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The Second Marriage
‘They’re lying,’ my little stepson whispers, his blue eyes shining with tears as I tuck him into bed for the first time. ‘They think I’ve forgotten, but I remember everything. I know my mummy is still alive.’
My best friend warned me that it was too soon to marry Edward, a widower with an adorable but troubled little boy. She said we were moving too fast. But all I could see was a kind, loving man, struggling with grief, who needed my help.
Yet as storm clouds gather above our small wedding ceremony, my hopes and dreams fall apart. None of my husband’s family turn up to support us. Instead of a honeymoon, we have a quiet night in. My wedding bouquet is placed on his first wife’s grave. And then my new stepson tells me he’s sure his mother is still alive.
What does Noah remember and why is his father trying to make him forget? Have I been completely wrong about my husband? What happened to the woman who came before me, and how far will he go to stop me finding out the truth?
My best friend warned me that it was too soon to marry Edward, a widower with an adorable but troubled little boy. She said we were moving too fast. But all I could see was a kind, loving man, struggling with grief, who needed my help.
Yet as storm clouds gather above our small wedding ceremony, my hopes and dreams fall apart. None of my husband’s family turn up to support us. Instead of a honeymoon, we have a quiet night in. My wedding bouquet is placed on his first wife’s grave. And then my new stepson tells me he’s sure his mother is still alive.
What does Noah remember and why is his father trying to make him forget? Have I been completely wrong about my husband? What happened to the woman who came before me, and how far will he go to stop me finding out the truth?
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2021
659 people are currently reading
1907 people want to read
About the author
Jess Ryder
19 books361 followersJess Ryder is a pseudonym of novelist/screenwriter/television producer, Jan Page
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 296 reviews
December 17, 2021
3.5*
Second marriages…. How well, (if at all) do you know the family you’re preparing to marry into? What secrets lie beneath the surface, ready to be revealed?
Lily has been home schooling Edward’s nine year-old son Noah. During which time, Edward and Lily have grown close, quickly deciding to make it official and marry. As might be expected, not everyone is thrilled about this Union.
Shortly after the wedding Lily begins questioning everything about Edward’s first wife. Silently she asks herself what exactly she’s gotten herself in to.
An engaging domestic thriller I really enjoyed. Some great unexpected twists along the way that truly surprised me.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a fantastic job with Lily!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio
Second marriages…. How well, (if at all) do you know the family you’re preparing to marry into? What secrets lie beneath the surface, ready to be revealed?
Lily has been home schooling Edward’s nine year-old son Noah. During which time, Edward and Lily have grown close, quickly deciding to make it official and marry. As might be expected, not everyone is thrilled about this Union.
Shortly after the wedding Lily begins questioning everything about Edward’s first wife. Silently she asks herself what exactly she’s gotten herself in to.
An engaging domestic thriller I really enjoyed. Some great unexpected twists along the way that truly surprised me.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a fantastic job with Lily!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio
November 2, 2021
3.5 rounded up
Lily Baxendale accepts a marriage proposal from Edward Morgan even though she’s only known him a few months. He’s fifteen years older than her, they meet when he hires her to home school his eight year old son Noah over whom Edward is extremely protective, maybe overly so. Edward has two older daughters, Tara and Georgia whose reaction to the second marriage can best be described as luke warm. Is Lily naively going into the marriage in a blinkered fashion, her love for Edward blinding her to potential issues? Why does she feel like the first wife Clare is a ghost at the wedding feast? Is she a benign presence or the opposite? It soon emerges that things are not entirely as they seem as Lily digs beneath the surface charm.
At first it seems as it will a path well trodden towards predictability but pleasingly the plot journey takes plenty of twisty detours through thought dead ends and quite a few U-turns in beliefs and suspicion. There are so many off notes right from the start sometimes clamouring like an inebriated orchestra and it’s entertaining seeing how Lily deals with it or ignores it. One very positive feature of the novel is the character of Lily who is no shrinking violet, this is an intelligent woman driven by logic , her trail to the truth is well reasoned common sense. However, I’m not quite so keen on how she deals with some of her investigating via Noah, it seems a bit relentless for the poor kid . The dynamics between the various characters is very good and the scenes with the daughters are often intense especially with Tara who has a sharp tongue to say the least. There’s plenty of tension and uncertainty which builds well towards the ending which is maybe a bit neat for my taste.
Overall, this is an enjoyable, well paced, easy read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Lily Baxendale accepts a marriage proposal from Edward Morgan even though she’s only known him a few months. He’s fifteen years older than her, they meet when he hires her to home school his eight year old son Noah over whom Edward is extremely protective, maybe overly so. Edward has two older daughters, Tara and Georgia whose reaction to the second marriage can best be described as luke warm. Is Lily naively going into the marriage in a blinkered fashion, her love for Edward blinding her to potential issues? Why does she feel like the first wife Clare is a ghost at the wedding feast? Is she a benign presence or the opposite? It soon emerges that things are not entirely as they seem as Lily digs beneath the surface charm.
At first it seems as it will a path well trodden towards predictability but pleasingly the plot journey takes plenty of twisty detours through thought dead ends and quite a few U-turns in beliefs and suspicion. There are so many off notes right from the start sometimes clamouring like an inebriated orchestra and it’s entertaining seeing how Lily deals with it or ignores it. One very positive feature of the novel is the character of Lily who is no shrinking violet, this is an intelligent woman driven by logic , her trail to the truth is well reasoned common sense. However, I’m not quite so keen on how she deals with some of her investigating via Noah, it seems a bit relentless for the poor kid . The dynamics between the various characters is very good and the scenes with the daughters are often intense especially with Tara who has a sharp tongue to say the least. There’s plenty of tension and uncertainty which builds well towards the ending which is maybe a bit neat for my taste.
Overall, this is an enjoyable, well paced, easy read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
November 17, 2021
This Diamond Ring...
When Lily marries Edward at a small civil ceremony, red flags have already begun to rear their heads. But we wouldn’t have a book if she listened to her feelings and didn’t marry him anyway.
Thankfully, Lily is of mostly sound mind and resourceful enough to push forward with her concerns. While wrangling the two evil step sister equivalents she has not only a husband to fear, but his daughters too.
Her young step child and Edward’s son grounded her although some of her decisions regarding his well-being had me perplexed. But, I was engaged by the writing and intrigued to discover what secrets her husband was hiding.
I wanted to read this based on reviews stating that the main character had a solid backbone. I love domestic thrillers and am drawn to characters who stand up for themselves.
Electronic copy purchased from Amazon.
When Lily marries Edward at a small civil ceremony, red flags have already begun to rear their heads. But we wouldn’t have a book if she listened to her feelings and didn’t marry him anyway.
Thankfully, Lily is of mostly sound mind and resourceful enough to push forward with her concerns. While wrangling the two evil step sister equivalents she has not only a husband to fear, but his daughters too.
Her young step child and Edward’s son grounded her although some of her decisions regarding his well-being had me perplexed. But, I was engaged by the writing and intrigued to discover what secrets her husband was hiding.
I wanted to read this based on reviews stating that the main character had a solid backbone. I love domestic thrillers and am drawn to characters who stand up for themselves.
Electronic copy purchased from Amazon.
October 8, 2022
Thirty-year-old primary school teacher Lily Baxendale, recently out of a long relationship, needs a new challenge.
So Lily interviews with Edward Morgan, a rich widower looking for a private teacher for his 8-year-old son Noah.
Edward explains that Noah is still traumatized by the loss of his mother several years ago, and warns Lily she can NEVER mention Noah's mum as it will cause a panic attack. Lily enjoys tutoring Noah, a lonely boy who's almost completely insulated from the outside world at Edward's instructions.
Lily also gets romantically involved with Edward, a charming 45-year-old man who claims he fell in love with Lily at first sight.
The couple get married just months after they meet.....
......though Edward's grown daughters, Tara and Georgia, are cool toward the idea.
Lily is just starting to enjoy her newlywed bliss when young Noah makes a shocking confession. Noah secretly tells Lily he 'remembers everything' and that his father and sisters have been lying. Noah goes on to say that his mother is alive and will be coming to get him.
Lily HAS been concerned about Noah being purposely isolated at home, and - with the help of her best friend Marsha - secretly investigates Edward.
Lily learns that Edward has lied to her about many things, and that he may not be the man she thought she married.
For me, Lily is one of those fictional protagonists who are much too compliant with manipulative deceptive controlling men. Though Lily has proof Edward lied about something very important, and her friend Marsha advises Lily to get out, Lily decides she has to give her marriage a chance. Even after Edward exhibits more shady behavior, Lily seems to brush it off.
In fact Lily DOES have some backbone, and continues her inquiries about Edward and his late wife, but she's too naïve for my taste. I can tell Jess Ryder tried hard to make Lily's actions seem brave and sensible, but (for me) she didn't completely succeed.
Lily's (somewhat) gullible attitude aside, this is a thriller that would appeal to many fans of the genre.
Thanks to Netgalley, Jess Ryder, and Bookouture for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
October 25, 2021
This domestic thriller/mystery by Jess Ryder was a nice surprise! Ably written, well-narrated, and nicely characterized, this audiobook delivers the domestic thrills from a fresh point of view. A smart and fun popcorn thriller.
Lily, like most domestic thriller heroines, thinks she has just recently married the perfect man, and he has an adorable little son, Noah. Lily’s husband is a charming widower who has always been a little vague about his first wife’s passing from an allergic reaction to nuts. Lily met Edward when he hired her to tutor young Noah at home. Edward’s only rule was that Lily not, under any circumstances, discuss young Noah’s mother with him.
Sounds totally legit, right?
After a whirlwind romance, Lily marries the charming and wealthy Edward, but as Noah starts making strange comments about his mom and dad, Lily begins to realize that she really does not know anything much about her new husband at all. To her shock, one day Noah informs Lily that his mother is in fact alive. And Lily decides to do a little investigation, and stumbles upon much more than she bargained for in the family’s secrets.
There were several things that set this novel apart from some other domestic thrillers I’ve read recently. Aren’t you kind of tired of these dumb domestic thrillers heroines who marry obvious psychos and then remain oblivious to all their manipulations throughout the whole book? Well, none of that here. I really enjoyed the character of Lily, who, unlike many other heroines in this genre, did not seem to have totally stupidly married a man she knew nothing about, but rather seemed deceived by circumstances she could not have known about. When she learned more, her actions were decisive and rational.
Lily’s investigation into her new husband was also handled well - none of that annoying amateur sleuthing that just so happens to have turned up things police stupidly missed - but logical poking around in one’s new man’s history that lead to some genuinely shocking and well-plotted twists and discoveries.
I really enjoyed the plotting, the characters, and the twists, but the narration was also a highlight. Straightforward yet dramatic, I felt the narrator did a great job in letting the reader identify with Lily and the past wife. I also felt (without spoiling too much) that the book did a great job of shining light on some true-to-life patterns that crop up when people find themselves in questionable relationships.
This was a fun book with a smart heroine who is dramatically, yet believably, caught in a web of domestic intrigue. I wish all domestic thrillers put this much thought into plotting. There were a few aspects of the ending that confused me but overall the story was very well wrapped up. I’m interested to read more by this author and look forward to more of her books!
With thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook - if you like fast-paced domestic thrillers with smart and relatable heroines, you’ll want to finish this book in one gulp! 4 stars!
Lily, like most domestic thriller heroines, thinks she has just recently married the perfect man, and he has an adorable little son, Noah. Lily’s husband is a charming widower who has always been a little vague about his first wife’s passing from an allergic reaction to nuts. Lily met Edward when he hired her to tutor young Noah at home. Edward’s only rule was that Lily not, under any circumstances, discuss young Noah’s mother with him.
Sounds totally legit, right?
After a whirlwind romance, Lily marries the charming and wealthy Edward, but as Noah starts making strange comments about his mom and dad, Lily begins to realize that she really does not know anything much about her new husband at all. To her shock, one day Noah informs Lily that his mother is in fact alive. And Lily decides to do a little investigation, and stumbles upon much more than she bargained for in the family’s secrets.
There were several things that set this novel apart from some other domestic thrillers I’ve read recently. Aren’t you kind of tired of these dumb domestic thrillers heroines who marry obvious psychos and then remain oblivious to all their manipulations throughout the whole book? Well, none of that here. I really enjoyed the character of Lily, who, unlike many other heroines in this genre, did not seem to have totally stupidly married a man she knew nothing about, but rather seemed deceived by circumstances she could not have known about. When she learned more, her actions were decisive and rational.
Lily’s investigation into her new husband was also handled well - none of that annoying amateur sleuthing that just so happens to have turned up things police stupidly missed - but logical poking around in one’s new man’s history that lead to some genuinely shocking and well-plotted twists and discoveries.
I really enjoyed the plotting, the characters, and the twists, but the narration was also a highlight. Straightforward yet dramatic, I felt the narrator did a great job in letting the reader identify with Lily and the past wife. I also felt (without spoiling too much) that the book did a great job of shining light on some true-to-life patterns that crop up when people find themselves in questionable relationships.
This was a fun book with a smart heroine who is dramatically, yet believably, caught in a web of domestic intrigue. I wish all domestic thrillers put this much thought into plotting. There were a few aspects of the ending that confused me but overall the story was very well wrapped up. I’m interested to read more by this author and look forward to more of her books!
With thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook - if you like fast-paced domestic thrillers with smart and relatable heroines, you’ll want to finish this book in one gulp! 4 stars!
July 12, 2022
Lilly and Edward. Edward and Lilly. What an interesting novel.
First off -- I almost made this a DNF.
But I am so glad I didn't! It was a great read!
This is a a gothic tale of mystery, secrets and control. It's a tale as old as the winds but no less powerful.
I was not all in at first. That is because I've read -- or thought I had -- so many tales like this. Another predictable gothic novel, I foolishly thought.
Wrong!
This one is quite twisty. But it's a slow burn. It picks up steam as you go along until you don't even realize you're hopelessly lost in wanting to know the outcome.
Lilly marries Edward way to fast. She doesn't really know him. And almost immediately she finds out there are secrets.
Much of those secrets are locked up inside Edward's son -- a nice and gentle soul but quietly filled with -- with SOMETHING.
Edward's daughters are airheads -- shallow and pouty and also secretive.
In fact, the whole house ECHOES with secrets. Lilly is not taken seriously as a wife. Edward patronizes her and does not treat her as an equal. He is also possessive and does not like her seeing her friends.
But the biggest secret -- Edward's ex wife.
She tragically is dead. Or IS she?
For the signs are there. And for Lilly who just wanted a simple life in an ordinary relationship she soon realizes she bit off way more than she could chew. And walked into a nightmare....
Please don't DNF this one. It is a slow and burning firecracker of a novel that holds much surprise -- and its eerie atmosphere helps keep the mood.
Things I liked:
I LOVE this writer's use of metaphorical imagery. I write (non-fiction) and frequently use metaphors. I loved their uses in this novel, particularly the themes of the ocean, something that I too often write about.
I also loved the unpredictability factor and the fact that I simply could not figure it all out.
This book is a tease. It lures one in, making them think it's one thing and then turns out to be quite different. I enjoy novels where I can't figure it all out.
Gothic novels when done right are rolling sea waves, unstoppable and intense, making it impossible to turn away from (OK -- I could not resist a metaphor!.)
There was ONE thing I did not like. I am not sure how to do this without spoilers but I shall try.
For a lot of the novel, I could not connect with Lilly.
I really try not to judge people in relationships. Heck, that would be, with me, like the pot calling the kettle black! But Lilly really tested me. OK -- SPOILERS:
Please stop reading if you have not read this great book.
The lady is basically TOLD her hubby might be a murderer -- and she goes home? Hello? Paging intelligence.
And TELLS him where she got the info, possibly putting her friend's life in jeopardy.
I mean -- I know she didn't do it on purpose but man, was she frustrating. By the end of the book, I liked her but this guy was pretty bad and lied to her about EVERYTHING. I really had hoped to see him grovel at the end. I readily admit I loathed him well before we knew that he was who he turned out to be.
Poor Fran!
I'd give this a sold four stars and if you're into gothic thrillers and want a fun evening's reading -- I really do suggest you read this book.
First off -- I almost made this a DNF.
But I am so glad I didn't! It was a great read!
This is a a gothic tale of mystery, secrets and control. It's a tale as old as the winds but no less powerful.
I was not all in at first. That is because I've read -- or thought I had -- so many tales like this. Another predictable gothic novel, I foolishly thought.
Wrong!
This one is quite twisty. But it's a slow burn. It picks up steam as you go along until you don't even realize you're hopelessly lost in wanting to know the outcome.
Lilly marries Edward way to fast. She doesn't really know him. And almost immediately she finds out there are secrets.
Much of those secrets are locked up inside Edward's son -- a nice and gentle soul but quietly filled with -- with SOMETHING.
Edward's daughters are airheads -- shallow and pouty and also secretive.
In fact, the whole house ECHOES with secrets. Lilly is not taken seriously as a wife. Edward patronizes her and does not treat her as an equal. He is also possessive and does not like her seeing her friends.
But the biggest secret -- Edward's ex wife.
She tragically is dead. Or IS she?
For the signs are there. And for Lilly who just wanted a simple life in an ordinary relationship she soon realizes she bit off way more than she could chew. And walked into a nightmare....
Please don't DNF this one. It is a slow and burning firecracker of a novel that holds much surprise -- and its eerie atmosphere helps keep the mood.
Things I liked:
I LOVE this writer's use of metaphorical imagery. I write (non-fiction) and frequently use metaphors. I loved their uses in this novel, particularly the themes of the ocean, something that I too often write about.
I also loved the unpredictability factor and the fact that I simply could not figure it all out.
This book is a tease. It lures one in, making them think it's one thing and then turns out to be quite different. I enjoy novels where I can't figure it all out.
Gothic novels when done right are rolling sea waves, unstoppable and intense, making it impossible to turn away from (OK -- I could not resist a metaphor!.)
There was ONE thing I did not like. I am not sure how to do this without spoilers but I shall try.
For a lot of the novel, I could not connect with Lilly.
I really try not to judge people in relationships. Heck, that would be, with me, like the pot calling the kettle black! But Lilly really tested me. OK -- SPOILERS:
Please stop reading if you have not read this great book.
The lady is basically TOLD her hubby might be a murderer -- and she goes home? Hello? Paging intelligence.
And TELLS him where she got the info, possibly putting her friend's life in jeopardy.
I mean -- I know she didn't do it on purpose but man, was she frustrating. By the end of the book, I liked her but this guy was pretty bad and lied to her about EVERYTHING. I really had hoped to see him grovel at the end. I readily admit I loathed him well before we knew that he was who he turned out to be.
Poor Fran!
I'd give this a sold four stars and if you're into gothic thrillers and want a fun evening's reading -- I really do suggest you read this book.
November 10, 2021
EXCERPT: "OMG! Is that what I think it is?" she exclaimed.
"Yup."
"When did this happen?"
"Last night." I told her the story of Edward's romantic proposal, and her eyes widened in amazement.
"Obviously you said yes..." She gave me one of her penetrating stares. 'But are you sure this is what you want? I mean, I was expecting you to move in with Edward - you virtually have already anyway - but marriage? That's a different league of commitment."
"Yes, I know it's a bit sudden, but actually, I feel surer about Edward than I ever did about Alex. When I'm with him, I feel like I've come home, like I don't belong anywhere else. He feels the same. We love each other. What's the point of waiting?"
"You've only been together a few months, Lily, you don't really know him. You come from completely different worlds,different generations. You're only thirty and he's a middle aged widower with three kids. From what you've told me before, he was deeply in love with his wife. The whole family's still grieving. That's a hell of a lot of baggage to dump on you."
I looked up from my bowl of pasta. "I have baggage too - we all do. I like the fact that Edwards a grownup with proper real-life experiences. I'm sick of relationships with boys who are afraid to be honest."
"Like Alex."
"Yes. Like Alex."
"I understand, but...dead wives..." she muttered. "Such a hard act to follow."
ABOUT 'THE SECOND MARRIAGE': 'They’re lying,’ my little stepson whispers, his blue eyes shining with tears as I tuck him into bed for the first time. ‘They think I’ve forgotten, but I remember everything. I know my mummy is still alive.’
My best friend warned me that it was too soon to marry Edward, a widower with an adorable but troubled little boy. She said we were moving too fast. But all I could see was a kind, loving man, struggling with grief, who needed my help.
Yet as storm clouds gather above our small wedding ceremony, my hopes and dreams fall apart. None of my husband’s family turn up to support us. Instead of a honeymoon, we have a quiet night in. My wedding bouquet is placed on his first wife’s grave. And then my new stepson tells me he’s sure his mother is still alive.
What does Noah remember and why is his father trying to make him forget? Have I been completely wrong about my husband? What happened to the woman who came before me, and how far will he go to stop me finding out the truth?
MY THOUGHTS: 'Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.' 'Marry in haste; repent at leisure.' Need I go on?
Jess Ryder has written a page turner. She kept me interested and ear buds in every chance I got. The plot twists are delicious. The author keeps the reader off balance with the surprising revelations, some of which had me reading so intently I forgot to breathe!
I liked Lily's character, mostly. There were a couple of times I wanted to shake her. Edward is as slippery as a bucket full of intestines. His daughters are awful! I felt sorry for Noah, isolated from the world beyond his immediate family. If you like dysfunctional families - this one takes the cake!
Go into this cold. It's exciting, suspenseful, and I was never entirely sure who was really dead, or who might only be playing possum.
Narrator, Rosamund Hine, was a pleasure to listen to. Her voice conveyed multiple emotions and she had a wonderful range of tones and inflections with which to perform the many different characters.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheSecondMarriage #NetGalley
I: #jessryder @bookouture
T: @jessryderauthor @Bookouture
#audiobook #contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #mystery #psychologicalthriller #suspense
THE AUTHOR: Jess Ryder is the pseudonym of Jan Page, author, screenwriter, playwright and award-winning television producer. After many years working in children's media, she has recently embarked on a life of crime. Writing, that is. (Bookouture)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture Audio via Netgalley for providing an audio ARC of The Second Marriage written by Jess Ryder and narrated by Rosamund Hine for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage
"Yup."
"When did this happen?"
"Last night." I told her the story of Edward's romantic proposal, and her eyes widened in amazement.
"Obviously you said yes..." She gave me one of her penetrating stares. 'But are you sure this is what you want? I mean, I was expecting you to move in with Edward - you virtually have already anyway - but marriage? That's a different league of commitment."
"Yes, I know it's a bit sudden, but actually, I feel surer about Edward than I ever did about Alex. When I'm with him, I feel like I've come home, like I don't belong anywhere else. He feels the same. We love each other. What's the point of waiting?"
"You've only been together a few months, Lily, you don't really know him. You come from completely different worlds,different generations. You're only thirty and he's a middle aged widower with three kids. From what you've told me before, he was deeply in love with his wife. The whole family's still grieving. That's a hell of a lot of baggage to dump on you."
I looked up from my bowl of pasta. "I have baggage too - we all do. I like the fact that Edwards a grownup with proper real-life experiences. I'm sick of relationships with boys who are afraid to be honest."
"Like Alex."
"Yes. Like Alex."
"I understand, but...dead wives..." she muttered. "Such a hard act to follow."
ABOUT 'THE SECOND MARRIAGE': 'They’re lying,’ my little stepson whispers, his blue eyes shining with tears as I tuck him into bed for the first time. ‘They think I’ve forgotten, but I remember everything. I know my mummy is still alive.’
My best friend warned me that it was too soon to marry Edward, a widower with an adorable but troubled little boy. She said we were moving too fast. But all I could see was a kind, loving man, struggling with grief, who needed my help.
Yet as storm clouds gather above our small wedding ceremony, my hopes and dreams fall apart. None of my husband’s family turn up to support us. Instead of a honeymoon, we have a quiet night in. My wedding bouquet is placed on his first wife’s grave. And then my new stepson tells me he’s sure his mother is still alive.
What does Noah remember and why is his father trying to make him forget? Have I been completely wrong about my husband? What happened to the woman who came before me, and how far will he go to stop me finding out the truth?
MY THOUGHTS: 'Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.' 'Marry in haste; repent at leisure.' Need I go on?
Jess Ryder has written a page turner. She kept me interested and ear buds in every chance I got. The plot twists are delicious. The author keeps the reader off balance with the surprising revelations, some of which had me reading so intently I forgot to breathe!
I liked Lily's character, mostly. There were a couple of times I wanted to shake her. Edward is as slippery as a bucket full of intestines. His daughters are awful! I felt sorry for Noah, isolated from the world beyond his immediate family. If you like dysfunctional families - this one takes the cake!
Go into this cold. It's exciting, suspenseful, and I was never entirely sure who was really dead, or who might only be playing possum.
Narrator, Rosamund Hine, was a pleasure to listen to. Her voice conveyed multiple emotions and she had a wonderful range of tones and inflections with which to perform the many different characters.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheSecondMarriage #NetGalley
I: #jessryder @bookouture
T: @jessryderauthor @Bookouture
#audiobook #contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #mystery #psychologicalthriller #suspense
THE AUTHOR: Jess Ryder is the pseudonym of Jan Page, author, screenwriter, playwright and award-winning television producer. After many years working in children's media, she has recently embarked on a life of crime. Writing, that is. (Bookouture)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture Audio via Netgalley for providing an audio ARC of The Second Marriage written by Jess Ryder and narrated by Rosamund Hine for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage
October 31, 2021
In a lot of ways this book was typical of the genre - rich older man woos younger, inexperienced woman who soon wonders if she has made a mistake. And what really happened to his first wife? Where this book differed, in the best possible way, was in depicting the said younger woman not as a scared, whiny victim of gaslighting but rather a woman who knows her own mind and is not afraid to use it! Yes!!!
Lily Baxendale is engaged as a governess for Edward Morgan’s son, eight year old Noah. Edward also has two grown daughters, Tara and Georgia who have flown the nest. They are a little hostile towards Lily. His first wife, Claire, died five years ago when Noah was only 3 years old. But Noah claims his mummy is still alive and that he remembers everything. Of course such discussion is shut down immediately by Edward who claims the child is prone to panic attacks so he is kept at home, in cotton wool.
Lily is immediately attracted to the much older Edward, as he is apparently to her. They marry after only a few months and that’s when things start to go down hill. It soon becomes apparent that Edward is quite controlling and has been lying to Lily. But she is not having a bar of it and when he tries to stop her from seeing her best friend, Marsha, she flips him off and goes anyway.
When the lying becomes too much, Lily is seriously considering her options and she confronts Edward about it. It’s not too hard to figure out where this might be going but, on the other hand, there were quite a few little surprise twists yet to come. Lily was a wonderful character as she stood up for herself really well. Edward was a bad guy, then a good guy trying to protect his family, then a bad guy until we finally learned what he actually was. Noah was an endearing little lad and I was certainly rooting for him to have a happy life. The older daughters though were quite a surprise packet but I can’t tell you in what way.
Overall it was an enjoyable story with good pacing and strong characters, with just enough suspense to make it interesting. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Lily Baxendale is engaged as a governess for Edward Morgan’s son, eight year old Noah. Edward also has two grown daughters, Tara and Georgia who have flown the nest. They are a little hostile towards Lily. His first wife, Claire, died five years ago when Noah was only 3 years old. But Noah claims his mummy is still alive and that he remembers everything. Of course such discussion is shut down immediately by Edward who claims the child is prone to panic attacks so he is kept at home, in cotton wool.
Lily is immediately attracted to the much older Edward, as he is apparently to her. They marry after only a few months and that’s when things start to go down hill. It soon becomes apparent that Edward is quite controlling and has been lying to Lily. But she is not having a bar of it and when he tries to stop her from seeing her best friend, Marsha, she flips him off and goes anyway.
When the lying becomes too much, Lily is seriously considering her options and she confronts Edward about it. It’s not too hard to figure out where this might be going but, on the other hand, there were quite a few little surprise twists yet to come. Lily was a wonderful character as she stood up for herself really well. Edward was a bad guy, then a good guy trying to protect his family, then a bad guy until we finally learned what he actually was. Noah was an endearing little lad and I was certainly rooting for him to have a happy life. The older daughters though were quite a surprise packet but I can’t tell you in what way.
Overall it was an enjoyable story with good pacing and strong characters, with just enough suspense to make it interesting. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
3.5 stars rounded up.
November 4, 2021
The Second Marriage by Jess Ryder is a thriller novel. This one is a story that makes one wonder just how well do they really know those closest to them or just how much can you trust someone.
When Lily married Edward she thought that she was going to live the happily ever after that everyone wished for. Sure Edward was a little older than Lily but age was just a number, right? Lily adored Edward’s son, Noah, and was looking forward to becoming his step mother. Edward’s older daughters seemed to have come around, hadn’t they?
Shortly after the wedding was when things stopped adding up for Lily. That was when little Noah said that they were lying, that his mother was alive. Lily at first was skeptical and thought the young boy was confused but as time passed Lily finds so much that points that Edward is not the man she thought she knew.
Having read this author before I knew I should find good writing in this one and was curious what the story would bring. The Second Marriage was one of those stories that the deeper I dove into it I still had to wonder where it was going. There were a few moments that I wondered if I even liked the main character and her actions but regardless I wanted to know what would happen every moment. With several twists and turns I was certainly hooked and curious all throughout.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
When Lily married Edward she thought that she was going to live the happily ever after that everyone wished for. Sure Edward was a little older than Lily but age was just a number, right? Lily adored Edward’s son, Noah, and was looking forward to becoming his step mother. Edward’s older daughters seemed to have come around, hadn’t they?
Shortly after the wedding was when things stopped adding up for Lily. That was when little Noah said that they were lying, that his mother was alive. Lily at first was skeptical and thought the young boy was confused but as time passed Lily finds so much that points that Edward is not the man she thought she knew.
Having read this author before I knew I should find good writing in this one and was curious what the story would bring. The Second Marriage was one of those stories that the deeper I dove into it I still had to wonder where it was going. There were a few moments that I wondered if I even liked the main character and her actions but regardless I wanted to know what would happen every moment. With several twists and turns I was certainly hooked and curious all throughout.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
September 13, 2021
The Second Marriage by Jess Ryder follows Lily, who thinks she has met the man of her dreams. Edward, a widower, is rich, family-oriented, and most importantly, head over heels in love with Lily. And after a whirlwind romance, they decide to get married. It should be one of the happiest times in Lily's life, however, right after the wedding, her new stepson Noah confides in her that his mother is still very much alive and coming to get him very soon. He also tells her that his father and two adult sisters are all in on it and lying to both of them. From there, Lily tries to piece together what is really going on. Is Noah's trauma over the loss of his mother making him say these things or is something more sinister going on? Has Lily made a mistake by marrying a man she's only known for two months?
Plenty of tension and twists and turns make this solid thriller that will keep you guessing. Like Lily, you're not sure what to believe. Is Noah's mother still alive? Is Edward really the innocent victim in all this like he wants her to believe? You can't help but feel a sense of dread for Lily. After all, how far is the culprit willing to go to make sure that the family secrets stay hidden?
The last few chapters were intense and had me anxiously turning the pages until I got to the conclusion.
I look forward to more books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Plenty of tension and twists and turns make this solid thriller that will keep you guessing. Like Lily, you're not sure what to believe. Is Noah's mother still alive? Is Edward really the innocent victim in all this like he wants her to believe? You can't help but feel a sense of dread for Lily. After all, how far is the culprit willing to go to make sure that the family secrets stay hidden?
The last few chapters were intense and had me anxiously turning the pages until I got to the conclusion.
I look forward to more books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2021
"The Second Marriage" will keep you second-guessing!
What can possibly happen when Lily marries the wealthy widowed parent of Noah, the student she is tutoring?
Trouble instantly begins when Noah tells Lily that his mother is still alive and coming to get him soon. Noah also reveals that his father and two adult sisters know that his mother is still alive.
Lily's husband, BTW, has forbidden her to discuss Noah's deceased mom with Noah.
Is Noah telling the truth? Did Lily make a huge mistake by marrying a man she only knew for only two months?
This compelling domestic drama is fast-paced and well-plotted; boasting strong character development and no shortage of twists and turns.
I listened to the audiobook and even though narrator Rosamund Hine did a 10-star job with the narration, the book would have benefited from two narrators since it had two different storylines going, one in the past and the other in the present.
"The Second Marriage" is the second Jess Ryder book that I enjoyed. "The Night Away" was my first "Jess" book and is also highly recommended.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing early access to this title in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to listening to many more books by this talented author.
What can possibly happen when Lily marries the wealthy widowed parent of Noah, the student she is tutoring?
Trouble instantly begins when Noah tells Lily that his mother is still alive and coming to get him soon. Noah also reveals that his father and two adult sisters know that his mother is still alive.
Lily's husband, BTW, has forbidden her to discuss Noah's deceased mom with Noah.
Is Noah telling the truth? Did Lily make a huge mistake by marrying a man she only knew for only two months?
This compelling domestic drama is fast-paced and well-plotted; boasting strong character development and no shortage of twists and turns.
I listened to the audiobook and even though narrator Rosamund Hine did a 10-star job with the narration, the book would have benefited from two narrators since it had two different storylines going, one in the past and the other in the present.
"The Second Marriage" is the second Jess Ryder book that I enjoyed. "The Night Away" was my first "Jess" book and is also highly recommended.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing early access to this title in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to listening to many more books by this talented author.
October 26, 2021
The simple, but sleek, cover caught my eye, and my quick glance at the blurb sealed the deal on this one. It wasn’t exactly a creepy read, but it’s an ARC that publishes Nov 3, 2021, so I needed to squeeze it in.
I started by reading this one on my kindle and finished up by listening to the audiobook. The kindle read was a little slow-going for me. There were some lulls and it was hard to stay focused at times. I’m so happy I was able to get the audiobook from #NetGalley. Once I started listening to the audio, I had the book finished up in no time. I’ve found it’s usually easier to relate to the characters when I hear their voice! I recommend the audio version of this one.
Lily takes on more than she bargained for after taking a private tutoring job. Within months she’s married to her employer, living in a gorgeous house, with no money worries. Edward is a handsome widower, but I found him creepy and unlikeable! Although her new stepson is adorable, he’s also very anxious. Noah has secrets that he shares with Lily, but he keeps them from everyone else, including his father. I liked Lily but was irritated with the way she handled this situation.
Huge thanks to #netgalley / #bookouture / #jessryder for this ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
#TheSecondMarriage #NetGalley #jessryder #coloradobookstagrammer #readingintherockies #bookrecommendations #thrillersofinstagram #bookaholic #inexchangeforreview #booklove #netgalley #thrillerbooks #octoberreads #fortheloveofbooks #fallreading #kindleread #justfinishedreading #fourstarread #thrilleraddict #addictedtobooks #audiobook
I started by reading this one on my kindle and finished up by listening to the audiobook. The kindle read was a little slow-going for me. There were some lulls and it was hard to stay focused at times. I’m so happy I was able to get the audiobook from #NetGalley. Once I started listening to the audio, I had the book finished up in no time. I’ve found it’s usually easier to relate to the characters when I hear their voice! I recommend the audio version of this one.
Lily takes on more than she bargained for after taking a private tutoring job. Within months she’s married to her employer, living in a gorgeous house, with no money worries. Edward is a handsome widower, but I found him creepy and unlikeable! Although her new stepson is adorable, he’s also very anxious. Noah has secrets that he shares with Lily, but he keeps them from everyone else, including his father. I liked Lily but was irritated with the way she handled this situation.
Huge thanks to #netgalley / #bookouture / #jessryder for this ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
#TheSecondMarriage #NetGalley #jessryder #coloradobookstagrammer #readingintherockies #bookrecommendations #thrillersofinstagram #bookaholic #inexchangeforreview #booklove #netgalley #thrillerbooks #octoberreads #fortheloveofbooks #fallreading #kindleread #justfinishedreading #fourstarread #thrilleraddict #addictedtobooks #audiobook
October 24, 2021
My best friend warned me it was too soon to marry Edward, a widower with an adorable but troubled little boy. She said we were moving too fast. But all I could see was a kind, loving man, struggling with grief, who needed my help. Yet as storm clouds gather over our small wedding ceremony, my hopes and dreams fall apart.
When Lily marries Edward, a widower with three children, she can hardly believe when Noah tells her that his mum is still alive and that she's coming to get him. But Edward has told Lily that his first wife Claire tragically died after eating a loaf that contained nuts even though she had a nut allergy. None of Edwards family had attended the wedding and now Lily is finding it strange. What is Edward hiding?
I was quickly pulled in to this well written story. The story is told in the present day and the past, giving us an insight to what had happened before Edward married Lily. Lily and her best friend Marsha try to solve the mystery surrounding Noah's claims that his mother is still alive. But will Lily like what she finds out?
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #JessRyder for my ARC of #TheSecondMarriage in exchange for an honest review.
When Lily marries Edward, a widower with three children, she can hardly believe when Noah tells her that his mum is still alive and that she's coming to get him. But Edward has told Lily that his first wife Claire tragically died after eating a loaf that contained nuts even though she had a nut allergy. None of Edwards family had attended the wedding and now Lily is finding it strange. What is Edward hiding?
I was quickly pulled in to this well written story. The story is told in the present day and the past, giving us an insight to what had happened before Edward married Lily. Lily and her best friend Marsha try to solve the mystery surrounding Noah's claims that his mother is still alive. But will Lily like what she finds out?
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #JessRyder for my ARC of #TheSecondMarriage in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2022
Finally! It’s over. I decided to try the audiobook version of this novel for a change and I’m surprised that I enjoyed it. The narrator was amazing, a bit weird listening to the dialogues but after a few chapters in, I was enthralled.
Honestly, I don’t feel any sympathy for the other woman. I mean, you can’t expect me to feel sorry for someone who deliberately stole someone’s husband and broke a family apart. Ugh! Whatever happened to her, she brought it on herself and she deserved it.
My first book from Jess Ryder and it was OK. Not that memorable if you’d ask me but I’m totally impressed with the voice narrator. Good job!
Thanks again to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy!
Honestly, I don’t feel any sympathy for the other woman. I mean, you can’t expect me to feel sorry for someone who deliberately stole someone’s husband and broke a family apart. Ugh! Whatever happened to her, she brought it on herself and she deserved it.
My first book from Jess Ryder and it was OK. Not that memorable if you’d ask me but I’m totally impressed with the voice narrator. Good job!
Thanks again to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy!
November 6, 2021
What is the secret about Edward’s first wife?
Why won’t he let anyone talk about her in front of Noah?
Did Lily marry Edward too soon? Did he have a plan that she was unaware of?
Why do they live in a gated mansion and not let Noah go to school?
Lily found out about all of these questions and all these secrets Edward seems to be keeping after her whirlwind romance that her friend warned her about.
Something is going on, and you can feel the tension and undertone of menace on each page.
Lily isn’t taking all of this lightly, though. She is determined to find out the truth.
When she finds letters in a secret place Noah uses to communicate with his mother, her fears escalate about what is going on.
Excellent character development and characters that have you feeling what they are experiencing both good and bad.
Ohhhh so good...don't miss this one that has an ending you will love. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Why won’t he let anyone talk about her in front of Noah?
Did Lily marry Edward too soon? Did he have a plan that she was unaware of?
Why do they live in a gated mansion and not let Noah go to school?
Lily found out about all of these questions and all these secrets Edward seems to be keeping after her whirlwind romance that her friend warned her about.
Something is going on, and you can feel the tension and undertone of menace on each page.
Lily isn’t taking all of this lightly, though. She is determined to find out the truth.
When she finds letters in a secret place Noah uses to communicate with his mother, her fears escalate about what is going on.
Excellent character development and characters that have you feeling what they are experiencing both good and bad.
Ohhhh so good...don't miss this one that has an ending you will love. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 24, 2022
The Second Marriage by Jess Ryder was almost a DNF for me. This is one of those utterly frustrating books where the author doesn’t line up the characters motives with their actions, which results in a poorly crafted plot-driven story. Clearly, the author is forcing the story to work here.
Lily falls for the widowed Edward, the father of the boy she’s privately tutoring. Lily marries him in a quickie ceremony, only for her stepson to drop the bomb that his family is lying and his mother is still alive. Keep in mind, there’s NO romance in this book, no swoon-worthy man to fall in love with, who Lily later finds out has a dark past. And, gasp, she must decide if her love will conquer all. (Author tried here for Rebecca vibes and failed horribly. She even threw in the cottage by the sea. Ugh!) So there’s no wool Lily can pull over her eyes., which leaves us with an intelligent? woman.
We learn early that Edward loves to cook every night for his family—hints at controlling behavior here, so the story is picking up. But just a few scenes later, Edward’s angry because Lily heads to her friend’s house and didn’t cook them dinner. Umm, no.
We get a decadent hint of Edward’s family at their wedding. Lily’s stepdaughter fights for her bridal flowers, which she’ll lay on her mother’s grave. Oh the creepy possibilities! But, umm, no the author doesn’t give us any more. None at all. Everything is told pretty much in backstory. No creepy or thrilling things happen to Lily or anyone else.
We get the pleasure of meeting Lily’s ex, Alex, early and learn their relationship didn’t work because he’s emotionally closed. So Lily marries the next guy she meets after a brief time and knows nothing about his past, his first dead wife, knows he has strict rules, angers quickly, shuts her down all the time, who also has an extremely secretive family? This makes no sense. Clearly, Lily needs to check her sanity ASAP!
Then the whiplash with Lily’s best friend, Marsha, who’s the only redeeming character in the book. Lily continually reaches out to Marsha for help and to voice her concerns. A decent thriller would bolster Lily’s concerns by her rational and trusted friend as she fears for her life. The author decided instead to continually make Lily dismissive. Just silly nonsense, so why even include those scenes? They do not add any thrilling tension, pushing the story forward, when the author chooses to use the elementary tension of Edward not liking Marsha like they’re high schoolers? Odd to choose the weaker path of tension when the other parts of the abusive husband are not shown. This isn’t even red herring territory when it’s straight up poor story execution. How can this be a thriller?
The lightening fast pace is another frustrating aspect, especially in the beginning. We get flashes of the engagement, sharing the news with friends and family, then the wedding with Noah’s truth bomb. As readers, we can’t settle into any of the scenes, or actually care for any of these characters. Seems the author just wanted to get to the action in this plot-driven book. And that action is told in backstory. Sigh.
If you want a true thriller with gorgeous writing, thrilling characters, eerie atmosphere, and a complicated man wrapped up in a haunting past, then read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Lily falls for the widowed Edward, the father of the boy she’s privately tutoring. Lily marries him in a quickie ceremony, only for her stepson to drop the bomb that his family is lying and his mother is still alive. Keep in mind, there’s NO romance in this book, no swoon-worthy man to fall in love with, who Lily later finds out has a dark past. And, gasp, she must decide if her love will conquer all. (Author tried here for Rebecca vibes and failed horribly. She even threw in the cottage by the sea. Ugh!) So there’s no wool Lily can pull over her eyes., which leaves us with an intelligent? woman.
We learn early that Edward loves to cook every night for his family—hints at controlling behavior here, so the story is picking up. But just a few scenes later, Edward’s angry because Lily heads to her friend’s house and didn’t cook them dinner. Umm, no.
We get a decadent hint of Edward’s family at their wedding. Lily’s stepdaughter fights for her bridal flowers, which she’ll lay on her mother’s grave. Oh the creepy possibilities! But, umm, no the author doesn’t give us any more. None at all. Everything is told pretty much in backstory. No creepy or thrilling things happen to Lily or anyone else.
We get the pleasure of meeting Lily’s ex, Alex, early and learn their relationship didn’t work because he’s emotionally closed. So Lily marries the next guy she meets after a brief time and knows nothing about his past, his first dead wife, knows he has strict rules, angers quickly, shuts her down all the time, who also has an extremely secretive family? This makes no sense. Clearly, Lily needs to check her sanity ASAP!
Then the whiplash with Lily’s best friend, Marsha, who’s the only redeeming character in the book. Lily continually reaches out to Marsha for help and to voice her concerns. A decent thriller would bolster Lily’s concerns by her rational and trusted friend as she fears for her life. The author decided instead to continually make Lily dismissive. Just silly nonsense, so why even include those scenes? They do not add any thrilling tension, pushing the story forward, when the author chooses to use the elementary tension of Edward not liking Marsha like they’re high schoolers? Odd to choose the weaker path of tension when the other parts of the abusive husband are not shown. This isn’t even red herring territory when it’s straight up poor story execution. How can this be a thriller?
The lightening fast pace is another frustrating aspect, especially in the beginning. We get flashes of the engagement, sharing the news with friends and family, then the wedding with Noah’s truth bomb. As readers, we can’t settle into any of the scenes, or actually care for any of these characters. Seems the author just wanted to get to the action in this plot-driven book. And that action is told in backstory. Sigh.
If you want a true thriller with gorgeous writing, thrilling characters, eerie atmosphere, and a complicated man wrapped up in a haunting past, then read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 7, 2021
I always hate giving books three stars, because it doesn’t mean that I disliked the book. I found this entertaining and it definitely held my interest - I just didn’t think it was brilliant.
The plot is good: Lily is sick of the public education system and gets a job privately teaching a young boy named Noah. Eventually, she and Noah’s father, Edward, fall in love. Though they’ve only been together for a few months, they get married (much to the chagrin of his two adult daughters).
As the synopsis mentions, the night of her wedding, Noah tells her that his mother is still alive. He tells her not to believe his father or sisters, that they’re all lying to her. Of course, this freaks out Lily, as she was told Clare died after accidentally eating bread she was allergic to. Her wedding night sure isn’t turning out the way she planned…
Edward won’t talk about Clare, and Lily is instructed to never bring her death up to Noah, as it gives him panic attacks. Not surprisingly, Lily goes rogue and starts trying to find answers. Where are all of the pictures of Clare, of Noah as a baby? Why is there no death certificate for her in public records? For that matter, why is there no wedding certificate either?
That’s when it started to get overly dramatic for me. There were twists everywhere, but none were very shocking. I felt like so much stuff was shoved in just to increase the suspense, when it was doing just fine the way it was going. It was all pretty predictable, including most of the ending.
As I said, I did enjoy this book, but it was lacking something (or maybe had too much of some things?). I found it to be a pretty average, but still fun to read, mystery/thriller. I give it a 3/5, but it may be one you enjoy much more.
(Thank you to Bookouture, Jess Ryder and NetGalley for a complementary copy of this book in exchange for my review.)
The plot is good: Lily is sick of the public education system and gets a job privately teaching a young boy named Noah. Eventually, she and Noah’s father, Edward, fall in love. Though they’ve only been together for a few months, they get married (much to the chagrin of his two adult daughters).
As the synopsis mentions, the night of her wedding, Noah tells her that his mother is still alive. He tells her not to believe his father or sisters, that they’re all lying to her. Of course, this freaks out Lily, as she was told Clare died after accidentally eating bread she was allergic to. Her wedding night sure isn’t turning out the way she planned…
Edward won’t talk about Clare, and Lily is instructed to never bring her death up to Noah, as it gives him panic attacks. Not surprisingly, Lily goes rogue and starts trying to find answers. Where are all of the pictures of Clare, of Noah as a baby? Why is there no death certificate for her in public records? For that matter, why is there no wedding certificate either?
That’s when it started to get overly dramatic for me. There were twists everywhere, but none were very shocking. I felt like so much stuff was shoved in just to increase the suspense, when it was doing just fine the way it was going. It was all pretty predictable, including most of the ending.
As I said, I did enjoy this book, but it was lacking something (or maybe had too much of some things?). I found it to be a pretty average, but still fun to read, mystery/thriller. I give it a 3/5, but it may be one you enjoy much more.
(Thank you to Bookouture, Jess Ryder and NetGalley for a complementary copy of this book in exchange for my review.)
November 4, 2021
This was just a really satisfying psychological thriller! Lily marries the older widower, Edward, just six months after meeting him. She believes he is the one but her rush to the alter will have consequences. Lily begins to wonder how well she really knows Edward when little things just don't add up.
This isn't one of those thrillers where you are biting your nails to the nub because the heroine is constantly in mortal danger and you feel like you ran a marathon by the end. This one just grabs your attention and keeps you slightly off-balance the whole way through. You want to know what happens next, but you aren't in physical anguish. I would call it a very satisfying, light read. I loved it!
This isn't one of those thrillers where you are biting your nails to the nub because the heroine is constantly in mortal danger and you feel like you ran a marathon by the end. This one just grabs your attention and keeps you slightly off-balance the whole way through. You want to know what happens next, but you aren't in physical anguish. I would call it a very satisfying, light read. I loved it!
November 14, 2021
Lily is caught off guard by Edward’s marriage proposal but graciously accepts. She was working for Edward as his son’s private teacher and things quickly progressed between she and Edward. Lily has a great relationship with Noah. She isn’t as close with Edward’s older daughters but is hopeful a relationship with them will form. Noah is homeschooled due to severe anxiety caused by being abandoned by his mother whom is presumed dead. Edward forbids anyone from bringing up Noah’s mother to protect him. One day Noah tells Lily his mother is alive and is coming to get him. Noah also says his sisters and father know his mother is alive. This is when Lily realizes she may not know her husband as well as she thought and there are far more secrets buried deeper then she could’ve imagined.
This was so cleverly written and engaging from the beginning. It keeps you guessing and as soon as you think you know where it’s going another plot twist happens. This was a great suspenseful ride.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was so cleverly written and engaging from the beginning. It keeps you guessing and as soon as you think you know where it’s going another plot twist happens. This was a great suspenseful ride.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 28, 2021
2.5 rounded up Mmmm … there were parts of this book I enjoyed I felt like I was reading a book I’d read before . It seemed like the plot was a mishmash of other books in this genre …. Also I felt that the author could have condensed this novel as the chapters often were quite repetitive
November 1, 2021
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Jess Ryder's domestic thriller THE SECOND MARRIAGE.
A fast paced read that is as addictive as it is absorbing, THE SECOND MARRIAGE will have you second guessing as you plough your way through the secrets, the lies, the deception and the twists. Just when you think you know what's going on, along comes another sharp turn taking you on yet another bumpy thrill ride. I will say this, it certainly wasn't what I expected...and pleasantly so.
The story begins with Lily, having taken a job as 8 year old Noah's private tutor, ruminating over the interview she was late for and thus being swept off her feet by Noah's charismatic father Edward. What follows is a whirlwind courtship resulting in a proposal and a registry office wedding as she becomes Mrs Edward Morgan.
But as Lily is soon to discover - marry in haste, repent at leisure. For with Edward comes two adult daughters and a mysterious past which he refuses to discuss. His main stipulation at her interview should have been a red flag - forbidding her from mentioning Noah's deceased mother...EVER. And yet Noah confides in her that the rest of the family is lying; that they think he doesn't remember but he remembers everything; that his mother is alive. Lily is shocked. Maybe he's mistaken. Yet when she broaches the matter with Edward he becomes cool and distant, dismissing the idea as Noah's imagination and wishing it to be true. But Lily isn't so sure.
She confides in her best friend Marsha whom Edward outwardly loathes and does his best to keep her from seeing her. Classic control behaviour. But Lily will not be swayed. Marsha does some digging into his mother Clare's death which proves to be tougher than it should be. But her determination pays off and she has a doozy of a story to share with Lily about her discovery. The problem is, is it true? Is the information Marsha has uncovered her Edward? Or is it someone else? Because if it is in fact Edward then he has some explaining to do...not that Lily would believe him after the lies he has spun over and over again. So what exactly is the truth?
But at the centre of this story is an innocent little boy who awaits the return of his mother to whisk him away from a life locked inside the fortress his father has built around them. And for what? Is it to protect them? Is to keep others out? Or is it to protect himself? Lily isn't sure anymore. But one thing she is sure of and that is Noah remembers more than what the family thinks he does, despite being only 3 at the time his mother disappeared, and Edward is doing his level best to suppress the boy's only remaining memories of his mother. Surely that can't be healthy...can it?
Lily has no choice but to confront Edward with what she knows...and he breaks down with tears of relief that he no longer has to keep the secret from her. So why keep it in the first place? To protect her? Noah? Or himself? And what about his grown daughters, Tara and Georgia? Every time the three of them are together Lily gets the feeling they are talking about her as the conversation ceases the moment she walks into the room. Tara, the eldest, is constantly aloof and doesn't care who Lily is or what she is doing there. Georgia at least pretends to like her. And Edward? He just continues to appease his entitled daughters while Lily is inwardly fuming. While poor Noah is the pawn in some secretive game they seem to have going on.
Lily has obviously gotten herself into muddy waters and soon finds that she is in too deep to do anything about it without raising suspicion. I began to wonder how it was all going to end for all involved because it wasn't going to be pretty, that's for sure.
Surprisingly, I really enjoyed THE SECOND MARRIAGE as its fast pace kept me turning the pages to find out what happens next. And I was hoodwinked this time. I couldn't foresee the outcome as much as I tried to conjure up possible scenarios. So I gave up trying and just enjoyed the ride. There were enough twists to give you whiplash and enough unlikeable characters to leave you speechless. I didn't like Edward from the first moment. He was too smooth and too perfect that he had to be hiding something. He was creepy and controlling, and I couldn't believe a word that came out of his mouth. His daughters were two faced, bitchy and completely self-entitled. Lily was naive and honestly stupid to be taken in after just coming out of a seven year relationship herself. Noah, despite his obvious anxiety which was at times frustrating, was probably one of the most redeeming characters alongside Marsha who could spot the wolf from the sheep, even if her friend couldn't.
While in some ways it may not be hard to work out where THE SECOND MARRIAGE might be heading, there are still plenty of twists to keep you guessing and second guessing throughout. There is plenty of tension that makes it a solid thriller and like Lily, you're not sure who or what to believe.
Filled with secrets, lies and deception, THE SECOND MARRIAGE is intense and addictive read that is perfect for fans of domestic thrillers.
I would like to thank #JessRyder, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheSecondMarriage in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Jess Ryder's domestic thriller THE SECOND MARRIAGE.
A fast paced read that is as addictive as it is absorbing, THE SECOND MARRIAGE will have you second guessing as you plough your way through the secrets, the lies, the deception and the twists. Just when you think you know what's going on, along comes another sharp turn taking you on yet another bumpy thrill ride. I will say this, it certainly wasn't what I expected...and pleasantly so.
The story begins with Lily, having taken a job as 8 year old Noah's private tutor, ruminating over the interview she was late for and thus being swept off her feet by Noah's charismatic father Edward. What follows is a whirlwind courtship resulting in a proposal and a registry office wedding as she becomes Mrs Edward Morgan.
But as Lily is soon to discover - marry in haste, repent at leisure. For with Edward comes two adult daughters and a mysterious past which he refuses to discuss. His main stipulation at her interview should have been a red flag - forbidding her from mentioning Noah's deceased mother...EVER. And yet Noah confides in her that the rest of the family is lying; that they think he doesn't remember but he remembers everything; that his mother is alive. Lily is shocked. Maybe he's mistaken. Yet when she broaches the matter with Edward he becomes cool and distant, dismissing the idea as Noah's imagination and wishing it to be true. But Lily isn't so sure.
She confides in her best friend Marsha whom Edward outwardly loathes and does his best to keep her from seeing her. Classic control behaviour. But Lily will not be swayed. Marsha does some digging into his mother Clare's death which proves to be tougher than it should be. But her determination pays off and she has a doozy of a story to share with Lily about her discovery. The problem is, is it true? Is the information Marsha has uncovered her Edward? Or is it someone else? Because if it is in fact Edward then he has some explaining to do...not that Lily would believe him after the lies he has spun over and over again. So what exactly is the truth?
But at the centre of this story is an innocent little boy who awaits the return of his mother to whisk him away from a life locked inside the fortress his father has built around them. And for what? Is it to protect them? Is to keep others out? Or is it to protect himself? Lily isn't sure anymore. But one thing she is sure of and that is Noah remembers more than what the family thinks he does, despite being only 3 at the time his mother disappeared, and Edward is doing his level best to suppress the boy's only remaining memories of his mother. Surely that can't be healthy...can it?
Lily has no choice but to confront Edward with what she knows...and he breaks down with tears of relief that he no longer has to keep the secret from her. So why keep it in the first place? To protect her? Noah? Or himself? And what about his grown daughters, Tara and Georgia? Every time the three of them are together Lily gets the feeling they are talking about her as the conversation ceases the moment she walks into the room. Tara, the eldest, is constantly aloof and doesn't care who Lily is or what she is doing there. Georgia at least pretends to like her. And Edward? He just continues to appease his entitled daughters while Lily is inwardly fuming. While poor Noah is the pawn in some secretive game they seem to have going on.
Lily has obviously gotten herself into muddy waters and soon finds that she is in too deep to do anything about it without raising suspicion. I began to wonder how it was all going to end for all involved because it wasn't going to be pretty, that's for sure.
Surprisingly, I really enjoyed THE SECOND MARRIAGE as its fast pace kept me turning the pages to find out what happens next. And I was hoodwinked this time. I couldn't foresee the outcome as much as I tried to conjure up possible scenarios. So I gave up trying and just enjoyed the ride. There were enough twists to give you whiplash and enough unlikeable characters to leave you speechless. I didn't like Edward from the first moment. He was too smooth and too perfect that he had to be hiding something. He was creepy and controlling, and I couldn't believe a word that came out of his mouth. His daughters were two faced, bitchy and completely self-entitled. Lily was naive and honestly stupid to be taken in after just coming out of a seven year relationship herself. Noah, despite his obvious anxiety which was at times frustrating, was probably one of the most redeeming characters alongside Marsha who could spot the wolf from the sheep, even if her friend couldn't.
While in some ways it may not be hard to work out where THE SECOND MARRIAGE might be heading, there are still plenty of twists to keep you guessing and second guessing throughout. There is plenty of tension that makes it a solid thriller and like Lily, you're not sure who or what to believe.
Filled with secrets, lies and deception, THE SECOND MARRIAGE is intense and addictive read that is perfect for fans of domestic thrillers.
I would like to thank #JessRyder, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheSecondMarriage in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
September 12, 2021
Lily takes a job as a private tutor for 8 year old Noah. She quickly falls in love with Noah’s father, Edward that is 15 years her senior. They get married quickly, barely 2 months after they met. Edward has two older daughters from his first marriage to his wife Clare. Edward’s daughters are not very fond of Lily. Noah is told that his mom, Clare, died when he was 3 years old and they are not to discuss it because it really upsets him. On their wedding night, when Lily is tucking Noah in for bed, he tells Lily that his mom is not really dead and they are all lying to her. What happened to Noah's mom? Lily sets out to learn more and finds out that there are many secrets that this family is hiding.
This was another incredible book by skilled author, Jess Ryder. I loved Lily's character and how she was determined to help Noah find out about his mother. The pacing was fast and I quickly became invested in this book. If you're looking for a great read pick this one. It is has a great ending!
Many Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
This was another incredible book by skilled author, Jess Ryder. I loved Lily's character and how she was determined to help Noah find out about his mother. The pacing was fast and I quickly became invested in this book. If you're looking for a great read pick this one. It is has a great ending!
Many Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
October 28, 2021
A high 4⭐️ read! This was a suspenseful mystery that drove me crazy. Who was lying? And what in the world was really going on?? Cleverly written characters that held very mysterious behaviors. I didn’t trust anyone. And the present and past narrative only brought more questions.
I just couldn’t sort out what had happened. I was on the edge of my seat at 50% until the end. I recommend it if you like suspense.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and Rosamund Hine was the narrator. She did a great job and this was 9 hours and 40 minutes of suspenseful listening.
Thanks Bookouture via Netgalley.
I just couldn’t sort out what had happened. I was on the edge of my seat at 50% until the end. I recommend it if you like suspense.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and Rosamund Hine was the narrator. She did a great job and this was 9 hours and 40 minutes of suspenseful listening.
Thanks Bookouture via Netgalley.
November 3, 2021
Edward, widower recently married Lily, his son Noah’s private teacher. They should be on top of the world right now. However, after Lily’s wedding bouquet is placed on Edward’s first wife’s grave, and her step son Noah tells her his mother is still alive, Lily begins to question her seemingly perfect new husband.
What really happened to Edward’s first wife and why is he intent on trying to make his son forget about her.
I listened to the audiobook and it was a pretty good thriller.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Bookouture Audio for this arc.
What really happened to Edward’s first wife and why is he intent on trying to make his son forget about her.
I listened to the audiobook and it was a pretty good thriller.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Bookouture Audio for this arc.
November 5, 2021
A fast paced thriller covering lies, secrets and memory loss.
As Lily puts her stepson Noah to bed on the night of her wedding to Edward, he tells her that daddy has been lying and his mummy isn't dead. Edward dismisses his claims, but why does he not want to talk about her, why are there no photos and why is Noah kept in near isolation from everyone. As she tries to discover the truth she puts her own life in danger.
This novel has all the best bits of a thriller, unlikeable characters you want to hiss and boo at. And in Lily and her friend Marsha, characters that you are rooting for to uncover the truth. This is my first read from Jess but she has a new fan. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
As Lily puts her stepson Noah to bed on the night of her wedding to Edward, he tells her that daddy has been lying and his mummy isn't dead. Edward dismisses his claims, but why does he not want to talk about her, why are there no photos and why is Noah kept in near isolation from everyone. As she tries to discover the truth she puts her own life in danger.
This novel has all the best bits of a thriller, unlikeable characters you want to hiss and boo at. And in Lily and her friend Marsha, characters that you are rooting for to uncover the truth. This is my first read from Jess but she has a new fan. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
October 14, 2021
Thank you Netgalley and Author Jess Ryder for this ARC.
This thriller had a HUGE failure that ran through the whole story and not only took from the suspense and mystery but also the characters. There were so, so, so many scenes that HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PLOT! They bogged everything down and took readers on side trips that meant nothing. It was frustrating and slowed it all down to the point of near boring. If those scenes had been omitted--any good editor would remove them--the story would have been great. It had all the aspects of a good, twisty, turny book.
This thriller had a HUGE failure that ran through the whole story and not only took from the suspense and mystery but also the characters. There were so, so, so many scenes that HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PLOT! They bogged everything down and took readers on side trips that meant nothing. It was frustrating and slowed it all down to the point of near boring. If those scenes had been omitted--any good editor would remove them--the story would have been great. It had all the aspects of a good, twisty, turny book.
October 29, 2021
Lily is Noah's in home tutor. Shortly after meeting the father, Edward they beginning dating and soon are married.
Lily finds it strange that there are no pictures of Noah's mother in the house. She has been strictly forbidden from discussing his mother with Noah as it is very upsetting to him.
Edwards grown daughters do not like Lily. Lily is just trying to do what is best for Noah but is stopped at every turn. What is exactly is going on with this family? Why are Noah's memories of his mother being repressed? How many more lies and questions is Lily going to encounter in her quest to help Noah?
Read this one and find out! I loved this book. It was suspenseful all the way through. I also enjoyed the narrator and thought she did a great job reading the audio book version.
I will be looking for more from this author.
Many thanks to Bookouture Audio via netgalley for the advance copy.
Lily finds it strange that there are no pictures of Noah's mother in the house. She has been strictly forbidden from discussing his mother with Noah as it is very upsetting to him.
Edwards grown daughters do not like Lily. Lily is just trying to do what is best for Noah but is stopped at every turn. What is exactly is going on with this family? Why are Noah's memories of his mother being repressed? How many more lies and questions is Lily going to encounter in her quest to help Noah?
Read this one and find out! I loved this book. It was suspenseful all the way through. I also enjoyed the narrator and thought she did a great job reading the audio book version.
I will be looking for more from this author.
Many thanks to Bookouture Audio via netgalley for the advance copy.
April 30, 2022
A great domestic thriller, this had me running in circles as Lily tried to make sense of the family she had married into. A rollercoaster ride, the plot twists made the book so worth it with new truths coming in every few pages. The family dynamics kept me quite into the story, with the characters evoking emotions from me. A great read.
November 1, 2021
Absolutely loved this audiobook which was full of suspense and unpredictable twists and turns. It is one of those novels that you don't want to put down. Thank you for ARC of this audiobook. #TheSecondMarriage #NetGalley.
October 25, 2021
4.5 stars
Thank you @netgalley for this #arc audio book!
This was my first book by this author but certainly won’t be my last! I already added two more to my wishlist.
This was a unique domestic thriller and I absolutely loved it! It’s still up for request on netgalley.
HIGHLY recommended!
Thank you @netgalley for this #arc audio book!
This was my first book by this author but certainly won’t be my last! I already added two more to my wishlist.
This was a unique domestic thriller and I absolutely loved it! It’s still up for request on netgalley.
HIGHLY recommended!
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