Member Reviews
I started this book some time ago, but I just couldn't get into it. So I am not the best person to review it. Sorry.
Carolyn Mackler’s debut adult novel, Because Every Wife Deserves a Happy Ending, is a refreshing and uproarious exploration of modern marriage and female empowerment. The story follows three best friends—Lauren, Madeline, and Sophie—who, fed up with their ex-husbands and the undervalued work of being a wife, launch a revolutionary app to monetize the "mental load" of domestic life. What begins as a whimsical revenge fantasy soon spirals into a whirlwind of unforeseen consequences, blending sharp wit with heartfelt moments. Mackler's narrative shines with its blend of humor, emotional depth, and insightful commentary on contemporary relationships. The novel is a spirited tribute to friendship and personal growth, and its rollercoaster of events and relatable characters make it an engaging and satisfying read.
This book tried to do too much. I really enjoyed the concept and most of the execution, but it felt like it wanted to hit every intersectional feminist aspect possible like a checklist instead of in a way that felt natural to the story.
What a cool concept! I’m in love with the writing in this need to immediately go out and find more books from her. Would re read this in a heartbeat!
Fun read. Full of emotion paired with real life twists and turns. Three friends create an app that helps hire Wives to get paid to do the mundane chores of everyday life. While in the process of creating this app they learn more about themselves and what really matters to them as individuals and their families. While the concept of the book is lighthearted it also has an underlying level of more complex issues and how people view/value themselves. This was my first Carolyn Mackler novel but I will definitely be looking out for more of her books!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you NetGalley, Carolyn Mackler and Simon & Schister for hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
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Light, fun and a fresh concept.
All the stars go to the underlying message in this read. There is definitely a ‘mental load’ attached to running a family. I’ve always said we’ve (women) shot ourselves in the foot by trying to juggle everything in our quest to have equality and equity vs men. All we’ve done is taken on two jobs - one unpaid and one paid!
I struggled to connect with all the characters - from the minor ones to the main ones. Told from three POVs the story passed quickly but I wasn’t a fan of the ‘Cinderella’ aspect.
"The Wife App" by Carolyn Mackler is a refreshing and entertaining read that delves into the complexities of modern relationships and the often invisible labor women perform in managing households and families. Mackler’s wit and keen observations shine through as she crafts a story that is both relatable and thought-provoking.
The novel centers around three friends who decide to create an app to help women get the credit and compensation they deserve for their efforts. The premise is innovative and timely, reflecting current conversations about gender roles and equality. The characters are well-drawn and engaging, each bringing a unique perspective and set of challenges to the table.
Mackler's writing is sharp and humorous, making the book a page-turner. However, there are moments where the pacing feels uneven, and some plot points seem a bit predictable. While the central theme is compelling, it occasionally feels like the novel is trying to juggle too many subplots at once, which can detract from the main narrative.
Overall, "The Wife App" is a solid read with a lot of heart and humor. It effectively highlights important social issues while providing an enjoyable story. It may not be perfect, but it's certainly worth a read for anyone interested in a smart, contemporary take on women's lives and friendships.
The wife app was a super fun read! I love the different female characters, each figuring out what it means to be a wife or post-divorce life meant. It’s a novel that recognizes all the work a wife does but are not quantified or rewarded, and taken for granted by society, and to some extent by their ex husbands. Each character was unique, and I like their friendships!
I forgot to write review when I finished, but I thought this was a cute book and would recommend it to others.
Synopsis: In the wake of her divorce being finalized, Lauren and her two friends Sophie and Madeline create an app to help families tackle the “Mental Load,” things that husbands often take for granted that wives do for free! As they navigate the growing success of the Wife App, while being Wives themselves, the 3 main characters each undergo major personal transformations in their own lives.
Review: I loved this story! It was like a female friendship romance in the modern, realistic world, as they navigate a growing tech company together and overcome hurdles with the husbands and children in their lives. This book showcases the massive work that (mainly) women put in daily to ensure their families can get through every day - and it’s a lot - while taking down the patriarchy that undermines that work on a regular basis. I loved this fresh take and how this story was told. Highly recommend!
Interesting read - I'm not married so I think I just found this a little hard to relate to? I liked the different female characters each figuring out what it means to be a wife or post-divorce life meant for them. This book definitely recognizes all the work a wife does but are not quantified or rewarded, and taken for granted by society.
The wife app was a super fun read! I love the different female characters, each figuring out what it means to be a wife or post-divorce life meant. It’s a novel that recognizes all the work a wife does but are not quantified or rewarded, and taken for granted by society, and to some extent by their ex husbands. Each character was unique, and I like their friendships!
"The Wife App" by Carolyn Mackler is a compelling novel that shines a spotlight on the lives of its "older" female characters, drawing readers into their world with rich detail and emotional depth. The plot is engaging, weaving together the stories of these women in a way that keeps you turning the pages. I always enjoy a book where the main characters are not doe-eyed, young women in search of a man to save them.
In this novel, Mackler skillfully explores themes of love, friendship, and the complexities of relationships, offering a poignant and thought-provoking read. The older female characters are portrayed with complexity, making them feel like real people facing real challenges.
Overall, "The Wife App" is a captivating novel that offers a fresh perspective on life and love, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Wife App by Carolyn Mackler in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I really enjoyed this book - who wouldn't love an app to do all the things we don't want to do! Such a fun read and will absolutely be telling all my girlfriends to read this asap!
I really enjoyed this book! The mental load of being a woman, a wife, and a mother is intense. This book was such a great way to show it off with the Wife App. I loved the multiple POVs and how each of the main women had different views and life stages so it made the book move quickly.
I enjoyed this one - I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was pretty good. I think I would round up to 4 stars. As a mom and a wife, I definitely get the whole mental load and need for a Wife app thing, ha!
They say stay-at-home moms should earn a multi-six-figure income...so why not monetize that mental load and make it yourself?! So much of this book resonated with me and it was a thoughtful read for sure.
This has such a fresh and unique premise and compelling characters that kept me engaged. It was even better than I expected and definitely impressed me as a debut.
Thank you Simon & Schuster for the chance to read this book on NetGalley.
5 star entertainment all the way! I was hooked from the synopsis alone; I mean what a neat concept!! I felt like this was a wholly original and unique concept with some very relatable characters and life stories that felt messy in a way all moms/wives could understand.
I have been reading Carolyn Mackler books since I was a teenager, and I am still hands down a FAN! This one gets all the stars from me and I really hope there are more adult books coming from Mackler soon! I would recommend this to any of my mom friends and even some friends without kids who just enjoy a good look into the life of a family.
I really enjoyed how the chapters bounced between the 3 mom friends and how each friend had their own "issues" they were working through with their ex-husbands and kids. Madeline really reminded me of Samantha from Sex in the City and that was fun!
Many moments made me laugh out loud or roll my eyes; read this if you enjoy a good laugh and can appreciate the struggle of trying to do it all and keep everyone happy.
I thought this was a very light hearted story for a very serious underlying problem in marriages. I was all for the three divorced women in this book. I liked the characters, but there was some immaturity for me that I could have done without. It was an easy read for me and I think a lot of busy and exhausted women can relate!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.