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*5+ Stars �� A new favorite!*

Can I say I effing love this author after having read only two of her books? Because that’s exactly what’s going on right now��

I’ve been on a huge Mystery/Psychological Thriller kick lately, and I’ve realized with many books of this genre, some (or all) of the characters are very easy to hate.

Which is fine.

And so I was ready for that. I put my little crazy-book-wall up and was prepared to just observe this story without really letting the characters in.

But they crept in anyway. In fact, I was completely bombarded.

This story is told in a third person perspective that alternates focus between the lives of three women whose paths will eventually, and quite literally, collide.

I found myself growing protective over these heroines, which initially, I wasn't expecting. Yes, they were severely damaged and, at times, completely unhinged �� and I loved them for it. Because they felt so honest and just so real. I began to find myself empathizing with their weaknesses.

I felt their pain and I wanted to unravel their secrets, and I tore through this captivating book in a single day.

You may believe this story is based solely upon figuring out the infamous “Husband’s Secret��.

It’s not.

Yes, for a small percentage of the book we are made to wonder. But the secret is revealed rather early on, and we are left to witness its aftermath; the quiet chaos that gradually spins itself out of control until the plot is taking you places you couldn't have imagined going.

Obviously, I won’t reveal what this “secret�� is, but I will say that it certainly lives up to the hype. You may even figure it out for yourself somewhat quickly. But that is not where the mystery dies. In fact, it’s precisely where this haunting story fully begins �� and there are lingering secrets hidden everywhere.

This story takes it’s time, which is not to say it drags or ever gets boring—far from it. The first 20% is fairly slow, but then it grows addictive. Cecelia, Tess, and Rachel are women of different ages, suffering distinctly different circumstances. When they all end up living in the same town, they begin to build unlikely bonds and start to learn of the heartbreaking ways that connect them.

Sometimes, when I truly love a book, it’s difficult for me to explain why. But in this case, I can confidently pinpoint the reasons:

I’ll start with the plot, which was thickly layered with mystery and originality. Each chapter pulled me in a new direction, and finished with a suspenseful edge that had me racing for the next one.

The themes: Debilitating grief. The secrets we keep, the lies we tell ourselves, and the guilt that follows.

The writing �� I’m in love! Gripping, polished, and so, so witty. This author not only knows how to breathe life into her characters, but she masters the art of sarcasm and irony. It was all thinly veiled, nothing excessive, and it worked wonderfully. When a character appeared shallow, it was clearly intentional…almost as though the author and reader were in on some joke at the character’s expense.

The storyline is melancholy at heart—somber and unsettling, yet one can still draw inspiration from the subtle moments of strength. The sometimes silly thoughts that spun through the characters�� minds help to lighten the tone a bit.

And, finally, that epilogue �� Wow’d me YET again! A final sweep of the the rug from under my feet. As readers, we become privy to secrets which the author does not reveal to her characters. It was a unique approach, and a highly emotional experience. I wanted to run and tell the characters what I’d learned--and even though it left me pretty damn frustrated, I thought that particular element was genius.

If you browse reviews and ratings for this book, you’ll see that not everyone was as smitten with this one. I wouldn't recommend this to all readers, but for those of you who love a well-written, gripping mystery that bravely showcases the ugly and painful sides of life while offering a healthy dose of dry humor �� DON'T pass this one up!


Book Stats:
��  Genre/Category: Mystery/Suspense/Romance
�� Romance: Twisted/broken, Not the driving force of story.
��  Characters: Very well fleshed out. Extremely troubled.
��  Plot: Three women with separate struggles come to find their all somehow connected.
�� Writing: Brilliant! Quick, witty, respectfully humorous.
�� POV: 3rd Person Perspective: Alternates between heroines.
��  Cliffhanger: None. Standalone