Secret Lives of Second Wives

by Catherine Todd

“Breezy and smart.”—​KIRKUS


“Talented!”​ ​—Janet Evanovich​, ​#1 New York Times bestselling author


After more than a decade alone, attorney Lynn Bartlett was ready to shake up her reliably comfortable life. So when successful, kind-hearted Jack Hughes—with his home in Silicon Valley, his safely remarried ex-wife, and his two grown children—proposed, it seemed like a dream come true. After all, how hard could it be? All you had to do was be nice to everybody and you’d all get along.


Welcome to the perilous world of the second wife, where nothing turns out quite as expected. With an unemployed, unmotivated stepson who declares he’s moving in “temporarily,” a stepdaughter who oozes scorn, and a husband who’s hiding something, Lynn’s imagined domestic bliss begins to crack. Add in an ex-wife who shows up at inopportune times, a law partner who may be involved in illegal dealings, and a client whose attractions prove far too tempting, and Lynn finds both her marriage and her career could be in trouble.


Not even the Anne Boleyn Society—an informal support group for second wives—has all the answers. Sure, they can commiserate when Lynn says, “I never thought it would be so hard,” but they don’t know the half of it…


“A smart, darkly funny novel about the plight of a second wife… Lynn’s wryly funny, rueful voice is what makes Secret Lives appealing.” —Diane White, BOSTON GLOBE


“Sassy, irreverent, and smart. Catherine Todd has a wicked sense of humor.” —Carla Neggers, bestselling author of the Sharpe & Donovan series


“Not only should this book be required reading for any second wife as well as anyone contemplating a second marriage, but it’s a riveting, beautifully written story on its own. I stayed up very late reading just to see how Lynn worked through the same turbulent mess that hits so many Second Wives who enter into a marriage without realizing how much baggage inevitably comes along with it. VERY HIGHLY recommended." —RENDEZVOUS MAGAZINE

Genres: Chick Lit

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Doreena]

I really really enjoyed this book. It was fun, and pretty much right on the mark. I was a bit disappointed about part of the end, but I suppose I knew what she would do from the beginning of that situation. It really did end exactly as it should have. Great book.

[Shannon]

This was a challenging read for me because it just did not grab my attention. I was not impressed with the character development. I didn't enjoy the story. I finished the book only because I was holding out hope that it would become less shallow

[Marca]

Lynn Bartlett, an immigration attorney, is a second wife in two ways. She is on her second marriage and is the second wife of her current husband; they have been married for about year and are in their late forties. They are beautiful people who seem to have it all. Life is good. Sort of. Her husband’s ex-wife is a drama queen and still commands his attention. His adult children hate her, and the slacker son moves in with them when he loses his job. Lynn finds out that her husband’s business is having financial problems, and her own employer experiences a major setback. Life – not so good. Lynn’s friend invites her a gathering of second wives where she learns she is not alone in her experiences as they air their stories and grievances. Lynn also meets a Russian scientist who distracts her from her problems. A fun read, and probably lots of truth in the experiences.

[karin whitehead]

Secret Lives of Second Wives

Not my usual genre, so this was kinda new reading material for me. I felt an immediate bonding with the main character, a second wife. His house, his kids, his ex-wife, all setting up for trouble. Had some funny scenes, had some sad things, ungrateful adult children, and a ex-wife with attitude, all neatly wrapped up in a fun read.

[Riv]

The title was so compelling and sounded trashy enough, but the writing was strained and the story was not all that interesting... (I didn't feel all that bad since I bought it off the clearance rack at Borders :)

[Stella Phillips]

Story was both entertaining and realistic. I finished the book in a single day because I needed to know how it ended. I recommend this book especially for anyone involved in a blended family and will look for others by this author.

[Susan]

Good, just not what I expected

This was an entertaining book, well-written and with a promising storyline. I was hoping for more interaction with the Anne Boylen Society, though, and found it a stretch that the main character suddenly grew a spine without any help after being such a pushover. A personal opinion, you may not feel the same, so it's worth a read if that won't bother you.

[Joyce Pfaffle]

Loved this book. Since it was set in Silicon Valley, my digs for a decade, it gave me an interesting perspective on the area as well as playful, yet thoughtful look at relationships as they apply to second wives and the children and ex's that play into the dynamics. I look forward to reading more by Todd; she hit th right tone between compassion for others and self care.

[Anthea Vadasz]

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and an easy read. It even had good advice about relationships and life. I was pleasantly surprised and glad that i read this book.

[Missie]

DNF!

[Amanda]

I was not interested, then very interested and then BOOM! It was over. Overall a decent read

[Jennifer McConnell]

Just EXCELLENT from beginning to end! 👍

[Elizabeth]

Fun chick-lit book. Loved it that the second wife was not a trophy wife but a real woman in her fifties not without fault. Good have had more depth at times but for what it is was a fun read.

[Wendy Wee]

Funny and real

[Margaret Shumaker]

Loved this

I was pleasantly surprised by this book, couldn't stop reading and wished for more when I reached the end. The narrator is in her 40's, and she is an accomplished attorney who marries her second husband, who has two grown children from his first marriage. This is a thoughtful exploration of the adjustments necessary in real life, no easy or obvious answers, very thoughtful. Great, and very real, characters. I want to read more by this author.

[Christi]

Not so secret

I loved this book! I have no idea what prompted me to download it, but I'm certainly glad I did! The main story itself is strong, but the smaller parts - those branching off and entangling with the main - are well-rounded and vital to the whole. It's just a good, easy, real story.

[Johnny English]

Didnt like the way she behaved at all , cheated on a decent guy , but never told him ,he should have fired her off. Why the happy ending ? Not a realistic ending at all , In real life he would have divorced her, very deceitful woman, lifetime movie on its way

[Mary Lea]

I thought this was a fun book. It's interesting take on 2nd marriages and very interesting.

[Andra]

Read this in a day and a half. entertaining book. I have read others by her and enjoyed them all

[Sasha Strader]

This was a hard starter for me: it took about 75 pages to really get into the plotline. Once I got going, it was really good.

[Shari]

Lynn is an immigration attorney and a second wife. really more than three stars as it is an easy entertaining read.

[Marilyn]

Good

this book is one full of the problems that people have when there in a second marriage.this book has a very interesting way of facing problems.

[Anna]

Boring

Definitely not what I was hoping for. It seemed to take a long time to read this. I'm glad it was free.

[Andi Elam]

Great read!

I enjoyed this book a lot. Great read and kept my interest to the end. Was wanting to know how their life turned out afterwards.