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The Housewife
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26From bestselling indie thriller writer Natalie Barelli comes a new deliciously dark novel about a woman who married the man of her dreams, only for him to become her worst nightmare.
Jodie always dreamed of being a housewife. And after a whirlwind romance, she marries renowned psychologist Dr. Roy Davies and moves into his perfect Beverly Hills home. But the fairy tale fades fast. Roy is distant, his friends view her as a gold-digger, and the house still reveres his late wife, Deborah, whose presence still looms over everyone and everything.
When Jodie learns Deborah became a recluse before death, she begins to suspect Roy was behind it. And the deeper she digs, the darker Roy's past appears―obsessive, controlling, unfaithful. Increasingly convinced he had something to do with Deborah's death, Jodie knows she should go to the police, but that would require revealing her own secret. A secret that could destroy her.
But Jodie won't be silenced. Because the truth about Roy is worse than she imagined―and now, trapped in a house built on lies, she must find a way out before she becomes the next perfect wife to vanish.
Jodie always dreamed of being a housewife. And after a whirlwind romance, she marries renowned psychologist Dr. Roy Davies and moves into his perfect Beverly Hills home. But the fairy tale fades fast. Roy is distant, his friends view her as a gold-digger, and the house still reveres his late wife, Deborah, whose presence still looms over everyone and everything.
When Jodie learns Deborah became a recluse before death, she begins to suspect Roy was behind it. And the deeper she digs, the darker Roy's past appears―obsessive, controlling, unfaithful. Increasingly convinced he had something to do with Deborah's death, Jodie knows she should go to the police, but that would require revealing her own secret. A secret that could destroy her.
But Jodie won't be silenced. Because the truth about Roy is worse than she imagined―and now, trapped in a house built on lies, she must find a way out before she becomes the next perfect wife to vanish.
- GenresThriller
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 30, 2026
373 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Barelli
12 books2,426 followersYou will usually find Natalie Barelli reading a book, and that book will more likely than not be a psychological thriller. When not absorbed in the latest gripping page-turner, Natalie rides motorcycles, knits very badly and spends far too much time at the computer. She lives in Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 18, 2026
My first 5 star read of 2026 — and what a way to kick things off.
This book had me in a chokehold from the opening chapters. I read it in three sittings because once I started, I genuinely didn’t want to stop. Did I struggle to put it down? Yes. Did I guess the twists? Not even close.
Natalie Barelli takes a familiar domestic setup — a whirlwind marriage, wealth, power, and a glamorous new life, and turns it into something deeply unsettling. As Jodie steps into the role she’s always wanted, it becomes clear that nothing about her marriage is as perfect as it appears. The presence of Roy’s late first wife hangs over everything, and the slow drip of revelations keeps the tension ratcheting higher with every chapter.
The twists are sharp, well-timed, and completely pulled the rug out from under me. This is the kind of thriller where you think you’re ahead of the story… until you very much aren’t.
This is my second Natalie Barelli book after Finder’s Keepers, and once again it’s a solid 5 stars. I’m officially at the point where I’ll read whatever she writes next. She’s fast becoming an auto-read author for me, and definitely deserves more noise about her writing.
This book had me in a chokehold from the opening chapters. I read it in three sittings because once I started, I genuinely didn’t want to stop. Did I struggle to put it down? Yes. Did I guess the twists? Not even close.
Natalie Barelli takes a familiar domestic setup — a whirlwind marriage, wealth, power, and a glamorous new life, and turns it into something deeply unsettling. As Jodie steps into the role she’s always wanted, it becomes clear that nothing about her marriage is as perfect as it appears. The presence of Roy’s late first wife hangs over everything, and the slow drip of revelations keeps the tension ratcheting higher with every chapter.
The twists are sharp, well-timed, and completely pulled the rug out from under me. This is the kind of thriller where you think you’re ahead of the story… until you very much aren’t.
This is my second Natalie Barelli book after Finder’s Keepers, and once again it’s a solid 5 stars. I’m officially at the point where I’ll read whatever she writes next. She’s fast becoming an auto-read author for me, and definitely deserves more noise about her writing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is so much fun. Well, for a thriller with murder 🤣. It is fast paced with short chapters.
Jodie has married a wealthy doctor. They married very quickly and shortly after his first wife's death. Jodie wants to know what happened to the first Mrs. Davies and she is conducting her own personal investigation. Her husband may have something to hide but then, doesn't everybody?
There are so many twists and turns. Just when I thought I had things figured out, a new twist would pop up and I would be wrong.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book for an honest review.
Jodie has married a wealthy doctor. They married very quickly and shortly after his first wife's death. Jodie wants to know what happened to the first Mrs. Davies and she is conducting her own personal investigation. Her husband may have something to hide but then, doesn't everybody?
There are so many twists and turns. Just when I thought I had things figured out, a new twist would pop up and I would be wrong.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book for an honest review.
January 20, 2026
4.5 🌟 I had the best time reading this book! So many little twists here and there. I thought I was smart and had it figured out and then everything was turned upside down. The writing was great and the pacing was perfect. I didn’t want to stop reading it and now I’m sad that I finished.
Thank you to NetGalley for this great arc!
Thank you to NetGalley for this great arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"𝐈𝐟 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞?"
I'm a long-time fan of this author, and I was thrilled to see this upcoming release that pulled me in immediately. Jodie marries Dr. Roy Davies after a whirlwind romance and steps straight into what should be a dream life in Beverly Hills, only to realize the fantasy has teeth. Roy is often cold and distant, his friends treat her like an interloper, and the house itself feels haunted by the presence of his late wife, Deborah. As Jodie settles in, it becomes clear that Deborah did not simply fade away, and the more Jodie learns about her reclusive final years, the more uneasy I became about what really happened inside that perfect home.
What really got under my skin was watching Jodie start to question everything around her while also doubting herself. I could feel the pressure building as she uncovered more about Roy’s controlling behavior and disturbing past, all while knowing she was trapped by her own secrets. The psychological tension is relentless, and I found myself constantly second guessing what I thought I knew. The house, the marriage, and even Jodie’s role as the “perfect” wife all start to feel like a carefully constructed house of cards.
The tension builds until it's uncomfortable, and when things fly off the rails, it's in the best possible ways. This book is deliciously dark, completely addictive, and emotionally charged enough that I lost track of time and kept reading with that awful, dreadful knot curled tightly in my stomach. I was rooting for Jodie while feeling genuine dread about whether she would get out in one piece. If you love domestic thrillers that slowly tighten the screws and leave you breathless by the end, this one delivers in a big way. So many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the early copy. This one will publish June 30, 2026.
I'm a long-time fan of this author, and I was thrilled to see this upcoming release that pulled me in immediately. Jodie marries Dr. Roy Davies after a whirlwind romance and steps straight into what should be a dream life in Beverly Hills, only to realize the fantasy has teeth. Roy is often cold and distant, his friends treat her like an interloper, and the house itself feels haunted by the presence of his late wife, Deborah. As Jodie settles in, it becomes clear that Deborah did not simply fade away, and the more Jodie learns about her reclusive final years, the more uneasy I became about what really happened inside that perfect home.
What really got under my skin was watching Jodie start to question everything around her while also doubting herself. I could feel the pressure building as she uncovered more about Roy’s controlling behavior and disturbing past, all while knowing she was trapped by her own secrets. The psychological tension is relentless, and I found myself constantly second guessing what I thought I knew. The house, the marriage, and even Jodie’s role as the “perfect” wife all start to feel like a carefully constructed house of cards.
The tension builds until it's uncomfortable, and when things fly off the rails, it's in the best possible ways. This book is deliciously dark, completely addictive, and emotionally charged enough that I lost track of time and kept reading with that awful, dreadful knot curled tightly in my stomach. I was rooting for Jodie while feeling genuine dread about whether she would get out in one piece. If you love domestic thrillers that slowly tighten the screws and leave you breathless by the end, this one delivers in a big way. So many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the early copy. This one will publish June 30, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Natalie Barelli, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
#TheHousewife #NetGalley
This is definitely a 5 star read. it hooked me from the very first page. I loved that the whole book had lots of twists and it was an exciting read. If you are also a fan of Freida McFadden I think you will enjoy this book!!!
Pub Date; June 30, 2026!
#TheHousewife #NetGalley
This is definitely a 5 star read. it hooked me from the very first page. I loved that the whole book had lots of twists and it was an exciting read. If you are also a fan of Freida McFadden I think you will enjoy this book!!!
Pub Date; June 30, 2026!
January 22, 2026
This was such a fun one! Such a page turner and the synopsis gives nothing away at all. I was quite surprised by what was actually going on and couldn’t wait to see the outcome.
It’s been a while since Natalie Barelli has come out with a new one and this is a fun one you don’t want to miss!
It’s been a while since Natalie Barelli has come out with a new one and this is a fun one you don’t want to miss!
January 20, 2026
4.5/5
When I was selected for this ARC, I hit pause on the ARC I was already reading and immediately started this one.
I had heard very good things about this book so I was very excited. It did not disappoint! Finished it in a single sitting.
Has all the elements of a great thriller- a suspicious death, a convoluted backstory, nosy neighbors, a "perfect" couple, a husband with secrets.
I truly enjoyed this twisty novel!
When I was selected for this ARC, I hit pause on the ARC I was already reading and immediately started this one.
I had heard very good things about this book so I was very excited. It did not disappoint! Finished it in a single sitting.
Has all the elements of a great thriller- a suspicious death, a convoluted backstory, nosy neighbors, a "perfect" couple, a husband with secrets.
I truly enjoyed this twisty novel!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 stars rounded up to 3
Thank you NetGalley for the arc of The Housewife in exchange for an honest review.
This novel was a little underwhelming for me. I loved the premise of the story, a woman marrying the man she believes murdered her sister in order to seek the truth and prove her sister didn’t commit suicide.
I always love a story set in a beautiful house with twisted neighbours. I love the tension and cattiness the characters in this story have between each other.
However I found myself getting frustrated multiple times at Jodie’s sloppiness in investigating her sisters death. I felt like every page she was asking extremely pointed questions, there was zero subtlety in her method to gaining information from her new husband and his friends. I was cringing at points and wanted to shake her and tell her to ‘cool it’ take it slower. I was placing myself in Roy, her husbands, shoes and if I were him I would be completely freaked out at the questions and behaviour of Jodie and immediately would have asked for divorce. There’s only so many times I can suspense my belief.
I also couldn’t help but notice that Roy framed for the murder after being manipulated by Marie just as Jodie was and also how Jodie manipulated Mikey, a child! Although an affair was happening while Roy was married to Deb, that double standard.
I believe the intention was for the reader to sympathise with Jodie but as mentioned I found myself more annoyed with her tactlessness throughout so the ending was definitely more bittersweet than deserved in my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc of The Housewife in exchange for an honest review.
This novel was a little underwhelming for me. I loved the premise of the story, a woman marrying the man she believes murdered her sister in order to seek the truth and prove her sister didn’t commit suicide.
I always love a story set in a beautiful house with twisted neighbours. I love the tension and cattiness the characters in this story have between each other.
However I found myself getting frustrated multiple times at Jodie’s sloppiness in investigating her sisters death. I felt like every page she was asking extremely pointed questions, there was zero subtlety in her method to gaining information from her new husband and his friends. I was cringing at points and wanted to shake her and tell her to ‘cool it’ take it slower. I was placing myself in Roy, her husbands, shoes and if I were him I would be completely freaked out at the questions and behaviour of Jodie and immediately would have asked for divorce. There’s only so many times I can suspense my belief.
I also couldn’t help but notice that Roy framed for the murder after being manipulated by Marie just as Jodie was and also how Jodie manipulated Mikey, a child! Although an affair was happening while Roy was married to Deb, that double standard.
I believe the intention was for the reader to sympathise with Jodie but as mentioned I found myself more annoyed with her tactlessness throughout so the ending was definitely more bittersweet than deserved in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Unreliable narrator is one thing but now we are doing unreliable book description? I don’t think this comes from the author so I don’t want to unfairly rate the book based on this, but, ugh. Readers have a right to know what we are picking up, and the first few lines of the description are not accurate.
The book itself is fast and I was curious to know what happened. A popcorn thriller for sure. I’ve never read this author before and I am not sure if this is typical for her but a few things bothered me so much I don’t think I will again. Notably, the main character was just… out of character? She would burst out with the rudest and most ridiculous statements and questions that made it unclear how Roy ever married her (yes we are told she was quiet at first, which I find hard to believe) and how she was even allowed to be out in the company of his friends, especially after the first time we saw her acting in a ridiculous way and saying ridiculous things. She was not subtle at all and I have a hard time believing things would go on after that. And yet they did.
And it got more and more ridiculous — but also entertaining, so there is that.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
The book itself is fast and I was curious to know what happened. A popcorn thriller for sure. I’ve never read this author before and I am not sure if this is typical for her but a few things bothered me so much I don’t think I will again. Notably, the main character was just… out of character? She would burst out with the rudest and most ridiculous statements and questions that made it unclear how Roy ever married her (yes we are told she was quiet at first, which I find hard to believe) and how she was even allowed to be out in the company of his friends, especially after the first time we saw her acting in a ridiculous way and saying ridiculous things. She was not subtle at all and I have a hard time believing things would go on after that. And yet they did.
And it got more and more ridiculous — but also entertaining, so there is that.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jodie is the perfect housewife. She loves cooking, baking, and cleaning- and excels at all of those things.
She should have the picturesque life- she's married to a rich, intelligent man, has a live-in maid, a life she never dreamed was possible when she was working for a caterer. But then she met Roy- and it was love at first sight. They were married soon after and now she has it all.
But there is trouble in paradise. Roy's friends hate her- they think she's a lying gold digger. Roy seems to be pulling away. The maid despises her. That isn't even the worst of it.
See, Roy has been married before. His first wife, Deborah, shot herself in the face after being depressed. Everyone, even Roy, won't stop talking about how perfect she was.
However, Jodie thinks that Roy killed Deborah and got away with it. Worse, she thinks she might be next.
This is a pulse-pounding, quick-paced thriller from the queen Natalie Barelli. You'll gasp and scream and love it!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
She should have the picturesque life- she's married to a rich, intelligent man, has a live-in maid, a life she never dreamed was possible when she was working for a caterer. But then she met Roy- and it was love at first sight. They were married soon after and now she has it all.
But there is trouble in paradise. Roy's friends hate her- they think she's a lying gold digger. Roy seems to be pulling away. The maid despises her. That isn't even the worst of it.
See, Roy has been married before. His first wife, Deborah, shot herself in the face after being depressed. Everyone, even Roy, won't stop talking about how perfect she was.
However, Jodie thinks that Roy killed Deborah and got away with it. Worse, she thinks she might be next.
This is a pulse-pounding, quick-paced thriller from the queen Natalie Barelli. You'll gasp and scream and love it!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This one's a BANGER!! From the very first sentence to the very last, I was completely captivated. Nothing could distract me from flying through the pages of this unputdownable thriller. Barelli's writing style is stellar and so welcoming. There's no fluff or filler, just straight to the point, non-stop action with lots of twist and turns. I absolutely loved our narrator and FMC, Jodie. Her "nothing left to lose" attitude and charming sarcasm couldn't have been more perfect for this story. I probably wouldn't have enjoyed this book as much if she was portrayed in any other way. The ending was bittersweet and I was sad that it was over. I'm hoping that the author brings back Jodie in one of her future novels. I really enjoyed her character and want more. What a fantastic read! This needs to be added to all TBR's now. Highly recommended!!
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC!
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jodie marries Roy only a short while after his wife committed suicide.
She finds that Roy's friends regard her as a gold digger.
She also finds that Roy was having an affair while married to Deborah.
Ohh, this was a real page turner! Natalie Barelli knows how to grab a reader's attention and make them keep turning the pages. It is a 'one more chapter' book, which kept me up late into the night!
Addictive and dark, and should actually have a trigger warning. Jodie had a horrendous childhood, and Deborah was the best friend - and sister - she could have wished for.
I wasn't prepared for the major twist involving the housekeeper, and definitely did not expect the final outcome of the court case.
I recommend. 5/5 stars from me.
She finds that Roy's friends regard her as a gold digger.
She also finds that Roy was having an affair while married to Deborah.
Ohh, this was a real page turner! Natalie Barelli knows how to grab a reader's attention and make them keep turning the pages. It is a 'one more chapter' book, which kept me up late into the night!
Addictive and dark, and should actually have a trigger warning. Jodie had a horrendous childhood, and Deborah was the best friend - and sister - she could have wished for.
I wasn't prepared for the major twist involving the housekeeper, and definitely did not expect the final outcome of the court case.
I recommend. 5/5 stars from me.
January 21, 2026
This book will keep you reading far late into the night! What sets it apart is we know who the sociopath is right from the start. Question is - does she accomplish what she wants to? Full of twisty turns and blind spots - A definite popcorn thriller. The main character is absolutely wild and you will find yourself being as uncomfortable as the other characters who witness both her outbursts and behavior. I will say that I was able to figure out a key element of the story but it definitely didn't distract from the story. As much as I would love to try Jodi's confectionery delights - I'll pass! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book before it’s been released..
I was hooked from beginning to end. I just could not put it down. I finished in one day. Ms. Barelli was recommend to me by Ms. Freida McFadden. If you love Freida well you will love Ms. Barelli.
Jodie was amazing, and wanted answers. I was shocked to find out who she was early on. But the twists, turns that followed were exciting. Roy rubbed me the wrong way. He had some good moments, and bad ones. He was both sweet, and a total jerk. I wanted to slap him at one point. Sorry!
I was surprised Jodie did not especially given the situation he acted like a creep.
I can’t wait for it to come out as I have ordered a copy for my mom. I know she will love it.
I was hooked from beginning to end. I just could not put it down. I finished in one day. Ms. Barelli was recommend to me by Ms. Freida McFadden. If you love Freida well you will love Ms. Barelli.
Jodie was amazing, and wanted answers. I was shocked to find out who she was early on. But the twists, turns that followed were exciting. Roy rubbed me the wrong way. He had some good moments, and bad ones. He was both sweet, and a total jerk. I wanted to slap him at one point. Sorry!
I was surprised Jodie did not especially given the situation he acted like a creep.
I can’t wait for it to come out as I have ordered a copy for my mom. I know she will love it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a fan of Natalie Barelli’s books it’s been a long wait for a new book…
Jodie marries renowned psychologist Dr. Roy Davies after a whirlwind romance, but the honeymoon period is over and Jodie suspects her husband may have been involved in his first wife’s death.
It’s highly original and intricately plotted as Jodie desperately tries to uncover clues or evidence about what really happened. There’s constant nerve-jangling tension throughout, almost as though Jodie is living her daily life undercover.
Expect twists, twists and more twists from one of the uncrowned Queens of the genre.
Definitely recommended!
Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press
Jodie marries renowned psychologist Dr. Roy Davies after a whirlwind romance, but the honeymoon period is over and Jodie suspects her husband may have been involved in his first wife’s death.
It’s highly original and intricately plotted as Jodie desperately tries to uncover clues or evidence about what really happened. There’s constant nerve-jangling tension throughout, almost as though Jodie is living her daily life undercover.
Expect twists, twists and more twists from one of the uncrowned Queens of the genre.
Definitely recommended!
Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press
January 18, 2026
The Housewife was such a fun and addictive read centered around the idea of being the “perfect” housewife — and what happens when that image starts to crack. This was my first time reading a book by Natalie Barelli, and I can confidently say I am now a huge fan.
The pacing was quick and engaging, making it hard to put down. I loved trying to piece together who did what and why, and the twists kept me guessing right until the end. It’s the kind of thriller that keeps your mind racing as you turn the pages.
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC. If you enjoy fast-paced domestic thrillers with plenty of intrigue, you will not be disappointed!
The pacing was quick and engaging, making it hard to put down. I loved trying to piece together who did what and why, and the twists kept me guessing right until the end. It’s the kind of thriller that keeps your mind racing as you turn the pages.
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC. If you enjoy fast-paced domestic thrillers with plenty of intrigue, you will not be disappointed!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Housewife by Natalie Barell is a solid psychological thriller that slowly pulls you in. The tension builds quietly rather than relying on nonstop twists, which I appreciated. The domestic setting feels unsettling in a realistic way, and the story focuses more on atmosphere and emotional unease than shock.
The main character is complex and interesting to follow, even when her choices are frustrating. While some parts felt familiar for the genre, the overall execution was strong enough to keep me engaged. It’s not a fast, explosive thriller, but a steady and thoughtful one.
A good choice if you like slower-burn suspense with a psychological edge.
The main character is complex and interesting to follow, even when her choices are frustrating. While some parts felt familiar for the genre, the overall execution was strong enough to keep me engaged. It’s not a fast, explosive thriller, but a steady and thoughtful one.
A good choice if you like slower-burn suspense with a psychological edge.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was really excited to hop into this read, the blurb sounded FANTASTIC (thank you to Netgalley for letting me read an ARC copy). I feel like there was a disconnect somewhere - maybe it was me. The main character is SO unlikeable (really all the characters are) but she is out of bounds ridiculous and off key, I'm not sure if it was intentional but it made it really hard to get into the story. The twist was nice - I like that I had it wrong. I'm giving it a 3 because I struggled to finish it due to not being able to connect with the characters. I feel like it just missed the mark despite having a plot that sounded fantastic.
Review of advance copy
When Jodie marries widow Dr. Roy Davies she is thrilled to finally be living the perfect and wealthy life she always dreamed of…but is it really perfect? Things start to unravel when her picture perfect life is not what she thought it would be and her husband seems to have many secrets but so does she. This drops one huge spoiler right away taking the plot somewhere you didn’t expect but then there were so many more twists it keeps you engaged and reading. Such a clever twist on this supposedly normal housewife thriller. I won’t say much more as it’s was so fun finding out who to trust on your own. Brilliantly Disturbing! Told in first person and Jodie’s POV
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Housewife was one of those books I started “just for a few chapters” and suddenly it was hours later. It’s twisty, addictive, and full of secrets bubbling just under the surface. I loved how nothing was quite as it seemed, and every time I thought I had it figured out, I really didn’t. So easy to read, so hard to put down — pure binge-read material.
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Natalie Barelli and Poisoned Pen Press📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Natalie Barelli and Poisoned Pen Press📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I did not expect to finish this book in about two hours, but that is the power of a Natalie Barelli novel. She absolutely nails it again - I couldn’t put this book down. I loved each unhinged, crazy plot twist as we learn more about Deb. While nothing truly shocked me, it honestly didn’t need to; the fast pacing and chaotic, suspenseful energy kept me fully hooked from start to finish.
5 stars all the way - such a great thriller read!
Thank you to Natalie Barelli, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
#TheHousewife #NetGalley
5 stars all the way - such a great thriller read!
Thank you to Natalie Barelli, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
#TheHousewife #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book grabbed me from the start! The Housewife starts out with a glossy and perfect life vibe…rich husband, Beverly Hills house, dream marriage…and then slowly twists into something super dark and unsettling. Every scene feel tense, like something bad was always about to surface. The pacing was great for a binge read! Every chapter ended with just enough unease or new information that I had to keep going. If you like domestic thrillers with secrets, control, and a slow burning sense of dread, this one is a really fun and dark ride!
January 21, 2026
4.5 stars. What a wild ride! Two sisters- one dead, ruled a suicide and the other out to prove her sister was murdered. Jo lives a double life, getting close to her sister's ex husband, starting a relationship and marrying him in order to get clues of what really happened to Deb, and then there is her past- secrets she keeps hidden from everyone. This was a suspense filled story- sneaking around trying not to be caught, and the ending was fantastic! Definitely recommend:) Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was lucky enough to be able to obtain this book as an ARC. This was my first five star read of the year. It had twists around every corner, kept me on my toes, and was so well written! If you like The Housemaid (but with better twists), you’ll love this!
Jodie has married into the life of her dreams, rich husband, beautiful house, and can cook and clean to her hearts content. However, there’s one little catch. She is obsessed with proving her husband killed his first wife. The book is due out June 30, 2026. Grab it immediately because once you don’t won’t want to put it down!
Jodie has married into the life of her dreams, rich husband, beautiful house, and can cook and clean to her hearts content. However, there’s one little catch. She is obsessed with proving her husband killed his first wife. The book is due out June 30, 2026. Grab it immediately because once you don’t won’t want to put it down!
January 23, 2026
4.75 ⭐️ rounded up.
I haven’t had this much fun with a thriller in a very long time. Calling it a page-turner feels laughably inadequate.
I won’t spoil anything because thrillers are delicate creatures and one careless detail can send the whole house of cards collapsing, but what I can say is that this story is wildly imaginative, maddeningly entertaining, and executed with surgical precision. It had my jaw hanging open more than once.
As far as thrillers go, I genuinely don’t have a single complaint. This was fabulous.
I haven’t had this much fun with a thriller in a very long time. Calling it a page-turner feels laughably inadequate.
I won’t spoil anything because thrillers are delicate creatures and one careless detail can send the whole house of cards collapsing, but what I can say is that this story is wildly imaginative, maddeningly entertaining, and executed with surgical precision. It had my jaw hanging open more than once.
As far as thrillers go, I genuinely don’t have a single complaint. This was fabulous.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such an addicting book that moved a fast pace and was packed with twists. I was on edge the whole time I read trying to figure out what happened to Jodie’s sister and who she could trust. The character development was so good and I was truly paranoid about everyone even the main character. I loved the ending and definitely will be reading this again in the future. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 20, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Natalie Barelli and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!
An absolute rollercoaster ride! A gripping, fast paced read that left me running back for more.
I found myself being angry/frustrated with every single character (except for Mikey, Delores and Deb). The author did a fantastic job of playing on the readers emotions, while also leading us down wrong trails and giving a shocking twist at the end. Fantastic read, 5 ⭐️
An absolute rollercoaster ride! A gripping, fast paced read that left me running back for more.
I found myself being angry/frustrated with every single character (except for Mikey, Delores and Deb). The author did a fantastic job of playing on the readers emotions, while also leading us down wrong trails and giving a shocking twist at the end. Fantastic read, 5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was so so good I could not put it down. The author had me questioning all of the characters throughout the book and I didn’t know who or what to believe. The ending was a total twist I didn’t see coming.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2026
Wow. This was not how I expected this story to go at all, and in a great way! I absolutely adored the main character. She was hilarious, fierce, and awkward. This story was so fast paced and gripping and I had to keep reading until I knew what exactly was going on, and it did not disappoint!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing the copy of The Housewife by Natalie Barelli. This book started out great, and if you like lots of unexpected reveals, you will love it. The story was okay, but I would have enjoyed it more if the characters had been more substantial and if the reveals didn’t come out of nowhere. This was a fast but forgettable read for me. 3 stars
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