I was very excited to read this book, as I am a teacher and enjoy stories whose characters share my profession. However, this felt very juvenile in the way it was written. I enjoyed the multiple points of view it was written from, and the insight from the stalker without knowing who he was, but some of the dialogue felt very simple and could have been done better, in my opinion. I did not find myself eagerly opening my kindle to see what happens next, nor do I see myself hunting down other works by this author.

Thank you, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for letting me review this book.

Olivia and Natalie are very strong women to survive after what they had gone through. The things they went through will stay with them for the rest of their lives. This book is a great representation for a curtain awareness (I do not want to give anything away, so I am trying to use my words carefully).

This book was so well written and well-paced and flowed like a stream. I know. I loved the ending so much.

This is the first book I have read by author Sally Royer-Derr. I must check out her other books, because this one was fantastically written, a wonderful plot (that also advocates for awareness), and gave me all of the emotions, sad, happy, shock, thrill with twist after twist.

I highly recommend this book, and I am so glad I had the chance to read it.

This had me turning pages to find out each new part of the story. I was so hooked to both the plot and the characters.
It was nice to have woman working for the good, and seemingly together to protect eachother.
I was so impressed with how Natalie seemed to just be a GOOD person. Who seemed to just want to get through to the other side of her problems and then help others be safe too.
We often see in books how traumas effect how character futures,often carrying demons for the bad of them. But Natalie had come so far. And showed the side of such strong woman who fight awful things that happen to them and carve out futures.
I wanted so much for these character to have a good ending. And I defined each day by how I could carve out reading time until I found out.

This story is told from two main POVs, Natalie and Olivia but we have a third that pops up now and again called “Him” doesn’t give much away but it’s very interesting! The different perspectives allow for great character building and both girls are very likeable and the friendship they build is lovely! This had me hooked, there wasn’t a big twist as such but lots of twists and turns along the way. My first book by Sally and I’m off to add her others to my TBR! Worth a read!

Olivia Hanson’s husband, Lucas, is her rock; charming and successful, he offers her safety, security and the life she always dreamed of. In return, Olivia is a picture-perfect housewife, smiling and supportive. Until she meets Lucas’s new colleague, Natalie, and sees the flash of hatred in her eyes.

Olivia only wants to clear up the misunderstanding. But when she befriends Natalie, secrets come tumbling out that expose the ugly side of Olivia’s beautiful marriage and she realizes there is another young woman caught up in Lucas’s lies. Olivia learned long ago that her husband is no saint, but he’s about to discover that neither is she…

This is a new-to-me author, and I'm so glad I found her! This story gripped me from the beginning and kept me turning the pages. The twists and turns were fairly predictable if you read a lot in this genre, but it was still entertaining. Highly recommend! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Choices, lies and resilience are the best three words to sum up this book. The author slowly drip feeds the reader pertinent information throughout about all the main characters and there are a couple of WOW moments when we find out something big. Plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing as to what is really happening too. First time reading this author but it won't be the last.

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm for the ARC to review.

A tangled web of lies, hidden pasts and weird occurrences make this book a domestic thriller that will have you pointing fingers at everyone. Trust no one. Trust everyone. It seems there is no right answer. You do not want to turn your back on anyone in this book because their hand may hold a knife. I kept thinking who needs enemies when you have friends like these.

The emotions in this book are off the charts. The tension builds with each chapter until the shocking conclusion. Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off of the floor.

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

This book had me gripped from the start. A serial groomer of young girls whose position of being a trusted teacher makes for a sinister game player. The characters were well described and the book was set at a satisfactory pace where I found myself routing for the women that had fallen victims to such an insidious predator.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. A domestic thriller, that has a few twists and turns to keep your interest. The main characters Natalie, Olivia and Lucas are all linked in both the present and the past. Lucas and Natalie are thrown together in the same school , which stirs up memories of past history. Olivia meets Natalie when she volunteers at the school. The tension builds as they became friends, both are haunted by some issues in common. Lucas appears as a popular teacher with staff and students. Issues are raised which may upset some readers, but it is important that these are aired. They do occur. I was sure by the twist at the end as things come to a head.
A well written story and i believe the first I have read from this author.

The Innocent Wife by Sally Royer-Derr is a domestic thriller told from the perspective of 3 characters: Natalie Amaryllis, a divorced, single parent, starting a teaching job in a new school; Olivia Hanson, the much younger wife of a very likable and popular teacher at the school and the third perspective is provided by Him-he will be revealed in the novel. Natalie is enthusiastic about her new position, yet shocked when she discovers she will be working with fellow teacher Lucas Hanson, a man who violated her teen years in many inappropriate ways. Although she tries to remain professional, Natalie has concerns about Hanson's apparent friendship with a High School student volunteer and as she gets to know Olivia, his wife, she discovers even more disturbing information, setting off alarm bells. The Innocent Wife is a very readable and satisfying novel with a multi-layered storyline. I liked the friendship that developed between Natalie and Olivia, yet at times found their behavior to be more juvenile than adult, however that didn't adversely affect my enjoyment or the quality of The Innocent Wife. Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review the ARC; my review reflects my honest opinion. 3.5 stars.

Excellent plot line and well written characters this book has me gripped from the very start. I did have a moment where I thought I had it figured out and I was kind of close. Will definitely be looking at more of this authors books in the future. Edgy twisty and exciting read for me to start the year! Thanks netGalley for the arc I am glad I didn’t miss out on this.

This is the first book I’ve read by Sally and it’s a good read. Filled with many twists, turns, lies and deception. It kept me engaged and turning the pages.

Natalie and Emma are getting a fresh start in a new town…leaving behind fear, trauma and bad memories.

Lucas is seen as an upstanding citizen, a good teacher…but there are secrets that begin to unfold that puts him in a different lite.

Unexplainable things begin to happen in Natalie and Emma’s life …putting Natalie on edge. She’s having to revisit trauma from her past which makes others think she’s crazy. She has the best intentions but herself in a dangerous situation.

Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the complimentary copy.

natalie is a single mother, she encounters Lucas who used to be her soccer coach, who used and abused her. He is married and his wife has no idea who she is married to.

The first book i have read by this author and it wont be the last.. A physcological thriller at its best. When Natalie and her daughter Emma move away from an abusive relationship, she moves to where Jake lives, jake has been with the girls for years, but its not a convential marriage????? Its intense in places, stalkerish. When Natalie starts her new job in a primary school, she comes across the handsome Lucas. How does she know him? Has she been recognised??? Not all is at it seems, lies, deceit, twists, turns, bumps along the way. Definitely recommend

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When single- mom teacher Natalie discovers one of her new colleague Lucas, is her soccer coach who lured her, used her and then dumped her when she was under age, she was immediately on guard about his presence. Especially when his new wife is so young as well, and seem to have met him the same way. As she begin to uncover Lucas' troubling secrets, she finds her own life might be in danger from knowing too much.

he Innocent Wife by Sally Royer-Derr is a great phycological thriller. It had a suspenseful plot. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat as you learn about Lucas and his dark secrets. Lucas is a schoolteacher who is handsome, charming and a successful husband to Olivia. Then Natile gets a transfer to the school and realises when she is introduced to Lucas that he was the teacher who groomed and had sex with her when she was only 15.
The book has a strong female role with some unexpected twists and turns as you read how the dangers of people abusing their position of power can eventually lead to them being found out and exposed. A faced paced and engaging thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you so much to the publisher and to Netgalley for this eARC!!

This is my first book of Sally’s and hopefully it won’t be the last one I read! This was such a captivating, fast past read full of twists and I especially didn’t see the twist at the end coming which always makes the book 10x better!!!

This book was so good!! I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and every time I thought I had it figured out, I realized I was wrong. The character development in this book was strong and I felt an attachment to certain characters and a hate for others. This book was very entertaining and a great read to begin the new year with. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm publishing for the arc of this book.

I read this book in one sitting! It was a great read and I kept wanting to know what was going to happen and who was doing what. I also enjoyed Natalie being a special education teacher, because I am one as well! Such a good read and thank you for allowing me to read this book.

Fast pace thriller told from 3 perspectives - one being unknown

Natalie joins a new school and learns one of her colleagues happens to have been her high school soccer coach..... the reunion triggers memories... meanwhile the wife of said colleague, Olivia, befriends Natalie and the unknown perspective is keeping tabs on both Natalie and Olivia.

There is paranoia, there is drama.. each chapter has you saying “just one more chapter..”