Zando Projects provided a galley for review.

I remember fondly the 1989 film version starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito. So, getting a chance to read the original novel upon which it was based was an exciting prospect. I found it quite exhilarating to jump back to a classic, one that holds up extremely well after over forty years. The story had quite a bit of details that were different than the film, so it was a fresher, darker take on an already dark story.

The material things that make up the Rose's home are just as much a character as the couple themselves. That starts right from the opening chapter where Jonathan and Barbara meet at an auction. The whole theme of materialism is one that was prominent in the 80's when the story first came to be, and it still resonates today.

I was not aware that there was also a sequel written by Adler in 2013 called The Children of the Roses. His estate will be releasing another (previously unpublished work as the author passed in 2019) in the series The Curse of the Roses late in 2025 or early 2026.

Wow. This book was so entertaining. I was so eager to finish this to find out how it ends. I cannot believe everything Barbara and Jonathan did over a house...This was quite possibly the nastiest divorce in history. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this because after having read reviews I wasn't sure if I was going to like this one.

The story starts off by showing you the Roses as the picture perfect family. Their cookie cutter image almost immediately goes south when Barbara decided that she wants out and not only does she want the house, but she wants everything. Things become more sinister when both spouses decide they can't part with the house.

I could sympathize with both characters because they put a lot of love, time, and effort into their home. It was kinda crazy that they were treating it as if it were a living breathing person though. The divorce lawyers weren't helping either.

I have to give high praise to Warren for his writing of these characters. It was truly phenomenal. Barbara was the most insufferable heroine that I have ever read. I truly could not stand her constant whining and whole woe is me schtick. Do you understand how good at writing you have to be to make me hate a fictional person? She blew up her family out of the blue on a random day because she made poor choices in her life, She really wanted everyone to suffer and was so unreasonable.

I was siding with Jonathan throughout the entire divorce, but make no mistake, he was toxic too. His misogyny coupled with his incessant need to get back at Barbara didn't help matters. He even tries to manipulate the nanny to get his way.

These two were so ridiculous and just the right amount of annoying that if made me hungry to finish the story and kept my interest the entire time. This book is not long, but it felt like I was reading it forever. It's fun in that it feels like you're watching a reality tv show about two people who just keeping doing petty things to make the other one mad. This book heavily explores themes of greed. Overall, I recommend this. This was the perfect book to cure me of my book slump.

There's a new movie adaptation of this one coming out and I probably won't get to see it until it hits streaming, so I did what I frequently do and got my hands on the book. Originally published in 1981, this is a dark, wild ride that's (in my opinion) aged well. Jonathan and Barbara rose both want new lives away from their marriage -- but they both refuse to give up their house and the trappings of the life they've build together. Their rapidly escalating battle is extremely entertaining and had me wondering just how far they'd go as their actions got worse and worse.

I remember seeing the 1980s movie version of this (and my mom joking about the snoring scene for years after) so I jumped to read the book. It starts with such a seemingly sweet couple, but goes off the rails when the wife, Barbara realizes she doesn’t care about her husband anymore and wants her own life. I totally can understand her reasoning but they both sort of spiral into a battle of will over their house & antiques. It’s such a wild and unhinged journey but doesn’t really have the humor hit like the movie did. It’s more just sad that the need for the possessions take over their divorce and they forget about their kids (and pets, be aware of the animal welfare issues if you have triggers). It was a good book but mostly just sad. Also, the nanny being obsessed with the husband, Jonathan was an unnecessary plot point to me.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read and review this book.

The ultimate marital meltdown is back, just in time for a brand-new film adaptation starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman!

The War of the Roses claws its way out of the ’80s and onto your must-read list.

Jonathan and Barbara Rose look like the perfect couple. One day Barbara decides she's had enough and wants out but, why? A civilised divorce spirals into a battle royale between two ex-lovers who once promised to love each other in sickness and in health.

An absolute page-turner with a wild ending!

This 1980s classic is back just in time for a major new film adaptation starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman.

Originally published in 1981 and famously adapted into the 1989 film with Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito, The War of the Roses is a black comedy that shocked readers back then... and still hits hard now.

Jonathan and Barbara Rose seem like the perfect couple. Their love story begins like a fairy tale, and Adler draws you in with charm and elegance until the day Barbara decides she wants out. That’s when the fairy tale turns into an all-out war.

What follows is a vicious, jaw-dropping domestic battle that will have you gasping and flipping pages just to see how far these two will go. It’s outrageous, sharp, and uncomfortably perfect for today's cutthroat world.

A must-read for fans of dark humor, marital thrillers, and stories where civility breaks down spectacularly.
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