When young lawyer Lily marries Ed, she’s determined to make a fresh start. To leave the secrets of the past behind. But then she takes on her first murder case and meets Joe. A convicted murderer whom Lily is strangely drawn to. For whom she will soon be willing to risk almost anything.
But Lily is not the only one with secrets. Her next-door neighbor Carla may be only nine, but she has already learned that secrets are powerful things. That they can get her whatever she wants.
When Lily finds Carla on her doorstep sixteen years later, a chain of events is set in motion that can end only one way.
My Thoughts: Alternating narrators tell the story of My Husband’s Wife, a tale of so many flawed characters with secrets and lies that bind them together.
Lily was one I was rooting for, despite her painful and troubled past, most of which was revealed in bits and pieces…and then, finally, in greater depth at the end.
Carla was a child when we first met her, and I could feel a bit of sympathy for her, but the manipulative aspects of her personality overwhelmed me, and from then on, I was wary of her.
Joe Thomas was Lily’s first client, one she got off for murdering his fiancé. But life would throw some disconcerting curves her way as she came to realize more about him.
Ed, Lily’s husband, was despicable, in my opinion, as he loved controlling those around him, including and especially Lily, and when he showed so much disdain for her, I wanted bad things to happen to him. He did try to make amends at times, but I could not warm up to him at all.
What would ultimately allow some of these damaged characters to move on from the past? Would punishment help them do so?
A riveting and convoluted page turner that would finally bring a bit of clarity to this reader, while reminding us that we do not really know the people we love. 5 stars.
I’ve been seeing this book all over the place, but yours is the first review I’ve seen. I’m interested, but I may have to take a break from these types of books and insert a little bit of variety in my reading. They are all kind of beginning to run together for me. Ever have that happen? Maybe I ought to pick up a historical mystery next. And I’ll watch for this one at my library.
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Oh, yes, the details do blur after a while, but I can’t stop reading them! Thanks for visiting, Kay.
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This sounds like a good beach read! I just finished reading I See You today and was reminded of the same thing: we might not really know the people we love 🙂
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Yes, this is definitely a book to immerse yourself in. Thanks for stopping by, Mary.
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My thriller pile is starting to get ridiculous! This one sounds good and I like the different narrators and the whole secrets from the past idea. I like that Lily at least is likable because everyone else sounds just awful! I’ll have to look for this one!
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Yes, I was glad to have one character to root for…I hope you enjoy it, Katherine.
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This sounds like an interesting read.I am intrigued by the mix of characters,I already know that I won’t like Ed but let’s see :-)Definitely one for my TBR.
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Thanks for stopping by, Diana, and I enjoy reading books with characters I love to hate!
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Oh my a group of characters you love to hate. I know I’m like you when I really dislike a character who acts badly I want something to bring them their just deserts!!
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Exactly….and the emotions that are generated by characters like these help engage me. Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn.
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I have this one on my Kindle waiting for me. I’m happy to see it was a page-turning hit. I’ve a few you’ve recently reviewed in my pile to read next, so it looks like I’ll be a happy reader in the future.
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Thanks for stopping by, Kathy, and I hope you love it!
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Oh, this sounds wonderful from the characters to pacing. You know I love a good thriller and a five star needs to go on my TBR pile 🙂
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Thanks for visiting, Kimberly, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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Another superb review Laurel, I really did enjoy this one and all its secrets.
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Thanks, Cleo, and yes, I enjoyed the ride, even though it took me a while to really figure out some of the oddities…and all the secrets that were divulged in bits and pieces. I like that style, though.
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Seen this on several blogs. Sounds such an interesting book.
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Thanks for stopping by, Mystica, it was definitely a page turner for me.
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I’ve seen mixed reviews for this book but, from the description, I figured it had to be good. I’m glad to see you loved it!
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Thanks for stopping by, Kathy, and I definitely loved the reading experience with this book.
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This one does sound interesting. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Thanks, Martha, it was definitely an engaging journey. Enjoy your week!
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