The Charmed Wife

by Olga Grushin
The Charmed Wife cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Fantasy
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Waterstones
Paperback • £8.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 1309
  • Added: 2025-10-04
  • Updated: 2025-10-17
  • ISBN: 9781529346374
  • Published: 2021-01-21
  • Formats: 7
  • Reviews: 4

The Charmed Wife by Olga Grushin is a gripping and unsettling reimagining of the classic Cinderella tale. The story delves into the darker aspects of love, obsession, and the consequences of unchecked desires. The novel explores the psychological depths of its characters, particularly the stepmother, whose perspective offers a fresh and chilling twist on the familiar fairy tale. /n/n Grushin's rich prose and intricate plotting create a haunting atmosphere that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The novel challenges traditional notions of happily ever after, offering a thought-provoking exploration of power, manipulation, and the complexities of human relationships.

Reviews
Reddit - IReadABookAndAdoredIt · 2025-10-04
loved 4.50

The writing is beautiful, with vividly described worlds that immerse the reader. The reviewer loved the book for its enchanting and imaginative storytelling.

A Reddit reviewer from the IReadABookAndAdoredIt community expresses their love for The Charmed Wife, praising the author's gorgeous writing style. They are particularly impressed by the vividly described worlds that make the reader feel as if they are part of the story. The reviewer finds the book enchanting and imaginative, with a blend of fantasy and reality that is both captivating and thought-provoking. They highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and engaging read.

Quick quotes

    The writing is just gorgeous as well, the worlds that she creates are so perfectly described you feel as if you're there.

    I loved this!

    The blend of fantasy and reality is both captivating and thought-provoking.

Cannonball Read · debcapsfan · 2021-07-15
mixed 3.00

While some elements are enjoyable, the portrayal of Cinderella's naivety over the years can be painful to read. The book has moments of brilliance but also some challenging aspects.

Debcapsfan from Cannonball Read has mixed feelings about The Charmed Wife. They appreciate certain elements of the book, particularly the imaginative and dreamy style of the first half. However, they find the portrayal of Cinderella's naivety over the years to be painful and somewhat difficult to endure. The reviewer acknowledges the book's strengths, such as its thought-provoking imagery and humor, but also notes that it has some challenging aspects that may not appeal to all readers.

Quick quotes

    I did like certain elements of this book even though seeing Cinderella's naivete play out over the years is pretty painful.

    There is a section where the book really shines with its dreamy, fairytale style.

    The book has moments of brilliance but also some challenging aspects.

Sifa Elizabeth Reads · Sifa Elizabeth · 2021-01-22
intriguing 4.50

The reviewer is intrigued by the premise of Cinderella wanting to kill her husband and enjoys the exploration of what went wrong in their marriage. They find the story darkly comic and thought-provoking.

Sifa Elizabeth from Sifa Elizabeth Reads is drawn to the unique premise of The Charmed Wife, particularly the idea of Cinderella wanting to kill her husband. They find the exploration of the marriage's downfall to be compelling and appreciate the darkly comic elements of the story. The reviewer also highlights the thought-provoking nature of the narrative, which challenges traditional fairy tale endings. Overall, they find the book to be a fresh and intriguing take on a classic tale.

Quick quotes

    The premise of THE CHARMED WIFE is what initially hooked me – Cinderella deciding to kill her husband.

    I wanted to know what had gone wrong and how the story would unfold.

    The darkly comic elements and thought-provoking themes make this a standout read.

Culturefly · 2021-01-21
intriguing 4.00

The author's love for the tales she reimagines is evident, creating a blend of fantasy and reality that keeps readers guessing. The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking.

Culturefly's review highlights the author's evident love for the fairy tales she reimagines in this novel. The reviewer appreciates how Grushin weaves together fantasy and reality, creating a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The story's unpredictability and the author's skillful blending of genres are particularly praised. The reviewer finds the book to be a fresh and intriguing take on classic tales, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    There's a lot to like about The Charmed Wife.

    Grushin's love of the tales she toys with is plain to see.

    We never know which is going to win out, and that's part of the fun.

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