Book review: The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
Read my thoughts on this book!
‘Perhaps nothing was ever meant to be . There was just life and right now and doing your best. Being a bit bendy.’
The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty is more than just a story about relationships; it’s a profound exploration of life and the ways one’s morals can erode until they no longer recognise themselves. The book forces you to confront tough questions: What would you do in that situation? Can terrible actions ever be forgiven or justified? Although this novel sat on my shelf for a while without calling to me, I’m so glad I finally decided to read it. The dual POVs are captivating, and the characters feel like real, flawed people—just like us.
My rating: ⅘ stars
Genre: Thriller
Summary
In The Husband's Secret, multiple lives are intertwined by their shared hometown, each character grappling with the consequences of events beyond their control. Tess has just discovered that her husband is in love with her best friend. Rachael is determined to uncover the truth about her daughter's murder, which has haunted her for twelve years. Cecilia stumbles upon a letter from her husband, confessing to a terrible crime. All three women must find the strength to protect their children and families, struggling to navigate the blurry line between right and wrong. They face a haunting dilemma—should they come clean, risking not only their lives but also their loved ones’? Ultimately, the decision is made for them, with consequences that will change everything. How far will each woman go for the love of her family?
My thoughts
At first, I found the book a bit dry—the characters felt like ordinary people, just like you and me. But by the end, I realized that’s exactly what makes the story so impactful. The experiences these characters go through are ones anyone could face. No matter how ethical you think you are, when it comes down to it, you’ll do anything for the people you love. The fact that all the main characters are women reinforces the idea that, while men may traditionally earn the ‘bread’ for the household, it’s often the women who hold everything together and keep the family connected. Each woman in this story is forced to make life-changing decisions due to an incident that’s not even remotely their fault. It’s a powerful reminder that responsibility is heavier than it first seems.
I did find the chapters about the Berlin Wall a bit irrelevant. While I understand they were meant to explore moral compasses, I felt the multiple POVs were enough to convey that theme on their own.
The epilogue is particularly poignant in illustrating the impact of the butterfly effect—the idea that one small decision can completely change the course of a person’s life. But it also brings to light an important lesson: rather than worrying about what could have happened, we should focus on what is currently happening.
Forgiveness is vital to functioning in the human world. Everyone makes mistakes; some are worse than others. But by holding onto them, you only create more to forgive.
Would I read this book again?
I don’t tend to read books again often as there are so many books out there that I want to read and sadly this one isn’t one that i will pick up again anytime soon. Due to being 19 and not having my own family, I think this book would be even more impactful at that stage in my life so maybe then.
Would I recommend this book?
This book has a lot of depth to it which i didn’t realise until i had first finished it. I would definitely recommend it especially if you are a mother yourself making it even more relatable than it already is. Definitely not an easy read but maybe an important one in order to realise the importance of forgiveness and not judging people for choices they had to make.
I hope you enjoyed this book review, keep following to see what i read next!
Until next time,
Abi <3