The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

This is the second novel that I have read by this author, and she doesn't disappoint.  She presents issues of morality in such a way that even though you know what "the right thing to do" is, you understand why the characters choose to do the "wrong thing".  She is similar to Jodi Picoult in this, although less heavy-handed in the writing of it.

I liked how the stories of Rachel, Tess and Cecilia were interwoven.  I have to admit though that initially, every time I picked up the book again after leaving it for awhile, I had to review whose story was whose because I kept getting them confused.  Also, I didn't have a good sense of their age differences until the end - although the author does explain this throughout the book.

After Cecelia read John-Paul's letter, I desperately wanted them to go to the police because I was afraid that Rachel was going to harm Connor!  Also, it would have been "the right thing to do".  I understood completely why they didn't do that though - even though I knew something bad would happen as a result of it.  So, in the end, John-Paul's secret harmed their daughter instead of Connor.  Justice served??  Then, Rachel keeps John-Paul's secret too! Guilt??  And then there are the secrets between Tess and Felicity and Will.... It's interesting that Felicity and Will "come clean" about their feelings for each other - but don't actually commit adultery in the physical sense - the result of which is Tess sleeping (joyfully) with Connor - and possibly getting pregnant by him - but she keeps her secret.  Will's truth hurt Tess.  Tess never shares her secret - and she ends up having a successful marriage with Will.  So, is it always BEST to tell the truth?  
I enjoyed the Epilogue very much.  We each make choices every single day that could steer us off into a different direction in our life.  It was interesting to read about the "what ifs" in the Epilogue.  So many things could have been different if only....  I also liked the sharing of secrets. I guess none of us are "open books", even if we present ourselves that way.

Very enjoyable read.  I'm looking forward to reading her other two novels!

Wendy's Rating: ****