Here comes the sequel to dynamic duo Liv Constantine’s smash hit The Last Mrs. Parrish! The despicable Jackson Parrish is being released from prison, and he’s about to majorly cramp the style of both his current wife Amber and his ex-wife Daphne. I think you could get away with not reading the first book because there’s enough recap sprinkled in, but I recommend reading because it firmly establishes the characters’ personalities and motivations.

This multiple POV suspense gives us the perspectives of Amber, Daphne, and a new character named Daisy Ann. You know Daisy Ann is going to figure into the story in a big way, but it’s awhile until we know how she’s connected. Meanwhile, uneasy alliances are formed between Jackson and each of the women. Jackson’s propensity for gaslighting and manipulation is so creepily well written that it made my arm hairs stand up! This is a quick and entertaining story, with short chapters and lots of action. It’s a wild ride full of bad decisions (Daphne, I’m looking at you) and crazy implausible twists and connections, but it’s still a fun read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Thank you PRH audio and via netgalley for the early review copies of The Next Mrs Parrish from Liv Constantine... This is the perfect poolside summer suspense story. I liked it more than The Other Mrs. Parrish perhaps because I felt I knew the two main characters better and understood the background and because of the expansion into themes that took the book away from standard domestic thriller. Domestic thriller still aren't my preferred thriller format, I find them predictable and often make me dislike humanity, but this one was fun (though still not crazy about humanity when I read this one,,, haha) and any time attention can be given to the harmful aspects of abuses in relationships and the impact of abuse on children and spouses, I am ok with that.

For me the writing was tighter as compared to the first book, the plot if not more complex at least introduced some additional layers to how awful Amber and Jackson are, and the introduction of Daisy Ann and her story made the universe a little more expansive, I found the first book a little claustrophobic and repetitive with the two main characters' stories.

some content notes, my additional two cents

NOTE, I have my back and forth thoughts about Daphne returning to help her teen daughter process their leaving their father behind (versus being more upfront about why returning would not be healthy), I am not sure if that was a good way to approach bringing the characters back together, but it also was explored a bit in the book, and I think reflects the complexity of abuse and gaslighting and parenting. For readers less than comfortable diving into these themes, this book is likely a pass.

NOTE, I think you can read this one and enjoy it without having read The Other Mrs. Parrish, there is enough quick review of the background to understand generally what happened (though not in a repetitive to readers way).

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I had really mixed feelings about the first book, The Last Mrs. Parrish.  I was completely into it for the first 30% of the book and kept thinking to myself wow, this one is going to be SO good and I can't wait to see how it ends!  Then it just sort of went off the rails for me and I struggled to follow some of the plot. It was still entertaining and I never doubted I would finish it, I just never got that 'wow' factor and kept waiting for more. Which is exactly why I was thrilled to get an early ARC of the sequel and I'm so happy to say the second book gave me what I felt the first was lacking.

Amber and Jackson are still positively despicable. Possibly even more so in this book. You get a lot more of Amber's back story aka the villain origin story.  Love her or hate her, she's a fantastic villain character!  Jackson just makes my blood boil and I think the authors do such a great job of evoking that emotion in readers, probably even more so in their women readers! We also have Daphne and the children reintroduced in this one. Without spoilers, there are a lot of parts of that story that I don't love and had a hard time following, but overall I thought the authors did a wonderful job of tying up loose ends with that storyline. While some parts were unrealistic to me, some of them like the struggles with preteens in a divorced family were really well done and the interactions felt very real. I also loooveee the introduction of Daisy Ann. I really can't say more about her without spoilers, but I thought she was a wonderful addition to this sequel.

If you're like me and had 'meh' feelings on The Last Mrs. Parrish, give this one a read. My expectations were majorly exceeded and now having read the second, I would give a higher rating to the first with the caveat that your read both!

The Next Mrs. Parrish is engaging, but full of horrible, tritely written characters. I turned pages simply because I was interested to see what horrible thing the characters would do next. It was a character-driven trainwreck. Something I really detested was how the authors would directly characterize, instead of letting the reader come to conclusions on his/her own. I hope this will be the last book in the series, as I really enjoyed the other books the authors have written. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

A sequel to "The Last Mrs. Parrish?!" Sign me up! Jackson, Amber, and Daphne are back in this follow-up novel to the first hit. Jackson is preparing to be released from prison, while Amber's money and patience are beginning to run low. Amber, being the conniving woman that she is, finds a way to deceptively make a few million before she takes off, leaving both Jackson and her son behind. Daphne and her daughters, meanwhile, have been living their best lives in California, moving on from the trauma that Jackson made Daphne endure. When Daphne's oldest daughter begins to express an interest in reconnecting with her dad, Daphne decides to return to the East Coast for the summer to allow her girls to see Jackson.

And here's where the drama REALLY begins. With Amber in and out of the picture, Jackson makes it his mission to woo Daphne back. Amber is willing to help him with this daunting task.....for the right price, that is. And then we also have a brand new character who enters the scene. Daisy Ann is a Dallas socialite who is mourning the death of her father. A death that seems suspicious at best, downright nefarious at worst. As Daisy Ann begins to investigate the death, she finds clear ties to her former stepmother, who is none other than, you guessed it.....Amber.

The authors did a brilliant job of enmeshing these characters to craft a juicy and addictive page turner. All of the characters and the plot lines tied together perfectly. While the ending may have been a little unrealistic, I was perfectly satisfied when I turned the final page. With a release date of June 18th, this novel has "beach read" written all over it!

The Next Mrs Parrish picks up where The Last Mrs Parrish ended. It follows more about the family dynamic versus a thriller like book one. Overall, I enjoyed reading about the characters and it was a wild ride. Sometimes it felt too wild and there was so many connections between characters. I loved The Last Mrs Parrish when I read it a few years ago and I dont know if it needed a sequel. It was a quick read and the story progressed quickly throughout.

I read THE LAST MRS PARRISH years ago, so I was a little fuzzy on the details, but once I kept going, I felt caught up! I feel like this book could also be read as a stand-alone. I gravitated toward Amber and Daisy’s stories, than Daphne’s. I understood why she went back, but it all could have been avoided if she just stayed at home! Amber and Daisy’s back and forth was more fun. I loved learning about their connection. It was fun to hate Amber! She is one of those rare instances when I didn’t mind her unlikeable ways. A quick read with some surprise twists at the end to satisfy.

Wow a great continuation to the Mrs Parrish storyline! These characters are WILD and CRAZY - honestly the GASLIGHTING was insane and made me so angry, i’m terrified to ever be in a situation like this.

FABULOUS! Another winner (sequel) by the dynamic partners-in-crime duo!

INTERVIEW: Stay tuned for my upcoming #AuthorElevatorSeries Chat (pub day Jun 18), where we go behind the scenes of THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH, the series, and the talented sister duo! #CoverCrush

Talented author Liv Constantine returns following The Senator's Wife with the popular series (Mrs. Parrish), the highly anticipated #2 THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH —a deliciously wicked, fun cat-and-mouse thriller of revenge and obsession that will keep you entertained until the explosive ending. Fans of the series and authors will devour it.

My favorite of the series, with the introduction of a clever new character, Daisy Ann — that will keep you laughing and guessing as to how she will fit into this dysfunctional triangle —Amber, Daphne, and Jackson. What a blast!

Amber, Jackson's manipulative second wife, is trying to keep up appearances in Bishops Harbor society while her hubby is in prison for tax fraud. She cannot wait to ditch him and he feels the same, but they are keeping up appearances. They are using one another for their own personal gains.

Of course, Jackson and Amber are despicable, and the author brilliantly showcases their evil, deceitful, dishonest, and manipulative ways. During the novel, they always try to up one another.

Meanwhile, sweet first wife, Daphne, left Bishops Harbor for California (good riddance) after her divorce (abused) from Jackson, swearing she would never return.

However, her daughters do not know the real truth about their father and how manipulative and evil he is, but her oldest daughter, Tallulah, misses him. Daphne reluctantly agrees to return for the summer, being the good mother she is—putting their needs first.

Which character will one up the other, and which one will be left standing in this sizzling, twisty thriller of obsession and revenge of cat and mouse? How will these four characters' paths collide?

Oh my goodness! Clever, scandalous, wickedly delicious, and brilliantly crafted, the author keeps the twists coming to the end! Nothing is as it seems. Oh, how I loved the ending!

THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH is a sinister, riveting, sizzling domestic suspense/psychological thriller. It is highly entertaining, with dark humor and characters we love to hate. I read this in one sitting and could not put it down. It is chilling, delightful, and satisfying!

In this installment, you will sympathize with Daphne, cheer on Daisy Ann, and hope Amber and Jackson ultimately get what is coming to them. The past will not stay buried forever. Get the popcorn ready —you will need a ring-side seat for this one! Even though Jackson and Amber are evil characters, I loved Jackson's comment to Amber that the most time she had ever spent with their son was in the delivery room! So true.

Well done, sisters in crime. For thriller lovers and Constantine fans, The First Shot, The Last Mrs. Parrish, and The Next Mrs. Parrish is a must-read series. For fans of author Kaira Rouda.

Thank you, Random House (Bantam) and NetGalley, for a digital advanced reading copy for an honest review. Also pre-ordered the audiobook—cannot wait with favorite narrators Raquel Beattie, Scott Brick, Suzanne Elise Freeman, and Erin Bennett. FUN, FUN!

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: June 18, 2024
June 2024 Must-Read Books
June Featured #AuthorElevatorSeries

After the author team Liv Constantine’s “The Last Mrs Parrish” (which could have been subtitled — for all three main characters — “Be careful what you wish for”), we’re back. Daphne has escaped; Amber got the Mrs. title, and the only Mr. Parrish is in jail, a satisfactory placement according to the wives.

In this sequel, it’s not long before Amber reveals herself to be a despicable mother (after snaring Jackson via baby Jax); Daphne is still being manipulated, but this time by her thirteen year old daughter; and Jackson is still escaping any accountability, exiting prison early. If you’ve read the previous book, there’s a stomach-turning moment when you realize that Amber and Jackson, although mutually hating each other, are ready to team up against poor Daphne. Daphne is not the only target: Amber is willing to work with Jackson if he helps her with a ghost from her past — the daughter of a previous (dead) husband, who managed to wrest away Amber’s anticipated marital inheritance, Daisy Ann. Again, the author team builds an uneasiness about what the villains are planning, but it’s satisfying knowing that re-energized Daphne and the new character Daisy Ann are never going to be willing victims again. As the POVs change between Daphne, Amber and Daisy Ann, the tension builds as we wonder again if Amber and Jackson are going to prevail. One common theme that all four eventually realize: “true success and power come from being independent”. This is a top notch psychological thriller with clear cut good guys (gals) and bad guys. I was engrossed from the start. 5 stars!


Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Daisy’s husband has smoldering green eyes, as does his father.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO White orchids do play a symbolic role.

Thank you to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Liv Constantine does it again. Incredible book. First, I love that it can be read as a stand-alone. In fact, I might recommend this book to some of my friends who haven’t read the first. Beyond that, this book was just as twisty and cinematic as the first. It definitely lived up to the hype that the first set. I will be reading every other book that the author publishes in the future.

I really enjoyed The Last Mrs. Parrish so I was super excited to be approved for an advanced copy of the sequel through @netgalley. The when I saw the audio was available through @prhaudio I knew The Next Mrs. Parrish had to be my next read! It did not disappoint!!@livconstantine2 has such a unique writing style when it comes to thrillers that I really enjoy. Truly plays likes a movie in my mind. Although the plot twists were nothing too crazy in my opinion, I did not see them all coming and still really enjoyed them. A solid thriller that I definitely recommend

I loved this book just as much as I loved the first one. However this can be read as a stand-alone and still be enjoyable. It was super entertaining with despicable characters. So twisty and thrilling. I recommend!

Great Book! Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the early copy. This review is my personal opinion.
I liked this book. I had no problem reading this as a stand alone, rather than a sequel. The plot and dialogue was fast moving. Conniving and despicable, Amber and Jackson were characters you loved to hate and I was cheering (and hoping) they would finally get their due. Daphne (Jackson’s first wife), after finally getting her and her two girls away from Jackson, returned to be near him for the sake of her children. Big mistake. Daisy Ann, a new comer to this scenario, is one minded in seeing that Amber pays for killing Daisy Ann’s father. Some of the twists were really gutsy and surprising. This book really wrapped up the first book nicely and it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Having really enjoyed The Last Mrs. Parrish years ago, I was excited to read this sequel. Unfortunately, it just didn't do it for me the same way the original did. I found it to be a lot of telling rather than showing to make sure everyone had the context of the first book and the prequel. The villains felt mustache-twirly in how over the top their evil was and I was so frustrated by Daphne's behavior throughout the whole thing. I still wanted to know what happened, but this book was a miss for me. Thank you NetGalley for my copy.

The Next Mrs. Parrish
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🚨 I want to talk freely about this book, I still don’t think there are spoilers, but I have to get my feelings out lol proceed with caution 🚨
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This is the second book in this little series (the first book being The Last Mrs. Parrish) I enjoyed the first book and I remember feeling satisfied with how it ended so when I heard there was going to be a second book I didn’t feel it was necessary, but I was interested to see where they were going to take this story. We picked back up about seven months after the first book ended and we’re met with quick chapters, a few different point of views, and we get some recaps about the first book along the way so it’s nice if you need a refresher, but I felt like there was a lot going on, but also nothing at all? We’re introduced to someone from Amber’s pasts, which just didn’t feel like it elevated the story, we already know Amber is conniving to say the least and adding her little background sub plot just took away from the story. We’re following a lot of different paths when it seemed like we needed to pick a lane. I wish we would have stuck with our fab 3 - Daphne, Jackson, and Amber and had this final explosive book!
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The whole story just felt really slow. I’m all for a slow burn, when it works it works, but slow burn doesn’t mean boring 🫣 Two unlikely characters start working together which was interesting for a minute, but it wasn’t leaned into enough! I saw a lot of the “twists” coming, one was more surprising, but then I felt underwhelmed because I was like finally something! The ending felt…..kinda….lame 😩 I also feel like we need a title rework or the two books need to swap titles! I really tried ya’ll, if you loved the first book I get it, but I think you’ll be disappointed in the second on, but! Remember it could just be me lol generously ⭐️⭐️
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Thank you NetGalley, Random House, and Liv Constantine for this e-Arc! The Next Mrs. Parrish comes out June 18!

I enjoyed The Last Mrs. Parrish so when The Next Mrs. Parrish came out I was very excited to read it. Unfortunately, I had a difficult time getting into the book. I felt the dialogue was a feeble attempt to build characters that fell flat. I enjoyed the ending but struggled to enjoy the first 90% of the book. Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my opinions.

I was skeptical when I first heard of an upcoming sequel to The Last Mrs. Parrish. Like many others, I read, enjoyed, and recommended the book to friends and family - it’s not the next great American novel, but it has some truly satisfying twists that elevate it above most contemporary thrillers. But it was also satisfying in that it was a complete story. Nothing about it demanded a sequel.

For the first 80% of The Next Mrs. Parrish, I was surprised that my mind had been changed. Though the plot often strained plausibility, it felt like the authors had found a compelling reason to write a follow-up.

But then I got near the end of the book, and it fell apart. Instead of clever twists and turns, the authors choose to hide information for the sake of suspense and not logic. This is a classic case of telling rather than showing - through clunky paragraphs of “here’s all the information we just decided not to tell you but that all the narrators knew.” The ending is so ludicrous, it completely negates all of the positive feelings I had for the first 4/5 of the book.

I’ve given three stars in recognition of the fact that it did keep me entertained for most of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the follow up to The Last Mrs Parrish. I think a follow up was perfect because the first book left so many things up in the air. I will say, I think this is a very bingeable read but I just wasn’t in it when I usually would have flown through this one. Once I picked up the audio it was much easier for me to fly through this and I actually finished the entire audio in one day. I truly love how the author gives us so many curveballs that you never see the next move coming. The theme of greed is strong and the want to protect family is even more so. Female friendships and found family also was a strong theme in this one which I love. If you loved The Last Mrs Parrish, you need to know how the story continues!

I loved the first Mrs Parrish book, but did not enjoy this one.

I simply could not get past a MC (Daphne) doing something so incredibly stupid and dangerous to her and the children. After that, nothing worked. I had to suspend massive amounts of disbelief to accept anything that happened after that.

I do enjoy this author duo and look forward to her next book (but maybe not a Mrs Parrish sequel.