Book Review #25 -The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda

The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda

About the book

Kate Nelson had it all. A flourishing company founded with her husband, John; a happy marriage; and a daughter, Ashlyn. The picture-perfect family. Until John left for another woman. Tish is half his age. Ambitious. She’s cultivated a friendship with Ashlyn. Tish believes she’s won.

She’s wrong.

Tish Nelson has it all. Youth, influence, a life of luxury, and a new husband. But the truth is, there’s a lot of baggage. Namely, his first wife—and suspicions of his infidelity. After all, that’s how she got John. Maybe it’s time for a romantic getaway, far from his vindictive ex. If Kate plans on getting John back, Tish is one step ahead of her.

She thinks.

But what happens next is something neither Kate nor Tish saw coming. As best-laid plans come undone, there’s no telling what a woman will do in the name of love—and revenge.

About the Author

Kaira Rouda is a multiple award–winning USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction that explores what goes on beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Her novels of domestic suspense include The Favorite Daughter, Best Day Ever, and All the Difference. To date, Kaira’s work has been translated into more than ten languages. She lives in Southern California with her family and is working on her next novel. 

My take

This is the story of two wives of John Nelson - Kate and Tish. Kate, his ex wife, with whom he has built a life together, a company called EventCo that is soon broadening it's horizons into the public domain,  and with whom he has a teenaged daughter Ashlyen. And Tish, his current wife of three years, who was his executive assistant, and whom he started believing to be a soulmate while being stuck in his midlife crisis.

The story is narrated from alternating points of view of the three ladies, their play for power, their mind games to score against each other, and the consequences of their actions.

I felt angry at Tish for stealing John and his family life from Kate and Ashlyn, and even though Tish's character tries to justify her actions,  they don't always feel rational.

Kate is portrayed as a strong woman who has withstood the humiliation of her husband and co partner of the company she started leaving her for a woman half her age and with one fourth her brains.

Ashlyn is the typical teenager who gets exposed to the bitter realities of life sooner than she should,and how they shape her is worth the read.

Even though the plot is simple, the twists and turns keep us hooked. We crave to know who wins, what really happened, and there are some unexpected revelations, even though I had partially predicted them.

The language is simple yet flowing and narration is well paced.

The cover page is very attractive and intriguing, and I loved it.

I have seen many mixed reviews for this book. It has been called regressive and stereotyping towards women and its attitude towards marriage. Well, maybe, but again, we don't change our beliefs by reading a thriller. So I will say I enjoyed the read and whatever adrenaline it filled me with.

I rate it 3.5 stars.