Wanted to love this one, but it took a long time to pick up, and in that time, Tess turned out to be too 'woe is me!' and River painted herself as a highly unlikeable character. It felt hard to be sympathetic to both, so the enjoyment of the actual story didn't move along great for me throughout, unfortunately

The premise of this The Holiday-esque novel sounded amazing. A worn out middle aged mom switches places with someone else for a different life. The descriptions of the different locations was a nice touch as was the character descriptions and development. While a little unrealistic at times, I'm sure all mothers dream of time away every once in awhile. The ending was tied up in a nice pretty bow, again, a little unrealistic. But aren't most books in their own way? 😉

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Carmen Reid. ❤️

This was a fun read. I’ve always enjoyed Carmen Reid’s books and was very happy when this one came out. Love the style of her writing.

Tess is facing a midlife crisis and feeling sad and unappreciated, and desperately needing a change in her life. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, River is struggling to keep from becoming a has-been, washed up screenwriter. When she finally sells an idea to a producer, she needs to find a way to England to write this script. Online, Tess's search for a US vacation and Tess's search for a suitable home rental cause each other to cross paths, and they switch decide to switch homes for the summer.

As a mom and wife and who has at times felt "mom'd" and "wife'd" out, I totally related to this book and the need for a respite from life in general. Humorous and realistic, this is a good read alike for any who like Laurie Gelman or Julie Valerie.

I struggled with this one. While I ultimately enjoyed the ending - especially the nice little bow it was all tied up in, I had a hard time getting through it. I'm giving this honest review in exchange for a digital copy of this book .

This book was really well written and went much deeper than I expected. It was nice to read something with characters with more life experience and although it was sad in places, I was left completely satisfied by the ending.

Really enjoyable read. Multi stranded story which weaves together perfectly. Entertaining mix of locations and characters for a read that is mainly easy going but with some serious undertones. Laugh out loud moments aplenty.

Thank you Netgalley

Very heartfelt! This is about Tess's journey to step outside of her comfort zone and fix what she thought was broken in her life. However, I feel that it's more about finding yourself...mid-life self. It's not just about Tess. It's every character that is in the story. However, small their part might be, but they either had a purpose for Tess's journey or taking that journey with her. Characters development is amazing and very fulfilling. You would not be left wanting more after finishing this book.

A funny book about the joys that life can throw us. As usual Carmen Reid doesn't disappoint as she delivers another bestseller. A relatable story of a 40something year old facing life problems. Excellently written with humour....highly recommended.

Tess is not appreciated at work and is offered three months off so she plans a holiday of a lifetime for her whole family until everything goes wrong, her daughter has a new boyfriend and doesn`t want to go, her son vows he can`t leave his new job as he`s having a great time and her husband Dave has an accident and can`t travel, so she has to cancel the holiday but Tess has already rented the house out to River Romeo a script writer from Hollywood.

4 stars, What an enjoyable read this was! While at first I only liked one of the two protagonists I was quickly won over and ended the book being a big fan of both. Grab this book next time you see it. After all, when did we all become so afraid of trying something new?

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for my review. My opinions are my own and not influenced by anyone. Ever.

I loved this book from start to finish. Great characters, descriptions of places in the book you can visualise you being there. Well written and a perfect book to escape your life for a few hours!

I was drawn to this novel because of the title, which I found all too relatable. A pleasant enough story, easy to pick up and get into but I found I couldn't warm to the characters very much. Perhaps it was the genre (being a while since I have read it) or perhaps it was present life circumstances where I found it all too real and needed something to escape from, not read more about. I found this just wasn't right for me at this moment. I also found that the ending was a little unsatisfactory given it was all too easily tied up.

Such a well done book!! I loved all of this story. It was well written and kept my attention the whole way through. The characters in the book could be your neighbors, your friends or even yourself.

4.5 Stars

The fabulous Carmen Reid is back with a fun, relatable and gloriously escapist page-turner that will make readers giggle from beginning to end: Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life.

Tess Simpson is fed up of being taken for granted. Nobody appreciates her at home, she is undervalued at work and to top it all off her dog has just died. Tess wants nothing more than to escape from the stifling confines of her life and spend a couple of days away from all the pressures and challenges of her life and her job. Tess has had enough of her husband, her ungrateful kids and her soul-destroying job so when the opportunity to swap lives with LA-based screenwriter River Romero comes up, she jumps at this chance and grabs it with both hands! But Tess is about to learn that the Hollywood lifestyle isn’t all it’s cracked up to be!

River Romero has never wanted to be anything but a screenwriter, however, she had soon learned that Tinsel Town is no bed of roses, but a nest of vipers where you are only as good as your last job. With thousands snapping at her heels ready to replace her in a heartbeat, River’s career is hanging by a thread with her failures far outweighing her successes lately. In desperate need to get out of the Hollywood rat-race, swapping life in LA for a cosy cottage in the English countryside sounds absolutely perfect. Everything about Tess’s life fills River with envy and a swap is surely just what she needs at the moment to get some perspective and figure out what she is going to be doing next. Is River going to find everything she is looking for in the UK? Or is she just fooling herself thinking she can find happiness on the other side of the world?

Both Tess and River wanted a change, but was what they were looking for right under their noses all along? Or will the two women end up regretting their decision to seek a new life elsewhere?

Carmen Reid makes a welcome return to our bookshelves with a terrific new novel which ticks all the right boxes. Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life is a fun and feel-good read that manages to be deliciously readable and thought-provoking as it explores everyday issues such as career dissatisfaction, putting yourself first for a change, stepping out of our comfort zones and navigating unchartered waters that will strike a chord with readers everywhere.

Carmen Reid writes great candour, humour and sensitivity and in Worn Wife Seeks New Life has written an astute, hilarious and compelling tale readers will lap up in one go.

I was so excited to be reading a book by one of my favourite authors, Carmen Reid, it was real anticipation for her latest and I wasn’t disappointed, I was thrilled to bits with this new novel. Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life is fun, entertaining, very readable but oh my gosh the intensity of the drama and vulnerability in some scenes nearly broke me.

This is a story of a woman who’s worked so hard juggling her career and her home life and is hoping all this will be rewarded with a partnership with the accountancy firm she works at. Tess is in her late 40’s, has been happily married to Dave for over 20 years and has two grown up children. Tess is feeling a little worn out, a little empty and a little under appreciated. The children have left home and her and Dave are struggling to find a new rhythm in their lives.

When life thwarts her plans and dreams a new opportunity comes her way and she finds herself jetting off to LA for a life-affirming adventure, she just first has to get to know her new and unexpected house mates!

Carmen Reid has written a story about a woman going off on an adventure but this story is not just about one person’s crusade. It’s also about how each individual family member is coming to terms with new events and crossroads in their lives. We get to hear about other people they meet along the journey of discovery that have a profound effect on their lives giving them insights into a world they thought they didn’t belong.

In amongst the partying and adventures Carmen Reid tackles quite a topical, serious issue that evoked many emotions in me. This issue was dealt with sensitivity and grace but theirs also a moment of intensity that will stay with me for a long time.

I loved Tess, Dave, Alex and Natalie, their passions, their quirks, their relationship with the rest of the family, their loves and their vulnerabilities. The joy of River bringing forth her exuberance but also her own vulnerability. Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life is rich in characters, full of the high and lows of life, uplifting, fun, poignant and emotive. I’m now feeling slightly bereft as I’ve come to the end of the novel. I can’t wait to see where Carmen Reid takes us next

Tess has finally reached breaking point, so when she books a spur of the moment holiday for herself and her family she hopes it will be just what they need to reconnect with one another. However, things don’t go as planned, and she finds herself embarking on the family holiday on her own.

Tess and River Romero – a screenwriter from LA – make the arrangement to house-swap for the duration of Tess’ holiday, and it is certainly something that both women are in need of. Tess is feeling unappreciated by her family, and River is in need of some inspiration for her work.

As both women spend time away from the lives that have worn them down of late, they are able to recharge and re-evaluate what – and who is important in their lives. The story is told from the alternating viewpoints of both women and allowed us to get to know them much better as individuals.

There is an added depth to this story though as we get to hear from Alex, Tess’s grown up son. He is struggling with his mental health, and the way in which his story is explored throughout this book in such a sensitive, thought provoking way really captured my heart. It is such an important subject to raise, and I truly feel as though the author has portrayed this beautifully.

This is a story that is full of humour and deep emotion which, when combined, makes for a remarkable story of self discovery and acceptance of others and the struggles they too may be facing. A fantastic read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This was an easy and nice read. I liked the characters in this story and the way they connected with each other. I felt like everything was wrapped up a little too neatly at the end, but it was still a good read.

When Tess is passed over for promotion she decides to take matters in her own hands and go off on a holiday with her family. Life though seems to be giving her one heart break after another and instead of flying off to exotic Thailand with her husband, daughter and son she seems destined to spend it her holidays at home tending to her husband. But luckily life has other plans for her and River a screenwriter who has an AirBnb arrangement with Tess convinces her to let her stay at Tess's home while Tess can come over to her place in LA.
The story is not just about Tess and River who are looking to revitalize their career but also about Tess's relationship with her husband and her son. My favourite part fo the book frankly was the bonding between father and son and there was, I belive, a strong social message for all to learn and understand from it.
Overall the book would be a 3.5 star rating from my end, it definitely has its humor front but the serious part of it was what caught my attention and made this book an enjoyable one.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book for my unbiased feedback. This book is one for those times when you feel you are stuck at your job, relationship and in general with life, looking at this through Tess's and her husband's eyes will maybe help you finding and revitalizing your own perspective,

OMG this book should be available on prescription for anyone over the age of 45, it would save the NHS a fortune in prozac. Possibly because I am around the same age as Tess I could really identify with her and I therefore loved the idea that you're never too old to try something new. I laughed and I cried at different points in the story and when I got to the last page I wanted to read it all over again. I loved Carmen Reid's earlier books so was so glad to see that she was writing again. Hopefully she's back to stay.