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 🖤

If you are looking for a good popcorn thriller that has all the thrills and chills then grab a copy of this one and sit back and enjoy your reading!

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.

"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.

Wow. I couldn't put this one down. I had heard of this book on booktok before being approved for a NetGalley Arc. It definitely lived up to the hype. It was fast paced and made me feel enraged at some points but overall, I enjoyed it! Madison was so self-absorbed and Michael was just such an unlikeable, miserable, disrespectful POS. I found the dynamic between Madison and Lori very interesting. At some point, I did have a slight clue where the book was heading but overall it was a great read. I've seen the tradwife movement on tiktok and the content creators with the seemingly perfect life - well dressed in their clean kitchens while making picture perfect food. It really makes you realize how much of what you see on social media is staged and fake and behind those women is probably a team of people making that 10 second reel come to life. The story line was different from other thriller's I've read recently, and I definitely appreciated the take on content creators/social media/the tradwife movement.

I would recommend this book to friends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 Stars) The Tradwife’s Secret

I really enjoyed this book. Y’all, I stayed up all night to finish this, and that should tell you something lol. I loved the concept of the Trad Wife lifestyle with an influencer twist. It was interesting seeing the behind-the-scenes of a so-called perfect life. The book has 3 POVs: Madison March, Brianna Nelson, and Cally. I really liked how each Madison chapter started with a comment from her infamous Instagram page. You dance between whether you like Madison or if you hate her. There were times in the book I was SCREAMING because I just wanted her to stand up for herself.
-There are trigger warnings such as: Domestic violence, sexual assault.
There were a few plot holes once we started to get answers. They were lazily filled towards the end to have everything make sense, could’ve been done a little better but I’m not mad at it. Overall, I still had a GREAT time reading this book. It was the type of thriller I haven’t read before, and it now makes me want more!
And the TWIST….INSANE! Jaw on the floor!
I would like to thank Netgalley and Harper 360 for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

**Review of *The Tradwife’s Secret* by Liane Child**

I was completely captivated by *The Tradwife’s Secret*, a gripping domestic thriller that exposes the dark reality behind a picture-perfect social media facade. Liane Child delivers a timely story about Madison Marsh, a viral "tradwife" influencer who portrays an idyllic life of homemade bread, cozy family moments, and rustic Montana charm. But when Cally, a tutor hired from the East Coast, enters the Marsh household, she discovers disturbing truths hidden beneath the carefully crafted illusion of perfection.

This book is a brilliant blend of suspense and social commentary, unraveling the dangers of influencer culture with slow-burning tension. Child’s writing is immersive, and the twists are expertly executed, culminating in an ending that will leave readers stunned. Fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose, or Lisa Jewell will find this impossible to put down. With its sharp insights and shocking revelations, *The Tradwife’s Secret* is destined to be one of the summer’s most talked-about thrillers.

I give it 5 stars out of 5. An absolute must-read for anyone fascinated by the dark side of curated online lives. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the ARC.

4.5/5 Stars! Thanks NetGalley and Harper 360 for this eARC of The Tradwife's Secret by Liane Child.

I really enjoyed this book, I got approved for the audiobook and decided to listen while reading the book and really enjoyed it! I don't know for sure if I would've enjoyed this book without the audio book because I loved the narrator that ended up reading this novel. This is my first book by this author and really enjoyed the plot and characters that were built in the story.

Really enjoyed and following this author for her next novel! Thanks!

A marriage is between two people—and their millions of followers.

In The Tradwife’s Secret, Liane Child peels back the curtain on the seemingly picture-perfect life of Madison March, the internet’s ideal homesteading wife. With sourdough starters, homegrown vegetables, and golden sunsets over a Montana farm, Madison’s world is straight out of a lifestyle influencer’s dream. But as the story unfolds, we discover that the reality behind the curated posts is far messier—and far more compelling.

This book is a sharp, timely commentary on the pressures and illusions of social media. Madison’s perfectly filtered life hides a web of secrets, and as the cracks begin to show, the narrative explores themes of identity, authenticity, and the consequences of living for an audience. What I appreciated most was how Child deftly shows how easy it is to get caught up in comparing ourselves to someone else's carefully managed highlight reel.

I experienced this story both as an ebook and through the excellent audiobook narration by Lauryn Allman. Allman brings the characters vividly to life—Madison, Brianna, Cally, and Lori all have distinct voices and personalities that deepen the emotional impact of the story. Her performance adds texture and realism, especially as the tension builds and the truth begins to unravel.

While the plot occasionally leaned into familiar territory, the characters and pacing kept me engaged throughout. Madison’s descent into disillusionment—and her fight to reclaim her voice—made for a gripping read that felt both personal and reflective of wider societal truths.

A solid 4 stars. The Tradwife’s Secret is a gripping reminder that perfection is often a performance, and reality is rarely as tidy as a grid of Instagram squares. Highly recommended for anyone who’s ever found themselves scrolling and wondering, “Why isn’t my life like that?”

3.5 stars

This book gives ballerina farm vibes… IYKYK.

Quick, easy, attention grabbing read. I enjoyed the different POVs. Kept it interesting and not super predictable. Towards the end it did get a little confusing switching back and forth. There were a couple of times I had to put it down, because the men in this book made me irrationally angry. Once things ramped up I couldn’t put the book down. Madison’s POV at the end was spectacular and quite a twist.

**Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: The Trad Wife’s Secret
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this absolute gem.

This one had me hooked from the first page—The Trad Wife’s Secret is twisty, clever, and totally unputdownable. Just when I thought I had it figured out… BAM. The plot shifted, and I was completely spun around (in the best way). The premise is bold, the pacing is tight, and that final reveal? Chef’s kiss.

I loved how it played with image, identity, and what goes on behind the perfectly curated life. It’s domestic suspense with bite—glossy on the outside, dark as hell underneath. And yet somehow, it still felt real. Relatable, even.

A smart, juicy thriller with something to say. Five stars from me. I’ll be recommending this one to all my fellow plot twist junkies.

I was completely hooked by this book from the start. The storytelling was sharp and addictive, with each chapter peeling back another layer of secrets I didn’t see coming. It kicks off with what seems like a picture-perfect housewife—her life looks straight out of a lifestyle blog—but that glossy image quickly begins to crack. When a new staff member enters the picture, things shift in the most deliciously unexpected ways. Both women have secrets, and watching them circle around each other kept me on edge the entire time.

What I loved most is how the story builds its tension—there’s always that sense that something’s just beneath the surface. The twists were clever, and just when I thought I had things figured out, the plot swerved again. It’s one of those thrillers where almost every character has something to hide, and I couldn't stop flipping the pages to uncover what was really going on. If you’re into layered mysteries with social media facades, hidden pasts, and slow-burn suspense, this one’s totally worth your time.

This absolutely addictive thriller will leave you guessing until the very end! In the age of social media can you really believe everything you see online? Great plot and characters in this twisty turny and unputdownable read!

A solid 4 stars! Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC via NetGalley!

This novel tells the complexities of the Tradwife phenomenon that has continued to grow in Western culture. Some of the common themes and ideologies portrayed in this book are incredibly hard to read & are almost stomach churning, but I think the raw look at them through the character’s lens is what makes this book so good. The writing had me feeling every range of emotion from disgust to indignation to empathy. There are some heavy hitting topics in this book to be aware of before deciding to dive in for yourself (i.e. DV, SA, pregnancy loss, etc). I would recommend this book, however, the content could potentially be very triggering for some individuals.

The tradwife/secret life of wives genre is going to be everywhere and this page turner of a book is the perfect choice to start. The twists were unexpected and unparalleled. Thank you Liane Child and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of The Tradwife’s Secret.

4/5 stars. This book kept me intrigued and interested throughout. The right amount of connection and twists and turns to keep you wanting more.

The concept of a modern influencer promoting a traditional homestead lifestyle was such a unique (and ironically contradictory 😂) setup—I haven’t read anything quite like it.

Some of the reveals were jaw-dropping in the best way. I love when a book truly surprises me, and this one definitely delivered a few “wait, what?!” moments. That said, a couple of the twists were a bit confusing, and I had to flip back and reread to make sure I was following. Not a dealbreaker, but it did pull me out of the story for a moment.

Overall, I thought this was a clever, entertaining thriller with a fresh premise. I’m curious what others thought about some of those big reveals! If you enjoy domestic thrillers with an influencer twist and a darker edge, this one’s worth picking up.

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A perfect wife who has a perfect life. Or does she? This was a fast paced domestic thriller about the life of an influencer and how it affects those around her. I loved the character development, short chapters and multiple POV’s. This was my first read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book! Truly I could hardly put this book down. 5 Stars this is the best thriller I have read in a while.
I love how it emphasizes on a side of social media of the
"tradwife" which is a big controversial side of tik tok instagram etc. it was very easy to get into. I also found myself wanting to start wearing dresses and baking to be honest. The twist kept coming I was surprised by almost all of them. This style of writing was great you follow 3 different views and each chapter is well written and easy to get through.
I was speed reading at points and stayed up until almost midnight. This last few pages got me through 10 minutes on the stair steppers on level 5 (IYKYK) ! This book is coming out soon and when I say read this and let's buy some traditional wife clothing together because even though the ending was crazy. The style described in this book wants me to go shop #Tradwife #ThelradwifesSecret #NetGalley #momtok @netgalley

Thank you to Netgally for the opportunity to review this ARC!! This is a fun thriller I would recommend to fans of Frieda McFadden. I absolutely could not put this down! The story follows trad wife influencer Madison March and her family, and her supposed perfect life curated on social media. But of course not everything is as it seems. I don’t want to give too much away since the twists and turns were super unexpected. The multiple POVs and shorter chapters made this easy to fly through. This is an easy one to recommend for fans of any domestic psychological thriller- especially fans of the Housemaid!

I really enjoyed this story. I love suspense and when it is so well done I cannot recommend it enough. This will definitely be one of those times. The plot was well written and the characters felt so real!

I loooooved this book! I wish I could read it again for the first time. A good story, characters that are cringe, and twists that I didn't see coming had me devouring this book.

Going into this book I really had no idea exactly what a tradwife was. I've heard the term a few times and guessed it was a woman who played a traditional role in the home as wife and mother. I soon learned that Madison, the main character, was a social media influencer living the tradwife lifestyle. Or is she really?

Got to be honest here and say I really didn't like any of the characters in this book except Cally. But I think that was the author's intent. We get a behind the scenes look at the influencer lifestyle and how it isn't as perfect as it looks. A great reminder for when people are scrolling and getting down about their not-so-perfect lives.

This story is told from the pov of a few characters. This keeps things moving along at a nice pace. There are plot twists that I didn't guess until they happened and it made reading this book fun.

All in all this was a great book and one I quickly read. Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. When I had to reluctantly step away from.the book I couldn't quit thinking about it. A book Ibwould definitely recommend!

I absolutely devoured this. I was totally engaged the whole way though. Trad wife influencers in general fascinate me; the idea of portraying such perfect domesticity when so often there are outside forces propping it up.

The characters were really well developed and all of them had flaws, although I was definitely rooting for some over others. I thought the relationships between the male and female characters was really well done, showing the struggle to find the balance of power in these relationships.

Madison March is the perfect tradwife, with a social media following in the millions, with people following her perfect homestead life and her perfect family. Things, however, are not what they seem on camera.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 An Addictively Twisted Look Behind the Apron Strings
The Trad Wife’s Secret by Liane Child is a deliciously dark dive into the carefully curated domestic bliss and the sinister truths that can lurk beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect Instagram influencer. This is a compelling, twist-filled thriller that is chillingly relevant based in the influencer culture, gender stereotypical beliefs of the trad-con movement, and the pressures of being viewed as “perfect” online. Child takes the glossy veneer of the tradwife culture and shreds it completely into ribbons.

On the surface, Madison March is the embodiment of tradwife chic living the American dream-homesteading in rural Montana, baking from scratch, homeschooling her kids, smiling sweetly, and posting sun-drenched photos of farm life for her millions of loyal social media followers. But behind the filtered reels of her idyllic life of sourdough starters, dresses, and a feed-friendly façade is a woman walking a razor-thin line trying to hide the dark, disturbing truth of her secret-filled life and Child makes sure the reader feels every wobble.

This is not your average domestic thriller. Child dials up the tension fast and doesn’t let up. Just when you think you’ve uncovered Madison’s biggest secret, Child peels back another layer with one more well-timed twist—some shocking, some gasp-worthy, and a few genuinely disturbing. Madison is absolutely fascinating: equal parts calculating, trapped, and complicit. I was never quite sure whether to root for her, fear her, or pity her. With a plot that is stacked with betrayals, manipulations, and unpredictable turns and a protagonist caught somewhere between empowered and entrapped this book has a truly addictive pull.

That being said, there is one nagging flaw: the use of British English when Madison is supposed to be an ultra-American, trad-con Montana homemaker with a massive U.S.-based following. It felt jarring to read words like mum, snug, and windscreen, and see the alternative spellings of words like tyre, colour, and favourite disrupting the otherwise immersive narrative and pulling me out of the story breaking the illusion of Madison as an authentically American character.
Despite this, The Trad Wife’s Secret still delivers in spades with its juicy, knife-sharp exploration of curated identity, power, and control. If you’re drawn to stylish, smart thrillers with a wicked edge, there is plenty to feast on here. Just don’t be fooled by the flaky pie crusts and fake smiles—the truth is anything but wholesome.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

The Tradwife’s Secret, a gripping psychological thriller, explores the world of social media influencers who promote traditional gender roles in marriage. The story centers around Madison March, a woman who appears to lead a perfect life on her Montana homestead, sharing idyllic moments with her family. However, beneath the surface, her life is far from perfect, and the book unravels the secrets she hides from her millions of followers.

The book has a gripping narrative and unexpected twists. It really kept me engaged throughout the whole story. I was on the edge of my seat!

For those interested in exploring the complexities of influencer culture and the secrets that lie beneath seemingly perfect lives, The Tradwife’s Secret offers a wonderful read!

Thank you NetGalley, Harper 360 and Liane for the eARC!

Rating: ✨✨✨✨
Publication Date: May 27 2025

Being a mom during the time of social media is not for the faint of heart. We've all seen the accounts of moms whose lives seem perfect: the mom is gorgeous, the husband is attractive, their kids look like little models. Their lives seem like an endless amount of happy times and adventures in their perfectly aesthetic clean houses. There have been times where I have found myself comparing my life as a mom to other moms on social media, and it definitely makes me feel like I am not doing enough. I have to remind myself that I cannot compare my life to the lives of these mom influencers, and no matter how perfect someone's life may seem on social media, they are still human and likely have their own struggles behind the cameras. This book is really a perfect reminder of that, and I thought this one was really interesting! It is a good reminder that not everything is always as perfect as it seems. We've heard some of the horror stories, and I have a feeling as time goes on, we may hear more. This book is perfect for any mom who has ever compared herself to the mom influencers online!

This was definitely a fun read especially since I often find myself sucked into trad wife TikToks. I can’t understand why anyone would want to live this lifestyle and this book did nothing to change my mind. It took me a while to feel like I really understood the characters but I enjoyed the twists and the ending.

The Tradwife's Secret by Liane Child - Madison March is the perfect wife who does it all. She cooks, sews, crafts, does all the housework herself along with raising her four, perfect children all seen through the camera. She has a mansion with a working farm husband who has his own successful life. Well, it all looks like she's the perfect "tradwife" from her followers on her influencing site but behind the camera, her life isn't as it all seems. All of it is a lie. Madison is holding a dark secret from her followers. Cally is the new home schoolteacher brought in as the last teacher left quickly. Cally signs an agreement to never discuss her job or what happens while living with the family. Briana is a new bride who ran away with her high school boyfriend to have the perfect farm life as she's been seeing on all the social networks. This book will twist and turn until you gasp for air upon the last few pages of reading. It does cover triggers of domestic abuse and more, so research first before reading if you have emotional triggers. I gave this book 4 Stars.

Such an easy book to binge. My fyp on tiktok has been full of homesteading and I stumbled on some tradwife accounts, which was so crazy. This book follows the tradwife expert, Madison March and her perfect family. But of course, nothing is as it seems.

Was this book slightly over the top and parts were not completely believable? Yes, 100%. But was it extremely easy to read and absolutely fly through? YES.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc, all opinions are my own

What begins as an idyllic portrait of married life on a sun-drenched Montana homestead quickly twists into something far more disturbing. Madison March seems to have it all, but beneath the curated calm is a slow unraveling.

This is a sharp, haunting story about the pressure to perform perfection and the danger of building your identity around an audience. As the layers peel back, we’re left wondering not just what Madison is hiding, but what we’re all capable of faking.

Compelling, unnerving, and eerily familiar.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was interesting. It’s not often I think of the homestead community or what all goes into being a social media influencer, but this book has both of those AND a mystery all mixed together. I will say however there were times that I predicted what was going to happen, the ending though I did not see that coming! This was definitely enjoyable and well worth the read.

I enjoyed reading this book! It was kind of strange but kept me coming back because I wasn't sure what to expect! Definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

I hated Madison from the start. Most of the characters were not to my liking, but I just couldn't get past the fakeness of Madison.

The ending was a huge twis I so did not see coming!

So mant huge twists and turns.

Thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Once I started reading, I was hooked! The narrative of this book centers around Madison, a celebrated Instagram "trad-wife" whose perfect life is anything but behind the scenes. This author did a great job of showing several different POV's from the woman who live on the farm. Every few chapters there was a little more information given and you started to understand the reasons these 3 different woman were doing what they were doing. The ending was slightly predictable, but there were a few twists that took me by surprise.

Potential Read For:

Readers interested in the "trad-wife" phenomenon.
Those curious about the realities behind online influencer lives.
Anyone looking for a fast-paced and engaging story.

Trigger Warnings:

Domestic abuse
Loss of a child

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I liked the characters and the storyline kept me interested. Did not expect the ending which I what I love in a book. Great read!

A scary account of an influencer’s perfect on the outside life. I was surprised at every twist in the book and kept reading late into the night because I just had to find out the next thing to go wrong in Madison’s less than perfect life. A fun read overall minus the abuse (I sped through those portions). Very engaging and well written. Now I need to locate the authors backstock because I want read all of her books. A perfect summer read!

@TrulyMadison is the queen trad wife influencer, but as her life starts to fall apart she does everything she can to protect the image she’s so carefully curated.

We’ve all seen the homestead life come across our feed at some point, and I’m sure we’ve all wondered if it’s really as idyllic as it seems. Safe to say, that is not the case on the March homestead. The further you get into the story, the more you learn how many secrets all the characters are keeping.

I love how this book used social media posts to introduce each chapter - it really drove home the influencer part of the storyline. This book was just pure, popcorn thriller fun! Perfect for fans of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and followers of homestead content!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the eGalley of this book!

The Tradwife’s Secret by Liane Child tells the story of Madison March who has a perfect life in front of the camera. I admit I had to look up the term and didn’t realize it was a thing. Madison is a traditional wife but has a huge following on social media. A bit hypocritical?? The book takes us behind the scenes of this family and their lives.

The characters are interesting. Each with a different purpose for the story. The new tutor Callie and Lori who is Madison’s best friend and Rose the ex-wife. The secret is a big one and it kept me reading. Very descriptive writing so I felt like a was in Montana.

Thank you to NetGalley and Edelweiss for sending me the ARC.

a truly wonderful read! Who is Madison March really? This unpredictable entertaining page turner will keep you wondering until the very end! A haunting story filled with interesting complex characters. A must read!

I can't recommend it enough! I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down, I finished it in a couple of days!

This is a dual pov book that was definitely entertaining! I've been a to with books that I enjoyed that weren't phenomenal but not bad. This was one of those that was fun and enjoyable but I'm not going to sit and think about it after I've read it.

This was a multi pov book with Madison our MFC and Brianna who ran away with her high-school bf to homestead and is struggling with the day to day home life that Tradwifes make look so easy. We also get the children's tutor pov.

Right from the jump, we readers find out that something is amiss. Madison projects the perfect Tradwife life to her millions of followers. She bakes bread from scratch, the house is always clean, and dinner is always on the table for her husband when he gets home. Everything is picture perfect for the camera when in reality Madison's life is falling apart especially because her husband sleeps around and what he says goes in the household...or else.
What happens when the children's new young tutor arrives? There are plenty of secrets going on this this book.

I really had fun with this one. A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Harper360 for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

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The Trad Wife’s Secret - Liane Child

Cult vibes, social media lies, and a twisted take on the Trad Wife trend? I’m in.

I’ve always been fascinated by the ridiculous Trad Wife movement, so I couldn’t resist picking up The Trad Wife’s Secret — and it delivered.

Madison March presents the image of the ideal wife: baking sourdough, tending her garden, raising her kids on a picture-perfect homestead in Montana — all carefully curated for her massive online following. But behind the staged sunsets and wholesome hashtags, things are far from idyllic.

This story weaves together cultish religion, the dark side of influencer culture, and buried secrets in a way that kept me fully invested. I also really enjoyed Lauryn Allman’s narration (you might know her voice from The Housemaid series), which added to the tension.

If you love thrillers with social media themes or are equally intrigued by the toxic underbelly of trends like this one, definitely give it a listen. It’s a fast, bingeable audiobook.

Have you read any other thrillers that tackle internet personas or influencer life? I’m always looking for more!
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#TheTradWifesSecret #LianeChild #ThrillerBooks #SocialMediaThriller #CultFiction #AudiobookRecommendations #ReadingWithBrian

I could hardly put this book down once i started it, it was such a compelling read! I loved to see the behind the scenes of the influencer culture that the book portrayed and how the author wrote about what the audience sees versus what actually happens. The different stories tied in together so well too and I did not see the ending coming at all! I loved how flawed the characters were, struggling between their moral convictions and what reality demanded of them.
All in all it was a great read and it helped to bring me out of a reading slump!

Liane Child’s The Tradwife’s Secret is a thriller that delves into the dark underbelly of influencer culture. The story centers on Madison March, a seemingly perfect tradwife influencer living in Montana with her husband and children. Her idyllic life—captured through curated posts of sourdough baking and family moments—appears flawless to her millions of followers. However, as the narrative unfolds, the facade begins to crumble, revealing a web of lies and secrets that threaten to unravel her carefully constructed image.
The novel is structured through multiple perspectives, including Madison, her children's tutor Cally, and young, aspiring tradwife Brianna. While Madison's polished online persona hides a tumultuous reality, Cally's insider view exposes the complexities behind the scenes. Brianna's journey highlights the allure and potential dangers of aspiring to such a lifestyle. Through these viewpoints, Child explores themes of manipulation, control, and the consequences of living under constant scrutiny.
Child's story has twists that keep readers on edge. The novel critiques the performative nature of social media and the pressures it places on individuals to maintain a perfect image. At the same time, it shows the damage such influencers can unintentionally inflict on those who wholeheartedly believe influencers’ posts.
While the story keeps the reader engaged, some plot developments are typical of the genre and easily anticipated. The author also uses Britishisms (anyone in the U.S. know where a snug is located in your house?), even though none of the characters are British and the story is set in Montana. Please, she’s knitting a sweater not a jumper!
Overall, The Tradwife’s Secret was a riveting read that kept me coming back.

Thank you #NetGally for providing an advance reader copy

I am such a sucker for a controversial internet subject, so the word “tradwife” is basically catnip to me. This book was super tense, and it ended with some crazy twists that I didn’t see coming. Even when I thought I had it figured out after a big reveal, another one was coming right behind it. I really enjoyed this and would recommend it.

This book is like a thriller version n the show “Secret Wives of Mormon Lives!” From the jump, that first chapter starts off with a death that has you rapidly reading to try to figure out who did it and why. There’s twists and turns, characters that appear likeable as well as ones you’re suspicious of…only to be shocked and completely baffled. The ending though…..that was a twist I never saw coming! Great storyline, wonderful character development, and a uniquely thrilling read. This one is a winner!

This book has some twists and turns I didn't see coming. The big question that this book brings to mind-social media, what is true and what is not. How much danger are you in when you share too much? A perfect life, does it exist. i highly recommend reading this book!

I'm not sure what I expected this book to be about but it was twisty, juicy and worth the read!

Trigger Warning: there is abuse and domestic violence (though not super graphic, but troubling)

A tradwife influencer, what could go wrong? Seeing the behind the scenes of a 'traditional' wife is quite the story. This book will have you shaking your head at the twists and turns in this story. Does the public actually try to copy those influencers and fall incredibly short? Is what you see or think the truth or do we ever know the truth.

This book really grabbed my attention! You see the popular Trad Wife on TikTok and Instagram, this was such a page turner and I had no idea where it was going!

Madison March is the queen bee of the #tradwives with over a million followers on her social media. She and her husband, Michael, a rich Montana rancher appear to live the perfect lives. From their children being homeschooled, to the home cooked dinners its all a lie a lie that’s even larger than you can imagine. The camera doesn’t show everything!

We meet Cally. She desperately needs money fast. So she takes a job tutoring Madison’s children. She has to sign an NDA and her plan is to make it to July when she will finally make enough money to free her brother, and she can leave Madison’s house. Cally has no idea what she signed up for.

Brianna has taken the trad live illusion and is determined to make it a reality. She’s only 18, and she and her boyfriend left everything and everyone they know. and moved to trad-country - Montana. She wants the type of life she sees the influencers having. But her reality has turned into a nightmare.
Soon we watch as the ending ends in a bang! ❝𝙵𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚜. 𝙵𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚞𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚜. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚏𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚘𝚗
𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚏𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 _𝚃𝚛𝚞𝚕𝚢𝙼𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚘𝚗_.❞ prepared to have your jaw drop!!

so good! loved the suspense and thrills. very quick read and great for Freida McFadden fans. I could not stop reading and it was quick

This was such an interesting book, I blew through it. I loved that it seemed both familiar AND outrageous. The twists gave me a thrill every time was revealed. Perfect book to read with a drink, by the pool!

This book has a really interesting concept! There are so many influencers out there showing tiktoks etc of this lifestyle. If you’ve ever seen a ridiculously perfect post on Instagram, and rolled your eyes thinking “yeah right,” then this one is for you. I enjoyed delving more into it and getting a behind the scenes glimpse into the drama filled lives of these characters. A huge plus to this book- I honestly did not even see this twist coming!! Thanks so much to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!

Loved this book. Twisty and the story pulled me in from the beginning. I did not predict the twist, which made me gasp out loud. Well written and a must read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book so much that I read it in one sitting. I had to know what was going to happen. I was surprised at some of the twists in this book. I loved the storyline and all the characters in this book. I would definitely recommend this book.

This book is right up my alley with perfect wife drama! Everyone has secrets, and some are more damaging than others in this perfect domestic suspense that will keep you glues to the pages from start to finish.

Madison March is the perfect wife, the perfect mother, and has the perfect life with her Rancher/Farmer Husband. Her days are filled with all the perfect homesteaders life of baking sourdough to tending to the garden, all while filming it for her huge social media followers. Her life is "Picture Perfect" or is it?!

Liane Child does an outstanding job of pulling back the layers of the multiple story lines to this riveting story. The story is a slow burn but escalates quickly. This novel is perfect if you love, suspenseful, twist and turns, and wow your kidding me moments.