Published July 2013 by Amy Einhorn/Putnam
Source: my copy courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Publisher's Summary:
Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive. . . .
Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.
My Thoughts:
That secret? It comes out relatively early in the book and won't come as a terribly big surprise when it does. But the book's not really about John Paul's secret. It's about marriage, family, love, temptation, guilt, grief and discovering what you would do if you thought everything you had could be lost in an instant.
Some of The Husband's Secret is a bit predictable, some of it is a bit over the top, and some of it while make you want to shake some of the women. But it made me think. What would you do if doing the right thing meant your children's lives would be forever changed for the worse? What would you do if you thought the police would never arrest the person you were sure murdered your child? Could you forgive the betrayal of those you are closest to? There is a lot of darkness in the book but Moriarty mixes in some wit, the story of Pandora's box, and the history of the Berlin Wall (which, surprisingly, does not feel out of place at all). I raced through this book, eager to find out how the lives of each of these women would work out, caring as much about these characters as Moriarty clearly does.
Book clubs, The Husband's Secret is a terrific book club read - so much to discuss!
I really need to read this one! Amy Einhorm always comes out with great books.
ReplyDeleteThis book has been on my wishlist seemingly forever! The book sounds like a great read and I'm dying to find out what his secret is!
ReplyDeleteI read this one for a book group and it proved to be a good one for discussion, I agree! I agree with everything you've said here, really. It really did make me look at myself and wonder what I would do it I were in those women's shoes.
ReplyDeleteOne of those books that I've been meaning to read forever.
ReplyDeleteI have heard good things about all of Liane Moriarty's books but I've never quite been interested in them. I'm still on the fence, but actually added a book to my TBR recently. I will be checking it out soon - I think it was What Alice Forgot.
ReplyDeleteI listened to this one on audio and the narration was fantastic!
ReplyDeleteIn spite of your comments about being predictable and/or over the top, your questions have me intrigued. I'll watch my library for this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm always curious why all these books deal with the man having some secret, or screwing up in a royal way.
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