Member Review
Review by
Lauren M, Reviewer
While I enjoyed "The Younger Wife" by Sally Hepworth I think I would have appreciated it more if it had been marketed to readers as a domestic drama rather than as a domestic suspense.
One thing that Ms. Hepworth excels at is building rich and dynamic characters whose stories really draw the reader in. In the case of this novel, it is so character- driven that the actual plot becomes secondary.
In "The Younger Wife" we are introduced to sisters Tully and Rachel as well as Heather who is to be their new and very young stepmother. It is fascinating to read about how they deal with the shifting family dynamic brought on by the impending marriage between Heather and the women's father.
As Tully, Rachel, and Heather are forced to interact with each other it becomes painfully obvious that they are all harboring their own self destructive secrects. As Hepworth reveals those secrets layer by layer, the reader is gifted with a comprehensive understanding of each woman and what truly drives them.
One thing I find refreshing about this book is that Heather does not fit into the femme fatale role that is often commonplace in stories like these. In contrast, she is a kind and decent person. As a matter of fact, she as well as the rest of the characters are written in a way that evokes a myriad of feelings from the reader. This is where Hepworth's mastery comes into play. The plot may be a bit thin but the author more than makes up for it with strong and interesting characters.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Thank you Netgalley for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
One thing that Ms. Hepworth excels at is building rich and dynamic characters whose stories really draw the reader in. In the case of this novel, it is so character- driven that the actual plot becomes secondary.
In "The Younger Wife" we are introduced to sisters Tully and Rachel as well as Heather who is to be their new and very young stepmother. It is fascinating to read about how they deal with the shifting family dynamic brought on by the impending marriage between Heather and the women's father.
As Tully, Rachel, and Heather are forced to interact with each other it becomes painfully obvious that they are all harboring their own self destructive secrects. As Hepworth reveals those secrets layer by layer, the reader is gifted with a comprehensive understanding of each woman and what truly drives them.
One thing I find refreshing about this book is that Heather does not fit into the femme fatale role that is often commonplace in stories like these. In contrast, she is a kind and decent person. As a matter of fact, she as well as the rest of the characters are written in a way that evokes a myriad of feelings from the reader. This is where Hepworth's mastery comes into play. The plot may be a bit thin but the author more than makes up for it with strong and interesting characters.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Thank you Netgalley for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
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