Book Review: The Really Dead Wives of New Jersey by Astrid Dahl

3⭐
Genre ~ friendship/family drama
Setting ~ New Jersey
Publication date ~ January 14, 2025
Publisher ~ Simon & Schuster
Est Page Count ~ 287 (p+ 48 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 50 minutes
Narrators ~ Mia Barron, Sean Patrick, Emily Lawrence, Allyson Ryan, Devon Sorvari
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ debut, 4 parts, slow burn on the murder

My review:

There was a lot of craziness going on with a lot of crazy, shallow, awful, annoying characters. You know there might be a few too many when you are given a cast and crew list. I did appreciate it, though, so I could get a feel for who was who. Did I like any of the who’s? Nope, not a one.

I have watched quite a few episodes of RHONJ. Haven’t watched the latest season, though. Was I hoping for some crazy table flipping drama? Sure was! If ya know ya know 🤣
Happy to report ~ table flip ✔️ Seems Carmela is based on Teresa, since she’s famous for doing that on the show. There was a woman on RHONY that has a prosthetic leg, so I’m guessing she was part of the inspiration for Valerie. The others are a mishmash of the other housewives.

So, overall, this was fine, but I do think it took a bit too long for the murder to happen. It will probably appeal to those that love shows like this because it reads just like the hot mess of one. There are even confessional transcripts to make it resonate more.

Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference. I am happy to see there are 5, so hopefully that worked out well.

Add to your never ending TBR  ~ goodreads

I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read it.

Book blurb:

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.

Meet the Garden State Goddesses, the cast of Huzzah’s third most popular

“I may play for both teams, but when it comes to being real, I always bring my A game.” —Renee Ricci

“When life gives me lemons, I make citron presse´ on my yacht in Saint- Tropez.”—Birdie St. Clair

“I don’t bite, but I do scratch, and these talons are 100 percent Italian.” —Carmela Fontana

When Hope Bennett marries Carmela’s brother Leo she not only becomes a Fontana, but a Garden State Goddess—and not everyone is happy.

Secrets will be revealed, decades-long rivalries will surface, and a sudden murder will lead to a reality reckoning no one is prepared for, least of all the show’s producer Eden who must race to catch a killer and save the most dramatic season of all time.

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