He married me despite my darkest secret. But am I safe now that I know his?

From the outside, my marriage to Zach was perfect: dream home, a perfect baby girl and passionate, all-consuming love. When we met, I confessed my darkest secret to him and he never judged me for it. Instead, he vowed to always protect me whatever the cost.

But as I cradle my gorgeous baby, I have to accept that the husband who used to be my everything, has changed. At first it was little things: expecting me to keep to a strict schedule, picking out my clothes for me. Now, he controls every aspect of my life: from how much money I have, to when I leave the house and who I can see.

One fateful night, a young woman is found murdered and Zach is a potential suspect. Turning towards me, a look of warmth returning to his eyes, he swears he’s innocent, and I realize there is only one solution. If I agree to be his alibi, he will keep my secret and our daughter can grow up in a loving home. In that moment, I do what any faithful wife would do: I stand by him.

But I know deep down, only one of us will make it out of this marriage alive.

Sucked in from page 1… this was a heart-pounding thriller that continued to deliver twisty punch after twisty punch. I can usually predict how much I will love a book by the time I am 50 pages in. I started this book last night as I lay in bed knowing I would probably only make it a few pages in before falling asleep. Not the case! I made it to 40% before I forced myself to close my kindle!!!

This is the perfect example of how an author introduces readers to characters that you either love or hate… or love to hate! Baldwin, almost subtlety at first, introduces readers to Holly and Zach. They seem like the perfect couple. Zach, loving, doting husband and soon father-to-be… Holly, dedicated, loyal wife and mother-to-be. Well it isn’t long before readers will know Zach’s true colors! (In sing song-y voice… Controlllllll freeeeeaaakkk) 🤯

Truth in a marriage is a two-way street, and if only one person plays by the rules, it puts her at a disadvantage.

Things go from bad to worse and the most unthinkable scene (well one of many but just one of the first in the story) happens on the day Holly gives birth to a beautiful baby girl. Like… “what the hell just happened there?” No way did Zach just do that… say that… I can’t even tell you how badly someone needed to punch him in the face. 🤬 Oh… and if that wasn’t bad enough…wait until they all come home from the hospital 🤮.

“If you didn’t want to stay until death do us part, you should never have told me your secret.”

Little did I know… one unthinkable scene turns into another and another! I kept saying… “if Holly doesn’t grow a spine and get rid of him, I’m not going to keep reading”!!! Ugh!!!! The question is, does Holly really know her husband, her friends, his friends? Is Zach really as crazy as readers may think?

Then she straightened her shoulders. Not this time. No freakin’ way was she going to let him do this to her again.

This story is twisty and twisted! I loved every minute of it and my heart was pounding as I learned about the most twisted pieces of how events from the past and present weave together and deliver an ending that took my breath away! Just FABULOUS!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

By day Carey is a dedicated pediatrician. By night she’s a USA Today bestselling and award winning author of edgy suspense. In addition to her MD, Carey also holds a PhD in clinical psychology. She loves reading and writing stories that keep you off balance and on the edge of your seat. In her spare time she enjoys hiking and chasing wildflowers.

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