I had heard a great deal about this book and was thrilled that I was chosen to read it. It did not disappoint. I will be sure to keep an eye out for more books by this author.

This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that really set the scene and put you in the storyline.
The storyline was captivating and addictive from the first page until the last and I was completely invested in it.
Such a well paced and suspenseful book! The twists were believable and not predictable.
It had excellent writing and a fascinating plot.
The Tradwife’s Secret by Liane Child is a book which kept me thoroughly engaged from beginning to end.

The Tradwife’s Secret was such an unputdownable book! I was hooked from the start by this perfect tradwife that appears to have it all together but everything she does is for show, literally. I loved that the chapters altered back and forth between this oh so put together tradwife and a new tradwife struggling to make her life into what she imagined it would be, as well as a character that is completely removed from the tradwife life besides it being her new job to work for one.
I would recommend The Tradwife’s Secret for thriller lovers looking for something they could read in a sitting. Fantastically done modern suspense.

I was drawn in by the premise of the Tradwife's Secret--who doesn't want to find out something diabolical is happening behind the scenes?--but for me this one failed in plot and execution. The story moves between multiple POVs: we have Madison, our tradwife with a thriving social media business; Brianna, a teen attempting to become a tradwife for real, homesteading with her boyfriend; and Cally, Madison's new "Yankee" nanny hired under sketchy circumstances but the money is too good to pass up.

Presumably the Cally character is introduced to provide a liberal/outsider eye on Madison's lifestyle, questioning what she's seeing (and Madison explains her anxiety about bringing in anyone her husband would find appealing, so someone from the NE with a nose ring should be the perfect turnoff), but her backstory for being there felt farfetched and unnecessary to the story. Great pay is a great motivator, and even someone inclined in a conservative direction could have gradually come to question the reality of Madison's life and evidence that it was all a charade for the cameras.

As the story went on, I also questioned why Madison put up with what seemed like a pretty unhappy marriage with an abusive, unpleasant man given her independent success (this wasn't explained, other than "she always wanted a man to take care of her"). I don't mean this in the questioning why do victims of abuse stay, but rather that she could have had her trad life with some other traditional man...why this one?

The book also relied on farfetched twist which is not something I enjoy in a thriller. It felt like it made the story weaker rather than stronger. The author also appears to be from the UK and I found myself distracted by various British-isms throughout the book that are clearly not how Americans say or do things (or a non-American's fantasy of life in Montana, e.g. that they would call someone from the NE a Yankee, or references to them having a twangy accent). All in all, 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC)

The Tradwife’s Secrets
By Liane Child
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review Title: A Fresh and Addictive Spin on the Modern Murder Mystery
This book was an authentic and refreshing twist on the classic murder mystery. From the very beginning, I was completely hooked. The main character felt like a breath of fresh air—complex, intriguing, and a powerful reminder that what we see on social media is often far from the full picture. Her persona echoed that of a real-life tradwife, which added a fascinating layer of realism and cultural commentary to the story.
The narrative was full of twists and turns that, while a bit confusing at first, ultimately built toward a jaw-dropping finale that had me on the edge of my seat. The payoff was well worth the initial disorientation. What stood out most was how this book broke away from the typical husband-and-wife psychological thriller formula. The storyline felt new, and the character development was vivid and distinctive, breathing life into a genre that can sometimes feel predictable.
Highly recommended for fans of twisty domestic suspense looking for something a little different and thoroughly engrossing.

Everyone by now should be familiar with tradwives. The perfect wives and mothers who make everything from scratch, whether it be food or their children’s clothing. Perfect makeup, perfect hair, and perfect marriages— these women have it all as they live in a world of peace and serenity.

Meet Madison, tradwife extraordinaire and wife to Michael. They have it all— the lavish house, the beautiful children, and the Instagram following to prove they are a success.

But the new tutor Cally starts her job with the Marches and suddenly things aren’t quite what they look like from behind the lens…

This is definitely a book that keeps you turning pages. I was really happy when it came up in my book lineup because I’ve been dying to read it. It had lots of surprises that I definitely did not predict!

This book is set in Wyoming, but is written by UK author Liane Childs. Her characters are American and her narration is first person; however, her writing contains a lot of European grammar and slang. I believe this is her first book, which is promising. I would definitely read more of her work. I would only advise that an American editor assist with American editing if characters are going to try to pass as Americans. It by no means took me out of the story. I thought it was cute, and I’ve read plenty of books by authors from the UK so I wasn’t confused. I could see this being a problem for other readers.

I gave this book 3 stars on my reading calendar, but now that I’m thinking about it again, I think this is a 4 star book.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Harper360 for the advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This absolutely had me captured from the very beginning. I could not put it down and I was thrilled! Moreover, it totally threw me for a loop as I kept reading. I cannot recommend this one enough. It absolutely, positively, must be on your list to be read this Summer!

Looking effortlessly perfect all the time for your adoring fans takes a lot of work. So much work, in fact, that Madison has a whole team keeping her children and herself camera ready and prepared to boost engagement at all times. Such is the life of a Tradwife on social media--working hard to sell a fake ideal of domestic bliss where women don't "have" to work. It may seems like Madison has plenty of money, but her husband controls the purse strings. What he says goes, and that's the way they both claim they want it to be. But Madison has a past. And it seems to be catching up with her. When a woman desperate for a second chance arrives into their idyll to tutor the children (in husband-approved topics only, of course) she brings an outsider's perspective and quickly realizes not all is well. This thriller expertly deploys social media and its demands on creators, making for an exciting plot that feels up-to-the-minute and offers commentary on what happens when living your life in front of a camera goes wrong.

Do you watch #tradwife videos or shows like The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives? If so, especially if you watch more for the impending train wreck than as an instructional video, you are going to love The Tradwife’s Secret.

On her videos, Madison looks like the perfect traditional wife, waking up early to fix her husband a healthy breakfast, homeschooling their four perfect children, and doing picturesque farming activities. In real life, she can’t cook, never cleans, and has both a cook and a nanny. Her husband, Michael, is a demanding idiot, who has cheated on her in the recent past. Cally is the new nanny seeing behind the curtain for the first time. Briana is just 18 and trying to emulate Madison’s heavily curated online life with her boyfriend. All these women will discover the secrets hiding behind the influencer’s smile and beautiful lighting choices. No one feels quite so good about the sausage after seeing how it was made.

The Tradwife’s Secret successfully incorporates a social media trend into a domestic thriller format. The book has a few surprising twists and a great conclusion. It is a fun read but may have possible triggers for some readers for domestic abuse. For the rest of us, it is a compelling tale that is not to be missed. 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing me with an advanced review copy.

Living your life online is not recommended, and when you do, be prepared for everything that can come your way. The trad wife trend is fed by those who would have you believe their way is the only way. When the truth is revealed.....let's say it made for a very good thriller.

This book is a twisty ride.

We meet Tradwife blogger and Social Media Sensation Madison March. She is struggling to create content for her popular but declining page while being the perfect wife, mother, and homemaker. Things are rarely as they seem. When she hires a tutor for the kids, one she hopes won’t attract her husband like the last one did, strange things start happening on the ranch and Madison March is trying hard to hold all her lies together before her life goes up in smoke.

I don’t read a lot of thrillers but this one instantly drew me in. Social media is just as much a pivotal character in this book as Madison March. Madison obsessively works to try to find content and make herself relevant in a growing crowd of Trad wife influencers. What you don’t expect from this book is just how much of a complete sham her entire life is. Madison is smart and she has used her brain to create a complete fiction and build the life she wants to portray to the world. Some twists you won’t see coming, some twists you will but what is so refreshing abbot this novel is that it says so much without ever taking a real stand. I have to say that this book is unsettling but in the best way. I enjoyed the ride and it kept me engaged until the end. Fun read and work adding to your TBR. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the opportunity to read and voluntarily leave a review.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

WOW, I was excited to read this but did not think it would be one of my favorite reads of 2025 so far. LOVED everything about it. The multiple POVs, the social media aspect and getting a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle.

Madison is an awful character but I loved it. Cally and Lori were great to read and I was so intrigued by Brianna in Wyoming's place in the plot. WHOA!

Honestly, there are a LOT of trigger warnings in this book. I thought it would be a simple and easy read but there are very heavy themes throughout. Cannot wait to read more by Liane Child. 5 stars for me!

The Tradwife's Secret was an excellent book. At first, it was a little hard to follow, but the more you got into the book, I had a hard time putting it down. As someone who has learned a great deal about what a Tradwife is, I realized that for some people, it's what they live for. But for me, it is not. I loved the book and for not knowing what else was around the following pages. This is a book that is a must-read, and I highly recommend it for those who enjoy good books and ones that are impossible to put down!

This book immediately grabbed me with its provocative premise—a chilling yet fascinating dive into the world of modern-day tradwives and the unsettling dynamics that can emerge under the guise of a "simpler" life. As someone intrigued (and often horrified) by this resurgence of hyper-traditional gender roles, I found the concept both timely and deeply compelling.

From the start, the book stirred up visceral emotions. The male characters—particularly one in particular—were appalling in the way they exerted control, which made me repeatedly question whether the story was building toward a twist or rebellion. (Spoiler-free, but I spent much of the book hoping Madison and Lori were secretly plotting something big.)

I really appreciated the use of multiple perspectives. It allowed for a fuller picture of each woman’s motivations, vulnerabilities, and internal conflicts, and helped me stay invested in their arcs. That said, the narrative became a bit chaotic toward the end. There were some abrupt shifts between characters, including one-off POVs that slightly disrupted the pacing and made the final stretch feel somewhat messy.

The last few chapters, though, took a sharp turn into thriller territory—fast, wild, and honestly, a little Anna Delvey-coded. I’m still not entirely sure how I’m supposed to feel, but I was definitely entertained.

Overall, The Trad Wife Secret is a bold, thought-provoking novel that taps into the performative nature of domesticity in the age of social media. The premise is genius, and despite a slightly bumpy ending, it’s a story that will linger in your mind long after you turn the final page.

I am always fascianted to read books about the other side of influcencers and what they may actually be hiding. This book did not disapoointW It was a fun thriller with some twists! If you are looking for a fast, easy thriller read, pick this one up!

I really did not know what to expect when I started reading this book. I apparently live under a rock and was not familiar with the Tradwife phenomenon that is happening right now.

The story was interesting and really showed, which I think is good for everyone to see, that social media accounts and posts are generally fake or embellished most of the time and the book did a good job highlighting that. I really didn't have an emotional connection to any of the characters and the portrayal of Trad wives was very skewed in one direction only. I know that was for the plot progression, but I feel it was very one sided and made all Trad wives out to be this same way.

The mystery and the twist were interesting and the ending was pretty much expected. It wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't stellar either. It was just ok for me.

The Tradwife’s Secret by Liane Child sounded like a book I was going to absolutely devour. The entire idea of a life that was perfect but turned out to be a lie. I wanted to like at least one of the characters in the story, but I really could not find one. I like books that leave characters in my mind long after I have finished the book and make me curious what they are doing.
Thank you NetGalley, Harper 360 and Liane Child for the copy of the book The Tradwife’s Secret. This is my personal review.

After more than a decade, the @_TrulyMadison_ account is gone. While her many fans mourn, the haters are ready to celebrate. Was the violence at the March family homestead a tragedy – or the inevitable conclusion of a toxic lifestyle?

Before the headlines, Madison March was the face of tradwife perfection – baking sourdough, picking herbs from her garden, raising beautiful, well-behaved children, and sharing it all with millions of devoted followers. But behind the picture-perfect feed, her marriage is fraying fast, and the lies she’s told – to her audience and herself – are becoming harder to hold together.

Told through three sharply contrasting perspectives, The Tradwife’s Secret explores the dark side of curated domesticity and the blurry line between performance and control. In addition to Madison, there’s Brianna – a new homesteader desperate to replicate her idol’s online life, only to find that real life is far messier. And there’s Cally – a private tutor from the East Coast who’s agreed to educate the March children in exchange for a hefty bonus, but who’s starting to question whether her silence is worth the paycheck.

This is a twisty, fast-moving domestic thriller that plays with social media personas and tradwife aesthetics in a smart, engaging way. I especially enjoyed the structure – the intercut perspectives added momentum, and the “Greek chorus” of comments at the top of Madison’s chapters was a clever, efficient device for showing how public opinion both fuels and feeds off her curated life. While I found some of the male characters a little too one-note in their toxicity, I understand the point being made – though I would’ve loved to see the men written with the same nuance the women were given. That said, there’s a well-timed twist late in the story that genuinely caught me off guard. Some moments felt a bit rushed or heightened for drama, but I think that’s part of what makes this a solid “popcorn” thriller – fast, sharp, and designed to keep you turning the pages. Overall, a fun and thought-provoking read with some bite.

Recommended for readers who enjoy domestic thrillers with a satirical edge, particularly fans of stories about influencers, messy marriages, and the hidden costs of keeping up appearances.

OMG!!! This is way more than I expected. It was a page turner, which left me speechless and surprised.

The plot follows the story of Madison March, a tradwife influencer, and what goes on behind the scenes of her carefully crafted life.

It explores gender roles in marriage, ‘dangers’ of believing everything on social media and examines some topics/ events which may be triggering for some.

This was twisty and full of drama, flair and turns. I did not see anything coming. The author kept up with the entertaining till the very last page. I love the multiple points of view.

If you love a twisty domestic thriller then you should read this.

Thank you @harpercollins360 for an advanced copy via NetGalley. The review is mine and voluntary.

"Her life is perfect. Her life is a lie."

The Tradwife's Secret by Liane Child is a fast-paced domestic thriller with an inside look at the tradwife culture and social media.

Madison March is a mother of 4 children and she showcases her beautiful homesteading life for her millions of followers online. Carefully curated reels show Madison and the kids pulling chicory root for coffee and beautiful sourdough bread that always rises. When Cally accepts a tutoring position for the Marchs, she can't wait to get a behind the scenes look at the content that she sees online. But soon after moving in for her 1 year live in contract, Cally realizes that the picture perfect facade online is nowhere close to real life in the March house.

This was a great read!! I really enjoyed the look at the tradwife culture and how social media is so curated these days. There are definitely some tough topics discussed including: DV, SA and pregnancy loss, so just be aware and protect your peace! Some of the ideologies are hard to read but that is the reality of the beliefs of some. One thing that did throw me a bit was that the book was supposed to be set in Montana but some of the phrases, spellings and dates were written like it is in the UK. Overall this was an absolute page turner with a jaw dropping twists at the end and I highly recommend checking it out!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Liane Child, and Harper360 for this ARC!! Publication date is May 27th 2025.