While in college in upstate New York, Shay Evans and her best friends met a captivating man who seduced them with a web of lies about the way the world works, bringing them under his thrall. By senior year, Shay and her friend Laurel were the only ones who managed to escape. Now, eight years later, Shay's built a new life in a tony Texas suburb. But when she hears the horrifying news of Laurel's death―delivered, of all ways, by her favourite true-crime podcast crusader―she begins to suspect that the past she thought she buried is still very much alive, and the predators more dangerous than ever. Special thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions. In addition, I loved the four passages referencing Scheherazade cleverly threading the famous tale into an ubiquitous underlying theme. Most know of the bride in One Thousand and One Nights who becomes the Sultan’s wife to save other women from execution after one night of marriage with him. The author skillfully combined psychologically disturbing content without being gratuitous as each element fits within the story. It was exhilarating, electric, deranged, and beautifully repulsive - all simultaneously. I was transfixed with a perfectly flawed main character. Jennifer Hillier, author of the bestselling Little Secrets “A stunning, disturbing thriller that will have your mind and heart racing. The Last Housewife is a clever, twisty, unnerving ride through feminism, patriarchy, and power, and it had me gasping for air.”

the way ashley was able to write such a heavy and difficult story was such ease and beauty was REMARKABLE. and those plot twists? hoo boy, I did not see coming. Holy cow, this book was WILD! Dark, seductive, twisty, uncomfortable, but most of all important. Ashley (who I am proud to call a very dear friend of mine) has crafted a wonderful blend of a psychological, domestic, dark academic, cult thriller that can only be called one thing. A masterpiece. Oh the web her sweet and twisted mind weaves. It's emotionally taxing, raw, visceral, honest and bold.

Hobbies

The Last Wife by Karen Hamilton is a thriller that centers around jealousy and deceit. This one is the story of two women who were once best friends, or so it seemed. The "mystery" was entirely secondary to Marie's endless ramblings, and resulted in a conclusion which was anti-climatic, at best. Also the true crime podcast element - perfection. Especially the way it was used at the end 👀 I really enjoyed reading transcripts of interviews interspersed between the story.

thank you to netgalley, ashley, and sourcebooks for the advanced copy in exchange for a review. august cannot come soon enough!!! Nina and Marie were best friends until Nina died from a terminal illness. Before she died, Nina asked Marie to make her three promises. Trusting Marie was her final mistake. Because Marie has always envied Nina's perfect life - loving husband, adorable kids, beautiful house. Marie has an agenda of her own, and she'll do anything to get what she wants. But what Marie doesn't know is that Nina was hiding her own explosive secrets...secrets that threaten everything.But what if her dear passed away friend is also liar like her and her plan B to save herself puts her into more trouble? As web of lies start to pour down and Marie starts getting threatening messages. Somebody really wants to destroy her new life and bring out her secrets. Oh Marie, you should have second thoughts before you say yes to Nina! The key element throughout the book is Marie's relationship with Nina, who was her best friend at school and art college. Marie is now a photographer, and her work forms an important ingredient to this novel. Marie is a clingy sort of person; jealous of anyone else, male or female, who becomes close to Nina. Following Nina’s marriage to Stuart, they soon have two children, but their happiness isn’t to last, when Nina is diagnosed with a terminal illness. It's not every day I finish a novel and decide right then and there that the author is now an auto-buy. While I was anticipating a great story from Winstead, I wasn't expecting to inhale her new book in one breathless read. The Last Housewife is a propulsive, unputdownable thriller with a dark, beating heart. It chilled me to the bone, and I'm still recovering. Ashley Winstead, I bow down." — Jennifer Hillier, author of the bestselling Little Secrets I barely breathed through most of this horrifyingly engrossing story, so consider yourself warned." — Good Housekeeping, 20 New Book To Add To Your Summer Reading List However, Alexis Van Aiken’s narration of the audiobook is very well done and there are a few decent twists at the end.