4.5 stars

My oh my... what a ride this was. I was totally and deliciously engrossed. I must applaud the author for the unusual composition of this mystery/thriller/romantic suspense., psychological suspense, yes all-in-one.

None of the characters are exactly likable, but it really doesn’t matter in this case. First let me state that if profanity offends you, this may not be for you. All the characters use f-bombs (and more) very cavalierly, even the so-called refined rich neighborhood ladies. It seems to be the only way they can describe any thing or emotion.

The first one we meet is the main character, called Jane, a dog walker in a tony upscale neighborhood, who steals from her clients. Just lifts whatever little gem catches her eye. She has a back story of course, one of poverty, abuse and a pitiable life in foster care. She catches the eye of a good looking man who recently lost his wife. Jane is supposed to be a plain Jane, not a hottie that anyone has ever looked at twice. She is astounded that her attraction to Eddie, who’s not only hot, but rich too, seems reciprocated. It is assumed that his wife and her best friend drowned in a lake on a girls night out that went wrong.

The novel is constructed so that the reader gets a backstory from each of the main characters, and there are a few, Jane, Eddie, Eddie’s wife Bea, her best friend Blanche, and Blanche’s husband Tripp. We get to read what each one of them thinks is happening here. Pretty soon, the reader is wondering what really is happening here. When you think you have it figured out it takes another turn in the road. Nevertheless it is quite entertaining and one not easily forgotten.
Definitely recommend to fans of psychological suspense or women’s fiction as well. Pick up your copy January 5, 2021 at your favorite retailer. Don’t miss it.

I received a pre-release copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress, and author #RachelHawkins for the opportunity.

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins has plenty to offer for those familiar with Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. What you might not realize is that it also has vibes from Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca. Given that I continually list both classics among my top five all-time favorite books I have ever read, you can bet I enjoyed every minute of Ms. Hawkins' story.

Ms. Hawkins does a fantastic job with her Jane Eyre retelling. She does not just modernize the story, but she has fun playing with the characters and settings. All of the characters in the original do make an appearance in The Wife Upstairs but not as you might expect. I loved seeing how Ms. Hawkins changed the characters and settings and made them her own.

At the same time, because Jane knows about Eddie's first marriage, as well as the constant state of comparison in which Jane finds herself, strongly reminds me of Rebecca. Bea was gorgeous, successful, beloved, wealthy. Jane is not. Jane moves into Eddie and Bea's house and does little to make any changes to the house to make it her own. At one point in time, Jane even finds herself mimicking Bea's style of dress and accessories. While there is no spooky and sinister housekeeper to undermine Jane's decisions, Bea's influence in her social sphere, now Jane's, that it is as if Bea haunts Jane all the same.

Jane is a great character. She is not the meek Jane from Charlotte's story. Instead, she has tremendous street smarts and is particularly people-savvy. This makes her assessment of the country club set in which she now finds herself particularly entertaining and biting. All this to say that she enters into a relationship with Eddie Rochester with eyes wide open. Plus, she does so with her own agenda. After all, after a childhood in the foster system, it makes sense that a comfortable life filled with love is more than a little enticing.

For those unfamiliar with either story, take heart. You don't need to know Jane Eyre's story to enjoy The Wife Upstairs because at its heart it is also an exciting Southern thriller. The ending is anything but the foregone conclusion I expected it to be. Instead, I found myself guessing incorrectly at every turn, which is my personal hallmark of a great mystery. Plus, Ms. Hawkins slowly and steadily increases the tension, much like the proverbial frog in a pot. By the time you realize the danger Jane faces, your pulse is already racing and you are fully committed to the story.

The Wife Upstairs is a fantastic book to start the year. Fans of the Brontë classic will enjoy the reimagined version of the story Ms. Hawkins has to tell, and fans of Southern suspense will enjoy the atmospheric mystery surrounding Bea's death. Ms. Hawkins shows once again that she knows how to write compelling characters and entertaining stories.

Even though I read this book in December, I’ve been waiting to review it until now so I could “officially” (what does that even mean, I make the rules here) put it on my “best of 2021” contenders list. I’m so excited that everyone will be able to read this starting Tuesday.

I read this in about 2 sittings. It’s such a fun, light read, with deliciously dubious characters all around. Though it’s loosely a retelling of Jane Eyre, I don’t think you’d need to be familiar with the original to like this book. In the first chapter, we learn that our heroine, Not-her-real-name-Jane, has just started dogwalking in a high society community in Birmingham. And also stealing stuff from the clients. This Jane is a grifter, running from a checkered past. Is she playing Eddie Rochester so she can marry rich? Or is he playing her after killing his last wife?

TONS of irreverent Southern-luxe fun, and a must for any adults that enjoyed Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ Debutantes series or Rachel Hawkins’ #SexyHistory threads on Twitter.

Hawkins’ modern retelling of Jane Eyre in some ways invokes memories of Du Maurier’s Rebecca. In reality, The Wife Upstairs is a disjointed hodge-podge of events that do not fit together or come to any plausible or satisfying resolution. The significant plot holes—the circumstances behind Jane’s flight from Arizona, the mechanics of keeping a “wife upstairs,” the supposedly imitated reproductions associated with Bea’s business and its possible repercussions, the timelines, i.e. the will and Edward’s seemingly rushed decision to invite Jane to move in, and perhaps most importantly, tracking the finances associated with the book’s resolution—make this book seem more like a fantasy, rather than a story that could possibly occur in reality.

Another of the book’s flaws is its lack of communication. None of the characters speak to each other. The reader is not given the opportunity to see the characters’ relationships develop over time. There’s little emotional interaction or development, as the reader meanders through this series of events. There’s also no real moment of confrontation. The reader sees events as they happen, but it’s rather difficult to discern the why. This is not a story for introspection. Attempting a closer examination of these events sheds light on all of the plot’s failings, leaving the reader with a feeling of potential dissatisfaction with the whole.

I am a big fan of Jane Eyre so was excited about this new modern retelling of the classic gothic novel as a thriller. Jane works as a dog walker in a ritzy Birmingham, Alabama gated community. Only her real name isn't Jane, she changed her name to escape something in her past. One day while walking the dogs, Jane meets the handsome widower Eddie Rochester. He gets a dog so that she can start walking it (oh, what a move. :p) and they strike up a relationship. Jane learns more about Eddie's wife, Bea, who was in an boating accident and is now missing and presumed dead. Bea's best friend also perished in the same accident. Jane is broke but goes after what she wants, wiggling her way into Eddie's life. She molds herself as an innocent young woman but is really planning how she wants things to go and how to fit into this neighborhood.

The story alternates between Jane's perspective and diary entries written by Bea. As we learn more about Jane, we also learn about Bea and what really happened. Jane is fascinated by the mystery and enigma of Bea and wants to learn more. At the same time, she doesn't want to push Eddie into thinking too much of his lost wife. This retelling had more of a feminist angle than the original and it felt modern and fresh. Jane and Bea are both women who go after what they want in life and don't stick to a submissive role.

I listened to this on audio and liked the different styles of narration between the different character perspectives. It was well done and worth a listen.

I really enjoyed The Wife Upstairs! At fIrst, I thought it was going to be a cliche, run of the mill domestic thriller, but I got so much more. I didn't expect any of the events that happened the last quarter of the book. The characters were interesting and the setting delightfully southern. I would definitely recommend.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins. It was just the kind of fast-paced, page-turner I needed to get me out of a reading slump. Plus, as a resident of the southern US, it's always fun when books take place "nearby".

The Wife Upstairs is a compulsively readable mystery set in a wealthy suburb of Birmingham AL loosely based on Jane Eyre. Jane is a woman in her early 20s with a mysterious past that is employed as a dog walker. While working, she meets Eddie Rochester, an older neighbor whose wife and her best friend have died in an accident six months before. They begin a relationship, but there is uncertainty surrounding Eddie's and Jane's pasts. We learn more about Jane, Eddie, and the wife and friend who disappeared, propelling the mystery. The novel is well plotted and evenly paced with the right amount of action. I listened to the audiobook, which was exceptionally narrated. The characters sound as I imagined and southern accents seemed accurate and enjoyable. Overall, The Wife Upstairs is a fun and intriguing mystery!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

The blurb for this book was very intriguing and I couldn't wait to dive in and get lost in the pages. I did dive in, but I can't say I really got that immersed in the pages or connected with the characters.

I've seen other people say this is a modern day Jane Eyre set in Alabama and it did feel like that. There's twists and turns which is fantastic, there's multiple POV's which I also love, and gossiping neighbors spreading rumors galore. What really happened to Bea and her best friend? Were any of my guesses going to be correct? I couldn't wait to find out.

Perhaps my disconnect was because I really didn't like any of the characters, but that's no fault of the authors because she does write a most interesting and entertaining story!!

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This book was intriguing. The storyline was unique. The characters are mysterious and have a lot to hide.
Overall, the book was good.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

What a way to kick off the New Year!!! Read this book and you will see why!! Very suspenseful and a fabulous thriller!!

**4.5-stars**

Channeling the naturally gothic atmosphere of the American South, The Wife Upstairs puts a decidedly modern twist on a beloved classic.

Jane Bell is new to Alabama. Living on the outskirts of the posh neighborhood of Thornfield Estates, Jane originally works in a coffee shop, but then takes up dog-walking for the wealthy families within Thornfield. She begins to learns the ins-and-outs of their lifestyle, envying and occasionally taking a little something for herself.

Jane is especially interested in the largest and most opulent property of all, imagining what it would be like to live there. Once she meets the homeowner, a handsome young Widower, Eddie Rochester, things begin to change quite quickly for Jane. As she and Eddie start a relationship, Jane can't help but be curious about his late-wife, Bea, whose presence is still very much felt in his life.

The more she learns about Bea, the more she wonders what Eddie sees in her?

When questions begin to arise about Bea's death, Jane becomes even more suspicious of the man she believes she is falling in love with.

Full of small town gossip and drama, this story was a cleverly-plotted, modern-interpretation of Jane Eyre. While I have never read Jane Eyre, after this, I really want to! I really enjoyed how Hawkins gave us alternating perspectives between present-time, Jane, and past-Bea. The evolution of the story was very nicely done. These perspective shifts also made the reveals fun and fast-paced.

Even though most of us know the basic outline of this story, I enjoyed where Hawkins took it. In particular, I enjoyed how morally grey, Jane was. She's not a helpless Ingenue looking for a savior. She is clearly a girl who can take care of herself. I loved that. If you are in the mood for a fast, super-fun domestic suspense novel, look no further. Pick this book up and enjoy the show!

Thank you so much to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for providing me with copy of this to read and review. I appreciate it so much and look forward to Hawkins writing more in the Adult space!

Husband and wife Bea and Eddie Rochester seem to have an ideal marriage, living an opulent life that makes them the envy of their neighbors. But when Bea disappears after a boating accident, everything changes. As Eddie begins a life without Bea, he meets Jane, a young woman from the opposite side of the tracks. When their relationship grows serious, unanswered questions about Bea's accident surface. What really happened that fateful evening?

The Wife Upstairs is an unputdownable, suspenseful tale with manipulative characters who each have deep, dark secrets. Surprising twists and turns propel the plot from beginning to breathtaking end.

Entertaining update of Jane Eyre. Great interpretation of the classic into a modern setting. While you think you know the story you’ve never imagined it like this.

The Wife Upstairs is the perfect book to kick off 2021. It has all of the elements of a good thriller, and it kept me guessing the whole time. Each of the characters are pretty unlikeable but as their secrets are revealed you can appreciate their actions. This was a quick read and highly recommend it!

Thank you to Rachel Hawkins, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jane is running from a past she never wants to face again. She ends up in Birmingham, Alabama, where she becomes a dog walker for several wealthy families in a prestigious neighborhood. During work one day, she meets Eddie Rochester, and she immediately becomes captivated with him and his life. She wants what he has, and she is determined to get close and learn everything about him. But Eddie also has a past, and his wife has been missing for months after going on a trip with one of her closest friends. He claims to not know anything, but everyone has secrets, even Jane. Is there more to the story than she is aware of?

A Jane Eyre retelling but make it a thriller? Yes, please! I absolutely loved everything about this book and flew through it in just a few sittings. I am personally a huge fan of unreliable and shady characters, and I thought all of the main characters were phenomenally well-written. I couldn’t trust anyone, but in the case of this story, I thought it allowed me to enjoy the book so much more. The plot was interesting throughout the entirety of the book, and I just had to find out how everything was going to end as soon as possible. I am not afraid to admit that I stayed up until the early hours of the morning finishing the book; I have no regrets! This thriller is going to stick with me for a long time, and I hope to purchase a physical copy when it comes out!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an ARC of The Wife Upstairs!

Folks. I will be completely honest here. I did not like Jane Eyre. I did like this book. There. I said it. This is a page turner, but not a scary thriller, and not too predictable (at least I didn’t see many things coming!)

This book was my last read of the year and it allowed me to end 2020 on a high note (praise be!). It hit all the marks of a great domestic thriller. Hawkin’s storyline was a like an intricate spider’s web that captures you and leaves you with no choice but to keep going.

Jane (née Helen) gets wrapped up in a very stepford wife like neighbourhood, when she begins dating a handsome widow. His wife, Bea, and her best friend were victims of a boating incident (details unknown) only months earlier. They are both missing and presumed dead. Jane goes from rags to riches, as she settles in her new life; Bea’s life. But everyone has something they would rather not shed light on. Hidden in the shadows of multiple characters’ lives are secrets they would rather keep.

I would not hesitate to recommend this book. It was a captivating read that kept me on my tippy toes. Mark your calendars for publishing day – January 5, 2021.

[Content warnings: on-page murder, mentions of drowning, blackmail, manipulation, forced captivity, infidelity, blood, alcohol abuse]

Everything is a sham and our seemingly lovable characters are actually master manipulators.

It’s thrilling to read, and I couldn’t stop at all.

Jane (23), who grew up in the foster care system until she aged out, walks dogs for the rich people in Thornfield Estates. When by chance she meets Edward “Eddie” Rochester (30s), a handsome recent widower who doesn’t entirely fit in with the rest of the neighborhood, she desperately wants him—him and the new life he could provide—because no one should ever know that Jane isn’t really Jane. But she isn’t the only one who has dark secrets from the past.

This is a retelling of “Jane Eyre;” even the names are almost exactly the same. I haven’t read the classic, but “The Wife Upstairs” certainly has more deaths and darker secrets between the characters. Most of the story was told in the first-person POV of Jane, who wants a new life, and it is very clear right off the bat that we are expecting some thrilling plot and dangerous interactions. Everything surrounding Jane, Eddie, Eddie’s dead wife Bea, and her dead best friend Blanche is one big deadly mystery.

Jane is snarky about people with wealth, especially those who are so rich that they won’t miss an expensive piece of jewelry or two when she steals from them. Since the story begins with her distaste of filthy rich people, we gradually see how well she is at navigating her relationships with everyone in the wealthy neighborhood. If making friends with all the rich wives allows her to be a part of Thornfield Estates more, sure, Jane could pretend she enjoys the interactions even though she doesn’t. Anything to keep her past away from her. But she also isn’t one to stay quietly obedient and consider marriage as her life goal. She uses what she can to get what she wants while keeping her dignity.

The eeriness and looming dread are loud throughout the story. We see both Jane and Eddie loving each other yet carefully calculating. I appreciate the acknowledging of rich white men privilege, even though the comments are from a white female character. There were a lot of things going on, possible murders, infidelity, blackmailing, and a lot of parallels, too. How I love the parallels between Jane, Eddie, and Bea. I also love that we are getting smart and strong female characters.

The pacing and structure made me very invested in the story. I want this nightmare to end and I need to know what would happen. There were tons of flashbacks, and yet it made perfect sense to tell the story in the sequence Hawkins did. As readers we know a little more than what any of the characters know, and it made the reading a little less angsty but still had me on the edge of my seat. I love that the story is engrossing from the start. Thrillers aren’t something I often read, but “The Wife Upstairs” has made me want to step into the genre.

And wow, I really wasn’t expecting the story to unfold the way it did. It was refreshing, surprising, and haunting, really. There is also a super bad and ridiculous pun toward the end when everything gets intense that made me laugh so hard.

The one thing that I didn’t particularly love was how each chapter ended with a single sentence, or a few single-sentence paragraphs. It gets a bit old after a few chapters, even when it works quite well with the narrative.

Love kills, and this deliciously deadly drama certainly left my heart beating a little faster upon finishing.

First I want to start by saying when I requested this ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press I had no idea it was a retelling of Jane Eyre; however, I’m glad of that since it would have prevented me requesting it. Wow was this a whirlwind of a book and I devoured it. After learning it was a retelling I was afraid I wouldn’t enjoy it, but I think it has convinced me to read the original work as well. I cannot speak to the quality in regards to that, but I can say the characters were like candy to me, purely addictive. Untangling the threads of story left me guessing. I couldn’t put it down! As someone from Alabama, it was somewhat odd and enjoyable to read about places I am familiar with. I was impressed by the authors knowledge of Smith Lake lore and had to google to see if she was from Alabama herself (which she is).