"Her Husband's Secret" by Ann O'Loughlin is a captivating novel that draws you into a world of hidden truths and human emotions. Set in the beautiful backdrop of Ireland, the story follows a group of characters whose lives become intertwined in unexpected ways.

O'Loughlin's characters are relatable and real, each with their own struggles and secrets. The book beautifully explores themes of love, betrayal, and forgiveness, making the characters' experiences resonate deeply.

The plot is well-paced, with surprising twists that keep you engaged. While some parts felt a bit predictable, the overall impact of the story is powerful. The writing is descriptive and evocative, bringing the Irish countryside and the characters' feelings to life.

Although there were moments when the plot felt rushed, and the shifts between characters and timelines required attention, these minor flaws don't overshadow the book's appeal.

"Her Husband's Secret" is a touching and thought-provoking read that skillfully balances mystery and emotion. Ann O'Loughlin's storytelling deserves a solid 4-star rating, making this book a recommended choice for those who enjoy heartfelt stories with a touch of intrigue.

As a disclaimer, I would like to mention that I received an advance review copy of this book for free. However, I am providing this review voluntarily, as I genuinely enjoyed the reading experience and wanted to share my thoughts on it.

This book ran all of the gamut of emotions - sadness, anger, grief, happiness and resolution. Cora is the envy of her friends because her man is so romantic and thoughtful. She has actually just received flowers from him when someone knocks on her door. Opening that door will change her life in ways that she never even imagined. She is informed that her partner of 9+ years was killed in an automobile accident, which is tragic in and of itself, but the kicker comes when they inform her that he was killed in the accident along with his wife. His wife..... really? Cora's life is turned upside down. Everything she thought she knew about Jack is apparently a complete lie.

She makes the decision to go Jack's home in Ireland that he shared with his wife, Amelia. Much to her amazement he has left the townhome to her in his Will. You will go on a journey of self-discovery and healing with Cora as she digs through the life of the man she thought she knew. She makes unexpected friends along the way as she becomes friends with the neighbors to protect this little spot of heaven.

At first I was wondering how Cora could possibly go and stay in this home that her long time partner lived in with his wife, but I soon realized that it was quite necessary for her healing and mental health. I admired the character of Cora as she made lemons with lemonade by turning something extremely negative and working towards making it positive. Deception and betrayal are the key words in this plot line, but you will also find healing and forgiveness. Lily was another one of my favorite characters. Lily was the next door neighbor who was a lonely little lady who lost her first love many years ago. She had a strength that was admirable. I also enjoyed the description of the gardens in the park behind their little community. This book centered around the strength of several women. I always enjoy a book with strong female characters. If you do not mind a few tears, you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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A heartbreaking and heartwarming book in turns will have you reaching for the tissues and make you smile!
Cora’s life was everything she ever wanted, she had the man of her dreams in Jack, but sadly all dreams come to an end. Not only has she lost the love of her life, she has also lost the life that she thought she had when Jack dies suddenly, but not just that, he dies with his secret wife in the car.
Was her whole relationship with Jack a lie? How could he possibly have been married without her knowing? Cora needs answers but her beloved Jack is no longer able to give her what she so desperately needs.
As she travels to Dublin, Ireland, in search of answers she meets Jacks neighbours and falls in love with the house and the complete change in lifestyle from New York. As she begins to piece together the past and her broken heart she decides to stay in Ireland, except she discovers that where the house and gardens are are being set up for redevelopment.
Joining her new found friends they are determined to save De Courcy Square and her beloved Jacks home.
There are several storylines running throughout this book but are all intertwined creating a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the entire book.
The atmosphere and plot line of the book draws you in and you cannot help but become invested in Cora’s life. I would love to see a sequel to this book as I would love to be transported back into De Courcy Square and Cora’s world.
A beautiful book that transports you from New York to Dublin, filled with the most wonderful characters and story that will stay with you long after the last page has been turned!

A really good read. Cora's world is about to be turned upside down when she learns that her beloved Jack has been in an accident and what she discovers about his life will change her life forever. When she discovers he has left her a house in Ireland she travels from the USA and is immediately drawn into a small warm hearted community of people where Jack's past life starts to unravel. Some fabulous characters and it is full of charm and a beautiful setting where a park is at the heart of the emotional and fabulously written novel. Highly recommend

Ann O’Loughlin is a master of stories that portray difficult relationships. My Husband’s Secret takes us on a moving journey that cuts away layers of deception to work out the how, what, when, where and why of a man who has carried out simultaneously serious relationships with more than one woman. He has had a long standing partner, a marriage and an affair all at the same time. What kind of person does that? Ann explores this conundrum and how it affects the women associated with such a man. And how, in this story, the messy truth comes to light after he dies in a car accident, along with his wife.

There is more than one life story happening in this novel. Cora, an artist, is at the forefront. The unexpected death of her common-law partner of nine years is central focus but other loves and lives cluster around this event. Cora adored Jack and it seemed he was also committed to her but yet he did not want to marry her. They lived together in New York but his work took him away for two weeks every month. A position such as this, one might argue, has allowed him to carry out his bigamist tendencies.

Upon Jack’s untimely death, Cora discovers he has been married for three years to a younger woman in Ireland. She is devastated at such a disturbing revelation. The author walks us through Cora’s emotional upheaval so expertly we can imagine what it would be like to be in her shoes. It is easy to feel her hurt and anger and also her embarrassment at being conned. But to obtain closure, she must go to Ireland to explore Jack’s other life. Moving into his Dublin townhouse, where he and his wife Amelia lived, Cora begins to unwrap the layers of this man she thought she knew so well. In the process— she becomes good friends with the neighbours who are in a battle to save the square they live on— which is under threat of developers. This park is not only the setting for a commercial battle but it also harbours a shocking secret that will be exposed.

Lily, neighbour to Cora in Dublin, is the other woman we learn a great deal about. She has lived in De Courcy Square all her life. In her youth, she had a wonderful romantic relationship with a man who disappeared at a critical moment. Then she is forced by her parents to marry an extremely difficult and violent man. After her husband’s death, she finds a kindred soul named Sam who brings her much deserved love. We see Lily’s amazing strength, kindness and courage through all her trials and cheer at seeing her finally having some happiness. Lily also becomes a great friend to Cora which gives us an insider’s view of Amelia’s life with Jack.

Other mentionable characters in the novel are Lily’s daughter who helps fight the battle for the park and Amelia’s brother, Tom, who shares Cora’s grief in losing someone close in the strange car accident. She has lost her partner and he has lost his sister. They both try to make sense of the situation that surrounded this couple. He provides more insight on the woman Jack married while she discovers some of Jack’s disturbing secrets. One of which rocked Amelia’s world before her death. Should Cora tell him what she knows? This novel certainly is filled with plenty of surprises and mysteries that all become known and solved by the end.

Another character who adds a bit of vibrant colour to the story’s palette is Gladys, the local busybody and head of the ‘Association’ who sends out constant emails to the De Courcy Square tenants and residents. A woman instrumental in organising those who want to protect the park that Lily and other members love so much.

We also get glimpses of Donna, Cora’s American friend. She is the one who holds her when the terrible news of Jack’s death lands on her doorstep. Donna tries to protect Cora from more pain and is worried about her friend going to Ireland to Jack’s marital home. She reminds Cora of her place in NY and her art exhibition. But it becomes obvious Cora wants to face the facts and must work out her own restoration.

The importance of friendship is a key theme in this novel and becoming part of a community. As we see with Cora, Lily and others, the things that bring them together also provide healing from some very deep wounds.

There is a surprising twist at the end of The Husband’s Secret. And all the threads of mystery come together. Cora finds her way through her grief and begins to live again. While Lily’s relationship with her daughter strengthens and she accepts her mother’s new found happiness.

Ann O’Loughlin, as always, delivers another spectacular page turner: not light but enlightening, full of insight and sensitivity. A story that made me think, feel and wonder. To see these relatable characters rise out of difficult circumstances was heartening. I am delighted to say there is a realistic positive road to healing for each one. I highly recommend this complex heart-probing tale that gave me chills, tears and smiles. This moving, masterful and mindful story should not be missed. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy.

A beautifully written book dealing with such some very important issues.
I never thought so many different stories would be captured in this one read. All life’s emotions are here.
I was so invested in all the characters and I’m quite bereft I’ve now left their company.
If I’ve one request for the author please write a sequel, there’s more stories to tell from De Courcy Square

I loved this book even with the sensitive subjects. Lots of twists and turns which i love in a book.. a page turner indeed and I fully enjoyed

Thank you Bookouture for allowingme to read this arc. All thoughtsare my own and arent influenced by anyone else.

This emotional story takes the reader from New York to Dublin as we follow Carla who has had the devastating news that her partner Jack has died in a car accident.

Why was Jack in Ireland and how could he have died with his wife? These questions play havoc on Cora’s mind, so she decides to travel to Dublin to find out the answers for herself.

The story explores the difficult subjects of grief, betrayal and unanswered questions. Cora finds a tight community surrounding her in Jacks old home and this helps to ease her pain. As she begins to discover she will never fully understand the life she thought she had with Jack she gains strength and acceptance instead of the initial pain and shock which had turned her world upside down.

Betrayal hits hard and the fact you never will understand it especially when someone is gone is unimaginable. Cora’s journey proves that although extremely difficult it is possible to come out the other side with the help of friends and community.

I loved this book its exploration of difficult subjects was sensitively written, full of unexpected twists I was really rooting for Cora and hoping she would find happiness and peace. A powerful page turner and one I fully enjoyed.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Her Husband’s Secret by Ann O’Loughlin is a novel about love, loss and resilience. Cora, an artist, loves Jack but is devastated with the news of his passing. Following the news, she makes her way to Dublin and discovers a new way of life all while developing new friendships that help her to move on. Throughout her journey she is befriended by a group of older woman who are trying to prevent a wealthy contractor from turning their lovely garden into a profitable business. Though, I felt the author did a great job of developing the characters as well as their relationships, especially those of Cora and Lily who were quite similar given how they were both mistreated by the men in their lives, I felt a disconnect between the three storylines. I would have liked to have had a better idea of how Amelia and Jack’s relationship was before the unfortunate turn of events to allow me to sympathize with her. I also could have done without some of the other storylines (Stacey) that were introduced that had little to do with the overall theme of the story. Overall ,not a story that spoke to me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was like settling I to your favourite armchair and getting lost inside a story which really grabbed me. I'm hoping to read more of Ann's books in the future as I loved The Ballroom Cafe. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this advanced reader copy
Publication Date 11th of August
Cory who lives in the USA learns that her partner of ten years, Jack has died in a car accident in Ireland. She is also informed that someone else was in the car with him. A woman. His wife.
In shock and to discover more about Jack she goes to Ireland and moves into his house hiding her identity initially as his sister. Only she finds out more than she has bargained for.
An extremely well written book with brilliant character profiles you cannot help feeling empathy for Cory and what she has gone through. Not only learning her lover is deceased but that he led a double life with a woman back in Ireland.
In the small town she finds herself in the neighbours are welcoming and friendly and it doesn't take too long before she herself settles into the life she once thought was nosey and intrusive.
This book was a delight to read, the characters are well developed and I especially liked Cory. There is also a lovely romance that blossoms for her friend Lily with a man named Sam. If you haven't read anything by this author previously I can highly recommend this book as a starter. It is refreshing to read about more mature characters and for second chance romances in this older age group, namely Lily.
Kerry Kennedy Author

The main character (Cora) discoveres that her now deceased partner had another life (and was married) in Ireland. Cora goes to the house in Dublin to search for answers. While there, she meets neighbors who will help her discover hwo her husband really was. A quick summer read.

Her Husband's Secret is not on Goodreads yet. Cora got some horrible news that Jack had been killed in a car accident while over in Ireland. She also finds out at the same time Jack was married and his wife was killed too. Jack lived a double life, one married in Ireland and one with his girlfriend, Cora of 9 years in the USA. Cora decides to make a trip to Ireland pretending to be Jack's sister and she uncovers more and more secrets that I won't tell. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published August 11, 2023.

Can you imagine finding out your almost husband has been hiding a wife in another country? And he and his wife die together in car crash in that other country (Ireland). And to make things even harder, he has left you their townhouse in central Dublin. Now what do you do? Well if you were Cora, you would move into that townhouse and try to find out everything you could about what your partner has been doing. And the things you find out are even worse. But now you have become part of a community that somehow you have fallen in love with. Cora has lots of decisions to make but you'll have to read the book to find out what they are.

Another great read from Ann. She is a great storyteller. Cora lives in the USA and discovers her partner Jack has died in a car accident Ireland. However this is not straight forward and she goes to Dublin to try and unravel the mystery. Some lovely threads in the story with other characters too.

I can't wait for this to come out and for y'all to lose your minds. if you had doubts about preordering, don't. you're going to want to read this one. I raced through it this weekend.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I have to say I really enjoyed this. I had to no idea where it was going and from the very beginning I was wowed.
It had me wondering through the entire book. What would I do?
I read this book in one day from receiving it.

This is a must read.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher and gifted author. Cora loses her life partner. She discovers he was married. He had a home in America and one across the pond. Chaos. Enjoy this.