Well I didn’t see that ending coming. I thought I knew where this story was going the whole way, and I wasn’t wrong on some things. I just didn’t see the twist.

Some of the book was terrific and I couldn’t stop reading. Others I didn’t find plausible.

I listened to the audiobook. The narrators did a great job. I especially liked the female narrator. The subtle change she made for the character after she stopped taking medication was well played. She gave a more manic undertone to the character.

I listened to this audiobook and really enjoyed the duel narration by Natalie Duke and Wayne Mitchell.

It is so hard to give a review here without giving too much away.

This was an interesting read. I was kept interested throughout the whole story. I listened to this book twice and last night when I reread it, I was up until 3 am listening to it. It was a while since I listened to it the first time but it still kept me interested. I could remember bits and pieces but I couldn’t remember everything or the ending.

While the story has some points that make me question it. There are still enough it kept me interested.The gaslighting by the husband and the kidnaping is interesting.

The ending was interesting and didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed the Cara’s ending but not sure I would handle things in the same why.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good kidnapping story or psychological thriller.

There are themes of kidnapping, toxic relationship, cheating, and mental health. If any of those may be a trigger for you, skip this one.

Cara and Michael are parents to two little girls. Michael takes the girls on a weekend camping trip and Cara is planning to enjoy some time to herself. But one of the girls is kidnapped while on the trip. Michael and Cara are desperate to find their daughter, but for completely different reasons. As Cara continues her search for her daughter, she discovers all kinds of secrets that will change her life.
I found The Secret Wife to be interesting and fast paced. The ending was a definite surprise.
I was given an ARC of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#netgalley
#thesecretwife
#emilyshiner

Thank you Dreamscape, Emily Shiner, and Netgalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. You go between Michael, The Husband, and Kara, The wife’s perspective. I love stories that do this. The narration was well done and kept you wanting for more. The story line was well written and keeps you intrigued. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 solid stars.

Okay, what? What did I just read! That plot twist though! Like when it was revealed, I just stared at my phone, in complete disbelief. I thought I liked out MC, Michael, who seems to be the hurt man who lost his ex wife and mother of his first child. Sounds heartbreaking, right? yeah, well that's what I thought, too. Until it wasn't sweet at all, and I hated his guts. Thought he was the scum of the earth. I felt so bad for Cara, his current wife. Michael, If that is his real name (read this one to find out if he's who he says he is!) is full of secrets and lies, and he is the most awful person.

This one was a whirlwind, and I devoured it. It was so gripping, and I needed to know more and understand what was happening with each turn of the page.

Emily Shiner was a new to me author, and this one made me want more of her writing! Now, off to look up her backlist of books!

Thank you to netgalley, and Emily Shiner for the advanced listener copy. My thoughts and opinions are my own!

This book was interesting and kept me invested throughout. I didn't love it, but I did like it. I would recommend this novel.

(3.5)
This was good. It moved at a decent enough pace and the end was great. It’s a good slightly above middle of the road thriller that reads fast.
Cara is really looking forward to a weekend alone. She absolutely loves her girls and her husband but rarely gets down time. So when Michael takes the girls on a camping trip she is ready to relax. Realizing that one of her daughters forgot her all important toy though she decides she better drop it off or no one will get peace!
When Cara arrives things turn into a nightmare for everyone. Her daughters have been taken deep into the forest! One is returned safely, the other is still missing.
Cara and Michael search frantically for their little girl but it soon becomes apparent that this is no random act. The little girl's disappearance is connected to some deeply hidden secrets that are about to be brought to light.
As the search progresses, Cara starts to wonder just how much she knows her husband and how much she can trust him. Is she just being paranoid or could there be more to it?
This was definitely one that kept you reading it. You may be able to figure out a good bit of it but maybe not. I’m not a big one to figure things out right away because I sort of like the surprises that pop up but even with that there were parts that were more obvious than others.
I would still recommend this because the writing is good and you do read with anticipation for how it’ll all turn out. The very end was quite good as well.
I received an audio version of this book from NetGalley and the narrators are both fantastic. There is one for Cara and on for Michael. They worked out great for this story.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Woah i was on the edge of my seat this entire book! would read again and recommend!

There was enough going on to grab and keep my attention to finish but was not an outstanding book. I liked the premise just didn't feel it really hit the mark.

This thriller grabbed my attention and kept it throughout. The ending was slightly convoluted and unbelievable, but the first half kept me on the edge of my seat. The conclusion was surprising and added to my enjoyment. Not the best, but definitely not the worst. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my audiobook.

This was a super fast read. If you like Emily's other books you will love this one too. I must admit it was a bit fantastical, but I could not stop turning the pages fast enough. I just started reading this author before Christmas and have finished almost all her books already. She knows how to bring you into the story and not let go until the very end. Definitely recommend this author. Enjoy

Fun fast paced thriller. Will definitely recommend to friends and will look to read more from this author.

So I was really into this book in the beginning, but honestly after awhile it sort of fell flat with me. I would still recommend this read, but I sort of wanted more towards the very very end. Still looking forward to more books from this author!

I really liked this book! I found it to be a great thriller that kept me guessing the whole time. I never really thought I knew the ending, and I was definitely surprised! You won’t be disappointed!

I had A really hard time getting into this one. I dont Think the narrator worked for this story. I also Felt that the story lacked key details or substance. I needed more…. Some of the plot twists worked, and the others lacked execution. I also Wish the characters were more likeable and had some development by the end. Thanks for letting me listen.

Enjoyment: 3.5
Total rating: 3.79
Deduction: 1

The Secret Wife is a fast-paced, soapy, twisty thriller. I had a blast following this story. Cara is a great main character, and Shiner added just enough unreliability and gaslighting to keep the readers on their toes.

I feel there was a missed mark on mental health that borders harmful, but with that said, I particularly loved how Cara's relationship with her stepdaughter was portrayed, showing unconditional love. Most thrillers go the route of somewhat strained relationships within blended families, and this was fresh and welcomed change.

I listened to the audiobook gifted to me by Dreamscape Media in exchange for an honest review as I read the e-book. Not only is this my preferred method of reading, but I felt it was necessary with this book. I'll start off by saying that overall I loved Natalie Duke and Wayne Mitchell's narration. They had great chemistry and impeccable pacing. But one of their narration choices made it hard for me to easily follow the story - they were each the narrators of a different PoV, which is very fair. But what confused me was that Mitchell read Cara's and the children's voices in Michael's chapter, and Duke read Michael's and the children's in hers.

Disclaimer: In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to the publishers and NetGalley for providing a copy of The Secret Wife

I read this book in one setting. I was on the edge of my seat several times while immersed in this story. This story is a fast paced domestic thriller with a surprise ending.
Thanks NetGalley for the audio eARC.

this was definitely a good read in the beginning. it pulled me in quick & had my attention while i was driving. i felt towards the last quarter of the book though things slowed down quickly & i started to lose interested. i wanted to know how it ended or else it may have ended up as a dnf for me.

I found this one entertaining but it didn’t leave a lasting impression for me. I really liked the storyline and I truly empathize with one main character while hating the other there was just nothing super insane about it. Maybe that was the author’s purpose which in that case, it did a fantastic job. It kept me entertained and I was excited to listen to it every chance I got. I was surprised by the ending but not in an OMG way, more in an “Oh that’s interesting” type way. I think it’s an easy read and probably good for someone who wants to dip their toes into the thriller genre without being too creeped out by the whole story.

This review has been posted to goodreads, Barnes & Noble and will be posted to my instagram account (@busywithmybooks_) within the week!

"I lost my puppy! Will you help me find it?"

"Dad said to stay!" Two little girls in a tent. One dad. Two daughters. One stranger. Where was he anyway?

In this marriage, it's hard to see who is the most despicable, Michael or Cara. He is such a control freak and so weird and she is willfully oblivious.

It's such a creepy weird story. It gets worse and worse.

Thanks to NetGalley for this audio book.