I was provided a free ARC copy of this book by @NetGalley and @stmartinspress in exchange for my honest review.
If you have read any books by @sallyhepworth before, you will know, the story usually has multiple layers, and this one was no different.
There is the story you think you're going to read (probably from reading the description on the back), the book you think you're reading (in the middle), and then the book that you read. And sometimes, none of those are the same story! After all, we all have secrets... And sometimes we even keep them from our family, our spouse, sometimes even ourselves!
This is a great story with lots of layers (like a parfait!)! The storyline follows the daughters, the new younger wife, and a "mystery" character as a spectator at the wedding! Through their eyes we piece together some secret truths about this family.
If you like books that hook you from the beginning, with intriguing characters, and only cluing the reader in bit by bit, this one is for you!
Depending on where you are in the world, this may already be available for you. If you're in the US, it will be published 5 April, so keep an eye out!
#NetGalley #TheYoungerWife

I was craving a mystery and this definitely delivered! This was twisty, but also predictable. There were several things I thought would happen that actually didn't, but the ending left me super satisfied. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. If you like this author, you'll like this!

I could not put this book down! I started reading it at 10 pm and would have stayed up all night to finish it if my body hadn’t quit on me. I haven’t read something that has engaged and enraptured me that much in a long time. Every time I have talked to my husband about the book he says I seem very animated and excited while talking about it; again something that hasn’t happened in a long time.
So, thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this book early! I really loved it. This is my first Sally Hepworth book, but it will definitely not be my last.

Doubt was a central theme in this book that I kept coming back. We view this story from the perspectives of multiple women who are all tied to the same man, Stephen. We see the perspectives on his daughters. Rachel and Tully who suffer from mental health issues that put them both in questionable situations. We see the perspective of Heather, the soon to be younger wife of Stephen who suffered past traumas that affect her adult like. We see the perspective of Pam, Stephen’s former wife with dementia and the perspective of Fiona, Stephen’s ex-wife prior to Pam. Throughout this story, each character placed doubt in themselves in the ability to see the bigger picture of what Stephen was capable of. This doubt carried through to the end of this story…and as Sally Hepworth’s books often have this effect on me, I’m still questioning myself at the end.

This was my first from Hepworth and I enjoyed a so many things about this book. The life journey of Rachel was the most impactful to me, making her character my favorite. All the characters had such real issues and difficulties, meaning I didn’t have to suspend belief. A unique aspect when it comes to the thrillers I’ve read over the past few years.

This is jam packed with family drama, heartbreaking revelation, and strained dynamics. But it also holds some very beautiful moments of self preservation, comfort, and overcoming adversities.
Overall, I enjoyed this and look forward to read more from her in the future.

I really enjoyed The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth! I think Hepworth does a fantastic job of writing family dramas. I enjoyed the characters and thought they were very likeable. The narrators of the audiobook did a really good job and I think they helped keep me immersed in the story.
*This book has a scheduled release date of April 5th, 2022.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book started off strong, with a multiple POV set up and family drama/suspense like Hepworth is known for and we've all come to love. However, there really was no twist, and if there was, it was easily guessable. I also think the ending was extremely dangerous to people who have suffered abuse, as it insinuated that maybe it never happened in the first place and they'll never know.

Overall, I expected a lot more.

First off, I would not consider this to be a thriller. If you enjoy family drama with a little bit of mystery - this one is for you! There is a lot of dysfunction going on in this family that will leave you questioning who is reliable. I was anxious to see who the mystery wedding guest was and what exactly happened at the wedding! I will say that I started off disliking the sisters, but once I started learning their secrets I was pulling for them in the end! Still wondering about that ending 🤔

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I'm usually a fan of this author and was excited to read this one, but it didn't hold my attention like the others and seemed slower paced. I've never considered the idea that someone who commits domestic abuse could convince the victim that they were wrong, so from this point of view, it broadened my understanding of how to support others.

#TheYoungerWife:

What did J. Cole once say? Or, George Bush once say for that matter? 😂 “Fool me one time, shame on you. Fool me twice..”

Here’s the thing. When I go into a Sally Hepworth book, I know I’m getting a family drama with a little spice of mystery/thrill. If you’re going in for a solid thriller, you’ll be disappointed. If you go in for a solid mystery, disappointed. The more you know 💫 But, this was a miss for me this time, and that’s okay.

Overall, the story was intriguing. Are these people really who they say they are? Can family secrets stay secret? I felt like I listened more to hope some folks would get some sense knocked into them. There’s one major part I was literally screaming at my phone because OF COURSE you should believe it, it’s already happened. Like.. that’s why you’re in the situation right this moment? But regardless, I really enjoyed the sisters dynamic and how they got closer to each other throughout the book. There are some heavy topics that were discussed so.. nonchalantly? I guess is the right word, and I just didn’t feel like they were handled properly or added anything to the plot? Still kind of confused why they were added.

I did get to listen on audio and thought the audio was done wonderfully by the cast of folks to portray all the women in the book. They had great banter and really held out the hopelessness of gaslighting in their voice.

Unfortunately, this was a solid miss for me. This had the potential to really be a huge hit, but just fell flat for me on some of the storyline and those triggers that were just kind of the thrown out there. Thank you Minotaur and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy. The Younger Wife is out April 5th!

An enjoyable suspenseful family story. All the characters are messed up in their own way...but it does keep you guessing. The whole premise of the older man whose wife with Alzheimer's is marrying another woman while still married to his wife is unsettling. Then the issue of whether or not the man is hiding secrets compounds the story. It's a quick read and leaves you a little unsettled at the end.

Some readers will love this book, others will hate it. Just an okay book for me. A lot of serious topics with none getting the attention needed. Not the ending that I expected.

I have a new favorite Sally Hepworth book. This book drew me in from the start. With four different points of view, you really got to know and understand each of the main characters. When father, Stephen announces to his two grown daughters, Tully and Rachel, that he is marrying a much younger woman the daughters have thoughts of their own. We learn quickly that this family has some deep dark secrets they want no one to know, and the family drama will draw you in and won't let you go until the very last page.

I felt engaged with the story each time I opened it and read it. Watching the characters deal with their own personal strife while also trying to have a relationship with each other painted a picture of how our own inner demons and trauma affect our relationships with others. Overall, this was a good story.

This started out well. It's the day of Stephen Aston's wedding. The ceremony has just ended and he, his much younger wife Heather, his adult daughters and his ailing ex-wife all go into a side room to sign the register. The next thing you know there's a scream and a thud. Then Heather reappears covered in blood. The rest of the book skips back and forth in time as the reader tries to piece together what happened.

I really enjoyed most of this book. My favorite part was the relationship between the women, which went in a different direction than I'd expected. I was surprised, though, when I realized that I was 85% through it yet nowhere near a conclusion. When I reached the end, it felt like the end of a chapter, not the end of the entire book. I don't mind an ambiguous ending, but this felt unfinished to me.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book!

I have mixed feelings about this book. I wanted to devour it in one sitting, but I didn't. I took my time over the course of a few days.

I gave it three stars, because of the ending. I loved the book and appreciate the story line, but why did it have to end like that? I'm still a little confused as to the twist and turns of the story only for it to go...there.

The story makes us assume certain things about Stephen, like his daughters and new wife. It goes back and forth so much that it makes the women look delusional. I'm not sure what ending I expected or wanted, but this just wasn't it.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley although I just now got the chance to read and review it.

I don’t know what it is about Sally Hepworth’s writing, but it always sucks me in and makes me feel like I’m a part of the toxic and dysfunctional families she writes about!

I was immediately immersed in this story about a man marrying a woman who is younger than his daughters - while still married to their mother! How could you not want to read that kind of drama?!?

I love Hepworth’s characters. They are always so different, yet real. They all have their flaws - some small and some HUGE- and that’s why I like them so much.

I also loved the short chapters told from different points of view - it kept me wanting to turn the pages.

Perhaps my favorite thing about this story is that I will always be wondering…

Some readers will not enjoy the ending because they want everything wrapped up neatly, but if you’ve been reading my reviews, you know I’d rather not have that.

I thought the ending was perfect.

I read this mystery in one sitting. It was enjoyable but not my favorite Sally Hepworth. I do love how she incorporates family drama and mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.

Rachel and Tully are sisters with their own set of grown-up problems. Tully is a kleptomaniac and her husband just lost all their money. Rachel has an unhealthy relationship with food because of something awful that happened in her past. Their father promptly announces to them that he is marrying a woman 30 years his junior after they move their mother into an Alzheimer's unit. Rachel and Tully have a hard time accepting Heather into the family. Mainly because she's younger than the both of them. And because he is still married to their mother. What are Heather's intentions with marrying their father? And what secrets is their father hiding?

I've adored everything that Sally Hepworth has written so far, so I was delighted to receive an advanced copy of her newest novel. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me.

I was left with some unanswered questions at the end of the book, which I didn't love. I felt like the conflict was not fully resolved.

It would have been interesting to hear from the father's perspective. I think that would have added a lot of depth to the novel and would have answered any lingering questions I had at the end.

I did like that each character came with their own set of unique problems. It kept you questioning who was responsible for what and what the twist at the end would be. Some of the real world problems they were dealing with had not been addressed in other thrillers I had previously read.

I would still recommend picking this book up when it's released, I just wouldn't put it at the top of your TBR list.

Sally has become one of my favorite authors. Mainly for her impeccable character development and added bit of "quirk." Very reminiscent of Cathy Lamb who is also a favorite. This book didn't disappoint in that regard. It was set to be a solid 5 star. Right up until the end, but that's ok. Still a solid 4. I highly recommend any book by her for easy yet contemplative reading. She draws you in and makes you feel like you know and relate to her storylines.