I thought The Wife App was quirky and unique - definitely a fun and uplifting read! Look forward to seeing what Carolyn Mackler comes out with next.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun, inventive exploration of marriage and friendship in the modern day. It reminded me of the classic Judy Brady essay "I want a wife"—brilliant!

Thank you NetGalley for the RCA!

This was such a fun book! Three best friends are done with their ex husbands taking for granted the work that they do at home and they decide that it’s time to cash in! They create an app where you hire someone to do all the never ending tasks that are traditionally left to women.

This book was fun and I loved the concept. The women take turns giving their side and their perspective.

I really really liked this book. It was entertaining and refreshing.

This ended up being a DNF for me. I couldn't get through it, none of the characters were relatable and they all seemed to just whine about everything. Being a female in tech I thought this would be my jam but unfortunately I was wrong

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽 by Carolyn Mackler
Published: June 27, 2023 by @simonbooks
Reviewed by: Mel
Format: Paperback ARC and eARC [thank you @simonbooks and @netgalley]

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆
✽ Female empowerment
✽ Women supporting women
✽ Shark Tank / Entrepreneurs


𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this one, but I have to say, it hit me just right and I absolutely adored it. I loved the female empowerment and friendships between these ladies.

All of the women in this book are very relatable and all three have very different situations and relationships with the fathers of their children. All three are in NYC but all live very different lives even though they are very close friends. I was nervous that the concept of the book would come off as silly or ridiculous — but it ended up being incredibly believable and immersive — I actually wish this app was real!

It focuses a lot on the idea of mental load, which has been a buzzword for a few years now and thankfully more people are talking about the burden that a lot of wives and mothers feel having to carry this mental load of keeping everyone’s lives together.

This book was creative, heartwarming, fun, and written well — I definitely recommend picking this up if you want something fun and light to read over the holidays!


Gifted ARC by @simonbooks for the #simonbooksbuddy program. Thank you @netgalley, @simonbooks, and @carolynmacklerbooks for both the paperback and the kindle ARCs!

I did not finish this. I found the characters and the situations very unrealistic.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

I think i really just wasn’t in the target audience for this book. i’m a fan of the author but i had a hard time staying “in the world of this book”, it was just difficult for me to stay focused on it. the premise is what had me picking this book up but i just wasn’t a fan of the main characters and that made it hard to keep engaging with the book, unfortunately.

Hilarious and exciting concept. I'm ready to sign up for the Wife App! This is a timely story sprinkled with funny quips.

This was a first time read for me by this author and it will certainly not be my last. What a fun concept for a story, creating an app for wives! Three good friends, Lauren, Madeline and Sophie, all have something in common - they are divorced and have to deal with their exes. The work wives and mothers tirelessly do for their families is rarely appreciated and taken for granted, and these ladies have had it. They've been taking on all the mental load and it's time they get some monetary recognition for it. Lauren came up with the idea of creating an app that would allow a spouse to hire a “wife” to complete all the tasks that women are often left to do, and not surprisingly, the app becomes a huge success. But then there are other factors that intervene and they have to deal with the consequences.
This was such a fun and humorous read. The story made me laugh and definitely left me with a smile on my face afterwards. The author did a nice job of creating likable and relatable characters were that were interesting and well-developed with realistic qualities that gave them an authentic personality. The story was delightfully cute and I really enjoyed it. If you're looking for a fun, quick and light read, that will put a smile on your face then you definitely will want to pick this one up.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre/tropes: fiction, chick lit
CW/TW: infidelity

Three best friends are rebuilding their lives post divorce. Tired and frustrated by the fact that they’ve been overlooked and under appreciated as wives and mothers, they devise an app that offers administrative services that wives and moms typically do for free, but for a fee this time. Lauren, Madeline and Sophie hope the Wife App will balance the scales by making sure that women are financially compensated for their hard work that’s generally taken for granted.

I liked that the story is told from Lauren, Madeline, and Sophie’s POV. All three come from different backgrounds, and I appreciated seeing their range of experiences as women, mothers, and career women. While there are aspects of their lives I could relate to, the weird thing is I never quite saw them as real. The author also attempts to address some current hot button issues such as living wages and healthcare. I appreciate the the effort, but it just felt like a lot to take on in one story in addition the characters’ individual story trajectories.

Ultimately, it’s a quick read with happily ever afters or happy for nows included. Although I wasn’t completely wowed, I did love the empowerment aspect, the spotlight on the ‘mental load’ that homemakers/wives/partners take on, and the self-awareness that each character gained. The book falls somewhere in the middle for me - powerful, touching, and insightful moments within a decent story.

Thanks @netgalley & @SimonBooks for my #gifted copy.

*This review originally posted on 7/29/23.

Lauren, Sophie, and Madeline are three friends. They are all dealing with the pressures of motherhood, marriage, divorce, friendships, careers, etc. Tired of dealing with it all, they create a new app - The Wife App, whereby women are hired to do "wifely" jobs and get paid for it.

As someone who has raised two children while married and having a career, the premise of this book appealed to me. It did have moments that were humorous and moments that I could relate to, as well as the girl power aspect, this one somehow fell flat for me.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I feel like this book was better as an idea than execution. I particularly did not like the last-minute "and they're gay!" of one of the wives who ends up with her ex husband's new girlfriend/ wife. The queerness of the character did not really contribute anything to her development as a character or the novel as a whole and functioned only as a punishment for the ex-husband (I don't think anyone's queerness should be used as a punishment tool).

Unfortunately this book didn’t work for me and was a DNF but I am sure other readers will feel differently! Thank you for the ARC!

Best friends Lauren, Sophie and Madeline decide they’re finally done with their ex-husbands taking their work as wives and moms for granted. They create a Wife App for individuals to offload the mental load. Along the way, each woman faces facts about her own mental load as she interacts with her children and her ex and maybe future lovers.
I appreciated the message in this book. It calls for equality and encourages women to speak up.
The language (so many F-s!) and sexual content were turn-offs.

This was not quite the book for me. I couldn't connect to anyone and I wasn't entirely sold on the plot.

This book was totally not what I was expecting, but I loved it so much! This book is nothing like I’ve read before, but it was so great. Three women create an app to monetize the mental load women go through in relationships. I was so curious to see if the app was going to work out and actually get off the ground. I could totally use this app at times. I loved how the book was told from the POV of all three women. If you haven’t read this one yet, I suggest checking it out!

Carolyn Mackler's The Wife App was incredibly fascinating. We follow three women who are fed up with their lives and society at large in their own individualized ways. I usually don't get invested with more than one or two main characters but I got invested with all three. I loved one woman's ending in particular. Lowkey wish the wife app existed, I'd outsource and compensate people for work I'm tired of doing! Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Shuster for an early read in exchange for my review.

A self empowering ride with three very different women. Their experiences with an app they created helps to give them all the self worth and validation they have been looking for. This book is encouraging and timely.

Three divorced women who are friends and have children come together to create an app to help women (and men) with their daily thankless tasks. Some parts of the story are humorous. How each of the three come to a conclusion on how to change their lives is a good book club topic. 3.5 stars

"The Wife App" by Carolyn Mackler is a witty and entertaining novel that explores the complexities of modern relationships, the challenges of marriage, and the bonds of friendship. With humor, heart, and a touch of revenge, this book offers a fresh perspective on the roles of wives and mothers, all while providing an engaging and relatable story.

The story follows three best friends, Lauren, Madeline, and Sophie, who are fed up with their ex-husbands taking their roles for granted. When they decide to create an app that monetizes the mental load of wives and mothers, their lives take an unexpected turn. The app becomes a sensation, and the women find themselves on a wild journey filled with laughter, love, and a fair share of chaos.

Carolyn Mackler has crafted a cast of relatable and authentic characters, each with their own quirks and insecurities. Lauren, Madeline, and Sophie are women who grapple with the challenges of balancing their personal desires and responsibilities. As the story unfolds, readers will empathize with their struggles and root for their growth and happiness.

The concept of the Wife App is both humorous and thought-provoking, offering a satirical take on the invisible labor that wives often undertake. It raises important questions about the value of this work and how society perceives and compensates it. The narrative humorously explores the idea of monetizing the mental load while also delving into the complexities of modern relationships.

The book combines elements of romance, friendship, and personal growth, making it a multi-layered and engaging read. The plot is filled with twists and turns, and the consequences of the Wife App's success lead to unexpected challenges for the characters. Mackler skillfully navigates the emotional terrain of love and revenge, creating a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

At its core, "The Wife App" is a celebration of female friendship and empowerment. It highlights the importance of supporting one another through life's ups and downs, and the strength that can be found in the bonds of friendship.

In conclusion, Carolyn Mackler's "The Wife App" is a delightful and clever exploration of modern relationships, the value of unpaid labor, and the power of female friendship. With its relatable characters, witty humor, and engaging narrative, this book is a must-read for those who enjoy stories that blend humor with heart. It offers a fresh take on the roles of wives and mothers in today's world and reminds us of the importance of following our passions and pursuing happiness on our own terms.