Really great book with some interesting commentary on trad wives and influencers. Very twisty and unpredictable with a nice fast pace and tons of tension build up! 5 stars for sure!

This was an interesting read. It reminded me of a lot of People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd and a little bit of You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Sutanto. TW for domestic violence and abuse. I had to skim some sections because while it was not terribly graphic, it was still uncomfortable to read. But the writing was crisp and fast-paced, the characters were layered and believable, and I did not see some of the twists coming. It was a a gripping thriller and very timely. I would recommend to anyone who likes thrillers about influencers, and the less than savory behind the scenes.

Madison is a huge social media presence and has built a brand around being a "tradwife". She submits to her husband, lives the homesteading lifestyle and raises her children to follow in her footsteps. At least, that what it looks like to her Instagram followers. What Instagram doesn't see is the people keeping the facade running. Lori pretty much runs the show but nobody will ever know that. Madison's husband Michael is of the "rule with an iron fist" kind of mindset and is very strict with his wife and children.

The Tradwife's Secret is one of those books that I really didn't want to put down until I finished it. With social media being as prevalent as it is now, it was an interesting to kind of go behind the scenes (and yes, I know it was fiction but still!). It really drives home the point that what you see on social media is often times far from the truth. Everyone puts on their best face for the world but what goes on behind closed doors is a whole different story. This book did have several twists that I never saw coming and I loved it! I can't wait to see what Liane Child comes up with next!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

I haven't read any books by this author before, but I will certainly look for more of her work. The storyline was captivating, and I was eager to discover what would happen next. I anticipated one of the plot twists, but the other one completely surprised me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Madison March is an influencer, she projects the perfect life. but it is all a lie. Lots of twists and turns. it was hard to put down.

This was a pretty good thriller- I was completely surprised by the twist and the plot line. I enjoyed the writing and the inside scoop into the life of an influencer. The one issue that I did have was with the characters- I feel like Madison kind of went haywire in the end of the book, and I think some of the other characters could've been "edited" a little more. Overall, I really enjoyed this quick read!

Madison is an influencer with millions of followers who films herself making her husband wonderful breakfasts while she's fully made up, looking like the glamorous woman she'd like to be. But Alice is "stealing" her followers and she's mad! These families are "Preppers" who believe the world will end so they need to be prepared. But then we have a new tutor, hidden weapons, and suspicious people lurking about. It's a crazy tale of what it means to be a "traditional" wife as compared to a modern one where equality is key.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I couldn't put this down because it was like a horrific car wreck. Just had to know exactly what was going to happen next. (Especially since a few influencers came to mind immediately!)

A few things that I wasn't a huge fan of - but overall, this is exactly what I think most 'mommy influencers' are behind the scenes. The forced posing of their kids, the marital relationship that's most likely suffering, and just a huge amount of BS piling up, all to make money.

I don't even have as much of an issue when it's other kinds of influencers because then I feel like they're not exploiting their kids for content!!? The 'tradwife' stuff has always given me the ick though!!! Child's book really felt like it's something that would've exploded across the news lately.

CWs: loss of a child, abusive relationships etc.

**Thank you to Harper 360 for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

This was a fun read! I enjoy anything about the underside of influencers and their "perfect" lives. I also learned what a "tradwife" is. Yep, I had no clue. Madison is a tradwife, a.k.a. traditional wife. Madison is also a popular influencer who posts her perfect life and family. Not surprisingly all is not perfect in Insta-World and things start to fall apart. Told from three POV's, this was an extremely, if a wee bit predictable, twisty and suspenseful story. It is also a good commentary about the lengths that influencers feel they have to go through for perfection. Really sad. I look forward to more from Liane Child.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Liane Child and Harper 360 for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of May 27, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

I enjoyed this one.I liked the different p.ov.s and the twist. Was it a little predictable? Yes. but it was fun to read.

This was a slightly predictable thriller but I enjoyed the elements of influencer lifestyle and the relevance to today's culture. Quick, easy read!

This is obviously a super timely book as there seems to be a boom in “trad wife” content across social media, especially in the US. The book did a great job interrogating a lot of the trademarks of the trad wife social movement that are unnerving — the patriarchal roots, the outdated ideas of gender performance, the authenticity or lack there of, the hypocrisy, the falseness of what we see online versus what is the truth behind the scenes. I think the multiple POVs really helped to look at this from all angles. And all of that was woven really well into a central mystery with a great sense of growing tension.

Such a super fast and fun read! If you like Freida’s books you’re gonna love this one! The book was twisty and very hard to put down!

“A marriage is between two people. And their millions of followers.” That single line captures the sharp edge of The Tradwife’s Secret, a domestic thriller that tears apart the curated world of influencer culture and the toxic underpinnings of the so-called “tradwife” movement.

Madison March is an Instagram phenomenon. With her four picture-perfect children, a rugged husband, and a self-sustaining homestead in rural Montana, she has built a brand—and a lifestyle—that promises simplicity, obedience, and wholesomeness in an era of overexposure. Her followers believe she is the gold standard of femininity and motherhood. In reality, Madison’s “life” is a high-gloss fabrication: every moment is staged, every smile practiced, and her household held together by NDAs, secrets, and fear.

Joining the household is Cally, the new live-in tutor for the March children. A long-time follower of Madison’s account, Cally believes she’s stepping into a dream job—until the cracks begin to show. She’s stripped of her phone, warned not to speak to anyone about what she sees, and soon finds herself questioning everything she once admired. At the same time, across the country, Brianna—young, unmarried, and determined to build her own tradwife life with her boyfriend—realizes the version of this lifestyle she’s chasing might be a trap. She reaches out to the #TradWife Instagram community for guidance. No one answers.

Through these three perspectives—Madison, Cally, and Brianna—Liane Child explores not just the psychological weight of performance, but the darker consequences of traditional gender roles when taken to the extreme. The story is packed with secrets, betrayals, and eventually violence, culminating in a viral scandal that shatters Madison’s perfect image and forces all three women to reckon with their realities.

The novel excels at exposing the mechanics of influence: how curated content is manipulated, monetized, and weaponized. Child doesn’t preach, but she does peel back the layers with precision. Madison is a particularly complex character. She is both victim and perpetrator, navigating abuse and control while also exploiting her audience and her staff. She’s hard to like but impossible to ignore. Cally, meanwhile, adds a grounded outsider perspective that keeps the narrative from being completely swallowed by Madison’s unreality. Brianna’s arc—less flashy but emotionally resonant—offers a counterpoint, illustrating how aspirational lies can shape the lives of everyday women trying to escape modern burnout through a retro fantasy.

As a thriller, The Tradwife’s Secret is messy in the way that real life often is. There are some implausible twists, and a few characters (like Michael March, Madison’s domineering husband) occasionally verge on caricature. But in a genre that often centers male violence and female helplessness, Child gives us women who are complicated, flawed, and—most importantly—capable of disrupting the systems that trap them.

A few drawbacks: the language occasionally slips, with Britishisms like “torch” instead of “flashlight” pulling some readers out of the U.S.-based setting. The pacing lags in the middle, and one or two character arcs could have been more fully fleshed out—particularly Cally’s background, which feels underexplored. Still, these are small quibbles in what is otherwise a bold, smart, and highly readable book.

Final Thoughts:

If you’re intrigued by the dark side of influencer culture, fascinated by how online personas bleed into real-world dysfunction, or just want a thriller with teeth, The Tradwife’s Secret is well worth your time. It doesn’t just offer twists and reveals—it asks bigger questions about power, performance, and what women are willing to endure to be seen as “ideal.”

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended for fans of domestic suspense with a modern, timely edge.

very first page, I was HOOKED, I literally couldn't put it down!
Thankfully, I grabbed the audiobook too and let me tell you... Lauryn Allman was phenomenal! 🎧 I had it playing while doing chores and carpooling the kids and I didn’t want to press pause.
This thriller was unlike any I’ve read before. The twists came out of nowhere 😲 and the story kept me guessing until the final page. I was honestly sad when it ended! 👏
Highly recommend if you're looking for a sharp, chilling, and fresh thriller!

Review will be added below closer to pub date.

This book was so good! The behind the scenes look into the influencer life was very interesting and the story was gripping! So much going on and so many people to not like.

I received an ARC of this book from Harper 360 via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. First, this book definitely needs some editing before actual publication. Every time the POV switched, the beginning of the chapter was formatted very strangely (at least on the Kindle). Also, any time a character was speaking and there were direct quotation marks, the whole paragraph would run together, making it hard to tell who was speaking. And I am pretty sure Madison's last name was mixed up a few times (March vs Marsh).

Besides that, this was a page-turner. The whole concept of tradwife is mind-boggling to me, and I hope there are not too many people with a relationship like Madison & Michael's, or Brianna & Jonah's. It's kind of like train wreck reading, or a reality show - you keep reading/watching but horrified the whole time.

The twist was jaw-dropping, which is always a plus for me.

I think there were a few questions remaining and a few loose ends. And the epilogue didn't seem to accomplish anything.

5 enthusiastic stars! I absolutely loved this book. I have a weird fascination with fundies and how they like to make their lives out to be the only good way to live. I have a feeling more of the women are just as fake and fed up as Madison was.

I had only recently discovered what Tradwife meant and was intrigued. This book wonderfully wrote how social media affects our lives and how most everything that is seen online is planned and purposeful and, most importantly, not always true.

Warning for those with trauma that there are moments of physical abuse.

This book kept me guessing on what would happen next and there were several twists that had me shocked! Intriguing, gripping and would recommend.

This book releases May 27th. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in return for my honest review.

The twist! Madison March is the tradwife, but not who you assume her to be when the cameras are off. The story is a fast one with twists and turns and a satisfying conclusion. This book is extremely timely in today’s online cultural atmosphere. I definitely recommend picking this one up! Thank you to the author, publisher, and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc!

Welcome to the world of the traditional wife social media influencer, the "tradwife" in the book's title. The couple -- and their four kids -- are at the center of this novel, which takes place on a remote Wyoming homestead, and across social media feeds as they navigate their days. Oh, and they have plenty of off-camera help with a housekeeper, a children's tutor -- because of course they are home schoolers -- a driver and a few other assorted others to set up the perfect meals, exercise programs, and stuff that just brings in the clicks. But then things get ugly as the tradwife rebels under some very dark circumstances. We start out with the family rejecting the big city hustle and "sticking it to the man, and living their best life" becomes a test of wills. Keep those clicks up becomes a chore to find something controversial and more "clickbaity." And then there is the essence at the tradwife core because the woman should submit to her man, and that he knows best. How these issues get resolved -- and how their social followers react -- will drive forward the plot. Highly recommended.

A perfect life sold to women every day on social media is really anything but. Madison is a social media influencer homesteading in Montana. She paints an idyllic picture of family life that unfolds in a suspenseful and enjoyable story.

I absolutely loved this book! I never wanted to put it down. I’ve always been interested by the fad of tradwives (definitely not one myself) but the entire concept of this book was why I wanted to read it. The plot and the twists at the end were so good!

This was an interesting thriller - I kept wanting to read it addicted to the trad wife lifestyle (is it all real or not will we ever know??) and then the storyline of Brianna got me pulled in too because I felt like that was so much more realistic than the IG stuff. I think it’s a good commentary about the irony that tradwives have made their life into a way to make money thereby defeating being a “true” trad wife. I would have liked more suspense and violence for the thriller aspect tho. Overall a decent read!

I can't believe that this is a trend. The tradwife label has gone too far, and nothing proves that more than Madison March. Although this is a fictionalized story, it is a trending thing. I found the writing style of this book to be excellent and believable. The content was disturbing and sad. I read it in 2 days because I had to know how it ended.

What I Liked:
This thriller was fantastically crafted. I read a lot of thrillers and did not see the last twist coming! If I’m surprised, I am pretty impressed with a book. Readers will enjoy the multiple narratives and the twists. I feel that many people love to hate the tradwife movement and you’re given plenty of reasons to roll your eyes, feel superior, and question the women in this role.

What I Didn’t Like:
There were a few passages that cited distance using meters and it threw me off when the book is set in Montana in the United States.

The Trad Wife’s Secret is a twisty, unputdownable thriller that pulls back the curtain on the curated perfection of influencer life. Madison’s picture-perfect world is as captivating as it is chilling, and watching it unravel is pure reading pleasure. If you love domestic thrillers with a dark edge and social commentary, this one is a must-read!

Thank you Liane Child, Harper 360, Harper Audio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

#thetradwifessecret #netgalleyarc #netgalleyreview #netgalley #arcreview #arc #arcreader #review #somanybookssolittletime

This book delves into the world of traditional wives and influencers providing a fascinating exploration of modern societal norms and personal identity. The interplay between a seemingly perfect lifestyle and the underlying complexities creates an engaging narrative filled with tension and unexpected twists. The fast pace and unpredictable plot are key elements that keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning pages to uncover the next surprising development. It definitely earned a 5-star rating in my eyes!

*The Tradwife’s Secret* is an addictive, drama-filled page-turner that hooked me from the very first chapter. Liane Child paints a picture of a seemingly perfect homesteading influencer mom—four kids, a charming rural life, and an online following that eats up every curated moment. But behind the filtered photos and wholesome videos, there's so much more going on.
Beyond the drama, it's also a sharp look at influencer culture, especially how some “tradwives” and family vloggers use their kids and personal lives as content. In today’s age of curated perfection on social media, this story felt both entertaining and relevant.
If you love domestic suspense with a modern, influencer-era twist, this is definitely a must-read. I couldn’t put it down!

4 stars

I have been absolutely fascinated with tradwife culture since it started popping up..
This book was great, I loved seeing the dark side come out. The he twists, and the characters…*chefs kiss*

I’ve been hearing so much about tradwives and the homesteading lifestyle lately but hadn’t taken a deep dive—so what better way than through a novel?

From the first chapter, I was completely immersed in Madison’s world—a popular social media tradwife who, beneath the polished persona, is far from the perfect homesteader her followers believe her to be. I loved being inside her head as she wrestled with both literal and figurative demons, trying to keep it all together.

The other POVs—Brianna and Cally—were just as compelling. I really enjoyed seeing the homesteading lifestyle from three different perspectives:
• A successful tradwife with a curated online presence
• A new tradwife facing real, raw struggles on her path to (hopefully) success
• An outsider living in the home of a homesteading family, forming her own complicated opinions

And the plot twists just kept coming! I love a good, page-turning domestic thriller, and this absolutely delivered. I’ve read a lot of thrillers lately that feel flat—especially the ones marketed as “chilling psychological thrillers”—but this one stood out. The characters felt richer, more layered. They weren’t necessarily likable, but they didn’t need to be. I was hooked simply because I had to know what they’d do next.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy domestic thrillers with multiple POVs, an atmospheric rural backdrop, and a steady stream of “what’s going to happen next?” moments.

The story does a good job of showing how social media can affect relationships and how people sometimes care more about appearances than real connection. Madison is an interesting character—smart, driven, but also trapped by the image she’s created.

The book is easy to read and moves quickly. It’s part drama, part social commentary, and makes you think about how much of our lives are lived for an audience.

If you like stories about modern relationships, fame, and the hidden side of picture-perfect lives, you’ll probably enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this E-ARC.

This book is absolutely insane. I could not put it down. If I didn’t have to go to work, eat, sleep, and walk my dog I would’ve sat on the couch until I finished it all in one sitting. I am a little speechless from this book. I personally like to go into books blind so I don’t try to figure out the plot, so I don’t want to share too many details incase other readers feel the same way. However, this book is absolutely amazing. When I finished it I sat staring into space for about 10 minutes. Contemplating what had just happened. At one point I felt so incredibly proud of myself for figuring out the twist, only to have it revealed in the next sentence. Do yourself a favor and run to the stores on the release day. It is absolutely amazing and you won’t regret it.

Madison March is made for the Trad wife life. Her husband is the head of the household and her duty as a wife is to make sure that everything he can possibly need is already prepared for him. She takes care of their house, the kids, and her husband. She wants to spread this message of her perfect family and life by posting about it on social media. Making sure everyone knows how lucky she is and that the best way of living is to be a stay at home mom that makes all the food and clothes. And everything we see on social media is true, right?

Except it’s not. Madison March’s life is a lie.

Why is this important? You’ll just have to read the book to find out.

The Tradwife's Secret . is one humdinger of a novel.There are so many twists and turns and such nerve-racking mystery that you will not be able to put it down. The tradwife definitely has a secret but so do many of the other characters and they are all entwined to make for a wonderful mysterious book. Of course, my nerves were shot at the Tradwife's deceptions before all disaster broke loose but sticking it out to the end was spectacular.

I couldn't put this one down. I'm a sucker for stories about influencers and tradwives alike, so this was the perfect story for me. While some aspects were a bit ridiculous, I'll admit that some of the reveals surprised me. Told across three points of view — tradwife influencer Madison, her children's new tutor Cally, and a young girl named Brianna who's been inspired by homesteading and tradwifing influencers — the story unfolds to show that what you see on social media isn't always the truth.

To be honest, the character of Cally didn't add much; I assume she was meant to be an audience insert, someone through whom we could view this whole crazy situation, but that was about it. There are a few other characters who would have made a more interesting POV. My other issue is that everything was just a bit too British. Not just the author's writing, but also some of the dialog. It took me out of the story a bit (as did the repeated references to people's "Montana accents" or "Montana drawls," which are... not a thing).

While it's a twisty story that kept me wanting more, people should be aware that there are descriptions of domestic violence that may be disturbing to some.

I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great book! Love the cover and it fits the book so much! I highly recommend this book! You will never look at housewife’s the same again!!

Liane Child’s The Tradwife’s Secret is a sharp, unsettling thriller that delves deep into the curated world of influencer culture and the dark underbelly of performative femininity. At its center is Madison March—an Instagram darling who has crafted an immaculate brand centered on obedience, simplicity, and wholesome motherhood. With four angelic children, a rugged husband, and a picturesque homestead in rural Montana, Madison embodies the “tradwife” ideal to her millions of followers. But behind the filters and perfectly arranged tableaux lies a disturbing truth: Madison’s life is a high-gloss illusion, built on secrecy, control, and fear.

The novel unfolds through the perspectives of three women. Cally, a long-time follower and the new live-in tutor for the March children, arrives on the homestead expecting a dream job—and instead finds herself stripped of her autonomy, warned to stay silent, and gradually disillusioned. Thousands of miles away, Brianna, a young woman hoping to model her life after Madison’s, begins to sense that the online “trad” community she idolizes might be more trap than haven. And then there’s Madison herself: both perpetrator and victim, carefully maintaining the façade while privately navigating her own traumas and manipulations.

Child excels at peeling back the layers of online influence—how it’s built, monetized, and ultimately weaponized. The narrative deftly explores the psychological weight of performance and the dangerous extremes of traditional gender roles. Madison, in particular, is a standout: a morally ambiguous figure who is difficult to sympathize with but impossible to ignore. Cally provides a grounded counterbalance to Madison’s unreality, while Brianna’s emotionally resonant arc shows how aspirational lies can reshape the lives of ordinary women seeking refuge from modern burnout.

The plot is fast-paced and twisty, with short chapters and multiple POVs that keep the momentum going—though the transitions between narrators can sometimes be unclear, especially early on. The middle section drags slightly, and a few elements—such as Cally’s backstory and the characterization of Madison’s domineering husband, Michael—could benefit from more depth.

Still, these are minor issues in what is otherwise a bold and juicy read. The atmosphere is deliciously menacing, and the story crescendos into a viral scandal that forces all three women to confront their roles in maintaining or resisting the systems that confine them. In a genre that too often centers male violence and female passivity, The Tradwife’s Secret offers a refreshing shift—spotlighting flawed, complicated women who find ways to challenge the expectations placed upon them.


If you're drawn to the sinister side of social media, curious about the costs of curating perfection, or just craving a thriller with real bite, The Tradwife’s Secret delivers. It entertains, but it also provokes, asking important questions about power, performance, and the price of being perceived as “ideal.” Thank you Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Well, overall a quick read that was both interesting and infuriating. However, I was waiting for a huge secret (given the book’s title!) and I was definitely let down.

I’m fascinated with the concept of trad wives (though I fundamentally disagree with the movement), and I really enjoyed the parts of this that lifted the curtain on trad wife influencer accounts—and how they don’t actually do everything; just like everyone else in the influencer world, they have PR people and assistants who make their lives easier.

I hated the husband, and think dudes like him are absolutely what’s driving the rise of toxic masculinity in the country right now. They aren’t the center of the universe like they want to be, so they become toxic.

As the various secrets were revealed, I kept rooting for Lori and Callie, and don’t know how I feel about the ending. But overall, a good read that was pretty quick!

TW: Domestic abuse

To Madison’s 10 million + Instagram followers, she has the perfect life. Loving husband, 4 perfectly behaved children, and exceptional domestic skills.

However life isn’t always what it seem like on social media.

This was such an entertaining read and a thriller where I didn’t guess most of the twists at all which was fun. It was also a good reminder that social media is typically more of a highlight reel than real life.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Rating: ★★★★½ (rounded up to 5)

I really enjoyed this book overall. It was fast-paced, full of twists I didn’t see coming, and genuinely kept me hooked from start to finish. I was never bored, and I didn’t find it hard to follow at all. Even with the story being told from three different points of view, each perspective was distinct and easy to keep track of, which I appreciated.

That said, I did have one issue that stuck with me. The book leaned heavily into portraying all the trad wives’ husbands as abusive and all conservatives as inherently bad. There was even a MAGA reference, and while I understand the stereotype the author was working with, it felt a little over the top. I don’t think it was necessary to make every conservative character awful in order to tell the story. It started to feel more like a political statement than part of the plot, and that pulled me out of it a little.

Also, the tone felt very British. After finishing the book, I saw that the author is British, which made sense. At times, it felt like someone writing about American conservative culture from an outside perspective, and that added to the feeling that some parts were a bit exaggerated…maybe out if personal opinion?.

Content warning: infertility and pregnancy are major themes throughout the book. It is not just a side element, but something that is woven through the entire story. I wish I had known that going in, so I think it is worth mentioning for readers who may be sensitive to those topics. There’s also domestic abuse.

Even with those concerns, I really liked the book. The story was compelling, the ending worked for me, and I would absolutely recommend it. Just know going in that the political elements are pretty strong.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I received a complementary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the author and the publisher.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this one. As I read I really got caught up in this book and the Tradwife's story. The characters were interesting, if not dysfunctional, and they had their own crazy backstories that become clear as you delve in to this story. Reading about an influencer and behind the scenes of her perfectly orchestrated on-line life were crazy and parts were surprising. There were a few twists and turns that I was not expecting and I always enjoy a good surprise twist.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
This was quite a unique book, upsetting, fascinating and kept me reading.
Madison lives a lie. She has an instagram account where she portrays the perfect wife and perfect mother. But what happens when her world begins to crumble? Is it all about the ratings? And the shocking ending!

This immensely readable book features Madison, a tradwife influencer who lives with her husband, Michael, and four children in Montana. She hires Cally to tutor the children, and we realize quickly that Madison's perfect influencer life is much different on the inside. A secondary story follows Brianna, a young new tradwife who is trying hard to achieve Madison's lifestyle but finding it very difficult. Both characters have similar challenges, and the stories eventually converge.

This is a psychological thriller that is fast-paced and engaging. I highly recommend it!

Every now and then a tradwife video or story will pop up on my feed. While I am far from a tradwife, I can enjoy the content, and maybe silently judge some of the things they say or do. I was really excited when I was sent this book on netgalley, and it didn’t disappoint.

For starters, this is not a friendly view of Tradwives. It’s a critique of the “I can do it all” mothers and wives, who actually have lots of help and money, and also shows how that can affect other people. This has a wild plot, that does have triggers. You have to suspend belief quite a bit with this one, but it’s a good story if you can.

Three different women have the majority of POVs. There’s Madison March, super mom and wife who does it all for the camera, but actually does shockingly little when the cameras aren’t rolling. Cally, an East Coast liberal who’s brought in as a tutor for the 4 March children, which goes about how you’d imagine. And Brianna, a young woman just out of high school starting a homestead with her boyfriend.

The arc had some formatting issues, but I do hope the changes back and forth between the last name being March to Marsh is fixed for the final copy.

Overall, I thought this was a binge worthy thriller with secrets and plot twists that really worked for me!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for my eARC. All opinions are my own.

I had serious mixed emotions about this book. While the concept of Tradwives is fascinating and I am guilty of going down their Instagram rabbit hole occasionally, nothing is ever as perfect as it seems.

This book tended to exploit the extreme cases of "traditional values" by focusing on the mind control and physical/emotional abuse that are often associated with being submissive to your husband. I spent a good chunk of the book wanting to throttle Michael and Jonah myself. This book made me angry!

While I was furious at times, I was also drawn so completely into the plot that I couldn't put it down. The emotions that this story evoked further enhanced the suspense and the twists.

If you are looking for a book that will make you feel all types of emotions while still taking you on a wild ride, this is for you!

The Tradwife's Secret by Liane Child had me with the title alone, as a 50 something raging feminist housewife (by choice!) who is fascinated by the emerging social media wave of women catering to their husband's every need. (Your his wife, not his mommy, ladies!)

This book focuses on Madison March, a Montana ranch wife, whose home is ruled by her husband, Michael. She has four kids, is pregnant with the 5th and her carefully cultivated life is falling apart.

The story is told via Madison, the kids tutor, Cally, and Brianne, a very young wife trying to be perfect and failing miserably.

Nothing is ever as beautiful and fun as it seems in social media and Ms. Child breaks it down a little at a time as we see Madison's life and brand dissolve.

Very relevant in today's society and it was a fun read watching it all fall apart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I was instantly drawn in by the brilliant social media campaign for The Tradwife’s Secret, so getting an early copy felt like a real treat. There wasn’t much info out there yet, which made the reading experience even more intriguing, and it totally delivered.
Madison March lives the perfect life on a picturesque Montana homestead. She bakes sourdough, grows vegetables, and always has dinner ready, while millions admire her online. But behind the flawless image, not everything is as it seems.
Liane Child weaves a quiet, slow-burning tension that gradually peels back the truth behind the picture-perfect life. It’s sharp, timely, and incredibly compelling. I couldn’t put it down.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publishing house for this book in advance.

Madison March has a perfect family and a perfect life. Known to her millions of devoted followers as a trad wife, Madison spends her days baking sourdough bread and picking vegetables from the garden while watching her children play in the fields surrounding her Montana homestead. And she's also devoted to her husband Michael. Dinner is always on the table for him and they end their days sitting on the porch, watching the sun go down. At least that's what everyone thinks. Behind the scenes life in the March household is something else entirely. Will the facade crumble when a new tutor for the children arrives?

The Trad Wife's Secret is a domestic suspense novel. The reader knows automatically that something is wrong and the reader lets the Secret out slowly. We get chapters from Madison and Cally, the tutor. There are also chapters narrated by someone named Brianna. Besides wondering what lies beneath the surface of the March household we also wonder how Brianna is connected. Or maybe she isn't.

Madison has influenced millions of people. She has put a lot of work into growing her brand. Privacy is of the utmost importance. But it's not just because she's so well known. There are secrets and odd behavior. That's where the fun comes in. As more information is revealed the reader begins to root for certain characters more than others.

There are a couple of twists that I didn't find too surprising. I found myself really focused on the characters' personalities and behaviors and the ending is pretty satisfying.

The Trad Wife's Secret is a quick, enjoyable read.

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.