Thank you to @penguinrandomca and @netgalley for a copy of Recipe Of A Perfect Wife by Karma Brown for an honest review. Find this one in bookstores on December 31/19!

Recipe For A Perfect Wife is a story of two housewives in two different timelines, present day and the 1950s. Alice is the present day narrator, she recently moved with her husband to a house in the suburbs after leaving her job to become a writer. She finds the letters and old magazines of the previous owner, Nellie, who is the 1950s narrator.
I will be honest and say that Alice rubbed me the wrong way. I struggled through her chapters and could not understand anything she did or more often, didn’t do.
Nellie’s chapters on the other hand were exactly what I was looking for in this book. I loved her character and wish there was way more of her. I would have been happy with the book being all about her. She was smart and complex. I loved the recipes from her cookbook scattered amongst her chapters as well.
Trigger warnings for domestic abuse, suicide and fertility issues to varying degrees, please DM if you want more information.

Recipe for a Perfect Wife focuses primarily on the roles prescribed to women by society — specifically, the roles of wifehood and motherhood, and how the two are expected to be intrinsically linked. Alice Hale is a modern career woman who finds herself suddenly unemployed and living in the suburbs with her husband, who wants nothing more than to have a child. In her dilapidated new home, Alice uncovers the past life of Nellie Murdoch, the 1950s housewife who previously owned the home. Nellie is so much more than meets the eye. In Nellie’s world, she is living two lives — the picture-perfect life of a wealthy man’s housewife and the gritty life of a woman trapped within her circumstances.

In spite of the 60-year gap in their stories, Karma Brown effortlessly seams together Alice and Nellie’s stories. The two women might be separated by time, but the connection through their Greenville house — and garden — is strong enough to link them together. Their circumstances are eerily similar and the parallels in their lives draw attention to the fact that while women’s lives have changed dramatically, there are still many ways in which social change has remained stagnant.

Karma Brown made the effective decision to include excerpts from various guidebooks geared towards the 1950s housewife from the early to mid 20th century. Each chapter is prefaced by one of these blurbs, in which ‘professionals’ advise women on ways to please their husbands. On the whole, these passages are full of unrealistic expectations of women and flat-out misogyny. They are written proof of how women were — and continue to be — viewed as inferior to men. Women were told to belittle themselves, to act or simply be less intelligent than their husbands, to keep their opinions to themselves, and to stifle their emotions — all for the sake of keeping their husbands content and their self-confidence high. Gross. Kudos to Karma Brown for thinking to include these eye-opening passages!

Unfortunately, when it comes to dual narratives, one story is typically weaker than the other. In this case, I personally found that Alice’s story was less enjoyable than Nellie’s. Nellie’s story was both heartbreaking and inspirational. I did not envy her life at all. My heart hurts when I hear stories about women in the 1950s — women who were forced to adhere to outrageous expectations and who were treated like objects. Outwardly, Nellie Murdoch was the ideal ‘50s housewife; she was nurturing, she cooked perfect meals, and she tended to her husbands’ needs. In her early twenties, she was primarily concerned with becoming pregnant and cooking the Baked Alaska. But underneath the facade, she knew that she had untouched potential that was being wasted by being Mrs Richard Murdoch.

Throughout the novel, as Alice uncovers Nellie’s old belongings, she starts to adopt a 1950s style — in more ways than one. She becomes obsessed with cooking meals straight out of the decade, she starts to dress in the old fashion, and she even uses Nellie’s old mother-of-pearl cigarette holder. I think Karma Brown chose to show this dramatic change for two reasons. First, to show that Alice felt a connection to Nellie, for all the reasons already mentioned. When things in her life were rocky, she felt like Nellie was her rock — Nellie was someone who was there for her, in spirit. But second, I think that Karma Brown showed this makeover — and others’ reactions to it — to show how people often romanticize the 1950s. All in all, the response to her makeover is positive. But it reveals an underlying expectation that women should want to be like the ideal ‘50s housewife. At least, that’s what I understood the theme of the story to mean!

Obviously, my blog is spoiler-free and always will be, but… wow! That ending! I did not see that coming. The plot twist in this novel is the type that makes you say “what?!” out loud and then you have to finish the rest of the book in one sitting. I was completely enthralled by this ending. I feel like I had so many questions at the end of this book. But not in a bad way! The ends were tied up nicely, but there was still just so much more I wanted to know about these two fascinating women.

I really did enjoy this book. While I found the first half was quite slow, the ending more than made up for that in my opinion. From a feminist lens, Nellie’s story was the perfect analysis of women’s struggles in the mid-20th century, but I found that Alice’s story was a bit complicated… And maybe not always in the best way. I didn’t often agree with her decisions or her motives, but by the end, I think I came to understand her a bit more. I’d recommend Recipe for a Perfect Wife to readers looking for a bad-ass feminist novel.

Such a suspenseful, atmospheric read! This little gem has two points of view - following Alice, current day, a newlywed recently transplanted to the suburbs from New York City recently unemployed; and Nellie, in the 1950’s, a homemaker and wife of a businessman who owns a local gum factory. The story seamlessly flips back and forth between the two women, each living in the same house 60 some years apart.

Between each change of viewpoint are historical quotes about the role of wives, from the 1890’s and beyond. I loved the author's choice to include these - they were alternatively funny and horrifying, depicting the patriarchal powers at play in domestic relationships and American society throughout the years.

The story is much darker than was expected. It’s a bit twisted, lots of triggers (FYI domestic violence, rape, miscarriage, suicide), and heavy themes explored. I thought it was great - a bit mysterious, a bit creepy, intriguing with out gore. Even though I predicted the ending to Nellie’s storyline fairly early on, there was enough collateral story to keep my interest.

My main criticism is that present-day Alice was an unlikeable character, who made many decisions that were difficult to understand. The ending to her portion of the story was unsatisfactory for me. The book showcased some incredibly strong characters, women who pushed the boundaries of societal expectations and found ways to be themselves despite the norms and rules laid out by men. However, I wasn’t as engaged with Alice’s character.

Overall, Recipe for a Perfect Wife is a fun, dramatic read that can be devoured in a couple of sittings. 4⭐️!

Thank you Penguin Randomhouse Canada and Netgalley for access to this free e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

What I loved most about this book was the parallel lives of Nellie in the past and Alice in the current, the lives that they led are very similar, and the fact that they each took a stand against their husbands in how they wanted to live their lives.

However for me I really disliked the way Alice went about it, she is almost a bully towards her husband and treats him like dirt and keeps secrets from him, what kind of marriage is that really if that's the way he makes her feel or the way she feels.

This book was a slow dry start, but hold out for the end of the book, it makes the read well worth it.

3.5 STARS (rounded to 4)

This was a quick read for me, and I was initially drawn to the book because:
• A) it's written by Karma Brown (I do so adore a Canadian author, eh!)
• B) I love me a dual narrative
• C) it focused on the roles of wives in the past and present

People who enjoy reading about different eras will get a kick out of the interesting, to downright shocking, 'advice' to married women that greet readers at the beginning of each chapter. Brown also shares several old-fashioned 1950's recipes but, thankfully, the odd and unappetizing 1950's culinary 'creations' (i.e. tuna + Jell-O concoctions and the like) were only mentioned, not shared. Thank heaven for small mercies.


Using two narratives, Brown gives glimpses into the issues, limitations and expectations put upon women in the 1950's and in current day. As with many dual narratives, I tended to veer towards one more strongly. In this case, I found Nellie's 1950's POV more engaging - not surprising since it's often more interesting to read about a different era than our own. But Alice was a different story. I was unsympathetic to many of her struggles and especially her selfish behaviours and felt she didn't feel as developed as Nellie's character. And, in all honesty, I didn't love the end - it was predictable and unfortunately not nearly as satisfying as I had hoped.

After deliberating over my review, I've concluded that while I loved the premise and Brown's nod to the nostalgia of eras and women past, I liked but didn't quite love this story. That said, I believe this title will garner fantastic book club discussion, particularly in clubs that have readers from differing eras and genders.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Viking Books for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

Alice Hale is leaving behind her life in Manhattan for a more suburban life with her husband Nate. She has plans to write a novel and while looking for inspiration she comes across some items stacked in boxes from her new house’s previous owner. Upon inspection she finds a vintage cookbook, she becomes captivated by the homes previous owner - a 1950’s housewife named Nellie Murdoch.

As Alice makes her way through the cookbook she finds clues that Nellie left about her life. Which was not nearly as happy as she made it seem. Alice begins to uncover some sinister secrets within Nellie’s marriage, and she has come increasingly unhappy with the pressures in her own relationship. She begins to take control of her life and protect a few secrets of her own.

I am a huge fan of Karma Brown and I love her writing style. I loved the dual-narrative way of this book. I found myself engrossed in both lives and needed to know what was going to happen next. I would definitely recommend this one. I read mostly thrillers and true crime and I find it’s nice to read more of a drama from time to time. This one hit the spot!

RECIPE FOR A PERFECT WIFE by Karma Brown
This is a very different story for Karma Brown readers. The weaving of the past to present with recipes made it to be a chewy read. Because of the rich details, do take your time sinking your teeth into this book.
5 stars.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Recipe for a Perfect Wife is a dual narrative novel where a modern woman finds inspiration from a 1950s housewife in the form of a cookbook and handwritten notes.

Alice Hale has left not only her career in publicity, but the city she loves, and finds herself in the suburbs attempting to write a novel. In the basement of her fixer upper century home, she uncovers a well-loved cookbook and within its pages, there are notations and handwritten letters. She comes to learn that they are written by the previous home owner, Nellie Murdoch, to her mother.

Feeling inspired, and an affinity towards Nellie, Alice starts cooking from her recipes and wearing vintage clothing. As she experiments with the tried-and-true recipes, she uncovers a dangerous side to Nellie's marriage and comes to the realization that she too is unhappy with the pressures that are also in her relationship. Alice begins to take control of her life and like Nellie, arms herself with some secrets of her own.

I adore Karma's writing and did this book deliver. Both storylines are equally well-written and engaging—I found myself completely immersed in the narratives and didn't favour one over the other. The women are highly developed and complex, yet there is an intimacy that the reader will feel with them. Alice and Nellie have tremendous depth and incredible strength.

The dual narrative was the perfect vehicle to tell this story. Each chapter begins with (often shocking) marital advice and alternates between Nellie's narrative, and Alice learning about Nellie's past which she uses to frame her own marriage.

What I most appreciated was Brown tackling some weighty and timely topics, keeping the spotlight on the issues that many women face and can relate to: white male privilege, inequality, misogyny, abuse, and reproductive rights. It is a comment on how women are confined by the limited number of choices they have in order to conform with what is expected of them. Many women are completely stifled in their lives, and lose a sense of who they are after becoming wives and/or mothers.

True to her style, the ending is not wrapped up with a bow and presented to the reader. Instead, there is a satisfying conclusion, leaving her audience with some sense of closure, but also left pondering. As such, this would make a fantastic book club choice.

Congratulations, Karma! This is a truly remarkable book

This book started out excellent for me but after a while it fizzled and fell a bit flat. I think part of the problem is that I didn’t like the main character, Alice. I’ve read other books by this author and have loved them so I will definitely read more of her books. It kept me reading and was enjoyable but didn’t move me. Thank you to Netgalley for proving me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up. Honestly I have mixed feelings on this book. I read it in one day but I just didn’t love it and the ending was so infuriating. I’d love to pick the authors mind to figure out what message she was trying to portray in this book because at first I thought it was about the progression of feminism in a marriage but then it ended up feeling like she was bashing house wives and what they do, basically insinuating that it causes marriages to fail. It was hard to root for Alice as she was infuriating with the decisions she made in her marriage but I loved Nella and was so proud of the strong woman she became through the abuse in her marriage. Overall I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it and because I read it in one sitting I gave it the 3.5 rating.

Triggers of infant loss and abuse

I have read a few of Karma's books and they are often tear jerkers but her new book is more domestic noir. The parallel stories of two married women who live in the same house decades apart (the 1950's and today) examines what it means to be a wife, a working woman and an individual with needs and desired that are wholly her own. The characters in this novel are all fairly unlikable but it gave the book a sense of reality that one often doesn't see in "women's fiction". I couldn't put it down but I am still not sure if I liked it or not.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This was a good novel, albeit mostly mindless and leisurely. I enjoy novels that flash between past and present - and this author did a great job of the flashbacks and tying the two plots together. The elements of adding in recipes to each chapter to set the scene was creative and engaging!

Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown is a compelling and thought-provoking read from an author who has become a fast favourite of mine. When you pick up a Karma Brown novel, you know that you are in for a literary treat, and this one proves to be no exception.

In 2018 we meet Alice, who has left her career in the city to move to the suburbs with her husband, Nate. Alice has a vague notion of writing a novel, while Nate pushes for them to start a family. While sorting through the new house, Alice stumbles across some magazines and cookbooks left behind by the previous owner, and thus opens a portal to the story of Nellie, a housewife who occupied the home in the 1950s.

Told from the alternating perspectives of Alice and Nellie, each woman's story serves to illuminate the fact that while feminism has made tremendous strides in advancing the opportunities and options available to women, many of the challenges and frustrations presented by marriage remain timeless and unchanged. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of quotations pertaining to what constituted a 'good' wife in the early part of the 1900s. As difficult to fathom and laughable as they are now, that mindset was indeed the reality for many of our foremothers.

This is a charming, highly readable story that will have you pondering the evolvement of a 'woman's place' through the decades.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC.