Oh man, do I need to make my partner read this book! The Husbands was an extremely highly anticipated read for me, because I loved The Whisper Network. It certainly lived up to expectations, and I liked it even more.

I was able to guess the overall plot pretty early on, but there were still other twists along the way that I certainly didn’t see coming. I thought everything was incorporated really well and especially loved the ending.

The reader can definitely feel the frustration of these overworked moms, both Nora and those posting on the message boards and interviewed in news articles throughout the book. It makes me wonder whether the author’s husband has read this book, and what he thinks! I can see The Husbands easily becoming a huge hit, given how easy it is to relate to this MC. I’m not married yet, but my boyfriend and I live together and even I could relate.

The audio version was perfect, and I feel that it really put me right inside Nora’s head. I loved her inner monologue.

This book was fast-paced and compelling throughout--I didn’t want to put it down. I would highly recommend both of Chandler’s books.

The Husbands is an interesting twist on the Stepford Wives. I liked how this book discusses gender roles and norms. Quite often women are the ones that are working full time, but also handling the household full time. They are the ones that know when picture day is, who their child's pediatrician is (and when their next appointment is), who their child's friends are, etc. etc. This is true and many of the things that Nora, the main character, complained about are true about a lot of relationships.

She then encounters the women of Dynasty Ranch, a small upper class housing development filled with successful women and the men that support them. These men are all SO proud of their wives and appreciate how hard they work. Seems to good to be true?

Alas, read on. There was a fire that killed a man in the development... he burned alive in the fire. Was this a wrongful death or just an accident? Nora is a lawyer and the women of the neighborhood ask her to take on the case. She does and finds out all kinds of things about this group of women.

Don't go into this book expecting a thriller. Rather it is a slow burn drama. Some of the slow burn is to a fault. For example, Nora constantly references an "accident" regarding her daughter. Through 2/3 of the book, we still don't know what happened. Nora also doesn't seem to put together what is off about this neighborhood as quickly as she perhaps should have, but overall, it is interesting to follow along in her point of view throughout the book.

The audio of this book was excellent - the narrator was very good and easy to listen to. The change in voices throughout really added to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy of this book! However, I think that this book has cemented the fact that Chandler Baker is just not the author for me. I think she does a great job in addressing topics that are very socially relevant, but the execution just misses the mark for me. In this one, a woman named Nora is interested in a house in Dynasty Ranch- an exclusive community that has a very tight knit group of women within it. Nora is a lawyer, a wife and a mother and this book hits the nail on the head when it comes to "mom rage" and the resentment that builds due to the inequality in expectations between men and women when it comes to working and domestic life. Nora gets pulled into Dynasty Ranch because one of the houses burned and one of the husbands died inside. The widow asks her to be her lawyer to find someone to blame in the death of her husband. Nora is up for partner in her firm and she gets dogged on a lot because she is trying to juggle everything, so she takes the case. It also helps her get in with the wives in the group and she starts to wonder if more is going on. Her husband thinks its a little weird and she tries to convince him its not. This is a gender flipped stepford wives and the ending is obvious from the beginning. Furthermore the pacing was so slow at times I lost interest and it never really did anything that was enough to hook me back in. There's also a big secret that Nora is keeping that also felt like it wasn't really a secret. Overall this book was really anticlimactic for me and I probably won't be reading any more from Chandler Baker.

The story surrounds Nora Spangler, a successful attorney, and her husband, Hayden. Nora struggles to find balance juggling work and home/child care duties. She's constantly on Hayden’s case to pitch in more. The family decides they would like to move to a new home and come across a home in the beautiful community of Dynasty Ranch. While touring the house, Nora meets a group of high-powered women who urge her to assist with a community member's wrongful death case. In taking on the case, Nora starts to notice all the husbands in this community are amazing fathers and caretakers. She’s naturally drawn into the idyllic lives of the women in Dynasty Ranch and soon uncovers a plot that may explain the secret to having it all. A secret that may be worth killing for.

I listened to the audiobook version of this novel. The narration was solid, and I really enjoyed the different voices and emotions she conveyed to the characters. They added a nice touch to the story and made the listening experience very enjoyable.

This book is a slower-paced novel which allowed for great character development but also made the story drag. At times I found Nora to be a bit annoying. She spent more than half the book complaining about every little aspect of her husband. This novel is marketed as a thriller but should really be marketed as a drama with a touch of mystery sprinkled in. These things combined put me off from giving this book a higher rating.

Overall, I enjoyed the novel and was eager to see how the story played out.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley, the Author and Publisher for the ARC. Looking forward to the next Chandler Baker book

Hilarious synopsis of married life. I love how the author gets how annoying the small details can be even when you really love someone. The story really starts to take a scary dark twist that you're not quite sure if if it's your imagination or not. I personally had a love/hate relationship with the protagonist. Sometimes, you couldn't help feel sorry for her. Other times, I felt she was responsible for a lot of her own problems. I absolutely love this book! I couldn't wait to finish it, and it kept me guessing the entire time.

I was a big fan of The Whisper Network, so I was curious where Baker would go next. This book, described as a gender swap version of The Stepford Wives tackles what it takes for women to get men to be equal participants in running a household. Nora is on track for a partnership at her personal injury law firm. But she can’t get her husband to share in any of the child care or household duties. Then, while they are house hunting at a neighborhood known as Dynasty Ranch, she meets a group of women in enviable positions. They all seem to have husbands that go above and beyond in helping out.
I’ve been blessed with a husband who does more than his share, so it was easier for me to take a more distanced view of this story. But I’m sure it rang true for way too many women. I still remember being shocked at the young women under my management complaining of husbands that sat on a couch waiting for them to get home to make the dinner rather than start it themselves.
Baker definitely captures the frustration involved in trying to have it all. I would have gladly murdered Hayden, Nora’s husband, who is the master of empty promises. The problem is, it also got irritating to me. I could definitely sympathize, but as a plot device, it got old. I wanted Baker to move things along. It was like “I got it already”.
It took way too long before there was any “thriller” aspect to the story. And then, when it finally got to the thriller part of the story it was both too predictable and too unbelievable. (Maybe because I’m currently training a dog, but the big reveal or twist could be seen coming very early on.)
Once again, Baker uses mixed mediums, including social media, to convey the story and provide additional POVs. I liked this and it did help break up things in a positive way.
The book works well as an audiobook. This time, Alyson Ryan is the narrator for Baker’s book. She does a good job expressing Nora’s frustrations. But the story itself didn’t enthrall me the way The Whisper Network did.
My thanks to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook.

Let me start by saying I listened to this on audiobook. I think I would have been more invested in the story if I read the book instead of listening to it.

As someone who has loved Bakers books in the past, I was excited to listen to this one. It gave you a look into a world where women have it all! This was a slow-burn mystery/drama to me rather than a thriller. This was a fun read into a feminist world but it missed the mark for me

Chandler Baker does not disappoint in her newest novel since The Whisper Network. Nora Spangler is an attorney, mom, and what feels like the one that keeps things moving in her family. Married to Hayden who is a supportive husband but definitely has different priorities. Pregnant with their second child, they decide to look for a new home. Nora finds it at Dynasty Ranch, where all the women are successful and the husbands dote on their wives.

Prior to making the decision to move there, she receives a call from someone from Dynasty Ranch that a friend needs a lawyer to fight a wrongful death suit for her husband after a house fire. Nora trying to make partner decides this will get her moving in the right direction. As she investigates and gets to know the families of this development cracks start to come through.

This is listed as Women’s Fiction, but I would say there is very much a thriller element as this story unfolds. The story builds through a wonderful crescendo, until we get to peak of this story, that will have you shaking your head in a wonderful way.

There is a lot to unpack with this story and would definitely make for great discussions. A fun ride of a book, that you will not want to put down.

Thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books/Macmillan Audio for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I loved The Husbands. When the author described how women have to schedule dentist appointments, buy new shoes, turn in the registration and all the other things moms do to make the house go round, I wanted to shout YES!!! I think every mom in America feels that way at one point or another. I loved the characters and did NOT see the end coming!

I gave this book 3.75 stars on Goodreads. I enjoyed listening to this book. I could see it being a "page turner", especially towards the latter half of the book. The audiobook kept me entertained, so I could only imagine how quick of a read this would be. I enjoy a good domestic thriller and this one was great! This book made me feel so many different moods throughout. I felt a bit creeped out and on edge at times but the author also included some much needed humor as well. It was very a very well balanced and well written novel. I enjoyed the timely and snarky social commentary on women and their domestic, social, and professional roles, particularly in regards to the division of labor within a marriage and gender roles. I felt that it was a nice addition to the story!
My main complaint here would be that the twists, themselves, weren't all that "twisty". It was a little predictable. Things that were intended to be "big twists" were more of an "sure, that makes sense" moment than a true twist. This did not take away that much from my overall enjoyment of the book, but it did leave a bit to be desired.
I enjoyed the writing style and would welcome the opportunity to read more book from Chandler Baker's repertoire!
I would reccomend this book to readers 18+. The themes in this book are best suited for adult readers and audiences. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with a dash of social commentary, I think that you should definitely add "The Husbands" to your list and give it a read!

Welcome to Dynasty Ranch where the women are successful and the men are…subservient?

Nora Spangler is an attorney, trying to make partner. She’s mother to a young daughter and pregnant with her second child. She loves her husband Hayden but is angry and frustrated by the balance of work in her family. Why is she the one who has to keep track of appointments, support activities at the preschool, do the laundry and dishes and juggle all that with a full schedule at work? Of course, Hayden will help but only if asked. She’s still in total charge of what feels like an insurmountable mountain of responsibility.

When she and Hayden look for the larger house they need for their growing family, she meets the women of Dynasty Ranch. They are surgeons, CEOs, authors, psychologists… all thriving and all supported by their canapé making, laundry folding, tire changing husbands. How did this happen? Nora will find out but not before several secrets, hers and those of others, are revealed.

Audiobooks depend on the narration and Allyson Ryan is excellent! The Husbands, a reversal of The Stepford Wives, describes serious problems in relationships and blends mystery with domestic drama. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Chandler Baker and Allyson Ryan for this ARC.

The Husbands by Chandler Baker. Narrated by Allyson Ryan
Welcome to Dynasty Ranch!

Dynasty Ranch is the updated version of the Stepford Wives. All the women have powerful jobs and they are in charge. The men keep the homes running like clockwork. Does it sound like today’s society? Women can do anything. Well this is like 100 times worse.

On the audio version, narrated by Allyson Ryan. We find Nora Spangler who is a attorney, wife and mother. She is stretched extremely thin with work responsibilities and home responsibilities. Nora and her husband are house hunting since there family is expanding. They look at a house in Dynasty Ranch, Nora loves it. Then she realizes all the husbands fall in line and are picture perfect. Is there something in the water. Well part 2 becomes more mysterious.

Nora still wants the house and we learn more back stories to the characters as the plot thickens. It was a great who did it with some humor completely geared for women readers. At times I felt like the author hated men but in the end she made up for it.

I really enjoyed this book. Chandler Baker again knocks it out of the park. I can only relate on the husband card as we don’t have kids. But the men can be so needy at times. Have you ever wished your spouse was more helpful?

The audio version was such a pleasure and honestly one of the best listens I have had. Allyson Ryan does such an incredible job presenting each character with a unique voice. I felt like I was sitting at a play. But instead I was cleaning or walking my dogs. We need more narrators like her.

Thank you to Macmilan Audio and Net Galley for providing me an advance audio ARC in exchange for honest review.
Publication date: August 3, 2021

I loved this book. Funny, intriguing, a little mystery. It was so good! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read it

After listening to Whisper Network when The Husbands came available I had to request it and I was lucky enough to get the Audio Version from #netgalley.
The story is about Nora a successful lawyer and her husband Hayden. Nora & Hayden go house hunting and Nora falls in love with a beautiful home in a wealthy neighborhood which she thinks would be good for her practice. However the next day her realtor calls and ask her to represent one of the neighbors who is accused of killing her husband then all the secrets come out.
This book does have some slow parts but I found myself laughing at things I could relate to. I would recommend this book

3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Husbands, audio edition, in exchange for an honest review.

Nora is a successful lawyer, wife, mother but is over worked, stressed out, tired, and frustrated. Her husband helps but at a level that seems to be the bare minimum. When she finds out she is expecting their second child she knows something has to change and the first step is a new home to fit all of them. When they go to a house showing in a luxury community called Dynasty Ranch, she is amazed to meet a pack of highly successful women with attentive helpful husbands. She is mesmerized by the community and begins to form relationships with the other women, but when she is asked to help investigate a death in the neighborhood she learns this enclave maybe hiding more secrets than she ever thought.

Chandler Baker returns with her female forward version of the Stepford Wives. The men in the community attend to all of the needs that their wives and children could need inside their home, while the women go off to have successful powerful careers. The story is entertaining albeit a bit predictable. I struggle to connect with the mentality of the characters as the women spend the majority of their time complaining about their perceived in balances in their relationships, at work and social settings. However, they never actually stand up for themselves or do anything productive to solve them. Even in the end Nora's appalling discovery does not keep her from following suit.

I had the audio version narrated by Allyson Ryan who did a spectacular job, I enjoyed her reading and would like to hear other works read by her.

3.5 ⭐️‘S
The Stepford Wives have nothing on The Husbands of Dynasty Ranch. In this Domestic Thriller from Chandler Baker, Nora and Hayden are expecting their second child and have outgrown their current home. After viewing a home in the Dynasty Ranch Subdivision, Nora is thrilled, the house seems absolutely perfect for them. Hayden is still a bit on the fence. After dinner with several of the residents, Nora is even more enthralled. The men are so involved with the everyday life of their families. Grocery shopping, cooking, household chores and taking care of the children, nothing is considered “women’s work”. These are issues that are very near and dear to Nora’s heart as she feels very much like she has to do it all, besides her work as a personal injury attorney. Soon they are being courted by the families in Dynasty Ranch and when they start marriage counseling with one of the high powered women, Hayden finally decides to make the next step on the property. All seems perfect except their is a mystery surrounding a death in the neighborhood. One of the residents died in a fire and Nora is hired by his widow in a wrongful death suit. The death was declared accidental, but was it or is Dynasty Ranch too good to be true? The voice on the audio was perfectly executed sounding the way I expect any harried young attorney wife, and mother would sound.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* good book, felt kinda long but pretty wild, characters were interesting

Hey Ladies! Raise your hands 🙋‍♀️ if
you’ve just picked up your husbands socks for the MILLIONTH time and you’re tired AF because you do it all while maintaining a career!

If you’re with me, let me take you to Dynasty Ranch, an exclusive suburban neighborhood where the husband’s take the domestic reins and the wives focus on careers & shattering glass ceilings. 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘭, 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵?

Shortly after viewing a home in this ideal neighborhood, Nora takes on a wrongful death case for resident Penny, whose husband died in a house fire. As she becomes immersed in the lives of the women of Dynasty Ranch she begins seeing cracks in the façade, discovering things may not be so picturesque… click, click, click.

🎧 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼-𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝘀?

To say I love audio books is an understatement. Seriously. I LOVE being read bedtime stories, and 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝘂𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 did not disappoint.

Allyson Ryan uses the perfect, snarky, know-it-all confident tone for the personalities of the women in this book. Her slight variations between characters never faulted, allowing the listener to easily identify each person.

With Chandler Baker’s rich writing style and Allyson’s mood setting narration, I was transported to Dynasty Ranch.

If you are looking for your next thriller, this unique take on feminism, marriage, and motherhood will have you questioning how far would you go to have it all.

Thank you @netgalley @macmillan.audio @chandlerbakerbooks for the ALC in exchange for my honest review, all options are my own.

Such a twist on The Stepford Wives. I did enjoy the perspective on how working moms do it all. I found the plot to be very predictable but I did enjoy it.