Ann is a new author to me I could not put this book down this book should be a ten star book I highly recommend this book to everyone Dorothy Schaefer

There’s a lot of emotions to this book- shock, grief, anger, and finding resilience.

It was slow for me. I liked the main character Cora. She was very admirable and likable. It was great to watch her comeback and find her way.

The author grabbed me at the beginning of the book and weaved a really good story and characters, but she lost my interest with 20% left to read! Felt that there was a lot of dialogue which gave the game away, for me. Great story which was a bit padded out.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed this book which began with a discovery of a double life but led to a number of other interwoven stories and friendships. I would absolutely recommend and read this author again.

4.5⭐️
This is a book on betrayal, secrets, down on your luck and starting over. You will feel the emotions of the characters.

It follows the story of Cora, who has been in a relationship with Jack for nine years. But Jack is not who he is- he is married to another woman and having an affair with another.

It also delves into the lives of residents of De Courcy Square, their neighbors and friends. (Think of HOAs and their drama and you have this book)

It was emotional and painful to read. You cannot help but feel for Cora and Lily and all they had to go through.

I love how the focus was not only on Cora but on the neighbors and their lives. I loved how the author gave each character a voice. I enjoyed how the author carried the reader along and sustained interest.

All of the characters were wonderful-delivering just what was expected of them. The setting was inspiring and the reference to the flowers was educational.

If you enjoy women’s fiction, romance and drama then you will enjoy this.

I received a copy of this book and the review is entirely mine.

A truly captivating read. What a shock for Cara to find out her partner had been killed and with him was his wife. Cora knew nothing about his wife. How can someone do that - live two lives. Cora lived in New York and her partner lived with his wife in Ireland. How difficult must that have been to pull off. A very emotional and touching read. Beautifully written.

Another lovely book by this author and Cora is a great character who has to come to terms with the loss of Jack while finding out that he was leading a double life. Full of twists and turns this roller coaster of a book will keep your interest until the last page with a great cast of characters and storyline

In her latest novel, Ann O’Loughlin has brought the charm of Ireland to the forefront of Her Husband’s Secret. Following Cora, a Long Island artist, O’Loughlin deals with the challenges of grief, the ending of long-term relationships, and betrayal. When Cora arrives at De Courcy Square in Dublin, she meets Lily, Stacey, and Gladys, three women with ties to the square and its park, which comes under fire by a local developer. O’Loughlin focuses on the relationships of Cora and Lily, both their friendships and their past romantic relationships, as well as the relationship the two women build following Cora’s arrival in Dublin. Lily’s story is also surrounded by grief, yet there is also hope and joy in her life that she becomes open to over the course of the book. Setting is a key player in Her Husband’s Secret, with De Courcy Square and its park playing a unifying role as a main character in the novel; the square’s history and the relationships between its inhabitants and the park are central to multiple characters’ narratives. O’Loughlin has created another successful, emotional, and compelling novel with Ireland at the center of the narrative, and the characters of Her Husband’s Secret bring this novel to life.

This was a great book. Cora received such a shock when she found out Jack had died. She then made a trip to Dublin where secrets are revealed. There are lots of twists and turns before Cora is able to come to terms with events.
We meet Gladys the square's busybody who has problems of her own and Lily who has lived on the square all her life.
I loved this book. Ann is a fabulous author.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC.

Surprised by death!

What do you do when you find your partner of ten years has died in a car crash, accompanied by a woman who’s supposedly his wife, and that he’s left you a house in Ireland you knew nothing about.
Cora Gartland, a talented artist couldn’t believe that Jack, her partner of ten years was gone. In a daze of grief she flys to Ireland with nothing but her handbag and credit cards to discover more.
What she finds is that this gorgeous man led a double life and that a couple of years ago he’d married another woman in Ireland, and yet in his will left Cora their house. What!
Cora is devastated and in shock.
She inhabits the house situated on a square with a private park for residents. A park under threat of developers. A park the residents must fight for. Cora joins them. She tells no-one about her true relationship with Jack.
A story with so many twists I was completely drawn in.
An unusual story that left me wondering. The residents around the park are like a big family. Some quirky, some with hidden troubles, others shut off.
Cora finds herself somehow in this turbulent time.
A story I could not put down.

A Bookouture ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “Her Husband’s Secret”, by Ann O’Loughlin. This book was sad, happy, and so well written. I could picture de Courcy Square, I could feel the emotions and yes, at one point I cried.
Cora lives on Long Island, New York. (And she happens to go to a restaurant that I also enjoy!) She gets the worst news possible- her longtime companion has suddenly died in Ireland. She travels there to sort out what he was doing there. What follows is a double story. Cora tries to sort out Jack’s life while her neighbors are trying to save the park in their little square. I really liked all of the twists and turns.
Very good read! I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Happy Reading!

#HerHusbandsSecret #AnnOLoughlin #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #BooksSetInIreland #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks

Ann O'Loughlin delivers a heart-thumping emotional punch with her latest novel, Her Husband's Secret. The story revolves around Cora, a woman whose perfect New York life shatters after learning that her partner Jack died in a car crash in Ireland. Cora is shocked to discover that Jack had a secret wife whom he never told her about.

Desperate to unravel the mystery, Cora travels to Dublin to stay in Jack's beautiful townhouse and search for answers. But as she delves deeper, she finds even more questions. Jack had a whole other life in Ireland, one that he managed to keep hidden from her. The lies he told Cora slowly unravel, including an invite to Jack and Amelia's wedding on a day he told Cora he was too busy to see her.

Cora is left grieving and betrayed, unsure of how much Amelia knew and what secrets Jack was keeping from her. As she tries to make a new life for herself in Ireland, she discovers even more secrets that threaten to keep her trapped in the past forever.

O'Loughlin's writing is engaging and the story is simple yet powerful. She delves deep into the emotions of grief, betrayal, and love. Cora's character is relatable and the reader feels her pain as she tries to uncover the truth about Jack's secret life.

The plot is well-crafted with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. The pacing is steady and the transitions from past to present are seamless. O'Loughlin's descriptions of Dublin are vivid, and the city almost becomes a character in itself.

One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of the theme of secrets and their impact on relationships. O'Loughlin deftly examines the consequences of keeping secrets and how they can damage trust. The reader is left questioning whether honesty is always the best policy, especially when it comes to love.

Overall, Her Husband's Secret is a satisfying read that will appeal to fans of women's fiction. It is a poignant story about grief, betrayal, and the search for truth. O'Loughlin has once again delivered a compelling novel that will keep the reader engaged until the very end.

Author Ann O'Loughlin and her books have been on my mind to get to with ever so long.
Picking up Her Husband's Secret, I was immediately drawn to it. My idea of home is having a house in a square with a close knit community and a park or garden for residents to enjoy..
For her character Cora this is exactly what she got but under the most dreadful of circumstances.
Imagine being told your partner has been killed in a car crash in another country while away on work business. Awful and doesn't bear thinking about does it. Now imagine the other passenger in his car was his wife. A wife you knew absolutely nothing about. What kind of pain would that inflict on you.
When Cora's partner Jack then leaves his house in Ireland that he shared with his wife Amelia in his will to Cora, she knows she must go to Ireland to try make sense of it all. Where does she even begin though.
I loved her beautiful strength of character to try take on this mammoth task knowing she is opening herself up to a world of pain.
How could she ever have possibly thought she knew the man she planned to spend the rest of her life with.
Cora does meet some lovely people in De Courcy Square and before too long she becomes a valuable member of this small community.
Others turn to her for comfort and friendship while she tries to understand and come to terms with the other life Jack was leading.
A beautiful story that is so full of emotion.
The hurt, pain and regrets are evident to see as her characters navigate their way through it all.
In De Courcy Square, Cora finds love and friendship where she least expects it and with time these people and this beautiful square will hopefully help her to heal.
I think you will love this one......

"Her Husband's Secret" is set against an Irish backdrop, which I really enjoyed. The book changes perspectives, which was a little tricky for me to grasp what was happening...in the beginning. After I got used to the characters and their names, the perspective changing was fine. The community, housing setup, and the park creates a tight network that quickly gets twisty and leave the reader guessing what's been happening. As the story continues, I found myself wondering what was up with this whacked out husband! If you enjoy stories about people living dual lives, give this book a try!

They've been together for almost ten years
Though he travels away, there are no tears.
Until his boss comes knocking on her door,
Saying Jack won't be coming home any more.

Killed in a car crash whilst in Ireland it is true
Alongside with his wife - what's Cora to do?
He's left her a legacy, his home that's over there.
But what is the truth, why didn't he share?

The news leaves Cora totally distraught,
Not knowing just what to do, she's fraught.
However the house and neighbourhood,
Maybe they portend something good?

Searching for the truth, making new friends,
Wondering just how the story ends.
With betrayal, surprises and so much more
This is a moving read, the kind I adore.

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Thanks to Bookouture for my copy.


After her long term parnter.Jack had died in a car crash Cora discover a secret that she never knew he had another wife and family Despite being together for ten years, Cora and Jack never got married. With their love, Jack scoffed, they didn't need to be married. Jack currently resides in New York with Cora, but due to his job, he travels frequently to Europe for two weeks at a time each month.

One day, Jack's supervisor arrives to inform her that Jack has passed away in an automobile accident in Ireland. The biggest shock is that his wife was also dead. Cora, who is distraught and perplexed, decides to travel to Dublin to learn more about Jack's life there. Amelia, Jack's wife, and they occupied a gorgeous townhouse. Cora introduces herself to the neighbours and informs them right away that she is Jack's sister and will be staying.
This is a tale of deceit, grief, and the capacity to rise above difficulty while forging a new path in life. The emotions are effectively conveyed, and the characters are real. These neighbours serve as an example of what can be done when everyone joins forces to advance the interests of all.

Her Husband's Secret by Ann O'Loughlin.
Cora’s eyes filled with tears as she thought of the only man she had ever loved. She knew suddenly what she had to do. ‘I have to go to Dublin, visit his house when the smell of him is still there. I need to…’ she stuttered over her words, ‘I need to know about his wife.’
I really enjoyed this book. Refreshing. Heartbreaking. 5*.

Cora and Jack have been together for ten years but they never married. Jack laughed it off saying with their love, they didn’t need to be married. Jack lives with Cora in New York but his job takes him away for two weeks at a time each month often off to Europe.

One day, Jack’s boss comes to tell her that Jack has been killed in a car crash in Ireland. The big surprise is that his wife was killed too! Heartsick and confused, Cora decides to fly to Dublin and find out about Jack’s life there. Jack and his wife, Amelia, lived in a lovely townhouse. As Cora meets the neighbors, she first tells them that she is Jack’s sister and will be staying there for awhile.

Cora soon gets caught up with the people in the neighborhood as they protest the takeover of their beloved park that they have cultivated over the years. A man has bought the property and plans to build and carpark on it.

This is a story of deception, grief, and the ability to overcome adversity while making a new life for one’s self. The characters are real and the emotions are well-expressed. This group of neighbors prove what can be accomplished when everyone comes together to work for the betterment of all. Heartwarming. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Loved it!! This is the third book I read by Ann O'Loughlin and they never disappoint. At first I wasn't really a fan of Cora's She runs off to Dublin with only her passport, toothbrush and one clean pair of underwear. Why not pack a bag and take a few clothes? She leaves her friend to empty the house and take her cat. Cora seemed so inconsiderate and definitely wasn't thinking properly. Eventually, Cora grows on me but I still wonder about her cat. De Courcy Square seemed like a beautiful place to live, especially with the park. Gladys is a bit of a busy body, but wants the best for her neighbor's. I loved Lily and Sam. After being married to Reg all those years, Lily needed someone who truly loved her. Reg treated Lily horribly and it's hard to believe what he did just to marry Lily. How many women did Jack love? How did he find the time for everyone? The bigger question is how did he remember the info for each woman and not get them mixed up. The saddest part is when Cora learns the truth about the car accident. Jack really wasn't worth the pain he caused so many people.

Definitely recommend the book. The story was emotional, especially Lily's. The truth about Eamon was heartbreaking. Loved the characters, writing style and story. I loved it from the first chapter until the very end. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Her Husband's Secret by Ann O'Loughlin is the moving and masterfully plotted story of the secrets revealed when Cora's life partner died in a car accident across the ocean in Dublin, Ireland, as well as the complexities of love in all its many forms.

My Reading Experience:
I always enjoy the unearthing of secrets. It's so compelling and intriguing. How could I not? Not only what the characters lied about but why they are lying is what I tried to figure out alongside the main character as the story unfolds. There are plenty of mysteries and twists to hold my attention, too.

I loved how relatable the characters are and how easy it was to explore their lives with the empathy usually reserved for a close friend. Their causes became my causes, and I felt all the victories and defeats, sending me on an emotional rollercoaster that I didn't want to end.

I also found interesting the theme of love that ran throughout every vein of the story - the love between strangers, parents, children, spouses, or significant others, and even the redemptive qualities of love to some extent. The novel highlights how broad the concept of love is and how important.

Characters:
Cora was living the good life. A life partner she adored who adored her back. The beginnings of a successful career as an artist. Good friends and an excellent home rounded out her life Until the day her partner's boss came to the door, and her life turned upside down. Left with lots of questions and a house she didn't know about in Dublin, Cora sets out to find answers to her many questions.

Lily married a man her parents arranged to marry, leaving behind her true love, who disappeared soon after. Now a senior citizen, mother, and widower, she still finds herself comforted by the memories of lost love. She still lives in the same house she has lived in her whole life and has no thoughts of leaving.

Narration & Pacing:
The narration focuses on two characters. Cora, who is the main character, and Lily, who is her elderly neighbor in Dublin. Not focusing on Cora's tale slows up the story's pace. I tended to get a bit irritated when Cora's findings were interrupted by switching over to Lily and her tale. It could have been two novels - ones set in the same neighborhood type of companion novel.

Setting:
The story is set mainly in Dublin, Ireland, which I love. The setting is used chiefly discreetly by focusing on the changes happening to the city due to growth and increased crime. This is a sad reality, but the characters are fighting both in this story, which is a cause to get behind.

Read if you're in the mood for:
A story that is full of insight and enlightenment
Characters so well-developed that they instantly find a place in your heart
The good that can come out of a bad situation