Review and Rating - The Housewife by Natalie Barelli
The Housewife
Natalie Barelli
Copyright 2026
345 pages
Our housewife‑turned‑menace did not come to play. Jodie arrived fully unhinged in the most delightful, “I have nothing left to lose except maybe my parole officer’s patience” way. I adore a revenge plot, especially when it’s led by someone who treats reoffending like a fun little hobby.
This book was a roller coaster — not the safe Disney kind, but the sketchy traveling carnival one that looks like it was assembled by a guy named Rusty who lost a finger doing it. It whipped, it dipped, it threw me through loops, and before I knew it, I was done, breathless, and wondering if I should be concerned about how much fun I had.
Fresh out of the slammer, Jodie is ready to avenge her sister’s “suicide.” Except she knows Roy did it. And instead of confronting him like a normal human over a latte, she decides to marry him and dismantle his life from the inside like a domestic Trojan horse. Is it the easiest path? No. Is it the most entertaining? Absolutely yes.
On the outside, she’s the perfect second wife — cooking, cleaning, smiling like she’s auditioning for a 1950s detergent commercial — much to the dismay of the long‑time live‑in housemaid who has the personality of a damp dishrag and the attitude of someone who thinks she invented domestic labor. On the inside, Jodie is hunting for proof Roy murdered her sister. The maid tries to get in the way, but Jodie? She’s built different.
And when she finally pieces it all together, she delivers the most revengous revenge known to mankind. The takedown? Chef’s kiss. Spoiler: the maid’s dead, the husband’s framed, and Jodie is out living her best life like she didn’t just orchestrate a murder‑mystery‑but‑make‑it‑real. Things happen. Sometimes those things are… bodies. Who can blame her.
Ultimately, this was such a fun read. I devoured every page. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a good twist, turn, or morally questionable protagonist. I’m not sure I want to be Jodie’s friend, though. I do enjoy a slice of perfectly baked cake, but I prefer mine without the possibility of hidden glass shards. So sorry, Jodie — I support you, but from waaaaay over here.
Read this book. The end.
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