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The Work Wives
How well do you really know the people you work with?
For work wives Debra and Quinn, it's a case of opposites attract. They are each other's lifelines as they navigate office politics and jobs that pay the bills but don't inspire them.
Outside work, they are also friends, but where Quinn is addicted to dating apps and desperate to find love, Deb has sworn off men. Although Deb is not close to her own mother, her teenage daughter is her life and there's nothing she wouldn't do to protect her. But Ramona has other ideas and is beginning to push boundaries.
Life becomes even more complicated by the arrival of a new man at the office. One woman is attracted to him, while the other hoped she'd never meet him again.
But when Deb, Quinn and Ramona are forced to choose between friends, love and family, the ramifications run deeper than they could ever have expected.
The latest novel by bestselling, ABIA award winning author Rachael Johns will make you laugh, cry and wonder what secrets your friends are keeping!
For work wives Debra and Quinn, it's a case of opposites attract. They are each other's lifelines as they navigate office politics and jobs that pay the bills but don't inspire them.
Outside work, they are also friends, but where Quinn is addicted to dating apps and desperate to find love, Deb has sworn off men. Although Deb is not close to her own mother, her teenage daughter is her life and there's nothing she wouldn't do to protect her. But Ramona has other ideas and is beginning to push boundaries.
Life becomes even more complicated by the arrival of a new man at the office. One woman is attracted to him, while the other hoped she'd never meet him again.
But when Deb, Quinn and Ramona are forced to choose between friends, love and family, the ramifications run deeper than they could ever have expected.
The latest novel by bestselling, ABIA award winning author Rachael Johns will make you laugh, cry and wonder what secrets your friends are keeping!
528 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2022
85 people are currently reading
1392 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
November 17, 2022
EXCERPT: As Deb headed into the kitchen, Quinn picked up an old magazine from a neat stack on the coffee table. She guessed it belonged to Ramona - she loved how Deb's daughter was obsessed with all things vintage. She flipped through the pages, shaking her head at the images of women in aprons, pearls and pretty dresses advertising kitchen appliances alongside slogans like 'wifesaver' and 'my washdays are now holidays'. As if these ads weren't preposterous enough, an article about romance made her laugh so hard she almost spilt her drink.
'What's so funny?' Deb asked, returning with a plate of cheese, crackers, dip and carrot sticks.
'Have you seen this? It's an article about how to get a husband. Seriously, no wonder I haven't found Mr Right yet. Turns out I've been doing it all wrong.'
ABOUT 'THE WORK WIVES': How well do you really know the people you work with?
For work wives Debra and Quinn, it's a case of opposites attract. They are each other's lifelines as they navigate office politics and jobs that pay the bills but don't inspire them.
Outside work, they are also friends, but where Quinn is addicted to dating apps and desperate to find love, Deb has sworn off men. Although Deb is not close to her own mother, her teenage daughter is her life and there's nothing she wouldn't do to protect her. But Ramona has other ideas and is beginning to push boundaries.
Life becomes even more complicated by the arrival of a new man at the office. One woman is attracted to him, while the other hoped she'd never meet him again.
But when Deb, Quinn and Ramona are forced to choose between friends, love and family, the ramifications run deeper than they could ever have expected.
MY THOUGHTS: I blew hot and cold throughout The Work Wives by Rachael Johns. There were parts that had me chuckling and amused, parts that had me scratching my head, and a couple of times I flirted with the temptation to simply close the covers and not reopen them.
The Work Wives covers a lot of topics - far too many - and a lot of pages - again, far too many at 500+. Topics: romance; bullying (in just about every form imaginable); abuse; misogyny; identity theft; rape; early onset Alzheimer's; aging; family and friendship. And there's probably more. For me, it just didn't work. There's too much going on, and it all takes far too long to explain and evolve.
Ramona, Elijah and Lucy are the outstanding characters. Tristan was too nice and good to be true, and Deb - I could neither warm nor relate to her. I often didn't understand her decisions. Quinn was zany and entertaining, but again . . .
If you are looking for an entertaining rom-com, you're only going to find it sporadically here. No matter what you're looking for, you're only going to find it sporadically.
Overall - disappointing. This was my first book by Rachael Johns, and although I didn't much enjoy this, I've been assured by friends who are solid admirers that this isn't her best, so I'm sure that I will be reading more by her.
⭐⭐.2
#TheWorkWives #NetGalley
I: @rachealjohnsauthor @harlequinaus
T: @HarlequinAUS
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #friendship #romance #womensfiction
THE AUTHOR: Rachael Johns is an English teacher by trade, a supermarket owner by day, a mum 24/7, and a writer by night. She lives in rural Western Australia with her hyperactive husband and three mostly-gorgeous heroes-in-training. (RachaelJohns.com)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA via Netgalley, for providing a digital ARC of The Work Wives by Rachael Johns for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'What's so funny?' Deb asked, returning with a plate of cheese, crackers, dip and carrot sticks.
'Have you seen this? It's an article about how to get a husband. Seriously, no wonder I haven't found Mr Right yet. Turns out I've been doing it all wrong.'
ABOUT 'THE WORK WIVES': How well do you really know the people you work with?
For work wives Debra and Quinn, it's a case of opposites attract. They are each other's lifelines as they navigate office politics and jobs that pay the bills but don't inspire them.
Outside work, they are also friends, but where Quinn is addicted to dating apps and desperate to find love, Deb has sworn off men. Although Deb is not close to her own mother, her teenage daughter is her life and there's nothing she wouldn't do to protect her. But Ramona has other ideas and is beginning to push boundaries.
Life becomes even more complicated by the arrival of a new man at the office. One woman is attracted to him, while the other hoped she'd never meet him again.
But when Deb, Quinn and Ramona are forced to choose between friends, love and family, the ramifications run deeper than they could ever have expected.
MY THOUGHTS: I blew hot and cold throughout The Work Wives by Rachael Johns. There were parts that had me chuckling and amused, parts that had me scratching my head, and a couple of times I flirted with the temptation to simply close the covers and not reopen them.
The Work Wives covers a lot of topics - far too many - and a lot of pages - again, far too many at 500+. Topics: romance; bullying (in just about every form imaginable); abuse; misogyny; identity theft; rape; early onset Alzheimer's; aging; family and friendship. And there's probably more. For me, it just didn't work. There's too much going on, and it all takes far too long to explain and evolve.
Ramona, Elijah and Lucy are the outstanding characters. Tristan was too nice and good to be true, and Deb - I could neither warm nor relate to her. I often didn't understand her decisions. Quinn was zany and entertaining, but again . . .
If you are looking for an entertaining rom-com, you're only going to find it sporadically here. No matter what you're looking for, you're only going to find it sporadically.
Overall - disappointing. This was my first book by Rachael Johns, and although I didn't much enjoy this, I've been assured by friends who are solid admirers that this isn't her best, so I'm sure that I will be reading more by her.
⭐⭐.2
#TheWorkWives #NetGalley
I: @rachealjohnsauthor @harlequinaus
T: @HarlequinAUS
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #friendship #romance #womensfiction
THE AUTHOR: Rachael Johns is an English teacher by trade, a supermarket owner by day, a mum 24/7, and a writer by night. She lives in rural Western Australia with her hyperactive husband and three mostly-gorgeous heroes-in-training. (RachaelJohns.com)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA via Netgalley, for providing a digital ARC of The Work Wives by Rachael Johns for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
November 15, 2022
Wow! Where to start. I think this may end up becoming a very polarising book. This author is not known for veering away from her general life lit and rural romance feel goods. I’ve really liked most of this author’s work that I’ve tackled thus far as they are an ideal escape, and I’m pretty sure the author has succeeded.
The Work Wives centres on the trials and tribulations of three woman, all who love each other very much. Single mum Deb. Overprotective, but understandably so. Her daughter Ramona, fifteen going on 30 given her love of all things vintage and speaking in language not befitting her age. Last but not least we have Ms. Quinn, Deb’s colleague and bestie who just so happens to choose roller-skating as her go to transportation. Quinn has a quriky sense of style, and if I'm not mistaken, this may be similar to the author whose website is very informative, and I can see a funky flair for fashion.
Here were the things I liked. I loved the cover, as it showed Deb in a lovely dress and boots, laptop on the lap. On the rear, it had a pair of pink skates. Now this reader completely saw herself in Deb on the cover, and in Quinn’s skates. I loved to skate as a teenager and I received an awesome bright pair for my birthday, a couple of weeks before picking up the book! I love my book similarities!
I loved the female comradery, and the interaction between Quinn and Mrs D, an older lady, and the fact that Quinn was willing to put her phone down for more than one hot second. She was addicted to online hook ups. She just couldn’t put her phone down. I loved that the three women all loved and respected each other’s differences. And I loved that a woman of my age, in the book, didn’t love social media. Thanks Deb. Deb’s cheeks turned beetroot and she shook her head. ‘No way. I’d probably end up swiping the wrong way and connecting with someone from a bikie gang.’ She ain’t the only one!
This book certainly took me away from the everyday, but it was long. The redemption of this length, for me, was the ease which I could pick up and put down, and the short chapters. This suited me to bits.
What didn’t work for me. The soap opera feel, and the over reliance on coincidence and happenstance. It wasn’t plausible and did take me back to Days of Our Lives and taping it on the VHS while I was at school. These issues made me feel torn, and I can see why other Goodreads friends struggled. I didn’t perceive this as thrilleresque, but more of a soapie.
This book is hot online though! I am a mad library sleuth and the average waiting time to get this title on audio is months.. one was June next year.
I will keep reading Rachael for sure, but The Work Wives didn’t capture my heart this time around, and I so wanted it to! But I will say, the author does not live in Sydney, and her geography was up to scratch, and choosing Granville as opposed to the oft used ‘Western Suburbs’ was a refreshing point indeed.
I have faith that a younger audience to me, will defintely like this more. This is a 2-3★ for me, but I do think it’s really good for authors to jump out of their norm. This novel is well written and not a rural romance in sight!
With thanks to Better Reading Magazine and Harlequin for my physical copy to read and review.
The Work Wives centres on the trials and tribulations of three woman, all who love each other very much. Single mum Deb. Overprotective, but understandably so. Her daughter Ramona, fifteen going on 30 given her love of all things vintage and speaking in language not befitting her age. Last but not least we have Ms. Quinn, Deb’s colleague and bestie who just so happens to choose roller-skating as her go to transportation. Quinn has a quriky sense of style, and if I'm not mistaken, this may be similar to the author whose website is very informative, and I can see a funky flair for fashion.
Here were the things I liked. I loved the cover, as it showed Deb in a lovely dress and boots, laptop on the lap. On the rear, it had a pair of pink skates. Now this reader completely saw herself in Deb on the cover, and in Quinn’s skates. I loved to skate as a teenager and I received an awesome bright pair for my birthday, a couple of weeks before picking up the book! I love my book similarities!
I loved the female comradery, and the interaction between Quinn and Mrs D, an older lady, and the fact that Quinn was willing to put her phone down for more than one hot second. She was addicted to online hook ups. She just couldn’t put her phone down. I loved that the three women all loved and respected each other’s differences. And I loved that a woman of my age, in the book, didn’t love social media. Thanks Deb. Deb’s cheeks turned beetroot and she shook her head. ‘No way. I’d probably end up swiping the wrong way and connecting with someone from a bikie gang.’ She ain’t the only one!
This book certainly took me away from the everyday, but it was long. The redemption of this length, for me, was the ease which I could pick up and put down, and the short chapters. This suited me to bits.
What didn’t work for me. The soap opera feel, and the over reliance on coincidence and happenstance. It wasn’t plausible and did take me back to Days of Our Lives and taping it on the VHS while I was at school. These issues made me feel torn, and I can see why other Goodreads friends struggled. I didn’t perceive this as thrilleresque, but more of a soapie.
This book is hot online though! I am a mad library sleuth and the average waiting time to get this title on audio is months.. one was June next year.
I will keep reading Rachael for sure, but The Work Wives didn’t capture my heart this time around, and I so wanted it to! But I will say, the author does not live in Sydney, and her geography was up to scratch, and choosing Granville as opposed to the oft used ‘Western Suburbs’ was a refreshing point indeed.
I have faith that a younger audience to me, will defintely like this more. This is a 2-3★ for me, but I do think it’s really good for authors to jump out of their norm. This novel is well written and not a rural romance in sight!
With thanks to Better Reading Magazine and Harlequin for my physical copy to read and review.
October 28, 2022
This story has a bit of everything in it and I loved it, I loved getting to know Debra, Quinn and Ramona as they navigate through life, come along and meet them and join in their journey to find how they work through the problems of life and see how they all fair, once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down.
Debra and Quinn work for The Energy Co and have been friends since they met in the photocopying room not only at work but outside work as well, both so totally different but they have become the best work wives, they are there for each other and they are always open with each other, or are they?
Debra is a single mum to fifteen year old Ramona and has no plans on finding a man, she is more than happy being single and she and Ramona have a wonderful relationship, she is determined to be a great mother and will do anything to protect her daughter, anything.
Quinn is young and looking for her forever man, she works in digital marketing and is totally addicted to dating apps, she is bright and bubbly, moves around the city on roller skates, and she comes from a big family and knows what love can be, one day she will find her own love.
Ramona, loves vintage clothing, finding friends at school with the amount of times they have moved is not easy but when she wins a scholarship at an exclusive girl’s school for their fashion course things are sure to change for her, but one thing that she really wants is to know who her father is.
Life changes for Quinn and Deb when a new guy is hired at work, Quinn is drawn to him and Deb wants to stay well away, his arrival opens up a can of worms for all of them, secrets are uncovered, and friendships are put to the test, plenty of emotion and hurt come to the surface and lots of digging to get to the bottom of this huge change in their lives.
This story has emotion, drama, mystery, it takes in teenage year’s motherhood social media and it is all done so well. Will they find the love and happiness that they all deserve, and will the friendships last? I loved Deb, Quinn and Ramona they are fabulous characters that were easy to get to know and like, This is a story that I would highly recommend, another keeper Rachael Johns you never disappoint, don’t miss this one.
My thanks to Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review
Debra and Quinn work for The Energy Co and have been friends since they met in the photocopying room not only at work but outside work as well, both so totally different but they have become the best work wives, they are there for each other and they are always open with each other, or are they?
Debra is a single mum to fifteen year old Ramona and has no plans on finding a man, she is more than happy being single and she and Ramona have a wonderful relationship, she is determined to be a great mother and will do anything to protect her daughter, anything.
Quinn is young and looking for her forever man, she works in digital marketing and is totally addicted to dating apps, she is bright and bubbly, moves around the city on roller skates, and she comes from a big family and knows what love can be, one day she will find her own love.
Ramona, loves vintage clothing, finding friends at school with the amount of times they have moved is not easy but when she wins a scholarship at an exclusive girl’s school for their fashion course things are sure to change for her, but one thing that she really wants is to know who her father is.
Life changes for Quinn and Deb when a new guy is hired at work, Quinn is drawn to him and Deb wants to stay well away, his arrival opens up a can of worms for all of them, secrets are uncovered, and friendships are put to the test, plenty of emotion and hurt come to the surface and lots of digging to get to the bottom of this huge change in their lives.
This story has emotion, drama, mystery, it takes in teenage year’s motherhood social media and it is all done so well. Will they find the love and happiness that they all deserve, and will the friendships last? I loved Deb, Quinn and Ramona they are fabulous characters that were easy to get to know and like, This is a story that I would highly recommend, another keeper Rachael Johns you never disappoint, don’t miss this one.
My thanks to Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review
September 28, 2022
Debra Frost and Quinn Paladino both work at The Energy Co, they met when Quinn jammed the photocopier, Debra helped her and the unlikely friendship began. Quinn is a member of multiple dating sites and is trying to find Mr. Right. Debra is a decade older than her best friend, she’s busy juggling motherhood, work and is happily single.
Deb’s daughter Ramona is fifteen, she’s just started at a new private high school and she’s over her mum treating her like she’s still a baby and being a helicopter parent. Deb doesn’t understand what’s happened to her sweet daughter, she doesn’t want to hang out with her anymore and spends most of her time in her room. Deb has spent years protecting Ramona, Quinn assures Deb it’s normal teenage girl behavior and she has no idea why Deb worries so much.
On Ramona’s first day of school, she’s invited to hang out with the cool girls and after being bullied at her previous school she gets caught up in the glory of her new social status. Ramona pesters her mum to be allowed to use social media, Deb reluctantly agrees and despite her concerns. Quinn finds an article in an old magazine, 129 ways to get a husband, and Debra thinks she’s joking when she considers trying some of the crazy suggestions. The Energy Co employs a new director of sales, he’s the man of Quinn’s dreams and Debra’s nightmares.
The narrative is told from the three main characters point of view, and it’s a story about friendship and working together, motherhood, complicated relationships, finding love, the power of social media, raising a teenager and bullying, telling white lies, not dealing with traumatic experiences, living in fear and the consequences.
I received a copy of The Work Wives from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. Another brilliant book by Rachael Johns, in some way, all of us can relate to the topics covered in the story, being a friend and a mother is hard enough and especially when you work with your bestie. I did laugh, cry and form a connection with Debra and Quinn while reading the book and another winner from Australia's queen of women's fiction. Please read Rachael Johns acknowledgements at the end, as women we need to support each other and know we’re not the only ones struggling and five stars from me.
Deb’s daughter Ramona is fifteen, she’s just started at a new private high school and she’s over her mum treating her like she’s still a baby and being a helicopter parent. Deb doesn’t understand what’s happened to her sweet daughter, she doesn’t want to hang out with her anymore and spends most of her time in her room. Deb has spent years protecting Ramona, Quinn assures Deb it’s normal teenage girl behavior and she has no idea why Deb worries so much.
On Ramona’s first day of school, she’s invited to hang out with the cool girls and after being bullied at her previous school she gets caught up in the glory of her new social status. Ramona pesters her mum to be allowed to use social media, Deb reluctantly agrees and despite her concerns. Quinn finds an article in an old magazine, 129 ways to get a husband, and Debra thinks she’s joking when she considers trying some of the crazy suggestions. The Energy Co employs a new director of sales, he’s the man of Quinn’s dreams and Debra’s nightmares.
The narrative is told from the three main characters point of view, and it’s a story about friendship and working together, motherhood, complicated relationships, finding love, the power of social media, raising a teenager and bullying, telling white lies, not dealing with traumatic experiences, living in fear and the consequences.
I received a copy of The Work Wives from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. Another brilliant book by Rachael Johns, in some way, all of us can relate to the topics covered in the story, being a friend and a mother is hard enough and especially when you work with your bestie. I did laugh, cry and form a connection with Debra and Quinn while reading the book and another winner from Australia's queen of women's fiction. Please read Rachael Johns acknowledgements at the end, as women we need to support each other and know we’re not the only ones struggling and five stars from me.
October 27, 2022
Debra and Quinn were good friends at the office after their initial meeting at the copier, and their relationship extended to after hours as well. But although they were similar in some ways, in others they were nothing alike. Quinn was searching for a man, using dating apps constantly - but after a date or two, she'd go on to the next. While Deb was single mother to fifteen year old Ramona, and had no interest in finding a man. She and Ramona were happy with each other. But Ramona was beginning to push at the barriers that Deb had surrounded her with, and the start of a new school where she made friends with three girls in the "elite" group saw her beginning to question her past, and the fact that she was created by donor sperm. As the school friends began turning on each other, and Ramona's determination to discover who her father was ramped up, Deb and Quinn were having problems of their own. What would be the outcome for these three different women?
The Work Wives by Aussie author Rachael Johns is written in the author's usual inimitable style, but proved to be a disappointment for me. I have thoroughly enjoyed much of Ms Johns' previous works but this one was straight chick lit, which isn't my favourite genre. I also found it overly long. But having said that, I'll definitely be checking out the author's next offering and I know many others will love this book - it just wasn't for me unfortunately.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
The Work Wives by Aussie author Rachael Johns is written in the author's usual inimitable style, but proved to be a disappointment for me. I have thoroughly enjoyed much of Ms Johns' previous works but this one was straight chick lit, which isn't my favourite genre. I also found it overly long. But having said that, I'll definitely be checking out the author's next offering and I know many others will love this book - it just wasn't for me unfortunately.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2022
Two and a half stars.
This book is told from the points of view of Debra, Deb’s 15 year old daughter Ramona and Deb’s work friend Quinn. Deb has sworn of men after an abusive relationship with a man in New York. When she found out she was pregnant,Deb knew she had to leave and keep the child well away from the father. So she moved back to Australia. Since then she has been protective of her privacy and Ramona's. But Ramona, who has recently gained a scholarship to a Sydney private girls' school, is at that age where she wants more freedom. Ramona also is desperate to make friends and not be the outsider and picked on as she was at her previous school.
Quinn is almost the opposite from Deb, as she flits from man to man and various online dating apps looking for ‘ The One.’ When Oscar Darke arrives to work at The Energy Company, where Deb and Quinn work, his arrival fills Quinn with great joy and hope but fills Deb with fear.
Sadly, I could not relate to any of the characters, which though not a prerequisite for enjoying a book it certainly helps. I found much of the behaviour and conversations of 42 year old Deb and 27 year old Quinn immature in many respects. As a result I never felt involved in the story with characters I really didn’t care about. They never felt real to me.
Some of the secondary characters were interesting though, especially Quinn’s elderly neighbour and Tristan who Deb meets. And Ramona comes across more strongly than either Deb or Quinn.
Although I enjoyed some aspects of this book, which deals with friendship, love, loyalty, parenting, bullying and abuse, overall it was too long, relied too much on coincidences and towards the end became soap operaish and hard to believe. Yet, I am sure there will be plenty of readers who will enjoy it. It just didn’t work for me. Maybe I am the wrong age for this novel to appeal? So, give it a go if it sounds like your kind of book.
Thanks to Better Reading and HQ fiction for my copy which I won to read and review.
This book is told from the points of view of Debra, Deb’s 15 year old daughter Ramona and Deb’s work friend Quinn. Deb has sworn of men after an abusive relationship with a man in New York. When she found out she was pregnant,Deb knew she had to leave and keep the child well away from the father. So she moved back to Australia. Since then she has been protective of her privacy and Ramona's. But Ramona, who has recently gained a scholarship to a Sydney private girls' school, is at that age where she wants more freedom. Ramona also is desperate to make friends and not be the outsider and picked on as she was at her previous school.
Quinn is almost the opposite from Deb, as she flits from man to man and various online dating apps looking for ‘ The One.’ When Oscar Darke arrives to work at The Energy Company, where Deb and Quinn work, his arrival fills Quinn with great joy and hope but fills Deb with fear.
Sadly, I could not relate to any of the characters, which though not a prerequisite for enjoying a book it certainly helps. I found much of the behaviour and conversations of 42 year old Deb and 27 year old Quinn immature in many respects. As a result I never felt involved in the story with characters I really didn’t care about. They never felt real to me.
Some of the secondary characters were interesting though, especially Quinn’s elderly neighbour and Tristan who Deb meets. And Ramona comes across more strongly than either Deb or Quinn.
Although I enjoyed some aspects of this book, which deals with friendship, love, loyalty, parenting, bullying and abuse, overall it was too long, relied too much on coincidences and towards the end became soap operaish and hard to believe. Yet, I am sure there will be plenty of readers who will enjoy it. It just didn’t work for me. Maybe I am the wrong age for this novel to appeal? So, give it a go if it sounds like your kind of book.
Thanks to Better Reading and HQ fiction for my copy which I won to read and review.
November 29, 2022
The Work Wives is the twenty-sixth novel by Australian author, Rachael Johns. While it’s not her dream career, being payroll officer at The Energy Co keeps the bills paid and a tiny bit extra for single mother Debra Fast and her fifteen-year-old daughter. But now, thanks to a scholarship, a new exclusive eastern suburbs school, and the influence of new friends, Ramona seems to be transforming from sweet and compliant to rebellious and demanding.
What really worries Debra is Ramona’s foray into social media, necessary, she claims, to connect with her new friends. Debra has always been wary, worried that Ramona’s psycho father might track them down. Ramona is blissfully unaware, believing the donor-sperm story her mother told her, although she has wondered. A classmate’s suggestion of a DNA website is irresistible.
Due to numerous moves, Debra and Ramona have a close relationship which the girl is now finding a bit claustrophobic. Deb’s only real friend, apart from her daughter, is the woman she dubs her “work wife”, Quinn Paladino, whose addiction to dating apps does initially make her come across as a bit shallow, immature and flakey, although it’s soon clear her intentions are good.
In an unexpected turn-about, an old magazine prompts Quinn to take a break from the apps and try to find The One by more traditional methods; meanwhile, Deb is convinced, very reluctantly, to try her luck with a dating app, much to Ramona and Quinn’s enthusiastic approval and support. How will her first date with Tristan the vet turn out?
And then lives are turned upside down when a new Sales Manager starts at The Energy Co: someone Quinn, after an earlier chance encounter, would like very much to know better; someone Deb never wants to see again.
The Work Wives is an effective illustration of how the best-intentioned secrets may require lies and deception when there is a lack of trust; when the lies are exposed, is the relationship strong enough to withstand the sense of betrayal? Maybe honesty really is the best policy?
Johns populates her novel with quite a large cast, many of whose behaviour may see them appealing to under forties readers rather than those older. Ramona’s teenaged friends, Elijah and Lucy often showed more maturity that the “adults”.
She challenges the main protagonists with quite a number of issues: social isolation, peer group pressure, bullying, trust, domestic violence and coercive control, single parenting, online dating, and sexual discrimination. The story is, perhaps, longer than it needs to be, and the resolution relies heavily on a rather too well used trope. Johns can usually be relied on for an excellent read, but this is not her best work.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harlequin Australia.
What really worries Debra is Ramona’s foray into social media, necessary, she claims, to connect with her new friends. Debra has always been wary, worried that Ramona’s psycho father might track them down. Ramona is blissfully unaware, believing the donor-sperm story her mother told her, although she has wondered. A classmate’s suggestion of a DNA website is irresistible.
Due to numerous moves, Debra and Ramona have a close relationship which the girl is now finding a bit claustrophobic. Deb’s only real friend, apart from her daughter, is the woman she dubs her “work wife”, Quinn Paladino, whose addiction to dating apps does initially make her come across as a bit shallow, immature and flakey, although it’s soon clear her intentions are good.
In an unexpected turn-about, an old magazine prompts Quinn to take a break from the apps and try to find The One by more traditional methods; meanwhile, Deb is convinced, very reluctantly, to try her luck with a dating app, much to Ramona and Quinn’s enthusiastic approval and support. How will her first date with Tristan the vet turn out?
And then lives are turned upside down when a new Sales Manager starts at The Energy Co: someone Quinn, after an earlier chance encounter, would like very much to know better; someone Deb never wants to see again.
The Work Wives is an effective illustration of how the best-intentioned secrets may require lies and deception when there is a lack of trust; when the lies are exposed, is the relationship strong enough to withstand the sense of betrayal? Maybe honesty really is the best policy?
Johns populates her novel with quite a large cast, many of whose behaviour may see them appealing to under forties readers rather than those older. Ramona’s teenaged friends, Elijah and Lucy often showed more maturity that the “adults”.
She challenges the main protagonists with quite a number of issues: social isolation, peer group pressure, bullying, trust, domestic violence and coercive control, single parenting, online dating, and sexual discrimination. The story is, perhaps, longer than it needs to be, and the resolution relies heavily on a rather too well used trope. Johns can usually be relied on for an excellent read, but this is not her best work.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harlequin Australia.
December 13, 2022
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**4.5 stars**
The Work Wives by Rachael Johns. (2022).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 3 November 2022**
Work wives Debra and Quinn are opposites but each other's lifelines as they navigate jobs that pay their bills. They are also friends outside of work. Quinn is addicted to dating apps and desperate to find love, Deb has sworn off men and only close to her teenage daughter Ramona. But Ramona is beginning to push boundaries. Life becomes complicated by the arrival of a new man at the office - one of them is attracted to him, the other hoped never to see him again. But when Deb, Quinn and Ramona are forced to choose between friends, love and family, the ramifications run deeper than they could have expected.
Honestly, I always know that if a book is from this author I'm going to enjoy it and there was no surprises here as it was a fabulous read. The concept of a 'work wife' is no doubt a familiar one to many readers as I would suspect many of us have a colleague that we rely on to get us through the day. The differences in Quinn and Deb's age and life circumstances is a realistic portrayal of how through work we can develop close relationships with people who seem like a polar opposite to ourselves. The perspectives alternate between Deb, Quinn, and Deb's 15-year-old daughter Ramona who was a quirky young lady. The storyline covers some darker concepts such as bullying and domestic violence, peppered with lighter moments.
Overall: happily recommend this novel, another great story from this author.
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**4.5 stars**
The Work Wives by Rachael Johns. (2022).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 3 November 2022**
Work wives Debra and Quinn are opposites but each other's lifelines as they navigate jobs that pay their bills. They are also friends outside of work. Quinn is addicted to dating apps and desperate to find love, Deb has sworn off men and only close to her teenage daughter Ramona. But Ramona is beginning to push boundaries. Life becomes complicated by the arrival of a new man at the office - one of them is attracted to him, the other hoped never to see him again. But when Deb, Quinn and Ramona are forced to choose between friends, love and family, the ramifications run deeper than they could have expected.
Honestly, I always know that if a book is from this author I'm going to enjoy it and there was no surprises here as it was a fabulous read. The concept of a 'work wife' is no doubt a familiar one to many readers as I would suspect many of us have a colleague that we rely on to get us through the day. The differences in Quinn and Deb's age and life circumstances is a realistic portrayal of how through work we can develop close relationships with people who seem like a polar opposite to ourselves. The perspectives alternate between Deb, Quinn, and Deb's 15-year-old daughter Ramona who was a quirky young lady. The storyline covers some darker concepts such as bullying and domestic violence, peppered with lighter moments.
Overall: happily recommend this novel, another great story from this author.
October 22, 2022
Teenager Ramona is the progeny of a sperm donor, that’s what her mum Deb has always told her, told everyone in fact, even her bestie at work Quinn. Although the women are different in so many ways, they regard themselves as work wives, making the work day brighter for each other at The Energy Co. Quinn is single and 27, Deb a 42 year old single parent; Quinn dresses brightly, Deb is subdued; Quinn has thousands of Instagram followers, Deb avoids social media entirely; Quinn is dating app avid, Deb shuns men.
Ramona has started at a new school in Sydney for it’s fashion course: she has a passion for vintage clothes, old tv shows and retro music. Adopted by the cool girls is a social breakthrough, but she is paired with outcast stutterer Lucy for her major assignment. With Ramona’s life becoming hectic, Deb feels lonely and middle aged, a burden on her daughter. Maybe signing up to a dating site, anonymously, isn’t such a bad idea.
After taking a tumble whilst roller skating, Quinn is assisted by handsome ‘Handbag Dude’ who immediately steals her heart. He has fulfilled one of the ‘129 Ways to Get a Husband’ 1950’s magazine article tactics, and her neighbour Mrs D found her husband of 60 years in a similar manner.
Deb and Quinn make a deal: 5 dates for Deb and a dating app detox for Quinn. They’re both happily on track until the arrival of the newest manager at work, Oscar Darke. Quinn is ecstatic, but it’s the beginning of Deb’s nightmare. There’s DNA test confusion, Mrs D’s inability to divulge neighbourhood memories, and the betrayal felt by those who believed the old (and the new) white lies. Bullies and budgies, ferris wheel first kisses, a dog called Snoodles and hidden talents add to the twisty mix.
Get your skates on before the fallout from the truth catches them all up.
Thanks to Better Reading and HQ Fiction for a copy to review.
Ramona has started at a new school in Sydney for it’s fashion course: she has a passion for vintage clothes, old tv shows and retro music. Adopted by the cool girls is a social breakthrough, but she is paired with outcast stutterer Lucy for her major assignment. With Ramona’s life becoming hectic, Deb feels lonely and middle aged, a burden on her daughter. Maybe signing up to a dating site, anonymously, isn’t such a bad idea.
After taking a tumble whilst roller skating, Quinn is assisted by handsome ‘Handbag Dude’ who immediately steals her heart. He has fulfilled one of the ‘129 Ways to Get a Husband’ 1950’s magazine article tactics, and her neighbour Mrs D found her husband of 60 years in a similar manner.
Deb and Quinn make a deal: 5 dates for Deb and a dating app detox for Quinn. They’re both happily on track until the arrival of the newest manager at work, Oscar Darke. Quinn is ecstatic, but it’s the beginning of Deb’s nightmare. There’s DNA test confusion, Mrs D’s inability to divulge neighbourhood memories, and the betrayal felt by those who believed the old (and the new) white lies. Bullies and budgies, ferris wheel first kisses, a dog called Snoodles and hidden talents add to the twisty mix.
Get your skates on before the fallout from the truth catches them all up.
Thanks to Better Reading and HQ Fiction for a copy to review.
February 1, 2023
The Work Wives is narrated through three very different, yet connected, women. Debra, a single mum in her early 40's, Quinn, a 27 year old dating app addict and Ramona, Debra's 15 year old daughter.
Debra and Quinn work together and are best friends.
When the tall and handsome new Director of Sales is introduced Quinn is instantly keen to get to know him better, only Debra already knows him, they have history.
Being a SAHM for decades now I'd never heard the term 'work wives' but I enjoyed the pair's work antics with emails and meet-ups in the photocopy room. I liked that Johns included an age-gap friendship between Debra and Quinn and how they encouraged each other to do things differently. But it wasn't all plain sailing between them, there was also plenty of friction which kept the story interesting. I also enjoyed the generational friendship between Quinn and her elderly neighbour. Quinn really was an exceptional character, young and full of life but also caring and a little lost.
With themes of romance, misogyny, bullying, teenage dramas, cancel culture, gaslighting, friendship and social media Rachael Johns has packed a lot of drama into The Work Wives. It's a long book but it moves along at a fast pace.
It might come across as a little contrived but I loved it anyway and couldn't put it down, reading late into the night.
My only let down was the plot twist - I may have even groaned.
I loved that it was set in my home town of Sydney, with lots of local landmarks, and I think Rachael did a fabulous job of the setting.
I received my copy from the publisher.
Debra and Quinn work together and are best friends.
When the tall and handsome new Director of Sales is introduced Quinn is instantly keen to get to know him better, only Debra already knows him, they have history.
Being a SAHM for decades now I'd never heard the term 'work wives' but I enjoyed the pair's work antics with emails and meet-ups in the photocopy room. I liked that Johns included an age-gap friendship between Debra and Quinn and how they encouraged each other to do things differently. But it wasn't all plain sailing between them, there was also plenty of friction which kept the story interesting. I also enjoyed the generational friendship between Quinn and her elderly neighbour. Quinn really was an exceptional character, young and full of life but also caring and a little lost.
With themes of romance, misogyny, bullying, teenage dramas, cancel culture, gaslighting, friendship and social media Rachael Johns has packed a lot of drama into The Work Wives. It's a long book but it moves along at a fast pace.
It might come across as a little contrived but I loved it anyway and couldn't put it down, reading late into the night.
My only let down was the plot twist - I may have even groaned.
I loved that it was set in my home town of Sydney, with lots of local landmarks, and I think Rachael did a fabulous job of the setting.
I received my copy from the publisher.
December 30, 2022
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
I was so excited for a new Rachael Johns release. The Work Wives is an entertaining and delightful domestic drama with some dark themes. It’s a huge book at a little over five hundred pages.
This is a story of friendship and dating and centres around three single women. We have single mum Deb, her teen daughter Quinn and Deb’s good friend in the office and ‘work wife’ Ramona who is a polar opposite to Deb and much younger.
There’s themes of bullying, early onset Alzheimers, family, parenting, dating and social media.
I loved how Deb’s daughter Quinn was obsessed with everything vintage and adored her beautiful friendship with Mrs D an elderly neighbour.
When a dreamy new manager is employed at their workplace, Ramona is besotted with him but Deb’s life is turned upside down and her deception and lies come back to haunt her.
This story has a bit of everything and very different to other books I have so far read by Johns. A fun and absorbing read.
Publication Date 03 November. 2022
Publisher HQ Fiction Australia
Thank you so much Harlequin Australia for sending me this book to review.
I was so excited for a new Rachael Johns release. The Work Wives is an entertaining and delightful domestic drama with some dark themes. It’s a huge book at a little over five hundred pages.
This is a story of friendship and dating and centres around three single women. We have single mum Deb, her teen daughter Quinn and Deb’s good friend in the office and ‘work wife’ Ramona who is a polar opposite to Deb and much younger.
There’s themes of bullying, early onset Alzheimers, family, parenting, dating and social media.
I loved how Deb’s daughter Quinn was obsessed with everything vintage and adored her beautiful friendship with Mrs D an elderly neighbour.
When a dreamy new manager is employed at their workplace, Ramona is besotted with him but Deb’s life is turned upside down and her deception and lies come back to haunt her.
This story has a bit of everything and very different to other books I have so far read by Johns. A fun and absorbing read.
Publication Date 03 November. 2022
Publisher HQ Fiction Australia
Thank you so much Harlequin Australia for sending me this book to review.
October 15, 2022
Thank you Harlequin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Well it’s that’s time of year again when we get excited and the countdown begins for a new Rachael Johns release.
The Work Wives is a clever, entertaining and jubilant read with shades of domestic drama and easily earns its badge of five stars.
Quinn and Deb are best friends in and out of the office.
Spending their days together and surviving work life in a busy company.
They are there for each other, a shoulder to lean on and an ear to vent to.
In their personal lives, Deb, who has sworn off men, is navigating the world with a fifteen year old daughter Ramona, who has her own issues at school.
Quinn is obsessed with dating apps, finding Mr Right and falling in love with the perfect man.
Complications arise when a new work colleague walks through the door…….
A new set of problems follow, with one thinking she has just met the man of her dreams and the other hoping she would never see him again.
A leader across multiple genres and one of this country’s great storytellers, Rachael rules the contemporary fiction / life lit / women’s fiction category with another book that will have you screaming from the rooftops of it’s greatness.
Taking the chance many years ago to start writing this genre has certainly paid off, as the books continues to elate the reader and this story definitely has the wow factor.
There’s no doubt, Rachael has this magnificent flair for writing about female friendship and topical issues and the two make for a fiery and fierce combination.
Rachael really sets the scene in the very first chapter, I was intrigued and excited to dig deep and stick my nose in this book.
The Work Wives is a classic read from an author who I have come to admire and love the work of.
Well it’s that’s time of year again when we get excited and the countdown begins for a new Rachael Johns release.
The Work Wives is a clever, entertaining and jubilant read with shades of domestic drama and easily earns its badge of five stars.
Quinn and Deb are best friends in and out of the office.
Spending their days together and surviving work life in a busy company.
They are there for each other, a shoulder to lean on and an ear to vent to.
In their personal lives, Deb, who has sworn off men, is navigating the world with a fifteen year old daughter Ramona, who has her own issues at school.
Quinn is obsessed with dating apps, finding Mr Right and falling in love with the perfect man.
Complications arise when a new work colleague walks through the door…….
A new set of problems follow, with one thinking she has just met the man of her dreams and the other hoping she would never see him again.
A leader across multiple genres and one of this country’s great storytellers, Rachael rules the contemporary fiction / life lit / women’s fiction category with another book that will have you screaming from the rooftops of it’s greatness.
Taking the chance many years ago to start writing this genre has certainly paid off, as the books continues to elate the reader and this story definitely has the wow factor.
There’s no doubt, Rachael has this magnificent flair for writing about female friendship and topical issues and the two make for a fiery and fierce combination.
Rachael really sets the scene in the very first chapter, I was intrigued and excited to dig deep and stick my nose in this book.
The Work Wives is a classic read from an author who I have come to admire and love the work of.
Read
August 5, 2022Fans of Rachael John's will love this book. It's got all her trademark feels : friendship, modern-life dilemmas and romance, surrounded by the treasure that is women supporting women. Kick back and enjoy.
December 1, 2022
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The Work Wives is the latest release from West Australian author Rachael Johns. This new contemporary fiction title from Johns is a drama filled women’s fiction opera, that looks at the power of female friendships, family ties, the search for love and the recovery process after significant trauma. A wise, discerning and entertaining tale, The Work Wives is a great addition to the Rachael Johns collection.
Meet Debra and Quinn, two ladies who are work buddies and close friends. They are each other’s saviours, in a world where they are faced with constant challenges such as relationship issues, money woes and parenting problems. Quinn is a lonely single woman, who would love to meet a new man, while Deb would much rather keep a distance from any man. Deb is a devoted mum and she keeps her teenage daughter close, but lately Deb’s daughter Ramona is trying to break the rules. Deb and Quinn’s lives are thrown upside down by a newcomer at their workplace and this new team member challenges both women. As Deb, Quinn and Ramona wrestle with their changed feelings and emotions, their lives will put to the ultimate test. How will this trio deal with the new challenges they each face?
Australia’s top cat of contemporary women’s fiction and life lit returns with a whopping big saga. The Work Wives is a five-hundred-page plus chronicle, that simultaneously shares the lives of three female characters. These three key cast members are faced with a set of challenges to overcome as the story gradually unfolds. Impassioned, realistic and rousing, I enjoyed getting to know the cast of The Work Wives.
Using a shared form of narration, The Work Wives darts in and out of the viewpoints of two close work friends and the teenage daughter of one of these women. I was glad to have met these characters on the pages of The Work Wives and it was a real pleasure to follow their various challenges as the story progressed. Johns has done a great job of depicting the intimate relationships that exist between two work colleagues and friends, along with her teen protagonist. The shared form of narration allows us to get quite attached to these three main cast members and experiences the high emotions associated with the issues they face individually. I really appreciated the combined sequences between Debra, Quinn and Ramona too, it added to the story. The dialogue was authentic and engaging, working effectively to draw the reader into the often-familiar world Johns has created for her characters.
Johns is quite ambitious with this particular release and I felt that The Work Wives covers some tenuous ground. From domestic matters, abuse, workplace politics, parenting, bullying, social media, online dating and emotional manipulation, Johns is unafraid of tackling some big issues. The canopy theme of female friendship seems to be the glue that holds this set piece together, highlighting a genuine female bond that draws together our leads. There is a touch of love as always in The Work Wives, which is handled well by this highly experienced romance author. Sensitive, intuitive and on target, I’m sure many loyal fans and of course newcomers will revel in The Work Wives. This is a long one and I do admit to reading it in fits and starts which probably wasn’t the best way to approach Johns’ latest release. Please set aside a good chunk of reading time for this one!
The Work Wives is another ardent and inspiring tale from Australia’s leading lady of general contemporary fiction.
The Work Wives is the latest release from West Australian author Rachael Johns. This new contemporary fiction title from Johns is a drama filled women’s fiction opera, that looks at the power of female friendships, family ties, the search for love and the recovery process after significant trauma. A wise, discerning and entertaining tale, The Work Wives is a great addition to the Rachael Johns collection.
Meet Debra and Quinn, two ladies who are work buddies and close friends. They are each other’s saviours, in a world where they are faced with constant challenges such as relationship issues, money woes and parenting problems. Quinn is a lonely single woman, who would love to meet a new man, while Deb would much rather keep a distance from any man. Deb is a devoted mum and she keeps her teenage daughter close, but lately Deb’s daughter Ramona is trying to break the rules. Deb and Quinn’s lives are thrown upside down by a newcomer at their workplace and this new team member challenges both women. As Deb, Quinn and Ramona wrestle with their changed feelings and emotions, their lives will put to the ultimate test. How will this trio deal with the new challenges they each face?
Australia’s top cat of contemporary women’s fiction and life lit returns with a whopping big saga. The Work Wives is a five-hundred-page plus chronicle, that simultaneously shares the lives of three female characters. These three key cast members are faced with a set of challenges to overcome as the story gradually unfolds. Impassioned, realistic and rousing, I enjoyed getting to know the cast of The Work Wives.
Using a shared form of narration, The Work Wives darts in and out of the viewpoints of two close work friends and the teenage daughter of one of these women. I was glad to have met these characters on the pages of The Work Wives and it was a real pleasure to follow their various challenges as the story progressed. Johns has done a great job of depicting the intimate relationships that exist between two work colleagues and friends, along with her teen protagonist. The shared form of narration allows us to get quite attached to these three main cast members and experiences the high emotions associated with the issues they face individually. I really appreciated the combined sequences between Debra, Quinn and Ramona too, it added to the story. The dialogue was authentic and engaging, working effectively to draw the reader into the often-familiar world Johns has created for her characters.
Johns is quite ambitious with this particular release and I felt that The Work Wives covers some tenuous ground. From domestic matters, abuse, workplace politics, parenting, bullying, social media, online dating and emotional manipulation, Johns is unafraid of tackling some big issues. The canopy theme of female friendship seems to be the glue that holds this set piece together, highlighting a genuine female bond that draws together our leads. There is a touch of love as always in The Work Wives, which is handled well by this highly experienced romance author. Sensitive, intuitive and on target, I’m sure many loyal fans and of course newcomers will revel in The Work Wives. This is a long one and I do admit to reading it in fits and starts which probably wasn’t the best way to approach Johns’ latest release. Please set aside a good chunk of reading time for this one!
The Work Wives is another ardent and inspiring tale from Australia’s leading lady of general contemporary fiction.
September 27, 2022
For fans of Rachael Johns, her latest book The Work Wives will no doubt be an enjoyable romp through the land of romantic semi-comedy, but for me it was, sadly, very much like drinking a mouthful of tea when I was expecting coffee. I like tea, and I like coffee, but when you exchange one for the other without warning it becomes disappointing.
So where did my disappointment stem from. The book was nicely written, but for me it didn't stand up to the title or even the description. I was happy to read it because I thought I would be able to find some touchpoints from my working life. However, there was very little office politics (as promised) or even anything about the actual work they did - one worked in payroll and one in marketing, but that was as far as we delved into their workplace.
The story began with a teaser, then went in to one long flashback. The 'Work Wives' were just two friends, one with a daughter, and the book gave three points of view of the three female protagonists - one of them a teen - who didn't exactly qualify as a workwife. She had an overprotective mother for a 15 year-old, who on the one hand needed a 'baby sitter' and social media restrictions, while on the other was able to develop a relationship with a boy down the road, which didn't make sense to me.
For my taste, there were too many convenient and probably implausible coincidences which were used to bind the story together and lead to the necessary eventual outcome.
I was also a bit disturbed that a reference to school bullying amongst teens saw a threat like - why don't you kill yourself/I hope you die - never being properly addressed and the 'mean girls' simply got away with their bullying on account of having unloving upbringings. Such terrible consequences from this kind of bullying amongst teens should really have come with a trigger warning, as should references to partner violence.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Rachael John's The Work Wives for an honest review.
So where did my disappointment stem from. The book was nicely written, but for me it didn't stand up to the title or even the description. I was happy to read it because I thought I would be able to find some touchpoints from my working life. However, there was very little office politics (as promised) or even anything about the actual work they did - one worked in payroll and one in marketing, but that was as far as we delved into their workplace.
The story began with a teaser, then went in to one long flashback. The 'Work Wives' were just two friends, one with a daughter, and the book gave three points of view of the three female protagonists - one of them a teen - who didn't exactly qualify as a workwife. She had an overprotective mother for a 15 year-old, who on the one hand needed a 'baby sitter' and social media restrictions, while on the other was able to develop a relationship with a boy down the road, which didn't make sense to me.
For my taste, there were too many convenient and probably implausible coincidences which were used to bind the story together and lead to the necessary eventual outcome.
I was also a bit disturbed that a reference to school bullying amongst teens saw a threat like - why don't you kill yourself/I hope you die - never being properly addressed and the 'mean girls' simply got away with their bullying on account of having unloving upbringings. Such terrible consequences from this kind of bullying amongst teens should really have come with a trigger warning, as should references to partner violence.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Rachael John's The Work Wives for an honest review.
November 8, 2022
Rachael Johns books are always a nice escape from the darkness and murder that usually graces the pages of the books I read. The Work Wives was a fun story of female friendships of all kinds.
I have worked with many great women in my working life. You spend so much time at work these days that it is important to have a good relationship with those that you spend your days with. I have been in my current job for 9 years this month and I have the best work family. We talk about everything and bounce ideas of each other all day. And we have becomes friends outside of the office as well. We were all there for each other when the pandemic hit. We laugh together, we cry together.
In The Work Wives we meet Deb and Quinn who could not be much different. They met at the photocopier and became firm friends. Quinn is single and addicted to dating apps. Deb is a single mother of a teenage girl and has sworn off men. Ramona is the teenage daughter and she has the struggles of a new kid in school, along with being a teenage girl. These 3 women face some big life challenges and changes, with each other by their sides.
This is a fun read, but does have some darker themes running through it. You will get attached to these women and want things to go right.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia and Better Reading for my advanced copy of this book to read. The Work Wives is out now.
I have worked with many great women in my working life. You spend so much time at work these days that it is important to have a good relationship with those that you spend your days with. I have been in my current job for 9 years this month and I have the best work family. We talk about everything and bounce ideas of each other all day. And we have becomes friends outside of the office as well. We were all there for each other when the pandemic hit. We laugh together, we cry together.
In The Work Wives we meet Deb and Quinn who could not be much different. They met at the photocopier and became firm friends. Quinn is single and addicted to dating apps. Deb is a single mother of a teenage girl and has sworn off men. Ramona is the teenage daughter and she has the struggles of a new kid in school, along with being a teenage girl. These 3 women face some big life challenges and changes, with each other by their sides.
This is a fun read, but does have some darker themes running through it. You will get attached to these women and want things to go right.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia and Better Reading for my advanced copy of this book to read. The Work Wives is out now.
October 30, 2022
The story opens with best friends Debra (Deb) and Quinn attending an after work staff meeting. There they are introduced to a new male manager, Oscar, who subsequently brings complications for the friends. Quinn wants to marry him and have his babies, while Debra wants to avoid him at all costs. After his introduction the story goes back to three months prior to the staff meeting and gives us a back story of what was happening up to this point. Then the story returns to post introduction and progresses from there with hidden secrets from the past coming out into the open with a twist that I didn’t see coming quite the way it did.
Quinn is playing the field, she is obsessed with dating aps and arranges many dates each week - sometimes a few on the same day - she commits to no one determined that the best person is the next one. On the other hand Deb doesn’t date at all because Deb is a single mum to 15-year-old Ramona (who was my favourite character) Ramona’s father was a sperm donor and has never been part of the family.
While Quinn gives up her mindless dating and actively hunts Oscar, Deb resigns from her job to avoid the stress of having to work with him but decides to tentatively dip her toes in the dating pool. But it is Ramona’s story that had me turning the pages. She starts a new school and is befriended by the cool kids - all filthy rich - who cause her to question her past and search for her sperm donor father. Ramona needs the strength to work out who to be friends with, deal with bullying, and like her mother tiptoe into having a boy that is a friend. Author, Rachael Johns, has brought a living breathing vulnerable teen into her pages with all the confidence and insecurities that comes with such a being.
So any negatives? Well only one, which is a case of “it’s not you it’s me” at over 500 pages I found it a long read. Again I enjoyed the story but I struggle with books over 400 pages - this was a marathon read for me and evidence of how well written and compelling the story was to keep my attention.
With thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for my copy to review
Quinn is playing the field, she is obsessed with dating aps and arranges many dates each week - sometimes a few on the same day - she commits to no one determined that the best person is the next one. On the other hand Deb doesn’t date at all because Deb is a single mum to 15-year-old Ramona (who was my favourite character) Ramona’s father was a sperm donor and has never been part of the family.
While Quinn gives up her mindless dating and actively hunts Oscar, Deb resigns from her job to avoid the stress of having to work with him but decides to tentatively dip her toes in the dating pool. But it is Ramona’s story that had me turning the pages. She starts a new school and is befriended by the cool kids - all filthy rich - who cause her to question her past and search for her sperm donor father. Ramona needs the strength to work out who to be friends with, deal with bullying, and like her mother tiptoe into having a boy that is a friend. Author, Rachael Johns, has brought a living breathing vulnerable teen into her pages with all the confidence and insecurities that comes with such a being.
So any negatives? Well only one, which is a case of “it’s not you it’s me” at over 500 pages I found it a long read. Again I enjoyed the story but I struggle with books over 400 pages - this was a marathon read for me and evidence of how well written and compelling the story was to keep my attention.
With thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for my copy to review
November 10, 2022
Thank you Harlequin Australia for sending me a copy of this book to review. Rachael Johns, your sense of humour shines through this book and I love it. For me this book was all about relationships. Family, work , adult love teenage love, and also adult and teenage friendships. It has relatable characters who you fell like you know them personally. I was engaged from the very first page to the last page. The ending was superb and I loved the twist. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I hope you do too.
December 2, 2022
Told from three perspectives, The Work Wives took me a little while to get into but once hooked, I couldn’t put this book down. Lies, secrets, trust, fear, anxiety, friendship and bullying all drive the plot. Single mother Debra Fast lives with a massive secret and the fear that a psychopathic ex-boyfriend will find her. She’s insular, cautious about making friends and very protective of her 15 year-old daughter Ramona. Deb’s best friend, 27 year-old Quinn, is almost her polar opposite. She’s bright, bubbly, and gregarious and spends much of her time on social dating sites swiping left and right. Deb’s daughter Ramona has just started a new school when the story opens and she’s anxious to be accepted and liked by her peers. Shes also desperate to find her father.This is a complex plot in which each of these women finds at least their happy for now, while also discovering their inner strengths. This book is a bit of a divergence from the usul for Rachael Johns, yet it makes for compelling reading. Five well-deserved stars.
October 2, 2022
I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of The Work Wives from Net Galley. In keeping with their terms, I am unable to post a full review just yet. I will say though that I thoroughly enjoyed it. More to follow.
October 2nd Full review.
Where would we be without our female friends? Deb and Quin are unalike and yet they share a treasured friendship. When we spend so much time at work it’s good to have allies. Friends who will tell us when we are out of line or being self-destructive. Deb challenges Quin to do something she doesn’t want to do. In response, Quinn issues a challenge of her own. These take each woman out of her comfort zone. Deb’s teenage daughter Ramona is demanding more freedom, but Deb has reservations about how far she is willing to let Ramona go. Each is searching for something, love, security, family and belonging. Secrets and lies have a way of being exposed. Can everyone have a happy ending? Rachael Johns has produced another pacy and pleasing page-turner.
October 2nd Full review.
Where would we be without our female friends? Deb and Quin are unalike and yet they share a treasured friendship. When we spend so much time at work it’s good to have allies. Friends who will tell us when we are out of line or being self-destructive. Deb challenges Quin to do something she doesn’t want to do. In response, Quinn issues a challenge of her own. These take each woman out of her comfort zone. Deb’s teenage daughter Ramona is demanding more freedom, but Deb has reservations about how far she is willing to let Ramona go. Each is searching for something, love, security, family and belonging. Secrets and lies have a way of being exposed. Can everyone have a happy ending? Rachael Johns has produced another pacy and pleasing page-turner.
November 1, 2022
I’m wincing as I write this review because I am a longtime fan of Rachael Johns, especially her rural romances, but I was disappointed with the The Work Wives.
Mostly because of the plot, though I can’t be specific at the risk of revealing spoilers. I felt the major elements hinged on coincidences that were too contrived, and it had a twist that any crime reader generally regards as a mistake. (And I know this isn’t crime, but it bothered me anyway.) I also found it unnecessarily long at over 500 pages.
I wasn’t that enamoured with two of the main characters either to be honest, though I’m not entirely sure why. Since meeting at the company photocopier, Debra Fast and Quinn Paladino have become good friends, sharing coffee breaks, dim sum lunches, and office gossip. They are friendly outside of work too, but 27-year old Quinn is busy swiping right in a desperate search to find ‘The One’, while 40- something-year-old single mum Deb is content to spend every night at home with her teenage daughter, Ramona. I certainly had sympathy for Deb’ and her history of trauma, I could also empathise with her struggle to accept the change in her relationship with her daughter. Quinn is fun with her ever changing hair colour, and I love that she roller skates everywhere. I also really liked the relationship she formed with her elderly neighbour. Ramona was the strongest character for me. I thought Johns portrayed her teen attitude and ssues authentically.
I’m sure I’ll be in the minority in not really enjoying The Work Wives, I’m still a fan of Rachael Johns, just not of this particular book as a whole.
Mostly because of the plot, though I can’t be specific at the risk of revealing spoilers. I felt the major elements hinged on coincidences that were too contrived, and it had a twist that any crime reader generally regards as a mistake. (And I know this isn’t crime, but it bothered me anyway.) I also found it unnecessarily long at over 500 pages.
I wasn’t that enamoured with two of the main characters either to be honest, though I’m not entirely sure why. Since meeting at the company photocopier, Debra Fast and Quinn Paladino have become good friends, sharing coffee breaks, dim sum lunches, and office gossip. They are friendly outside of work too, but 27-year old Quinn is busy swiping right in a desperate search to find ‘The One’, while 40- something-year-old single mum Deb is content to spend every night at home with her teenage daughter, Ramona. I certainly had sympathy for Deb’ and her history of trauma, I could also empathise with her struggle to accept the change in her relationship with her daughter. Quinn is fun with her ever changing hair colour, and I love that she roller skates everywhere. I also really liked the relationship she formed with her elderly neighbour. Ramona was the strongest character for me. I thought Johns portrayed her teen attitude and ssues authentically.
I’m sure I’ll be in the minority in not really enjoying The Work Wives, I’m still a fan of Rachael Johns, just not of this particular book as a whole.
October 8, 2022
The Work Wives by Rachael Johns is a marvellous read!
Absolutely loved the story and the characters.
The story is centred around a single mother, Deb and her teenage daughter, Romona and Deb’s friend at work, Quinn (hence the title work wives). The characters are well developed and interesting as is their interrelationships. This is about friendships, about seeking love and dealing with families; it is also about bullying amongst teenagers, frustration at having to work in a job you aren’t passionate about, about violence against woman and the role of technology in our lives especially social media and dating apps.
This was an easy read that kept me interested and intrigued as the plot got more and more complicated with unexpected twists.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from Harlequin Australia via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheWorkWives #NetGalley
Absolutely loved the story and the characters.
The story is centred around a single mother, Deb and her teenage daughter, Romona and Deb’s friend at work, Quinn (hence the title work wives). The characters are well developed and interesting as is their interrelationships. This is about friendships, about seeking love and dealing with families; it is also about bullying amongst teenagers, frustration at having to work in a job you aren’t passionate about, about violence against woman and the role of technology in our lives especially social media and dating apps.
This was an easy read that kept me interested and intrigued as the plot got more and more complicated with unexpected twists.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from Harlequin Australia via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheWorkWives #NetGalley
August 27, 2022
Wow. Lucky I have 2 maths to think about what to say
So many different elements to this one and quite a few little twists.
Some.6 degrees of separation and a lot of topical behaviour... I could relate to a lot of the social media with teens
So many different elements to this one and quite a few little twists.
Some.6 degrees of separation and a lot of topical behaviour... I could relate to a lot of the social media with teens
August 14, 2023
This book is a gem! A really refreshing story (especially in between some tough topics) and I really really fell in love with the 3 main characters
Single mum Deb is extremely overprotective of her 15 year old daughter Ramona who up until now has been quite happy to stick to her mums rules and live a quiet life. Quinn is Deb’s best friend who she met at work, she is young and looking for her dream man and is addicted to dating apps
The story is told from each ladies perspective as Ramona starts at a new school and Deb & Quinn’s work life is thrown upside down when a new guy is hired at work.
A really great mix of friendship, family, humour, romance, drama and emotion.
Single mum Deb is extremely overprotective of her 15 year old daughter Ramona who up until now has been quite happy to stick to her mums rules and live a quiet life. Quinn is Deb’s best friend who she met at work, she is young and looking for her dream man and is addicted to dating apps
The story is told from each ladies perspective as Ramona starts at a new school and Deb & Quinn’s work life is thrown upside down when a new guy is hired at work.
A really great mix of friendship, family, humour, romance, drama and emotion.
September 30, 2024
Another engaging life lit novel by Rachael, this time exploring the relationship between Debra and Quinn AKA The Work Wives.
Loved the stories and language in this novel especially with the third character Ramona who was Debra’s daughter, who was the subject of bullying by the mean girls at school, loved the teenage speak!
There was a real twist in this novel that I never saw coming which made it all the more enjoyable when it was revealed, love books like this.
Can this woman do no wrong? - another great story - well done Rachael 😀
Loved the stories and language in this novel especially with the third character Ramona who was Debra’s daughter, who was the subject of bullying by the mean girls at school, loved the teenage speak!
There was a real twist in this novel that I never saw coming which made it all the more enjoyable when it was revealed, love books like this.
Can this woman do no wrong? - another great story - well done Rachael 😀
August 29, 2022
I was gifted an ARC by Rachael Johns & Anthea Hodgson, and boy am I thankful!
The Work Wives is Rachael's latest offering introducing us to Debra, Quinn & Ramona, two friends who developed their relationship through their workplace, Ramona is Debra's talented teenage daughter. As the story develops, you fall in love with their characters and storylines, even the "villain's" are loveable characters, with their own back stories.
The plots and twists woven throughout the book, throw spanners in what you are lead believe, or what you think is going to happen. Well played Rachael!!!!
The Work Wives is Rachael's latest offering introducing us to Debra, Quinn & Ramona, two friends who developed their relationship through their workplace, Ramona is Debra's talented teenage daughter. As the story develops, you fall in love with their characters and storylines, even the "villain's" are loveable characters, with their own back stories.
The plots and twists woven throughout the book, throw spanners in what you are lead believe, or what you think is going to happen. Well played Rachael!!!!
August 16, 2022
Rachael Johns has again delivered another wonderful story, probably her best to date in the women's fiction genre. A story of friendship, facing the past, and opening yourself up to the future; the three POV characters (Debra and her 15-year-old daughter Ramona, and Deb's workmate, Quinn) are engaging and each has their own story to tell. Throw in a bit of mystery and tension and you have yourself a page-turning drama that is hard to put down.
September 19, 2022
ARC read
I haven't read any of Rachael's other books, so cannot compare this book to her other work. I loved the pace of this book and could have read it in 1 day if I had the time. I went in with no expectations and enjoyed the read being set in Australia too.
Following the 3 perspectives of the characters really gave time for us to get to know Deb, Quinn and Ramona as they navigated through life, love and relationships. Deb being a single mum centred her world around her daughter Ramona and went to great lengths to protect her daughter. At first I thought it was a bit much, comparing Deb to my own experiences with my mum, but you find out during the read why she did what she did. Reading Ramona's experience was very relatable to when I was a teenager wanting to be my own person, sometimes not listening to my mum and arguing with her at times. I did love Quinn's personality as she was very bright and vibrant, and you could see her getting along with most people. I think the first half of the book, we really got to know these characters.
I did find Deb annoying at times, then felt bad when you find out her reasons as to why as it's due to her trauma. With Deb's trauma, it really is a trigger warning for anyone who has had to deal with a narcissistic, manipulative and controlling partner. When she thought she was running into her past, she also dealt with it by using alcohol, so might not be for everyone to read. It really highlighted some of the issues that us women face and how we may or may not deal with a situation because of fear, not having the right support from authorities, or even just solely being a woman and not being heard. This read was good in that it showcased these ladies dealing with every day life but also dealing with some sensitive subject matter that impacts women.
I loved Quinn as she befriended her neighbour for selfish reasons but in the end became good friends. I liked how Ramona decided to embrace her differences if that meant she didn't fit in with popular school kids. As Deb expanded her life beyond just her daughter, it really showed her growth.
Overall, I enjoyed the read and will check out more from the author.
I haven't read any of Rachael's other books, so cannot compare this book to her other work. I loved the pace of this book and could have read it in 1 day if I had the time. I went in with no expectations and enjoyed the read being set in Australia too.
Following the 3 perspectives of the characters really gave time for us to get to know Deb, Quinn and Ramona as they navigated through life, love and relationships. Deb being a single mum centred her world around her daughter Ramona and went to great lengths to protect her daughter. At first I thought it was a bit much, comparing Deb to my own experiences with my mum, but you find out during the read why she did what she did. Reading Ramona's experience was very relatable to when I was a teenager wanting to be my own person, sometimes not listening to my mum and arguing with her at times. I did love Quinn's personality as she was very bright and vibrant, and you could see her getting along with most people. I think the first half of the book, we really got to know these characters.
I did find Deb annoying at times, then felt bad when you find out her reasons as to why as it's due to her trauma. With Deb's trauma, it really is a trigger warning for anyone who has had to deal with a narcissistic, manipulative and controlling partner. When she thought she was running into her past, she also dealt with it by using alcohol, so might not be for everyone to read. It really highlighted some of the issues that us women face and how we may or may not deal with a situation because of fear, not having the right support from authorities, or even just solely being a woman and not being heard. This read was good in that it showcased these ladies dealing with every day life but also dealing with some sensitive subject matter that impacts women.
I loved Quinn as she befriended her neighbour for selfish reasons but in the end became good friends. I liked how Ramona decided to embrace her differences if that meant she didn't fit in with popular school kids. As Deb expanded her life beyond just her daughter, it really showed her growth.
Overall, I enjoyed the read and will check out more from the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2022
Another great read from Rachael Johns! I only discovered Rachael’s books 18 months ago and have been gradually working my way through her backlist. THE WORK WIVES is my fourth Rachael Johns book!
In her contemporary fiction, Rachael has a real knack for writing about female friendships and this absolutely shines through in THE WORK WIVES, which offers wonderful escapism with a look at some darker themes too. I actually thought this book was going to take a slight turn into thriller territory at one point, but Rachael’s humour and heart (which you feel in all her work!) kept the read light while the mystery element had me turning pages swiftly.
At 500+ pages, THE WORK WIVES is a big book but readers won’t notice that at all. Once I got started, the pages flew by and I was captured by the story of the three women and their relationships at the heart of THE WORK WIVES. Happily recommend this book to lovers of Australian contemporary fiction!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
In her contemporary fiction, Rachael has a real knack for writing about female friendships and this absolutely shines through in THE WORK WIVES, which offers wonderful escapism with a look at some darker themes too. I actually thought this book was going to take a slight turn into thriller territory at one point, but Rachael’s humour and heart (which you feel in all her work!) kept the read light while the mystery element had me turning pages swiftly.
At 500+ pages, THE WORK WIVES is a big book but readers won’t notice that at all. Once I got started, the pages flew by and I was captured by the story of the three women and their relationships at the heart of THE WORK WIVES. Happily recommend this book to lovers of Australian contemporary fiction!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 5, 2022
The Work Wives by Rachael Johns is the latest standalone by the popular West Australian author. I enjoyed much of this novel about two women - work friends, but very different and at very different stages of their lives.
I think I expected the novel to be more centred around workplace relationships and friendships and office politics. But the ‘work’ side of things features very minimally. Deb and Quinn’s workplace serves more as a backdrop and vehicle for the introduction of a character who engenders very different reactions from the women.
I appreciate that Johns always tackles some complex themes, but I think she tries to do too much here, but of course realise this may appeal more to others.
3.5 stars
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
I think I expected the novel to be more centred around workplace relationships and friendships and office politics. But the ‘work’ side of things features very minimally. Deb and Quinn’s workplace serves more as a backdrop and vehicle for the introduction of a character who engenders very different reactions from the women.
I appreciate that Johns always tackles some complex themes, but I think she tries to do too much here, but of course realise this may appeal more to others.
3.5 stars
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
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