BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'His First Wife's Secret' by Emma Robinson.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Emma Robinson, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 15th April 2020.

This is the second book I have read by this author. The first book I read is called 'My Husband's Daughter' which I highly recommend!!

I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. I loved Emma Robinson's 'My Husband's Daughter' and am hoping this will be just as good. It also stated in the synopsis 'Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Susan Lewis and Jojo Moyes'.
I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult and Jojo Moyes so am looking forward to see if it loves up to this. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue, 45 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in London , UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Emily and Caroline. The benefits of third person perspective, especially with multiple person perspectives are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

'His First Wife's Secret' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Emma discusses death, depression, child loss and more.

Wow!!! Where to even begin?? Mind you it's hard enough to write this with blurry eyes through tears!! Oh yes, that emotional even I shed tears!!!

I want to start by saying that Emma Robinson is a very talented author and I cannot wait to get dug into even more of her books. She is definitely on par with several of my favourite authors including Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes and Nicholas Sparks and is also one of my favourite authors!!

The book itself is written so well that it reads so smoothly from chapter to chapter with brilliant descriptions and settings perfect for the scene. It really dragged me deep into the story until I came out the other end with tears streaming down my face. The stunning cover and the synopsis suited the storyline perfectly.

The storyline is absolutely heartbreaking and a real tear jerker. It is also an absolutely beautiful story of love, loss, guilt, heartbreak, secrets, friendship and family!! The fact that it goes from how Caroline feels and then moving to Emily's side is a perfect layout for this type of book as you get to really feel what each 'side' is going through. It was an absolute roller-coaster ride of emotions. There were so many moments where my heart was in my throat and so much was going through my mind, I can't say anymore as not to spoil it for future readers but once you have read this book you will know what I mean.

The characters are all realistic and described so well I really felt that I got to know them all. I loved that they were a mix and I enjoyed watching the relationships between each grow and develop. I admired Caroline's strength especially when the big secret was revealed. It was absolutely heartbreaking to find out what happened, especially as a mother myself, I can't say more as to not give too much away. However, I think the ending was absolutely perfect and I would LOVE to see this turned into a movie!!!! I also enjoyed 'meeting' Gabby and Faith who are beautiful people and anyone would be lucky to have friends like them. I had mixed feelings with Emily throughout but by the end I grew to like her and really felt for what she aslo had to go through.

Another HUGE success by Emma Robinson. If you have never read any of her books then what are you waiting for!!! Go and get one now!!! I especially recommend this one and 'My Husband's Daughter".

I would also like to add a thank you to Emma Robinson for bringing up the subject of depression in several forms in this book, especially post natal. I do believe that it needs to be openly talked about and the way it was weaved in the storyline was perfect. It is such an awful thing for anyone to go through and I truly believe that by putting it in this storyline it will help any readers who are either going through it themselves or if they know anyone going through it, then it will help them see the signs and get the help they need and know it is nothing to be ashamed off. Emma has either done alot of research or it is something she has gone through herself as her knowledge shines through which is important when talking about any form of mental health or illness in a book. I have seen so many authors include mental health or disabilities in books, not done their research and it completely spoils the storyline and actually done more damage than good to anyone living with thay condition, etc.

Overall an absolute page turning, tear jerking beautiful story of love, loss, regret, friendship, guilt and family.

Genres covered in this novel include Literary Fiction, Emotional Drama and Fiction amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Jojo Moyes, Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Picoult along with anyone looking for a tear jerker.


289 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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I loved this book! It was a heart-breaking, emotional story of two women connected by the one man they both married. Pete had been married to Caroline for more than 20 years, but their marriage fell apart following the death of their son Jamie. Emily is Pete’s second wife, but she is left pregnant and devastated when Pete tragically dies. Caroline and Emily are both great characters and for me, had their good points and bad. I could understand some of Caroline’s feelings towards Emily, being the new, younger, and pregnant, wife but I did think Caroline was quite domineering and controlling, and didn’t necessarily agree with what she thought and how she did things. Emily, for me, was the much more likeable character out of the two, and I really felt for her throughout. Of course, both women have their own secrets which come tumbling out later in the book, and everything regarding the two women becomes much clearer as the story moves on.

The story grabs you right at the very first page, and I wasn’t even a chapter in when I found I couldn’t put the book down. There are so many sensitive issues throughout – grief, mental health, postnatal depression to name a few – but the author does a fabulous job of dealing with these in a caring and thoughtful way. I love this author’s style of writing and the book is easy to read, switching between Caroline and Emily’s story throughout. It is an emotional read, and it does pull on your heartstrings, but at the same time it’s gripping and you find yourself waiting with bated breath to find out what secrets are being held. It was an absolutely wonderful book, filled with lies, secrets and ultimately friendship and forgiveness. I wholeheartedly recommend it!

This is my first book by Emma Robinson and it will not be my last by her. I really enjoyed the story and I liked Emily, Caroline and Pete’s storyline. Such a heartwarming story with lots of secrets and I had a hard time putting the book down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

This is a beautifully written tale about two women brought together by tragedy. The characters are well developed and very relatable. I enjoyed that this emotional story was told from both Caroline and Emily’s point of view. Caroline is easy to like and identify with. It took a while, but I also found myself sympathizing with Emily and her situation.

This story highlights the way women reach out and support one another, and the impact that small act can make.

Thank you Emma Robinson, Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.

This is another beautifully written story by Emma Robinson with characters who feel genuine. She writes their strengths and flaws, and actions and heartfelt reactions really well. I felt for both the two women who were the main characters, even though they were written from opposing points of view. It's an emotional read at times as it visits some subjects that are often skirted around, but although they are presented realistically, they are also covered with compassion. I think this book could help women unknowingly suffering with postnatal depression to recognise the symptoms and how to get help.
Highly recommend!

I did enjoy this read, a well written and absorbing book, I found Caroline to be amazing, such a generous and genuinely kind heart. Emily it naturally took longer to empathise with, but how both women dealt with awful tragedy and sadness was beautifully written.
Mental health and specifically post natal depression really should be discussed openly and this book does just that; if you can talk about how you feel to just one person it can open the door to healing, I had to do that myself
so it really resonated.
Overall a quite heart wrenching read but kindness and generosity shines through, along with forgiveness, I enjoyed this book very much.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the advance copy.

What a brilliant, well written emotional book this is, so beautifully told I just couldn't stop reading, it held my interest from the very beginning.

All the characters were so well described and I really enjoyed reading about Caroline and Emily and how their friendship developed. The ending to this emotional read was exceptionally good and I can definitely recommend this book, well done Emma I look forward to reading more from you.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this brilliant book.

A really lovely emotional story. Caroline 's marriage to Pete is over after a terrible accident happened to their son , but she doesn't expect him to marry again so quickly. But things are not going well and soon her and Emily Pete's new wife are drawn together in tragedy. This story is really well written and shows the depths of their struggles as Caroline tries to help Emily with her depression but they both have problems to overcome. Dont want to give anything away but things get very intense and lots of secrets come to light before they each come to terms with what's happened and try to put the past behind them.

Pete and Caroline have been married for two decades. He leaves and becomes involved with Emily. He divorced Caroline and married Emily. Emily is pregnant with Pete's baby, a son. This is devastating for Caroline. Her and Pete had lost their teenaged son in a horrible accident. Then Pete dies. Emily has no one to help her with the baby. No one except Caroline.
A thriller that keeps you guessing to the very end. Great read.
I was given this book to read and review by the publisher through Netgalley.
I enjoyed this book immensely.

A rollercoaster of emotions in this book. Emma has written with true depth about shattering life events.
Characters Caroline and Pete have a rocky marriage along with a much loved son at Uni. Until one day everything changes! The characters are vividly drawn with a totally believable storyline.
It's an easy read with so much happening between the pages you will need to keep turning them to find out what it is all about and most importantly...what is that secret?
Highly recommend this book.

My first book by this author and I was really impressed. A lovely tale of friendship happening in the unlikeliest of places as they both do what is best for the gorgeous little boy. Both married the same man at different times in their lives and the aftermath of what can happen. I recommend this book.

This is a story about a couple who lose there son in an accident and their relationship unravels. Caroline and Pete in dealing with their grief their relationship falls apart. After a while following their divorce Pete starts to stop by and it appears they are getting closer overtime. But Caroline is surprised to find out that Pete was not just dating Emily but they had gotten married and she is pregnant. Caroline is shocked and hurt and tells Pete to stop coming to see her.
Pete is killed in a car accident, leaving a pregnant Emily behind. Can Caroline help her? Will secrets destroy any chance for the woman to help each other?

Thank you to Netgalley for complimentary copy.

Caroline thought life couldn’t get any worse after she lost her son. To her dismay, her ex-husband, Pete, tells her that he has remarried and his wife is pregnant. Emily, the new wife, is younger than Pete and her pregnancy really isn’t going how she thought it would. She’s exhausted, depressed and sure something is going to go wrong. When the unthinkable happens, Caroline and Emily must figure out a way to make life work...together.
His First Wife’s Secret by Emma Robinson is a quick, easy read. Both women elicit sympathy and Robinson does a sensitive and realistic job of depicting Emma’s mental state. This was an emotional story, one that I believe many people will be able to relate to.

A beautifully written story of two woman. Both married the same man at different times in their and his life.
Having to pull together during a difficult time for both of them is exactly what this author is known for. Friendships and bonds where you least except it to form. A emotional journey written the only way you want to read it ..... by Emma Robinson
I recommend this book!

Thanks to Net Galley for preview read - this was first time I have read a book by this author. I love the style of this writing very concise and easy to read exploring the relationship and emotions between two women, Caroline (first wife) and Emily (second wife) who were married to Pete who sadly passed away. Add in the mixture of the loss of Caroline’s son and then the fact Emily has a baby by Pete and the emotions of these two women is high and a very strong bond is established.

I really enjoyed the book although quite sad in parts I enjoyed the way the different relationships and emotions of the two women were explored. A great tale of love support and friendship

My ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review of Emma Robinson His first wife’s secret. I finished this beautiful and emotional and heartbreaking read in almost one sitting and have had to wait a few days for the book hangover to subside before writing my review. This book was an absolute delight to read and the characters Caroline and Emily will also be relatable to so many people as will the themes that are covered in the book I won’t mention those here for fear of spoilers.

The story highlights how women reach out and support each other in difficult times and how friendship and kindness can make the world feel like a better place and how we all need the support of others sometimes even if we think we can go it alone

Emma Robinson has a real knack of writing about real life issues and sensitive topics from the heart and bringing them to the fore to highlight them to others and bring them out into the open and raise awareness of them in such a fabulous and talented way.

This book had me in tears for much of my reading so I suggest having some tissues close by while reading. I feel very lucky to have been able to read this book prior to publication thank you #netgalley for my ARC.

I am already excitedly waiting in anticipation for the next book Emma brings out.

I have never read anything by Emma Robinson before but I will certainly be looking out for her now. I have just finished the book and absolutely loved it. It felt very real, and thew up a whole heap of emotions, and left me in a turmoil.

Caroline was married to Pete. When their only son, Jamie, died Caroline found it very hard to cope with depression and Pete. Pete met Emily and Emily became pregnant and so Pete and Emily got married.

When Pete died leaving Emily pregnant, and alone, she ends up turning to the only person who understands her loss, for help - Caroline.

Throw in the secrets that the two wives are keeping, and the staunch best friends of Caroline who are always looking out for her, and Pete's parents who are not looking out for anyone, and you get a totally absorbing, emotional rollercoaster of a book that you won't want to put down.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3894432749

I never read another reader’s review before I start a new book. I am afraid that I will be influenced somehow by what they have written whether I want to or not. What I do do is checking some afterwards because I am curious to see how others experienced certain things. Often I agree with some of the remarques, sometimes I feel the opposite completely.
In this case I have to agree with all the comments already published on Goodreads when I finished the story (15/03).
The author has created a wonderful but very touching story. You feel every bit of pain, of love, of joy, of misery. It’s like you are dropped in the middle and you can see what’s happening first hand.
Every situation has been described in a way that feels so real picturing situations that could happen to each and everyone of us.
You can climb out of the deepest valley as long as you have some people you can count on to support you every step of the long and often slow journey.
Do you want to find out how two people who are totally different can be united by a tragedy and the love for a child, then you should pick up this book. 5 stars

Thank you, Emma Robinson and Bookouture

A beautifully written story that will have you reaching for the tissues, while it covers the subject of depression, there are light hearted moments in there and the support that Caroline has from her friends is amazing therefore giving her the ability to cope with the fallout and tragedy that happens. Emma Robinson is one of the newer authors that i have found lately and am looking forward to reading more of her books.

What a beautifully written book. This author has a wonderful gift in bringing some of the most difficult topics in to a book, embedding them in to the characters lives and bringing everything to life. I absolutely loved both Caroline and Emily, and really felt for both of them in their individual circumstances. Having experienced some of the issues in the book I felt touched personally, and feel the author handled these topics so well.

Absolutely wonderful book, beautifully written.