I really liked this story! I went in fairly blind, other than the short little description from Book of the Month. I wasn't sure what to really expect, but even if I thought I had an idea I totally would have been wrong. I spent the entire book really wondering who did it. Who committed this crime? Will we ever find out? I also couldn't decide if I was supposed to like these characters, hate these characters, like some but hate others, etc. I probably shouldn't have loved Jane, considering her whole life is basically a lie. But I really did find myself rooting for her. I like how the author separated this book into "Parts" with different narrators, rather than flipping back and forth on each chapter like some dual timelines/dual perspective books. The narrators for the audiobook did really well and I'm glad I chose to listen instead of just read.

But also, what the heck? Who comes up with this?!

4.25 - Would recommend.

I didn’t dislike this one, it did keep me interested. However the ending is extremely rushed and leaves way too much unanswered. I think the author was going for an open-choose your adventure-style ending, but it falls flat because there are too many variables in play.


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

**4/5 Stars**

I absolutely devoured Rachel Hawkins’ The Wife Upstairs, which the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, graciously let me read via NetGalley. This was my first audiobook ever, and it did not disappoint!

The book revolves around two characters – Jane and Bea – whose lives become intertwined thanks to a shared love interest: Eddie. Bea supposedly passed away in a tragic but highly suspicious boating accident, leaving Eddie a grieving widow. Bea was a successful businesswoman, starting her own line of highly sought-after decorative goods for Southern women.

Jane comes into Eddie’s life after a bit of time has passed since Bea’s death. Jane has lead a down and out life, one that is shrouded in mystery. She has relocated to build a new life, taking on a job as a dog walker in Eddie’s wealthy subdivision.

One day while on the job, Jane gets distracted and lingers in the road while looking longingly at one of the towering mansions. Eddie nearly barrels into her, causing damage to his fancy SUV. Instead of worrying about his car, however, he immediately jumps out of the car and asks if Jane is okay. Jane ends up following Eddie into his house, eventually befriending and working for him.

Jane falls for Eddie overnight, eventually getting engaged to him. She is so consumed with hiding her dark past that she misses red flags about Eddie. But slowly Eddie’s secrets surface, leading Jane to question everything she thought she knew about her fiance.

What I loved about this book was the first person narrators. Both Bea and Jane have strong, well-defined voices in this book. The audiobook was definitely worth listening to, as the actresses did a fantastic job portraying and voicing the characters. Their personalities really came through thanks to the actresses. This book is a well-crafted, character-driven thriller that was hard to put down. Highly recommend!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced audiobook of The Wife Upstairs.

This audiobook is absolutely worth the listen.

Apparently this book is a modern twist on Jane Eyre, a book I have never read, so I of course had no idea what wa going to happen and really loved how it turned out. There were some twists that I could see coming, but more often than not I was left in the dark. Rachel Hawkins is such a talented story teller. I see her books all over my Goodreads, and it is for good reason. If you love a classic styled thriller, this book is for you. I highly suggest the audio! The narrator was so enjoyable and it was such a fast listen for me!

Since NetGalley and St. Martin's Press were kind enough to send me an advanced copy of The Wife Upstairs (I love NetGalley!!), and since I had cataract surgery this week, I figured that this was the perfect time for me to listen to my FIRST EVER audiobook!! And I was NOT disappointed!

The story was good - a mystery that I figured out a lot of when I was only halfway through the book, but other parts of it that were a surprise. The characters were unlikeable in an expected way, and I love a story that takes place in the south (this one was in Birmingham). But in fact the best part was, not only that it took place in the south, but that the reader used great southern accents for different characters - hence, my enjoyment of my first audiobook! The book was SO "cliche southern" - the descriptions, the accents, the MANY details, the way the characters talked to each other, and the main character's observation of these pointless infatuations with southern culture and tradition!

Thanks, again, NetGalley and St. Martins Press - this one was great!

Jane walks dogs in Thornhill Estates, an affluent neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama. She is struggling, hiding from something that happened in her past and has picked up a habit of stealing small items that her employers won’t notice. She sells the items on occasion to make ends meet but that’s she enjoys the thrill of it. One rainy day, as she is out walking one of the neighborhood dogs, a car hits her. The car’s owner, Eddie Rochester invites Jane inside and they get to talking. Eddie’s wife Bea went missing six months ago in a boating accident that killed Bea’s close friend, Blanche. After their talk, Eddie decides to get a dog and hire Jane as his dog walker. Things move pretty quickly from there...After a few weeks of dating, Eddie tells her to move in so that she can get out of her terrible living situation. After a few more weeks of play house and Thornhill Estates lady, Eddie asks Jane to marry her so that she doesn’t apply to grad school and leave. This seems both manipulative and strange. Why is he trying to move on so fast? Why does he want the exact opposite of his once beloved and gorgeous wife?Jane just accepts and decides she has hit the jackpot, even when her gut feeling tells her something is off.
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Bea shares her story through writing in the margins of a well loved book. She is being kept prisoner in the panic room of the house. Bea explains that after accusing Eddie of an affair, Eddie drugged both her and Blanche and then threw Blanche off the boat.. Why is Eddie keeping her? What was their relationship really like? Who was Bea? And is it telling that we get to read her story?
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Overall, a very enjoyable book that would be perfect for bookclub. I seriously read it in one day, which means it kept my attention, was the right pacing, and left some open ended questions. I was very interested in each of the three main characters and wanted to see how their backgrounds unfolded. And I was still a bit surprised by the ending.

*Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the eARC from Netgalley.

Jane is new to the Birmingham area. Jane leaves her past behind and takes on a new identity as a dog walker in an upscale gated community. Jane is interested in the mysterious widow, Eddie, once the two meet for the first time. Jane and Eddie soon enter a relationship, but Jane soon discovers that not everything about this seemingly picturesque situation is what it seems.

Overall I was very interested and invested in this story. I would definitely say that this is more of a plot and mystery driven story for me. The characters were okay, but it was plot, mystery, and actions of the characters that kept me entertained and puzzled.

I like how Hawkins takes the idea of Jane Eyre and makes it her own. I loved how mysterious Jane herself was. You truly could not trust any of these characters. I also appreciated the setting of the novel and how it helped the story be more interesting.

The ending was a little different from what I thought it would be, but overall I liked it. I enjoyed all the twists and complex reveals along the way. I also enjoyed how we got a split perspective between Jane and Bea. This inclusion helped pack more of a punch at the end.

I really enjoyed the narration of this audiobook. It was well performed.

A twisty flip on Jane Eyre. The book's main primary protagonist is a former ward of the state turned dog walker in a posh neighborhood of McMansions. It's here that she meets her Mr. Rochester and sets her sights on him to provide the life of comfort she has never before know. Lucky for her, he became a widower just months before due to a tragic boating accident. But once Jane moves in with Mr. Rochester she starts hearing strange noises. The author provides many turns in this twisty tale -- a fun remake.

I love when I think I know where a book is headed, especially if you've read the gothic novel this is loosely based on, but then it takes a few fun twists and ends up somewhere else entirely. If you're a fan of thrillers this one has it all - unreliable narrators (several of them!), out of nowhere turns, and just enough suspense building throughout. My only wish is for a more realistic southern accent for the audiobook, otherwise this book delivers everything you could want in a thriller, plus a super nerdy wine reference.

A pretty modern twist on Jane Eyre, this book kept me hooked from go. Jane isn’t relateable, but I liked that about her. The story kept me focused, and the twists and turns made it perfect.

Gather up your book club friends, because this book is perfect for you! If audiobooks are your preference, then this book would be a great choice. Let's talk about what worked.

First, I loved that the book takes place in the South. Even though I am a West coast girl myself, this setting worked for me. Pair that with the interspersed accented narration, and I was sold. The story line was engaging, and I loved the parallels and namesakes used in the classic novel. I appreciate listening to an audiobook that does not contain too much gore.

The twist at the end was not mind-blowing, but it did not take away from the ending of the book. It was an overall 4 star audiobook for me. Thank you for an early listen, Macmillan Audio.

I loved, loved, loved this audiobook! The narrators, the storyline, the pacing and the character development were all so good! It was so dark and twisted, but fun and suspenseful. Just perfect!

An enjoyable suspense story, with great narration.
I always prefer having multiple voice narration, so I enjoyed the multiple perspectives and performances. Each narrator brings a little something special.
Story wise, while I felt the twists could have been stronger, I was engaged the whole way through and curious about how it would play out. I did feel as though much of Jane's background was left out for the 'mysterious' aspect, but I would have preferred a stronger understanding of her character.

A creepy, well-done narration of one hell of a book! This is definitely a book that will keep you up at night, questioning everything!

Another wonderful twisty, turny book by Rachel Hawkins. The popular local dog walker and a widowed man in the neighborhood fall in love. The history of her new love along with the gossip of the local woman is very intriguing and mysterious. What will be discovered about the way the former wife, Bea and her bestie Blanche died and the odd relationships? Well written, I read this book in one day. It kept me guessing and fascinated throughout. Highly recommend! Wish I could do 4.5 stars.

3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this eARC. This is a domestic thriller that follows Jane. Jane is a dog walker in a very prestigious community. She comes from a humble background and has a mysterious past that includes foster homes, abuse and mystery, but her luck seems to change when she runs into Eddie. Eddie is believed to be a widower. His wife's best friend was found dead in the lake and his wife is missing, also presumed dead. Jane and Eddie strike up an instant connection and they start dating. Jane is unreliable throughout and we know she's got a sordid history and impure intentions, but honestly I feel like that part never really played out to its full potential. She manipulates him, but he's not completely innocent either. I'm being vague and talking in circles, but I don't want to reveal much more because this is a short, relatively simple domestic thriller. The "twist" comes relatively early in the book and it wasn't anything shocking. I kept expecting more and wanting more, but it never really came, making this a 3.5 star read for me. It was fast paced and enjoyable, but I've read better.

SPOILERS AHEAD:
Eddie's husband isn't dead. He's hiding her in the attic. We think he killed his wife's best friend but actually it was his wife. She convinces Jane (through notes) to rescue her and kill Eddie so Jane hits him over the head, but he doesn't die. He's just unconscious and then the wife confesses it all. Theres a fire in the house and Eddie and his wife are presumed dead but they only find his teeth (which were knocked out when she hit him), so did they actually die or not? We'll never know.
We find out the wife was the killer pretty early. Janes past isn't nearly as mysterious as is hinted at. She just reinvented herself after a lot of abuse. She gets all of Eddie and his wife's money when hes presumed dead.

Thanks Netgalley for the Arc!
Every time I thought I had this book figured out I was wrong. The level of deception by a group of people is truly mind blowing. It seems that each person was working an angel of their own and the best motive is greed. Each character has something to gain from the other. And each character knows someone else’s secret that they’re holding over the other. This story has everything, cheating spouses, murder, lies and deception. You really can’t go wrong with this book!

This is an entertaining, solid thriller. I was mostly interested in the story because it is a Jane Eyre retelling. It was fun to see how the author adopted this classic into a modern-day thriller. Our Jane in this story is not necessarily a good person, which I liked, and the book is full of red flags and ambiguity. Overall, it's an entertaining read/listen. The narrators of the audiobook are excellent!

This book had plenty of twists, and even though I had a good idea how it was going to end, it kept my interest. Jane finds her life leaping from dog walker and roommate to creepy John one minute to the fiance of Eddie, who sounds like the perfect man. But everyone has secrets, and Eddie's got a doozy.
Jane finds herself in the middle of a ritzy, keep-up-with-the-Jones neighborhood and a murder investigation that hits a little too close to home.
Jane has her own secretive past, but also realizes her new cushy life with Eddie is far from perfect... and could be downright dangerous.

I listened to the audiobook of this one and the narration was good (I know that’s not necessarily about the book, but I find the narrator to be quite important for keeping my attention in an audio book). I think I may need to read Jane Eyre again as I didn’t get quite the same feeling that this was a “retelling” although maybe it was a bit more like fan fiction where the characters were placed in a different world and used to tell a different story? The mystery was not bad although the twists weren’t as sneaky as they could have been. The characters in the book, especially the main characters who take turns telling the story, are very difficult to like, but they were still able to develop my interest and keep me invested in their story. Jane is on the run from a past she no longer even thinks about and is working as a dog walker in a fancy neighborhood when she meets Eddie, a widower with some secrets of his own. Jane is in to learn more than she ever wanted about the fancy life she’s always dreamed of.