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saltherr's review
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
On the surface, Holly and Dr. Zach Bancroft seem like the perfect couple. They're beautiful, successful, wealthy, have a nice home, and can afford all of life's luxuries. However, after the birth of their daughter, Holly begins to realize that Zach is actually manipulative and controlling. The abuse began with small behaviors and grand apologies prior to their daughter's birth, but has now escalated into gaslighting, withholding the child, financial control, and physical danger. Zach also blackmails Holly from leaving him by multiple means. Particularly, he focuses on telling her that she is incapable of being a good mother because of a secret that Holly had kept since she was a teenager.
This story was a classic, fast-paced domestic thriller, but ultimately I was disappointed in how everything came together at the end. While reading, I couldn't put it down and was definitely excited to find out what turn the story would take next. Overall, the story had great bones, but I wish that certain elements and characters had been more developed. At times, I had to skip back to make sure that I hadn't missed a section of the book because it felt significantly rushed.
I do wish the author would have spent more time exploring the impact of the abuse on Holly. Domestic violence, especially when children are involved, is such a nuanced issue. It would have given more depth to Holly's character if the audience had been able to see her grapple with the psychological impact of the abuse.
Thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for the advance electronic copy of The Marriage Secret in exchange for my honest review!
This story was a classic, fast-paced domestic thriller, but ultimately I was disappointed in how everything came together at the end. While reading, I couldn't put it down and was definitely excited to find out what turn the story would take next. Overall, the story had great bones, but I wish that certain elements and characters had been more developed. At times, I had to skip back to make sure that I hadn't missed a section of the book because it felt significantly rushed.
I do wish the author would have spent more time exploring the impact of the abuse on Holly. Domestic violence, especially when children are involved, is such a nuanced issue. It would have given more depth to Holly's character if the audience had been able to see her grapple with the psychological impact of the abuse.
Thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for the advance electronic copy of The Marriage Secret in exchange for my honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse