It has all come to an end and it was a good ride. Even though Jesse and Hubert loved one another they continued hiding their secrets. As time went by, a lot of red flags were waving in the sky and I just knew someone would figure them out. Well, did they? Will the secrets come out? You will have to read the book for yourself to find out.

There were so many parts of this story that had me like, WTH. I had a lot good laughs as well.

Enjoyed this book and happy with how the book ended.

The descriptions of how life was back in the depression era is accurate, somewhat nostalgic in the simplicity but also scary due to the KKK and Jim Crow laws. This series reminds me that nothing is new; people were just more discreet back then. I'm looking forward to the next installment of this highly recommended series.

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/sDk_-eJFAbk
Blog Post: https://readingbeyondthebookcover.com/love-honor-betray/

Here we are, book three in the Lexington, Alabama series, Love, Honor, Betray by Mary Monroe and it was something else, ya’ll.

Love, Honor, Betray differs from their predecessor, Empty Vows, because there is more movement between locations, noticeable character development, and a surprising ending that leaves you wondering what’s next in life for the characters. Given the endings of the previous books, once you read this one, you’ll see how they all compare.

Without giving too much away, I will express my likes and dislikes and who I recommend this book to.

Love, Honor, Betray resumes directly after the life-altering event occurring at the end of Empty Vows. The characters involved have differing opinions about whether they were justified in being participants in this activity and throughout the book, the event persists as a subject of conversation and a tool to keep the characters somewhat “in line.”

Likes

The character development is more evident in this book. I especially enjoyed the dialogue once we moved past all the bald-faced lies.

The mystery reveal was surprising. Admittedly, I forgot there was a mystery element (lol). It occupied a more than comfortable backseat to traipsing behind the characters living double lives.

I appreciated the display of characters working past thinking in absolutes by leaning into exploration and experiencing the unknown (nothing harmful, of course).

The payoff of reading Empty Vows was worth it because of the ending of this book. If Love, Honor, Betray ended similarly to Empty Vows, I wouldn’t been highly disappointed (lol).

Dislikes

The constant cheating and lies weaved throughout this story are a source of contention. They imply malice towards other parties involved, and the ending result is usually someone or everyone getting hurt in the process.

Recommendation

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction, small-town settings, are suckers for porch tails, unfailingly nosy, unbothered by cheating, or if romance via forced proximity is your go-to book trope.

Love, Honor, Betray is my second favorite book in the Lexington, Alabama series. I look forward to seeing what Mary Monroe offers us in her next book set in this small town. I already have Double Lives on my Storygraph and Goodreads shelves. It’s set to release on March 26, 2024, and if I get my hands on an ARC (Advanced Reading Copy), then you know I’ll be reading and reviewing it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Mary Monroe, Kensington Books, and Dafina for the opportunity to read Love, Honor, Betray. My review/reaction is voluntary, all thoughts are mine and unbiased, and receiving an ARC does not influence my rating and/or recommendation.

This was a grand finale to the series. The author creates such realistic characters and situations. I loved it.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really didn't know what to expect but this book was so good. There is a lot to unpack in this booked, rape, homosexuality, murder. Maggie and Hubert were determined to keep their secrets at all cost. Thank you for letting me read this book

It’s been such a thrill reading this series. All 3 books in the Lexington, Alabama series were equally entertaining and laugh out loud funny. I’m going to miss these characters they were the most hilarious church-going folks I’ve ever come across.

The novel takes us back to Lexington, Alabama with Jessie and Hubert Wiggins after they’ve committed murdered and have done their best to keep their secret hidden. With so many mysterious murders happening around town nobody would have a clue they’d done anything wrong. Attempting to live a normal life like before both Hubert and Jessie continued with their deception and unfaithful ways. But soon enough things begin to unravel and the truth finally comes to light. The town’s serial killer will be exposed and Jessie and Hubert will finally make peace with their sinful ways.

This was a really great series from start to finish. All of the characters and situations were authentic and believable. I think the author ended the series perfectly leaving us with no unanswered questions. When it came to the murders I had assumptions about who was behind it so once it was revealed I wasn’t so shocked but still assumed to know who it was.

I feel this book was probably the messiest of the three and I enjoyed every minute. Amos and Jessie’s situationship was hilarious she went seeking pleasure and turned into a sugar mama. Hubert spending the night under that bed naked took me out too. I could really go on and on about this one it was actually my favorite of the three.

Overall, the character development was great, the authors writing style is amazing and very engaging. Same with the other books there were many unexpected twists and turns. The ending was slightly predictable but I’m happy to know Jessie and Hubert will have a happily ever after. If you haven’t read this series take this as your sign to dive in. Special thanks to the author & @kensingtonbooks #dafinabooks for my gifted copy!!!!

The struggles in thois time period is real for some families. Even though this is fiction it deals with real life in Alabama during the time of segregation. Ithought this book was well written. I wanted answers which I rceived. I did not figure out the mystery at all, and was shocked to know who did it.
I wouild read another nbook by this author.

Honestly? I wasn’t a huge fan of this one. Repetitive dialogue, not fully fleshed out characters and the pacing of this story boarded on snails pace.

Love, Honor, Betray, the 3rd book in the Lexington Alabama series continues with the saga of Hubert's life.

Though Hubert is remarried to Jessie, he has not changed and it appears he is a bit more determined to live his life as a married man with secrets and internal demons that he does not want his wife, family, friends, or those in Lexington to know about.

Hubert's life and his marriage is messy. He spends the majority of the book enjoying his overnight excursions. His lies have become easier for him to tell and actually believe. Married to Jessie under false pretenses, makes him feel obligated to continue with his facade of loving his wife. It was easy to genuinely love Maggie in the first installment as they were best friends, but if he knew what Jessie did, would he continue to be with her.

Jessie, was Maggie's (Hubert's deceased wife) best friend, and because of Jessie's deceptive ways she is now Hubert's wife. Jessie's longing to get a husband clouded her vision and showed her lack of integrity.

Secrets, decption, selfishness, can lead to destruction.

Though I enjoyed reading the book for very light entertainment, it did not have the same level of character connectivity as "Mrs. Wiggings." It was difficult to connect to Hubert's character because it does not appear his character was fleshed out as much as it could have been. Hubert's character seems to have flattened which was a bit disappointing as I anticipated that he would have become a bit more unforgettable.

Jessie's character was too predictable and uncertain. I believe the characters lacked development, and the sub-plot of the serial killings competed with the primary plot.

Finally, the author's choice of repitition appeared to be overlapping from the 2nd book, "Empty Vows." Perhaps the author intentially employed the use of repitition in this third installment, to appeal to readers that may want to read this book as an independent piece of work.

Mary Monroe is an amazing author, and I have enjoyed many of her books. This book however, is an average piece of writing comparatively speaking. I do recommend to those who are Mary Monroe fans, pretty good.

Mary Moore really ending her series with a bang! Loved the first book, the second one was just eh, and this one was really good! The serial murders are still taking place while Hubert and Jesse Wiggins are navigating life together. Hubert is gay, but he is not out of the closet yet. He has a gay lover whom he visits every weekend. Jesse loves Hubert but she is frustrated by his lack of performance in the bedroom.
I enjoyed this book. I like how the author tied up as the loose ends from the series.
I look forward to reading more books by her.
Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Another great read from Mary Monroe. Engaging. Easy pace with enough drama to keep you just on the edge of your seat.

This is the third book in the Wiggins family saga and it did not disappoint me with this storyline, where I believe has ended.
Jessie and Hubert Wiggins has secrets not only together in the death of Blondeen,, they also each have their own personal secrets Jesse affair with another man because Hubert uses the excuse that he can’t have sex from being devastated from his first wife Maggie and their son Claude’s deaths. Hubert has a secret lover LeRoy who lives in another town.
There are several murders and lynchings in town being blamed on the KKK but when Hubert overheard a conversation by the real killers he is at his wits in and runs home and tell Jessie. Now they don’t if they should report to the sheriff because they don’t believe colored folks and probably say Jessie and Hubert are responsible for the crimes.
There was a lot of surprise plots, twists and turns which kept me reading to find out what, who and why.
I highly recommend this book to read and also the other two books, you will not be disappointed.
Cassandra H.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts.

The final book in the Wiggins trilogy, this time focusing on the marriage of Jessie and Hubert. Unlike with Hubert's marriage to Maggie, Jessie has no idea Hubert has a boyfriend and Hubert constantly comes up with excuses for why he's away so much. Jessie continues to think that she has finally gotten the life she wants, but still feels like something isn't right. Most of this book is based on lies and deliberate miscommunication, but eventually the truth comes out in the end and the conclusion was somewhat surprising. This book could be read as a standalone since Monroe does a good job of referencing the first two books when needed, but would make more sense to have at least read the first one.

Four words to describe this book: Hypocrisy. Audacity. Lies. Secrets

This book is about a couple with secrets. A secret that binds them together and secrets they keep hidden from each other.

Set in the Southern 1940s, it explores racism at its peak, discrimination at its height and religious hypocrisy at its summit.

I love well written opening chapters/prologues as they set the tone and pace for how the book will go. Don’t get me wrong, they can sometimes mislead. The prologue of this book is good.

Apparently this is the third book in the Wiggins series but it did not feel like that. I have not read other books in the series but I do not feel like I’m missing out on anything.

Hurbert and Jessie’s antics are hilarious. I love the unpredictability of this book. The end was not what I was expecting. In fact, I did not know what to expect. Such was the suspense created.

The language used was spot on. All of the characters delivered what was asked of them.

If you want to read some fictional history with a lot of suspense and intrigue then I will recommend this book.

Love, Honor, Betray closes out the Wiggins trilogy, and what a disappointment it was! There are some great ideas here, as in the prior installment, but it just confirms that book one worked better as a standalone. It gave its lead the right comeuppance, and while I could see elements of books two and three working, it ultimately doesn’t deliver.
Hubert and Jessie continue to get up to their scandalous and illicit shenanigans behind each other’s backs. And one of the major positives that I think would have merited some form of sequel/companion book from Hubert’s POV is the exploration of his life as a closeted gay Black man in the 1930s and 40s. The need for secrecy drives a lot of the drama for his arc, and is perhaps one of the most engaging parts of the book. Jessie’s character is equally compelling, as she navigates what she believes is a marriage to someone with sexual dysfunction, turning to extramarital affairs to find pleasure.
However, I found myself underwhelmed with the attempts to add suspense and danger. I appreciate the social commentary, discussing the racial motivations for the killings of Black women, however, I didn’t find myself overly intrigued beyond that.
And I think I just wanted more comeuppance for the mess both Hubert and Jessie engaged in. Neither did anything quite as bad as Maggie from book one, but given their actions at the end of the last book going into this one, I expected a bit more consequences for them. But it ultimately doesn’t. And they’ve also lied and backstabbed each other so much, I find the neat ending hard to believe, even though it is preceded by full accountability.
This book, like its predecessor, just felt underwhelming and unnecessary. I might suggest it for a solid exploration of being Black and queer in the 1930s, but other than that, it’s one of two subpar, unnecessary sequels to a stellar first book.

This book was so good! So unpredictable. It kept me turning the pages! Mary Monroe is truly a master in storytelling. I felt like I knew the characters.

Not quite what I expected. I have read all three books in this series and I am a fan of Mary Monroe’s work. This story however fell flat for me. I enjoyed the other two books in the series and was expecting to be pulled in but it never quite happened for me this time. Jessie’s actions appeared believable, but at times Hubert’s actions based on his obsession were a bit much. I’m thankful to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to enjoy this advanced copy.

This is very much for those who have read the first two books in this series about a marriage built on lies. Hubert and Jessie have never spoken the truth to either each other or themselves. And now Hubert's relationship with Leroy is gone. There's a lot of drama here, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I didn’t like this book at all. Too much repetition from last book. Unrealistic ending. Barely touched on the “mystery” and who couldn’t see that coming anyway. Honestly this should not have been a series. The first book was good. The next two unnecessary.

****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review***

LOVE, HONOR, BETRAY
Mary Monroe
3.5 stars

In LOVE, HONOR, BETRAY, we find ourselves back in the lives of Hubert and Jessie Wiggins in the third installment of Mary Monroe’s Lexington Alabama series. Things pick up right where the second book of the series ended, the serial murders are still plaguing the town with no clue as to who the culprits are. The killings have become more sinister with racial undertones as the victims are no longer young black women but now includes black men who are being hung in trees. Everyone is afraid and on high alert. This is beneficial for Hubert’s business as the funeral home director, but the potential threat to their lives is instilling fear. Especially considering the Klan may be on the loose and the police investigation is hitting to close to home to the appalling act they are keeping secret.

Hubert has managed to keep his secret affair with his lover Leroy hidden but things change, sending Hubert in a downward spiral. Jessie is dealing with the frustrations of being in a marriage with no intimacy. She takes up an affair with a married man who proves to be too much for her. Will the secrets they share as well as the ones they are keeping from each other be the downfall of their marriage of convenience?
Although I enjoyed my journey with Hubert and Jessie and their messy marriage, I find this book to be a bit repetitive and wordy. The book provides some of the shock value as MRS. WIGGINS, but they are predictable moments as well. You can count on Mary Monroe to bring the drama and I am here for it!