A funny, sharp, and heartfelt novel about love, marriage, and what happens when you start to wonder whether the life you have is the one you want.
 
In Wife 22, Melanie Gideon captures modern marriage with humor, heart, and a keen eye for truth. Blending traditional storytelling with emails, Facebook messages, and surveys, the novel perfectly mirrors 21st-century relationships — full of longing, laughter, and miscommunication.
 
After twenty years of marriage, Alice Buckle feels invisible. Her kids are growing up, her husband is distracted, and her spark seems to have dimmed. When she’s invited to participate in an anonymous online marriage survey, she begins answering questions that force her to confront her deepest desires — and she finds herself unexpectedly drawn to the researcher known only as “Researcher 101.” What follows is an honest, witty, and tender exploration of what it means to love, commit, and rediscover yourself.
 
As Alice’s secret online exchanges deepen, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about her husband — and herself. Both playful and poignant, Wife 22 is a smart, feel-good novel that asks whether we can fall in love again with the same person after years of familiarity.
 
With its clever structure and emotional honesty, Gideon’s debut novel strikes a perfect balance between romantic comedy and genuine insight into modern life.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A witty, modern take on marriage and midlife reinvention.
Smart and relatable characters with real emotional depth.
Unique storytelling through emails and messages.
Blends humor, warmth, and introspection.
Ideal for fans of Where’d You Go, Bernadette and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Readers who love character-driven women’s fiction.
Book clubs exploring love, family, and identity in the digital age.
Fans of romantic comedies with emotional honesty.
Anyone who’s ever wondered about second chances in love.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed Wife 22, you might also like:
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell — online communication and unexpected connection.
Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner — mystery and humor in suburban life.
The One That Got Away by Bethany Chase — rediscovering love and purpose.