A review by thebakerbookworm
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth

emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I was so excited to read this book because I LOVED The Good Sister, the first book I read by Sally Hepworth, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations though I still enjoyed reading it.

I probably would have rated it higher if not for the ending.

I loved the different relationships between characters and the dynamics in this family. There was space for each character to breathe and grow, particularly the sister relationship between Tully and Rachel. But I liked Heather’s chapters too, and how she got fleshed out, though I felt a bit more disconnect from her.

The mystery was good too—it flips between our three narrators in the present and an unknown narrator in the future (I really enjoyed that reveal). My problem was with the ending. I had a good idea of where it was going, and then the last two chapters, everything is suddenly in doubt—or is it? I’m still not sure what I’m supposed to get from that last chapter because the most apparent conclusion (
that the women are crazy and the dad was not actually abusive
) and what it says about women is not one I like.

So I’m not really sure what to think of this one. I enjoyed most of it, and I like her writing style, but the ending left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for letting me read this eARC!
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