⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 stars, rounded up)

Juicy Drama, Questionable Morals, and a Fast-Paced Plot

The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth is the kind of book that pulls you in quickly and keeps the pages turning. I read (and listened to) it while under the weather, and it made the time fly—which says a lot. Hepworth’s writing style is smooth and engaging, with just enough snark to make the characters’ dysfunction bearable.

The setup is pure domestic drama: an older man divorces his wife—who has dementia—to marry a much younger woman. That plot point alone left me horrified. The whole “in sickness and in health” part of the vows? Completely ignored. And what’s worse, no one in the story really challenges it.

The women in the book are complicated and often hard to like. Tully, in particular, grated on my nerves. There’s also an over-the-top amount of drinking, which started to feel like a lazy stand-in for emotional depth.

Still, I was hooked. The pacing is tight, and the twists keep coming. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely entertaining. I’d give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for the clever structure and compulsive readability.

** Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a review copy. The opinions are my own.

This novel was a gripping and deliciously twisty read for me! It delves into a complex family dynamic when a father announces his engagement to a much younger woman, causing his adult daughters to revisit old secrets and deep-seated resentments. As the story unfolds, it uncovers layers of betrayal, deception, and the dark truths hidden within seemingly perfect lives. A highly engaging domestic thriller that kept me guessing.

Before providing a complete review I think I'll probably need to go back and do a reread. I heard through the book reviewers grapevine that certain sections and even the ending have been changed which in turn changes the whole feel of the book. Since this info might change my liking of the book I'll be back!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.

Why Did I Listen To The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth?

I am the type of reader where if I listen to one book by an author and adore it, then I have to listen to them all. Next on the list from Sally Hepworth that I had to read was The Younger Wife. I was craving something along the lines of a domestic thriller or domestic suspense, and this book certainly delivered for me. As said, I can hardly ever see twists coming, so this was perfect. I also like thrillers where I know children will not die. This was that kind of book -- I didn't find myself worried for the main characters, I didn't feel stressed while listening.

What's The Story Here?

The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth is about family drama. Heart surgeon Stephen Aston is going to be married again. Only, he's not yet divorced from his first wife. She happens to still be alive -- but she's got dementia. His adult daughters are not into the idea of him marrying again. They are Tully and Rachel. Tully is struggling with a kleptomania problem. Rachel has trauma which has prevented her from really engaging in any kind of romantic relationship. Then we have the new fiance, Heather, who is the same age as Rachel. She's got to be with Stephen for his money. Clearly, she is hiding something. And well, drama and suspense ensues as the secrets unravel.

How Did I Like The Younger Wife?

Honestly -- I quite liked The Younger Wife. Sally Hepworth's books seem to really work for me. The different points of views all had something I liked about them, maybe I wasn't supposed to. However, I liked how vulnerable each of the women were in the their points of view. We got to hear from Tully, Rachel, Heather and the former Mrs. Aston. Her name I forget. I also did not predict the twist. There were also parts that made me very sad as I read them. Overall, this really kept my attention.

How's The Narration?

There are four different narrators in The Younger Wife - one for each of the women who has a persepctive in this book. I liked that this book had multiple narrators. I think that made it so it was easier for me to keep track of what was going on. Each narrator did a superb job as her character and with her chapters. This was so good to listen to. I do have to mention that the characters are Australian, so there is an accent which can be hard to understand but I just went from 2x speed down to 1.5 and found it much easier to follow.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 STARS

The Younger Wife is an addictive domestic thriller that hooks you from the very first page. Sally Hepworth masterfully layers secrets and suspense, weaving in multiple character perspectives that keep you guessing throughout. The plot is full of twists—some shocking, others subtle—that maintain a steady tension and intrigue. I found myself flying through chapters, eager to uncover the truth behind the family's tangled dynamics. However, the ending felt a bit abrupt and left me wanting more clarity, which kept it from being a full five-star read.

Whenever I am looking for a quick, addictive read I look for a Sally Hepworth novel. She does a great job of developing her characters and stringing you along with her plot.

Sally Hepworth is the queen of domestic suspense!

When renowned surgeon Stephen Aston brings his new bride to be, Heather home to introduce her to his daughters, Racheal and Tully, it doesn't sit well. First of all, she's younger than both of them, secondly, he just divorced his wife, Pam, who suffers from advanced dementia. A prickly situation, but the wedding must go on.

Tragedy strikes and the personal lives of the girls unfold. The most intriguing character is the wife, Pam. When her daughters spend more time with her, secrets are revealed, and I could not put the book down.

I heard there was an alternate ending in the final edit. I was happy with the ending in the arc, but I could see by the ambiguity that it might not sit well with some readers. So, I waited to read the published version. I liked that ending, too. Another fantastic read from Hepworth!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy.

My first Sally Hepworth book but won’t be my last! The story immediately pulled me in and I was quickly flipping the pages. I love the family drama of domestic thrillers and this has plenty. A great read!

Sally Hepworth’s The Younger Wife is a domestic thriller centered around a family in turmoil. When Stephen Aston, a heart surgeon, announces his engagement to Heather, who is younger than his daughters Tully and Rachel, tensions rise, particularly since Stephen's current wife, Pam, is still alive but incapacitated by dementia. As secrets unravel, each character grapples with personal demons and hidden truths.​

Overall, The Younger Wife offers an intriguing look into a family's secrets and lies, making it a compelling read for fans of character-driven novels.

Older married man is divorcing his wife who has dementia in order to marry a new younger wife. Of course his two adult daughters are not happy with dad's decision. At the beginning of the book, something tragic happens at the wedding--but readers are kept in the dark as to what happened. So we get get the background on all the characters and what leads up to the wedding day. Good family drama and suspense. The ending leaves it open a little to the reader's interpretation I think. Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book.

This interesting and suspenseful story was original but I was not as twisty or full of the usual turns that I am used to from Sally Hepworth. I enjoyed this one but I admit it is not ranked as high and the her other books.

Of all the words I expected to use in a Sally Hepworth book review, disappointing wasn’t one of them.

But when it comes to The Younger Wife, that’s exactly how I feel—and it pains me to say so.

The story begins simply: sisters Tully and Rachel are bridesmaids at their father Stephen’s wedding. Stephen, a wealthy doctor, divorced their mother, who now suffers from Alzheimer’s in a nursing home. But she unexpectedly shows up at the wedding, leaving everyone wondering why?

Stephen’s new bride, Heather, is young enough to be his daughter. What are her true intentions? When a loud thud is heard at the wedding, why is Stephen the one to fall? Is Pamela, the ex-wife, out to cause chaos? Or is Heather looking to cash in? As Tully and Rachel dig for the truth, long-buried secrets rise to the surface—before a honeymoon turns into a funeral.

I had been eagerly anticipating this thriller for ages. My expectations were sky-high since Sally Hepworth had never let me down before. After The Good Sister, I assumed the Queen of Domestic Suspense could do no wrong.

This is listed as a suspense novel/women's fiction, and it technically is. However, there are a lot of VERY heavy topics that come up as well, and the author didn't handle it as well as I would have wanted. I also was not a fan of the ending. It doesn't make me want to pick up other books by this author.

If you haven't experienced a Sally Hepworth novel you are missing out on a fabulous author. That being said since I am a nut for Sally this book has been my least favourite and I have read them all. Something was just off with this one and I HATE saying that.

The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth is a gripping, page-turning psychological thriller that delves into family dynamics, secrets, and betrayal. The story revolves around a wealthy man, his two grown daughters, and his much younger fiancée, exploring the tensions that arise when hidden truths begin to unravel.

Hepworth’s writing is sharp and full of suspense, skillfully weaving multiple perspectives to create a sense of mystery and intrigue. The characters are complex, with each one harboring their own secrets, which keeps the reader guessing throughout the book. The tension between family members is palpable, and the slow build-up to the dramatic reveals is expertly executed.

Overall, The Younger Wife is a fast-paced, twisted tale full of suspense and unexpected twists. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with rich character development and plenty of shocking surprises.

The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth is a suspenseful and twist-filled domestic thriller that delves into secrets, lies, and family dynamics. The story follows a woman named Tully, whose father is marrying a much younger woman, leaving her to navigate the complexities of their relationships while uncovering shocking truths. As the story unravels, Hepworth keeps readers on edge with surprising revelations and complex characters. With her signature blend of suspense, wit, and emotional depth, The Younger Wife is a gripping read for fans of psychological dramas and family thrillers.

Dysfunctional family drama meets mystery thriller in this captivating story. I love reading about dysfunctional families, and this one did not disappoint in that regard. However, I would say it leans more towards family drama than a mystery thriller.

The Aston family is filled with secrets. Stephen Ashton is getting married to a much younger woman after divorcing his wife, who has Alzheimer's. During the wedding, someone in the family gets hurt or killed while they are signing the wedding paperwork. As readers, we embark on a journey to uncover who these family members are and the secrets they have been hiding for years.

I really enjoyed this book; it kept me entertained throughout. While the mystery itself was somewhat lackluster, the family drama was top-tier. Tully brought a hilarious element that kept the story fun and engaging. Don’t approach this book expecting a major mystery with twists and surprises; it's primarily a family drama story, but it is very well done.

3.75 Stars

I always enjoy Sally Hepworth’s books, and The Younger Wife was no exception! The premise is packed with drama—a wealthy older man introduces his much younger fiancée to his adult daughters, even though he’s still married to their mother, who has dementia. Right away, you know secrets are lurking beneath the surface, and the family dynamics are messy in the best way.

Hepworth does a fantastic job weaving multiple POVs together, making it easy to get sucked into the story. The characters are flawed but interesting, and I found myself questioning everyone’s version of the truth. The mystery element kept me engaged, and while some twists were predictable, others genuinely surprised me.

Sally will always be an auto-buy author for me!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

In The Younger Wife the story unfolds from the points of view of Rebecca, Tully, and Heather. Rebecca and Tully are sisters struggling to accept Heather - their fathers new young bride to be while their mother is in a home with dementia.

I could not put this one down. Sally Hepworth is an auto read author and I recommend this one!

I really enjoyed this newest novel by Hepworth. It was more of a slower burn and with the shorter chapters my mind was reeling with possibilities as I was trying to figure out what was going on and how it would all end. I really loved Rachel's character, she's a baker and I felt like I could taste her creations. I loved the nod to Austen with her love interest's name of Darcy. I especially appreciated the basis for this novel in the author's note and her real like money in a hot water bottle story.

I ended up being quite surprised by the end of this book and I found it refreshingly satisfying.