The Really Dead Wives of New Jersey by Astrid Dahl -> Starting January 6th, 2025

[Jamie]

A propulsive page-turning thriller following the hit reality TV show Garden State Goddesses where secrets are uncovered, intense rivalries surface, and a startling murder propels a producer on a riveting quest for the truth.

One of Huzzah’s most popular shows, Garden State Goddesses, was in need of a refresh. Largely centering on the Sicilian American Fontana family of Shady Pond, New Jersey, showrunner Eden Bennett found a solution that helped her both personally and she introduced lovable bachelor Leo Fontana to her estranged cousin Hope—a blonde beauty and aspiring singer. After a whirlwind romance, they begin the new season with Leo and Hope’s wedding, but not everyone is happy, least of all Hope’s new sister-in-law Carmela, who finds Hope’s lack of family, friends, pop cultural knowledge, and social media presence deeply suspicious. Nevertheless, Hope is joining Carmela, and their other sister-in-law Valeria, a lovable ditz too dependent on cutting Carmela, and wealthy grand dame Birdie St. Clair as a new lead on Garden State Goddesses. Hope quickly bonds with castmate Renée, a down-to-earth single mom whose daughter Ruby aspires to be the next Ariana Grande.

When one of the goddesses collapses while filming at the Broke Not Broken gala at Birdie’s manor, there will be a reality reckoning. Eden will be forced to confront the ways she is emotional manipulation, coercion, and dropping her naïve cousin in this mess while also using her skills as a producer to seek out the truth—uncovering that many of the Fontanas have rivalries and grievances that go back decades, some with serious legal, financial, physical, and romantic consequences.

[megs_bookrack]

I'm starting this one later tonight! I have no idea what to expect. I'm sort of scared. I'm not like a Housewives fan, so I don't know if it's going to have content that I won't understand...hoping it is completely unrelated from the shows except for general content.

[Trisha]

I'm starting this one tomorrow ~ I'm so tired lol

I agree!! No idea what to expect, I don't watch any reality tv!! lol

[megs_bookrack]

To Ch 2: Interesting set-up. We are leaning heavy into the reality tv thing, which is fine. So far we've met Eden and Hope. (view spoiler)[Wondering if their religious cult background is going to play into the murder? That Prologue did allude to someone not breathing on set...who was it? (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

To Ch 4: Hope needs to (view spoiler)[read a book! She's bored alone all day in her mansion? I would sell that Fiat she's scared to drive and spend it all on books. (hide spoiler)] 😁😂

[megs_bookrack]

To Ch 6: I love that they included a (view spoiler)[Confessional section(s)! I do know what that is from Survivor and RuPaul's Drag Race. Holly definitely has major secrets. Who is Cheyenne? Ruby commented her face looked like she saw a ghost when she got that call. I wonder if it's someone who would track her down? And maybe kill her!? (hide spoiler)]

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To Ch 9: (view spoiler)[So maybe Hope is gay and Cheyenne is her ex-girlfriend? I've actually known both male and female Cheyennes, so just guessing on that. Maybe Hope and Renee will become romantically entangled. That could get messy! Perfect for Eden's show. Eden does seem aquite determined. Enough to risk her own cousin's life in some way? Yeah. I'd say so. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

okay, I'm finally getting into this one

Ch2 (view spoiler)[ yes! That first chapter - I loved the addition of the "saving from a cultish type environment" storyline! lol (hide spoiler)]

ch 4 hahahaha!!! (view spoiler)[ I love it! honestly, read a book. that's what I do all day! Her Fiat does sound cute although I'm sad she's scared to drive it! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

Through Ch 6

(view spoiler)[ I agree! I love the confessional sections!
and yes! We're getting little secrets without knowing much yet.
The drama though!! lol (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

Through Part 1

(view spoiler)[ wow - so much drama! lol

Hope. ut oh. Did she happen to set fire to something upon her escape? and is this Cheyenne really a friend? she seems kind of ominous.

and wow, Birdie regifting so much from around her house. I wonder, if Pierre never used it, why he was so mad about the guitar. Was it how expensive it was?

and Leo. Hope doesn't really seem to spend much time with him or even know him. How are they married?

and Birdie fell down the stairs!! Yikes! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

Through Part 2 / 50%

Wow(view spoiler)[ yeah, Eden is not protecting Hope at all. Carmela was just cruel and said so many awful things. And then to attack her? No thanks, I don't blame her for wanting off.
I don't think Hope fully grasps just how wild this is going to get after the season starts to air.

I wonder what Cheyanne did. Hope seemed to imply that maybe Cheyanne is the one that did something bad.

I'm not sure about Renee. I want her to be on Hope's side but I think she's going to end up telling her secrets

and what was up with Pierre and the smoothie? is he drugging his mom? or is HE taking something weird?

Poor Birdie. She seems like she's really out of it - I hope she's happy and no one is drugging/hurting her (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

2 chapters into Part 2

um what?! (view spoiler)[ No. Way. Leo and Carmela?! Is that why she is absolutely horrible to Hope? and then why does she call Leo Leona?! This is so messed up.

and yeah, I'm assuming Cheyanne maybe burned down the cult? Or burned down the church? there has to be something with fire here, right?

and I'm wondering what's up with Ruby. She's writing songs now? and she's really cruel about all of them

and Yikes! Hope is lying about a baby?!

This whole group - they are all just awful. Including Eden. How can she want to subject anyone to this? (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

7 chapters into part 2

I'm sorry, but WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED? (view spoiler)[ Hope died? she died? did someone like Pierre kill her because of the page they STAGED about the will? and giving her all that money?

and the police were there to serve a murder and manslaughter warrant for Hope's arrest?! I'm sorry, what?! holy crap! I thought Cheyanne did it?! DID HOPE?

Is Hope's death really just going to be a little blip like this? that is wild! Eden is heartless (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

Through Part 2

I'm speechless (view spoiler)[ OMG. is this real? are these people really dead? OMG

So Leo is gone now too and now is Carmela?! HOLY CRAP. and now the dad, who wasn't really in most of the shows, is now in jail? and suddenly we have a daughter on there, Bianca.

I still think it could be Pierre. He could be poisoning/drugging his mom and Hope was on accident (he got the wrong drink) or it was on purpose (because of the page of the will)

but this new string of deaths - it's just wild, a kick off from the first.

and now the show is maybe canceled. I mean, I don't blame them. So ARE these airing now? for some reason, I thought they weren't yet, but I guess they are if the troll site keeps making snarky comments. Any idea who that account is?

oh, and now Cheyenne has appeared. . .wonder what she will share. . . (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

and I'm done!

(view spoiler)[ okay so I guessed Pierre and the will being a part of it. Horse tranquilizer totally makes sense! Yikes

and wow, Bianca being the troll - I didn't call that.

I was glad Eden and Renee were healing - together. I'm glad Ruby didn't stop singing.

and it makes sense that Eden would get pulled back into that! lol She was so good at it (and terrible) (hide spoiler)]

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To Part II, Ch 2: So, Leo knows (view spoiler)[who Cheyenne is? I guess he and Hope actually do talk?! (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

Trisha wrote: "Through Ch 6

I agree! " Soooo much drama 🍿😆

[megs_bookrack]

Trisha wrote: "Through Part 1

wow - so much..."

(view spoiler)[Cheyenne def seems ominous! I can't wait to find out what that's all about! (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

To Part II, Ch 7: Why do I feel like (view spoiler)[Eden is setting up Hope? Like did she tell Cheyenne where Hope was in order to stir up trouble/drama for the show? (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

To Part II, Ch 8, or 47%: Could the (view spoiler)[other woman in the marriage the psychic mentioned be involved with Hope not Leo? I mean, Tenee did just sleep in her bed last night... (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

Trisha wrote: "2 chapters into Part 2

um..."

(view spoiler)[I totally think Pierre is drugging Birdie. He seems sooo suspicious. Wiyh her sleeping all the time, the castles are his.

I was starting to wonder if Cheyenne was actually dead, and that's why Hope had such a reaction to seeing her name on her phone, but that can't be true because Hope keeps thinking about her in current context like, Cheyenne will give up now thst her number is blocked.

Eden is the most sinister of all, I feel like. She's the puppet master, all to her own benefit. And she's obsessed with Aria. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

To Part III, Ch 4, or 57%: Holy smokes! So much has been revealed. (view spoiler)[First, does Ruby actually feel that way about her Mom, or was she just looking for that reaction. She seems fairly insensitive, but willing to do whatever it takes for success.

Also, Hope is pretending to be pregnant?! That makes me sad for Leo. He's so excited.

Also, Leo and Carmella!? For 10-years!? That is so dangerous and I can't believe he admitted that to Hope!!! (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

To Part 4: I can't believe (view spoiler)[how many people have died! (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

Done! Wow, that was intriguing. I'm sort of (view spoiler)[bummed though, because it sort of lost me in the last 15-20%. Once the main murder bits were all revealed/worked out, it just got a little boring. I think mainly because of how fast-paced and crazy the first half of the book was. I did like the part at the end about Bianca. I thought that was an interesting twist that she was behind Shady Di. But just like the way it was revealed about Pierre going to jail and all that just seemed so drawn out, as well as Renee and Eden getting together...I'm not sure I was crazy about that part, just because...it just seemed weird because Renee claimed to be so in love with Holly and then 5-minutes later to get together with her cousin after she had made promises to herself to just focus on her daughter...I don't know, I feel like I didn't need all that. Overall though, I thought this was interesting and fun. I actually bought a copy for my good friend who is obsessed with the Housewives show. Her birthday is January 16th, so I thought this and nice bottle of tequila would make her a very happy girl! Thanks for reading it with me! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

Yay! I'm so glad you liked this one too!!

I agree (view spoiler)[ it slowed down a bit after it was all revealed because it was such a race to everyone dying and then all the secrets coming out!

and that's a good point - about them getting together, proclaiming to love her and then no, no I'll focus on my daughter to getting together with the cousin! lol it was a bit quick! (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

Trisha wrote: "Yay! I'm so glad you liked this one too..."

I guess (view spoiler)[grief makes you do crazy things 😝🤣 (hide spoiler)]