Author: Sally Hepworth
Publication Date: 5 April 2022
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Page Count: 352
Dates Read: Apr 7 – 8
Reading Method: Physical ARC // Thank you to the publisher!
Review
A twisty story with a large cast of characters, The Younger Wife tells the story of two sisters dealing with the idea of their father remarrying a much younger woman. When they start to doubt their mother’s condition, they must work together to get the full truth. Heather (the younger wife) starts to question Stephen’s character but it might be too late for her to change her mind about the wedding…
The Younger Wife is told from three persepctives: Tulley, Rachel, and Heather. Tulley is struggling with her own family financial issues and a personal issue that is quickly becoming a much larger problem. Rachel is a baker who is struggling to put herself out there romantically and is the only one who believes there may be more to her mother’s condition than meets the eye. Heather is just looking for her happy ending – security, love, and stability. These three don’t get along, but Heather is desperate to form a connection.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but I wasn’t wowed by it. It relies very heavily on a trope I absolutely loathe (mentally unstable female). I will say, for three narrators, I didn’t have one that I preferred over the other. Each one had something happening in their sections that pushed the story forward and kept me interested. I also enjoyed the back and forth between the wedding and the events leading up to it.
The ending was … okay. I wasn’t blown away but thought everything was tied up pretty well. The very last chapter tries to throw in one final twist, but I didn’t really care for it. I think maybe this is an instance of a book that others will love but just wasn’t for me. I’m going to pass it along to my sister to see if she enjoys it better than I did.
//This story contains topics that might be difficult for some readers including, but not limited to, domestic abuse, miscarriage, and rape.
About the Book
THE HUSBAND
A heart surgeon at the top of his field, Stephen Aston is getting married again. But first he must divorce his current wife, even though she can no longer speak for herself.
THE DAUGHTERS
Tully and Rachel Aston look upon their father’s fiancée, Heather, as nothing but an interloper. Heather is younger than both of them. Clearly, she’s after their father’s money.
THE FORMER WIFE
With their mother in a precarious position, 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.
THE YOUNGER WIFE
Heather has secrets of her own. Will getting to the truth unleash the most dangerous impulses
in all of them?
About the Author
Sally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, most recently The Younger Wife. Her novel, The Mother-In-Law (2019), has been optioned for a TV series by Hollywood actress and producer, Amy Poehler.
Drawing on the good, the bad and the downright odd of human behaviour, Sally writes incisively about family, relationships and identity. Her domestic thriller novels are laced with quirky humour, sass and a darkly charming tone.
Sally’s novels are available worldwide in English and have been translated into 20 languages.
Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and three children.
