Sally Hepworth has easily become one of my favorite authors. Her suspenseful stories have been captivating my attention. This book took a twist as I thought the younger wife would be the villain but it ended up being everyone in the family had secrets. The unraveling was a bit intense as this book was a bit of a slow burn. The ending didn't give much information, it lead you to create your own with your imagination. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and I look forward to more books by this author.

I really enjoy Sally Hepworth's writing, and this one was no exception. It is told from multiple POVS, but only has a few main characters so its easy to keep track of everyone and the story being told. After reading the description, I thought this would be similar to many other domestic thrillers I've read, but it actually ended up being quite different. I would classify this more as domestic suspense and not really a true thriller, as I was anxiously waiting for a twist that never came. Even as the ending came, I was waiting with baited breath for some huge twist, but it just never happened and I was left with a satisfying, yet simple ending. I really wanted to be shocked but I wasn't. I thought the characters were all really interesting and had good development, but I almost wish we had gotten a bit more of the sisters growing up. I think the ending also had a lot of missed opportunities to shock the reader that Sally just didn't take. Overall though I did really enjoy this. I loved the audio narration and it was a quick listen. I loved the overall theme of women empowerment, taking back our power, and trusting our instincts. Great messages in this. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Family drama to the max! The Younger Wife starts with the wedding of Stephen and Heather, in attendance are Stephen's two daughters, his ex-wife, Pam, who has advanced dementia and an unknown woman who sits in the back and doesn't want Stephen to know she's there. Pam wonders around during the ceremony and makes herself at home at the alter. After the ceremony, they all go into the Sacristy to sign the marriage certificate and someone is injured.

From here we go back in time and learn about all these people. This "close knit" family may not be the Upper Middle Class standard that everyone thinks they are. The oldest daughter, Tully is dealing with the fact that her husband made a bad investment and they now have to sell their home, oh and she's a kleptomaniac. Her sister, Rachel, is single, runs a bakery, and oh, she was raped when she was 16 and has never told anyone but eats when she gets stressed. Heather is younger than both of her soon-to-be daughters-in-law and her parents were alcoholics. Then there's Stephen, a successful brain surgeon and a real catch. Everyone thinks he's just wonderful, but is he? Or is he a control freak and abuser?

Is Heather going crazy? Why are the sisters so competitive with each other? This book was so well written I didn't want to put it down. I really cared about the characters, they certainly aren't perfect but they are sympathetic. I could have gotten to know them even more!

Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another fantastic novel by Sally Hepworth!

I have loved all of this author's previous novels. Her last novel THE GOOD SISTER is one of my all time favorite novels. Needless to say, I was very excited to read this book.

At times, I wanted to slow down because I knew once it was over, I would likely have to wait quite a while for the author's next release. But I couldn't stop reading. I had an inkling about something and I HAD to find out if I was right. So I continued reading long (lonnng) into the night.

Tully and Rachel Aston are not happy that their father, Steven is about to be married again. One of their issues is that he is still married to their mother, Pamela. Pamela suffers from dementia and has been living in an assisted living facility. The other issue is that their father's fiancée, Heather is a much younger woman.
And Heather has secrets.

But she's not the only one.

Sooo many secrets!!

This was another winning domestic suspense novel from Sally Hepworth! . A terrific storyline with wonderful well-developed characters. SH's characters are always so interesting. Love 'em or hate 'em….they all make the story better. I really enjoyed the multiple points of view.


This novel was the perfect escape from reality that I needed. It kept me guessing and thoroughly entertained until the very last page.

Can't wait to see what's next from Sally Hepworth!!


Another fantastic novel by Sally Hepworth!

I have loved all of this author's previous novels. Her last novel THE GOOD SISTER is one of my all time favorites. Needless to say, I was very excited to read this book.

At times, I wanted to slow down because I knew once it was over, I would likely have to wait quite a while for the author's next release. But I couldn't stop reading. I had an inkling about something and I HAD to find out if I was right. So I continued reading long (lonnng) into the night.

Tully and Rachel Aston are not happy that their father, Steven is about to be married again. One of their issues is that he is still married to their mother, Pamela. Pamela suffers from dementia and has been living in an assisted living facility. The other issue is that their father's fiancée, Heather is a much younger woman.

Heather has secrets.

But she's not the only one.

Sooo many secrets!!

This was another winning domestic suspense novel from Sally Hepworth! A terrific storyline with wonderful well-developed characters. SH's characters are always so interesting. Love 'em or hate 'em….they all make the story better. I really enjoyed the multiple points of view.


This novel was the perfect escape from reality that I needed. It kept me guessing and thoroughly entertained until the very last page.

Can't wait to see what's next from Sally Hepworth!!



I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars
I actually wouldn’t classify this book as a thriller - more of a domestic literary suspense. The topic is quite serious but a big part of the suspense so I won’t say anymore on that. Although others described it as edge of your seat, again I differed. I found it more character driven and slower paced. I think readers might be disappointed if they go in with expectations as a fast paced thriller because it wasn’t either. However, it was an interesting portrayal of dysfunctional family dynamics. My favourite character was actually Heather, the younger wife. She was elegant yet flawed in a sympathetic way.

The characters definitely come to life. They are vibrant beings the reader gets to know intimately, warts and all. They made the book engaging and relatable. There were even a few chuckles along the way.

Of course, there is the big reveal at the end. We know someone has been seriously hurt at the wedding, but we don’t know who, how or why. The ending wasn’t earth shattering but it wrapped things up nicely. I liked it.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am torn with this book. I enjoyed most of it. The Younger Wife tackles some very deep topics. For example: Rape, Kleptomania, Dementia, Gaslighting, Alcoholism and Domestic Abuse. And this book had a very fast pace. But, the ending... I am disappointed with the ending. You are still left with the question of Stephen...sort of. Was he an abuser. Maybe yes, maybe no. I guess what it boils down to is that when a person is being gaslighted they are constantly made to feel like they are the ones who are crazy and this book showed that in spades. In the way the author laid out the book, each chapter from a different point of view, and within those chapters told the story in a different way, and that kept the story moving. A solid 3.5 ⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Sally Hepworth for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Love, love, loved this book - I couldn't put it down and read it in one night! Sisters Rachel and Tully are dismayed that their father is going to marry his girlfriend who is younger than them - and he announces this while he is still married to their mother, who is suffering from dementia and lives in a home. The family dynamics are fascinating, and I found each of the characters to be likeable - yes, even the dad, Stephen, who makes everyone else in the family question what's real vs what's in their head. This made me think a lot about things I perceive vs know to be true, and I would highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc of this book for my honest review. I was already a fan of Sally Hepworth, and this book did not disappoint.

This story is told on a back and forth timeline through three different perspectives, which helped to build the intensity a bit in my opinion, because it kept me second guessing what I thought I knew. The author really has a knack for keeping you on your toes and making you question everything you think is happening (or not happening) throughout the story.

I appreciated each of the main characters - Tully, Rachel, and Heather. I thought Tully could sometimes be a little over the top, but Rachel helped balance her out a bit in a group setting. I also appreciated Heather, who could so obviously be the younger wife gold digger type, but she never really seemed to come across that way to me.

Finally, can we talk about that ending...I can see how it REALLY makes you question things after the fact. I honestly don't know what to believe, but I do know I was thoroughly entertained and kept on the edge of my seat to find out more as I read along.

4/5 stars - pub day April 5, 2022

Stephen Aston is getting married to a much younger wife (hence the title), except his original wife is still alive and is riddled with dementia. His two daughters round out the cast Rachel and Tully. They both have baggage and neuroses that I found interesting to fill them out. It all comes together at the wedding when a rogue candlestick connects with someone's head.

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.

I love how this book highlights women's mental health and how this shapes our lives and relationships. Especially highlighting the things we do to cope. It made me examine peices myself that I saw in Tully, Rachel and Heather.

As always Sally Hepworth's writing is superb and the she weaves a story keeps you constantly wanting more. Overall I really loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I know this is one I'll be thinking about for a long time.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the gifted ARC of The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth.

Genre: Thriller
Rating: 3.5⭐️

This was my first Sally Hepworth novel. Her writing style kept me entertained and wanting to keep reading! I could tell early on that this was going to be a dark, twisty thriller.

The story kept me wanting to read, but I’m not sure about the ending. It was what I consider a psychological thriller. You were left wondering what was real and what wasn’t!

If you like twisty psychological thrillers, then you might enjoy this one!

I really did not enjoy this book.

I think the author included a number of serious issues without any in-depth exploration. I mean even the whole premise of questioning whether abuse is occurring was really strange and uncomfortable to me. Blaming a crime on a patient with Alzheimer's was an odd choice as well.

I thoroughly enjoy a book that starts at the end and then chapters are told in multiple POV’s to bring you up to the ending. Where this book started and where it ended was not at all where I thought it was going and I loved that! Sally cleverly plays with your mind as you wonder if what some experience is real or in their minds. I was given an ARC of this by Net Galley and I truly appreciated the chance to read it before it comes out. The last few pages flipped the script once again…or did it? I’m left wondering and already chose this for my book club’s May pick as there will so many interesting theories to discuss. Thank you Net Galley and Sally Hepworth I look forward to reading your next book!

Another great read by Sally Hepworth. I couldn't put this book down and finished it in one day! Lots of drama, suspense, and twists that keeps you guessing. I enjoyed the character development! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC.

I’ve enjoyed other books by the author and was looking forward to reading The Younger Wife. Unfortunately, after seeing some reviews I decided to look more at why it wasn’t working for others and ultimately decided this isn’t for me. It is hard for me to say much more since I haven’t read it myself but I saw enough to know that it wouldn’t be a good reading experience for me. I still look forward to seeing what Hepworth writes next but I’m going to pass on this one.

Harmful and distasteful. I will not be recommending this book and I’m shocked the author would use such sensitive issues in such a way.

This is a domestic suspense - NOT A THRILLER! I hate that every book is marked as a thriller if it has even the slightest bit of suspense. There is an open-ended ending that is left to reader interpretation - readers beware. There are 3 points of view that were all quite compelling, It was entertaining and interesting, but not very realistic.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

It pains me to write this review but, the content and plot are both incredibly harmful. I’m concerned for individuals who are/have been victims of domestic violence reading this and being triggered and gaslit.

I’ve been on a major major book rut lately—especially with thrillers. I’ve really struggled because I haven’t wanted to read anything from a psychopath’s perspective. I don’t want to read about how much you love murdering people or dissecting them.

This was THANKFULLY not that.

I would honestly categorize this book as a domestic suspense.

We are following two sisters, Tully and Rachel, and Heather, their dad’s new (and younger) wife.


The girls are baffled why their dad is marrying Heather so quickly after divorcing their mother. They see nothing wrong on the surface with Heather, but is that the truth?

Basically this family has secrets, and they’re struggling.
You’ll be lost for most of the book. Honestly, the ending was fairly vague so don’t read this if you want solid answers. The author lets you draw your own conclusion here.

I liked this more than I thought.


Trigger warning for sexual assault and miscarriage.

Thanks netgalley for this arc to review!!

This is the third book I've read from the author and this new release holds to her previous work, with complex characters navigating through their personal issues. It all begins in the present when a serious accident occurs at a family wedding.

From that introduction, the story then transitions to the past leading up to the wedding day, with three POVs.
*** Rachel - a baker who has used her career to manage her emotions (baking her feelings, and at times, eating them too).
*** Tully - Rache's sister who has an issue managing her own compulsion, stealing.
*** Heather - the soon-to-be stepmother to the two sisters, engaged to their dad, Stephen. Not to be outdone by the sisters, she has an issue with drinking.

Throughout the story, the sisters adjust to the addition of Heather to their already complex family - their mother, Pam, has just recently been put in a living facility to manage her dementia.

As the story unfolds, I had to wonder, is Heather the cause of both sisters spiraling, or is she actually the balm that can help them? Given Heather's own issues, it was never clear. However, collectively, the three characters begin to rely on one another, sharing their secrets. In addition, as they bonded, certain information was shared that was certainly related to the wedding incident. The who and why isn't as simple as I would have expected. And small revelations at the end make it all the more tragic.

The direction of this story was unexpected and overall, kept me engaged throughout. Another enjoyable read from this author.