Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the Arc of Desperate Deadly Widows.

. The story follows 2 years after the first book ended, and the Mayor ended up being dead and one of the widows was with him.
It's a whodunit with shoulder pads and 80's hair style!

Was it as enjoyable as the first one? No.. was it fun? Yes!!

Thank you once again!

I read the first book about the Widows and this one was just as good. It was a fun story. Thank you for the advanced copy.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

I found this story to be entertaining, clever, and an all-around great time, I hope the authors turn this into a series, I am definitely checking out the prequel. Now for my review...

"Desperate Deadly Widows" is an exhilarating journey through the intertwining lives of four widows, each grappling with their own secrets and facing unforeseen challenges. Written by four acclaimed authors, Vanessa Lillie, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan, and Kimberly Belle, this novel is a masterclass in suspense, drama, and intricate storytelling.

The story begins with the unexpected death of Claire's husband, which sets off a chain of events that draw her into a world of danger and deceit. As she navigates her new reality, she discovers a network of widows, each with a deadly secret. These women, bound together by loss, must now face their pasts while protecting each other from a looming threat that could destroy them all.

The authors seamlessly weave their distinct voices into a cohesive narrative, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and tension. Each character is vividly brought to life, their struggles and triumphs resonating deeply with the reader. The pacing is impeccable, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

This story explored such as grief, resilience, and the bonds of friendship. The characters' journeys are not just about survival but also about finding strength in the face of adversity and reclaiming their lives.

Desperate Deadly Widows is a thrilling and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and the exceptional talents of its authors. Whether you are a fan of suspense, drama, or simply well-crafted stories, this novel is a must-read.

In summary, Desperate Deadly Widows is an unforgettable story of resilience, friendship, and the indomitable spirit of women facing extraordinary circumstances. A page-turner from start to finish, it is a testament to the enduring power of hope and the strength found in the unlikeliest of places.

I went into this book not reading the first and maybe that was part of the issue. The female MCs did not feel connected to each other at all. The book stated they were close after the tragic death of their husbands but I did not feel it with the characters. It did not feel like a sisterhood or close bond. It felt like each was out for themselves. I found it hard to connect with the widows.

What I enjoyed most was the storyline with Aiden and the true reality of what continues to happen with the indigenous people today. Aiden rounded out the book.

I enjoyed the strong women working to show the city of Providence they don’t need a man but the book feel flat in character connection which made it harder to follow. I recommend reading book one first to understand the character development further.

This book is a follow up to Young Rich Widows written by the same authors. Sequels don't usually live up to the first book, right? Well not this one, this one is awesome!

Such a fan of this writing group, I might have requested this book and the previous one from this group (Young Rich Widows) because of my love for Layne Fargo but I stayed for the fun, seamless storytelling that captures the decadence and materialism of the 1980s but also offers a story about a diverse, engaging set of women, drawn together through a series of complicated events that keep them connected, and gives them a lot of opportunities to be strong, at times cunning, and highly capable of handling all that life throws at them, and with style and flare.

The biggest standout, other than a truly fun set of characters and a fun story, is how seamless and well developed this story is; each character is well developed (and you don't need to read the first book to enjoy and follow this book because the characters are well developed) and the story flows, even as different characters have their own stories and chapters/perspectives. It's clear the writing group has fun with their characters and plot development and that makes this a big win for me.

This book is a thrilling and unputdownable ride from start to finish. The author expertly blends suspense, mystery, and emotional depth to create a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are richly developed, with each widow's backstory adding layers of intrigue and sympathy. The characters are complex, flawed yet relatable characters which makes this book incredibly engaging. The plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, which kept guessing until the very end. The pacing is brisk, ensuring there's never a dull moment.
I appreciated the themes of resilience, justice, and the bonds between women. The camaraderie and shared struggles among the widows add an emotional heft to the narrative, creating a powerful and moving story. While there are a few predictable moments, the overall storyline remains compelling and satisfying.

This is a must-read for fans of suspenseful thrillers. Highly recommended for those who love a good mystery with strong, dynamic characters.

I have to say, as a reader who came into this book rather blind with any of the characters, I appreciate the authors writing this as though it was your first time reading their book. While the authors do refer back to the other story, it’s mainly for clarification and the ties between each of the women so the reader can understand and follow along.

I highly appreciate the fact that each woman and main character in this book was written with extreme clarity and definition as to who that person was. What this means is as you read, you can visualize that person, and you become more attached to the story.

I love that these characters don’t actually seem to “like“ each other but they’re tied to each other because of the other incidents from the first book. They will fiercely protect and support each other, but there aren’t a whole lot of best-friend feelings going around. That can be a good thing.

The plot is very convoluted and leaves you guessing as the authors weave their path of clues for you to follow. The authors do it right by including humor, Snark, attitude, and fierce support for each other. They humanize this story completely for us.

Desperate Deadly Widows is a story of strength and bold women doing whatever it takes to protect each other and their business. A good murder mystery with action and twists to engage and delight.

I did noooot realize this was a sequel (that was my bad lol)

But, it did make me want to read the first one! I think the widows felt a bit disconnected from each other and I would not recommend reading this one first. There was nothing ground breaking that happened in the story but it was enjoyable enough. The ending was a bit all over the place and I think things got a little too sappy in the last chapter for my taste.

Release: April 7, 2025
Publisher: Source books Landmark
-Kimberly Belle, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan, Vanessa Lillie
 
Rating: 4.25 ★ 

"Desperate Deadly Widows" is a gripping anthology that brings together the talents of Kimberly Belle, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan, and Vanessa Lillie. Each story dives into the complexities of love, betrayal, and revenge, all through the lens of women who have lost their husbands under mysterious circumstances.
The writing is sharp and immersive, drawing you into each widow’s emotional turmoil and desperate actions. Each author brings a unique voice and perspective, creating a diverse tapestry of narratives that explore the darker sides of grief and survival. The twists are unpredictable, keeping you on the edge of your seat as secrets unfold and motivations are revealed.
I particularly appreciated how the stories intertwine themes of empowerment and vengeance, showcasing the lengths to which these women will go to reclaim their lives. The pacing is well-crafted, with tension building steadily until the explosive conclusions.
Overall, "Desperate Deadly Widows" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. It’s a compelling collection that not only entertains but also challenges the reader to consider the complexities of morality in desperate situations.

Favorite Quote: 

"In the shadows of loss, we find our true selves—and sometimes, that self is far more dangerous than we ever imagined."

The four different narrators did a great job, however, I do wish that the narrator stayed with their character even when from a different narrator’s point of view. The plot was a little slow and overall I found the book to be just okay.

I really liked the first book in this series, but this one was kinda a flop. The overall plot wasn’t as interesting there got to be too many side characters and stories that took away from the main story. I was honestly kind of bored? Which is weird to experience reading a thriller/mystery. I feel like this sequel wasn’t needed and I wouldn’t recommend reading past book 1.

I really like wanted to love this book as much as I loved the first one but unfortunately I did not. Typically, once I start a book I can’t put it down but with this one I really struggled to get into it. I love the widow characters but something was missing for me in this book!

Set in 1987, Desperately Deadly Widows (book 2) takes place 2 years after the deadly plane crash that made these four women widows and in some serious debt to the mob (see book 1 Young Rich Widows if you haven’t read it yet)

Now, 2 years after the crash;
Krystle is trying to keep the law firm afloat
Justine is working at the law firm while also studying for the bar exam. Meredith is now the owner of the strip club she used to dance at
And Camille is running honey trap schemes

But when Camille is hired to run a honey trap scheme on the Mayor, things go horribly wrong and Camille finds herself at the top of the suspect list.
The four widows need to work together to figure out who really wanted the Mayor dead.
These four women have strong personalities and they are a total force to be reckoned with.
Lies, secrets and lots of backstabbing keeps you completely hooked on this story and I hope there will be a book #3!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #SourceBooks for my advanced ebook to read and review

I read the first book back in April…….Young Rich Widows. When I saw this book, I hit the “request” button so fast, praying it would be approved. This one was every bit as good as the first book, and actually, it was better. Definitely held my interest. I love the idea of four different authors each writing for one of the four main characters. A very unique concept. Good, satisfying ending. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

I couldn’t wait to read the return of the widows. This is such a great easy read. It’s like Desperate Housewives set in the 80’s! The four widows are trying to keep their law firm afloat and run into all sorts of trouble. A good twisty mystery will keep you on your toes with some humorous moments.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the second in the Widow series by the powerhouse writing team of Vanessa Lillie, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan and Kimberly Belle. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Following all the adventures that happened in the first book, Young Rich Widows, it's 1987 in Rhode Island, two years since the plane crash that killed four law-firm partners. The four widows have had to regroup, facing the reality of their new lives. Krystle fights to keep the law firm afloat, while Justine is in law school. Meredith owns and runs the strip club where she once danced, and Camille orchestrates schemes for scorned women. However, one of her arrangements goes wrong and the mayor is now dead in the club. The widows must work together or else go down together.

These are just such fun books, taking you back to all the excesses of the 80s. There's enough here to be able to read this one as a stand alone, but do yourself a favor and start with the first. The audiobook was fabulous (available now on Audible, just like the first!) and had me laughing along at the widows' antics. But there's a mystery to be solved before one of the widows ends up in jail, and there are plenty of questionable suspects. Loved how this shows strong women supporting each other no matter what.

While it’s already out as an audiobook, the written novel is coming April 8, 2025. The Windows of the Law Firm are back and are moving forward with their lives, if only others would stop setting them up! Each of the widows has moved forward with a new career path after the deaths of their husband but when tragedy befalls one of them, they team up again to try to solve whodunit. Overall, I enjoyed this one more than the first, especially the twists along the way and the writing feels more YA. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I really enjoyed the first book and knew I would be in for another treat with this one. Although this wasn’t as amazing as the first book I will say that I was not disappointed. The ladies have kept me thoroughly entertained with their shenanigans and dialogue. The plot, narration, comedy and grit made this book a really enjoyable one. The addition of new characters was surprisingly well done considering I sometimes hate change. These women are smart, witty and admirable characters who know exactly what they want and how to get it. I will say that I would love to join the team again if there will be another book.

Desperate Deadly Widows was just as good as the first book! I loved catching up with my favorite widows and seeing how they are holding up! It is of the times in the most fun way!