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The Secrets of Married Women
When Jill’s husband discovers he can never have children, it tears a hole in their marriage that Jill doesn’t know how to repair. Frustrated, she seeks comfort in her friends: fierce Leigh, with her high-powered career and doting family, and sweet, uncomplicated Wendy, who has a rock-solid marriage any woman would envy.
Leigh and Wendy’s lives seem perfect. But beneath the surface are secrets that could tear their friendship apart.
Leigh has grown tired of her stay-at-home husband and is looking for excitement—outside of the marriage bed. And after seventeen years of marriage, Wendy can’t shake the sense that there is something missing in her life.
As Jill is drawn deeper into her friends’ relationships, she is confronted by a temptation of her own: an intriguing stranger whose good looks and charm spark an instant connection.
Full of the realities of modern-day marriage, The Secrets of Married Women asks the question: how well can we ever know our husbands, our friends, or even ourselves?
Leigh and Wendy’s lives seem perfect. But beneath the surface are secrets that could tear their friendship apart.
Leigh has grown tired of her stay-at-home husband and is looking for excitement—outside of the marriage bed. And after seventeen years of marriage, Wendy can’t shake the sense that there is something missing in her life.
As Jill is drawn deeper into her friends’ relationships, she is confronted by a temptation of her own: an intriguing stranger whose good looks and charm spark an instant connection.
Full of the realities of modern-day marriage, The Secrets of Married Women asks the question: how well can we ever know our husbands, our friends, or even ourselves?
255 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 2007
1982 people are currently reading
2331 people want to read
About the author
Carol Mason
31 books410 followersI am the Kindle #1 and Amazon Charts bestselling author of After You left, The Secrets of Married Women, The Last Time We Met, Send Me A Lover. and The Shadow Between Us. My brand new novel, LITTLE WHITE SECRETS, publishes May 1, 2020 but for the month of April it's an Amazon First Reads pick, so if you have Amazon Prime you can download it free! (if not, it's still on sale for $1.99 through April).
Please feel free to follow me on Amazon to be notified when I have a new release. https://amzn.to/2QrkK4W
Come friend me on Facebook or like my author page as I love interacting on there! https://www.facebook.com/CarolMasonAu...
I always enjoy getting comments about my books (especially lovely ones!), and am always willing to attend your book club or do a phone conference if you'd like to have me.
If you read my books and enjoy them, do consider taking a moment to leave a review on Amazon too. It can be very short if you want, but I cannot stress how important reviews are for authors.. If you have left a review already, then thanks so much!
Wishing you many happy hours of reading! Best wishes, from Carol.
Please feel free to follow me on Amazon to be notified when I have a new release. https://amzn.to/2QrkK4W
Come friend me on Facebook or like my author page as I love interacting on there! https://www.facebook.com/CarolMasonAu...
I always enjoy getting comments about my books (especially lovely ones!), and am always willing to attend your book club or do a phone conference if you'd like to have me.
If you read my books and enjoy them, do consider taking a moment to leave a review on Amazon too. It can be very short if you want, but I cannot stress how important reviews are for authors.. If you have left a review already, then thanks so much!
Wishing you many happy hours of reading! Best wishes, from Carol.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews
January 4, 2018
If you're interested in this one, I wouldn't read too many reviews. I saw a few that included some pretty major spoilers. I'll be careful not to include any. While this book isn't a thriller or mystery, I still prefer not to know the twists and turns before going into any kind of fiction. I found this book to be engrossing but a bit ridiculous at times, with an unbelievable ending. I'm glad I read it, but a little less of the drama would have led to a higher rating from me. If you're in the mood for some high drama women's fiction having to do with marriage, infidelity, and friendship, with some sexual moments... this would probably be a good choice for you.
At it's heart, this book is about three women, their marriages, and their friendships with each other. We have Jill the main character, who is in a bit of a rut with her husband. She didn't think she wanted children and at first thought he was content without as well... but she was wrong. Now that having children is no longer on the table, she's starting to think perhaps she always wanted one after all... and he's feeling guilty. Their sex life has come to a complete stop, much to Jill's dismay. She tries to re-ignite that spark, but he seems uninterested. Friend Wendy seems to have a very happy marriage with her husband, who is a police officer. She's a happy wife and mother who has recently returned to the workforce. Though she's had tragedy in her past, she's making the best of her life. Leigh is restless. She's beyond bored with her husband, and embarks on a steamy secret affair with a client. She insists it won't last long, just a dalliance... it might even make her marriage stronger.
Having become Leigh's confidante, Jill is forced to deal with her disappointment in her husband and their sexual relationship, and even consider what would happen if she had a dalliance of her own. Each character is complicated and has a lot going on. Full of drama, it will appeal to a lot of fans of women's fiction.
At it's heart, this book is about three women, their marriages, and their friendships with each other. We have Jill the main character, who is in a bit of a rut with her husband. She didn't think she wanted children and at first thought he was content without as well... but she was wrong. Now that having children is no longer on the table, she's starting to think perhaps she always wanted one after all... and he's feeling guilty. Their sex life has come to a complete stop, much to Jill's dismay. She tries to re-ignite that spark, but he seems uninterested. Friend Wendy seems to have a very happy marriage with her husband, who is a police officer. She's a happy wife and mother who has recently returned to the workforce. Though she's had tragedy in her past, she's making the best of her life. Leigh is restless. She's beyond bored with her husband, and embarks on a steamy secret affair with a client. She insists it won't last long, just a dalliance... it might even make her marriage stronger.
Having become Leigh's confidante, Jill is forced to deal with her disappointment in her husband and their sexual relationship, and even consider what would happen if she had a dalliance of her own. Each character is complicated and has a lot going on. Full of drama, it will appeal to a lot of fans of women's fiction.
June 19, 2018
My this book really made you think..... Im 30 been with my hubby 12 years, 2 kids... and the ups and downs of marriage..... My Nan always told me she could fall out of love with my granddad for weeks on end but would always fall back in love with him again.... And that statement rings so true!!! But i can understand where moments of cheating could be some peoples answer and this Author unwraps the horrifying guilt and emotions with such ferocity it made me have a lump in my throat... I don't know how i would or could even cope .... I really felt for Jill and in her position i can see why she did what she did (not that its not wrong... But the husband could have been more understanding in the first place and not pushed her so away!!!).
Not necessarily someone else's Good man.... But i think we all have moments of of speculation, especially after years of marriage and still being young, when the relationship hits its to be expected rocks and i always wonder how the men must think, do they over analyze everything too?
The book really made me look at my own relationship and appreciate what i have, that quote stuck with me.
Brilliant 5 star read!
Young women all just want to be married to a good man, and they’ve no idea how fast the novelty of that wears off. And those of us who are married to good men all want to be married to somebody else’s good man....
Not necessarily someone else's Good man.... But i think we all have moments of of speculation, especially after years of marriage and still being young, when the relationship hits its to be expected rocks and i always wonder how the men must think, do they over analyze everything too?
The book really made me look at my own relationship and appreciate what i have, that quote stuck with me.
Brilliant 5 star read!
July 4, 2017
Is it possible to have a favorite author after only reading two books? I fell in love with Jill,her sensitive personality appealed to me in more ways than one. While I did think that her husband Rob treated her more like a roommate,ultimately he loved her through the end. Leigh was a nutcase,but I sympathized with her flaws. Wendy was a goody two shoes with a heart of gold.
Not your typical review,but if I said too much,I will spoil it! Just know this book is full of drama,suspense and sexual undertones.
Lively redemptive characters,touching and vulnerable,The Secrets Of Married Women will have you on an emotional ride.
Highly recommended!
Not your typical review,but if I said too much,I will spoil it! Just know this book is full of drama,suspense and sexual undertones.
Lively redemptive characters,touching and vulnerable,The Secrets Of Married Women will have you on an emotional ride.
Highly recommended!
July 12, 2018
This was such an enjoyable book. It makes you think of how some things change just from.... not sure what like a thought, an act or just plain getting lost in things and loss yourself and what you want and need for yourself. It makes you think about how much work you put into a marriage and to have someone cheat is just a poor excuse of not having the balls to confront their partner and either try and work it out or to even say that there's nothing there anymore. Even though marriage takes a lot of work, I believe that you have to remember not to give up who you are to make someone else happy because then your not happy and there isn't any amount of money to help you through your misery.
June 20, 2018
Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars all the way through until the ending spoilt it. Loved the narration.
May 17, 2018
I Recommend This Book
This novel explored female friendship, loyalty, family's and infidelity among other topics .
I found myself relating to all the female characters and was routing for Jill who I felt was punished harshly for one mistake. I personally have encountered some of the issues explored in the book and could relate to how the characters particularly Wendy and Rob behaved. I think the author protrayed emotions very well.
The end of the book was great put a smile on my face. Overall I felt the book a bit slow at first but definitely enjoyed it as I got into it and would recommend it highly.
This novel explored female friendship, loyalty, family's and infidelity among other topics .
I found myself relating to all the female characters and was routing for Jill who I felt was punished harshly for one mistake. I personally have encountered some of the issues explored in the book and could relate to how the characters particularly Wendy and Rob behaved. I think the author protrayed emotions very well.
The end of the book was great put a smile on my face. Overall I felt the book a bit slow at first but definitely enjoyed it as I got into it and would recommend it highly.
July 15, 2012
Not sure where I came across this title, but it was a cheap or possibly even free from the Amazon Kindle Store. I will start by saying its not normally the kind of story I read so take that into consideration when you see my review of 2 stars. 2 stars seems a little harsh but 2 stars states the story "is okay" and for me that is what it was. I did read it all the way to the end but will admit to skimming over parts because I just wanted to know how everyone ended up.
When I was reading this story I could picture it in my head like a tv drama. I think it was the infidelity that bothered me a bit (but I knew that is what this book was centre around before I read it), and the betrayal of friendship. It was quite a sad tale really and therefore I didn't really feel that the HEA for one of the ladies at the end was consistent with the rest of the book.
I think because I read so many romance novels I have my head in the clouds a little and found it difficult to turn that around.
When I was reading this story I could picture it in my head like a tv drama. I think it was the infidelity that bothered me a bit (but I knew that is what this book was centre around before I read it), and the betrayal of friendship. It was quite a sad tale really and therefore I didn't really feel that the HEA for one of the ladies at the end was consistent with the rest of the book.
I think because I read so many romance novels I have my head in the clouds a little and found it difficult to turn that around.
January 13, 2021
Loved it
I remember my Mum saying "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive" (Sir Walter Scott). This book epitomizes that phrase, in the way the three women go about their lives! I found Ms Mason's writing very poignant, an extremely well written book that looks at what happens between three friends who seem to have it all..BUT do they!! A great story about love and family, not my usual type of read but thought I'd try something different and was pleased I did..
I remember my Mum saying "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive" (Sir Walter Scott). This book epitomizes that phrase, in the way the three women go about their lives! I found Ms Mason's writing very poignant, an extremely well written book that looks at what happens between three friends who seem to have it all..BUT do they!! A great story about love and family, not my usual type of read but thought I'd try something different and was pleased I did..
June 1, 2017
I truly enjoyed immersing myself into this great piece of women's fiction set in my own area of the North East of England. 4.5 stars and full review on way.
February 19, 2018
A story of friendship and relationships, betrayal and love. Beautiful.
March 11, 2018
The Secrets of Married Women by Carol Mason is a sordid glimpse into the minds and hearts of today's modern woman in an ever changing landscape. The three women in this novel are beautifully developed and deal individually with heartache and betrayal in their own way. There is a little of all of them in all of us.
"...I start walking in the direction of my car now, aware of the clack of my heels on the cobblestones, as light reflections from the Sage Centre bob on the river and cars drum noisily over the Tyne Bridge.
The lovely silver Mercedes SL 500, whose alarm I may have set off, is still parked behind me. I'm about to get into my car when I notice something under my wiper.
It doesn't look like a parking ticket or a flyer. I pull out the somewhat soggy piece of paper and read: I saw you scratch my car. So instead of compensation, how about a drink? And under that is the name Andrey and a phone number.
When a motorbike whizzes past me and I feel the draught from it, I'm aware that I'm standing there, a little baffled. How strange! I read it again, the words sitting there in my hand.
An invitation to wrong-doing, from a complete stranger...."
Jill's marriage is falling apart. On the outside everything looks fine but on the inside, it is slowly being ripped apart. Ever since her husband discovered that he can never have children, there has been a widening rift between them. Jill tries to be understanding but her husband Rob keeps putting a distance between them. His sense of inadequacy is like an ocean she cannot cross. Jill seeks comfort in her friends and tells them about her marriage and the secret of her husband he wants kept hidden.
Career minded Leigh is married to Lawrence, a doting and caring husband who obeys her every wish. She belittles him in front of others and is an outrageous flirt, none of this does he object to. His lack of masculinity that attracted her and her controlling nature, is leaving her frustrated and unsatisfied.
Wendy is the steady one of the trio. A beautiful husband and children, with a rock solid marriage and she always seems to have the sensible answer.
The secrets of these friends and their marriages will cross and threatened not only their marriages and friendships, but their own families as well.
"....In the sauna, we lie on opposite benches in our towels, our heads turned to one another. 'Tell me something bad about it,' I say to her. 'Tell me a downside.'
She seems to try hard. 'I can't. There isn't one. Doing this just makes me wonder why I was faithful all these years. And the funny thing is, Jill,' she sits up, her towel falling from her small breasts. 'You know, since I've had a lover, I pick on Lawrence so much less. And you can tell that he's more relaxed because of it. Even his OCD is better.' She wipes her running mascara. 'In a peculiar way this affair is saving my marriage. Fucking another man is actually doing Lawrence a favour..."
Though Jill is the main character, the actions and thoughts of her friends Wendy and Leigh drive this book and impact it more than Jill actually does. In fact it is the influence of her friends that finally cause Jill to make the one move that destroys her own marriage and the eventual discovery of all of their hidden secrets that will implode on the women and their friendship. This is something the reader will pick up on early in this novel; no marriage will get out of this book intact. But the marriages and their dissoluteness is not the issue here. In fact it is treated as something of collateral damage. An acceptable result of the growth and experimentation of unhappy women as they try to become happy. Only the happiness they are after is not really happiness but what other women tell them it is. And when they figure that, and some never do, it is too late. This is a theme I find in too many novels of the genre and time. A sad by product of modern feminism? I hope not. To have come to this point in society where betraying your lover, spouse or not, is not only the norm but something to be valued over actually sustaining a loving relationship; somehow this is the answer?
No, the marriages are not what matter here. It is the friendship and the betrayal between the three women. That is the relationship that is the focus. A cautionary tale perhaps, that some secrets should not be shared and perhaps the sisterhood is not all it says it should be. Not that the husbands are without blame. Jill's husband Rob is so wrapped up in his own inadequacies that he cannot see the damage he is doing to his wife and his marriage. His foolish pride keeps him from seeking help and looking into other options even when Jill is open to them. Leigh's husband Lawrence really just needs to find a pair. Just because you married a strong willed, career minded woman, does not mean she wants a lapdog to roll over. In fact most career minded women I have met seek out even stronger men. As for Wendy and her husband, the facade of their perfect marriage is something they are both to blame for.
So, for all that is written before, I will say this.
I really liked this book! I loved the characters, though I times I found them annoying enough to drive a truck over, and I loved the plot and its twists. The inherit betrayal by one of the women and her lack of self awareness remind me of an ex-wife I try to forget. Absolutely brilliant characters. Terrific plotting and insightful and tender writing sold this story to me over and over again.
I really liked it except....
Except for the cutesy, Harlequin Romance ending. Seriously, did someone change me over to the Hallmark Channel, yes even too saccharine to be called the Lifetime channel. This book needed to end ten pages before it did,
But even so, a really good read.
"...I start walking in the direction of my car now, aware of the clack of my heels on the cobblestones, as light reflections from the Sage Centre bob on the river and cars drum noisily over the Tyne Bridge.
The lovely silver Mercedes SL 500, whose alarm I may have set off, is still parked behind me. I'm about to get into my car when I notice something under my wiper.
It doesn't look like a parking ticket or a flyer. I pull out the somewhat soggy piece of paper and read: I saw you scratch my car. So instead of compensation, how about a drink? And under that is the name Andrey and a phone number.
When a motorbike whizzes past me and I feel the draught from it, I'm aware that I'm standing there, a little baffled. How strange! I read it again, the words sitting there in my hand.
An invitation to wrong-doing, from a complete stranger...."
Jill's marriage is falling apart. On the outside everything looks fine but on the inside, it is slowly being ripped apart. Ever since her husband discovered that he can never have children, there has been a widening rift between them. Jill tries to be understanding but her husband Rob keeps putting a distance between them. His sense of inadequacy is like an ocean she cannot cross. Jill seeks comfort in her friends and tells them about her marriage and the secret of her husband he wants kept hidden.
Career minded Leigh is married to Lawrence, a doting and caring husband who obeys her every wish. She belittles him in front of others and is an outrageous flirt, none of this does he object to. His lack of masculinity that attracted her and her controlling nature, is leaving her frustrated and unsatisfied.
Wendy is the steady one of the trio. A beautiful husband and children, with a rock solid marriage and she always seems to have the sensible answer.
The secrets of these friends and their marriages will cross and threatened not only their marriages and friendships, but their own families as well.
"....In the sauna, we lie on opposite benches in our towels, our heads turned to one another. 'Tell me something bad about it,' I say to her. 'Tell me a downside.'
She seems to try hard. 'I can't. There isn't one. Doing this just makes me wonder why I was faithful all these years. And the funny thing is, Jill,' she sits up, her towel falling from her small breasts. 'You know, since I've had a lover, I pick on Lawrence so much less. And you can tell that he's more relaxed because of it. Even his OCD is better.' She wipes her running mascara. 'In a peculiar way this affair is saving my marriage. Fucking another man is actually doing Lawrence a favour..."
Though Jill is the main character, the actions and thoughts of her friends Wendy and Leigh drive this book and impact it more than Jill actually does. In fact it is the influence of her friends that finally cause Jill to make the one move that destroys her own marriage and the eventual discovery of all of their hidden secrets that will implode on the women and their friendship. This is something the reader will pick up on early in this novel; no marriage will get out of this book intact. But the marriages and their dissoluteness is not the issue here. In fact it is treated as something of collateral damage. An acceptable result of the growth and experimentation of unhappy women as they try to become happy. Only the happiness they are after is not really happiness but what other women tell them it is. And when they figure that, and some never do, it is too late. This is a theme I find in too many novels of the genre and time. A sad by product of modern feminism? I hope not. To have come to this point in society where betraying your lover, spouse or not, is not only the norm but something to be valued over actually sustaining a loving relationship; somehow this is the answer?
No, the marriages are not what matter here. It is the friendship and the betrayal between the three women. That is the relationship that is the focus. A cautionary tale perhaps, that some secrets should not be shared and perhaps the sisterhood is not all it says it should be. Not that the husbands are without blame. Jill's husband Rob is so wrapped up in his own inadequacies that he cannot see the damage he is doing to his wife and his marriage. His foolish pride keeps him from seeking help and looking into other options even when Jill is open to them. Leigh's husband Lawrence really just needs to find a pair. Just because you married a strong willed, career minded woman, does not mean she wants a lapdog to roll over. In fact most career minded women I have met seek out even stronger men. As for Wendy and her husband, the facade of their perfect marriage is something they are both to blame for.
So, for all that is written before, I will say this.
I really liked this book! I loved the characters, though I times I found them annoying enough to drive a truck over, and I loved the plot and its twists. The inherit betrayal by one of the women and her lack of self awareness remind me of an ex-wife I try to forget. Absolutely brilliant characters. Terrific plotting and insightful and tender writing sold this story to me over and over again.
I really liked it except....
Except for the cutesy, Harlequin Romance ending. Seriously, did someone change me over to the Hallmark Channel, yes even too saccharine to be called the Lifetime channel. This book needed to end ten pages before it did,
But even so, a really good read.
October 15, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book. So many things hit close to home and it makes you think what is really important in a marriage and friendship.
September 1, 2020
Naprosto dosadna knjiga. Jedva sam izgurala do kraja...
July 19, 2012
More like 3.5 stars.
Call me weird, but I like reading stories about women in close friendships who deal with infidelity. But the stories that interest me are the ones where the women are the unfaithful ones. Part of this is because I wrote a book on the same subject and I'm curious to see how similar their reactions are and their motivations, etc. as the character in my novel. In this case I found the characterization very believable. Unfortunately, I've known a number of people in situations like this where a good friend finds out her other friend is sleeping with the good friend's husband and the agony of how to deal with it is rough, to say the least. I also know of several situations where husbands came around and things worked out despite the woman's cheating. It even happened to a good friend of mine. I ran into her husband, a chronic cheater, a year after their divorce only to find out they'd gotten remarried. I didn't see that coming. I think the difference is in how the affair happened and who the woman loved. Leigh's motivation was entirely different than Jill's. So were their feelings toward their husbands, and that made all the difference to me. I totally identified with Jill's situation and the horror she went through in more ways than one. I do believe if her friend hadn't talked about her affair so much she may not have gone down that road herself.
An aside... there is a lot of cursing in this book, but a lot of witty dialog as well. Honestly, I could hear these characters saying angry things like "you bitch" when furious, so it didn't bother me, though I prefer not to read cursing in novels. Most of the time the words fit the scenes. Just sayin'. I also find the way English people curse a little bit amusing. Call me weird, but to me bloody simply means blood coming out of something like a cut. And shag is a type of carpet people had in their homes in the early 1970s. There are a number of other words that I'm sure were meant as bad words, but I didn't know what they meant, so I just kept reading. This book and the characters reminded me a bit of the language and characters in the movie, Sliding Doors, with Gwyneth Paltrow. That story contained a lot of British slang, too, most of which went over my head. Anyway, I liked the resolution at the end and found it plausible. This kind of stuff does happen. I've seen it where a bad situation turns out to have good elements despite how messed up it began. I applaud the author for her dramatic storytelling and her ability to pull me into the characters's lives. This story felt pretty realistic to me. I have to say I felt a bit sorry for these three ladies because they all suffered in different ways. I especially hurt for Wendy. That said, would I recommend this book to people with sensitive ears and minds? No. But for people who like the deep psychology of getting into characters' heads and examining their motivations? I'd definitely recommend it because this dramatic story was well done.
Call me weird, but I like reading stories about women in close friendships who deal with infidelity. But the stories that interest me are the ones where the women are the unfaithful ones. Part of this is because I wrote a book on the same subject and I'm curious to see how similar their reactions are and their motivations, etc. as the character in my novel. In this case I found the characterization very believable. Unfortunately, I've known a number of people in situations like this where a good friend finds out her other friend is sleeping with the good friend's husband and the agony of how to deal with it is rough, to say the least. I also know of several situations where husbands came around and things worked out despite the woman's cheating. It even happened to a good friend of mine. I ran into her husband, a chronic cheater, a year after their divorce only to find out they'd gotten remarried. I didn't see that coming. I think the difference is in how the affair happened and who the woman loved. Leigh's motivation was entirely different than Jill's. So were their feelings toward their husbands, and that made all the difference to me. I totally identified with Jill's situation and the horror she went through in more ways than one. I do believe if her friend hadn't talked about her affair so much she may not have gone down that road herself.
An aside... there is a lot of cursing in this book, but a lot of witty dialog as well. Honestly, I could hear these characters saying angry things like "you bitch" when furious, so it didn't bother me, though I prefer not to read cursing in novels. Most of the time the words fit the scenes. Just sayin'. I also find the way English people curse a little bit amusing. Call me weird, but to me bloody simply means blood coming out of something like a cut. And shag is a type of carpet people had in their homes in the early 1970s. There are a number of other words that I'm sure were meant as bad words, but I didn't know what they meant, so I just kept reading. This book and the characters reminded me a bit of the language and characters in the movie, Sliding Doors, with Gwyneth Paltrow. That story contained a lot of British slang, too, most of which went over my head. Anyway, I liked the resolution at the end and found it plausible. This kind of stuff does happen. I've seen it where a bad situation turns out to have good elements despite how messed up it began. I applaud the author for her dramatic storytelling and her ability to pull me into the characters's lives. This story felt pretty realistic to me. I have to say I felt a bit sorry for these three ladies because they all suffered in different ways. I especially hurt for Wendy. That said, would I recommend this book to people with sensitive ears and minds? No. But for people who like the deep psychology of getting into characters' heads and examining their motivations? I'd definitely recommend it because this dramatic story was well done.
August 21, 2017
I was lucky enough to win a Kindle edition of The Screts of Married Women from Goodreads, and boy did I love this. I'm normally more of a historical fiction reader, I'm glad I gave this a chance.
So much of what Jill went through, I could relate to. I imagine many could. Especially when it came to her friendships with Leigh and Wendy, the baby drama (to a point), and her ailing parents. I've been in that friendship dilemma, I've been in that family dilemma, those parts of the story I was so engaged in. What I liked best of all was, even though some characters were shady, you could sympathize and understand all of their actions, their motivations. While I didn't agree with the decisions that some of these characters made, I understood why. Even though this is a fictional tale, there's a lot of realism woven throughout. Sometimes friendships last, sometimes they don't, same goes for relationships. I never thought any of those beats were fantastical, like that would never happen in real life. I kept reading and I kept thinking I know someone that happened to, yep this happened once to me, I was in that situation once with a friend. I bought it all. There came a point, a little more then half way through the story, that a revel was dropped that I did not see coming. I should of seen it coming but I didn't, and I couldn't put down my kindle after that.
I just have one tiny minor issue with the overall story, the ending. By the start of the last chapter, I was shaking my head with approval. That's the way it'd be in real life, but this isn't real life. I'm hopefully not giving away the ending, but it was a little to neat for me. It's a self contained story, the ending is satisfying, but I just did not buy it. That said, I really enjoyed The Secrets of Married Women, and highly recommend it.
So much of what Jill went through, I could relate to. I imagine many could. Especially when it came to her friendships with Leigh and Wendy, the baby drama (to a point), and her ailing parents. I've been in that friendship dilemma, I've been in that family dilemma, those parts of the story I was so engaged in. What I liked best of all was, even though some characters were shady, you could sympathize and understand all of their actions, their motivations. While I didn't agree with the decisions that some of these characters made, I understood why. Even though this is a fictional tale, there's a lot of realism woven throughout. Sometimes friendships last, sometimes they don't, same goes for relationships. I never thought any of those beats were fantastical, like that would never happen in real life. I kept reading and I kept thinking I know someone that happened to, yep this happened once to me, I was in that situation once with a friend. I bought it all. There came a point, a little more then half way through the story, that a revel was dropped that I did not see coming. I should of seen it coming but I didn't, and I couldn't put down my kindle after that.
I just have one tiny minor issue with the overall story, the ending. By the start of the last chapter, I was shaking my head with approval. That's the way it'd be in real life, but this isn't real life. I'm hopefully not giving away the ending, but it was a little to neat for me. It's a self contained story, the ending is satisfying, but I just did not buy it. That said, I really enjoyed The Secrets of Married Women, and highly recommend it.
May 31, 2017
This is the story of three friends Jill, Leigh and Wendy, who seem to there for each other, supporting each other during the trials and tribulations of married life.
Jill, the sensible of the three, is married to Rob and they are happily coursing through life, till they find out Rob is infertile. This affects their married life, their intimacy, especially, when Rob, refuses to talk about it and Jill wants to communicate and find an alternative. Rob is unable to reconcile to the idea of adoption and diverts his grief inwards. This refusal to deal with the situation, tempts Jill to think about another man, Andrey. Whom will she choose Rob or Andrey??
Leigh, the damaged of the three, with husband, Lawrence and daughter, Molly, is bored with his OCD and stay at home dad concept. So, to find new adventure, she embarks on an affair with Nick with disastrous consequences. Will she stay with good old Lawrence or the exciting Nick???
Wendy, the quiet of the three, is married to cop, Neil and has two boys but has lost a daughter. This affects her deeply still and her life seems to have stopped. Will she remain the calm mom /wife or will she take charge???
This entire story is told from Jill’s point of view. Each of these women are going through roller-coaster of emotions, Jill with her parental problems and infertility, Leigh, with her convoluted past, and Wendy with her personal loss and betrayal.
The author, Carol Mason, deals with the dynamics of friendship, sometimes with brashness and sometimes with sensitivity. The last fifty pages or so is brilliant. It describes the pain, the angst, the fear, the betrayal so beautifully. Each emotion comes off the page, hitting us with its rawness. Friendship also has boundaries depending on what we reveal and what we hide from each other. Carol brings home the fact that life is all about choices and the consequences of those choices and each phase has to be lived, with its pitfalls and mistakes, before we go onto the next..
There are many beautiful lines written by Carol on love and life, practical ones too. The line which touched me is...
"You are born you, and you go through life, buffered by other people, but first and foremost, you are just yourself. And then you die just being you. So the sooner you get used to yourself, the better it is"
TRUE HAPPINESS IS WITHIN US...
So true, Ms. Mason, so true...
(I received a revised ARC from netgalley and this is my honest and unbiased review)
Jill, the sensible of the three, is married to Rob and they are happily coursing through life, till they find out Rob is infertile. This affects their married life, their intimacy, especially, when Rob, refuses to talk about it and Jill wants to communicate and find an alternative. Rob is unable to reconcile to the idea of adoption and diverts his grief inwards. This refusal to deal with the situation, tempts Jill to think about another man, Andrey. Whom will she choose Rob or Andrey??
Leigh, the damaged of the three, with husband, Lawrence and daughter, Molly, is bored with his OCD and stay at home dad concept. So, to find new adventure, she embarks on an affair with Nick with disastrous consequences. Will she stay with good old Lawrence or the exciting Nick???
Wendy, the quiet of the three, is married to cop, Neil and has two boys but has lost a daughter. This affects her deeply still and her life seems to have stopped. Will she remain the calm mom /wife or will she take charge???
This entire story is told from Jill’s point of view. Each of these women are going through roller-coaster of emotions, Jill with her parental problems and infertility, Leigh, with her convoluted past, and Wendy with her personal loss and betrayal.
The author, Carol Mason, deals with the dynamics of friendship, sometimes with brashness and sometimes with sensitivity. The last fifty pages or so is brilliant. It describes the pain, the angst, the fear, the betrayal so beautifully. Each emotion comes off the page, hitting us with its rawness. Friendship also has boundaries depending on what we reveal and what we hide from each other. Carol brings home the fact that life is all about choices and the consequences of those choices and each phase has to be lived, with its pitfalls and mistakes, before we go onto the next..
There are many beautiful lines written by Carol on love and life, practical ones too. The line which touched me is...
"You are born you, and you go through life, buffered by other people, but first and foremost, you are just yourself. And then you die just being you. So the sooner you get used to yourself, the better it is"
TRUE HAPPINESS IS WITHIN US...
So true, Ms. Mason, so true...
(I received a revised ARC from netgalley and this is my honest and unbiased review)
June 25, 2017
Wow!
I'm not a married woman, I've never been married but of course it's natural (at least I think so) to think about marriage. At least when the topic comes up, even if it's not for you. There are often the questions about age and whether you are ready.... What you rarely get asked is the commitment. Not many dare to ask whether you plan to stick by your partner through it all- as companions for life. That's the dangerous territory, not appropriate small talk. But that's what this book subtly explores: what if you aren't happy with your husband of ten years? What if there is a man more interested in you? What if there is a new life for you to live? What if this is the end of the line?
This is a book that will get people talking. Think: a bucket load of gossip, closeted lives and powerful secrets.
You get the 'good' wife, the 'bad' wife and the wife 'easily led astray'. Three best friends and their respective husbands. They share the shortcomings of their marriages and they decide they want things to change. This book is about women taking control, putting themselves first, making their own discoveries- even if that means subjecting themselves to scandal and possibly, guilt. Men, be careful.
But more than that, this novel is an intricate exploration of serious, personal, relationships: the web of entanglements we create and the way they mould us and carve their way into our lives. A delicate book but very much a must read. This is the kind of book that would once have been on the list of banned books. The fact that this is too close to reality would once have been interpreted as a threat to the framework of most societies. We've come a long way since then, for better or for worse.
I received this book through NetGalley.
I'm not a married woman, I've never been married but of course it's natural (at least I think so) to think about marriage. At least when the topic comes up, even if it's not for you. There are often the questions about age and whether you are ready.... What you rarely get asked is the commitment. Not many dare to ask whether you plan to stick by your partner through it all- as companions for life. That's the dangerous territory, not appropriate small talk. But that's what this book subtly explores: what if you aren't happy with your husband of ten years? What if there is a man more interested in you? What if there is a new life for you to live? What if this is the end of the line?
This is a book that will get people talking. Think: a bucket load of gossip, closeted lives and powerful secrets.
You get the 'good' wife, the 'bad' wife and the wife 'easily led astray'. Three best friends and their respective husbands. They share the shortcomings of their marriages and they decide they want things to change. This book is about women taking control, putting themselves first, making their own discoveries- even if that means subjecting themselves to scandal and possibly, guilt. Men, be careful.
But more than that, this novel is an intricate exploration of serious, personal, relationships: the web of entanglements we create and the way they mould us and carve their way into our lives. A delicate book but very much a must read. This is the kind of book that would once have been on the list of banned books. The fact that this is too close to reality would once have been interpreted as a threat to the framework of most societies. We've come a long way since then, for better or for worse.
I received this book through NetGalley.
July 24, 2017
A book full of twists and turns in three very ordinary marriages and the cliche is very right. No one actually knows what goes on in a marriage.
Three friends Wendy, Jill and Leigh. Friends for a long while. All married with families except Jill who has no children. Each one with a career (of sorts) and life seems to be fine. Cracks appear with one - infidelity but Leigh is determined to keep it to a fling and nothing else. Six weeks, and then it becomes the length of summer and then she is out and back to Lawrence and Molly. The heart does not work quite like that and Leigh becomes besotted. She cannot cut the tie and in not doing so involves her friends as well.
Wendy seems staid and set in her ways. Husband and two young boys. Jill and Rob - the sad fact of not having children has created such a rift in their marriage. The elephant in the room which cannot be spoken about or discussed at least by Rob. Ignoring the issue and being careless of his feelings have left Jill very vulnerable. This leads to a crisis in her marriage.
More would be spoilers!
Friendship taxed beyond endurance, revenge, maliciousness, despair, unrequited love all strands of the story or rather stories here. Very commonplace tales, meticulously told and things that happen to all.
A very good book which was a relief from me from my diet of continuous murders and very gory happenings.
Three friends Wendy, Jill and Leigh. Friends for a long while. All married with families except Jill who has no children. Each one with a career (of sorts) and life seems to be fine. Cracks appear with one - infidelity but Leigh is determined to keep it to a fling and nothing else. Six weeks, and then it becomes the length of summer and then she is out and back to Lawrence and Molly. The heart does not work quite like that and Leigh becomes besotted. She cannot cut the tie and in not doing so involves her friends as well.
Wendy seems staid and set in her ways. Husband and two young boys. Jill and Rob - the sad fact of not having children has created such a rift in their marriage. The elephant in the room which cannot be spoken about or discussed at least by Rob. Ignoring the issue and being careless of his feelings have left Jill very vulnerable. This leads to a crisis in her marriage.
More would be spoilers!
Friendship taxed beyond endurance, revenge, maliciousness, despair, unrequited love all strands of the story or rather stories here. Very commonplace tales, meticulously told and things that happen to all.
A very good book which was a relief from me from my diet of continuous murders and very gory happenings.
July 1, 2017
The Secrets of Married Women would probably be more aptly titled if it were called "Do I Have the Affair?" While it starts off fun, it gets a little sexy, and somewhere it gets deep...but not in a fun way. I was hoping this would be a fun or quick read, the hook seems simple enough, but the endless hours of thinking that followed it makes it more than a beach read for me. The plot is easy to follow, the characters will take you on a bit of a roller coaster ride, and there are a couple that I felt could have been better. It doesn't feel like all the stories get finished, but that always makes me hope for a sequel, or I just figure out my own ending. However what I truly loved about the book, even though it drove me crazy, was that it did leave me contemplating relationships, affairs, and marriage even after I'd finished the book. My husband wasn't so thrilled with the barrage of questions that came his way haha, but we had some great conversation. If you read this book be prepared to expect more from it. Mason hides the depth and emotion well into this book, but you'll find them, and you'll be glad you did.
May 29, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't enjoy this book and almost gave it up at the 40% mark, but I thought I should continue it to the bitter end.
Three married women, three stories. None of which were good. I found it difficult to relate to any of them as I didn’t really like the characters well enough. Only Jill, the main character, seemed to be developed enough to form an attachment too, and even she was hot and cold for me. Her friends, Leigh, and Wendy, we less developed, even though Leigh plays a bigger part than Wendy does throughout the book. The British vernacular threw me off at times, and let’s not even discuss the ending which was unbelievable, if not predictable. I’m all for happy ever afters, but not when one character does a complete 180 to get there.
This book just wasn’t for me, but maybe the next one by this author will be.
I didn't enjoy this book and almost gave it up at the 40% mark, but I thought I should continue it to the bitter end.
Three married women, three stories. None of which were good. I found it difficult to relate to any of them as I didn’t really like the characters well enough. Only Jill, the main character, seemed to be developed enough to form an attachment too, and even she was hot and cold for me. Her friends, Leigh, and Wendy, we less developed, even though Leigh plays a bigger part than Wendy does throughout the book. The British vernacular threw me off at times, and let’s not even discuss the ending which was unbelievable, if not predictable. I’m all for happy ever afters, but not when one character does a complete 180 to get there.
This book just wasn’t for me, but maybe the next one by this author will be.
June 28, 2017
I read this because I read Carol Mason's After You Left and it was one of my top favorites of all time. This book is different - less romantic probably - but a very gripping story I could not put down, about what happens when a secret blows three friendships apart. Like her other novel, there was a lot of wisdom in this one about life and who we love and who we trust and how we can be betrayed. From about 20 pages in, it was such a fast read for me because I needed to know the outcome so badly. One of the characters is not a nice person and I normally only like books with characters I can warm to. But part of this book's appeal is showing how even unlikable people have their softer, vulnerable side that makes them human. All of Carol Mason's characters are very much like real people to me. The believability of the characters and the story is what makes it so appealing to me. A great, great read! Can't wait for her next one.
October 25, 2023
I’ve been picking away at this book and a few others. There are lots of stellar reviews of this one, but it’s DNF for me. I find all the characters kind-of sad. I didn’t like any of them, so at about 50% I’m done.
The book is written not badly, but I feel no life in the characters or what is coming across as a mostly sad story. It appears there’s a grudging HEA for the MC at the end but, in what I’ve read, it’s hardly heartwarming. I don’t know about the other characters and I’m not interested in finding out.
I enjoy books with good character development, and I think there’s some here, but I found the couples didn’t really communicate, so a lot of assumptions and fairly intentional miscommunication.
Many people have liked this book, so I’m swayed by their views and give this 3 Stars.
The book is written not badly, but I feel no life in the characters or what is coming across as a mostly sad story. It appears there’s a grudging HEA for the MC at the end but, in what I’ve read, it’s hardly heartwarming. I don’t know about the other characters and I’m not interested in finding out.
I enjoy books with good character development, and I think there’s some here, but I found the couples didn’t really communicate, so a lot of assumptions and fairly intentional miscommunication.
Many people have liked this book, so I’m swayed by their views and give this 3 Stars.
June 2, 2017
Three married women. One is having an affair. This story navigates our way through their friendship, love and loss. The characters of the book are well developed and you develop a special relationship with the main character Jill, hoping she will find her way. Riddled with genuinely funny dialogue, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was however expecting this to be a light but found it at times to be very shocking and emotionally gripping. Great debut novel for Carol Mason. To be re-released this year!
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchanged for my honest review
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchanged for my honest review
December 3, 2008
I was expecting a light, fluffy read - got considerably more than I bargained for. Unexpectedly painful, sad, and a startling ending. I was particularly affected by the description of the devastating loss of trust and security following the main character's (ill-considered but understandable) affair, and the feelings of desperately wishing a destructive action undone.
September 22, 2012
I really don’t understand the low ratings. There was not one thing I didn’t like about this book. From the first page I felt as if I was reading a story about my close friends. This book has everything you could ask for: humor, drama, romance, heartache, happy endings (sort of)… you name it. Don’t go by the bad reviews and give this book a chance. You won’t regret it.
August 20, 2018
This book was well written and easy to read. It didn’t require much concentration and flowed very well.
The plot line revolves around 3 women. I didn’t sympathise or have much in common with them which found left me finding the plot simplistic and the women self centred and egotistical.
The ending was pretty much what I expected. A nice read for the beach.
The plot line revolves around 3 women. I didn’t sympathise or have much in common with them which found left me finding the plot simplistic and the women self centred and egotistical.
The ending was pretty much what I expected. A nice read for the beach.
July 21, 2017
Definitely a good read about the dynamics of friendships and marriages. Not sure I like all the characters but they certainly are intriguing as they navigate through all the temptations and struggles that come their way.
July 12, 2012
Oh! This is beautiful! Touching. Emotional. Real. Read it!
November 16, 2012
I loved this book!!
December 28, 2013
Enjoyable contemporary fiction ... not all sweetness and light, a bit of where the naughty side of life leads you. Enjoyable.
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