Set in the Depression era in the deep South, this book gives you much to think about. Monroe brings you into that world in this captivating tale of greed and consequences. This book has drama, suspense, and small-town charm.
Once you pick up that book, you really cannot put it down!. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Having really enjoyed Mary Monroe’s prior Neighbors trilogy, I was excited to read Mrs. Wiggins, especially upon realizing it contained a similar dark energy, following largely morally gray characters. And just like that trilogy, this book was a ride, albeit a much more concise, succinct one, being a stand-alone novel.

Maggie is driven to escape the trauma in her past and marry into a respectable family and present that image, and it soon becomes apparent she’ll do literally anything to get it. And while I did not approve all her methods, like how she and her husband basically con another man into sleeping with her and unknowingly impregnating her, or removing obstacles in her way by murdering them, she is able to justify her actions in her own head, so you can resonate with her at least a little. But even though she is an unreliable narrator, there is an element of self-awareness in the way the narrative is presented, with a hint of irony in her presenting as this perfect church-going wife and mother, but being something completely sinister underneath.

And ultimately, while she is rewarded initially, things begin to fall apart for her in epic fashion, culminating in final chapters that were a gut punch as everything she had built came crumbling down, ironically due to circumstances of her own making.

This story also has a great feel for the Depression era in general, so in addition to getting a sense for why she would feel the need to resort to what she did, you get hints of things on Hubert’s side with his own secret of being homosexual in a time prior to it being fully accepted, as well as allusions to the racial climate of the time, with segregation.

I loved this book…it’s messed up and twisted, with undertones that highlight a lot of important issues. If you’re looking for a historical fiction book following a morally complex, yet still fairly sympathetic protagonist, I think you’ll like this one.

This book left me stunned! This is definitely a must read. Mary Monroe captured my attention from the first sentence and when the story ended I was left speechless. The measures Maggie was willing to take to resolve conflicts in her life was mind blowing. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a story that will pull you into it's pages and hold on to you long after the last sentence. I'm looking forward to reading more works by this author.
I just reviewed Mrs. Wiggins by Mary Monroe. #MrsWiggins #NetGalley

Another winner from the author!!! Maggie, a product of an ex prostitute mother and an alcoholic father longs for respect in her town. She has been friends with Hubert, the son of the town’s preacher since childhood, who has a secret. Both use each other via marriage to get what they both think will help them succeed in what they need/want. They decide that a baby is needed to make the marriage appear more legit. So, they come up with a plan to get Maggie pregnant. Things are fine until their son matures into a man and chooses the wrong woman to marry. How far will a mother go for her child? You have to read this book to find out. Sub characters are great in this book. They all bring a certain elements to the table. I was not expecting the ending but it did bring to mind the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it”. But they never said HOW it may come to you. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving this book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

I have listened to many books by Mary Monroe on CD for my monthly book club. She has become a favorite of the book club. She was present via telephone at one of the book discussions and she stated that her characters are based on her family. Can’t wait to listen to this one CD even though I have read it.

Mrs. Wiggins is a great story with some everyday characters. This story takes place in a small town in Alabama. Maggie is the product of a former prostitute and an alcoholic father. Hubert is Maggie’s childhood friends and both are the only child of their parents. Hubert is hard working, grew up in the church, parents are married, father is a pastor and one would say an awesome family.

Hubert and Maggie decide to marry at very young ages. They have secrets that they are doing their best to keep hidden.

There’s so much going on this book from murder, domestic violence, sexual abuse that will keep you turning the page and saying omg.

There is great word building, characters are typical, there’s mystery, family secrets and this book is definitely a page turner. Get your copy to find found

I received an ARC from Netgalley and I’m leaving a voluntarily review. Looking forward to reading more books from Mary Monroe.

I've never read any of the author's previous books, but I may have to check them out. Monroe crafted interesting, realistic characters. The ending was quite emotional and not quite what I expected. This book has a bit of everything, including drama, mystery, and small-town charm, though it was a bit slow to start, in my opinion.

Difficult topics are addressed, such as sexual abuse, domestic violence, secrets, murder, and racism. While I enjoyed Maggie and most of the storyline, some parts did seem a bit far-fetched.

Seventeen year old Maggie Franklin grew up in Alabama with an alcoholic father and her poor mother was once a prostitute. Hubert Wiggins is a respectable young man, her childhood friend, he works hard and goes to church. His parents are lovely, Leroy his father is a minister and his mother Clarice would make the ideal grandmother. Hubert has prospects, he’s quite the catch and they marry.

Hubert has a secret, one he needs to keep hidden and marrying Maggie is the perfect cover.
In fact Hubert and Maggie seem to be the ideal married couple and when baby Claude comes along they become a happy family. Maggie loves her son, her only child and she adores on him. When Claude falls in love with Daisy Compton, she totally unsuitable and Maggie isn’t happy. She’s never looked forward to having to share her son with another woman and let alone a floozy like Daisy.
Maggie has the perfect job working for the kind and generous Mrs. Dowler, when her employer’s brother moves in with her, Maggie knows he’s going to be a problem and make her life difficult.

Maggie’s a woman who needs to be in control, so when everything starts changing in her relationships with her son, Mrs. Dowler and Hubert and things begin to get out of hand with Maggie's behavior. This is when my interest in the story started to decline along with the books plot and I’m sorry to say I found it all a bit far fetched for me. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and I can only give it three stars.

This book to me is the best one I enjoyed reading out of all the books I have read by this author., even though I liked her books, that I have read in the past. The storyline takes place during the early 1900’s through the 1930’s era and some of the things that took place was taboo.
The two main characters Maggie and Hubert Wiggins grew up together as friends both were only children in their families. Maggie’s parents were from a hard background of growing up in an orphanage, her mother was a former prostitute and her father a alcoholic. Hubert’s parents were religious and his father a pastor of his church as generations before him.
Hubert and Maggie decide to marry at a young age because they both have secrets that they didn’t want their family and the people in their small town in Alabama to find out.
There is so much that happens in this storyline of sexual abuse, domestic violence, secrets, murder, racism, that this was a page-turner read for me and the ending I did not see coming. I don’t want to go into details because I don’t want to give any spoilers, so you will have to read this book to find out what happens. I highly recommend this book to read and you will not be disappointed.
Cassandra H.
I voluntarily received a arc from Netgalley and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts.

Maggie Franklin grew up in a toxic home, her mother was a prostitute and her family was an alcoholic.

Hubert Wiggins is a son of a preacher and Maggie's best friend.
Maggie and Hubert decided the best thing for them both to do is to get married to each other. Hubert is carrying a secret he desperately has to keep quiet. Maggie and Hubert soon become the town "it" couple completed with their son Claude.

Life was great until Claude fell in love with his Fiancee Daisy. This turns Maggie's world upside down and she refuses to let this woman take her son away from her, Maggie does her best to take control of her situation but soon many obstacles are thrown her way.

I can't deny it took me a while to get into this book sometimes, I felt annoyed with how the characters reacted to certain situations but I had to realize not only does this book take place in the deep it also was set in 1917.

However, when things took a turn I quickly began to like this book. I really enjoyed it. This was my first time reading a Mary Monroe book and I enjoyed how detailed her storytelling is. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my opinion.

I enjoyed this book very much. It was sad however that the whole story was based on a lie because of the stigma that was on homosexuality during that time period. To me, Maggie was a victim that got caught up in her own web. The book was good but sad at the same time.

I enjoyed reading this book as I have previously written books by this author. Her style of writing allows the reader to be drawn to each character as if you know them personally. I have been a fan of Ms. Mary Monroe since I read the “God Don't Like Ugly” series!

Monroe brings the Deep South world to life in this captivating tale of greed and consequences. This book has drama, suspense, and small town charm.

Maggie Franklin grew up in the kind of home where her father was an alcoholic and her mother a reformed prostitute. Her only way out was to marry her best friend and son of the town preacher, Hubert Wiggins. She knows Hubert's deepest, darkest secret and is willing to keep it when she agrees to be his wife.
Soon the Wiggins becomes the town's "perfect" couple, and their world is complete when they welcome a son, Claude. However, soon her perfect life begins to unravel and Maggie will do whatever it takes to preserve not just her lifestyle but also of those she loves and holds dear.
Whew! I finished this read in one day. Mary Monroe has done it again! She took me back in time to 1917. I was transported to a time of racism, stereotypes - that sadly are still relevant today. But, in addition to feeling like I was in 1917, Ms. Monroe created a complex character that was so diabolical...so twisted that I had to keep reading. Maggie went through some trauma that was depicted in a way that made you understand her plight and I could see the "why' behind her actions even if I wouldn't agree. Even as I loved how we were able to see how Maggie got to where she did,I found myself wondering how this was all going to end. The more disruptive her world and the more Maggie tried to fix it, was the more convoluted things become but I knew I had to keep going to see the conclusion of it all.
I loved the build-up and I thought this was some real good storytelling.
On another note, I absolutely loved the strong, beautiful woman on the cover.
#Netgalley

I really enjoy reading the books that Mary Monroe writes. They seem so real and interesting. I liked this book but I didn't like the ending. It was so heartbreaking. I think it could've ended better. Other than that I am looking forward to reading more of her books. I am grateful that netgalley let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Maggie Franklin knew the only way to raise her social standing was to marry someone upstanding and church-going. She was the daughter of a prostitute and an alcoholic father.

Hubert Wiggins, the son of a preacher, is the most eligible man in Lexington, AL.

The two marry and have a son, Claude. They are the most envied couple and live happily, until Claude meets his fiance, Daisy.

Taking place in the Deep South during the Depression, Maggie tries everything to keep her family together, no matter the cost.

I love Mary Monroe's novels, and so do my patrons. She is an exceptional storyteller, bringing to life this Southern town. I felt like I was right there with Maggie; the characters were well-developed. The storyline didn't feel rushed. Great way to spend my afternoon!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my opinion.