Scan barcode
A review by kbranfield
Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown
4.0
4.5 stars.
Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown is an insightful novel with a dual timeline and a slight mystery element.
In 2018, Alice Hall reluctantly leaves the city for the suburbs when husband Nate finds the house of his dreams. Alice is less than thrilled with their new life, but she hopes to take advantage of the opportunity to start writing her novel. But she is not making much progress as she whiles away her time reading through the 1950s cookbook, magazines and letters left behind by the previous owner, Nellie Murdoch. Alice is fascinated with Nellie's life and begins to feel a kinship with her due to her growing dissatisfaction with her life and marriage. Both Nellie and Alice are hiding secrets but will Alice's marriage fare better than Nellie's?
Alice is keeping some important information from Nate, but she easily justifies her choices. She is also not all ready for the changes Nate is hoping for but she keeps her doubts to herself. With Alice's misgivings growing, she is soon immersed in Nellie's life. Intrigued by the recipes in Nellie's family cookbook, Alice begins to dabble in preparing home cooked desserts and meals. She also truly immerses herself in the '50s as she begins dressing in vintage clothes and trying her hand at gardening. She also makes a huge decision that is directly at odds with Nate's wishes. When carefully crafted lies, secrets and decisions begin to emerge, will Alice's and Nate's marriage survive in the aftermath of shocking revelations?
Nellie is just starting married life with her older husband Richard in their new home. She is quite young but hopeful for her future. Nellie creates a beautiful garden and forms an unexpected friendship with her elderly neighbor, Miriam. Eager to begin a family, Nellie and Richard are both disappointed when a baby proves elusive. But, as her cookbook and letters reveal, all is not happy within the Murdoch household. Richard is controlling and abusive but Nellie is no shrinking violet. With few options available to women, will Nellie escape from her increasingly violent husband?
Recipe for a Perfect Wife is a riveting novel with a delightfully unique storyline and colorful characters. Alice is not exactly a sympathetic character and many of her problems are of her making. Nate is charming man but as their once happy marriage begins to deteriorate, Alice realizes her husband is keeping a few secrets of his own. Nellie is an extremely likable woman and she quite inventive as she stealthily handles her problems on her own. With some shocking twists and very unexpected turns, Karma Brown brings the novel to an exceptionally surprising conclusion. A very clever novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown is an insightful novel with a dual timeline and a slight mystery element.
In 2018, Alice Hall reluctantly leaves the city for the suburbs when husband Nate finds the house of his dreams. Alice is less than thrilled with their new life, but she hopes to take advantage of the opportunity to start writing her novel. But she is not making much progress as she whiles away her time reading through the 1950s cookbook, magazines and letters left behind by the previous owner, Nellie Murdoch. Alice is fascinated with Nellie's life and begins to feel a kinship with her due to her growing dissatisfaction with her life and marriage. Both Nellie and Alice are hiding secrets but will Alice's marriage fare better than Nellie's?
Alice is keeping some important information from Nate, but she easily justifies her choices. She is also not all ready for the changes Nate is hoping for but she keeps her doubts to herself. With Alice's misgivings growing, she is soon immersed in Nellie's life. Intrigued by the recipes in Nellie's family cookbook, Alice begins to dabble in preparing home cooked desserts and meals. She also truly immerses herself in the '50s as she begins dressing in vintage clothes and trying her hand at gardening. She also makes a huge decision that is directly at odds with Nate's wishes. When carefully crafted lies, secrets and decisions begin to emerge, will Alice's and Nate's marriage survive in the aftermath of shocking revelations?
Nellie is just starting married life with her older husband Richard in their new home. She is quite young but hopeful for her future. Nellie creates a beautiful garden and forms an unexpected friendship with her elderly neighbor, Miriam. Eager to begin a family, Nellie and Richard are both disappointed when a baby proves elusive. But, as her cookbook and letters reveal, all is not happy within the Murdoch household. Richard is controlling and abusive but Nellie is no shrinking violet. With few options available to women, will Nellie escape from her increasingly violent husband?
Recipe for a Perfect Wife is a riveting novel with a delightfully unique storyline and colorful characters. Alice is not exactly a sympathetic character and many of her problems are of her making. Nate is charming man but as their once happy marriage begins to deteriorate, Alice realizes her husband is keeping a few secrets of his own. Nellie is an extremely likable woman and she quite inventive as she stealthily handles her problems on her own. With some shocking twists and very unexpected turns, Karma Brown brings the novel to an exceptionally surprising conclusion. A very clever novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.