This book is the sequel to Best Day Ever, but it can be read as a standalone. Paul is still a narcissist in this sequel. We see his sly and conniving behavior present in this follow up book. But has he met his match in his new wife Cecelia?

I loved this well crafted story as the plot played out at a fast pace. I found both of the main characters despicable, so that left me to not care about the outcome as far as either of them was concerned. They were both unhinged. I did enjoy figuring out what Cecelia had planned as the story progressed. Overall, this was a good read. 3.5 stars round up.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I usually enjoy books by Kaira Rouda, but this one was a little lack luster. I found the story line to be repetitive and a little unbelievable. There were a couple of nice twists, but it just kept on and on. I found this book to be an okay read, but nothing memorable.

I went into this book fairly blind (which is unusual for me), so it took me a bit to realize that the male main character, Paul Strom, is the same returning sociopath from Best Day Ever. I loved that this book was told in dual POV so that we could see what both Paul and Cecilia are thinking. I also really enjoyed the flashbacks that showed Cecelia's life before Paul and in their first months of marriage. Neither of the main characters are particularly likeable, but all of the twists and turns kept me entertained and engaged.

Even though this is technically a sequel, it can easily be read as a standalone, but I want to go back and read Best Day Ever to remind myself of Paul's antics with his first wife.

Many thanks to @thrillerbookloversthepulse, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the #gifted digital review copy!

I love me some Kaira Rouda! This was enjoyable from start to finish! I went in not having read the first book, but it worked as a standalone just fine. Rouda’s approach to her characters and plot always hits a nerve for me—in the best ways—such a talent!

I had such high hopes for this one. Unfortunately I found it to be over the top and far too predictable.

Paul Strom met Cecilia at the funeral of the very wealthy Esther Wilmot. Paul had been her escort and confidant for a long time. Cecilia have been making printed invitation and signage for Esther’s many parties held at her Palm Beach, Florida mansion. A very pretty young woman, Paul was mesmerized by Cecilia and her many charms. It wasn’t long before he asked her to marry him.

Paul is now very wealthy because Esther left all of her money to him. He has dreamed of being a producer in California so he and Cecilia marry quickly and head to Malibu where he has just purchased a very large home. Having lost contact with his first wife and two sons, Paul wants that again and tells Cecilia that he wants her to get pregnant right away and give him three children.

To celebrate their first anniversary, they spend a week in Paris visiting the sights and enjoying the French food. Ah, but something seems to have changed with Cecilia. She has become rather defiant and not the complacent wife she has been. What is going on with her and why is he afraid?

It was in 2017 that I read the first book about Paul Strom called “Best Day Ever” and I loved it. Now, Paul is back strutting his stuff thinking of himself as the King. But, wait! Is the King about to be bested by his new wife? This book is more humorous than scary. I chuckled a lot as I read it. No, I didn’t like Paul and, equally, I didn’t like Cecilia. I guess they had each met their match. Confused? Don’t be. Read this delightful book and enjoy this great story!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is my second book by this author and both were juicy, quick reads. I love the short chapters and this authors style of writing. The story unfolds piece by piece. There’s no shortage of drama and lies! I really enjoyed this read. It was so nice to read about the setting of Paris.

Paul is alone at the funeral of his companion when a beautiful woman strikes up a conversation with him. They become inseparable and Paul founds out he was the heir of his companions vast fortune and he has found the love of his life. They move from Florida to LA so Paul can become a director into a swanky huge mansion and live happily ever after…or do they? Bit by bit we discover secret after surprising secret and the lives of Paul and his new bride. Paul and Cecilia’s characters were so strong, I felt like I knew them. I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to love or hate them throughout the book.

I highly recommend this thriller, it’s the perfect end of summer read! All of my thriller book loving friends @ are raving about this book, it’s worth the read!

5/5

This book was such a fast paced read. The characters were interesting and the multiple POVs made it so much more interesting. The twist(s) in the book truly had my jaw on the floor. Such a good read!

Another absolutely amazing book by Kaira Rouda. I cannot wait for the follow up book to come out. She never disappoints!

Fantastic and twisty! My first book by this author but it won't be the last. No problem following the story even though I hadn't read the first book. Loved it!

Wow that was a twisted thriller indeed! The story is told from Paula and Cecelia's point of view past and present. We read diary excerpts from an unknown person and have to puzzle out who the character is. Paul and Cecelia are both really shallow people that seem only to care about money and having it all. Neither character is likable which made it hard for me to decide how I wanted the story to end but we all love a good villain! I sense a sequel coming on. It was a tangled web of lies and deception between Paul and Cecelia and Paul's mistress Susan. I figured out a few twists but it kept my interest because I felt like everyone had secrets I needed to find out about. It did not disappoint.

Kaira Rouda never disappoints. Hooked from the first page to the very end. A perfect marriage being celebrated by an amazing one year anniversary trip to Paris . Is it a perfect marriage or a deadly revenge plot. Told from Paul and Cecelia’s point of view who’s seeking revenge and who’s playing a deadly anniversary?!

This book was a wild ride! This being my first book from the author, I loved her writing. The characters and setting were flushed out, the pace was perfect as it kept me engaged the whole way through and the setting was the cherry on top! Paul is definitely unhinged and maybe I shouldn’t like him, I did! Haha he has this charming effect only a psychopath might possess. I know this is the second book in the series but can definitely be read as a stand alone as I had no problem, but I will be reading more from this author.

Paul Strom is back in this follow-up to Best Day Ever. (I recommend reading that one first, although it isn't necessary.) He hasn't changed, he's still the same old narcissist. An unlikeable character that I actually enjoy reading his POV. Paul is now married to Cecelia, and he's set on making their anniversary dinner the best night ever. But it seems like Cecelia might have other plans...

The story also has Cecelia's POV from the past, which you need to pay attention to the time period of the past since it jumps around a lot. She had a tough childhood and has scored the jackpot marrying handsome, rich Paul Strom. The 2 of them are insufferable.

This is a quick, fun read with some good twists. I like Kaira Rouda's easy to read writing style - always an entertaining read!

The writing felt immature and wasn't at all what I was expecting. I had really high hopes, but couldn't get into it. I DNF'd about 25 pages in.

This book reminded me of a Freida McFadden novel. It was gripping enough to keep my attention and easy to read. The only reason for giving it only three stars is the writing just didn’t feel very polished to me. There was quite a bit of repeating that felt off. Other than that, I would say if you typically like FM books to give this one a try.

In "The Second Mrs. Strom," Kaira Rouda delves into the intricacies of relationships and the secrets that can destroy them. The story takes readers into a tense environment where the thirst for revenge turns into an all-consuming obsession.

I was unaware that 'The Second Mrs. Strom' was the sequel to 'The Best Day Ever,' which I hadn't read. Nonetheless, I had no difficulty following the story, as it functioned well as a standalone.

Paul and Cecilia are in Paris, celebrating their first wedding anniversary. Their union blossomed from a whirlwind romance that began when they met at the funeral of Esther, the elderly woman Paul dated for over a year. Paul inherited a fortune from her, and now he and Cecilia are reveling in the luxuries afforded by the inheritance.

While reading, I realized that Paul was a narcissist. Their marriage appeared to be fine in the initial stages, but then his true nature emerged. He tried to isolate Cecelia from the outside world, not wanting her to work or make friends. It was satisfying to discover that Cecelia was more perceptive than she appeared. Unknown to him, his wife was equally manipulative, enabling her to outwit him.

The tension between the two characters had me eagerly flipping the pages; I was keen to discover which manipulator would come out on top. The author skillfully interlaced numerous twists in the story, one of which revealed the profound extent of Cecelia's cunning.

Readers who enjoy stories that feature characters whose moral compass has gone awry will appreciate Paul and Cecelia. Secrets, lies and mind games were the themes that drove the story.

Overall, I found "The Second Mrs. Strom" to be an engaging read. So much so, that I am planning to read "The Best Day Ever" next.

I thought this book was devilishly devious.
Paul belonged back in the 19th century with his archaic attitudes about and wife and family.
He was a lowlife moocher con artist.
Who met his match with wifey #2. I knew what was happening to Paul in Paris and couldn’t believe he couldn’t see it.
I knew immediately who Susan was and also who Cecilia was early on.
I actually was laughing at the end book because both Paul and Cecilia were so absurd and outrageous they deserved one another.

Brilliant. Absolutely gripping and thoroughly compelling. This wonderful read had me turning the pages late into the night wanting to know more. An assured, well written, wonderful tale.

Our favorite narcissist you love to hate is back!

Paul Strom has planned the perfect one year anniversary celebration in Paris for his second wife Cecilia. Paul is rich, successful, controlling and believes he is superior to everyone. Cecilia is the wife of Paul's dreams. She is young, beautiful and seemingly in love with him. He has planned their last night in Paris to be the best night ever. But will it? It seems Cecilia has her own plans. Has Paul met his match?

THE SECOND MRS STORM is the sequel to THE BEST DAY EVER. I recommend reading it first to get the full background of Paul to fully understand him. Paul and Cecilia each have their secrets and evil plans for their last night in Paris. I was on the edge of my seat as this cat and mouse game played out to see which one wins. The story is revealed at a steady pace in both Paul's and Cecilia's POV. I loved the diary entries that are scattered throughout the book and somehow was not surprised by who wrote the diary entries. I highly recommend THE SECOND MRS STROM.

Thank you Kaira Rouda, Netgalley, Bookouter, and thrillerbookloverthepulse for the gifted ebook and this is my honest review.