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The Wife Upstairs
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Mystery & Thriller (2021)A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern charm with atmospheric domestic suspense, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda.
Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates––a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name.
But her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester. Recently widowed, Eddie is Thornfield Estates’ most mysterious resident. His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can’t help but see an opportunity in Eddie––not only is he rich, brooding, and handsome, he could also offer her the kind of protection she’s always yearned for.
Yet as Jane and Eddie fall for each other, Jane is increasingly haunted by the legend of Bea, an ambitious beauty with a rags-to-riches origin story, who launched a wildly successful southern lifestyle brand. How can she, plain Jane, ever measure up? And can she win Eddie’s heart before her past––or his––catches up to her?
With delicious suspense, incisive wit, and a fresh, feminist sensibility, The Wife Upstairs flips the script on a timeless tale of forbidden romance, ill-advised attraction, and a wife who just won’t stay buried. In this vivid reimagining of one of literature’s most twisted love triangles, which Mrs. Rochester will get her happy ending?
Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates––a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name.
But her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester. Recently widowed, Eddie is Thornfield Estates’ most mysterious resident. His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can’t help but see an opportunity in Eddie––not only is he rich, brooding, and handsome, he could also offer her the kind of protection she’s always yearned for.
Yet as Jane and Eddie fall for each other, Jane is increasingly haunted by the legend of Bea, an ambitious beauty with a rags-to-riches origin story, who launched a wildly successful southern lifestyle brand. How can she, plain Jane, ever measure up? And can she win Eddie’s heart before her past––or his––catches up to her?
With delicious suspense, incisive wit, and a fresh, feminist sensibility, The Wife Upstairs flips the script on a timeless tale of forbidden romance, ill-advised attraction, and a wife who just won’t stay buried. In this vivid reimagining of one of literature’s most twisted love triangles, which Mrs. Rochester will get her happy ending?
290 pages, Hardcover
First published January 5, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 23,806 reviews
July 5, 2022
Get ready for absolutely thrilling, explosive, smart, modern retelling of Jane Eyre!
Jawless, nailless, colorless: side effects of reading something jaw dropping, shocking, head spinning, extremely twisty and ultra smart!
Oh boy, this book is a product of an evil genius and it’s the most dangerous glue you can ever imagine : you cannot put it down and after you read the final page, it is already in your head and never let you go! You keep thinking about the evil characters and their dark back stories, you get shivered but also a satisfied smile forms on your face because this is well written, exciting, riveting and surprising novel.
All those three POVs : especially Bea and Jane’s ( of course both of them don’t use their real names) breathtakingly twisty!
Reading this book is like driving your car at full speed in a rainy day into a cliff as Lucifer Morningstar sits next to you, asking what you truly desire: yes, it’s both frightening, heart pounding, but also adrenaline pumping, exhilarating experience!
Let’s take a close look to the story-line: Jane moves to Birmingham, Alabama, broke, looking for a fresh start, running away from something really dark about her past. We don’t know what is. But as we start to know more about her abused childhood at foster care, her kleptomaniac tendencies and mind games to control the power, we may sense she’s the person who has nothing to lose and the people are truly wrong about her: she isn’t the nice, naive dog walker!
Then she meets with charming widower Eddie who is Thornfield Estate’s resident, looking like he may see her soul. Eddie’s wife Bea and her best friend Blanche are drowned at an unfortunate accident and their bodies were never found.
And now a quite intimate relationship starts to build between Jane and Eddie. But Jane feels threatened by deceased wife’s ghost and as she starts to learn more about her past, she realizes Bea and her best friend Blanche are competitors and they have love-hate relationship ( mostly hate) And Eddie also acts strangely from the beginning, following Jane where she goes and emphasizing that he loves her because she’s the opposite of her wife. But if he loves her beloved wife so much why he tells something illogical!
And what if Bea is still alive. I don’t want to give spoilers but when you read the title of the book, you may get the wife’s living conditions and the place where she stays.
The gothic atmosphere of the book reminds you of Rebecca and Bea and Eddie’s dysfunctional relationship reminds you of not so naive Guinevere and Joe Goldberg who spends more time at gym (funny thing is Eddie also loves the books as it is mentioned in the first chapters!)
I already gave too much clues so I’m shutting my mouth! But I have to tell you get ready the rug get pulled out from under your feet.
Of course I’m giving five mine bending, WTH I just read, I’m truly numb and the ending was epic stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this remarkable arc with me in exchange my honest opinions.
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Jawless, nailless, colorless: side effects of reading something jaw dropping, shocking, head spinning, extremely twisty and ultra smart!
Oh boy, this book is a product of an evil genius and it’s the most dangerous glue you can ever imagine : you cannot put it down and after you read the final page, it is already in your head and never let you go! You keep thinking about the evil characters and their dark back stories, you get shivered but also a satisfied smile forms on your face because this is well written, exciting, riveting and surprising novel.
All those three POVs : especially Bea and Jane’s ( of course both of them don’t use their real names) breathtakingly twisty!
Reading this book is like driving your car at full speed in a rainy day into a cliff as Lucifer Morningstar sits next to you, asking what you truly desire: yes, it’s both frightening, heart pounding, but also adrenaline pumping, exhilarating experience!
Let’s take a close look to the story-line: Jane moves to Birmingham, Alabama, broke, looking for a fresh start, running away from something really dark about her past. We don’t know what is. But as we start to know more about her abused childhood at foster care, her kleptomaniac tendencies and mind games to control the power, we may sense she’s the person who has nothing to lose and the people are truly wrong about her: she isn’t the nice, naive dog walker!
Then she meets with charming widower Eddie who is Thornfield Estate’s resident, looking like he may see her soul. Eddie’s wife Bea and her best friend Blanche are drowned at an unfortunate accident and their bodies were never found.
And now a quite intimate relationship starts to build between Jane and Eddie. But Jane feels threatened by deceased wife’s ghost and as she starts to learn more about her past, she realizes Bea and her best friend Blanche are competitors and they have love-hate relationship ( mostly hate) And Eddie also acts strangely from the beginning, following Jane where she goes and emphasizing that he loves her because she’s the opposite of her wife. But if he loves her beloved wife so much why he tells something illogical!
And what if Bea is still alive. I don’t want to give spoilers but when you read the title of the book, you may get the wife’s living conditions and the place where she stays.
The gothic atmosphere of the book reminds you of Rebecca and Bea and Eddie’s dysfunctional relationship reminds you of not so naive Guinevere and Joe Goldberg who spends more time at gym (funny thing is Eddie also loves the books as it is mentioned in the first chapters!)
I already gave too much clues so I’m shutting my mouth! But I have to tell you get ready the rug get pulled out from under your feet.
Of course I’m giving five mine bending, WTH I just read, I’m truly numb and the ending was epic stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this remarkable arc with me in exchange my honest opinions.
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April 25, 2022
Hmm, is this really a thriller? I feel like the wires might have gotten crossed for me.
The Wife Upstairs is supposed to be a modern-day take on Jane Eyre, though with more secrets, lots of twists, and obviously some murderous results. But instead of being suspenseful and thrilling, I found the story to be more cheerful and laugh-out-loud funny.
For most of the book, I felt like I was reading a romantic comedy as Jane and Eddie got to know each other. It was light and fluffy (though potty-mouthed), without any tension that would indicate something was amiss. There was also a good amount of commentary about the sheer inaneness of suburban life, which added a good dose of humor to the story.
I kept waiting for Jane's secrets to show up, or for Eddie to drop hints and act like he's a monster waiting to pounce, but nothing really happens. There weren't any undercurrents of suspense or tension in the story that I could perceive. It just felt... jovial, which doesn't seem like the right feeling I should be getting out of this.
And when we get to the reveals, they seemed weak and underwhelming for a thriller. I don't know if my expectations just weren't set correctly, but I found everything to be so silly and over-the-top, I kept giggling at inappropriate moments. It was so unrealistic and logistically impossible that it was hard to take the story seriously or to care about how everything shakes out.
My reaction to this book is a headscratcher for sure, especially in light of how thrilling everyone else found it to be. It entertained me, but I feel like I read a different story and possibly an entirely different genre than everyone else.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
Reckless Girls
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Wife Upstairs is supposed to be a modern-day take on Jane Eyre, though with more secrets, lots of twists, and obviously some murderous results. But instead of being suspenseful and thrilling, I found the story to be more cheerful and laugh-out-loud funny.
For most of the book, I felt like I was reading a romantic comedy as Jane and Eddie got to know each other. It was light and fluffy (though potty-mouthed), without any tension that would indicate something was amiss. There was also a good amount of commentary about the sheer inaneness of suburban life, which added a good dose of humor to the story.
I kept waiting for Jane's secrets to show up, or for Eddie to drop hints and act like he's a monster waiting to pounce, but nothing really happens. There weren't any undercurrents of suspense or tension in the story that I could perceive. It just felt... jovial, which doesn't seem like the right feeling I should be getting out of this.
And when we get to the reveals, they seemed weak and underwhelming for a thriller. I don't know if my expectations just weren't set correctly, but I found everything to be so silly and over-the-top, I kept giggling at inappropriate moments. It was so unrealistic and logistically impossible that it was hard to take the story seriously or to care about how everything shakes out.
My reaction to this book is a headscratcher for sure, especially in light of how thrilling everyone else found it to be. It entertained me, but I feel like I read a different story and possibly an entirely different genre than everyone else.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
Reckless Girls
~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 31, 2020
A quick and easy read if you want a thriller fix. I found much of the story to be very predictable though, and even the new twists the author added were easy to guess, because I was already familiar with the original Jane Eyre story. I wish the book had taken a bigger leap to be more surprising and engrossing.
October 30, 2020
I was gonna give this 2 stars for entertainment value, but then I got to “Reader, I fucked him” and it broke me.
December 5, 2023
Here is my video review: https://youtu.be/vXPpHYYnCZc
This is the best thriller that I have read since Home Before Dark! I simply could not put this down! Jane is a dogwalker in Thornfield Estates when she meets widow Eddie. As the two of them fall in love, both of their pasts are revealed. Will the past catch up with them? This a refreshing modernized retelling of Jane Eyre.
This book had some flaws. Why does Jane hate rich people so much? Not every rich person is a terrible person. Also, Jane swipes trinkets and jewelry from some of the homes where she walks the dog. This would not go undetected for long. It is not uncommon for a trap to be set out for the employees coming in such as setting a $20 bill on the counter and see if it disappears. Or some jewelry is sentimental and it would be missed. That being said, this book was so riveting that these flaws were easily overlooked. This is a must read!
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
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This is the best thriller that I have read since Home Before Dark! I simply could not put this down! Jane is a dogwalker in Thornfield Estates when she meets widow Eddie. As the two of them fall in love, both of their pasts are revealed. Will the past catch up with them? This a refreshing modernized retelling of Jane Eyre.
This book had some flaws. Why does Jane hate rich people so much? Not every rich person is a terrible person. Also, Jane swipes trinkets and jewelry from some of the homes where she walks the dog. This would not go undetected for long. It is not uncommon for a trap to be set out for the employees coming in such as setting a $20 bill on the counter and see if it disappears. Or some jewelry is sentimental and it would be missed. That being said, this book was so riveting that these flaws were easily overlooked. This is a must read!
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
November 10, 2022
The Wife Upstairs, by Rachel Hawkins, has so many delicious parallels to the old classic, Jane Eyre, but it has its own twists and turns, too. A book full of unlikeable people, which usually means I have a hard time enjoying the book, but in this case, everyone deserves each other and I kept wanting to see what was going to happen next. I couldn't help feeling I'd been here before but really, it was all new and intriguing, wondering what was real and what was for show, when the other shoe was going to drop, because things couldn't go on as they were.
The story starts with twenty three year old Jane walking a dog in the pouring rain. Jane, a perpetual foster child until she aged out of the system, used to surviving by her wits, thievery, and lying. Her latest job is walking dogs in the rich neighborhood of Thornfield Estates and she's barely making ends meet by stealing from her employers, taking things that they'll never know are missing. Then Jane has a literal "run in" with rich, handsome, eligible widower, Eddie Rochester.
Eddie wants Jane and she moves into his mansion almost immediately. Then they are engaged and discussing their wedding. But Jane has secrets and she has suspicions, too. Because Jane thinks that Eddie is just like her, which means he's hiding things, he's a liar, he takes what is not his, he cheats to get what he wants. And, there is the matter of his wife's death and that of her best friend. Were their deaths really an accident? There are rumors, lots of rumors about infidelity and arguments, so many hints from the gossiping neighbors. Whether I liked these people or not, I was hooked by the story.
Published January 5, 2021
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
The story starts with twenty three year old Jane walking a dog in the pouring rain. Jane, a perpetual foster child until she aged out of the system, used to surviving by her wits, thievery, and lying. Her latest job is walking dogs in the rich neighborhood of Thornfield Estates and she's barely making ends meet by stealing from her employers, taking things that they'll never know are missing. Then Jane has a literal "run in" with rich, handsome, eligible widower, Eddie Rochester.
Eddie wants Jane and she moves into his mansion almost immediately. Then they are engaged and discussing their wedding. But Jane has secrets and she has suspicions, too. Because Jane thinks that Eddie is just like her, which means he's hiding things, he's a liar, he takes what is not his, he cheats to get what he wants. And, there is the matter of his wife's death and that of her best friend. Were their deaths really an accident? There are rumors, lots of rumors about infidelity and arguments, so many hints from the gossiping neighbors. Whether I liked these people or not, I was hooked by the story.
Published January 5, 2021
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
November 10, 2023
**4.5-stars**
Channeling all the amazing naturally-gothic atmosphere of the American South, The Wife Upstairs puts a modern twist on the beloved Classic, Jane Eyre.
Jane Bell is new to Alabama. Living on the outskirts of the posh Thornfield Estates neighborhood, she initially works in a coffee shop, but then takes up dog-walking for the wealthy families within Thornfield.
She begins to learns the ins-and-outs of their upper-class world, envying their lifestyles and occasionally taking a little bit of it for herself.
Jane is especially interested in the largest and most opulent property of all, imagining what it would be like to live there.
Once she meets the homeowner, a handsome young Widower, Eddie Rochester, things begin to change quite quickly for Jane.
As she and Eddie start a relationship, Jane can't help but be curious about his late-wife, Bea, whose presence is still very much felt in his life.
The more she learns about Bea, the more she wonders what Eddie sees in her?
When questions begin to arise about Bea's disappearance and assumed death, Jane becomes even more suspicious of the man she believes she is falling in love with.
Full of small town gossip and rich people drama, this story was a cleverly-plotted, modern-interpretation of a classic tale. While I have never read Jane Eyre, after this, I really want to!
I enjoyed how Hawkins gave us alternating perspectives between Jane, in the present, and Bea, in the past.
These perspective shifts also made the reveals seem very fast-paced and fun. The pace at which the story evolved was also really well done.
Even though most of us know the basic outline of Jane Eyre, I enjoyed where Hawkins took it.
In particular, I enjoyed how morally grey, Jane was. She's not a helpless Ingenue looking for a savior. She is clearly a girl who can take care of herself. I loved that.
If you are in the mood for a fast, super-fun Domestic Suspense novel, look no further. Pick this up and enjoy the show!
Thank you so much to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for providing me with copy to read and review. I appreciate it and look forward to Hawkins writing more in the Adult space!
Channeling all the amazing naturally-gothic atmosphere of the American South, The Wife Upstairs puts a modern twist on the beloved Classic, Jane Eyre.
Jane Bell is new to Alabama. Living on the outskirts of the posh Thornfield Estates neighborhood, she initially works in a coffee shop, but then takes up dog-walking for the wealthy families within Thornfield.
She begins to learns the ins-and-outs of their upper-class world, envying their lifestyles and occasionally taking a little bit of it for herself.
Jane is especially interested in the largest and most opulent property of all, imagining what it would be like to live there.
Once she meets the homeowner, a handsome young Widower, Eddie Rochester, things begin to change quite quickly for Jane.
As she and Eddie start a relationship, Jane can't help but be curious about his late-wife, Bea, whose presence is still very much felt in his life.
The more she learns about Bea, the more she wonders what Eddie sees in her?
When questions begin to arise about Bea's disappearance and assumed death, Jane becomes even more suspicious of the man she believes she is falling in love with.
Full of small town gossip and rich people drama, this story was a cleverly-plotted, modern-interpretation of a classic tale. While I have never read Jane Eyre, after this, I really want to!
I enjoyed how Hawkins gave us alternating perspectives between Jane, in the present, and Bea, in the past.
These perspective shifts also made the reveals seem very fast-paced and fun. The pace at which the story evolved was also really well done.
Even though most of us know the basic outline of Jane Eyre, I enjoyed where Hawkins took it.
In particular, I enjoyed how morally grey, Jane was. She's not a helpless Ingenue looking for a savior. She is clearly a girl who can take care of herself. I loved that.
If you are in the mood for a fast, super-fun Domestic Suspense novel, look no further. Pick this up and enjoy the show!
Thank you so much to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for providing me with copy to read and review. I appreciate it and look forward to Hawkins writing more in the Adult space!
May 17, 2021
The Written Review
100 days into 2021 and 100 books have been read. Check out my latest BookTube Video to see which ones are my fave!
Thornfield Estates - a gated community chock full of the ultra-rich - and Jane has finally gotten in...as a dog-walker.
But it doesn't matter, at least Jane has a steady job and place to work her magic...and in walks Eddie Rochester.
He owns a gorgeous house, he is smart and funny and (most importantly), his wife died in a boating accident, thus allowing Jane to swoop in and snap up that place by his side.
And at first Jane truly sees him as another mark, someone to trick and walk away from once she's gotten her fix...but the more time Jane spends with Eddie, the more she realizes that this isn't another game.
And then there's the wife upstairs to deal with.
Holy Shit.
Holyshitholyshitholyshit.
Twisty. Turny. Wildly addictive.
This book. It's stunning.
I truly did not know much going into this book other than it is a Jane Eyre remake...and I really don't want to give anything else away.
This one was so fun to crack open and just let it take me on a journey. Definitely recommended!!
March 26, 2022
4.5 stars
I want to save my thoughts for the live show at the end of this month but aksjhdkahsdkjhas this book was so fun and I flew through it in less than 24 hours
I want to save my thoughts for the live show at the end of this month but aksjhdkahsdkjhas this book was so fun and I flew through it in less than 24 hours
July 11, 2022
Oh man, y'all. This book has been at the tip top of my most anticipated list from the moment that I heard that it was a modern-gothic-mystery retelling of Jane Eyre. I wanted SO BADLY to love it, but ultimately I kinda feel like it was just okay? It wasn't a terrible book, but throughout the entire story I kept finding myself wishing that it would do more, or go a little bit further and it ultimately just never really hit the notes that I was hoping it would hit. I will say, if you do decide to read this one, I listed to the audiobook and I thought the narration was fantastic, but the story as a whole was just... a little lacking for me and I am big, big sad because I thought this was going to be an all-time favorite for me. Here's hoping that Rachel Hawkin's next adult book will hit a little harder for me!
July 3, 2022
"I hear the car before I see it, but even then, I don't move, and later, I'd look back at that moment and wonder if I somehow knew what was going to happen. If everything in my life had been leading me to that one spot, to that one house. To him."
3*this was predictable because I have read too many domestic thrillers*stars
I am harder on thrillers and suspense than I used to be when it comes to rating them. I want to be blown away or taken down a dark and terrifying path, not quite to horror, but something that sits with me for days. I kept waffling between giving this three or four stars. And decided with three because it wasn't a ride I excepted and somewhere I was disappointed.
First thing I haven't read Jane Eyre yet and earlier I thought it would be a good sign because this way I wouldn't know the direction in which the story is going but now after reading it , ik I don't have to read Jane Eyre .
It was an intense book. It was a very entertaining book, and at the same time if you look closely you will find many loop holes in the setting , narration and the way this whole plot is crafted. Because there were things which can't be overlooked. I could exactly see all of this played out in my head, and when Jane couldn't see it , I felt so irritated and frustrated.
And I think all the characters are well written and interesting in there own way( except Eddie, dude get your shit together).I loved how deliciously evil and snarky they were and that you really couldn't trust anyone.
I was really disappointed about the whole Jane's secret thing , it was really hyped up I didn't see the point in building it so much.
The whole story line was kinda obvious acc to me and I think people can make out where the story is going. I really wanted it to be more disturbing , something out of the box .
Keeping those facts aside the writing was engaging because I loved how it gripped me right from the beginning to the end and I completed it within a day.
January 23, 2021
3.5 estrellas. Empezó muy bien pero para el final todo se volvió un poco predecible y me costó creerme las acciones de los personajes.
January 10, 2021
Be sure to visit Bantering Books to read all my latest reviews.
Never have I longed to read Jane Eyre as much as I do at this very moment.
It’s not that I haven’t ever wanted to read it. It’s more that I haven’t ever wanted to read it enough. Enough to where I would actually pick the novel up and turn to the first page.
But now, The Wife Upstairs, Rachel Hawkins’ fresh reimagining of Charlotte Brontë’s gothic tale, has instilled a yearning inside of me to do just that. Actively, I am planning and plotting, trying to determine when I can squeeze Jane Eyre into my jam-packed reading schedule. All because I enjoyed Hawkins’ sharp and suspenseful novel so, so much.
Having recently moved to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane takes a job walking dogs in Thornfield Estates, one of the ritziest communities in the area. There, surrounded by gossipy housewives and all the bright, shiny trinkets and toys money can buy, Jane hopes to not be noticed.
She hopes that no one will notice that Jane isn’t her real name. And she hopes that no one will notice their missing valuables.
Jane’s luck takes a turn for the better, however, when her path crosses with Eddie Rochester. Newly widowed, Eddie is the center of all the chatter in Thornfield Estates, as his wife, Bea, and her best friend recently drowned in an unfortunate boating accident.
For Jane, Eddie is an opportunity – an opportunity for both unimaginable wealth and protection from her past.
Yet as Jane and Eddie become more enamored with one another, Jane finds herself unable to fully step out of the shadow of Bea’s legacy. And she wonders whether she and Eddie will truly find their own happiness together, as the ghost of Bea is always haunting. Always watching.
I feel it’s important that I take a minute to stress that The Wife Upstairs is a retelling of Jane Eyre. And while I am unable to knowledgeably compare the two novels, I am familiar enough with the premise and gothic nature of Brontë’s classic to know that Hawkins’ novel is strikingly dissimilar in tone.
Whereas I imagine Jane Eyre to be dark, brooding, and filled with an undercurrent of dread, The Wife Upstairs is not. It’s lighter and brighter. Frothier, almost. It’s more of a snarky, feminist, Southern soap opera – one that snaps and bites sharply at the hands of men, the wealthy, and the privileged.
And oh, is it fun. The novel is entertaining and addictive, with a brisk and never-boring pace. The chapters are short and quick to read, making it seem as if the pages turn by a magical will of their own. It’s suspenseful, mysterious, and intelligently witty.
Hawkins’ writing is also incredibly engaging. She writes smoothly, with a style that gently flows and reads easily, skillfully drawing you almost immediately into the story. By the end of the first chapter, Hawkins had me baited – hook, line, and sinker.
And the characters are just as engaging as the story. Which is surprising, since not a single one of them is wholly sympathetic. Not Jane. Not Eddie. Not Bea. But they all possess a certain charm – a flawed relatability, of sorts, that allows us to enjoy them despite their immoral ways.
All in all, The Wife Upstairs is a fantastic read. It’s crafted so amazingly well and with such care by Hawkins. And I think it will appeal to both devoted Jane Eyre fans and indifferent non-fans, like me, who have yet to read the gothic classic.
I highly recommend it. With great enthusiasm.
My sincerest appreciation to Rachel Hawkins and St. Martin’s Press for the physical Advance Review Copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
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Never have I longed to read Jane Eyre as much as I do at this very moment.
It’s not that I haven’t ever wanted to read it. It’s more that I haven’t ever wanted to read it enough. Enough to where I would actually pick the novel up and turn to the first page.
But now, The Wife Upstairs, Rachel Hawkins’ fresh reimagining of Charlotte Brontë’s gothic tale, has instilled a yearning inside of me to do just that. Actively, I am planning and plotting, trying to determine when I can squeeze Jane Eyre into my jam-packed reading schedule. All because I enjoyed Hawkins’ sharp and suspenseful novel so, so much.
Having recently moved to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane takes a job walking dogs in Thornfield Estates, one of the ritziest communities in the area. There, surrounded by gossipy housewives and all the bright, shiny trinkets and toys money can buy, Jane hopes to not be noticed.
She hopes that no one will notice that Jane isn’t her real name. And she hopes that no one will notice their missing valuables.
Jane’s luck takes a turn for the better, however, when her path crosses with Eddie Rochester. Newly widowed, Eddie is the center of all the chatter in Thornfield Estates, as his wife, Bea, and her best friend recently drowned in an unfortunate boating accident.
For Jane, Eddie is an opportunity – an opportunity for both unimaginable wealth and protection from her past.
Yet as Jane and Eddie become more enamored with one another, Jane finds herself unable to fully step out of the shadow of Bea’s legacy. And she wonders whether she and Eddie will truly find their own happiness together, as the ghost of Bea is always haunting. Always watching.
I feel it’s important that I take a minute to stress that The Wife Upstairs is a retelling of Jane Eyre. And while I am unable to knowledgeably compare the two novels, I am familiar enough with the premise and gothic nature of Brontë’s classic to know that Hawkins’ novel is strikingly dissimilar in tone.
Whereas I imagine Jane Eyre to be dark, brooding, and filled with an undercurrent of dread, The Wife Upstairs is not. It’s lighter and brighter. Frothier, almost. It’s more of a snarky, feminist, Southern soap opera – one that snaps and bites sharply at the hands of men, the wealthy, and the privileged.
And oh, is it fun. The novel is entertaining and addictive, with a brisk and never-boring pace. The chapters are short and quick to read, making it seem as if the pages turn by a magical will of their own. It’s suspenseful, mysterious, and intelligently witty.
Hawkins’ writing is also incredibly engaging. She writes smoothly, with a style that gently flows and reads easily, skillfully drawing you almost immediately into the story. By the end of the first chapter, Hawkins had me baited – hook, line, and sinker.
And the characters are just as engaging as the story. Which is surprising, since not a single one of them is wholly sympathetic. Not Jane. Not Eddie. Not Bea. But they all possess a certain charm – a flawed relatability, of sorts, that allows us to enjoy them despite their immoral ways.
All in all, The Wife Upstairs is a fantastic read. It’s crafted so amazingly well and with such care by Hawkins. And I think it will appeal to both devoted Jane Eyre fans and indifferent non-fans, like me, who have yet to read the gothic classic.
I highly recommend it. With great enthusiasm.
My sincerest appreciation to Rachel Hawkins and St. Martin’s Press for the physical Advance Review Copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
Bantering Books
December 16, 2020
It's taken me a few days to figure out how to constructively review this book because my initial reaction made me want to toss it in the garbage. But that doesn't help other readers (it would have made me feel a lot better, after having wasted my time with it) but here we go...
First, I don't know why authors write retellings? Why not be original? And I should never have chosen this one because I love Jane Eyre and this book and it's "Jane" are so far from the heroine in Charlotte Bronte's novel that they shouldn't even be in the same sentence. Comparing this silly book to Jane Eyre is a literary crime. And yes, I KNOW, it's a way to sell books, but if you love JE as many of us do and are considering grabbing this because you're intrigued, I have to believe you'll be as disappointed as I was.
The plot is silly and cliche and the characters have absolutely no depth - "Eddie" (yes, Eddie Rochester, insert eye roll) and Jane's relationship rises from absolutely no chemistry --he is a boring cad and she is a dog walker with a criminal past, who has a potty mouth to beat the band, and they meet by change in the Birmingham subdivision of Thornfield Estates (insert second eye roll). The writing felt like something I'd expect in a supermarket novel you'd find at the check out. And don't even start me on this Jane, who can't stop dropping F bombs -- I mean, if you're going to write a retelling, how about making the characters close in nature to the original?
And who had the audacity call this Southern gothic? Those are fighting words in my world because Southern Gothic is probably my favorite genre and I do believe William Faulkner and Flannery O'Connor would roll over in their graves. I can't tell you not to read this, and I can't assure you won't feel as strongly as I did, but I can assure you this is NOT Southern Gothic.
So there you have it. Lastly I will say that this book will be the reason I am giving Book of the Month Club one more month, and if the choices don't get better I am out. This is not the quality I expect, not even close. How this made their selection process I'll never know, but I don't ever want to risk reading something of this caliber again.
I've seen some good reviews out there so I know I don't speak for everyone, but I will stand by this review unequivocally because I feel so strongly about this one.
First, I don't know why authors write retellings? Why not be original? And I should never have chosen this one because I love Jane Eyre and this book and it's "Jane" are so far from the heroine in Charlotte Bronte's novel that they shouldn't even be in the same sentence. Comparing this silly book to Jane Eyre is a literary crime. And yes, I KNOW, it's a way to sell books, but if you love JE as many of us do and are considering grabbing this because you're intrigued, I have to believe you'll be as disappointed as I was.
The plot is silly and cliche and the characters have absolutely no depth - "Eddie" (yes, Eddie Rochester, insert eye roll) and Jane's relationship rises from absolutely no chemistry --he is a boring cad and she is a dog walker with a criminal past, who has a potty mouth to beat the band, and they meet by change in the Birmingham subdivision of Thornfield Estates (insert second eye roll). The writing felt like something I'd expect in a supermarket novel you'd find at the check out. And don't even start me on this Jane, who can't stop dropping F bombs -- I mean, if you're going to write a retelling, how about making the characters close in nature to the original?
And who had the audacity call this Southern gothic? Those are fighting words in my world because Southern Gothic is probably my favorite genre and I do believe William Faulkner and Flannery O'Connor would roll over in their graves. I can't tell you not to read this, and I can't assure you won't feel as strongly as I did, but I can assure you this is NOT Southern Gothic.
So there you have it. Lastly I will say that this book will be the reason I am giving Book of the Month Club one more month, and if the choices don't get better I am out. This is not the quality I expect, not even close. How this made their selection process I'll never know, but I don't ever want to risk reading something of this caliber again.
I've seen some good reviews out there so I know I don't speak for everyone, but I will stand by this review unequivocally because I feel so strongly about this one.
December 1, 2021
oooh, goodreads choice awards finalist for best mystery & thriller 2021! WHAT WILL HAPPEN LET’S FIND OUT!
now, this is a jane eyre i can get behind. you may groan and growl, with your do we really need another retelling of Jane Eyre?
and i say YES!
it’s a breezy adaptation, set amongst alabama's idle rich, whose gossipy tongues start wagging once the help—their neighborhood's plain-jane dogwalker—catches the eye of the recently-widowed eddie rochester (a terrible boating accident involving his wife bea—née bertha—and her bestie blanche), quickly making herself right at home in his spacious mansion.
however, that final sentence becomes a bit ominous to those of us who have read Jane Eyre and are familiar with the fact that sometimes, a wife isn't "dead" so much as 'locked up in the attic, and pretty unhappy about the whole situation."
it's a surprisingly fun and twisty bit of domestic suspense; there's plenty that stays true to the original, with little references dropped throughout, but jane is a lot more modern, a lot less willing to endure her station in life—coming up in the foster care system has taught her that in this world, you gotta take what you can get and keep moving.
jane isn't even her real name, she's changed it after fleeing an incident in her last foster home; embarking on the path towards carving out a rage-to-riches story on the strength of her own grit, determination, and calculated manipulations, with some light kleptomania along the way. "jane" has a strong personality and a potty mouth, but she's learned how to survive by playing the game, coveting so badly what the rich take for granted.
it's a story about class, identity, and secrets, and jane isn't the only one here with skeletons in her attic.
and speaking of that attic,
in any case, it's a fun spin on the original, bringing some much-appreciated lightness, humor, and female ferocity to a story that used to be about how great it is to be patient and is now about how great it is to be proactive.
****************************************
i keep winning so many gr giveaways because 2020 is like the one who broke your heart and then tried to win you back by giving you lots of gifts. keep 'em coming, 2020; maybe you'll get lucky.
come to my blog!
"My Jane," he says, his voice low and rough, and I swallow hard, nothing feigned now, no illusion.
"I'm not yours," I manage to say. "I'm free as a fucking bird."
now, this is a jane eyre i can get behind. you may groan and growl, with your do we really need another retelling of Jane Eyre?
and i say YES!
it’s a breezy adaptation, set amongst alabama's idle rich, whose gossipy tongues start wagging once the help—their neighborhood's plain-jane dogwalker—catches the eye of the recently-widowed eddie rochester (a terrible boating accident involving his wife bea—née bertha—and her bestie blanche), quickly making herself right at home in his spacious mansion.
It’s been two weeks since I more or less moved in with Eddie, two weeks of soft linens and sinking into the plush sofa in the living room in the afternoon, watching bad reality shows on the massive television.
I’m never leaving this place.
however, that final sentence becomes a bit ominous to those of us who have read Jane Eyre and are familiar with the fact that sometimes, a wife isn't "dead" so much as 'locked up in the attic, and pretty unhappy about the whole situation."
it's a surprisingly fun and twisty bit of domestic suspense; there's plenty that stays true to the original, with little references dropped throughout, but jane is a lot more modern, a lot less willing to endure her station in life—coming up in the foster care system has taught her that in this world, you gotta take what you can get and keep moving.
jane isn't even her real name, she's changed it after fleeing an incident in her last foster home; embarking on the path towards carving out a rage-to-riches story on the strength of her own grit, determination, and calculated manipulations, with some light kleptomania along the way. "jane" has a strong personality and a potty mouth, but she's learned how to survive by playing the game, coveting so badly what the rich take for granted.
I had no idea you could spend over a thousand dollars on fucking solar lamps that look like gaslights.
But here I am, loading up packages of those lights into the back of Eddie’s SUV, his credit card practically smoking in my wallet. He won’t care, I know—he told me to get “whatever it is Emily has decided she can’t live without”—but I was eating ramen and cereal for just about every meal only a few months ago, so hearing the cashier at Home Depot say, “That’ll be $1023.78,” as I checked out with nothing more than lights made my chest hurt.
My first week on the Neighborhood Beautification Committee is obviously going really well.
it's a story about class, identity, and secrets, and jane isn't the only one here with skeletons in her attic.
and speaking of that attic,
in any case, it's a fun spin on the original, bringing some much-appreciated lightness, humor, and female ferocity to a story that used to be about how great it is to be patient and is now about how great it is to be proactive.
****************************************
i keep winning so many gr giveaways because 2020 is like the one who broke your heart and then tried to win you back by giving you lots of gifts. keep 'em coming, 2020; maybe you'll get lucky.
come to my blog!
December 4, 2020
4.5 stars
Talk about a fun book with plenty of pleasing twists and turns!
Jane is a down on her luck, dog walker in the gated community of Thornfield estates. She enjoys walking the dogs there and imagining what it might be like to live there. Her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester, a man whose wife, Bea drowned in a boating accident along with her best friend Blanche. When they fall for each other, Jane no longer must imagine what it might be like to live there. To have a nice home and not a dingy apartment. As her life begins to improve, she attempts to fit in with the women who once hired her to walk their dogs. Plain Jane tries to look right, dress right, eat right, etc. The women include her in their many committees and meetings but all the while letting her know she is not Bea, that they knew Bea first and perhaps know more about Eddie than she does.
I really love being introduced to characters with pasts, hidden agendas and who are not quite as they seen. Who is Jane really? For that matter who is Eddie? Who is Bea? How well do you really know someone? Who has secrets? What happened the night the women drown? This make for some juicy reading. I really enjoyed how Hawkins gave us little glimpses into the characters’ lives, their thoughts and their motivations. Speaking of characters, there are some interesting and odd ones in this book. Some you will like, some you will dislike and some you might not know what to make of them. If you are like me, you will really enjoy them, their quirks and their contributions to this book.
Besides being a fun juicy book, this was also beautifully written, perfectly paced and pleasing all the way around. I also enjoyed how she told the story. There is some jumping around in time, but she has the chapters clearly titled and there will not be any confusion. I found this to be a nice touch. Sometimes this annoys me in books, but not in this one. Rachel Hawkins is very clever as is this book.
I found this to be a fast read which had me turning the pages. Glued to my seat and engrossed in the story, I did not want to put this one down. As the book progresses so does the suspense, you know something is going to happen, but what?? You will need to read to find out.
Whether you have read Jane Eyre of not, this book will not disappoint. The Wife Upstairs is captivating, well thought out, and entertaining.
Highly Recommend.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Talk about a fun book with plenty of pleasing twists and turns!
Jane is a down on her luck, dog walker in the gated community of Thornfield estates. She enjoys walking the dogs there and imagining what it might be like to live there. Her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester, a man whose wife, Bea drowned in a boating accident along with her best friend Blanche. When they fall for each other, Jane no longer must imagine what it might be like to live there. To have a nice home and not a dingy apartment. As her life begins to improve, she attempts to fit in with the women who once hired her to walk their dogs. Plain Jane tries to look right, dress right, eat right, etc. The women include her in their many committees and meetings but all the while letting her know she is not Bea, that they knew Bea first and perhaps know more about Eddie than she does.
I really love being introduced to characters with pasts, hidden agendas and who are not quite as they seen. Who is Jane really? For that matter who is Eddie? Who is Bea? How well do you really know someone? Who has secrets? What happened the night the women drown? This make for some juicy reading. I really enjoyed how Hawkins gave us little glimpses into the characters’ lives, their thoughts and their motivations. Speaking of characters, there are some interesting and odd ones in this book. Some you will like, some you will dislike and some you might not know what to make of them. If you are like me, you will really enjoy them, their quirks and their contributions to this book.
Besides being a fun juicy book, this was also beautifully written, perfectly paced and pleasing all the way around. I also enjoyed how she told the story. There is some jumping around in time, but she has the chapters clearly titled and there will not be any confusion. I found this to be a nice touch. Sometimes this annoys me in books, but not in this one. Rachel Hawkins is very clever as is this book.
I found this to be a fast read which had me turning the pages. Glued to my seat and engrossed in the story, I did not want to put this one down. As the book progresses so does the suspense, you know something is going to happen, but what?? You will need to read to find out.
Whether you have read Jane Eyre of not, this book will not disappoint. The Wife Upstairs is captivating, well thought out, and entertaining.
Highly Recommend.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 30, 2021
OMG 😳 This is my kind of thriller! Just like that my top 10 of the year books have a new addition. Add this one to the list! I absolutely loved this book. From the very first page to the very last this was a 5 star read for me the entire way.
Thornfield Estates is all about keeping up with your neighbors...literally. When one neighbor gets a dog walker, well they all HAVE to have a dog walker too. Why on earth do all these "ladies of leisure" need a dog walker?
Meet the dog walker...Jane...she is new to town...nobody knows much about Jane..she drives a crappy car...she doesn't have the best style..yet they all let Jane in their McMansions...why you ask??? Well...it's the cool thing to do...
When Eddie decided he "needs" the dog walker in a different way then most..well the dog walker quickly fleets up to the domestic goddess of the neighborhood,sipping cocktails with the other ladies of leisure.....then things get really interesting..see Eddie's wife is missing.......
OMG there are thrillers and then there are thrillers that are MY kind of thrillers. This was my favorite type! I love a character that is flawed and one where we get a look into their innermost thoughts....that just happen to be a bit twisted and defiantly snarky...throw in some dark humor and I am in....LOVE!!!
This book kept me on my toes the entire time and I was completely invested in every character...which they all had some dark, twisted secrets...I can't recommend this book enough. One of my favorite books of the entire year! Defiantly on my top 10!!
Thornfield Estates is all about keeping up with your neighbors...literally. When one neighbor gets a dog walker, well they all HAVE to have a dog walker too. Why on earth do all these "ladies of leisure" need a dog walker?
Meet the dog walker...Jane...she is new to town...nobody knows much about Jane..she drives a crappy car...she doesn't have the best style..yet they all let Jane in their McMansions...why you ask??? Well...it's the cool thing to do...
When Eddie decided he "needs" the dog walker in a different way then most..well the dog walker quickly fleets up to the domestic goddess of the neighborhood,sipping cocktails with the other ladies of leisure.....then things get really interesting..see Eddie's wife is missing.......
OMG there are thrillers and then there are thrillers that are MY kind of thrillers. This was my favorite type! I love a character that is flawed and one where we get a look into their innermost thoughts....that just happen to be a bit twisted and defiantly snarky...throw in some dark humor and I am in....LOVE!!!
This book kept me on my toes the entire time and I was completely invested in every character...which they all had some dark, twisted secrets...I can't recommend this book enough. One of my favorite books of the entire year! Defiantly on my top 10!!
January 20, 2021
2 stars. Completely missed its mark for me.
I couldn’t resist requesting this book when I read the countless raving reviews. Unfortunately, this didn’t live up to the hype on any level. Not one part of the storyline or characters lives felt real to me. The plot and characters bordered on cheesy and felt forced and fake. I didn’t buy into anything that was happening. Within the first few pages I knew I wasn’t clicking with the writing and perhaps I should have called it quits but the hype kept me going.
Not every book is for everyone. This one missed its mark completely for me but I can certainly understand how many have loved the crazy, entertaining, dramatic storyline as a fun mindless escape read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy!
I couldn’t resist requesting this book when I read the countless raving reviews. Unfortunately, this didn’t live up to the hype on any level. Not one part of the storyline or characters lives felt real to me. The plot and characters bordered on cheesy and felt forced and fake. I didn’t buy into anything that was happening. Within the first few pages I knew I wasn’t clicking with the writing and perhaps I should have called it quits but the hype kept me going.
Not every book is for everyone. This one missed its mark completely for me but I can certainly understand how many have loved the crazy, entertaining, dramatic storyline as a fun mindless escape read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy!
April 9, 2021
I heard all of the mention about comparing to this to Jane Eyre which I read so long ago I can’t remember it well. I decided just to read and review this book on it’s own merit with no comparisons.
Jane has left behind a secret in Arizona and has now taken the only job that she could find in this town in Alabama. She starts walking dogs for the wealthy inhabitants of Thornfield Estates. Jane doesn’t mind the dogs but hates the inhabitants of these mini-mansions, although she not so secretly wants to be one of them. She wants a beautiful house, money to be able to do what she would like and a handsome husband. Her luck is about to change.
As she is dog walking one day Eddie Rochester comes close to hitting her as he backs out too quickly from his driveway. He is so apologetic he invites Jane into his house for coffee. They end up having a great conversation and Jane sees an opportunity to get what she wants. Eddie is a new widow, his wife, Bea, and her best friend recently deceased in a boating accident, although their bodies have never been found.
Things escalate and Jane and Eddie have a whirlwind romance which culminates with him asking Jane to marry him.
But not so fast, there are secrets here. Jane can’t get over the vibe in Eddie’s house, Bea’s presence is seen everywhere in the way she decorated the house. She created and launched a hugely successful business which is now worth millions. Jane can’t help but feel that this house may never feel like it belongs to her and Eddie, even after they are married. She also has the neighborhood wives to convince that she will be an accepted part of their group.
At about this point the story really starts to escalate, we find out Jane’s secret and others which will have you pondering, could this really happen???? Is Eddie who he claims to be?? Are Jane and Eddie really in love? What really happened that night at the lake??
I found this to be an interesting and original premise for a thriller. It is a slow burn which takes off about midway through the story. I enjoyed it although I thought the ending was a bit too quickly wrapped up and not very believable.
This is an enjoyable thriller that you will fly through. The writing flows well and keeps you pondering what the next twist will be.
This novel is set to publish on January 5, 2021.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
Jane has left behind a secret in Arizona and has now taken the only job that she could find in this town in Alabama. She starts walking dogs for the wealthy inhabitants of Thornfield Estates. Jane doesn’t mind the dogs but hates the inhabitants of these mini-mansions, although she not so secretly wants to be one of them. She wants a beautiful house, money to be able to do what she would like and a handsome husband. Her luck is about to change.
As she is dog walking one day Eddie Rochester comes close to hitting her as he backs out too quickly from his driveway. He is so apologetic he invites Jane into his house for coffee. They end up having a great conversation and Jane sees an opportunity to get what she wants. Eddie is a new widow, his wife, Bea, and her best friend recently deceased in a boating accident, although their bodies have never been found.
Things escalate and Jane and Eddie have a whirlwind romance which culminates with him asking Jane to marry him.
But not so fast, there are secrets here. Jane can’t get over the vibe in Eddie’s house, Bea’s presence is seen everywhere in the way she decorated the house. She created and launched a hugely successful business which is now worth millions. Jane can’t help but feel that this house may never feel like it belongs to her and Eddie, even after they are married. She also has the neighborhood wives to convince that she will be an accepted part of their group.
At about this point the story really starts to escalate, we find out Jane’s secret and others which will have you pondering, could this really happen???? Is Eddie who he claims to be?? Are Jane and Eddie really in love? What really happened that night at the lake??
I found this to be an interesting and original premise for a thriller. It is a slow burn which takes off about midway through the story. I enjoyed it although I thought the ending was a bit too quickly wrapped up and not very believable.
This is an enjoyable thriller that you will fly through. The writing flows well and keeps you pondering what the next twist will be.
This novel is set to publish on January 5, 2021.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
January 13, 2021
Ahhhh.... this book!! I feel so conflicted over what to rate it and how to review it!
I kinda wanna give it two stars because the plot holes are SO HUGE that parts of the story seemed ridiculous.
Yet I thought the rest of the book was well written and super entertaining. It deserves all the stars for the fun I had reading it.
I've decided to rate it 4 -I choose to ignore the parts that don't make sense -Stars ⭐
I kinda wanna give it two stars because the plot holes are SO HUGE that parts of the story seemed ridiculous.
Yet I thought the rest of the book was well written and super entertaining. It deserves all the stars for the fun I had reading it.
I've decided to rate it 4 -I choose to ignore the parts that don't make sense -Stars ⭐
June 29, 2022
Rachel Hawkins requires a special appreciation for showing the courage to set the Gothic classic Jane Eyre as a domestic thriller in modern Alabama. The plot is set in Birmingham, Alabama. Jane is a broke dog-walker who is desperate to carve a better future. One day when she meets Eddie Rochester, she becomes happy that her life is, at last, taking a turn which she always yearned to have.
Eddie is a recently widowed billionaire from Thornfield Estates who is enigmatic to the core. His wife Bea and her friend died recently in a boating accident, and the police could not recover their bodies yet. When Jane is ebullient and is trying to become a woman of Eddies dreams, the public is also very busy comparing Jane to Eddie's first wife, Bea.
Is Jane a social climber who is trying to use Eddie for her benefit? Is Eddie a mountebank who is trying to trick Jane? We will love how the author portrays the central characters with a mysterious solid past that slowly unravels when we go deeper into this novel.
What I learned from this book
1) Are liars extroverts with an imagination?
One of the vital problems the modern world faces is glorifying liars as long as they are about to maintain their false persona. Liars are even called extroverts with an imagination by social media. "For the vlog," "For the Instagram" terminologies have become a norm in the modern-day life of youngsters.
When people who have the power to influence starts to lie about themselves in social media and real life, some innocent people will try to emulate them and lands up in terrible depression.
Rachel Hawkins has done a splendid job showing us how all the scrupulous people will lie to us and what will happen when people start to build their lives based upon lies. She shows us how it creates a butterfly effect that destroys the life of many people
"There's a trick to spinning lies. You have to embed the truth in there, just a glimmer of it. That's the part that will catch people, and it's what makes the rest of your lies sould like truth, too."
2) Gold diggers and Goal diggers
Everyone should try to become goal diggers and not gold diggers. But what actually is happening is the other way around. Everyone wants to become millionaires overnight. It is one of the main reasons why lottery and gambling have become a flourishing business. The author shows us what will happen to us if we try to use others for our benefits
"I was looking for something new because I was running away from something old."
3) How to deal with gossiping people?
Gossip is talking about the rumors of other people's personal affairs. The best method to deal with gossiping people is changing the topic of conversation when they are trying to gossip or telling them that you are not interested in hearing similar things or getting out of gossiping conversations gracefully without hurting anyone. Rachel Hawkins is telling us why it is tough to deal with people who love to gossip.
“Gossip is tricky, slippery. Pretend to be too interested, and suddenly you look suspicious. Act bored and nonchalant sometimes. The person will clam up totally. But then sometimes they are like Emily Clarke, eager to keep sharing hoping to find the right worm to bait the hook."
My favourite three lines from this book
“A man who overestimates his intelligence is a man who can be easily manipulated.”
“When they try to threaten you. You don't give in to them, you don't give them what they want, you remind them that you're the one in charge, you're making the rules."
"This is another trick I have learned over the years, make the people think that they have the upper hand and they trust you so much faster."
What could have been better?
Even though Rachel Hawkins successfully wrote a page-turner, some parts of this story are easily predictable.
Rating
3/5 This book will be a good choice if you like to read thrillers.
January 5, 2021
"It is the absolute shittiest day for a walk."
Rain has been pouring down all morning.
But, there are dogs that need to be walked in the wealthy Thornfield Estates subdivision, and Jane has signed on to be the dogwalker to the wealthy wives who will pretend to care that they are sorry that this must be done on this cold and stormy day in mid February...
But as luck will have it, Jane is about to meet Eddie Rochester, recently widowed when his wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, Blanche. He seems quite smitten with her, despite her lack of "pedigree" and goes as far as to adopt, an Irish Setter puppy named Adele, just so he could see her again...
But, can this unlikely romance last, and can Jane really transition from their dogwalker, to "one of the girls" ?
The book description reads : " A delicious twist on a Gothic Classic, Rachel Hawkin's "The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern Charm with atmospheric domestic suspense" and DELICIOUS IT IS!
From the book's title to our protagonist's name of Jane, it is no secret that the Classic referred to is Jane Eyre-this time reimagined for today's times with the setting just outside of Birmingham, Alabama.
If you need a "spoiler free" recap of Jane Eyre...it begins with Jane Eyre, an orphan living with her Aunt, getting in trouble on a rainy day and being sent to Lowood School, to live until she becomes of age. It's a miserable place, and her one friend, Helen Burns, dies shortly after her arrival. Despite her childhood, and plain looks, Jane is smart and witty and obtains a post as a Governess to a young French girl, named Adele, ward of Edward Rochester, owner of Thornfield Hall. Remarkably, Edward falls for Jane but a secret comes to light, which could threaten their happy ending!
Now, if you are a reader that hates when Classics are reimagined, and you are familiar with Jane Eyre-then this book won't be for you.
But, I seem to LOVE when Classics are reimagined!
In 2018, I read" Rebecca"-Daphne du Maurier- for the first time, simultaneously with "The Winters" by Lisa Gabrielle. I think it's entertaining to see how the names from the Classics will be reassigned-the plots freshened for modern times.
I view these books as homages-showing how the original stories stand the test of time.
This was VERY different from the book it pays homage to-so despite the references to it's predecessor you can read them in either order, and the endings will NOT be spoiled despite the similarities the two do share.
It kept me engaged from that opening sentence through the epilogue!
And, I loved it! ❤️
"Grab the corkscrew, will you?" 🍷
(you will know what I mean, after you read this...)
Pour a glass of your favorite wine...and indulge!
This was a stand-out for me this year!
A big THANK YOU, to St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for a candid review!
AVAILABLE NOW!!!!
Rain has been pouring down all morning.
But, there are dogs that need to be walked in the wealthy Thornfield Estates subdivision, and Jane has signed on to be the dogwalker to the wealthy wives who will pretend to care that they are sorry that this must be done on this cold and stormy day in mid February...
But as luck will have it, Jane is about to meet Eddie Rochester, recently widowed when his wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, Blanche. He seems quite smitten with her, despite her lack of "pedigree" and goes as far as to adopt, an Irish Setter puppy named Adele, just so he could see her again...
But, can this unlikely romance last, and can Jane really transition from their dogwalker, to "one of the girls" ?
The book description reads : " A delicious twist on a Gothic Classic, Rachel Hawkin's "The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern Charm with atmospheric domestic suspense" and DELICIOUS IT IS!
From the book's title to our protagonist's name of Jane, it is no secret that the Classic referred to is Jane Eyre-this time reimagined for today's times with the setting just outside of Birmingham, Alabama.
If you need a "spoiler free" recap of Jane Eyre...it begins with Jane Eyre, an orphan living with her Aunt, getting in trouble on a rainy day and being sent to Lowood School, to live until she becomes of age. It's a miserable place, and her one friend, Helen Burns, dies shortly after her arrival. Despite her childhood, and plain looks, Jane is smart and witty and obtains a post as a Governess to a young French girl, named Adele, ward of Edward Rochester, owner of Thornfield Hall. Remarkably, Edward falls for Jane but a secret comes to light, which could threaten their happy ending!
Now, if you are a reader that hates when Classics are reimagined, and you are familiar with Jane Eyre-then this book won't be for you.
But, I seem to LOVE when Classics are reimagined!
In 2018, I read" Rebecca"-Daphne du Maurier- for the first time, simultaneously with "The Winters" by Lisa Gabrielle. I think it's entertaining to see how the names from the Classics will be reassigned-the plots freshened for modern times.
I view these books as homages-showing how the original stories stand the test of time.
This was VERY different from the book it pays homage to-so despite the references to it's predecessor you can read them in either order, and the endings will NOT be spoiled despite the similarities the two do share.
It kept me engaged from that opening sentence through the epilogue!
And, I loved it! ❤️
"Grab the corkscrew, will you?" 🍷
(you will know what I mean, after you read this...)
Pour a glass of your favorite wine...and indulge!
This was a stand-out for me this year!
A big THANK YOU, to St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for a candid review!
AVAILABLE NOW!!!!
July 11, 2022
I read this book twice once July 2020 (Kindle e-copy) 4 stars and December 2020 (listening to the audiobook) 5 stars.
This is a mystery thriller. I was pulled into this book so quickly, and I had to keep reading to find out how it end. I did guess some of the things that was happening in this book, but I did not see the ending happening how it did. I really think the characters where developed, and I hated and loved the characters which is what you want from a thriller. I can see people either liking or hating this book. This is not going to be a book that is going to fall in the middle, and I think it will depend on if you guess the ending. The twists and turns where very good. I enjoyed this book much more the second time that the first time. The audiobook was good, but it was not my favorite audiobook. The narrator was good. I was kindly provided an e-copy and e-audiobook of this book by the publisher (St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio) or author (Rachel Hawkins) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
This was my December 2020 Book of the Month pick
https://www.mybotm.com/zr12wnytgc8?sh...
This is a mystery thriller. I was pulled into this book so quickly, and I had to keep reading to find out how it end. I did guess some of the things that was happening in this book, but I did not see the ending happening how it did. I really think the characters where developed, and I hated and loved the characters which is what you want from a thriller. I can see people either liking or hating this book. This is not going to be a book that is going to fall in the middle, and I think it will depend on if you guess the ending. The twists and turns where very good. I enjoyed this book much more the second time that the first time. The audiobook was good, but it was not my favorite audiobook. The narrator was good. I was kindly provided an e-copy and e-audiobook of this book by the publisher (St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio) or author (Rachel Hawkins) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
This was my December 2020 Book of the Month pick
https://www.mybotm.com/zr12wnytgc8?sh...
October 25, 2020
Twisty & Turny and Utterly Compelling!.
Meet Jane: An Arizona transplant who is new to Birmingham, Alabama. Jane is looking to make ends meet by being a dog walker in what appears to be the sleepy little subdivision of Thornfield Estates.
Thornfield Estates however has a “Stepford” vibe - gorgeous, perfect housewives, beautiful expensive homes with everyone following a simple easy routine, and enjoying the quintessential life.
Or so it seems.
Little does Jane know that the residents of Thornfield Estates have their secrets and boy are they doozies!
Penniless and pretty, Jane is hoping to meet “the one.”
Enter Eddie Rochester. A recent widow who is trying to get over the death of his wife, Bea and her best friend Blanche, both of whom drowned while away on a “Girls Weekend.”
Eddie is dashing, kind, smart and successful - everything Jane wants in a man.
A whirlwind romance ensues, with Jane being swept off of her feet. Of course, Jane gets what she wants: A marriage proposal. Then again, Jane always gets what she wants.
Or does she?
In this case, perhaps Jane should have looked before she leaped.
Poor Jane. I almost feel for you. Almost.
What happens next is nothing short of brilliant, twisted and completely wild. Talk about turning the freaking tables and stunning this reader to no end!
“That twist” is the reason to pick up this highly anticipated novel!
Well done, Rachel Hawkins!
Captivating characters and a fantastic plot, make this mystery suspense a must read!
This was a fabulous buddy read with Kaceey!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc.
*Modified version of this review published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine on 10.21.20
Published on Goodreads on 10.25.20
Meet Jane: An Arizona transplant who is new to Birmingham, Alabama. Jane is looking to make ends meet by being a dog walker in what appears to be the sleepy little subdivision of Thornfield Estates.
Thornfield Estates however has a “Stepford” vibe - gorgeous, perfect housewives, beautiful expensive homes with everyone following a simple easy routine, and enjoying the quintessential life.
Or so it seems.
Little does Jane know that the residents of Thornfield Estates have their secrets and boy are they doozies!
Penniless and pretty, Jane is hoping to meet “the one.”
Enter Eddie Rochester. A recent widow who is trying to get over the death of his wife, Bea and her best friend Blanche, both of whom drowned while away on a “Girls Weekend.”
Eddie is dashing, kind, smart and successful - everything Jane wants in a man.
A whirlwind romance ensues, with Jane being swept off of her feet. Of course, Jane gets what she wants: A marriage proposal. Then again, Jane always gets what she wants.
Or does she?
In this case, perhaps Jane should have looked before she leaped.
Poor Jane. I almost feel for you. Almost.
What happens next is nothing short of brilliant, twisted and completely wild. Talk about turning the freaking tables and stunning this reader to no end!
“That twist” is the reason to pick up this highly anticipated novel!
Well done, Rachel Hawkins!
Captivating characters and a fantastic plot, make this mystery suspense a must read!
This was a fabulous buddy read with Kaceey!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc.
*Modified version of this review published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine on 10.21.20
Published on Goodreads on 10.25.20
October 16, 2020
The moment I saw that the leading character was named JANE, I knew I was all in!
Jane is running hard from her past in Arizona. Ultimately landing in Alabama, scraping by taking jobs as a dog-walker in an exclusive neighborhood. Lost in daydreams while walking past her favorite home on the block, she’s nearly run over by the homeowner, Eddie.
Well that’s one way to meet a man. High marks for originality, young lady!
Soon enough, Jane and Eddie are inseparable! But there’s always the looming question - could this be too good to be true? Will Jane’s past eventually catch up to her? And what exactly did happen to Eddie’s previous wife?
Well, since this is a thriller you know nothing is going to be straight forward and you’ll be in for one twisty read! And if you can suspend your believability you’ll thoroughly enjoy this one!
A fast and fun buddy read with Susanne!
Than you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an ARC to read and review.
Jane is running hard from her past in Arizona. Ultimately landing in Alabama, scraping by taking jobs as a dog-walker in an exclusive neighborhood. Lost in daydreams while walking past her favorite home on the block, she’s nearly run over by the homeowner, Eddie.
Well that’s one way to meet a man. High marks for originality, young lady!
Soon enough, Jane and Eddie are inseparable! But there’s always the looming question - could this be too good to be true? Will Jane’s past eventually catch up to her? And what exactly did happen to Eddie’s previous wife?
Well, since this is a thriller you know nothing is going to be straight forward and you’ll be in for one twisty read! And if you can suspend your believability you’ll thoroughly enjoy this one!
A fast and fun buddy read with Susanne!
Than you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an ARC to read and review.
April 25, 2022
This one felt pretty unique - even though it's a retelling of Jane Eyre - but I struggled to care.
January 9, 2021
Did you hear that noise? 🤔
Shortest Summary Ever: Jane is a down-and-out steals-from-her-clients dog walker one day, and the girlfriend of Eddie Rochester, rich bachelor of Thornfield Estates the next. Ah, but there’s a dead wife Bea and her best friend Blanche whose collective demise is haunting the relationship. Everyone in the gossip circle is still buzzing. Thrust into a Real Housewives universe, is Jane ready for what that entails? Is Eddie everything he seems?
Thoughts: A pretty liberal twist on Jane Eyre, this novel grasped me from go. First - Jane isn’t likeable, but I liked her. Not really sure if I’m supposed to, but the fact she steals from her wealthy cookie-cutter cloyingly cute yet decidedly annoying clients (who don’t even notice) makes me smirk away. I can’t blame a girl from gettin’ her hustle on (I could, but I don’t want to!) Something about a solidly written anti-hero sends my heart soaring.
She’s no dummy - she’s street smart Jane and I LIKE IT. This is aptly written, brightly paced, and keeps the reader in that perfect riveted-at-the-roots position.
All my reviews available at scrappymags.com around time of publication.
Genre: Mystery/ Women’s Lit
Recommend to: Those looking for a quick, guilty pleasure read. Fans of Real Housewives.
Not recommended to: if you’re a Jane Eyre purist.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for making me strangely happy I’m not hawkin’ on rich dudes.
Shortest Summary Ever: Jane is a down-and-out steals-from-her-clients dog walker one day, and the girlfriend of Eddie Rochester, rich bachelor of Thornfield Estates the next. Ah, but there’s a dead wife Bea and her best friend Blanche whose collective demise is haunting the relationship. Everyone in the gossip circle is still buzzing. Thrust into a Real Housewives universe, is Jane ready for what that entails? Is Eddie everything he seems?
Thoughts: A pretty liberal twist on Jane Eyre, this novel grasped me from go. First - Jane isn’t likeable, but I liked her. Not really sure if I’m supposed to, but the fact she steals from her wealthy cookie-cutter cloyingly cute yet decidedly annoying clients (who don’t even notice) makes me smirk away. I can’t blame a girl from gettin’ her hustle on (I could, but I don’t want to!) Something about a solidly written anti-hero sends my heart soaring.
She’s no dummy - she’s street smart Jane and I LIKE IT. This is aptly written, brightly paced, and keeps the reader in that perfect riveted-at-the-roots position.
All my reviews available at scrappymags.com around time of publication.
Genre: Mystery/ Women’s Lit
Recommend to: Those looking for a quick, guilty pleasure read. Fans of Real Housewives.
Not recommended to: if you’re a Jane Eyre purist.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for making me strangely happy I’m not hawkin’ on rich dudes.
January 5, 2021
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
Wow...this was a good one that definitely exceeded my expectations!
Jane is a new arrival in Alabama. She’s broke, and lives with a roommate in a dump of a town. She ends up dog-walking for the elite in a beautiful gated community. On one of her walks, she meets Eddie. He’s a recently widowed man whose wife, along with her best friend, drowned during a “girls weekend”. Their bodies were never discovered. Jane and Eddie fall in love. As their romance quickly escalates, Jane can’t help but hear the town gossip and wonder if Eddie’s marriage wasn’t as perfect as he depicted. Jane also has a past that she doesn’t want anyone to find out...least of all Eddie.
I completely devoured this book! There were some twists that I could see coming, but even more that took me by surprise. I love the writing style of author Rachel Hawkins. It’s very smooth and easy to get lost in her descriptions, characters lines, and imagery. It’s just a fun book that reveals secrets at a perfect pace. That made it very hard for me to put down.
⚠️ CAUTION: This is a modern twist on JANE EYRE, a novel I’ve heard about, but never read. I was also unfamiliar with details of the plot. There is at least one Goodreads review for THE WIFE UPSTAIRS that doesn’t use a spoiler alert before revealing one of the twists. According to the reviewer, spoilers aren’t needed for this book since it’s based on a book published in 1847. I absolutely do not agree with that. FYI in case anyone reads additional reviews before reading this novel. If you aren’t familiar with Jane Eyre and don’t want to be spoiled, proceed with caution.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Rachel Hawkins, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow...this was a good one that definitely exceeded my expectations!
Jane is a new arrival in Alabama. She’s broke, and lives with a roommate in a dump of a town. She ends up dog-walking for the elite in a beautiful gated community. On one of her walks, she meets Eddie. He’s a recently widowed man whose wife, along with her best friend, drowned during a “girls weekend”. Their bodies were never discovered. Jane and Eddie fall in love. As their romance quickly escalates, Jane can’t help but hear the town gossip and wonder if Eddie’s marriage wasn’t as perfect as he depicted. Jane also has a past that she doesn’t want anyone to find out...least of all Eddie.
I completely devoured this book! There were some twists that I could see coming, but even more that took me by surprise. I love the writing style of author Rachel Hawkins. It’s very smooth and easy to get lost in her descriptions, characters lines, and imagery. It’s just a fun book that reveals secrets at a perfect pace. That made it very hard for me to put down.
⚠️ CAUTION: This is a modern twist on JANE EYRE, a novel I’ve heard about, but never read. I was also unfamiliar with details of the plot. There is at least one Goodreads review for THE WIFE UPSTAIRS that doesn’t use a spoiler alert before revealing one of the twists. According to the reviewer, spoilers aren’t needed for this book since it’s based on a book published in 1847. I absolutely do not agree with that. FYI in case anyone reads additional reviews before reading this novel. If you aren’t familiar with Jane Eyre and don’t want to be spoiled, proceed with caution.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Rachel Hawkins, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2021
I will have to be honest. I was really looking forward to this book. It's been given such high praise. I admit I have never read the classic, "Jane Eyre" and this was supposedly a very loose re-telling.
It started out good for me and I was intrigued but I found it just went nowhere for so long. Perhaps I've read too many domestic thrillers and I was expecting something to really WOW me. It just didn't and I found the ending to be pretty predictable.
I liked it enough to keep reading and the writing is good. It was just so-so for me.
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for granting me access to this Advanced Reader Copy.
It started out good for me and I was intrigued but I found it just went nowhere for so long. Perhaps I've read too many domestic thrillers and I was expecting something to really WOW me. It just didn't and I found the ending to be pretty predictable.
I liked it enough to keep reading and the writing is good. It was just so-so for me.
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for granting me access to this Advanced Reader Copy.
January 5, 2021
Here’s something you should know about The Wife Upstairs and then quickly forget. It’s a modern twist on Jane Eyre.
Why forget it? Because these are not Bronte’s characters, and this is not her story. Consider her classic the spark that lights the fuse of this 2021 thriller, and then just sit back and enjoy the fireworks.
The Wife Upstairs is the exact opposite of whatever a slow-burn novel is. The action never drags and almost moves so quickly that it flies fairly close to insta-love territory. Our main character Jane (natch) is a dog walker in a gated Alabama McMansion community. Her means and looks are simple, though she aspires to live a life of more glitz, glamour, and gold. Fortunately she meets Eddie Rochester (wink) and the sparks fly although he recently lost his rich entrepreneurial wife to mysterious circumstances.
Despite the publisher’s description, I found the atmosphere to be more Bravo TV than gothic. No complaints there, just a management of expectations. The audiobook has a multiple narrator format, which I always enjoy. If I have one quibble, it would be that the female voices are fairly similar and indistinct from one another. With a setting in Alabama, you’d expect at least one of them to have a drippy southern drawl, but there really isn’t a twang to be heard.
While it seems I’m slightly less enthusiastic than some other early readers, I’d still recommend this book to suspense/thriller fans. 3.5 stars rounded up for the pacing and surprises.
I’d like to thank the author and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listeners copy to review via NetGalley.
Why forget it? Because these are not Bronte’s characters, and this is not her story. Consider her classic the spark that lights the fuse of this 2021 thriller, and then just sit back and enjoy the fireworks.
The Wife Upstairs is the exact opposite of whatever a slow-burn novel is. The action never drags and almost moves so quickly that it flies fairly close to insta-love territory. Our main character Jane (natch) is a dog walker in a gated Alabama McMansion community. Her means and looks are simple, though she aspires to live a life of more glitz, glamour, and gold. Fortunately she meets Eddie Rochester (wink) and the sparks fly although he recently lost his rich entrepreneurial wife to mysterious circumstances.
Despite the publisher’s description, I found the atmosphere to be more Bravo TV than gothic. No complaints there, just a management of expectations. The audiobook has a multiple narrator format, which I always enjoy. If I have one quibble, it would be that the female voices are fairly similar and indistinct from one another. With a setting in Alabama, you’d expect at least one of them to have a drippy southern drawl, but there really isn’t a twang to be heard.
While it seems I’m slightly less enthusiastic than some other early readers, I’d still recommend this book to suspense/thriller fans. 3.5 stars rounded up for the pacing and surprises.
I’d like to thank the author and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listeners copy to review via NetGalley.
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