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Trad Wife
Not yet published
Expected 14 May 26Your favourite influencer is about to be exposed . . .
A deliciously sinister new novel from three-time Bram Stoker award-winner Sarah Langan.
Every day, millions watch Mia Wright, the "trad wife" queen, on her idyllic 300-acre farm. With her handsome husband, seven perfect children, and a life of from-scratch meals and pastoral bliss, she's an icon of modern femininity. But behind every perfect image is a secret. And in this case, the secret is a horror.
Desperate to save her tarnished career, journalist Jenny Kaplan arrives at Black Swan Farm to profile Mia. Jenny is ready to write a scathing exposé, determined to expose the deception behind Mia's curated life. But soon, Jenny has more to contend with than staged videos and picture-perfect poses. There's something wrong at the farmhouse. Something slithers through Jenny's dreams, and at night, the children sing strange nursery rhymes.
She's losing time.
She's losing her hair.
She starts to worry, that she's losing her mind.
There is a horror at the heart of Black Swan, and it's waiting just for Jenny. Trad Wife will make you question what's real and what's just a perfectly curated deception . . .
Will you see the lie?
‘Sarah Langan never ceases to amaze’
GILLIAN FLYNN
A deliciously sinister new novel from three-time Bram Stoker award-winner Sarah Langan.
Every day, millions watch Mia Wright, the "trad wife" queen, on her idyllic 300-acre farm. With her handsome husband, seven perfect children, and a life of from-scratch meals and pastoral bliss, she's an icon of modern femininity. But behind every perfect image is a secret. And in this case, the secret is a horror.
Desperate to save her tarnished career, journalist Jenny Kaplan arrives at Black Swan Farm to profile Mia. Jenny is ready to write a scathing exposé, determined to expose the deception behind Mia's curated life. But soon, Jenny has more to contend with than staged videos and picture-perfect poses. There's something wrong at the farmhouse. Something slithers through Jenny's dreams, and at night, the children sing strange nursery rhymes.
She's losing time.
She's losing her hair.
She starts to worry, that she's losing her mind.
There is a horror at the heart of Black Swan, and it's waiting just for Jenny. Trad Wife will make you question what's real and what's just a perfectly curated deception . . .
Will you see the lie?
‘Sarah Langan never ceases to amaze’
GILLIAN FLYNN
Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 14, 2026
2 people are currently reading
1361 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Langan
51 books914 followersSarah grew up on Long Island, got her MFA in creative writing from Columbia University, her MS in environmental toxicology from NYU, and currently lives in Los Angeles with her family, two rabbits, and three chickens.
Her next novel TRAD WIFE is due out from S&S and Tor UK in Summer, 2026.
Her most recent works include A BETTER WORLD, GOOD NEIGHBORS, PAM KOWOLSKI IS A MONSTER, YOU HAVE THE PRETTIEST MASK, "Does Harlen Lattner Dream of Electric Sheep?," "Squid Teeth," "The Devil's Children," and "I Miss You Too Much."
*I acknowledge that I have massacred the punctuation surrounding the above quotations marks. I will now resume talking about myself in the third person.*
Her books have received favorite of the year distinctions from NPR, Newsweek, The Irish Times, Publisher's Weekly, and the AARP (best of the last five years).
She is also three-time Bram Stoker award winner for outstanding novel in 2007 - The Missing, outstanding short story in 2008 - The Lost, and outstanding novel in 2009 - Audrey's Door.
Blog:https://sarahlangan.com/blog/
Her next novel TRAD WIFE is due out from S&S and Tor UK in Summer, 2026.
Her most recent works include A BETTER WORLD, GOOD NEIGHBORS, PAM KOWOLSKI IS A MONSTER, YOU HAVE THE PRETTIEST MASK, "Does Harlen Lattner Dream of Electric Sheep?," "Squid Teeth," "The Devil's Children," and "I Miss You Too Much."
*I acknowledge that I have massacred the punctuation surrounding the above quotations marks. I will now resume talking about myself in the third person.*
Her books have received favorite of the year distinctions from NPR, Newsweek, The Irish Times, Publisher's Weekly, and the AARP (best of the last five years).
She is also three-time Bram Stoker award winner for outstanding novel in 2007 - The Missing, outstanding short story in 2008 - The Lost, and outstanding novel in 2009 - Audrey's Door.
Blog:https://sarahlangan.com/blog/
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 18, 2026
Thank you Sarah and editor Loan for my manuscript copy of Trad Wife by Sarah Langan — available in the US in the fall, and in the UK on May 14! (I am constantly shocked by the absolute BOUNTY of friendships I've made in this book world, yes—screamed when I opened this package)
» READ IF YOU «
🙋♀️ have ever fallen down a trad wife TikTok rabbit hole
💧 keep a glass of water and lip balm on your nightstand
💛 view loss of your independence as a true horror story
» SYNOPSIS «
Jenny's had some recent ups and downs in her journalist career, and in an attempt to save it, she's taken on the story of a lifetime: living with influencer sensation Mia Wright, queen of the trad wives. Seven children, a loving husband, a perfect farm, and a flawless physique: does Mia really have it all? Or is something sinister truly running the show at Black Swan Farm?
» REVIEW «
JENNY! My girl. Listen, she’s not perfect—she makes some mistakes with the internet trolls, as we all have. And this trad wife story? It practically falls in her lap, at the request of Mia herself, and has the potential to be a huge exposé piece that will save her career. I’d go. You know you’d go too. And I love treadmills, okay? Don’t worry, you’ll get that part later.
In perfect Sarah Langan fashion, the dread and horror of this story build slowly, almost in the background. There are little flashes of “wtf” here and there, but you’re simultaneously so invested in this glimpse inside a trad wife influencer’s life that you just…keep…going. Just like Jenny. And by the time it’s too late, you’re both in over your heads and barreling toward the true horrors. Since I’m an early reviewer, I won’t give anything away, but know this read is for you if you love small town horror, suffocating atmosphere, and a sprinkle of ancient folklore.
My personal favorite aspect of this book is the way Sarah handles the complicated topic of the trad wife movement. Because it’s not just Jenny that’s trapped—there are plenty of flesh and blood women pasting on TikTok smiles in an effort to hide their crushing realities. Hope these kinds of horror stories aren’t being told a decade from now. After this book earns out a few times, of course, Sarah 🤣
Add to your spooky season TBR, my US friends!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
» READ IF YOU «
🙋♀️ have ever fallen down a trad wife TikTok rabbit hole
💧 keep a glass of water and lip balm on your nightstand
💛 view loss of your independence as a true horror story
» SYNOPSIS «
Jenny's had some recent ups and downs in her journalist career, and in an attempt to save it, she's taken on the story of a lifetime: living with influencer sensation Mia Wright, queen of the trad wives. Seven children, a loving husband, a perfect farm, and a flawless physique: does Mia really have it all? Or is something sinister truly running the show at Black Swan Farm?
» REVIEW «
JENNY! My girl. Listen, she’s not perfect—she makes some mistakes with the internet trolls, as we all have. And this trad wife story? It practically falls in her lap, at the request of Mia herself, and has the potential to be a huge exposé piece that will save her career. I’d go. You know you’d go too. And I love treadmills, okay? Don’t worry, you’ll get that part later.
In perfect Sarah Langan fashion, the dread and horror of this story build slowly, almost in the background. There are little flashes of “wtf” here and there, but you’re simultaneously so invested in this glimpse inside a trad wife influencer’s life that you just…keep…going. Just like Jenny. And by the time it’s too late, you’re both in over your heads and barreling toward the true horrors. Since I’m an early reviewer, I won’t give anything away, but know this read is for you if you love small town horror, suffocating atmosphere, and a sprinkle of ancient folklore.
My personal favorite aspect of this book is the way Sarah handles the complicated topic of the trad wife movement. Because it’s not just Jenny that’s trapped—there are plenty of flesh and blood women pasting on TikTok smiles in an effort to hide their crushing realities. Hope these kinds of horror stories aren’t being told a decade from now. After this book earns out a few times, of course, Sarah 🤣
Add to your spooky season TBR, my US friends!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
March 5, 2026
Not the horror I was expecting.
This horror creeps up on you slowly & so stealthily that you’re in too deep before you know it & can’t get back.
Which is basically what happens to our FMC Jenny.
It’s not a guts & gore kinda horror. But a psychological horror with an added twist of old folklore & old magic. Intense, atmospheric & dark. It gets a bit weird at times & there’s some definite WTF moments but I became so invested in Jenny & Mia that I couldn’t stop reading.
The ending is not the ending you expect & I think that is what floored me the most. Like most people, I’m fascinated with the Trad Wife lifestyle/movement/trend but the author is really clever in her writing that she doesn’t take the piss out of it or glorify it. She definitely makes you question it though 🤨
No spoilers here I’m afraid, I want you all to pre order it & read it for yourself 🫢 Although you’ll never look at cherries or hear a ‘clap’ the same way again 😉
Eternal thanks to @libraryofchlo & @bookbreakuk for sending me this arc. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading & reviewing it 🥰
This horror creeps up on you slowly & so stealthily that you’re in too deep before you know it & can’t get back.
Which is basically what happens to our FMC Jenny.
It’s not a guts & gore kinda horror. But a psychological horror with an added twist of old folklore & old magic. Intense, atmospheric & dark. It gets a bit weird at times & there’s some definite WTF moments but I became so invested in Jenny & Mia that I couldn’t stop reading.
The ending is not the ending you expect & I think that is what floored me the most. Like most people, I’m fascinated with the Trad Wife lifestyle/movement/trend but the author is really clever in her writing that she doesn’t take the piss out of it or glorify it. She definitely makes you question it though 🤨
No spoilers here I’m afraid, I want you all to pre order it & read it for yourself 🫢 Although you’ll never look at cherries or hear a ‘clap’ the same way again 😉
Eternal thanks to @libraryofchlo & @bookbreakuk for sending me this arc. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading & reviewing it 🥰
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!
This was such a great horror book, and I can't recommend it enough for people looking for something rooted in modern society. If you're a trad-wife or someone with right-leaning views, you'll probably hate this. But everyone else? You'll probably enjoy it.
We have Jenny, who was cancelled after publishing an article about her past that includes details of an abortion, her mentally ill ex and the perils of modern society for women. It initially blows up in a positive way, but then right-wing men get hold of it. It ends with Jenny being let go from her magazine job because of the threats these men are sending to everyone, and her only lifeline is to freelance a story about the Trad Wife lifestyle, which is becoming increasingly popular.
To do so, she goes to Black Swan Farm and meets Mia Wright, a famous Trad Wife influencer with six kids and another on the way. Mia is the epitome of conservative woman perfection: lots of kids, talented in the kitchen, helps out on the farm and is all about making sure life is good for her husband. Black Swan Farm also operates an MLM scheme, with women putting themselves into debt in the hopes of achieving the same level of perfection that Mia has. Jenny hates it, and with good reason. Despite this, she's convinced to spend a week at the farm to get a truly in-depth look at Mia's life.
As the week goes on, Jenny starts to realise there's something truly sinister and off about the family and the farm. The children are straight-up bizarre, Mia's obviously lying in her videos, the buildings don't look as good as they first seemed, and something keeps giving her nightmares.
That's about as much as I can say without spoiling the plot, which won't surprise any die-hard horror fans but will still delight with how it plays out. The ending doesn't go how you'd expect, and part of me is sad about that, but another part applauds the decision to make it that way. This book does a great job in showcasing how the Trad Wife lifestyle is built on the labour and backs of women, and how insidious it is with social media latching onto it. People see these perfect images and desperately want to follow them, despite the reality behind the camera being awful.
A fantastic horror book!
This was such a great horror book, and I can't recommend it enough for people looking for something rooted in modern society. If you're a trad-wife or someone with right-leaning views, you'll probably hate this. But everyone else? You'll probably enjoy it.
We have Jenny, who was cancelled after publishing an article about her past that includes details of an abortion, her mentally ill ex and the perils of modern society for women. It initially blows up in a positive way, but then right-wing men get hold of it. It ends with Jenny being let go from her magazine job because of the threats these men are sending to everyone, and her only lifeline is to freelance a story about the Trad Wife lifestyle, which is becoming increasingly popular.
To do so, she goes to Black Swan Farm and meets Mia Wright, a famous Trad Wife influencer with six kids and another on the way. Mia is the epitome of conservative woman perfection: lots of kids, talented in the kitchen, helps out on the farm and is all about making sure life is good for her husband. Black Swan Farm also operates an MLM scheme, with women putting themselves into debt in the hopes of achieving the same level of perfection that Mia has. Jenny hates it, and with good reason. Despite this, she's convinced to spend a week at the farm to get a truly in-depth look at Mia's life.
As the week goes on, Jenny starts to realise there's something truly sinister and off about the family and the farm. The children are straight-up bizarre, Mia's obviously lying in her videos, the buildings don't look as good as they first seemed, and something keeps giving her nightmares.
That's about as much as I can say without spoiling the plot, which won't surprise any die-hard horror fans but will still delight with how it plays out. The ending doesn't go how you'd expect, and part of me is sad about that, but another part applauds the decision to make it that way. This book does a great job in showcasing how the Trad Wife lifestyle is built on the labour and backs of women, and how insidious it is with social media latching onto it. People see these perfect images and desperately want to follow them, despite the reality behind the camera being awful.
A fantastic horror book!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Trad Wife is such a tour de force – really, anyone interested in and worried about the current cultural shift and where it drags women’s lives needs to read it. The subject matter is certainly a delicate one and poses a dilemma; on the one hand the stereotypical Trad Wife is one that submits to her husband’s wishes and is basically, as August Bebel put it, the “working class” part in the marriage; but on the other hand, it’s in my nature to just live and let everyone live the way they want to. I was glad that Langan doesn’t even attempt to diminish or ridicule neither side’s choice.
The horror in this book comes creeping, and in hindsight I realize it starts subtle and decent, its volume is turned up gradually, and ends with unignorable, inescapable terror jumping onto you, slapping you in the face – this graduality was so well-done that I couldn’t think of anything else than keeping on reading towards the end - my eyes are all puffy right now! A certain supernatural element, well-known especially in horror circles (but I’m not going to mention its name for the sake of the surprise element), enters the stage at some point and the absolute atrocity it brings into the story leads to an unexpected turn of events, the thought of which fills me with dread. And it keeps on getting worse and worse, leading to a distressing finale. Absolute gut punch.
Last but not least, I was given a review copy by the Otherland Bookstore Berlin to review it for their newsletter (because they know I enjoy reading the author), many thanks for that! If you too already know Langan’s writing you will definitely love this, and if you don’t, then do give her a try. Trad Wife will be published in May.
The horror in this book comes creeping, and in hindsight I realize it starts subtle and decent, its volume is turned up gradually, and ends with unignorable, inescapable terror jumping onto you, slapping you in the face – this graduality was so well-done that I couldn’t think of anything else than keeping on reading towards the end - my eyes are all puffy right now! A certain supernatural element, well-known especially in horror circles (but I’m not going to mention its name for the sake of the surprise element), enters the stage at some point and the absolute atrocity it brings into the story leads to an unexpected turn of events, the thought of which fills me with dread. And it keeps on getting worse and worse, leading to a distressing finale. Absolute gut punch.
Last but not least, I was given a review copy by the Otherland Bookstore Berlin to review it for their newsletter (because they know I enjoy reading the author), many thanks for that! If you too already know Langan’s writing you will definitely love this, and if you don’t, then do give her a try. Trad Wife will be published in May.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.25 stars~ genuinely what the fuck
right from the get go, i got so hooked and invested into this story . the author really did a great job when it came to making the female mc relatable and connectable because i loved reading from her perspective honestly. trad wife was such a well woven story- it was told in such a good, subtle way, you don't even realise what is happening until the end where you realise the book is littered with loads of puzzle pieces! this book was so atmospheric too, the author really made me grossed out and uncomfortable effortlessly in every chapter, which gave me a great thriler experience tbh. i don't read many thrillers so when i realised where the ending was going with this one i was kind of annoyed and mad icl, because i just felt so powerless and bad for her. like i feel like i'm in shock, horror and awe all in one...
and the last line!!! chilling.
you are probably wondering why i've praised this book then went and rated it 3.25. well, to be fair i didn't like the satanic route it took because it was just a bit cliche and horror movie-esque. while i do think the plot twist was amazingly done and a great idea i'm also so bitter for my girl jenny 😭💔 i was really rooting for this bitch. but the main reason was the cliche satanic-like plot route, which icl, i just really don't like.
thank you to the uk publishers for sending me an arc of this book to review!
3.25 stars
right from the get go, i got so hooked and invested into this story . the author really did a great job when it came to making the female mc relatable and connectable because i loved reading from her perspective honestly. trad wife was such a well woven story- it was told in such a good, subtle way, you don't even realise what is happening until the end where you realise the book is littered with loads of puzzle pieces! this book was so atmospheric too, the author really made me grossed out and uncomfortable effortlessly in every chapter, which gave me a great thriler experience tbh. i don't read many thrillers so when i realised where the ending was going with this one i was kind of annoyed and mad icl, because i just felt so powerless and bad for her. like i feel like i'm in shock, horror and awe all in one...
and the last line!!! chilling.
you are probably wondering why i've praised this book then went and rated it 3.25. well, to be fair i didn't like the satanic route it took because it was just a bit cliche and horror movie-esque. while i do think the plot twist was amazingly done and a great idea i'm also so bitter for my girl jenny 😭💔 i was really rooting for this bitch. but the main reason was the cliche satanic-like plot route, which icl, i just really don't like.
thank you to the uk publishers for sending me an arc of this book to review!
3.25 stars
February 18, 2026
Thank you so much to Chloe @libraryofchlo, @panmacmillan and @sarahlangan for this fabulous proof copy.
I really enjoyed this book and what stood out most was how Langan handles the horror. It isn't loud or gory, it's the kind that creeps in quietly, the feeling that something is shifting just out of sight. She builds the tension so slowly that by the time you realise how wrong things feel, you're already fully inside it.
I appreciate that she doesn't mock the trad wife lifestyle at all. She treats it seriously and then lets the horror grow naturally from the pressure of holding that perfect world together. The unease comes from the cracks and that made it so much more effective for me.
It's atmospheric, unsettling and exactly the kind of horror I love!
It is out 14 May and I definitely recommend.
I really enjoyed this book and what stood out most was how Langan handles the horror. It isn't loud or gory, it's the kind that creeps in quietly, the feeling that something is shifting just out of sight. She builds the tension so slowly that by the time you realise how wrong things feel, you're already fully inside it.
I appreciate that she doesn't mock the trad wife lifestyle at all. She treats it seriously and then lets the horror grow naturally from the pressure of holding that perfect world together. The unease comes from the cracks and that made it so much more effective for me.
It's atmospheric, unsettling and exactly the kind of horror I love!
It is out 14 May and I definitely recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Flat out brilliant.
February 18, 2026
📚ARC📚
✨ 4.75 (round up)
“When you reach your hands out into the magic dark, you have no idea what creatures lurk. You have no idea what specific kind of monster you might wake.”
I knew I wanted to read this book when I first saw it online, and I feel so lucky that I was given the opportunity to read it so far in advance.
This story does not hold back, it dives into some very uncomfortable moments and really makes you sit with them.
It’s at times sticky and leaves you with a queasy feeling in your stomach, yet it’s this stickiness that makes the novel and the story it’s telling really stand out.
Plus, Jenny Kaplan is one hell of a protagonist!
I also absolutely loved the little nods to so many other brilliant horror authors, including one of my favourites, Alma Katsu! It also gets bonus points for an Until Dawn mention too as it’s such a fantastic game and I will continue to bring it up until the end of time.
A huge thank you to Tor Nightfire and Book Break UK for the advanced copy, I devoured this almost as quickly as Mr Yellow does.
Trad Wife comes out in May 2026 and I highly recommend checking it out when it does!
✨ 4.75 (round up)
“When you reach your hands out into the magic dark, you have no idea what creatures lurk. You have no idea what specific kind of monster you might wake.”
I knew I wanted to read this book when I first saw it online, and I feel so lucky that I was given the opportunity to read it so far in advance.
This story does not hold back, it dives into some very uncomfortable moments and really makes you sit with them.
It’s at times sticky and leaves you with a queasy feeling in your stomach, yet it’s this stickiness that makes the novel and the story it’s telling really stand out.
Plus, Jenny Kaplan is one hell of a protagonist!
I also absolutely loved the little nods to so many other brilliant horror authors, including one of my favourites, Alma Katsu! It also gets bonus points for an Until Dawn mention too as it’s such a fantastic game and I will continue to bring it up until the end of time.
A huge thank you to Tor Nightfire and Book Break UK for the advanced copy, I devoured this almost as quickly as Mr Yellow does.
Trad Wife comes out in May 2026 and I highly recommend checking it out when it does!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews