The Younger Wife: A Novel

By Sally Hepworth

From the author of The Good Sister, the breakout New York Times bestseller and “stunningly clever thriller” (People), comes Sally Hepworth’s next novel of domestic suspense about the tangled vines of family secrets.

"Smart, suspenseful, brimming with secrets. This is Sally Hepworth at her unputdownable best."––Kate Morton, New York Times Bestselling Author

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?

More Praise for The Younger Wife:

"[An] appealing domestic suspense novel from bestseller Hepworth [with a] fast-moving plot. This often funny and affecting outing should win Hepworth new fans."––Publishers Weekly

"Completely compulsive. Sally Hepworth delivers with this stay-up-late one-more-chapter gem."––Jane Harper, New York Times Bestselling Author

"A warped tale [that] boasts Jane Harper’s multilayered characters and Liane Moriarty’s wealthy suburban world saturated with lies and deceit. With each domestic thriller, best-selling Hepworth shines brighter and draws in more readers."––Booklist

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Apr 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781250229694

Sally Hepworth

Sally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including The Good Sister and The Soulmate. 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. They are available worldwide in English and have been translated into twenty languages. Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her family and one adorable dog.

Book preview

Prologue

I always cry at weddings. Nothing original there, I know—except, perhaps, the reason. Most people cry for joy apparently, or because they’ve been catapulted back to their own wedding day and are overwhelmed by the emotion of it all. I cry because I am sad. Sad for me, sad for the bride, sad for the institution of marriage. Sad enough that it makes me cry. I’m especially sad at this wedding.

When I arrived, half an hour early, the surrounding streets were already jam-packed with shiny black Range Rovers, Mercedes, and Porsches. I suppose Stephen Aston’s wedding was always going to be a fancy affair. It’s a warm day and I’m sandwiched into a pew in the nondenominational chapel, surrounded by bunches of freesias, hyacinth, and snapdragons. The venue is entirely too small for the number of guests. The altar barely has space for the groom and celebrant—Lord knows where the bride will stand when she decides to show up.

I am seated toward the back and no one pays me any mind. Why would they? I’m a woman of a certain age; for years I’ve been bland and forgettable. People around me—the young, primarily—are always happy to take center stage. My friend Miriam often laments how we have disappeared now that we are older. No one sees me anymore, Miriam says. (Hello! she shouts aggressively at the deli server who has chosen to serve the pretty young woman in the yoga pants, even though Miriam has been there longer. I suspect Miriam is not as invisible as she believes.)

Stephen is at the front, and it has to be said that, even now, he still takes my breath away. He is flanked by two tiny boys in dinner suits—his grandsons, I expect. It’s ridiculous; the little one isn’t much more than a toddler and the other is five, tops. They should be at home napping or playing in the mud, not standing in a chapel! Still, it doesn’t surprise me that Stephen would want this. And the guests, judging by their cooing, think it’s adorable. Stephen’s adult daughters, Rachel and Tully, are bridesmaids, no doubt at their father’s insistence. Their dresses are navy and flatter them both—no mean feat given Tully is as slim as a whippet while Rachel is what my mother used to describe as porcine. Their smiles are painted on, unconvincing, but then who would be pleased to see their father marry a woman young enough to be their sister? And while their mother looks on to boot.

I was shocked to see Pamela here. Guests had exchanged worried looks as she entered on her daughter’s arm, smiling and waving as if arriving at a red-carpet event. I’d wonder why she was invited, if I didn’t know Stephen. Despite what happened, Pamela is family, and to Stephen, family is everything. Pamela takes her seat in the front row, then immediately rises to her feet again, walking purposefully toward Stephen.

The music changes and everyone turns to face the back of the room. The bride is fresh-faced, fake-tanned, and strapped into a dress that likely cost more than the deposit for my first home. She is very attractive—slim and brunette and thirtysomething. I sneak a look at Stephen. He looks proud as punch, and why wouldn’t he? Stephen may be a handsome man, but if you’re marrying a woman in her thirties when you’re in your early sixties, it has to be said you’re batting above your average.

The bride arrives at the front to find Stephen and his ex-wife standing there, but Stephen, being Stephen, manages to return her to her seat without anything being awkward—a feat that perhaps only Stephen Aston could pull off. With Pamela out of the way, the bride squeezes into the tiny space beside the groom, and the celebrant—a pigeon-shaped woman in a crisp white pantsuit—invites everyone to be seated.

The room is charged with aggressive goodwill—big unnatural smiles, wide eyes, comments about the bride’s dress (which is exquisite). Miriam recently observed that the vast majority of brides resembled the Barbie on a child’s birthday cake in their strapless gowns with skirts large enough to smuggle half a dozen leprechauns down the aisle. (Leprechauns, she’d whispered pointedly at the wedding of her niece last year. At least a dozen.) But not this bride. Heather looks positively elegant in her A-line gown.

As the celebrant starts her spiel, there’s the usual rustling in seats as people shift to get comfortable. A baby cries and is removed by his or her father. A few guests fan themselves with the wedding booklets while simultaneously trying not to touch the person on either side of them (a challenge in the cramped space). Then, just as everyone seems to have settled, Pamela stands again. The energy of the room shifts from aggressive goodwill to scandalized breath-holding as she wanders onto the altar, observing her surroundings casually as if perusing produce at the supermarket. Stephen smiles, dispelling the panic in the room. Carry on, he says to the celebrant.

I now pronounce you husband and wife, she says uncertainly as Pamela charges past them. She appears to be interested in the stained-glass windows. They are quite beautiful. You may kiss the bride.

The kiss is chaste and imbued with what appears to be genuine affection. When they separate, Stephen, impossibly pleased with himself, gives a little fist pump and the crowd erupts in applause, with a few whistles thrown in for good measure. The noise spooks Pamela, who looks around worriedly. She grabs an ornate brass candlestick, holding it up in front of her like a shield. Stephen beams at the crowd. He’s a newlywed. An ex-wife with Alzheimer’s isn’t going to rain on his parade.

Now, if you’ll excuse us for a moment, the celebrant says, I’m going to take the bride and groom into the sacristy to sign the register.

She leads Stephen and his new wife into a room to the side of the altar. The trio is followed by the two little boys, plus Rachel and Tully and Pamela, who is still clutching the candlestick. Will someone take that poor woman home? I think.

With the bridal party out of sight, the guests start chatting among themselves.

Wasn’t that lovely?

What a beautiful bride!

Isn’t it wonderful that he found love again?

Couldn’t have happened to a nicer man!

It seems as good a time as any to take my leave. I stand, gathering my things, and that’s when I hear it. A young woman’s scream and then, a dense, meaty thud. I rise at the same time as every other guest. I look to the front of the room, but my view is obscured by large hats and bald heads. I am craning to see through the gaps between the guests when the celebrant reappears. Her face is ashen and her white pantsuit is covered in blood.

1

TULLY

ONE YEAR EARLIER …

The moment she laid eyes on Heather Wisher, Tully knew this woman was going to destroy their lives. Tully was sitting in the restaurant, fiddling with the salt and pepper shakers, when Heather walked in, half a pace behind Dad. She looked exactly like Tully had pictured her: doe-eyed, soft-featured, chock-full of cunning. She was Rebecca De Mornay in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. A viper poised to strike.

Game face on, Tully told herself as she rose to her feet. That’s what Dad had always said to her. Game face on, Tully-girl. Smile, be courteous, keep it together. Don’t let them see any chinks in the ol’ armor. Fall apart later, when you get home. Tully was already looking forward to falling apart. She had it all planned. She was going to lock herself in the bathroom, where she would take a long, hot shower and cry until she slid down the wall, racked with those deep, guttural sobs that you saw in the movies. The catharsis of a shower cry could not be overstated for a woman in her thirties. Recently, Tully had taken to booking them into her schedule ahead of time—to get out in front of them, as it were. It was a form of self-care, really. Like personal training. And Botox.

Natalie, Dad said, when he was close enough. He smelled the same as always: Omo laundry detergent and a hint of toothpaste. No aftershave, no fancy deodorants. Dad had always been old-school in this regard. At least the new woman hadn’t changed that about him. Yet. This, he said, glancing back over his shoulder, is Heather.

Heather smiled carefully. Up until that moment, Tully hadn’t known it was possible to smile carefully, but there it was: the perfect smile for someone in her position. It reminded Tully of the smile you flashed when you bumped into someone you hadn’t seen for a while at a funeral. Rob—it’s fantastic to see you … and Beverly, I heard about your new business venture … but yes, very sad occasion. It was a lovely service. Careful smile.

Heather looked like a New York fashion editor. She wore an uncreased white shirt with tailored black pants and flat gold sandals, and she carried a Burberry trench over one arm. Her dark hair was center-parted and tucked behind her ears, her lips were painted a tasteful nude-pink. The most striking thing about her was her youth, which Tully had been warned about, yet still found herself inadequately prepared for. Thirty-four. Three years younger than Tully. One year younger than Rachel. Twenty-nine years younger than Dad. The funny thing was, Mum was six years older than Dad. I like older women, he’d said for most of Tully’s life.

Nice to meet you, Heather, Tully said, offering her a small, strange wave. There was always something a bit awkward about the lack of a handshake. Australia had fared exceptionally well during the COVID-19 pandemic—and since the strict lockdown had been lifted, life had continued more or less as normal, apart from a little more handwashing and people standing slightly farther apart than usual. Still, some people were nervous about the handshake, and Heather, with her perfectly white shirt, seemed like the classic germophobe who would wave away a handshake and then spray Glen 20 disinfectant on her palm just to be sure. Like Tully did.

It’s lovely to meet you too, Natalie.

Tully, she corrected. Only my parents call me Natalie.

It sounded like a barb, Tully thought. Maybe it was.

My apologies, Heather said sincerely. Tully.

Tully had to hand it to her—she was bloody faultless. The question was, what was she doing with Dad?

Tully tried to see her father through Heather’s eyes. He had sandy-gray hair—a full head of it, not bad for his age. He was tall and quite athletic. Actually, now she thought of it, he had stepped up the exercise recently. You heard about this kind of thing all the time: middle-aged men taking up marathon running to try to catch the eye of a younger woman. Often they ended up with a six-pack or some biceps before invariably having a heart attack and leaving their formerly penniless younger wives with a sizable inheritance and the freedom to marry a man their own age. Maybe that explained Heather’s interest in Dad?

As for Dad’s intentions with Heather, that remained unclear. Tully knew that some men liked to have young girlfriends—age-defying, midlife-crisis sort of men with something to prove—but Dad didn’t have anything to prove. He was a heart surgeon at the top of his field. A scratch golfer. Chairman of the board of Australia Gives Life, a charity that flew patients to Australia from developing countries to have lifesaving surgery. More importantly, he was a self-confessed dork. A man who was perfectly comfortable running outside in his dressing gown with one last bag of rubbish as the garbage truck approached. A man who prided himself on being able to estimate the exact amount of milk to froth for Mum’s cappuccino in the morning. A man who resisted mounting pressure to buy an iPad because he didn’t understand what was wrong with a good old-fashioned desktop computer. He was … Dad.

What a view! Dad said, holding his arms out wide to take in Half Moon Bay. It was a beautiful day and the bifold windows were open, letting in a light breeze and offering sweeping views of the sea. There were only four window tables available, and as they were not able to be booked, Tully had arrived an hour and fifteen minutes early to secure one … all to impress a woman she already hated. Tully recognized the absurdity of this, but she also understood this was how it had to be. The Astons weren’t the type of family to make a scene. They never spoke ill of each other outside the family circle. They never spoke ill of each other inside the family circle. The Astons did things nicely. Civilly. And a little bit absurdly.

You did good, sweetie, Dad said, winking at Tully.

Tully knew she’d done good. She might not be running a successful business like Rachel, but she knew how to find a nice restaurant. Lunch would cost a small fortune, but one of the upsides of going out with her father was that he always paid. If Sonny was present, he and Dad would have a polite scuffle over the bill, but Dad always won. Tully wondered if, given what Sonny was calling their new financial situation, those polite scuffles would soon be a thing of the past.

Shall we sit? Heather suggested.

Heather’s voice, Tully noticed, was imbued with a solid upper-middle-class accent, prompting Tully to reassess her hypothesis that Heather’s interest in Dad was an attempt to improve her status in life. She could be a gold digger, but judging by Heather’s Burberry trench, the woman wasn’t hard up. Which left Tully a bit stumped. If not for money or social standing, why would an attractive woman of thirty-four be interested in Dad?

They all sat. Already Tully was exhausted. She’d spent the evening before on two-year-old Miles’s bedroom floor, holding his hand as he got used to his new big-boy bed. She managed to sneak into her own bed around two A.M., before awaking again at daybreak for Pilates followed by packing lunch boxes, cleaning for the cleaner, and heading to preschool drop-off, where she was bailed up by Miles’s teacher for half an hour to discuss his issues. This, plus the extra half hour she spent crying in the car afterward, made her late for her blowout appointment—an unnecessary expense that, in light of their new financial situation, would almost certainly cause problems when Sonny saw it on the credit card statement. But it was going to be a tough day for Tully. A day that required her game face and a blow-out.

Heather reached for the wine menu. What shall we drink?

Let’s stick to water for now, Dad said, taking the wine list from Heather and setting it to the side in a gesture that Tully found curious. At least until Rachel gets here.

Rachel! Tully had nearly forgotten Rachel was coming. At the sound of her sister’s name, she felt a curious jolt of emotion. Relief, mostly. Things were always better when Rachel was here. Which was what sparked the other emotion Tully was feeling: irritation. Why did Rachel always have to be the one to make things better?

Tully glanced at her watch: 12:35. What kind of person would be late to meet their father’s new girlfriend? Annoyingly, Dad wouldn’t be bothered in the least. Rachel would stroll in fifteen minutes late and Dad’s face would light up because of what Tully thought of as the Rachel effect. The superpower that rendered all men, including her own father, putty in her hands. Not only was she funny and charming, she was also sickeningly beautiful—an attribute which was wasted romantically, as Rachel hadn’t so much as looked at a man since she was sixteen. For years, Tully had been holding her breath for the announcement that she was gay, but it had never come. It seemed a travesty to Tully that no one, male or female, should get to enjoy her dark eyes, tumbling chestnut hair, and body that rivaled Kim Kardashian’s. Man, how Tully envied that body. As an adolescent, Tully had assumed she was just a late developer—but her curves had never come, and Rachel’s just kept coming. Lately, in fact, Rachel was looking downright …

Fat, Rachel had said to her, when Tully had used the word voluptuous to describe her. You don’t have to whisper it or use some euphemism like ‘generous’ or ‘plus-sized’ or ‘Botticelli-like.’ ‘Fat’ doesn’t mean disgusting, slothful, or lazy … that’s just the meaning society attaches to it.

Tully had been mortified. She didn’t think Rachel was disgusting or lazy or slothful. She thought Rachel was beautiful. She merely couldn’t use the word fat at full volume. It felt wrong somehow. Like being asked to say fuck in church. That, she suspected, was Rachel’s point though, and, she had to admit, it was a good one. Why couldn’t she say the word?

Stephen has shown me about a million photos of Miles and Locky, Heather was saying. "I know people say all kids are cute, but I have to say, they are particularly adorable."

They are, aren’t they? Tully said, her ears pricking up at the sound of her sons’ names. It was a smart move on Heather’s part; only a serial killer could fail to warm to someone who called their children adorable. Tully found herself reaching for her phone and pulling up a photo she’d snapped of them that morning, eating Weet-Bix at the kitchen counter, a pair of beaming, blue-eyed angels. A second later Locky dumped his bowl of cereal over Miles’s head, and Miles lost his mind because the texture made him feel like he had slugs in his hair, and slugs were on Miles’s most recent list of phobias.

Heather took the phone and gushed appreciatively. They’re two and five?

Nearly three and five, Tully said. There was supposed to be a birthday party coming up, but given that parties had also appeared on Miles’s list of phobias, it was anyone’s guess whether that would happen.

So, Heather, why don’t you tell me about yourself? Tully said, when conversation about the boys dried up. She pasted on a smile, which faded when Dad gave her an odd look. Sometimes, when she wasn’t concentrating, Tully had been known to smile a bit too hard. Apparently everyone didn’t have Heather’s skill for smiling just the right amount.

Well, Heather said, I’m sure Stephen told you I’m an interior designer.

Stephen had. In fact, Heather had been the one responsible for the redesign of Mum and Dad’s house. Tully didn’t know all the details about how Heather had progressed from employee to girlfriend, but it wasn’t difficult to piece together. Clearly Heather arrived at Mum and Dad’s very nice, very expensive house, took one look at Mum, and saw an opening. Yes, Dad was old, but he was wealthy and a doctor. All you needed was a daddy issue or two and Stephen was a lamb to the slaughter.

I’m also a keen gardener, Heather continued, reaching for her water glass.

Her teeth belonged in a movie star’s mouth, Tully noticed. Almost certainly veneers. Tully glanced at Dad’s teeth. Not movie-star teeth, but surprisingly white. It prompted a recollection of a tooth-whitening kit Tully had spotted in his bathroom last time she’d visited. She’d meant to ask him about it, but she’d been distracted when she noticed his grout desperately needed a clean. She’d ended up giving him a rundown of the best grout cleaners to use and then just cleaning it herself to make sure it was done properly. As a result, she’d forgotten all about the whitening kit. Until now.

I also love yoga. I’m a bit of an addict, if I’m honest.

Yoga. Gardening. Interior design. It was as if she’d just plucked her profession and hobbies out of a how-to-be-dull catalog.

Wow, Tully said, monotone. Amazing.

I’ve also taken an interest in cooking recently, Heather added, giving Dad a playful smile.

Her specialty is charcoal chicken, Dad said, giving her an affectionate nudge.

Heather giggled. I’m getting better!

The strangeness of this flirtation sent a mild electric shock through Tully. It dawned on her almost anew that Dad was … dating this child. Probably having sex with her! As soon as the thought entered her head, Tully tried to quash it, but it was too late, it was spiraling. Dad. Heather. Sex. Tully closed her eyes, but that only made it worse. Her gag reflex triggered and she pushed back her chair and bent forward at the waist.

Natalie! Dad sounded alarmed. Are you all right?

Tully judged it to be a rhetorical question, since it must have been obvious to anyone that she was not all right. Her eyes were closed and her forehead rested on her knees. She inhaled deeply, trying to force oxygen in, and the images of Dad and Heather out. Unsuccessful on both counts. With her face between her knees, Tully opened her eyes. Heather’s bag was under the table, unzipped and open. Her wallet sat right at the top.

Tully? Dad pleaded.

Tully’s hands acted on autopilot, from muscle memory, from instinct—like a baby moving to music. One minute the wallet was on top of Heather’s bag; the next, it was deep inside Tully’s. By the time Tully sat up again, the air was already returning to her lungs. Sorry, she said to Dad and Heather. I’m fine.

2

RACHEL

As soon as Rachel hurried through the doorway of the restaurant, she saw that there were bigger problems at play than the fact that she was late. For one thing, Tully’s head was between her knees (dramatic, but not altogether unusual for Tully, especially at a lunch of this magnitude). For another, there was not a morsel of food on the table yet, not even a bread roll! Rachel was entertaining the idea of skipping out of there and claiming car trouble when Tully sat up, and Dad noticed Rachel in the entrance.

Oh, look, he cried, feverishly pleased to see her. "It’s Rachel. Rachel! Over here!"

Rachel made her way to the table, ignored the barista, who winked at her. She hated it when people flirted with her.

Sorry I’m late! she said brightly.

Rachel’s not known for her punctuality, Dad said to the immaculate woman beside him, presumably Heather, as he rose to greet her. Luckily she has other talents.

Like what? Rachel asked. She shot a quick glance at Tully, who appeared to have recovered from whatever spell had caused her to put her head between her knees, then held out her hand to Heather. She was, as expected, exceptionally young. Other diners would almost certainly assume Dad was taking his three daughters to lunch. The idea very nearly made Rachel laugh. Nearly.

It’s a pleasure to meet you, Heather, Rachel said as she shook Heather’s delicate hand.

Pleasure, admittedly, was a stretch. After all, pleasure was a good bottle of wine, a belly laugh, a perfectly iced chocolate éclair. Under different circumstances, Rachel might have felt pleasure at this meeting. For example, if her father had started dating someone after Mum died. A nice widow named Beryl, perhaps—someone he’d met down at the tennis club, who had adult children and plans for a huge blended-family Christmas with vicious games of Stealing Santa. After all, the idea of Dad not having to spend his golden years alone did indeed bring her pleasure. But the way things stood? Pleasure was a bit of a stretch.

Heather smiled as Rachel sat down. It’s good to meet you too, Rachel. I’ve heard a lot about you. Your dad says you make cakes.

The best wedding cakes in Australia, Dad chimed in. Rachel didn’t bother clarifying that she also made other baked goods for other occasions. She’d deduced a while back that her father only had the capacity to understand high-powered jobs. Banker. IT professional. Businessperson. She was fine with this. In her opinion, when you saved lives for a living, you didn’t have to remember jobs.

Rachel tried to catch the attention of the waiter.

Where have you been? Tully asked curtly.

Sorry, she said. I dropped in to see Mum on the way here.

Rachel wasn’t sure how that particular piece of information would be received. Mum had been moved to a high-security nursing home with a specialist dementia wing a month ago. She had been diagnosed a couple of years back, after many more years of searching for a diagnosis before that. First, her doctor thought it was a concussion (she’d had a fall before the confusion started), then depression (Pam’s own mother had died around that time), and they’d even blamed a urinary tract infection briefly. By the time they’d got the diagnosis and a second opinion, Mum was already lost to

Reviews for The Younger Wife

[kiaya40 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This one was a highly anticipated read for me, but when I got to it, it didn't quite live up to expectations. It was a hard one for me to decide how I felt and how to rate it because the book left me feeling meh and a bit confused as well after it was all over. It was a mixed bag for me leaving it at a solid 3 stars.
I've never read a book by this author before so maybe this is her style and others didn't get mixed feelings over the story, but it left me feeling uncertain about a lot of what I read and what was the actual story or truth to the story. This very much was like a story with an unreliable narrator for me and I don't know if I've ever read a book with this unreliable of a narrator before and I'm not sure I enjoyed it.
It did keep me guessing to the very end and kept me interested enough to read it all in one sitting because I wanted to figure it out and know what was going to happen and what the ending would be. It is still keeping me guessing about parts of it, which I don't like as much. This did have some possible triggering materials in it for me and others in regards to abuse, divorce, theft/shoplifting/kleptomania, rape - past reference no details on the page, eating to deal or not deal with the effects of trauma/rape and such.
This was about two sisters that have to learn how to deal and cope with their elderly father falling in love and marrying a younger woman while their mother suffers from dementia in a care facility. A lot of things come to a head at the wedding and leave you wondering if the truth you know is really the truth or not.
If you like this author, unreliable narrators, or this type of mystery/thriller then make sure to check it out. Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for letting me read and review this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[smik_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Every one in this family has secrets: in the case of the younger women, even the new fiance, burdens they have carried for years. And why does the wife with dementia, Pam, keep saying her husband is a terrible person?This is a book that just gets you in. You want to know more. Everything surfaces under the stress of the impending divorce, engagement and marriage. Highly recommended.

[simplykelina · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I wanted to love this and I kept pushing through waiting for something more to happen. The story was interesting and I was expecting some huge plot twist or intense ending. Sadly, that was not what happened.There were also many details thrown in that I thought would also enhance the ending/plot twist and they added nothing to it at all. It did not even make sense why certain things were such huge parts of the actual story as none of them really connected in the end.

[bons_11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This plot was somewhat unique. Characters well developed. The many disorders presented, PTSD, dementia, impulse control, I did not find too much as the family had major flawed genes it seems. But the last few chapters just didn't blend well for me. Pam's epilogue threw me as well.

[reedapnr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book....perfect mix of family dynamics and a little bit of thriller mystery...I call this a light thriller.....

[sandyamcpherson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was one of those I-just-could-not-put-it-down stories. At times the tension was so well-contrived that I did have to take a break. In short, Sally Hepworth wrote a tightly-plotted tale with excellent character development. Her protagonists became increasingly complex as reveals sneak in unexpectedly. The psychological suspense ramps up, even though the hidden reality of what is happening becomes evident to the reader. In the same calibre of writing as The Wife Between Us (Greer Hendricks).

[dianekeenoy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book kept me reading to find out exactly what happened at the wedding of Stephen Alston, a heart surgeon in his 60s and Heather Wisher, his very young house decorator. A perfect family in theory, the daughters Tully and Rachel are horrified that their father would divorce their mother who has dementia. And, it just keeps getting better and better!!!

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth is a 2022 St. Martin’s Press publication.Stephen, a doctor in his sixties, divorced his wife, Pam, who was admitted to a nursing home after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Stephen then plans to marry, Heather, a much younger woman…. These developments shook Stephen’s daughters, Tully and Rachel, each of whom is dealing with issues such as comfort eating and kleptomania, which are, of course, symptoms of much deeper problems. But as they listen to their mother’s strange pronouncements, and discover some shocking, unexplainable things in Pam’s possessions, the sisters may be faced with even darker revelations…Then, as the big day finally arrives something goes horribly awry… This book is certainly written with Hepworth’s signature style and hooked me in right away. I was invested in the story, though I was confused about a few things here and there, but I decided to just go with it because I knew the situation was coming to a head and I was very curious about what exactly happened and whodunit. There was no way to truly know how things would turn out, and I must admit I was still a little confused by some things and even read the epilogue a couple of times. But I suppose it doesn’t matter all that much, as I still managed to get the gist of things, but I’m not entirely sure how I feel the presentation. It could be the author was trying to avoid graphic details and left it to the reader to read between the lines, but it deflated the tension and makes the conclusion a bit anti-climactic- at least for me, it did. I really like this author, but this one was a head-scratcher for me. I liked it okay, I suppose, but it definitely didn’t no wow me, nor will it leave a lingering impression, I’m afraid. Overall, I’m still undecided on this one, and I don’t think further meditation on it will tip the scales on way or the other, so I’ll ride the fence with a middle of the road three stars.

[bookczuk · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

2022 pandemic read. Sally Hepworth. Australia. Messed up families.

[irenecole · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Stephen Aston is still quite a catch in his 60's. Trim, fit, charismatic, and oh so caring and handsome. It's no wonder a woman who is young enough to be his daughter has accepted his marriage proposal. Especially considering that he can provide the kind of life she's only dreamed of. No, not just his money, but acceptance, social standing, fitting in, being part of a normal family. Of course he's not entirely perfect, or surely he would stand by his wedding vows instead of divorcing his current wife now that she is ill. At least he's been a wonderful father to his two grown daughters. Or has he? He couldn't have anything to do with all their struggles and emotional problems could he?

Having enjoyed several of this author's previous titles I was pleased to accept an invitation from St. Martin's Press to read an advance copy of her newest novel.
I have seen this book classified as a thriller, and as suspense, but in my humble opinion I would file it under General Fiction/Domestic Drama/ leaning towards Women's Fiction.
This is heavy on the dysfunctional family aspect, juicier than an episode of Desperate Housewives and I'm totally here for it. I loved both daughters and their poor mom Pam who suffers dementia. Even the too young replacement bride grew on me, and trying to figure out if Stephen was a good guy or a bad guy really kept me on my toes right to the final page.
If you are in the mood for a scandalous good time with loads of secrets to uncover, grab yourself a copy. You've been invited to the wedding of The Younger Wife.

[desiree_reads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun, enjoyable, interesting. The characters are all a bit weird, but that's what keeps you reading. Cliffhanger ending of sorts. Solid entry in the domestic suspense category, if not completely unputdownable.

[janismack · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was not my favorite Sally Hepworth book. I did not like the way it ended. It was too abrupt and the villain of the book was not confronted and held accountable. So many people were hurt by this person and they all paid the price in their lives.

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The opening scene is intriguing - a wedding with an unknown guest. A young woman marrying an older man with his two daughters as bridesmaids. Then, the first wife wanders around and grabs a candlestick, and the next thing you know, the celebrant has blood all over them and is calling for a doctor. Who is hurt, who did it? Now rewind a year to the first meeting between the daughters, Rachel and Tully, and the new girlfriend, Heather. Their dad, Stephen, is still married to Pamela, but she has dementia, and he plans to divorce her. The meeting has the daughters uneasy, but they attempt to get to know Heather. As we learn the backstory, all of the characters are flawed and have deep seated emotional issues. Add this to a mysterious water bottle filled with cash and a note, and you start wondering as to what is real. It is hard to know who to believe, as the women are presented as emotional disasters, and the husband is successful - but possibly an abuser. Confusing.

[bearette24 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Like most thrillers, this was a bit disturbing. The focus wasn’t on the wife, but rather an expert gaslighter, who was the villain of the piece.

[kimkimkim-7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sally Hepworth - where were you going with this book? What did you want the reader to believe? What did you want the reader to take away from this book? I am not sure this book can be discussed intelligently without a good amount of bickering and “he said, she said and no, she meant that or maybe not” I am sure that to do this story justice it must be mulled over and turned around and looked at from many positions. I am equally sure that there will be many strong opinions regarding who was responsible and who was not and who was the imposter and who was the arbiter and who was the deceiver and who was perfectly nice and who is hiding behind their secrets. (Hint - they all are.) And I am almost positive that if you are an honest person you might admit that you are unsure of how this story ends.Back to Sally Hepworth - well done, fully fleshed out characters who raise important issues without making heavy moral judgments that could distract. Life is messy and never more so than in this story. I thought the various points of view were effective and the maneuvering well plotted. Really good story even if I am unable to latch onto a definitive ending. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy.

[nyiper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC!!!! I have read every one of Sally Hepworth's books and they are all great....but this one really had me absolutely absorbed! I just couldn't put it down! So many fascinating characters who all played a part in this thriller!! Hmmm...other reveiwers have mentioned that this book experienced different endings before this "final" one that I have just read. I'm glad I had just this version to contend with....I'm totally pleased.

[lorikboyd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love Sally Hepworth books, domestic suspense at its best. Her books are subtle, making you think about what is going on. Always drama bubbling beneath the surface until it’s revealed in the end. This drew me in from the beginning…a wedding scene, not very happy bridesmaids, an ex wife with Alzheimer’s and then a bloody mess! The author delves into the messy life of the Aston family. Stephen, successful heart surgeon that everyone loves and admires. Daughters Tully and Rachel, hiding secrets of their own and trying to figure things out. Pamela, the older wife, can only remember snippets of her past life, and those around her aren’t sure she remembers those correctly. The younger wife, Heather, is she what everyone believes she is or just looking for love and to be loved? Story unravels slowly, but it kept my attention. I must admit I was disappointed with the ending…left me hanging and shaking my head. Not at all the ending I usually expect from Ms. Hepworth. Then, thanks to social media, I learned of an alternate ending to my early ARC. That was a game changer for me. By adding one paragraph, the book became what I expected and hoped for. If I hadn’t accidentally found this out, my rating would have been different. Thanks to Ms. Hepworth, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

[carole888fort · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Younger Wife is the third Sally Hepworth book that I have had the pleasure to read and I look forward to many more. This is a family drama with a difference. There are five main characters: Stephen, a surgeon in his sixties who is married to Pam, who has dementia; Heather, a woman in her thirties, who is engaged to Stephen; Tully and Rachel, the daughters of Stephen and Pam, who are learning to face the fact that their father is marrying someone who is the same age as them. I know this sounds like a soap opera but the story develops into something that the reader will not see coming. There is a huge secret in this novel! The Younger Wife has a tight and tense plot. The characters are so well-drawn that the reader feels like they know them. The second half of the book wavers back and forth between drama and suspenseful mystery. The ending is a stunner. If you enjoy reading family dramas with a terrific cast of characters and a great deal of tension, this one is for you. Sally Hepworth has done it again. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[brangwinn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The book begins with a scene of death—or at least a scream and lots of blood. Rachel and Tully’s father is getting married to a woman their age. Their mother, who had dementia, is wandering around with a candlestick. As the guests are ushered out, there is lots of speculation as to who was killed. Then the story moves backwards, as Tully, Rachel and their new stepmother, Heather, tell their stories. Tully and Rachel come to the realization that their surgeon father, has been hiding a terrible truth and Rachel is forced to come to terms with being raped as a teenager but never shared. Heather and Tully also have problems they are forced to come to grips with as the mystery unfolds and a very dysfunctional family is disclosed.

[mrsmommybooknerd7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

#FirstLine ~ Prologue: I always cry at weddings.I love all of Hepworth's books. This one is no exception. I loved that there is a significant incident that Hidden secrets, family drama, trauma, illness and love were all themes contained in the awesome story and they were so beautifully woven together! I was lucky enough to listen and read the book. I loved being able to read at times and listen at others. I was flying to/from vacation and this was the perfect book to listen to while zoning out everyone else on the plane. You will be pulled into the story and enjoy learning about the various characters individual stories as well as how those stories intersect with others! It is a sheer delight! A must read!!!

[cmdh5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There’s a lot to unpack here friends. A. LOT. I binge read The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth in one sitting into the hour not quite night but not quite morning. Time your reading start carefully, you will not put this down. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around what happened. In post Covid Australia a seemingly idyllic family is anything but when you get past the money, manners, misdirection, and malfunctioning relationships. Patriarch Stephen is a respected doctor, father of two grown daughters who revere him, doting grandfather, whose wife is suffering from dementia. Stephen announced his engagement to girlfriend, Heather, at a meet and greet lunch with daughters, Rachel and Tully. Torn between loyalty to their mother and wanting to please their father the sisters are further conflicted by unnamed and unresolved childhood traumas. As they bond with Heather a question arises about Stephen, one that not only jeopardizes the upcoming wedding but the entire foundation of their family. This is my first book by Sally Hepworth so I had no idea what to expect. It is a carefully woven psychological suspense with several threads going in different directions. We don’t know what’s going to connect where, how important something is going to be, if another thread is going to be introduced and woven in to fill in a gap and tying together seemingly unrelated areas until you give it a little tug at the end. Usually an ambiguous ending bothers me, and this did at first, less so now. I’m inclined to go back and revisit parts to see if I can connect more, always an excellent sign. I recommend for readers and bookclubs who enjoy psychological suspense, also for buddy reads. There’s so much to discuss in this one. *TW: This is a book best gone in cold but if you have sensitivity to content navigating sexual assault, miscarriage, or physical and psychological abuse then due diligence is suggested.*Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the gifted copy.

[arlenadean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: The Younger WifeAuthor: Sally HepworthPublisher: St. Martin's PressReviewed By: Arlena DeanRating: FiveReview:"The Younger Wife" by Sally HepworthMy Assessment:'The Younger Wife' was quite interesting in how this author lays it all out for the reader. As a result, one will not be bored because every page is an engaging read from start to finish...definitely a page-turner!Imagine...having two daughters [Rachel & Tully] who are adults...in their thirties. Along with that having a wife [Pamela] who is being divorced by her husband Stephen, but wait...she has advanced dementia and is living in a care facility. And there is more to this concoction...that is going on...the husband [Stephen], who is 60 years old, a doctor, is now engaged to a younger lady [Heather] that is even younger than his two daughters!!! So we are given the POVs of all of the women.OK, you know this story is going to be good? Or what can one expect of this kind of read? Well, it will be a lot going on...so you will have to keep up all of the secrets and surprises that have been well hidden that start coming out. For example, what was really going on with Stephen? Were their mind games being played between these women?Stephen invites his daughters to a luncheon to meet Heather, his fiance, and the story starts. However, the novel does open at the wedding, and the story will continue around it.We find each of the ladies has their own personal issues...Rachel...food accession, Tully...shoplifting, Heather...alcohol...Pamela...ill from Alzheimer's... and Stephen...well, that's another issue all by itself. Oh, was there another wife? How will this all come out for them to learn about this engagement? Will, there be a wedding/marriage, and what is going on in the story? The memory of it all, trauma, and the drama will be significant in the story that will profoundly affect one's perceptions and beliefs of it all.One will be captivated by this story because there are so many twists and turns that by the end, one will probably be shaking their head and left saying, WHAT??? Yes, what is true and what is not! So, if I have caught your interest at all...you must pick up this novel and see for yourself how this author unfolds this story for the reader. One will definitely feel 'who was the victim or the culprit?Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin's Press, for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

[tamidale · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A wedding interrupted by a violent attack certainly grabbed by attention. I was also intrigued by the anonymous guest as the narrator. The novel moved at a slow and steady pace, but I was kept interested in seeing how the story would end.While this could have been filled with stereotypes, I was glad to see that Sally Hepworth went deeper with the characters and I loved that young women with a new stepmother that is their age, could make their peace with that and include her into the family.Alzheimer’s plays a key role in the story, as does physical and psychological abuse, but nothing was very graphic.I loved the ending and was pleasantly surprised at what happened and how the characters handled it in a way that was respectful to all.Many thanks to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy give my honest review.

[madison_fairbanks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Younger Wife by Sally HepworthFiction. Light thriller or mystery. Potential domestic abuse triggers. Multiple POV’s.Adult family generations centered around one man. His previous wife has Alzheimer’s. His fiancé is becoming friends with his adult daughters. The daughters lives are changing with the discovery of hidden money by their mother. Interesting. Tully has been stealing since she was a child. It’s not anything she needs or really wants but the feelings she gets. Add her husband losing their money and the children at the age where they argue everything, plus her getting remarried. Her stress level is high. Rachel has her own issue from when she was in school. Her new delivery person throws an unexpected curve in her orderly life. Fiancé Heather has secrets but more importantly her drinking seems to bother her future husband. The story winds around these three with their daily lives, the interactions and finally dealing.Each of the women brought out my empathy, my sorrow and my anger at what they experienced. But also my questions on why they reacted the way they did. I’m not walking in their shoes so can’t say I would have acted the same or differently but it was intriguing that all this drama is in one extended family. I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

[grandmacootie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Younger Wife is family drama and suspense at its best. It seems every other chapter contains a twist, a revelation, something you can’t quite get your head around. What is the truth? Who knows? Can they ever know? Tully and Rachel have secrets, but they don’t think their childhood, their happy home, could have anything to do with their problems. But how can their father Stephen start dating while their mother Pam is still his wife – and has just recently been placed in a care home with dementia? How can he divorce Pam and plan a wedding to Heather, the interior decorator (sorry, interior designer) he and Pam hired? And how can he and Heather go and visit Pam together, and how can he insist that it’s a good thing to want Pam present at their wedding? Why is Pam suddenly so fierce and negative about Stephen? So many questions. No easy answers.Heather. Secrets and issues of her own. Not quite truthful about her past. Is she a gold digger or as in love with and mesmerized by Stephen as she appears to be?And back to Stephen, who is at the center of it everything. Respected doctor, loved by all, mesmerizes everyone. Not ashamed of his relationship with Heather. He still loves Pam and always will but is grateful for this second chance at happiness.This story is fantastic! There are so many characters with so much going on that you can’t predict anything. After a few chapters of discoveries and surprises you will be suspicious of everyone and everything. Are they too good to be true? Was there always really more under the surface than anyone saw, than anyone would have believed? Are Rachel and Tully – and Heather – just now seeing things for what they really are? Or is it possible that a word here and there, an unexplained action can sow the seeds of doubt where doubt is not warranted?The Younger Wife is another amazingly thrilling novel to add to your Sally Hepworth collection. The characters are strong and well-developed, the pace is beyond fast and I guarantee once you pick it up you won’t be able to put it down. “Just one more chapter,” until you have to read straight through to the stunning conclusion. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. I recommend it and anything Sally Hepworth writes without hesitation. All opinions are my own.

[flowerchildreads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There’s a lot to unpack here friends. A. LOT. I binge read The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth in one sitting into the hour not quite night but not quite morning. Time your reading start carefully, you will not put this down. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around what happened. In post Covid Australia a seemingly idyllic family is anything but when you get past the money, manners, misdirection, and malfunctioning relationships. Patriarch Stephen is a respected doctor, father of two grown daughters who revere him, doting grandfather, whose wife is suffering from dementia. Stephen announced his engagement to girlfriend, Heather, at a meet and greet lunch with daughters, Rachel and Tully. Torn between loyalty to their mother and wanting to please their father the sisters are further conflicted by unnamed and unresolved childhood traumas. As they bond with Heather a question arises about Stephen, one that not only jeopardizes the upcoming wedding but the entire foundation of their family. This is my first book by Sally Hepworth so I had no idea what to expect. It is a carefully woven psychological suspense with several threads going in different directions. We don’t know what’s going to connect where, how important something is going to be, if another thread is going to be introduced and woven in to fill in a gap and tying together seemingly unrelated areas until you give it a little tug at the end. Usually an ambiguous ending bothers me, and this did at first, less so now. I’m inclined to go back and revisit parts to see if I can connect more, always an excellent sign. I recommend for readers and bookclubs who enjoy psychological suspense, also for buddy reads. There’s so much to discuss in this one. *TW: This is a book best gone in cold but if you have sensitivity to content navigating sexual assault, miscarriage, or physical and psychological abuse then due diligence is suggested.*Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the gifted copy.

[ennie_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Received an ARC from NetGalley.I had not read anything by Sally Hepworth before, but now want to get my hands on more of her work.The Younger Wife is about a family in Australia: Stephen, a respected doctor, 30-something daughters Tully and Rachel, wife Pam who has early dementia, and prospective new wife Heather who is younger than the daughters. Stephen has divorced Pam so he can marry Heather, and the daughters are unsure about accepting this woman into the family. They are having problems of their own: Tully takes care of two rambunctious small boys while letting off steam with a little shoplifting. Her husband Sonny has made some financial misjudgments which threaten their comfortable lifestyle. Rachel uses food to escape past traumas, but has channeled that into a successful baking business. She has always rebuffed male admirers, but that may be about to change. Heather had secrets of her own. Another woman is part of the story, and we gradually learn her role.This is a page-turner going back and forth between the wedding day and the past (and continues on after that at the end). There are twists and turns, and we get to know the characters more fully. It’s a bit of chick lit, a bit of psychological drama, and just a good read.

[susan.h.schofield · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another great domestic thriller from Sally Hepworth! This book touches on a lot of issues - sexual assault, domestic violence, mental health and dementia. They are all handled very well. The book is well written and the characters are strong and interesting. The end was a little frustrating but would make for a great book club discussion. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

[susan0316 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sally Hepworth is one of my favorite authors. All of her books have been fantastic but this new book is the best of them all for me. This book has suspense, family, love and forgiveness and is a real page turner with characters that I won't soon forget.The novel begins at a wedding by an unknown narrator. It's a great beginning and sets the stage for the rest of the book. The story is told by three different women in alternating chapters that both give us their family history and current information in their lives.The main characters are:Tully and Rachel are sisters. They are close but still have secrets that they keep from each other. Tully is married with two children and she is a kleptomaniac - Stealing things not because she couldn't afford them but because it made her feel better. Rachel is a baker who is proud of the cakes she makes and decorates but she has a secret from her past that has kept her from trusting men.Heather is the woman that Stephen plans to marry. She is the same age as his daughters and is trying to be accepted by them. She frequently drinks too much but is sure that Stephen will protect her and they will live happily ever after. The daughters are convinced that she is a gold-digger by wanting to marry a man who is so much older.Stephen - a well respected doctor and father to Tully and Rachel. His current wife has Alzheimer's and is being cared for in a nursing home when he decides to divorce her so that he can get married again.The three females who tell this story are keeping major secrets from each other -even Stephen has some secrets. When Rachel finds a hot water bottle filled with money in her mother's possessions, she and Tully start trying to find out the family secrets even though it may change their lives.This book has it all - love, family, suspense and forgiveness. It's a book that you won't want to put down. The writing is wonderful and the story will introduce you to characters that you won't be able to forget. This is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[amysan_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love Sally Hepworth's books because they have a little more depth than your average suspense novel. I could not figure out what was really happening and the ending really got me thinking.