Book Review - Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life by Carmen Reid

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Title: Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life

Author: Carmen Reid

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 27th July 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

Tess Simpson needs a break!

No one appreciates her at home. No one appreciates her at work. And now her dog has died. She’s had enough!

Maybe what she really needs is a break from hopeless husband, Dave, the ungrateful ‘kidults’ and the lacklustre job.

River Romero needs a break!

She’s had success in the past, but screenwriting is a tough career in a tough town and her next script has got to fly or River’s dream career is over.

The swap!

Everything about River’s L.A. life sounds exciting to Tess, from the condo with a pool, to the Hollywood glitz.

Everything about Tess’s English country life sounds so calming to River, from the wisteria over the front door to the peaceful bedroom.

Both women want their lives to change, but real life isn’t like the movies.

And what if getting away from it all isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?

A laugh out loud emotional read, perfect for fans of Fiona Gibson, Tracy Bloom and Sophie Ranald!

First let me say how overjoyed I am to see a brand new Carmen Reid book, I've been a massive fan of the author in the past, and it is such a pleasure to be able to read a new story from her.  And I'm delighted to say it doesn't disappoint. 

This is a wonderful book, it's uplifting, emotional in places, funny in others and I really wasn't sure how how it was going to end, although it does have the most perfect ending! 

I loved the chapters from both River and Tess's points of view, it was great getting to know these two rather different women as they swap homes for a few months.  River so she can spend time in Shakespeare country to help with her new script project - and Tess going to LA as she's taking a 3 month work sabbatical after being overlooked for a promotion and just needs to shake things up in her life. 

From their tentative first steps in their new locations it was wonderful to see how both of these women started to thrive. 

What added a more sombre tone to the the book were the chapter's from Alex's point of view, Tess's grown up, young adult son, who I couldn't help but feel for and also be rather scared for.  It's an important storyline, sensitively written that raises awareness of male mental health in the young. 

I thoroughly enjoyed every last second of this book and was desperately trying to find moments to pick it back up and read some more.  I just really hope the wait for this author's next book is considerably shorter than the amount of years I've been waiting for this one! 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.