The Wife Upstairs: A Novel

I received a free audio edition of this modern novel from Netgalley, Rachel Hawkins, and MacMillan Audio along with narrators Emily Shaffer, Kirby Heyborne, and Lauren Fortgang. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. This was an interesting look at Southern Charm, and redefines our concept of 'smart women'. Set in the busy Alabama city of Birmingham and featuring men and women of the upper echelon of the social set, the book held my interest but I found the concept of someone living downstairs of an entrapped woman for many months while those living below have not a clue a bit too much to swallow. Still, an interesting look into Birmingham society. This was my first audiobook experience and I must say that frequent use of the f-word in a written text is much less jarring than that delivered orally.

Jane was running from something in Arizona and running right into more trouble even though she didn't know it would be trouble. Jane walks dogs for wealthy people, and one of the neighbors whose wife along with her friend drowned bought a dog so he could get close to Jane. Jane jumped at the chance to walk Eddie Rochester's dog because she knew she could make him love her and be his next wife. Was she getting herself into something worse than what she left in Arizona? For Jane, the rich, catty women were the worst, but Jane was getting her plan to work and into place. She nabbed a rich man; now all she had to do was become his wife. Did Eddie have plans of his own, though, are they already in the works, or have they been carried out? Then a wrench gets thrown in - the police find out his wife's friend was murdered, and they think Eddie's wife was too. What will happen next? A lot happens. Everyone in this book seems to have a secret, and they are ones that may be difficult to keep. They also are pretty good liars. I would be sure to put this book in your TBR....it is that good. 5/5 This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

thought this might be worth it because it seems like a simple enough premise and it was described as having a fresh "feminist" take. unfortunately I found the experience bland and fairly predictable which, forgivable, but what's with this girl boss version of "feminism"? -main character finds safety and financial security by pressuring a guy into a relationship -female characters who's lives revolve around buying stuff and gossip -a sociopathic female CEO like i guess the feminist message out of this is that women who choose to be vapid, choose to murder, and choose to manipulate people - are still doing it in spite of the white man i guess. and this would be forgiveable if it wasn't kinda dry and predicable. i will give that the pacing is consistent enough to thumb through it in a few hours. even lackluster potato chips can be difficult to put down till their gone.