There are several undisclosed book trigger warnings!! Please look them up before reading this book.

I would call this more of a domestic drama with a side of abusive relationships. I went into this novel expecting a thriller with crazy twists and secrets kept by the husband and the wife (Emily), and the mysterious prologue only furthered that conception.

Basically the novel is split between 3 timelines: the early 2000s, where Emily was in college; the 2010s where Emily went from one marriage to her second; and 2023, where Emily is being interviewed by a PhD student while behind bars for some unknown crime. The crime is slowly revealed in the drama of the 3 storylines and their eventual intersection.

I thought the character of Emily was enjoyably morally grey. So many terrible and traumatic things happened to her in her formative years, yet she did some not great things to people who loved her in return. Liam was the unlikeable villain that he was written to be, and I am content with the way his storyline ends.

My biggest qualm with this book was that the first and second halves felt like completely different novels. In the first part, Emily plays the part of a stay-at-home mother and housewife in a small suburban neighborhood. She has a husband, daughter and friends, and it seems really quiet. Then she randomly begins to do some not traditional housewife things and the story is derailed from there. The second half of the story explores her abusive and exploitive relationship with a man from her past. The two halves don't mesh well together at all, despite some attempts to make it a cohesive story, so it felt a bit jarring. Along with that, there were a couple storylines that felt thrown in for fun (Instagram pictures, friendship with Billie, even Anna sort of) that further took away from the main plot.

Overall this was an interesting domestic drama, but I wouldn't necessarily classify it as thrilling or mysterious. It's a quick read so it's a great book for in-between books in a series or to switch up your genres briefly.

How can a mother protect her daughter while her past is catching up to her. Emily is a wife mother who
Ho has a checkered past. Liam shows up in Emily’s life at a time when Emily is at crossroads in her marriage. She finds out her husband Pete is cheating on her with her friend Sarah his ex. Seeing Liam brings Emily back to her younger self.. being taken in by his charm his so called love for her., Telling her what to wear who she can hang with treating her roughly. Something isn’t right and Emily goes back for more abuse. It’s not until one horrible night at one of these parties that Liam and his associates run that everything falls apart. Emily realizes her life is a mess . How can she leave the man she loves?
Years later with her marriage falling apart Liam is back and Emily falls under his spell again. She marries him and then the truth comes out. Now how will she protect her daughter.
This was a very powerful book. I didn’t expect some of the twists. Yet I knew Emily would do anything to protect her daughter. Even if it meant prison. I felt bad for Emily because one man seduced her into a situation you didn’t understand. someone she trusted who turned on her and didn’t care what he did and who he hurt.
Thank you, NerGalley and Storm for the ARC. Thank you Ms de Winter for writing such a powerful story. Every woman should read this book . Once they do, it will stay with them like it has with me four stars.

Emily has the perfect life. The perfect husband. The perfect daughter. But she also has the perfect secret!! This book took me a minute to get through I kept coming back to it?! But in the end it was a fantastic read! It had great suspense, murder, mystery, a great who done it and some really crazy twists and turns! The story was very interesting and kept me glued to my kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and storm publishing for sharing this book with me!

Ohh what a book this was. It had a bit of everything love, betrayal, secrets, heartbreak and death what more could you ask for in a thriller. I wasn’t sure about the book at the start but wow I was so glad I stuck with it. Emily was such a complex character who I grew to love i really felt her pain. I loved the writing style and how the secrets just kept on spilling out. It was a fantastic thriller which I will definitely be recommending. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this great book.

Emily seems to have the perfect husband, child, house, etc, and when someone from her past moves to town, she could lose everything. Struggling with her marriage and a small town scandal, Emily goes to great lengths to keep secrets hidden and protect her daughter.

Told from different viewpoints and back and fourth over multiple years, it was easy to follow along. The Second Marriage is not what I expected based on the blurb. While the authors writing style kept me interested in the story, the plot was not what I had imagined. A bit explicit for me and this theme was the focus of the story. Slower paced suspense with a few jaw dropping moments. The author does a good tying up loose ends.

This is a fascinating look at a woman's life as she navigates two marriages, a beautiful daughter and manipulating men who are determined to out women :"in their place." Naomi is writing a book about Emily's life and all of its struggles to "fit in," be a party girl, and take all life has to offer--even if it comes at a hefty price! Fortunately daughter, Anouk has better chances at happiness as Emily is in prison and has many regrets. This is a difficult novel to read as you will find yourself aching for Emily and her bad choices but rejoicing as we realize Anouk can learn from her mistakes!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Dr Naomi Mckenzie is writing her PhD thesis with plans for it to be developed into a book. After some deliberation she decides to contact an old friend of her mother who is incarcerated and over a series of interviews the full story of the life and times of Emily Brigham comes to light.

Secrets, lies, heartache and betrayal, this book has it all. With more than a passing shade to #MeToo, this is a story with hidden depths, tragedy and despicable actions.

A plot line which gives room for thought, this is a book that takes you where you really would prefer not to venture. Thought provoking and profound, the author has handled a difficult subject with skill and empathy.

Some of the wiring was a little cringeworthy, though I appreciate it emphasised the story.

An enjoyable read from a new to me author.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

A psychological thriller.
Secrets and heartache a real gripping read.
Well written characters.
Some real edge of your seat moments.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

If you like stories about friendship and betrayal, then definitely pick up The Second Marriage. It was a page turner!

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Second Marriage by Rebecca de Winter due to be published September 26, 2024.
Emily has a perfect life, husband, and lots of secrets. When a figure from her past comes back into her life and threatens to expose her, she must protect her daughter at all costs.
When I first started reading this book, I thought it would be another one of the “fluffy” books I’ve been reading lately – was I wrong! Emily had so many secrets about her early life (the book alternated timelines) and a lot of it was heart wrenching.
This is one I won’t forget for a long time – lots of secrets and heartache – it should not be missed!
#NetGalley #RebeccaDeWinter #StormPublishing #TheSecondMarriage