Have you ever read a book that you just know you’re going to go against the grain with how you feel about the story? I had one this year that just really rubbed me the wrong way. Blockbuster book but not my cup of tea.
I had the pleasure of reading Hepworth‘s upcoming release and I have to say I have a love-hate relationship with it. This is a tough review to write because she is a celebrated author known for her psychological thrillers. Read on for my explanation plus my thoughts on this review.
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth
Publisher : St. Martin’s Press (April 5, 2022)
ISBN-13 : 978-1250229618
OVERVIEW:
Stephen Aston is getting married again. The only problem is, he’s still married to his first wife, even though she is in a care facility for dementia. But he’ll take care of that easily, by divorcing her–even if his adult daughters protest.
Tully and Rachel Aston look upon Heather as nothing but an interloper. Heather is the same age as Rachel and even younger than Tully. Clearly she’s a golddigger and after their father’s money. Heather has secrets that she’s keeping close, and reasons of her own for wanting to marry Stephen.
With their mother unable to speak for herself, Tully and Rachel are determined to get to the truth about their family’s secrets, the new wife closing in, and who their father really is. But will getting to the truth unleash the most dangerous impulses…in all of them?
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth Review
There’s something amazing about an author who can write a great psychological thriller. They know how wind you up; keep you guessing; throw those tiny vague little snippets of clues like petals down the pathway. It is exciting to turn those pages to find what on earth is going to be next.
Hepworth is known for her psychological thrillers and when I cracked this book open I was waiting for all of those feelings. The amazing build up was there. She’s got the perfect story. People you love to hate that leave you suspicious of everyone. She does not shy away from topics that are touchy to write about such as rape, PTSD type reactions, abuse, intimidation, gaslighting. It’s a classic thriller buildup!
And then you get to the ending and you wonder what the hell did I just read. Unfortunately, this ending landed flat for me and it was really a letdown after the rest of the book. It’s sort of just killed the story for me. While all of the exciting build up was in place, for some reason the ending did not match.
The Younger Wife is a classic twisted family psychological tale that offers loads of twists and drips along the way but begs for that shock ending we crave!
3.5 STARS => 4 STARS
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.
2 thoughts on “The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth: Review”
I agree with your review. Ending left me flat. Was the “other” ending better? It needed a shocking finality!
Yes. OMG I was so disappointed!