Whole i thought this book had potential, it didn't do much for me. Fans of the housewives would like it, but I'm not sure anyone else would get the same enjoyment. I enjoyed the housewife references, and I thought the story could be pretty good. But the sentences were either too short and choppy, or too long and boring. I think if the writer worked on showing instead of telling, the book would have worked much better. Also, the build-up to the climax was all over the place. Honestly, I'm not even sure what the climax was sup,
posed to be. It was like she didn't know where to end it, so she kept adding more things to cushion the story. Sometimes that works, but again, it just fell flat for me. I'd be curious to see if she does a second one, as I would like to give it a second chance and see where the story leads us.

This book was not what I was expecting (not sure what I was expecting lol) but it was very fun and drama filled! I am a sucked for reality tv and loved the way this felt like I was watching it all play out, similar to watching a real housewives show. I feel like this would be a very good audiobook! While I was entertained, I also felt like it moved a bit slow at times and I didn't ache to pick it back up once I put it down. I still will recommend this and think people will love it!

4⭐️

Eden Bennet will do anything to get ahead at Huzzah, including talking her cousin who just left a cult to do a reality show. That's how Hope found herself on Garden State Goddesses with her new sister-in-laws, Valeria and Carmela along with a few other New Jersey royalty. While Hope is just trying to make new friends and build a life away from her ultra religious family, her new family doesn't trust her motives.

I'm not really a Real Housewives fan, but I do love drama from out of touch rich people and this fit that definition to a T! I really enjoyed the way this book looked at the way fame can change a person. Eden grew up just as sheltered as Hope but had no problem talking her into a reality show because she knew that the views Hope would bring would advance Eden's career. it was nice to see the way that Eden tried to make things better in the end.

I loved Renee; she seemed like a down to earth person who knew how to ramp up her personality to fit in with the rest of the housewives. She remained on the show for her daughter who wanted to be a singer and who can fault a mother doing what they can to give her kid an advantage? I also loved that she was an out and proud bisexual and that it wasn't some dirty little secret hinted at by the show. Without being a reality tv fan, this book was all around a blast!

Thanks Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for providing this ARC to me!

*in the tone of marie kondo* i love drama

i looked at some of the reviews and way too many people said this book felt like watching reality tv as if that is not the exact point of it. that being said i ate this book up and could use ten different spin-offs to keep accuracy going

This book intrigued me as I grew up in New Jersey. However, its gave me reality TV/jersey shore vibes which I never was a fan for. I don't think the book was bad just not for me ! Thanks NetGalley and Simon & Schuster

I read an ARC of Perfume and Pain and was given the opportunity to read this novel written by Miss Astrid Dahl herself. I knew what I was getting into— a satirical blend of reality TV drama with mystery. Perfect for fans of the "Real Housewives" franchise.

The book centers on five women on a reality show called *Garden State Goddesses* with an introduction of Hope, a new cast member from California. Hope joins the show after marrying Leo Fontana, whose family is already involved—his sister Valerie and sister-in-law Carmela are on the show. The drama ramps up when a cast member collapses during filming, forcing Hope’s cousin Eden, the show’s producer, to unravel the mystery while also confronting the fallout from her own manipulative actions.

This book is as over-the-top as you’d expect from a *Real Housewives* parody, packed with the kind of absurd drama that makes reality TV so addictive. The murder mystery takes a backseat to the satirical exploration of fame and how reality TV can change people—sometimes for the worse. While the plot isn’t deep or complex, it's a fun and fast-paced read, especially for fans of trashy reality TV. If you’re looking for a guilty pleasure read full of twists and laughs, this one hits the mark.

The Really Dead Wives of New Jersey
by Astrid Dahl was full of secrets, deception and lies. I enjoyed the storyline and the writing. The only thing that was a bit of a problem for me was there are alot of characters. Once I got the characters down and remembered each of the stories and background info, I was good to go! It was a fun. and addictive book to read. The author did a great job of wrapping up the loose ends and the conclusion was satisfying. Would definitely recommend this book to others!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster to the ARC

This book was exactly what you'd expect from a thriller based on <i>The Real Housewives </i> franchise--a ton of drama, ridiculous characters, rich people, extravagant events, and manipulative producers.

While I'm not a Real Housewives viewer, I am a reality competition TV show fan, so I found the producer perspective/aspect really interesting. The book alternated between narrative chapters and producer-led interviews, and I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at the edited video interviews I often see.

There was quite a large cast of characters and a network of relationships between them. There was a short description of the cast and their personalities and relationships with the other cast members at the start of the book which was a helpful reference. I was quite confused at several parts and found that referring back to that first page was very necessary.

Other reviewers said that the culprit of the murder was obvious to them. However, the crazy drama obscured that for me. Looking back, the signs were there and it should have been clear, but my view was fully obstructed by the ridiculous (and hilarious) shenanigans of the rich grown women.

Overall, this was a silly read and will be fun for reality TV show watchers.

Thank you to NetGalley + Simon & Schuster for this ARC!

A must-read for fans of Real Housewives. My newly gained addiction to RHOSLC made this book such a fun read. Dahl makes reference to true events that have happened in several of the franchises while also adding her own flavor. The story and characters quickly pulled me in. I will just say that the wrap-up took a bit longer than I felt it needed. My other bump is that with the chosen subject material and cast of characters, there's a certain barrier to entry emotionally. The writing and substance of the novel are fun but given the reality TV show lens means it's harder for me to get invested in the insane (compliment) plot and characters.

Great idea for a book but the book itself was poorly written with one dimensional characters. It was a struggle to finish.

I love all things reality! So I, of course, had to pick this one up! It was good. Some repetition throughout and some parts drug out a bit for me. Took awhile to get to the action, but I did enjoy it!

I thought I was really going to love this since I love all the trashy reality tv shows…. Butt…. There was too much going on and not enough at the same time if that makes sense. There were so many characters with not a lot of depth behind them . Not so much a murder mystery as drama filled rich women . The concept was great but the execution not as much. If you like drama and reality tv you should still give it a try .. it gives a behind the scenes look at the making of a reality show.


Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this story .

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

Drama? Check. Secrets? Check. Murder? Double check! The Really Dead Wives of New Jersey is the kind of juicy thriller you didn’t know you needed—equal parts reality TV chaos and whodunit mystery, all wrapped in one binge-worthy package. If you’ve ever wondered what Real Housewives would look like with a deadly twist, Astrid Dahl has the answer. Spoiler: it’s glorious.

The Garden State Goddesses are a cast of larger-than-life characters, each with enough sass, secrets, and scandal to fill an entire season of reality TV. Renee, Birdie, Carmela, and the newly crowned Hope Bennett are as unforgettable as their taglines (seriously, those one-liners are chef’s kiss). But when a murder shakes things up, the claws really come out—and producer Eden is left scrambling to solve the mystery before her show implodes.

What I loved most was how Dahl nails the tone of a trashy-yet-addictive reality TV show while weaving in a genuinely thrilling mystery. There are enough twists to keep you guessing, rivalries to keep you gasping, and secrets to make you side-eye every character. It’s over-the-top in the best way, with a darkly comedic edge that had me hooked.

Thank you to Astrid Dahl, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for letting me dive into this rollercoaster ride of a book. If you’re into reality TV, murder mysteries, or just want a fun, escapist read with plenty of extra, this one will not disappoint.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was originally drawn to this book based on its promising premise—reality TV show producer hunts for the murderer of one of her charges, who just might be one of the other costars—and it being set in my home state, however, THE REALLY DEAD WIVES OF NEW JERSEY was just okay for me. I didn’t find any of the characters likeable, though perhaps that was the point. It also felt as if nothing really happened until over half way through the book, yet once the murder actually occurred, the novel definitely picked up. I had my suspicions throughout, but there were so many moving parts that many readers might be shocked by the outcome of the multiple mysteries happening in the book.

After I finished Perfume and Pain, I was eager to read everything Anna Dorn has ever written, and then I found out there was an upcoming book written by the main character of PAP, so I was obviously on board. Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book because it didn’t have the elements that made PAP so juicy and delicious: the humor, the queerness, and the strong MC voice. This book had too many characters, it was not as funny, and only 2 characters are queer (so far). I’m also not a big fan of books that talk about reality TV. PAP talked about fame in an internet lens, which I preferred. I’m sure this book has its readers but I’m not one of them. Still very excited to read more books by Dorn (Exalted is on my TBR).

Fun book based off of one of my favorite tv franchises! Had me on the edge of my seat with all of the twists and turns. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

I unfortunately DNF’d this one. It was just not my cup of tea. I think maybe too much was going on at the same time? I love the idea though of following reality housewives in a fictional story! Thank you for the opportunity to read this.

This was fun! But not Anna Dorn at her best. I liked that there was a lot of fun plot happening but found it difficult to keep all the characters and their relationships straight. I also felt she often glossed over the most interesting parts (like skipping to a couple being together for a few months rather than allowing us to see the beginning of their relationship)

This was a wild satirical dive in the the world of reality tv. I loved this spoof on the Real Housewives franchise, and these characters certainly delivered! The women (and a few men) were over the top in just about every way, which was a positive for me. Their backstories, interactions, and drama all deliver throughout the novel and the plot really picks about about halfway through. I wouldn't label this a 'murder mystery' but there is a bit of death (murder?) mixed into this story. If you are picking this book up primarily for the murder mystery plotline I think you will be left disappointed, but if you want a fun satire that has a splash of murder, this is a great choice!

I as Real Housewives fan, I was really looking forward to this book, and it did not disappoint. This is a queer version of the Real Housewives, with all the drama, snarkiness, backstabbing and fun you would expect. I would recommend this to any Housewives fan.