Carey Baldwin's newest book, "The Marriage Secret," is full of twists and turns that keep readers on edge throughout. She makes her premise fresh and new by adding in perspectives which come from her background in psychology. These insights elevate the subject matter by clarifying motivations and behaviors in a way most authors cannot. Throughout the book, the chilling reality of everything, from the everyday life of someone in medicine, to how a psychopath can charm and gaslight his victim, is riveting. The emotions of her characters, especially of a mother to her child, are a wonderful contrast to the absolute villainy of the antagonists. Her writing as always is absorbing and beautiful. A page-turner that will keep you up all night!

The Marriage Secret is about a marriage based on threats as a result of a devastating secret. Holly and Zach Bancroft seem to have it all, including a gorgeous home and a delightful new baby. He is a very successful doctor, and has earned quite a bit of respect. Holly had a fabulous career herself as a speech pathologist but was more than happy to be a stay-at-home mother, at least for the time being. However, nothing is as it seems with the couple.

This book just might remind readers of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier or even the film Gaslight. Despite outward appearances, Zach makes it his aim to keep Holly exactly where he wants her, using more than one method of control, even to the point of her doubting her ability to care for their baby. In fact, Zach's control grows by leaps and bounds in this book, something that might make readers cringe on Holly's behalf. Zach has been written as an utterly vitriolic character, unlikeable to the nth degree. When Zach becomes a person of interest in the murder of a young colleague, he calls in the cards. Holly will alibi him or he will tell her secret.

What brought this couple together in the first place? What is the ugly secret that Zach is holding over Holly's head to keep her in what is most certainly an unhappy marriage? While every lasting marriage starts with a firm foundation, Holly's agreeing to marry Zach had the writing on the wall. With Zach being alternately caring and cruel, Holly is forced to walk on eggshells, never knowing what next Zach has in store. Her wardrobe, her finances, even her mentality - Zach holds it all in his hands. Told entirely from Holly's perspective, events continued to unfold in disturbing fashion.

While this book proved to be a page-turner, with Holly struggling to show backbone, there was a point when the plot almost seemed predictable. In fact, there was one plot line that more than one reader might guess, and although the story was intriguing, guessing a major twist might take away some enjoyment of the book. Even so, the tension was kept at a high rate. With just a few principal characters, this story is full of drama and angst. All delivered with excellent pacing.

Carey Baldwin spun a compelling tale of who could possibly win in this disaster of a marriage. Any reader would know that Zach and Holly's marriage did not have a strong basis and it was very interesting to see what the end result would be. Inasmuch as possibly recognizing a major plot twist seemed to wrap everything up, Baldwin took readers on an exciting ride, which will no doubt leave most readers shocked by the impossible to predict ending.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This book is a serious page turner. I don't know how many times my mouth hit the floor. Holly's life is ideal thanks to her loving husband, a gorgeous and intelligent doctor named Zach, who is also her best friend. When Zach begins to mistreat her throughout her pregnancy and on the day she gives birth to their daughter, things begin to alter in her life. The abuse intensifies when Holly confronts Zach about his recent behavior toward her.

**received from Netgalley for honest review**

I definitely enjoyed this one but it didn't stand out for me. I wasn't immediately captured and didn't feel like I could connect with the plot in general. I think I may need to give this a re-read later.

Holly is married to Zach Bancroft who is the head of the OB-GYN department at a hospital in Phoenix. Sometimes, Zach treats her like a queen, but he can turn in a flash treating her with coldness, disdain, and the silent treatment. Now, with Zack attending her, she has just given birth to a daughter, Jolene.

On the side, Zach has a girlfriend named Claudia who works in the medical field as well. She is waiting for Zach to dump Holly and marry her.

With Holly now home with Jolene, life with Zach becomes more shaky as she doesn’t know what he will do next. All she wants is to care for Jolene and be happy. But she never knows from day to day whether she will see Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde out of Zach. Her fear is made worse by something she did when she was a young teen and she shared it with Zach. Now, she feels like he has something to hold over her head. She is desperate to find a way to provide a happy and safe life for Jolene and herself, but will she be brave enough to attempt it while staying one step ahead of Zach?

Enough teasers. I cannot give out any more clues here. But this story builds with surprises at what seems like page to page. I did not expect the ending. It is a good one. Don’t miss this book.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

WOW! This was one twisted psychological thriller! My heart was pounding and my anxiety was high while reading about all the drama between Holly and Zach Bancroft. This was one fast-paced, exciting read! I thoroughly enjoyed Carey Baldwin's style of writing and how well the book flowed. It was mainly told from Holly's POV. Many times I wanted to jump inside the book and shake Holly. The ending holds a major twist that I didn't see coming!

Favorite quote: "It takes courage to bite the hand that feeds you."

Highly recommend!

My review has been posted on instagram: @thrillersandcoffee

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Intriguing characters, plenty of twists and turns, and thrills along the way. An interesting view on a bad marriage. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This was one of those domestic drama suspense books, which I absolutely loved! Fast paced, well written, unputdownable, chilling, thrilling, and shocking! A twisty tale of possible deceit and wondering if it is what it looks like! Highly, highly recommend this delicious read!

Is too good to be true a red flag? This story definitely breaks that burning question down. Shocking and suspenseful, you truly get lost in this crazy story that keeps unraveling, even when you think it's done.
Secrets always have consequences, betrayal is even worse. Makes you take a second look at your partner but hopefully you have more positive results.
A great web of lies wrapped in a cleverly written story.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.

I saw lots of rave reviews for this book so of course I had to read it for myself! This was a page-turner for sure. I love domestic thrillers and there's not a dull moment at all in this twisted tale of lies, secrets, scheming and more.

There were some scenes that made me really angry at the antagonist, a couple of which were very uncomfortable to read. I would have appreciated content warnings in advance especially when it comes to sexual assault.

While this book didn't wow me like I'd hoped, it was nevertheless an enjoyable read with some good twists that I didn't see coming.

WOW !! Fast paced with unexpected twists and turns ! A vivid riveting story you won't soon forget ! I highly recommend ! Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book ! Opinions are solely my own ! #Netgalley #Bookouture # TheMarriageSecret

Unfortunately I had to put this one down. After a few pages of reading Zach abs how awful he was to his wife Holly and their newborn, I didn’t want to read anymore of his abuse. .

Zach and Holly are married; Zach, a wealthy obstetrician still wanted to marry Holly even though she told him her deep dark secret. Now, Zach has changed and not for the better. And he has a few secrets of his own...

This novel has everything - toxicity, secrets, lies, manipulation, adultery, gaslighting and mega amounts of intense drama. It rockets along and it's twisted from beginning to end. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this talented author.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

You want psychological thriller? The author really said Bet! At no point in this story was I able to guess what was going to happen next. Holly and Zach seem to have the perfect marriage. Holly believes once she gives birth to their daughter, everything will go back to how it used to be when they met. But when Holly has a troubling experience in the hospital, things only start to go downhill from there. I didn't want to put this book down because I needed to know what happened next. Please check your triggers. This book does deal with: Manipulation, abuse, gaslighting and suggested sa. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This author is new to me, but I can't wait to read more of her books! What a suspenseful, psychological page turner! Zach and Holly seem like they have it all. Zach is a doctor who everyone knows and respects...or so it seems. One minute Zach seems very loving to his wife, doting on her, lavishing her with gifts, but the next minute he's controlling and very toxic to her but claims she's imagining it due to her having foggy "baby brain" after giving birth to their daughter, Jolene. Is she just sleep deprived or is Zach a psychopath? You will not want to put this book down! The ending made my jaw drop. I never saw it coming!! What a great read!!

No one really knows what goes on in a marriage except the two involved. Should you confide your deepest, darkest secret to the one you love, or will it come back to bite you? A page-turner for sure!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

Carey Baldwin has done it again. If you're not a fan, you absolutely should be. This book has delightful twists that lull you from poignant moments to awe and shock. The characters are fully fleshed out and real. She gives motivation and insight into both the sociopath and the victim in a way that only someone with her extensive background in psychology can. It is a roller coaster ride that will keep you breathless until the final page, leaving you unable to put it down.

They say everyone has secrets…… there are secrets and then there are secrets! Holly’s fairy tale marriage quickly unravels as she starts to realize that prince is not what or who he appeared to have been. The Marriage Secret is a fast paced psychological thriller you’ll struggle to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Carey Baldwin for the opportunity to read this ARC

Wow. I absolutely could not put this book down. It snatched me in the very first chapter and did not let me go. The gaslighting, the narcissism, the twists, the turns. Oh my, seriously. I did not predict the ending at all. This one will stay with me for a bit.

*Definitely check the triggers for this book if you have any*

Highly recommend this book! 👌

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC!

This is an awesome psychological thriller full of thrills and chills. I was drawn into this intense drama from the very beginning. It kept me entertained all the way to the end. Just proves that you never know what goes on behind closed doors! *this honest review is based on a complimentary copy from NetGalley*