The reviews had me on this one and I seriously knew I had to read this homage to opening Pandora’s box of secrets.
As a wife and a mother, I couldn’t even imagine being in the position to find an old letter addressed to me by my husband that starts with…”My Darling Cecilia, If you’re reading this, then I’ve died . . .”
What would I do?
Well, I could tell you there is no way I would not be able to open said letter. I seriously am too nosey and curious for my own good.
How about you? What would you do?
Well in the the book, I am speaking of today, The Husband’s Secret, by Liane Moriarty, the main character Cecilia is faced with this very decision of whether to ignore the aforementioned letter or open it.
Here is the Goodreads review:
Imagine your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret – something so terrible it would destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others too. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive . . .
Cecilia Fitzpatrick achieved it all – she’s an incredibly successful business woman, a pillar of her small community and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia – or each other – but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s devastating secret.
I must admit that I was dying to know what was in this letter and like I said had it been me that letter would have been opened immediately upon finding it, but I have to admit I loved the way Liane Moriarty developed the story and weaved all the characters together.
In the onset, I was definitely wondering how as the first few chapters went by she was going to do this and still leave us wanting more.
See each of the chapters focuses on different characters families and perspectives. It would sometimes be told from Cecilia, Will (her husband) and her family’s vantage point. And then the next chapter may switch to Tess, her cousin Felicity, her husband, Will, their son Liam and even her elderly mom, Lucy. And still yet, we would then get inside the mind of Rachel, the middle aged women who lost her beloved daughter, Janie many years previous to an unsolved murder.
We even get treated to flashbacks of Janie before her demise to find out what actually happened to her.
One of best parts of the book to me was the reveal of the letter, which comes about half way through (the buildup is incredible) and fallout through the rest of the entire book doesn’t miss a beat.
I have to tell you I literally was on the edge of my seat to find out how Ms. Moriarty was going to tie up all the loose ends and folks she doesn’t disappoint in the least even giving you a look into the future, as well as as look back to what would have happened if Janie did indeed live to tell her tale.
So, what are my final thoughts on The Husband’s Secret?
I would totally recommend this book to read, because I must add that was definitely left feeling like I got closure for main plot here, as well as the smaller, yet equally important subplots as well.
Another 5 star read in my book and just happy that I got to throughly enjoy this one.
What did I read next?
The Promise of Stardust, by Priscille Sibley
Stay tuned for my thoughts on this one coming soon and if you haven’t followed me on Goodreads yet, what are you waiting for?
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Tamara says
Oooh! Looks like a page turner and you’re not the only one I know who read this after “Me Before You”!
Janine Huldie says
Really was a total page turner and I have to say was definitely a great read after Me Before You. Still had a few sad parts, but definitely had some humorous ones, too that lifted me up after the last read.
vitatrain4life says
I had heard of this book but I had no clue it was about THIS!!! OMG I feel like I want to start reading it right now. The problem is that I'm already reading two other books!…and by "reading" I mean I get though about 5 pages of each per day. UGH!! I guess it's good to have these problems. Thanks for the great review. I will download it now and read it later… 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
I had a few books like that they I would get through 5 pages and then hit on to the next book and do the same last year. I do have one I downloaded at the beginning of the month and read and few chapter and just didn't keep my interest and sported reading believe it or not. But this one definitely kept me on the edge of my seat even after what was in the letter was indeed revealed (about half way through the book). So, I totally recommend and hope you do get to read soon, Allie 🙂
cyndi says
Oooh, you could start the Janine Huldie book club. 😀
Hehe. We have a snow day here so I have a little extra time to come say hi today! Hope you are well! Happy snowy Wednesday! xo
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Janine Huldie says
I would love to do that and seriously if anyone wants to do an online book club would definitely love to join or even start. Having so much fun reading and just can't stop now! And we totally had snow last night, but no snow day here. Just a mess and nuisance unfortunately now. You know how much I am not a fan of this weather and seriously longing for spring now. Have a great day though and thank you for stopping by xoxo 🙂
ashleyinnc says
I read it a few months ago and loved it, too. I would totally open the letter. I am way too nosy also! I thought it was a really well-written book! :)-Ashley
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Janine Huldie says
Ashley, I am so glad I am not the only nosey person that would have so opened this letter. Seriously, I am so bad at keeping secrets, too!! 🙂
notinjersey says
I can't wait to read it!
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Janine Huldie says
Hope you do and can't wait to hear what you think about it!! 🙂
realhousewife says
I was at the book store and saw that book very recently. I'm so glad I know more about it and I can't wait to read it too!
Of course I'd open that letter!
Janine Huldie says
And this is why I love you Kelly!! 🙂
Lanaya says
I want to cry that you even have the time to read!!!!!!! NO FAIR!
Can you do some reading for me too? LOL This book looks like a great page turner. Have fun with your new book 🙂
Mwah.
xoxo
Lanaya
Janine Huldie says
Lanaya, I am admit I have cut back on some other things to find time to read, but if I worked outside the home doing finance again there would be no way in hell I would have time to read. So seriously I admire you and all you have taken on now. You know I love you and will totally do the reading for you now. Hugs and kisses right back!! 🙂
Brittnei Washington says
You and Dana should be in a book club together lol. You too remind me of each other. I have to say that you make me want to read all of these books, too. I just don't know when I would. Something would be sacrificed and I'm thinking it would be my blog time. No!!! Can't do that! LOL. But I would want to read these some day. lol.
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Janine Huldie says
Brittnei, I would love to be in book club with Dana, because I truly love her and must admit she is one of the people to get me back into reading with her own love of it and review, too!! 🙂
Billybuc says
I can't imagine someone not reading it….I am seriously….I know I would in a heartbeat. 🙂 Have a great Wednesday Janine.
Janine Huldie says
Thank you Bill, because I seriously felt like I might be a nosey person, but seriously couldn't imagine not reading a letter like this! Have a great day again, too 🙂
rosey says
I don't read fiction usually, this one I am totally totally totally wanting to read now!
Janine Huldie says
Fiction (specifically women's) is my favorite to read, but this one is definitely so good and worth looking at, Rosey. Hope you do get to read it soon 🙂
Dana says
I really liked this book too, and it made for very interesting discussion at my book club last week. I even talked with my husband about it a bit – a lot of food for thought!
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Janine Huldie says
Definitely leads for some good old fashioned conversation on this one and could see this being not only a great book to read for a book club, but also for an interesting marital discussion, too.
anothercleanslate says
There is a blogger book club linking up about The Husband's Secret tomorrow. Just an FYI 🙂
And The Promise of Stardust was SO sad. But so good.
Janine Huldie says
Is the linkup on your blog or do you know where tomorrow? And I know I honestly think that The Promise of Stardust as sad as it was, was truly one of my favorites so far for this year. The book after I read it couldn't compare to be quite honest.
dishofdailylife says
I want to read it now! I don't know if I would be able to stop myself from being nosy. I think I would put it aside and not look at it for a while and then it would drive me crazy and I would read it. Note to husband, if you don't want me to read something, hide it really well!!
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Janine Huldie says
I know Michelle, if Kevin is reading this (and I think he already knows how nosy I am) that he needs to hide it real well if he doesn't want me to read or see it! But seriously, hope you do read this one and if you do, let me know what you think! 🙂
massholemommy says
I'll have to add this to my list of books for the beach this summer.
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Janine Huldie says
Robin, definitely would be a wonderful beach and summer read for sure 🙂
stephanie says
I have been debating on reading this book for a while now. I think I will go ahead and buy it since I need something good to read!
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Janine Huldie says
So glad you are buying to read, Stephanie. Definitely let me know what you think of it, if you can 🙂
day-with-kt.com says
I have The Husband's Secret on my Nook waiting to read. I don't know if I would read the letter or not. Did you see the movie PS I Love You? I can't remember who was in it but it about did me in – I cried so much I didn't enjoy it and the friend I was with at the theater said, "I could totally see Chris doing that." Which just made it worse – it is actually a move that I've refused to ever watch again!!!
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Janine Huldie says
I haven’t seen that movie yet, but the one movie that always makes me cry at the end is The Notebook. But will have to take a look now to see what you mean. And hope you get to read this soon, too 🙂
mamarabia says
That sounds like a really good book! I'm hoping my library has it, so I can check it out…literally!
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Janine Huldie says
Oh I totally hope they have it and you can check it out now! 🙂
stephanie2006 says
This book sounds so interesting. Now I want to know the secret, too. On finding a letter like that, I don't know if I would open it, since we do trust each other.. On the other hand, I'm a nosey person 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
See as much as I trust Kevin, I truly am a nosey person, so I know that would take over here for sure. Hope you get to read to find out the secret soon, too 🙂
.MIS. Manhattan Image & Style says
It's already on my list of books to read! 😉
Diana http://www.ManhattanImageandStyle.com
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Janine Huldie says
Awesome Diana and hope you enjoy when you read it now 🙂
another jennifer says
Sounds like a book I'd really like. I don't know if I'd open the letter. I would definitely want to. I'm stressed just thinking about it!
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Janine Huldie says
Hope you get to read this soon Jennifer and I know the thought of that letter hypothetically is totally stressful!
Nellie says
um YES this book is right up my alley!!! I want it right now. whew! What a story line!! eta: I just downloaded it. The reviews for the husbands secret look fantastic. I can't wait to start reading tomorrow! Thanks girl 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
Totally my pleasure and seriously hope you enjoy this one, Nellie 🙂
lizzy allan says
Oh wow, Janine, I am really really wanting to read The Husband's Secret after reading your review! I'd never even heard of this novel before, but your post has got me so intrigued. You gave just enough information to make me curious without giving too much away 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Lizzy and I try so hard when I write these reviews not to give too much away, but also to make it known how much I may have enjoyed the book itself. Hope you get to read and if you do let me know what you think 🙂
Sandy_Ramsey says
Love the review and I think we pretty much had the same thoughts about the book! It was a great read! I can tell you, I would have opened that letter in a New York second…..
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Janine Huldie says
And this is just one of the many reasons we are such good friends 🙂
catherine gacad says
oooh, the husband's secret sounds like such a page turner! those books are the best kind. should've been reading that instead of watching the very boring superbowl game. what a blowout, cannot believe it was the superbowl.
Janine Huldie says
I also watched the Super Bowl and was sorry I didn't just read myself, too!! 🙂