I requested this book as there was lots of noise around it. However once I started reading this, it was difficult for me to engage with any of the characters.

Sorry this book was not for me.

"Wives Like Us" by Plum Sykes is likely to be a sharp, witty, and satirical take on the lives of affluent women, possibly exploring the dynamics of marriage, friendship, and social status in an upscale setting. Known for her keen observations and humorous writing style, Sykes is likely to delve into the lives of her characters with a blend of satire and empathy, providing a glimpse into the often absurd yet relatable aspects of high society.

The novel probably follows a group of women navigating the complexities of modern marriage and social expectations, possibly set against the backdrop of a glamorous city or exclusive community. The characters might be dealing with issues such as infidelity, ambition, and the pursuit of the perfect life, all while maintaining appearances in a world where image is everything.

"Wives Like Us" is perfect for readers who enjoy social commentary wrapped in humor and wit, with a focus on the intricate relationships and hidden dramas of the wealthy and privileged. Sykes's ability to blend humor with genuine insight makes this novel a likely entertaining and thought-provoking read, ideal for fans of contemporary fiction that explores the often hidden complexities of seemingly perfect lives.

I thought this was ok, it seemed like an attempt to emulate Jilly Cooper but didn't quite get there. Not particularly well written but a fun story.

A brilliantly funny tale of some very rich housewives in the Oxfordshire countryside, who spend their glamorous lives trying to outdo one another in the fashion stakes. It was all very tongue in cheek (or was it?!) and I often found myself wondering how close to the truth this story was. Great fun and an enjoyable read!

A humorous, entertaining and thought provoking sharp satire about the-1% and their rich-people-issues.
I had fun and enjoyed the well plotted and compelling plot, the fleshed out and shallow characters.
A clever mix of genre that made me laugh and think.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

In the affluent Cotswold 'Bottom' villages everyone tries oneupmanship and the excesses are both the lifeblood and the frustration of the outpriced locals. Tycoon's wife Tata has moved out of her marital home after finding a receipt for jewels that her husband Bryan cannot explain, she is desperate to make friends with the fabulously rich American divorcee who is new to the area. Her best friends are also dealing with issues, Fernanda's son is being bullied at school and Sophie's husband is a soon-to-be disgraced politician. Can the 'help' help them?
This is a book to be read in a short period of time when all that is needed is literary candy floss. It's insubstantial and, hopefully, written as a pastiche. Having said that, the empty calories are huge fun and it's great in it's own silly way.

This to me is a holiday read, a bit fluffy and irreverent. The Cotswold set are uncovered in all their glory and it does try to show that things are not always as they seem and under the glossy surface all sorts can be going on. Some of the characters were unlikeable (but that was the point) and it was hard to find sympathy for most of them.

I enjoyed the book but not my favourite by the author.

The perfect Summer/ beach read. Glamourous and colourful characters, beautifully plotted and brilliantly paced. I raced though this one and was entertained from beginning to end, Plum Sykes left us waiting for this read but oh it was worth the wait! Recommend.

What a great time I had!
"Wives Like Us, the new novel by Plum Sykes, is a refreshing and fun read that will transport you into the world of London's wealthy wives. Sykes, true to her style, offers us a light-hearted story, full of humour and a witty analysis of the social life of the British elite.
While reading the novel, I couldn't help but feel vibrations of the TV series "Desperate Housewives". As in the series, the protagonists of Wives Like Us are a group of wealthy women living seemingly perfect lives, but hiding their own secrets and dramas.
I also found similarities to Jeeves' character in the butler Ian. Like Jeeves, Ian is an intelligent and observant character who is always there to help his mistress, even if he sometimes has to resort to unconventional methods.
One of the most striking features of the novel is the way Sykes presents his characters. Alongside the real age of each character, the author indicates how old they appear to be and the reasons why they appear to be that age. This technique adds a humorous touch to the characterisation and helps to highlight the superficial obsessions of the world in which these characters live.
Wives Like Us is a perfect novel for those looking for a light, fun read to help them escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It's a story full of humour, glamour and drama that will keep you hooked until the very end.
¡Qué bien me lo he pasado!
“Wives Like Us”, la nueva novela de Plum Sykes, es una lectura refrescante y divertida que te transportará al mundo de las esposas adineradas de Londres. Sykes, fiel a su estilo, nos ofrece una historia ligera, llena de humor y un análisis ingenioso de la vida social de la élite británica.
Mientras leía la novela, no pude evitar sentir vibraciones de la serie de televisión "Mujeres Desesperadas". Al igual que en la serie, las protagonistas de Wives Like Us son un grupo de mujeres adineradas que viven vidas aparentemente perfectas, pero que ocultan sus propios secretos y dramas.
También encontré similitudes con el personaje de Jeeves en el mayordomo Ian. Al igual que Jeeves, Ian es un personaje inteligente y observador que siempre está ahí para ayudar a su señora, aunque a veces tenga que recurrir a métodos poco convencionales.
Una de las características más llamativas de la novela es la forma en que Sykes presenta a sus personajes. Junto a la edad real de cada uno, la autora indica la edad que aparentan y las razones por las que aparentan dicha edad. Esta técnica añade un toque humorístico a la caracterización y ayuda a resaltar las obsesiones superficiales del mundo en el que se desenvuelven estos personajes.
Wives Like Us es una novela perfecta para aquellos que buscan una lectura ligera y divertida que les ayude a escapar del ajetreo de la vida diaria. Es una historia llena de humor, glamour y drama que te mantendrá enganchado hasta el final.

It's gossipy, fluffy, shiny and appearances are EVERYTHING - a dose of much needed escapism in a world that requires it once in a while - I enjoyed this - it was a riot of a book, reminding me of Fiona Walker and so many others that provide a little holiday when you aren't in the mood to leave your reading chair!
Thanks to Bloomsbury for the advance copy.

Packed with a host of superficial and awful characters, I really wanted to like this, but just couldn’t connect to anyone; safe to say I loathed some character ms to the extent that I felt angry reading….. It is a satirical novel but given that the characters are just so true to life, i found it more cringe than funny.

I’m sorry, I loved the authors other work... Thank you for the opportunity to review.

In 'Wives Like Us', bestselling author Plum Sykes delivers a smart, acid satire that skewers the extravagant lives of the sumptuously wealthy Cotswolds set. Like a British version of 'Crazy Rich Asians' the novel is set amidst the posh and quaint countryside of Oxfordshire, where the glamorous and gossipy world of the elite is turned upside down when Tata Hawkins, a wealthy wife, flounces out of her luxurious manor after finding a receipt for diamonds that evidently weren’t for her. Together with daughter Minty and her butler, she decamps to the slightly smaller Coach House on the estate to teach her cheating husband a lesson.
As Tata's sudden departure sends shockwaves through the tight-knit community of "The Bottoms," her friends find themselves caught up in their own romantic and social dramas, further complicated by the arrival of Selby Fairfax, a newly-arrived American divorcée whose husband left her for his boyfriend. Sykes introduces a colourful cast of characters, each with their own quirks and foibles, and deftly satirizes the absurdities and excesses (and addiction to youth-promising treatments) of the upper class.
With her signature wit and sharp observations, Sykes crafts a delightfully entertaining tale that will keep readers laughing and turning pages. As Ian Palmer, Tata's unflappable, always-immaculate butler with a penchant for vintage Gucci loafers, works to restore harmony to "The Bottoms" with the help of a quirky ensemble of supporting characters, 'Wives Like Us' delivers a fresh and irreverent take on the classic themes of love, friendship, and the perilous navigation of high society. This smart, acid satire is a must-read for fans of 'Crazy Rich Asians' spliced with Jane Austen and lashings of PG Wodehouse – and for anyone who loves a good laugh at the expense of the fabulously wealthy. And there’s a dog named Pikachu, too.

This book was great fun, following the exploits of an eccentric cast of characters in an enviable Cotswold-esque setting. It almost felt like a reality show in written form. A perfect frothy summer read.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I think I must have been reading a different book to all the other reviewers on here who left 5* reviews. When I chose this book I assumed from the cover notes it would be along the lines of a Jackie Collins, never having heard of Plum Sykes. That was my first mistake. I persevered almost halfway through the book but just couldn't read any more of the almost list like, nauseating, one upmanship. It was actually giving me a headache! I realise the book was written as satire, it couldn't really be written as anything else but there was no story to be found in the book at least not as far as the 46% I read. So I'm sorry it's a no from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

A Riotous Romp..
A riotous romp of grandiose proportions set amongst the Oxfordshire village set complete with the grand country Manor House, peopled with an eccentric and eclectic array of blustering and boldly outlandish characters and a preposterous plot fizzing with satirical humour. All rather gloriously good fun and wonderfully escapist.

I gobbled this up in no time and, though I might have felt slightly sick afterwards, I regretted nothing. It is a romp, but also a great satire and a wonderfully accurate take down of a certain type of person living in the English Hamptons.

Absolutely delightful!!!

This novel was such a pleasure to read. The characters were perfectly imperfect, the stories were ridiculously funny, and the ending was a laugh!! A perfect weekend read.

A round of applause for Plum Syke who's done it again!!!

Absolutely brilliant story, I devoured this in one day. Delightful and highly recommended xx part murder mystery part desperate housewives.

This book is a terrific palate cleanser, sort of an English version of the Desperate Housewives. I was completely invested in their shenanigans and would like to read more books by this talented author.

It’s been such awhile since I read a Plum Sykes book! I miss the okdvBergdirf Blonde days. Very excited for this one! Look forward to sharing a full review and thoughts. It will be nice to have a light easy read to get lost in with all the heaviness going on in the world at the moment.