THE WIFE UPSTAIRS by Rachel Hawkins is an awesome thriller!! I was hooked right away from the first few chapters. We follow Jane who meets recently widowed Eddie and we begin find out what really happened to his wife Bea. I loved the fast pace of this book and the switch between points of view. There were some good twists and turns and I was really enthralled reading all the way through. I’d definitely recommend this one to any thriller lover!

If you've read my reviews for awhile now you will know that I'm not a fan of multiple point-of-views in books. This one did not disappoint! It's a modern-day retelling of Jane Eyre, and I have to admit I loved this one even more! HIGHLY recommend this thriller. You can read this thing in one sitting it's that good!

Jane Bell is a dog walker. She had been a barista, but one of the wealthier women she served coffee to noticed that Jane had a way with her dog, so she hired her as a dog walker. Then one of her rich friends hired Jane too. And then another. So now she spends her days walking dogs through a wealthy enclave in Birmingham, Alabama, wondering what happens behind those closed doors.

And then, one day, while Jane is standing in the street admiring her favorite house on the block, a car comes speeding out the garage and almost runs her over.

The driver, Eddie Rochester, apologizes profusely, and even invites her in for coffee, to make sure she’s okay. Jane is just as taken with the inside of the house, and with Eddie himself, and she starts making plans to run into him again.

Eddie is a widower. His wife, Bea, and her best friend Blanche (who had also lived in that same enclave) had both gone missing after a boating accident. There had been alcohol, and it had been dark, and the lake where they’d taken the boat was deep. The women’s bodies were never found, but they were assumed to be dead. And now Eddie was a wealthy widower, running both his successful contracting business and Bea’s ultra popular lifestyle company Southern Manors.

And Jane really didn’t want to be walking dogs anymore. She doesn’t want to live in the crappy bedroom she rents from an old friend. She doesn’t want to feel like she’s running from her foster kid childhood anymore. She wants to find somewhere she can be loved, she can fit in, she can call home. And if that place is in Eddie’s beautiful house, then so much the better.

Weeks go by, and then months, and Jane finds herself living in Eddie’s house, using his credit card to buy new clothes, building friendships with the women whose dogs she used to walk. She gets her hair done, she gets her nails done, and she is hardly recognizable anymore to those who knew her before.

But the more she learns about the boat accident, the less things add up. Eddie clearly has some secrets, but is it really possible that he had killed his wife and her best friend? Or was something else going on, something even more sinister than Jane could have ever predicted?

The Wife Upstairs is a crazy, twisted take on Jane Eyre. Filled with plot twists coming from every angle, this thriller may have its roots in a gothic classic, but the modern additions turns this suspenseful novel into a must-read. Author Rachel Hawkins has truly taken this story to new heights.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Wife Upstairs. Knowing the novel it’s based on, I knew some of what was coming, but there were so many layers in this story, so much happening with each of these characters, that I was never bored with this version. The secrets pile up, twisting themselves into knots that you have to slowly unravel as you figure out what is truth and what is deception. I recommend this one to all thriller fans.

Egalleys for The Wife Upstairs were provided by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley, with many thanks.

THIS is the thriller of the year! I mean, it's early in the year so that's a pretty bold statement to make but WOW - this has serious potential to take that crown over the next 361 days. While i haven't read the original Jane Eyre, I can't compare this one to that, but now I am very intrigued to read it because this book was amazing.

Jane is a broke dog-walker, looking for her next rent payment. Eddie is the handsome man in the beautiful house at the end of the estate she walks dogs in. Jane's real name isn't Jane. Eddie's wife and best friend were allegedly killed at their lakehouse. Eddie is perfect in Jane's eyes, and Jane is perfect for Eddie. But how many secrets can you keep in one relationship?

This book. I seriously can't even think of the right words to express how much I loved it. I'm so sick of stale thrillers that all end the same and I was worried for a brief minute that would happen here, but boy was I wrong. None of the characters in this book were all that likeable, but it worked to everyone's advantage here. I had no idea what was happening throughout most of the novel and I certainly did not see the ending coming. I still don't even know what happened! Well, I do, but DO I? I loved having the different POV's, it made me feel even more confused about where the story was heading. Eddie's POV in the end few chapters was priceless, it was the perfect insight to what was going on. Bravo, Rachel Hawkins, for already being a top contender for 2021.

You know those juicy, wickedly fun kinds of thrillers? My friend @crimebythebook calls them popcorn thrillers and it’s such a fitting description for this one.

This follows Jane who moves from AZ to AL for a fresh start. She starts walking dogs in an affluent neighborhood and one of her clients is Eddie, a recent widow. His wife, Bea and her best friend drowned in a boating accident and Jane sees an opportunity that’s too good to pass up when Eddie takes an romantic interest in her. Pretty much everyone in this one has a secretive and shady past, information about Jane’s life before moving to AL is slowly revealed and this one had tons of good secrets, twists and turns. I’ve binge read a print book plenty of times but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a book in so few sittings before, there was something so compelling about this story and I was dying to find out how it would all end. A few surprises for me for sure, and a few predictable moments but overall a super fun thriller and definitely go the audio route, the narration was great!

3.5 Stars
Jane is a woman scraping by in life, hungry for more and not afraid to take advantage of others to get it. Being raised in the foster system, she’s had to become a bit ruthless to get by. Jane finds a seemingly perfect way into the charmed life she longs for in Eddie Rochester. He’s recently lost his wife, Bea, in what’s reported as a boating accident, but the circumstances are questionable at best. Eddie seems sad and lonely, a sort of kindred spirit to Jane. With all her mercenary qualities, Jane is a lonely woman, who’s never fit in or felt wanted.

Most of the characters, like the rich housewives in Thornfield Estates and John Rivers, Jane’s foster acquaintance, are unlikeable. Even Jane isn’t especially sympathetic, especially since instead of trying to get ahead by improving herself, she uses and manipulates others. Very different from the original Jane Eyre who through hard work and a strong character became an accomplished woman, able to provide for herself. I think that, along with the “romance” were the biggest disappointments to me. But I think that’s on me because I love the original Jane Eyre so much, I have certain expectations whenever I pick up a retelling. I was rooting for Jane here and did feel sorry for her, because she was dealt a bad hand in life, but so was the original Jane. I’m not sure how I feel about how it all turned out, but I do think it was a sort-of-happy-ending, all things considered.

The Wife Upstairs is a compelling, twisty mystery/thriller that kept me turning the pages to find out how it’d all turn out. Being a retelling some of the story is expected, but it doesn’t follow the original Jane Eyre closely at all. What you think is happening may not be the case and I was surprised in one respect at the end. I think fans of writing like Lisa Jewel or Ruth Ware will definitely enjoy the story, it’s a mystery that keeps you guessing and on edge.

I alternately listened and read the story. Emily Shaffer and Lauren Fortgang fit Jane and Bea’s voices well. I’ve listened to Kirby Heyborne in the past and like the way his voice projects a “good guy” vibe. Was Eddie Rochester a “good guy”? Well, I guess you’d have to read the book to find out, lol. I listened at 1.3x.

Oh. My. Goodness. Truth? What is the truth? And where does it end? Or better yet, where does it start? I didn’t want to put the book down, but I wouldn’t sleep if I didn’t. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for a review.

A hilariously unique and thrilling re-telling of Jane Eyre! I really enjoyed this; it was funny and familiar, while also suspenseful and scary. Even though I could recall Jane Eyre, it was still it’s own story and wasn’t SO similar that it wasn’t enjoyable; and certainly, you wouldn’t have to have read Jane Eyre to enjoy this one! Brilliantly written and perfectly crafted, this should be on everyone’s TBR!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was one crazy, messed up thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Things are definitely not what they appear to be and there are lots of twists and turns in the story that will keep you hanging on until the very last page. The characters are developed perfectly even though they are very unlikable but this is a well worth read.

Happy Publication Day!

I buddy read this book with 10 lovely ladies and none of us could put this book down! I even broke my own rules and finished it early 😱!

While this cover may be beautiful ( scroll to see second picture) I had to reveal this book’s true self with a picture as ominous as it’s plot is. ( See Bookstagram post.)

“It’s deep out there, you know. The deepest lake in Alabama...With a whole forest under the water.”

Meet Jane, a dog-walker for residents that live at the Thornfield Estates subdivision, i.e. the land of the rich where what matters most is appearance. Your home, your garden, your clothing, your friends, your job, your kids and even your pets must all impress. Here, money is a sign of respect.

“...NEED is not a word people like this think of. Everything with them is WANT.”

But Jane is not at all innocent, for thats not even her real name and she must convince herself on the regular not to steal, not to lie, not to manipulate. That’s what growing up with a childhood like hers does to a person. However, everyone in this story has a past.

So when Jane meets Eddie Rochester she thinks that maybe-just-maybe she snagged a good one. He’s got the looks, the house, the money, the car, and most importantly the hots for her. He’s recently widowed for a reason, but she’ll take her chances because Jane’s looking for a new life to lock down. The real question is—who has more to lose?

“I was looking for something new. I was. Because I was running from something old.

What really happened to Eddie’s wife? Why did he burn all of their pictures together but one that stands in a frame upstairs peering out like a ghost? Why did he fight so hard to declare her dead when no body was ever found? Eddie has secrets,; Jane’s using him anyway. But if that’s true, why can’t she stop comparing herself to Eddie’s ex-wife Bea?

“...I had one thing over her. I was still alive.”

“...Because once he’s decided he wants you, it’s the only way he knows how to behave.”

“...she was the most dangerous thing in any room.”

A twisty thriller with an ending that will make you long for a sequel.

4 ⭐️

This was not a 5 ⭐️ read for me because I did find it a bit predictable. I also really wanted an epilogue or an answer on the whereabouts of certain characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, St.Martin’s Press & Rachel Hawkins for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

I never read Jayne Eyre, so I didn’t know this was a modern day version of this classic book. Now I must!

Set in an exclusive community Thornfield Estates, dog walker Jane falls in love with newly widowed Eddie. Eddie’s wife Bea and best friend Blanche go missing while at Bea’s lake house and presumed dead from drowning . Jane really tries to fit in with the other women in the community, but they are constantly comparing her to Bea. When the police come to the house and say they have found Blanche’s body and now is a murder investigation, Jane becomes suspicious.

I literally could not put this book down. The amount of secrets and twists and suspense. Very well paced and well written.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

It took me a while to get into this one, but truthfully, I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately. I’m having trouble focusing my attention long enough to want to read it.

I enjoyed the writing style and storyline but wasn’t wowed by it. I didn’t like the characters as much as I had hoped to. I’m hoping to pick it up again and reread when life isn’t so crazy. Thank you for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Wife Upstairs is very cleverly written. It’s about successful Bea and her husband, Eddie. Eddie has Bea locked away in the safe room of their home. But what is going on?

With Bea missing, Jane, the dog walker, snags Eddie. Not knowing about Bea up there in the safe room, Jane moves in with Eddie.

Also in the story are Blanche and her husband, Tripp. Did Eddie and Blanche have an affair? Did Bea have an affair with Tripp? So many questions. So many great answers. There are creative surprises and twists sprinkled throughout The Wife Upstairs.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It’s a fun read. I enjoyed it immensely.

Thanks to Netgalley for an copy of THE WIFE UPSTAIRS by Rachel Hawkins for a honest review. I loved this book it kind of reminded me of Behind Closed Doors and Gone Girl. Great thriller. Want more by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC, which I received in exchange for my honest review. The Wife Upstairs is a modern day reimagining of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Author Rebecca Hawkins has chosen to set her retelling of the literary classic in the deep South. The story unfolds via multiple points of view but no worries readers, the author does a fantastic job of labeling the chapters so it is easy to keep track of the various characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced thriller which reminded me of the old adage, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

If you are looking for a dark and twisty tale that will keep you up well into the night, look no further than The Wife Upstairs.

I loved that this was a reimagined Jane Eyre but that also made this somewhat predictable. It definitely had a modern Jane Eyre feel and it made me want to reread the classic.

Our little klepto main character Jane and her very calculated way she went about getting her way made her an unlikable person for me. I actually didn't like any of the characters except for Bea and when the only character you like is the villian that says something.
Bea was very well written and I loved that difference between this and Jane Eyre where we actually got to see the mind of the antagonist. The relationships between all the characters felt very forced to me as well where Jane Eyre's characters felt more real and fleshed out.

The ending was a smidge different than Jane Eyre but it was a tad anti-climatic for me. I wish we had gotten one last Bea or Eddie character at the end. I understand the author left it that way to create an open to interpretation for the reader.

If you havent read the classic then you will be surprised by the ending. I do recommend it to others who loved Jane Eyre because it definitely delivers on that front. The plot progressed well and each twist or turn was spot on the mark.

Oh my, what can I say but I loved this book. This book follows Jane, a dog walker in an upscale neighborhood. Jane meets Eddie one day while walking a dog and is determined to make him fall in love with her so she can have the life she thinks she needs to escape. However, Eddie is a widow, as if wife has gone missing and has yet to be found. With twists and turns along the way, this thriller will keep you reading until the very end.

After a life in foster care in various places, the last in Arizona, Jane has started afresh in Birmingham, Alabama, where she ends up walking dogs in the most expensive and exclusive suburb of the city (indeed, the state). The sheer waste of money on all the accoutrements of the wealthy lifestyle boggles her mind and makes her a bit angry, since she has almost nothing to her name. So she takes little things from the houses of the people for whom she works, things they’ll never miss, and bides her time.

One day on a walk, she meets Eddie Rochester, a handsome but fairly new resident of Thornfield Estates, whose wife drowned in a boating incident with her best friend months before. They fall for each other, and she moves into his house, where he provides her with all the things she’s never had. She should feel secure, but there’s an incident from her past that she fears will catch up to her — and even as she ever so slowly starts to make herself fit in with the women in the neighborhood, Jane feels she can’t quite escape the shadow of Eddie’s late wife, Bea. Bea was beautiful and accomplished: the founder of a popular Southern lifestyle company whose products all the women in her social circle own. But as time goes on, Jane starts to suspect that Eddie isn’t as perfect as he may seem — he may even be dangerous. What actually happened the night Bea went missing? Her body was never found. And Bea may not have been quite who people thought she was, either.

The Wife Upstairs is a gripping thriller that loosely reimagines Jane Eyre in modern times in the South. It’s a great locale for the story, taking advantage of the wealth of that exclusive area and the kind of cliquishness and gossiping exhibited in those kinds of circles. I lived within a few miles of Mountain Brook myself and it was fun to be able to picture the spots mentioned in the story and see it all so well in my mind. Knowing all that and how the culture there is, I can definitely say it worked and rings true. The book held my attention so well I devoured it in one sitting. I’d highly recommend it if it weren’t for the “wealth” of profanity in its pages. That could easily have been trimmed down a lot without losing any of the story’s impact or meaning.

A special thank you to Libro.fm and Macmillan Audio for an audiobook listening copy, and NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wife Upstairs is a modern and bold retelling of Jane Eyre that was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. This gothic psychological thriller is completely hypnotic—it's a fresh and feminist reimagining that captivate its reader. Hawkins is a master and I highly recommend this wicked love triangle story.

Full of twists and turns, secrets and surprises, you will be hooked from the first page.

Billed as a retelling/reimagining of either Rebecca or Jane Eyre (depending on where you read/look) I admit that I can't compare because I've never read either of those two books. I do have a very basic knowledge of them but not enough to draw and comparisons.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. It was fast paced and very well written but for me it was not only a bit BLAH, it was also too kitchen sink. The lukewarm characters and ending (which wasn't a twist at all, at least for me) didn't help.

While there wasn't anything wrong with the book per se, I didn't think there was anything extraordinary(other than being well written).

(Closer to 3.5 Stars bit I round up)