This book made me laugh out loud. It's basically the book version of wife swap. You won't be disappointed

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I loved this book. I read it in one sitting and couldn't put it down. Classic life swap storyline but the writing was just wow. It captures your attention and plays with your emotions from start to finish. I was crying at the start, laughing in the middle and crying at the end.

The main character, Tess, was amazing. After what happens to her at the start of the book you could forgive her for just curling up into a ball and not facing life for a while but she says sod it to everyone and embarks on a solo adventure to LA, swapping houses with River, an American writer who needs to come to the UK for work.

Life in LA isn't quite what she imagines but Tess makes the most of it and learns how to shake her own life up a bit. Meanwhile River is causing a bit of carnage over in the UK and having her own little adventure! River's character did grow on me throughout the book but I wasn't a big fan of hers to start with.

A more sobering part of the book is the storyline involving Tess's son, Alex. The author touches on a very important subject and does a fantastic job in highlighting that particular issue in a heartfelt and emotive way.

Overall a fantastic read, perfect for the summer. I would highly recommend.

With thanks to #Netgalley and #Boldwood for an ARC of #WornOutWifeSeeksNewLife by #CarmenReid.

Carmen Reid is a new author to me, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book.
Tess is unappreciated at work and at home. The death of her dog really is the final straw.
River, desperately wants to further her career as a screen writer. Her next project is crucial.
Both women need a change… so they swap lives!
Is the grass really greener on the other side? And can these two women find what they need in their new environments.

Immediately the title of this book appealed to me, and I could absolutely relate to Tess and her situation.
River took a bit longer to get to grips with, but by the end I really cared about, and was rooting for these two fabulous women.
I was particularly impressed with the nod to mens mental health, as part of Tess’s son, Alex’s story. Such an important issue to raise awareness of.

This book is well written, funny, poignant and uplifting.
Maybe a bit sweary in places, but I felt it was written in context. However, I Know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

Definitely a ‘just another chapter’ sort of book.
Thoroughly enjoyed and recommended.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

The characters of River and Tess, were lovable, as well as parts of the story from both their perspectives. Two different women swapping houses for a few months.

For River, it was so that she could get help with her script, whilst visiting Shakespeare country. Tess was taking a break from work and wanted to have a change in her life.

It was good to see a change in these women after they moved away from their homes.

The part of the story that had Alex’s viewpoints, gave a different tone to the story. The story of him was written so beautifully and raised awareness mental health in young male men.

I was unsure of how it was going to end, but it was perfect.

Absolutely Recommend It

Thank you NetGalley, Carmen Reid and Boldwood Books for the ARC of Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life.
This is my personal review.
Tess is at a point in her life where she feels no one even knows she is there anymore.
River has a life in LA as a screenwriter, but things are not as great as she wants them to be.
The way they both see how to make things is to swap places halfway around the world for a while. But will that be the answer to what they are both looking for?
Reading this book put me on a roller coaster of emotions. This book gave me a few hours of time to just sink into to their lives and enjoy.

This book was so funny as well as sad. I hadn’t read any of CarmenReid’s books before and I was pleasantly surprised at how good this one was. So easy to read and it just kept me chuckling all the way through. I will certainly read her others when I can if they are anything like this one. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Right off the bat, this book reminded me of The Holiday, where two women swap houses- such a fun premise! Both Tess and River need an escape from their current lifestyle, so what better way than to swap houses with someone halfways across the world?!

I did not relate to either character, but that didn't stop me from laughing at their antics (like when Tess flung the poo off the balcony to the floor below!). I appreciated the dual perspectives, as well as having a chance to connect with Tess' kids. This book was a mix of humor, seriousness and taking a good look at what you want to do with your life!

Tess Simpson has it all, a doting husband, 2 grown children, a dog, a beautiful home and a great job in accounting. But is she truly happy?
When her expected promotion falls flat, Tess decides a family holiday to South East Asia might be just the thing to help her out of her rut.

Screenwriter River Romero is also at a dead end, the other side of the world, in Los Angeles. She’s lost all inspiration for her projects; maybe a trip to the land of Shakespeare in the English countryside will perk her up.
Will a change of scenery put some much needed oomph back into Tess and River’s lives?

As a big fan of Carmen Reid’s Annie Valentine series a while back, I was excited to pick this up knowing it would be a heartwarming, comfortable summer read. It didn’t disappoint! It was a lot more emotional than I was expecting - especially with regards to Bella.
I would add that some hard topics are mentioned here, depression and suicide trigger warnings are definitely needed for those expecting this to be light and fluffy.

This made me realise how much I missed this author! I’m off to see which of her books I’ve missed out on!

This book made me laugh and cry but I really enjoyed reading it. The title sort of gives you an idea of the storyline but there are twists and turns that you may not expect but is makes your relaxing time better. Good read. 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

First let me say how overjoyed I am to see a brand new Carmen Reid book, I've been a massive fan of the author in the past, and it is such a pleasure to be able to read a new story from her. And I'm delighted to say it doesn't disappoint.

This is a wonderful book, it's uplifting, emotional in places, funny in others and I really wasn't sure how how it was going to end, although it does have the most perfect ending!

I loved the chapters from both River and Tess's points of view, it was great getting to know these two rather different women as they swap homes for a few months. River so she can spend time in Shakespeare country to help with her new script project - and Tess going to LA as she's taking a 3 month work sabbatical after being overlooked for a promotion and just needs to shake things up in her life.

From their tentative first steps in their new locations it was wonderful to see how both of these women started to thrive.

What added a more sombre tone to the the book were the chapter's from Alex's point of view, Tess's grown up, young adult son, who I couldn't help but feel for and also be rather scared for. It's an important storyline, sensitively written that raises awareness of male mental health in the young.

I thoroughly enjoyed every last second of this book and was desperately trying to find moments to pick it back up and read some more. I just really hope the wait for this author's next book is considerably shorter than the amount of years I've been waiting for this one!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Luckily the title of the book gives you all an idea what it is about.
This book was a quick easy read which hit true to home a few times and left me routing for the main character.

Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life is the story of two women who want more from life. Tess Simpson is a wife and mother who feels like no-one appreciates her at home or work.

River Romero is a scriptwriter from LA who wants an escape.

From the synopsis, I was reminded of the film The Holiday which I loved, for this book has the same escapist vibe. I did find it was easy to get into for the first few scenes and then felt let down when I realised this was a daydream. It was so atmospheric.

Then much of the first chapters was work-centered which I didn't find that enthralling as it took away from the fun opening but which did provide some of Tess's workplace backstory and a sense of "this is my dream life versus this is the reality. " It did feel very drawn out.

I was much more interested when Tess and River ended up in their respective hose swap properties. For River, it was Tess's rural home and Tess ended up in LA. Once the swap begins, it's fun, and there are some funny parts but we also experience each character's reality in life before, during and after the house swap. Will they appreciate what they really have? Will they want to come home? Will others in their life appreciate them more?

I did find it hard to relate to Tess and River at times.

Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life is an escapist book and it's well-written but I would have liked less chapters filled with exclusively work-related situations for Tess and I expected the swap to take place sooner.

Thanks to Carmen Reid, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

3.5 stars

When I decided to read this book, I expected a run of the mill comedy with some giggles along the way. I will try to never make that assumption again. This book certainly has some great comedy moments – flying dog poo, for example – but it is more than that, it’s a book that gets right to the heart of how easy it is to get stuck in a rut and how fragile mental health can be.
I felt that I immediately empathised with Tess, overlooked at work despite working hard and generating great results. Taken for granted by her family and completely jaded. It’s not a unique set of circumstances, especially after recent events. I even cried when her dog died!
River is the polar opposite, younger and determined to find her next big break, she is tenacious to the point of over committing and letting her personal life fall into disarray. I liked River but didn’t feel as connected to her.
The story is told in dual perspectives as Tess adapts to life in LA and River searches for inspiration in Shakespeare country. Each has to navigate their way to finding the peace and contentment that they both need and crave.
Their journeys have an effect on the people that they meet along their paths. From learning the Argentinian Tango to creating an epiphany for Dave. A lot happens in this delightful, life affirming book, and it is way more than the light-hearted story that I shamefully expected it to be.

I was provided a free copy of this text by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a light and breezy read for summer with an occasional moment of depth. For its intended audience, this will definitely delight. For me, it was just a fun diversion.

I love Carmen Reid's books and to know she's back after a big long break was exciting for me, but this novel lost me when River started going on about coming to England for a holiday and 'Where was Shakespeare country' and I despise characters who are so ignorant to anywhere but their own country and that was super disappointing to me because I really liked Tess and I was otherwise super intrigued in the synopsis but it could have done without the very insipid River.

Review of Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life by Carmen Reid

This is the story of two women Tess and River who have completely different lives, and live in different countries, one in England, the other the States. Each is fed up and running on empty, needing something to change. So via a series of events they end up swapping houses for the summer.

This was an emotional and entertaining read. I really enjoyed it and I think it has feelings that a lot of people will be able to relate to. Recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review of the book.

The title sold this book for me, I’m sure most wives would agree. The book is based around two woman, one in England and the other In LA. Tess in the UK has just lost a promotion at work and is just fed up. She organizes to go on a break and it all falls to pieces. She does swap houses with River in LA and has a break by herself. River who is a writer has hit the wall with her writing and needs a change. The story follows the two woman and ends with a great ending.

I really enjoyed the book, it’s happy, sad and laugh out loud. I’m glad Carmen Reid is back to writing, have read all her earlier books and loved them.

Tess is hoping to be made partner but gets passed over again so takes a paid sabbatical from work and plans a long family holiday abroad to explore, she is excited but one by one the kids drop out then her husband has an accident and can't go either., Tess is so angry and upset and feels her efforts are unappreciated by her family.
A house let had been arranged with River but after trying to cancel River offers Tess her apartment in LA so Tess heads off alone on her adventure
A fab read, really enjoyed it

Life – as we know it!

Tess Simpson feels as if the world is closing in on her; unappreciated at home and work and missing the closeness she had with her children now that they’ve moved out. She needs a break! Across ‘the pond’ screenwriter River Romero’s life has went downhill lately and she needs to rescue it. A house swap may just be the thing to get both these women’s lives back on track – or is it?

I think the author has probably hit the nail on the head about how a lot of women feel; generally referred to as their ‘mid-life crisis’ – which frankly irritates the heck out of most of us! So immediately I empathised with Tess and also, to a certain extent, with River. There are plenty of viable points made along the way and lots of laughs but my overriding memory will be of sobbing my heart out at the beginning of the book. Keep the tissues handy! I was never quite sure how this one was going to end but that just added to the enjoyment of reading. Good characters, an excellent storyline and accomplished writing all add up to an entertaining read. An author to watch out for. 4*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley and to Rachel Gilbey for my spot on this tour; this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.

I was drawn to this book by the title. I think many women of a certain age, after having so much responsibility of family, work, life in general, on their shoulders, they all feel at some point they would want a new life. I also love the book cover!

I have not read any books by this author, Carmen Reid, previously. I think she is an excellent author and did a fantastic job on the plot and created true to life characters.

I was immediately absorbed into the story. My heart went out to Tess and I hoped in time that my heart would soften for River (because she is a bit of a mess) and it did. I loved River by the end of the book. These are the two main characters that are the catalyst for most of the actions that take place. While the plot is driven by them, I cannot downplay the other beautifully created characters. From a confident dancer to an insecure young man, they all are trying to accept themselves, flaws and skills.

This story is so much more than I thought it would be. It is about deep self-reflection. It delves into some series situations and handles them with grace.

I want to add that the book does at times have some profanity. I do not mind that in a book, if it is used for the character’s personality during frustration or joy, which is the case in this book. When an author uses it too much, for shock value (I believe) that turns me off. I think when it was used in this book, it was totally appropriate.

I want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is done freely as a hobby of mine, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.