The Marriage Secret by Carey Baldwin is a 2022 Bookouture publication.

Holly thought she had married the perfect man- someone who knew all her secrets and loved her anyway. But after their daughter is born, her husband changes into a controlling and abusive stranger. Holly knows she must escape for her daughter’s sake, but will she make it out alive?

I enjoy reading domestic thrillers from time to time. I don’t expect them to be very original or surprising- anymore. I just want to see how the author plays with the familiar trope of the dangerous husband and the trapped wife. Sometimes they manage to add a twist or two that I didn’t see coming, and other times they stick to the formula.

This book started out as a typical domestic thriller, with some minor variations, but it had a big twist near the end that caught me off guard. However, the twist also came with some implausible explanations and motivations that weakened its impact. I still liked how the story ended and how everything was resolved, though.

Overall, this is a decent psychological/domestic thriller. It’s not very innovative or realistic, but it was fun to read while it lasted.

3 stars ( )

The abuse at the beginning of this book, almost felt too obvious. Yet, the reader is compelled to continue reading to find out what happens. Then, as the story unravels it seems that while the abuse is blatant to the reader, for the person living in the situation it is more insidious. How "obvious" is abuse to the victim? Contrast that with the family and friends asking "Why doesn't she/he leave her/him?".

This book will circulate well. ( )

Ooh, so many red flags that Holly should have seen but I know that until your eyes are open you do not see them. I hated Zach from the beginning of this book because I have known a Zach, I have seen this behavior before and I know where it was leading.

I loved the ending of this book, there was a twist I did not see coming at all and I appreciated that very much.

The narrator did a good job of differentiating the female voices. I often listen to audiobooks while working and I was able to pay attention to who was talking with ease. ( )