There are two time lines in the story and this works well. We get to know Nellie and Richard from the 1950s and watch the progress of that unhappy marriage. At the same time we learn about Alice and Nate in the modern day and the secrets working on their relationship. They are linked by the house, which Alice and Nate move into. At first the house seems to resist Alice, until she finds Nellie’s recipe book and letters. The quotes at the head of each chapter about the correct ways for wives to comport themselves were quite horrifying and I can’t be sure they are real. When Alice uncovers a more sinister, even dangerous, side to Nellie’s marriage, and has become increasingly dissatisfied with her own relationship, she begins to take control of her life and protect herself with a few secrets of her own. Soon Alice learns that while a Baked Alaska may seem harmless, Nellie’s secrets may have been anything but. As Alice cooks her way through the past, she realizes that within the pages Nellie left clues about her life. But when she finds a vintage cookbook buried in the basement, she becomes captivated by its previous owner: 1950s housewife Nellie Murdoch.

See? We're told you we are good at this whole gifting thing.When Alice Hale leaves a career to become a writer and follows her husband to the New York suburbs, she is unaccustomed to filling her days alone in a big, empty house.

This list includes a bunch of last-minute gifts that can still arrive in time with expedited shipping. Even if the big day managed to sneak up on you this year (we're not judging), don't stress. There are gifts for women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. Seriously, any of these ideas will work for Mother's Day, her birthday, Christmas, your anniversary or just because. We spend hours making sure everything we pick here will surprise and delight, no matter what you're shopping for or when.

Why? Because Good Housekeeping been a leading brand in testing products for over 100 years, and we've used similar criteria when it comes to gift giving. Well, our curated list of best gift ideas for wives will kind of, sort of, no, definitely, be the #1 place. Her gift needs to be as unique and special as she is - but where to start even finding something like that? She's by your side through everything and a huge source of support, all day, every day. Your wife does so much for you, so it's always a challenge when the time comes to pick out the best gift for her.

Recipe for a perfect wife