Carey Baldwin is a brilliant insightful thrilling writer, I love the look into US life too. I can't wait to read this one next on my list

OMG YES! I devoured this book so quickly and wanted more. You have to get your characters straight initially, but I quickly figured it out. I mean, these people switched spouses!

Bridget is a lovely character that you cheer for, and this book has other people that you will love to hate. The author has a fun sense of humor. One of the characters is like a real housewife type, which is a great subtle reference if you watch those shows. You will still love this book if you don't.

Thanks for the advance review copy!

I was intrigued by the blurb for Second Wives, a new psych thriller by Carey Baldwin. While there is a lot going on in this story, I mostly enjoyed it.

As with many a psych thriller, there is a prologue that gets the readers' curiosity going. I do like it when it isn’t clear as to whether the prologue is in the past or something that will happen in the course of the story.

I’m not going to tell you which one it is in this case.

The setup itself is different. It makes for a lot of awkwardness among characters which naturally feeds the psych part of the psych thriller. Who is authentic? Who is putting up a front? Which character is lying...or are several hiding secrets?

While it makes for many of those types of questions, it also makes it difficult to know who is trustworthy in their narration.

For example, Charity seems too good to be true. And her inner monologues prove that she usually has an ulterior motive for being as nice as she is. Her competition with Brigid is understandable, but it clouds the waters.

Their character development is interesting. as it becomes clear that the two women have more in common than it would appear.

One thing I did struggle with is the sheer number of events that occurred throughout the plot. I get that it is a psych thriller, so the author needs to keep the reader on their toes. It feels like not enough is done to lay the groundwork for the ultimate reveal.

Yes, there are definitely some jaw-drop moments, and the author did surprise more than a few times. But I feel like there are not enough “connect the dots” moments – almost like the author had so many ideas but not a clear path to integrating all of them.

And I did not like the epilogue at all. That felt forced. However, I did enjoy Second Wives. Carey Baldwin certainly kept me guessing, and I suppose that’s what I ultimately want out of a psych thriller.

This review was written based on a digital copy of the book from Bookouture.
For more reviews like this, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews

a story full of twists and turns, with characters that jump off the page! this book was amazing and I loved reading it!

Second Wives by Carey Baldwin
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date: March 17, 2023

Thank you to Netgalley & Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, this book wasnt for me. It was slow and a bit confusing in the beginning. DNf at 20%. I might pick it back up later.

Second Wives by Carey Baldwin opened with a bang! Literally. Brigid and Nash were married and then not. He married Charity after her divorce from Jackson - a bit too soon for Brigid's taste - and she then started seeing Jackson. In essence they switched spouses. Now they are all supposed to be friends, happy with their new choices, new lives, etc. It's all very civilized.

But is it? After a shocking accident, Brigid hears a shocking confession from her ex-husband and her life begins to spiral out of control. Her emotions and memories are all over the place and she is having trouble determining what is real and what is not. Will the truth kill her or set her free?

This was a fantastic read that I read in one sitting, didn't want to put the book down!

A great read. A thriller which features two girls who have a friend ship of sorts who marry each other’s husbands which is a strange plot. Children are involved and the story pans out to a psychological thriller. Definitely keeps you hooked til the end.

Firstly, thank you to Netgallery, Bookature and Carey Baldwin for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Carey Baldwin has done it again she is the queen of thrillers! I’ve read all her books so I was ecstatic about getting my hands on her latest one! Wow what can I say this book was amazing, it was a fast paced and kept me guessing throughout a perfect book for psychological thrillers fans alike! The ending wow I did not see it coming!

Overall I throughly enjoyed this book and all the plot twists that it presented! Carey Baldwin definitely should be on everyones shelf!

I was fortunate enough to grab this ARC on Netgalley this week.

Second Wives focus on two friends who ultimately switch husbands, it was a nice easy read but unfortunately for me I didn’t find the pace fast enough for me but (without spoiling) the ending definitely made up for it. Worth it for a quick and easy read.

I started the book yesterday evening and it is now 1.45am and I've stopped reading (having finished the book). This might give you an inkling of how good I found it! I was positive I knew who 'did it' but towards the end, everything changed. The ending was unexpected too. In my opinion a book worth reading.

Second Wives at first seems like a family drama kind of book. But just wait it has much more to it.

What a concept. Two couples divorce and then marry each others Ex's.There are children involved so you can imagine the drama involved.

But when the books get really good is when the mystery/thriller aspects are introduced.

They never truly know who to trust. They have to put up with people they really don't like. They all have a mutual friend group...,imagine the awkwardness!

Some assumptions are true and some are not. There is always something happening. Some characters are quite interesting, some are not really delved into deeply.

Overall a fun read.

I have read one previous book by this author that I also enjoyed.

Thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the arc

Absolutely amazing! What a book. I was quite hesitant when I started this as it all felt a bit just like a drama or a chic lit and I wasn't getting any of the suspense or tensions I'd expect from a thriller but a few chapters in, it all smacks you in the face! So many twists and turns and such a cleverly written book. It was such an original take aswell and is one of the few thrillers I've read that doesn't feel like I'm rereading the same old story. I love the way its been set out, the writing itsself flows and its a really easy read. It just guides you through ever so gently whilst managing to make your head spin at the same time. I'm off to download the authors other works now, can't belive I've been missing out!!!

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

And just like that, I have found a new author that I must follow.

This book was nothing like I expected. At first, I wasn't sure that I would enjoy or even finish this book since the 1st chapter was a struggle to get through and I had to push myself to keep reading. I'm so glad that I did. This book had me all over the place. And the ending was nothing like I expected. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys a book that keeps them on their toes.

Great read. I loved hearing both wives’ stories. The end was a good twist. However, the last 1/4 of the book felt like a different story.

The first chapter made me smile :). I thought, well yes, why not. As long as everybody is happy, right? ;)
The next few chapters felt not like a thriller at all. It was more about domestic and family problems and I was wondering where the author was going to take me. 

They always say that good things come to those who wait. And I waited because the story intrigued me and the more I read the more confused I became. I really still did not see it, but I was hooked. That is a fact.

Suddenly the author gave us a view inside the head of the bad one. I still had not the slightest idea who was talking to us through the pages at that moment. Was it a woman or a man? Young or old? Friend or stranger? I honestly could not tell you even if I wanted to.

Some people do not have any scruples at all. They stop at nothing to achieve their goals. All the rest is collateral damage. When the going gets tough, you can count on your friends. But sometimes help comes from a different corner too.

And then everything falls into place and I just loved, loved, loved it. In my opinion one of the best books I have read. 5 stars

Thank you

This is the second book I have read by this author and I have to say-she’s amazing! Second Wives was entertaining and had me flipping through the pages quickly. The plot was so unique and the characters were all interesting. The writing was also very good. Loved the ending. I definitely recommend this book and this author to others.

Thank you for the ARC, Bookouture and also Netgalley.

I loved it! I stayed up til 3:00 to finish. Did not expect the ending at all. Carey Baldwin is one of my all time favorites. She keeps me guessing til the end of her books. This one to me was a double whammy at the finish.. Very unusual situation (to me) between the couples. Don't think I would have had contact with the other couple like they did.

“Second Wives” is a thriller by Carey Baldwin. I must admit, the initial plot drew me in - friends who swap husbands but remain friends. Okay, I can see it happening, so why not? However, it took me a few chapters to keep the main women (Charity and Brigid) straight - then a few more to keep the children and husbands attached to the correct woman. After getting the characters figured out, there were then the secondary characters - who I think could’ve been reduced to a key few. As the story went on, I wasn’t sure any of the characters were reliable narrators - including the psychologist. I wanted this book to work a lot better than it did, but at times the book had odd details that didn’t move the plot along and at other times just dragged. I’d give the author another try as I’ve previously read a book by her and enjoyed it - possibly this book was just a miss for me.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, and so many crazy twists and turns! ! The storyline was very interesting and had me glued to my Kindle! I will definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

This book was good and bad. I was intrigued. There was mystery, murder, and amnesia. But it was slow and I didn't feel it took advantage of all the tension and conflict available.