Paul, Cecilia, and a diary tell this tale of a couple with secrets. I missed the first book but that didn't matter as Rouda establishes early on that there's something not quite right about Paul, who more or less swept Cecilia off her feet after their meeting at a-wait for it- funeral. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Some of this is a tad predictable, other parts not so much but it's a good read.

3.5 stars, rounded down.

I approached The Second Mrs. Strom without realizing it was a sequel, which may have impacted my experience. Without the context of the prior book, I found Paul’s character less intriguing than others who were familiar with his backstory. This left me somewhat disconnected from the emotional stakes of the story.

The book itself was largely predictable, with only one early twist offering any real surprise. Unfortunately, the predictability was compounded by the fact that the plot often felt far-fetched, and none of the characters were particularly likable or engaging—there wasn’t even one of those love-to-hate characters to latch onto.

One issue that stood out was the repetition in the narrative. Paul’s repeated bouts of illness from the rich sauces became almost a running gag, but not in a good way—it felt more like being hit over the head with the same detail again and again.

Overall, The Second Mrs. Strom didn’t quite work for me, finding it largely in unmemorable. Though, I suspect fans of the first book may have a different take.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

What a gripping, intense, mind-blowing, cat-and-mouse-chase-esque thriller! I was hooked and couldn't put it down until the end.

The narrative begins with Paul and Cecilia preparing for dinner at the Eiffel Tower restaurant. The story alternates between Cecilia and Paul's perspectives, revealing the events leading up to their Paris trip. Paul was once an escort to a wealthy woman in Florida. When she died, she left him her estate. Paul and Cecilia met at her funeral and quickly fell in love. Six months later, they were married, a dream come true for Cecilia, who had been living in poverty. The narrative also delves into their backgrounds, shedding light on their family lives and the experiences that shaped them.

As each scene unfolds, the suspense keeps readers glued to the story. This thriller is a nail-biting adventure, perfect for those who enjoy a heart-pounding read. You will need a big bowl of popcorn for this book because, like a thrilling movie, it's so gripping you won't want to put it down.

This is my first venture into Kaira Rouda's writing, and it won't be my last. Excellent storytelling and character portrayal, with suspense maintained throughout. The ending? Absolutely mind-blowing!

The plot of this book had me intrigued so I was excited to read it- I did not, however, realize that this was a sequel. I definitely would have read the first book before diving into this one if I had realized. I really liked the writing style and the changing POVs in this book. A super quick read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end!

he Best Day Ever as the best book I have ever read. Which is saying a lot. I had just read-read it prior to reading this book- something I never do re-reading a book! This book continues the story of the “troubled” Paul Strom. He is married and rich after inheriting a lot of money from an older woman. His new wife Cecelia has her own special issues in the past. She was a foster child who got replaced and had a lot to friends and family questionable motives for being married to a multi millionaire. The book is told in the usual addicting way where you don’t know who is fooling whom. It is so satisfying to read yet another of Ms Rouda’s gems! Bravo!

Paul has patiently been beside Esther's side, an elderly women who relied on Paul for companionship, until she took her final breath. Finally, he can get his hands on her outrageous fortune. But at Esther's memorial service, he spots someone so beautiful, it takes his breath away. Cecilia helped design the programs for Esther's memorial, and she ends up leaving designs on Paul's heart..
Beautifully written

This is a quick thriller under 300 pages that will keep you on your toes.

Paul and Cecelia are in Paris for their one year wedding anniversary. What they both don’t know is they each have their own secrets for this trip.

This was a quick read. I was able to easily fly through it and stay interested in the story line. We get 3 POVs from Paul, Cecelia and mysterious dairy entries.

This isn’t a super twisty book that will leave you gasping at every turn but it still had some good twist coming towards the end.

What I do want to know is more about Paul’s first marriage. We get some information about how he left her and took his kids but that’s it.

Genre: Thriller
APK: Ebook
Pages: 289
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone.

I absolutely loved this novel! I couldn't put it down. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. It was like peeling away layers of each one of the characters. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I realized I hadn't.

All of Paul's plans are working out. He's inherited a fortune. He's met the girl of his dreams, Cecilia, whom he can mold to his specifications. Cecilia has plans of her own. It's a Battle Royale for a 1st wedding anniversary celebration.

One of the best books I've ready this summer. I have not read this first book so I feel it reads well as a standalone. A big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this advanced copy.,

Paul inherits a fortune from his first wife, an elderly woman that he dated for a year. He met his new wife at the funeral for her and they began their whirlwind romance and quickly wed. But Paul is keeping many secrets from his new wife and he suspects that she has a few of her own.
They make it to their first anniversary and decide to celebrate with a trip to Paris to enjoy the best the city has to offer, topping it off with an elegant dinner at the Eiffel Tower with neither of them knowing that the other has plans for how the night is going to end.
The story takes place over the course of the day and from the POV of both Paul and Cecilia but both characters are quite vile and hard to root for, but such as the author intended I believe.
I was able to listen to the audiobook and read the ebook and while I enjoyed that experience, I have to say that the male narrator was much better than the female.

I didn't realize this was a sequel at first, and think it would be helpful to read Best Day Ever first to have a bit more backstory on Paul.
Overall this is a decent thriller - greed, narcissistic main character, revenge, all the things that make a story suck you in quickly!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

The Second Mrs. Strom By Kaira Rouda

A Slow Burn with a Satisfying Payoff

If you're a fan of The Best Day Ever, The Second Mrs. Strom is a must-read. This sequel delves deeper into Paul's story, offering a slow-paced yet rewarding exploration of his character and the world around him.

The first quarter shines with its well-developed characters and immersive world-building, reminiscent of its predecessor. While the story initially unfolds at a leisurely pace, the payoff is well worth the wait. The explosive ending delivers a thrilling conclusion that will leave readers feeling the closure they've been seeking.

If you're seeking answers and resolution after the Best Day Ever, The Second Mrs. Strom is your ticket.

**Key Points:**

* Sequel to "The Best Day Ever"
* Slow-paced start with strong character development
* Explosive and satisfying ending
* Recommended for fans of the first book seeking closure

Thank you to @thrillerbookloversthepulse for hooking me up with both the e-arc and the audio arc for review 🙏

#qotd Have you ever been to Paris?

#thesecondmrsstrom #kairarouda #bookreviews #thrillerbooklover #thepulse

Although I’m the person who will always insist you HAVE TO read the first book to be able to enjoy the sequel, this is not the case. The 2nd book gives enough insight into what happened during the 1st book, so you can jump aboard and devour the frosting only without eating the whole cake.
I kind of knew that Kaira Rouda is a skillful crafter of characters you love to hate passionately (think of the Kingsleys), but this book – it takes it to the next level and then cranks up the volume even more.
The entertainingly delusional owner of the world’s largest ego Paul Strom is back, and… he is horrible.
And the new Mrs. Strom? Yeah. They deserve each other and all the lovely things they do to each other.
It’s, like… what? WHAT? Crazy!

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of The Second Mrs. Strom. The cover with that ring, WOW! Such a fast reading book, great cat and mouse plot. Both of them trying to outwit one another made for a great read! You don’t need to read Best Day Ever but it would be good so you can be entertained with Paul. All in All a well put together plot, characters and easy reading novel. Loved it!

This book was such a fun read! I did not read the first book ( I will now) but I was able to jump right in and be totally all in from page one.
Cecilia and Paul are in Paris celebrating their first Anniversary, each one has their own itinerary!

I loved it!

"Who would have imagined that Esther Wilmot's death would bring me one step closer to me dreams? Well, I did, that's who. You must manifest your own destiny, and mine's starting now."

Special thanks to @thrillerbookloversthepulse @kairarouda @netgalley for the #gifted eARC.

👉🏼 swipe for synopsis ➡️

Everyone over at The Pulse has been raving about this one and here's why......

This story was chalked full of :

💰Sinister
💰Secrets
💰Revenge
💰Dual povs
💰Multiple timelines
💰LOTS of money

An Inheritance to k!ll for.....literally? This one starts off we a tinge of intrigue, thinking, How can this Paul guy be so bad?!. Then as you read, he just sounds slimey, but again.... not muderÓus. Then, it finally starts to unravel between Cecelia & Paul. The perfect masks start to droop and off come the gloves.

This is the sequel to Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda, and I unfortunately didn't have time to read that first, but I didn't feel like I was left in the dark without it. This seemed like a great stand alone. [ I will be going back to read that one at some point though 🤭 ]

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
Aug 16th, 2024


QOTD ❓️⁉️❓️ Have you ever been to Paris, the Eiffel Tower? Do you like French cuisine?

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #kairarouda #thesecondmrsstrom #frenchcuisine #eiffeltower #thrillerbookloversthepulse #thepulse #pulsepoint
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The book is a sequel to BEST DAY EVER. I was unaware of this, until after I started the book. I did go back and read the first one! I would highly recommend reading the Best day ever, before reading this one, if you haven’t already. Paul Strom and his 2nd wife, Cecelia are celebrating their 1st wedding anniversary in Paris and he has planned the “BEST NIGHT EVER”! Paul will never learn, but then a Narcissist never learn from their mistakes, because they do not believe that they never make any. Paul truly believes the world revolves around him, since he’s so handsome, successful, rich, a great lover, and has the best looking wife. Paul has meet his match with Cecilia, Cecilia toys with Paul and put him in his place while he obliviously embarrasses himself is pure entertainment. The day does not go as Paul meticulously planned and Cecilia has suddenly become obstinate and uncooperative, which is totally unacceptable! Just start reading, you will be hooked in no time. Get comfortable and prepare for a wild and crazy ride. It is fun, so much fun.

#netgalley

4.5 stars
OMG 😲 😱
From the beginning of the book i got some theories of what's truly going on but even though I was right about the night that all happened there were some many plot twist that my head was spinning 😳 The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because I was expecting an even stronger ending, something that could make my jaw drop but nevertheless I have no words for the Fmc (powerful -an idol -fighter) and as for the male character......I couldn't hate that guy more !!!
I hope Kaira Rouda will write more books because this one was impressive i want read more of her work !!!!



Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the e-Arc in exchange for my honest opinion 😀

Best Day Ever is my favorite book by this author. Paul Strom was such a memorable and unlikable character and such a narcissist that he made me laugh. When I saw the author was writing a sequel, I knew I had to read it. It was fun to be back in his world and mind again. He does love himself! LOL

This time, he is married again to his young, beautiful wife, Cecelia and they are celebrating their one-year anniversary in Paris with "the best night ever." These words were mentioned more than once, and I really think this would have been a great title for this book. The whole book takes place on the couple's last night in Paris and it is most definitely NOT his best night ever.

If you read the first book, and you really need to before this one to enjoy Paul in all his element, then you will basically have an idea where this book is going. I am not going to spoil it, but I definitely enjoyed it.

Thank you to @bookloversthepulse and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My first book by Kaira Rouda and it won’t be my last, very enjoyable read!

Paul and his wife Cecilia are celebrating their first wedding anniversary in the romantic city of Paris. However, Paul and Cecilia are not the same as normal newlyweds celebrating their first year of marriage, both have hidden agendas and are keeping big secrets from each other. Paul was an escort/ companion to a very wealthy elderly lady, Ester, and when she passed away, she gave her whole fortune to Paul to inherit and he became a very wealthy man. He met Cecilia at Esters funeral; it was love at first sight and they married quickly. However, over the last few months things have changed between them, Cecilia is spending too much money, challenging him a little too often and changing from the innocent unworldly woman he fell in love with a year before and Paul is tiring of her. Cecilia, in turn, has her own ulterior motives and is indeed a very different woman to who she was when she said “I do” to Paul a year ago. They both have very different plans for each other but whose plan will work, if any? And after a few days in Paris, will this trip save their marriage or destroy it completely?!

This was a strange but very compelling story, and I definitely enjoyed it especially as the intensity was building throughout. I really didn’t like Paul from the very first page and I was on the fence about Cecilia to begin with, but I did end up liking her and found myself rooting for her, especially when I found out about her tumultuous childhood. I enjoyed the diary excerpts from an unknown character, and it took me a while to put two and two together and realise who the unknown character was. Paul and Cecilia were such a toxic couple, but I did enjoy them playing cat and mouse with each other and wondering who, if either, would come out on top and I couldn’t wait to read how things would all end. I am quite excited to see that Kaira Rouda hasn’t yet finished Cecilia’s story and so I look forward to reading the next part of this story once it has been written.

Overall, a definite page turner and I would recommend this one for anyone who enjoys the psychological thriller genre. Solid 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kaira Rouda and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.

Thank you to ThrillerBookLovers The Pulse, Bookouture, #partner, for an advanced e- copy and ALC of The Second Mrs. Strom in exchange for my honest review.

We over at The Pulse – @thrillerbookloversthepulse – have been giddy with excitement over this latest book by Kaira Rouda. Our favorite villain is back and we have been talking about him nonstop! If you loved Best Day Ever, you definitely want to grab this one when it hits shelves on August 16…and if you somehow missed that one – read it now so you are ready for this one!!! ⁣
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Paul is one of my favorite characters of the characters Kaira Rouda has written, so I was thrilled to see that he was back in another story!!! And what a story we are given here in The Second Mrs. Strom. Not only is Paul, our favorite narcissistic sociopath back, but he has a new wife and it turns out she’s got a few secrets of her own. And I loved that this time, not only do we get Paul’s POV, but also Cecilia’s. He truly might have met his match this time around!⁣
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With the stakes in this domestic suspense raised, I found myself completely captivated. This quickly became a battle of epic mind games and it was so cleverly plotted. I’m always a fan of unlikeable characters but this book takes it to new levels! Such a fun, twisty read and I sure hope it’s not the last we’ve seen of Paul…he really is one of my favorite characters ever!