strom is a solid thriller with some wild twists and turns!

Overall I thought the premise was good- an older man with a hefty inheritance marries a younger, beautiful woman. They’re celebrating their one year wedding anniversary in Paris. It’s told from the perspective of both main characters, and past details are revealed as the book goes on. Some of the reveals were a little too convenient for me and by the end it seemed like twists were being thrown at the wall to see what stuck. It felt like quantity over quality. The ending was satisfying, though, and the pacing was good.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the narration. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and the narrator can absolutely make or break an experience. I found both voices a bit irritating, which maybe was purposeful?

Thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this audio-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Loved it!! Very well written and had me hooked in the first chapter. I have not read the first book, but appreciated that the story was not lost without having that kind of background. Very much hoping for a third book and will definitely be reading the first book!

Oh my I just started this and I already hate Paul so much! I love hating men in my books. 10 AM
1:30 I didn't realise this was a second book. I thought we were supposed to have sympathy for both characters or something. I was definately missing context but, honestly, this was so fun!
I love the second Mrs. Strom.
Lovely book with a lot of twists

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Second Mrs Strom by Kaira Rouda, an audiobook narrated by Nick Landrum and Laurence Bouvard is a gripping psychological thriller full of manipulations and mind games!
This was yummy! So yummy!
I will not say much as I don't want to spoil anything but I would advise you to dive into this book completely blindly without reading a blurb!

Paul can't help when his narcissistic nature makes decisions for him. Unfortunitelly this time the target is not completely naive and the cat-and-mouse game begins! Seriously I enjoyed it so much!
It was a pleasure to see how both were trying to outsmart each other. It was a pleasure to watch how the narcissist could not take full control as Cecelia was playing her own game!
This book reminded me of the film "Intolerable Cruelty".

Both narrators did a fantastic job of making you connect with the characters on a deeper level.

I didn't know this was a sequel to “BEST DAY EVER” published in 2017 and now I need to find it and read it!

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this copy!

Ohhh boy, was I ever tickled to be approved for an advanced audiobook of the continuation story of Paul from Best Day Ever! I did a little internal happy dance and quickly downloaded Best Day Ever to listen to as a refresher (it’s been a whole year… the details were a bit murky).

Paul is up to no good yet again! “Best week ever” in Paris (cue in evil laugh) has never sounded more diabolical and I was so excited to see what Paul had planned for Cecelia. Little did I know I would be in for a surprise. Character development was excellent! The story is told from both Paul’s and Cecelia’s POVs and I absolutely loved it! They both have their own agendas they are playing at, and they both try to ‘up one’ on each other. The development of it all is absolutely brilliant!

I downloaded this audiobook from NetGalley and listened to it while doing some admin.

Three stars from me means that it's a good book and I believe the author has achieved their aims, but I didn't fall in love with it. In this case, mea maxima culpa, since I didn't do my homework well enough - this is the second instalment about the sociopathic Paul Strom, which I did not realise. I can see from other reviews that lots of people absolutely love this character, but he simply wasn't for me - I'm not generally a fan of books told from the perspective of sociopaths (with a few notable exceptions) and because his character had clearly been well-developed in the first book, I found him particularly full-on.

That said, if you *do* like books told in the first person of sociopaths then this book will be an absolute treat for you, since in this novel Mr Strom has certainly met his match in the eponymous Second Mrs Strom, and we hear half of the book from her point of view.

With apologies to the publisher for not reading the NetGalley description properly when I requested this one. I am still glad to have read it.

Three Word Review: two sociopaths together

You never know what you're getting into when you read one of this author's books! In this case too, it was another adventurous story where you don't know who you can trust.
Nine of the protagonists is really likeable....not until you know the whole story!
I couldn't stop and in the end I was completely satisfied!!
Thanky you #NetGalley #Bookouture Audio for this audiobook

I did not read the previous book in this series and feel that I would have benefitted from reading this one first. Still enjoyable tbut not what it could have been if read in order.

Thank you to NetGalley aan the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was captivated from the very beginning by this audiobook's intriguing premise and fantastic narration. The story follows a woman's journey from obscurity to the high life in Paris after meeting Paul, a charming and wealthy man. However, beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect marriage lies a web of deceit and a thirst for revenge.

The narrators truly brought this tale to life, their voices perfectly capturing the tension and complexity of the characters.

The plot is engaging, filled with suspense and unexpected revelations. As the protagonist's plan unfolds, you can't help but be drawn into her world, questioning what you would do in her place.

Overall, this audiobook is a must-listen for fans of psychological thrillers and tales of love turned sour. The narrators' performances elevate an already gripping story, making it a memorable journey through love, betrayal, and the quest for vengeance.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC (audiobook) in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 ☆

Thank you, Netgalley & Bookouture Audio, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I have an assortment of different feelings for this book.

The story follows Paul and Cecilia Strom, who are on a trip to Paris for their 1st wedding anniversary.

The first half was I absolutely hooked, then it kind of turned into a snooze fest, but THEN it picked right back up, and I couldn't stop listening til I finished.

Most of the twists were predictable. However, there were two that had me like "😱 how did I not see that coming"

I would definitely recommend the audiobook. The narrators played their parts quite well

This is the sequel to the author's previous book 'Best Day Ever' and whilst it can be enjoyed as a standalone it would be preferable to have read the first book prior to this one to have a deeper grasp of the main character, the despicable Paul!

The manipulative narcissist Paul and his new second wife Cecilia are in Paris celebrating their first anniversary courtesy of the huge inheritance Paul had dubiously received from an old lady Esther. Whilst things seemed to be running smoothly at the start of their marriage it is clear all is not what it seems and both Paul and Cecilia have their hidden agendas for the trip. Has Paul finally met his match with this particular wife and who is she really?

The story is told from dual points of view across a dual timeline and the narrators do a brilliant job to increase the tension in this twisty thriller.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced listener copy of this book and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.