Wife After Wife

What would Henry VIII have been like if he lived in the modern era? Olivia Hayfield explores this question in her novel Wife After Wife. Henry becomes Harry Rose, the the heir of a mega-successful media empire. An orphan at a young age, he works his way up through the company until he is old enough to take over from his uncle. Handsome and charismatic, women find Harry as irresistible as he finds them. Katie Paragon, Ana Lyebon, Janette Morrissey, Anki from Cleveland, Caitlyn Howe, and Clare Barr are the ones lucky (or unlucky) enough to marry him.

Wife After Wife is a fun and thought-provoking exploration of the infamous six wives of Henry VIII, and their relationships with him. By placing these historical figures in a contemporary setting, they become more relatable and the reader can more easily imagine the struggles, motivations, joys, and grievances that led to the beginning and end of each marriage. Hayfield strikes a good balance between historical accuracy and a compelling narrative. For those familiar with history, it is entertaining to see how each figure is reimagined as a modern person, and for those who aren't it is still an interesting and enjoyable story. I hear there is to be a sequel, and I look forward to reading it!