Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive.
Quick note before the review: this is not a romance. It’s just a fiction novel. It’s the first non-romance book I’ve ever reviewed on this blog and after this, I’m going right back to romance but something about this book just called to me.
From the moment I read that quote posted above, I was hooked into the story. Or, I was hooked into the idea of it. I was just so curious and I really just wanted to know WHAT was in that damn letter!!!! I wasn’t even planning to read this book now even though I had it on my eventual TBR so I started it thinking that maybe I’d just find out the secret and stop there… But the story sucked me in and I just kept reading and reading and reading and it became my impromptu next read almost against my will just because I literally could not put it down.
This book is totally different than “our” usual books – not a romance book even though there are romantic elements. I’d really just call it straight-up fiction. And even though my heart lies with the romance genre, I have to admit that this was a very well done book.
I won’t say too much about the plot but it’s a very complex story that starts off with three main story lines following the lives of three women:
– a woman who discovered a life-changing secret
– a woman who was betrayed by her husband
– a woman whose past had been stolen and whose future had suddenly been derailed
What none of them know is that they are all connected.
“There are so many secrets about our lives we’ll never know…”
The way all the story lines of this book came together was so clever, so brilliant and honestly even though the style isn’t the kind I usually read, I loved the writing. It was interesting because in some ways, it seemed to go in ten different directions at once while still always moving forward and slowly (but very surely) weaving these different story lines together.
It was a very insightful story that got you right into the minds of these women. It was a wonderfully honest and introspective look into different people’s views and perspectives. It was almost painfully real though — a candid look at the truths behind all kinds of relationships (not just romantic ones). These women were all so different and yet I could find myself sympathizing with each one in one way or another.
As the story went on, you began to see the connections more and more. It was kind of like seeing something out of the corner of your eye. You know it’s there but when you try and look right at it, it vanishes.
Ok, I will however admit that by the time I got to reading the letter, I had already guessed it’s content and at that point, I was kind of wondering if I should keep reading or not (again, remember that at this point, I wasn’t even planning to review it) but the good writing and my darn curiosity kept me going and I’m so glad I did because some of those later reveals were huge and I began to realize that the content of the letter was just the tip of the iceberg and the real meat of the story was the consequences of those facts and the deeper connections between the characters.
Now, about the ending — Even though the story was fully wrapped up, it left me feeling… unsettled? See, this is why I love romance, I love that fully wrapped-up feeling that the genre nearly always delivers. Rarely (in a standalone) are we ever left with uncertainties… and while this book does answer all the questions in the end, it still left me just… unsettled. However, it also ended at the perfect place for this story. There was no more story to tell and everything that needed to be said was said.
This book is not fluffy, nor is it disturbing… it’s not a light read, nor a dark one. It just told a candid, very honest view of a situation that wove many lives together in a way no one would have expected and to an extent that perhaps no one will ever fully know. I guess it makes you wonder what else in your life in connected to something else. No matter how much you think about it, you’ll never really know but sometimes… it’s interesting to wonder.
In terms of story telling and fabrication, this book was top notch. In terms of involving me in the story, keeping my attention, and keeping me guessing, again this book delivered so strongly. It was a total departure from my usual kind of read. It was fiction, not romance, and while I really really enjoyed it, I’m happy to go back to my romance books now. It was a great reading experience though and it was so fun to step outside my box. If you’re looking for something totally different (and I mean totally different) I’d absolutely recommend giving this book a try!
Rating: 4 stars for the way it left me feeling, but 5 stars for the story telling.
Brandie says
You have me SO curious about this book! I don’t normally read anything besides romance and the occasional suspense/mystery. But this book sounds so intriguing. Fantastic review! Thanks for the insight…I’m adding this to my list!
Aestas Cross says
Thank you so much!! It’s been a long time since I read anything other than romance but I was just in a really weird reading mood and wanted something waaaaaaaay different so this was perfect for that!
Jordie @ Jordie's Shelf says
I just picked up The Husband’s Secret from my TBR and was slightly aprehensive about reading it. I was scared it would be boring! Thanks for your review, it was very well written and made me excited to read this book!