"The Younger Wife" by Sally Hepworth

 

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? ~taken from Goodreads

I will let you know now that this book will not end how you think it will end. You will be confused and possibly even upset about the ending. You will go back and re-read the last few chapters to see if you missed something. If you are like me, you will curse out loud that you wish you were part of a book club so you could discuss it with someone. That being said, I am not sure how I feel about the ending. I think that is exactly how author, Sally Hepworth, wanted it to be.

This story is told from multiple different perspectives. The first perspective we are introduced to is a complete mystery and remains so until about 3/4 of the book. The other perspectives are via the two daughters and the younger (almost) wife. 

I like the different perspectives because it did help round out the characters and give the full view of each of their lives. All three have very deep, unresolved issues from their past they are dealing with. All three's unresolved pasts stir together and create complete and utter dysfunction in all lives involved.

I do want to let readers know that this may have triggers for some- rape, domestic abuse, mental abuse, alcoholism, eating disorders, and kleptomania are all topics in this novel. 

This was not my first Sally Hepworth book. "The Good Sister" I read and reviewed last year and gave 5 stars! Hepworth is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. She knows how to build diverse and complete characters that make the story unique. She is great at setting the scenes and creating the atmosphere needed for the twists and turns in the storyline. 

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for allowing me a digital copy to read and give my honest review. It was a 4 star read for me! 

"The Younger Wife" is available for purchase today, March 5, 2022 here in the U.S. so get your copy now! 

Happy Reading!