Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of Her Secret Revenge by Cole Baxter due to be published July 23, 2024.
Cole Baxter is one of my favorite authors – I have read five of his books so was thrilled to read this one!
Paul and Anna are headed for a divorce – especially since Anna found out Paul had a mistress, Marianne, who is trying to take over her life as well as her husband. Throw in Marianne’s husband, Cameron, who is trying to kill Paul and a squatter in a house that Paul recently inherited from his uncle – who will survive?
I’m not sure I’ve read too many characters I despised as much as Paul – misogynistic, selfish, self-absorbed, rude – need I go on? Still, the book had me hooked as I had to see how this love triangle ended and if anyone died in the process. Another great read by Cole Baxter!
#NetGalley #ColeBaxter #Bookouture #HerSecretRevenge

Took me a bit longer than usual to get into this storyline but I thoroughly enjoyed it. A twisty read full of lies and suspense, good characters but not all likeable.

The ending was good and it certainly kept me entertained from the beginning until the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC which I can thoroughly recommend.

Her Secret Revenge by Cole Baxter
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 23 July 2024

"Her Secret Revenge" delves into the tumultuous life of Anna, a woman trapped in a deteriorating marriage to Paul. For years, Anna has endured Paul's infidelities and his reckless squandering of their hard-earned savings. This betrayal chips away at her trust and patience, pushing her closer to her breaking point. Just as Anna is on the verge of giving up, Paul inherits a significant fortune, including a luxurious mansion, dramatically shifting their marital dynamic. This newfound wealth rekindles Anna's determination to claim her fair share as compensation for her years of dedication and sacrifice.

The characters in the novel are deeply compelling, each contributing to the intricate tapestry of the story. Paul is particularly loathsome, embodying a self-centredness that blinds him to his own faults and the pain he inflicts on others. His actions are those of a man who believes the world revolves around him, creating a character readers love to hate. In stark contrast, Anna is portrayed as a resilient and determined woman. Her journey from a long-suffering wife to a woman who stands up for herself is both inspiring and heart-wrenching.

The conflict between Anna and Paul is intense and unrelenting. Despite the common belief that opposites attract, in their case, it only leads to constant strife. Their personalities clash in every conceivable way, resulting in frequent, heated arguments. Adding fuel to the fire is Paul's mother, Noreen, who is incessantly interfering in their lives. Her unwavering support for Paul, no matter how wrong he is, only deepens the rift between the couple.

The book is a masterful blend of drama and suspense. Baxter skilfully weaves multiple subplots into the main narrative, creating a rich, layered story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Each twist and turn in the plot is meticulously crafted, adding depth and intrigue to the story. The interplay between the characters and the evolving dynamics keep the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Overall, "Her Secret Revenge" is a thought-provoking and riveting read. Baxter's ability to create such vivid, believable characters and to intertwine their stories so seamlessly is commendable. The novel explores themes of betrayal, resilience, and justice, leaving a lasting impact on its readers. It's a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned, a testament to its powerful storytelling and complex characters.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author, Cole Baxter, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Her Secret Revenge was a complicated vengeance thriller that was pretty satisfying! Anna is married to man baby Paul, a scrub who thinks everything is everyone else’s fault and pays Anna back for supporting him for over a decade by cheating on her and spending their savings. Anna is this close to finally filing for a divorce when Paul inherits his Uncle’s mansion and some cash. Determined to get her due for supporting him for years Anna sticks it out, but also puts a revenge plot in motion that has an unstable war veteran after Paul.

Anna is no victim and while she’s someone you can get behind she’s not faultless. That said, this revenge plot goes deeper and my only advice is to keep an eye on Paul’s mother, Noreen, who redefines loving mother. This wasn’t at all realistic but it sure was a lot of fun!

Her secret revenge blew me away. I was blown away by all the secrets and twists that kept coming… The ending completely blew me away. I raced through the pages as fast as I could.
It's brilliant. It is well written, with a good plot and the characters are credible with plenty of twists and turns

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
I have read several of books written by Cole Baxter and they are always entertaining. This was the same - a quick, easy and interesting read. While it wasn’t terribly hard to figure out the overall plot, it was still entertaining.

A cheating husband...secrets...lies...the other woman...seeking revenge...red herrings...unlikable characters...this is the recipe for a story of intrigue and mysterious happenings. Is revenge possible? What will happen next? Can this family go back to the way it was before? All of these questions are answered in this novel. Written by a talented author, this story is a page turner. Don't miss it. Enjoy. Thanks Netgalley.

If I’m honest I struggled to like any of the characters in this book but maybe that was the point. It opened up around a wife finding out her husband was having an affair but had also been on a business trip which was actually a boys weekend in Vegas and he used their savings to fund it. At this point most of us world kick him to the curb but she is determined to get even and determined to not let him get her money. When he comes into an inheritance the anti is upped and as she plans to benefit from that as well he is planning a new life with his mistress. As both sides try to get their own way a deadlier story pans out which crashes towards a dark conclusion for everyone. No one in this story has clean hands.

My second book by this author and I have to say that I was hooked from the moment I opened it.

I loved the characters the author created. There is Paul, who is the most selfish person I earth I think. He only thinks about his own importance and pleasure, being convinced whatever he does has to be accepted. Second, there is his mother Noreen, who most of the time supports him in everything he says or does and of course that is perfect for his ego. She also is a spirited old lady who does not throw in the towel. There is Anna, Paul's wife who has a totally different view on life and money. I guess it's pretty clear the couple often clashes. They both have their own agenda, each trying to gain as much as possible... Throw in the mix Paul's mistress and her Rambo styled husband and you know this can only bring disaster.

The author mixed in some funny lines that had me smiling and I always like that in a book. 

I had a really good time devouring this book. The countdown can start again. 5 stars

Thank you

Unputdownable like the rest of Cole Baxter's books. Don't start this book at night unless you are prepared to stay awake all night. Plenty of suspense and a surprise ending.

This thriller was fantastic and unfolded with plenty of twists and turns. I couldn’t put it down and read the entire book in a few hours.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.