The Tradwife’s Secret was a gripping and twisty read that caught me off guard in the best way. What starts out feeling like a peek into the polished, picture-perfect life of a traditional housewife quickly unravels into something much darker and more layered. Liane Child does a great job peeling back the curtain on appearances, control, and the cost of keeping secrets.

I really enjoyed the slow build and psychological tension. It kept me questioning what was real and who I could trust. If you like domestic thrillers with a sharp edge and a modern twist on the “perfect life” trope, this one’s worth picking up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
Setting: Montana Homestead
Genre: Psychological Suspense; Domestic Thriller

The Tradwife’s Secret by Liane Child is a masterpiece of domestic suspense that had me completely riveted from the very first page. Madison March seems to have it all — the perfect wife, the perfect mother, the perfect life on a sun-dappled Montana homestead. Her days are filled with the comforting routines of baking sourdough, tending the garden, and watching her children play in the fields, while evenings end in peaceful sunsets alongside her devoted husband. It’s a life anyone would envy.

But it’s all a lie — and Liane Child peels back the layers with masterful precision.

This novel is a slow-burn thriller that escalates into jaw-dropping twists I never saw coming. Child’s writing is lush and evocative, pulling you straight into Madison’s world until you can almost taste the bread and feel the crisp Montana air — and just when you’re lulled into that picture-perfect calm, the dark undercurrents start to rise. Madison is a brilliantly crafted protagonist — sympathetic, flawed, and unforgettable.

What makes this book truly outstanding is its exploration of the pressures of perfection, the masks we wear, and the dangerous costs of keeping up appearances. Child balances tension and beauty so gracefully that I found myself racing through the chapters while also wanting to savor every exquisite detail.

The Tradwife’s Secret is everything I love in a novel: suspenseful, beautifully written, deeply emotional, and packed with unforgettable characters. Liane Child has delivered an absolute knockout — I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Five glowing stars! #netgalley #thetradwifessecret #booked_this_weekend

I honestly wasn’t expecting Madison to be brianna! I had my suspicions but quickly decided there was no way. I’m so happy I was able to read this book! It’s going to be such a fan favorite once it’s published!

The Trad Wifes Secret
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The Tradwife’s Secret by Liane Child was a well-written, compelling read—but I had mixed feelings. As a stay-at-home mom who enjoys a traditional lifestyle (yes, I bake bread, grow veggies, and keep the kids home when they aren’t off at school), I felt a little… targeted.

The book seemed to push the idea that if you choose this kind of life, your marriage must be rooted in control or abuse. That narrative felt a bit unfair—and honestly, it was a bit exhausting. Not every “tradwife” is living under tyranny; some of us just really love sourdough starters and keep things simple.

That said, the writing was strong, the plot kept listening to the pages, and I’m definitely open to reading more from this author. I just wish this particular story didn’t lean so heavily into a stereotype. This particular narrative just felt a little unfair.

#TradButHappy #NotAllTradwives #BookReview #TheTradwifesSecret #LianeChild #StayAtHomeLife #ReadWithPerspective

3.5 stars — messy, fast-paced, and seriously entertaining.
The Trad Wife’s Secret is trashy Lifetime movie meets influencer drama, and I couldn’t stop listening. Madison March has the perfect life on the outside—baking sourdough, raising kids on a dreamy Montana homestead, and sharing it all with millions of followers. But (of course) it’s all a lie.

Told through multiple POVs and timelines, this one leans totally over the top but still feels super relevant in today’s world of curated content and online personas. The characters are the kind you love to hate, and the twists keep coming. Plus, the audio narration by Lauryn Allman (from The Housemaid series) was excellent and made it even more bingeable.

Perfect if you’re in the mood for a juicy, can’t-stop-reading kind of thriller.

This book is told from three perspectives. Madison the main trad wife, Callie the tutor for Madison, and Brianna a young trad wife. There is a lot of secrets going on in this book. The men are just awful. The story really pulls the curtain back on the whole "Trad Wife" lifestyle and shows what it is and is not. There were a few twists I did not see coming at all! This was such a fun and addictive read!

The Tradwife’s Secret by Liane Child drew me in right away with its compelling premise—a peek behind the perfectly curated life of Madison March, the internet’s queen of traditional homemaking. I really enjoyed the exploration of what happens when the image cracks, and how perfection can sometimes hide something much more dangerous.

On the surface, Madison lives the dream: a beautiful home on a Montana homestead, days filled with baking, gardening, and raising children, and a seemingly blissful marriage where dinner is always hot and the porch sunsets are always golden. But of course, none of it is what it seems. The book does a great job peeling back the layers to reveal the control, the isolation, and the secrets Madison is keeping.

I appreciated the alternating narrators, especially Callie—the sharp, independent young woman from Boston who takes a job working for the March family. She’s a fantastic contrast to Madison: feminist, ambitious, and only in it for the paycheck. Her outsider perspective really highlights how curated and confining Madison’s life is, even if it appears picture-perfect online.

The multiple points of view helped keep the pacing interesting, and the story built well toward a twist I definitely didn’t see coming. It gave the book a punch that elevated it beyond just another domestic suspense.

If you're into dark domestic dramas with a modern twist on gender roles and image vs. reality, this one is worth a read. The ending especially will stick with me for a while.

This book had me wanting to gossip about it the entire time I was reading it. I felt like I was reading about someone on social media, and learning all the dirt about them. It kept me wanting to know what would happen next and want to tell everyone about what I was reading. I was hooked!

Extremely addictive! This book offers a fascinating and fun glimpse into the world of “Trad Wives”—a lifestyle that looks perfect online but hides some dark and unexpected truths. I really enjoyed the thriller aspect; it kept me turning the pages late into the night. It’s a sharp, timely reminder not to believe everything you see on the web. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The Tradwife's Secret
by Liane Child
2 out of 5 stars
Expected publication date: 5/27/25

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio Adult for a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Madison March is the queen of the "tradwife" movement on social media. Unfortunately, it is all a lie. This is Madison's story.

My favorite thing about this book is that I am done reading it. I honestly couldn't find anything to really like about it.

I think this book would have been better in print form, since there is so much social media content. To be honest, it wouldn't have changed my star rating, though, so I guess it doesn't matter. In addition, I didn't care for the narrator, either. She had an extremely annoying fake accent that was sometimes there and sometimes not.

This book definitely helped me to decide where I land on the topic of the tradwife movement. The character of Madison is so self-righteous, and her followers are even worse than she is. That part was written very well.

Trigger warnings: spousal abuse; child abuse; violence; death of a child

I would not recommend this book to anyone, but if you are interested in hating every character in a book, random sex scenes that serve absolutely no purpose, and a barely-there mystery, this book is for you.

"The Tradwife's Secret" by Liane Child presents an intriguing premise that promises suspense and psychological depth. The story revolves around [briefly summarize the premise]. As a fan of thrillers, I was drawn to the unique concept and the potential for intricate character dynamics.

However, while the novel managed to keep me engaged with its unfolding mystery, it fell short of delivering that extra layer of intensity and surprise that I typically seek in thrillers. The pacing was steady, and the plot unfolded logically, but it lacked the gripping twists and turns that make this genre truly thrilling.

The characters were adequately developed, but I found myself wanting more depth and complexity, especially in their motivations and interactions. The author touches on intriguing themes, [mention any themes or elements you found interesting], but these aspects could have been further explored to enhance the overall suspense and emotional impact of the story.

In conclusion, "The Tradwife's Secret" is a decent read for fans of psychological thrillers looking for a story that explores contemporary issues [mention any relevant themes]. While it didn't fully satisfy my expectations for a gripping thriller, it held my interest enough to see how the narrative would unfold. It's a novel that explores relevant themes with potential, though it may leave some readers wishing for a bit more intensity and depth.

From the moment I saw the cover and read the description, I was hooked. The Trad Wife’s Secret had me intrigued right from the start, and I couldn’t put it down.

What I loved most was how the book explored the theme of social media’s polished façade and the expectations of perfection that come with it. Madison March, the picture-perfect "tradwife," seemed to have it all—until we learned that it was all a lie. I enjoyed the tension between her curated life and the secrets lurking beneath the surface.

The twists were mind-blowing! I didn’t see the major plot twist coming, but as the story progressed, I started piecing things together, though the final reveal still left me shaken. This book had me questioning what’s real and what’s manufactured in the world of social media.

Overall, I had a blast reading this. It was a thrilling, entertaining, and mysterious ride. I love how it keeps you on your toes, and it’s a brilliant commentary on the dangers of idealized online lives. If you love twists and suspense, The Trad Wife’s Secret will keep you up late turning pages. Highly recommend!

Did I mention I listened to the ALC and it really added to the experience!

Thank you Harper Audio for the opportunity to listen to the ALC of #TheTradwifesSecret on #NetGalley. This book is unlike anything else I’ve ever listened to and I ate it up! Loved the narrator as well and feel like she really captured each character. I can’t wait to read/listen to more from Liane Child!

I couldn’t put down “The Tradwife’s Secret”, it had me captivated from start to finish!

Madison March, the flawless tradwife influencer with her Montana homestead and millions of followers, seemed too perfect to be true... and oh, was I right! The story peels back the curtain and her staged life, revealing a tangle of lies and danger that kept me on the edge the whole way through. The multiple perspectives – Madison’s desperate control, Cally’s unsettling discoveries as the new tutor, and Brianna’s hopeful yet misguided tradwife journey all wove together seamlessly. Finishing the book in less than a day, I was blindsided by the final reveal!

The patriarchal undercurrents and shocking secrets made it a wild, thought-provoking read. I loved the vivid characters, especially Madison’s complex duality; she’s both a puppet and puppeteer, which kept me guessing. The Montana setting felt immersive, though a few British terms like ‘torch’ for ‘flashlight’ felt out of place, a small hiccup in an otherwise gripping narrative.

The ending left me stunned and satisfied. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with a modern twist, or love uncovering the dark side of social media, this is your book! A perfect 4-star read that’s perfect for a binge.

Liane Child takes a well known, online persona and turns it into something even darker. TrulyMadison is a social media page ran by Madison March, who shares her wholesome, Christian family and their ranch life style. Madison spends her days tending to her children, the garden and making home made meals from scratch. At least, that's what her followers think. When Madison hires a progressive, young nanny (one that hopefully doesn't catch her husband's eye) she thinks that all will continue to be well. However, her follower engagement is dropping and her husband is growing more irrational. Madison will do whatever it takes to continue to live the life sold to her by influencers past and present, no matter the cost.

Liane Child has created a very real and very flawed March family. They are consistent with the families we see on our For You Pages and Reels. Child has masterly written a dark and twisted story about the perfect family who is not so perfect off screen. It was so realistic and so enjoyable, I loved all of the twists and turns - highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the advanced audiobook.

This book really delved into the dark side of influencers and the way so much is actually happening beyond the screens and posts. This book was hard to listen to for many reasons, but the justification for the things that the children and women in this book dealt with for the sake of men was really hard for me. This book was twisty and really wove together the POVs well.

Madison March is an influencer tradwife with millions of followers online, the only issue is that everything she posts online is a lie. Not only is her online life perfectly curated, but she doesn't even make her own sourdough or mend her own clothes. All of that work is done by her housekeeper, Lori, who also looks after Madison's four children. Madison has also just hired Calli, a liberal New Englander, to tutor her children, in the hopes that her husband Michael won't be interested in getting too close to this tutor. Michael is getting increasingly controlling about everyone on the homestead and then a mysterious figure starts showing up around town, getting closer and closer to the March family. A thrilling story about the lies we're told on social media, especially about traditional family values.

This was an alright thriller. I guessed the twist before it happened, which isn't always a bad thing, but it felt like it was supposed to be a bit more of a surprise. I think the main issue I had was that a lot of the story is focused on the characters and their problems, but they didn't feel like very complex characters which sort of stalled out the pacing. The villains especially felt like they were really one-dimensional and I would have been more invested in the conflict if they didn't feel like such cartoon villains. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a good job of distinguishing between the different characters and matching the emotion of the story. I would recommend this one to people who are intrigued by the dark side of social media, especially when it comes to tradwives, or want a thriller that isn't too serious.

As a native Utahn, I was very intrigued by the idea of this book. It wasn’t set in my home state, but it did introduce characters that are very relatable. I enjoyed this story, and loved the multi narration to keep the story moving along. There were, however, quite a few times where I felt like the extreme stereotypes were being presented. Yes. These people exist, but no, not everyone is this intense. I found myself wishing there was a more “normal” character being represented.

I’d give it 3.5⭐️

3.5 stars rounded down

Madison March is a social media influencer, specifically a traditional or “trad” wife. She is married to Michael and they live on a sprawling homestead in Montana with their kids Myron, Matilda, ​Molly, and Mason. They seem to be the perfect family.

Callie is a huge fan of Madison and follows her faithfully. When she has the opportunity to tutor the March kids, she jumps at the chance. But once she arrives, she learns what most already know, that online personas don’t match real life.

Brianna is a young woman with a goal to become a trad wife. She and her boyfriend Jonah take advantage of cheap land and strive to grow a homestead. It’s a lot harder than she thought. She wants to be just like those women online and she is frustrated that her attempts at reaching out are met with silence.

I am drawn to books about social media/influencing and even though the trad wife trend is personally against everything I believe in and stand for, the way that real life vs what is portrayed on social media and how it is 100% fake is highlighted in this novel. Many of the ideals that Madison and Brianna espouse are disgusting to me and may be a turn off for some, but I was still able to read and enjoy the book. There are many twists and turns, including the way that all three women are connected and the lengths that they will go to protect their identity and how they are perceived by the public and the ultimate drama and conclusion are satisfying.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Going into Liane Child's The Tradwife's Secret, I'll admit I was completely unfamiliar with the term "tradwife." The summary painted a picture of idyllic domesticity: sourdough, homegrown veggies, and peaceful Montana evenings. It certainly piqued my curiosity about what secrets could possibly lurk beneath such a seemingly perfect facade.
The initial setup is undeniably compelling. Child skillfully crafts this image of Madison March's life, making the promised "lie" all the more intriguing. You can't help but wonder what darkness or deception could be hidden behind such a picture-perfect existence. The contrast between the outward appearance and the implied secret is the strongest element of the book.
However, while the central mystery kept me turning the pages, my enjoyment was significantly hampered by the characters, particularly the male ones. To put it mildly, I loathed every single one of them. They came across as either utterly oblivious, overtly controlling, or simply unpleasant. This made it difficult to connect with Madison's situation on an emotional level, as my sympathy was constantly battling my disdain for the men surrounding her.
Ultimately, The Tradwife's Secret delivers on its promise of a hidden truth and kept me guessing. However, the unlikable male characters prevented me from fully immersing myself in the story. It's a decent read with an interesting premise, but be prepared to grit your teeth at the behavior of some of its players.