It's been a while since I read a Mystery / Thriller like this one and it was awesome! The story kept me on my toes, the suspense of what might happen driving me towards the next chapter.

I loved how strong and caring Natalie was. She was such a good person and an amazing mom to Emma. I loved her friendship with Olivia and her protectiveness over Harley.

Olivia was kind and quite. I loved when she stood up for herself, slowly finding the courage to see the truth and let go of lies.

The way everything went down at the end was so crazy and unexpected. But it was a little funny to be honest - the way their problems took themselves out from the equation.

I don't know why, but I was kinda expecting Natalie and Olivia to get together by the end of the book, but the happily ever after they git was pretty cool too!

The Innocent Wife is a hard-to-put-down book! From the moment I started, I wanted to do nothing but see where this book would take me.

Natalie is a single mom who teaches at her daughter's school. Unbeknownst to her, another teacher named Lucas also works at the same school. Lucas is someone from Natalie's past who she hopes she will never cross paths with again.

Olivia is Lucas's wife, whom Natalie befriends. Natalie has her secrets. Lucas has his, and Olivia is learning them all.

I have never read a book by this author, but I hope she writes many more. I really enjoyed her writing style, and the twists and turns kept me hooked from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGally and Storm Publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest book review.

3.5 ⭐️
This book was addictive and kept me guessing. Such a thrilling read, I couldn’t put it down.

The Innocent Wife blends domestic drama with controlling relationships, manipulation, and deceit, creating a story that steadily builds tension. The quick, engaging chapters made it hard to put down, and the characters' internal struggles—deciding how much of their past to reveal—added depth to the narrative. The suspense kicked into gear toward the end, and the twist was satisfying. However, I felt that the book focused too heavily on Natalie’s perspective instead of Olivia’s. Nonetheless, The Innocent Wife is a gripping, well-paced read that keeps you entertained!

Didnt do it for me, found myself bored by the story and all the twists and turns that were highlighted in reviews i just found mundane. As i read the star ratings i can see it received great 4 and 5 star ratings, unfortunately i give it 3.

This was such a page turner and an addictive read I loved it! It had lies, secrets and everything else in between for the main characters Olivia and Lucas. It was so good I read it in a day!

My favourite character was Lucas surprisingly enough he was cunning and clever!

I’d highly recommend this book it’s must read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars

Olivia is a young woman married to Lucas a man at least twenty years older than herself. Olivia really thought she loved Lucas and vice versa yet something has changed. Enter Natalie a single mom to Emma. She is a teacher and is trying to start a new life for herself and Emma. Then there is Jake and Candace. Jake is Natalie’s ex and his new wife is Candace who would love Emma to call her mom since Jake has Emma very often. Natalie meets Olivia through the school that she and Lucas teach at. Only Natalie remembers Lucas in another lifetime. Does he remember her? Does his wife know that Lucas has. a secret past? Since Natalie and Olivia are becoming friends she they discuss this slippery husband of hers? What secrets are all of these characters hiding? How are they all intertwined especially Natalie and Candace? You see Natalie has a few secrets of her own that she is sharing with no one.
The Innocent wife is filled with suspense ,hope,love and survival. How two women came together to help each other out of a bad situation. Not knowing that evil is lurking around the corner. Natalie is a strong woman who would do anything to protect her family. Olivia is a young woman learning what it takes to survive a bad situation. Joining forces helps them realize they are strong and will not be taken down by any ma.
The twists in this story kept me wanting more. Even though it was a little predictable I really enjoyed the suspense. A solid 4 stars. Thank you NetGalley and Storm for the ARC. Looking forward to more stories from Ms. Royer-Derr

Wow, I loved this book!

This is the third book I've read from this author, all very different stories and all great reads. This one had strong emotions running throughout.

Brilliant story with the fast-paced nature of a McFadden novel and emotional ribbons of My Dark Vanessa woven through while maintaining its own unique voice. Sally's smart, distinctive writing style makes her a rising star in the thriller genre.

The dynamics between the characters was well done and the friendship between Olivia and Natalie was especially interesting to watch unfold especially with Lucas being Olivia's husband and Natalie's past with Lucas, in addition to teaching with him at the elementary school. Olivia's character development was impressive too. I loved the strength of the female characters in this story.

Compelling, well-crafted and chock full of secrets and lies. This even had a beautiful ending, unusual for a thriller, but I loved it. I highly recommend this book!

The Innocent Wife by new to me author S. Royer-Derr, published by Strom Publishing is a literally unputdownable, read it cover to cover in one sitting novel.
Beautifully written and beautifully thought out, this pageturner gives all the feels.
Blurb: 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…

In this house, love and betrayal sleep side by side…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! Good book! This book had suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, gaslighting, and a few crazy twists and turns! The storyline was interesting, it wasn’t one of my all time favorites but still worth reading! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

This book was fast paced, suspenseful and full of twists and turns. I was shocked by one particular event towards the end and I just sat there with my mouth agape after reading that part. This was a pretty quick read, very entertaining and I read it in one sitting!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a crazy book! So many twists and turns. Lot’s of lies and deceptions. Theo and Lucas are creepy. So many secrets and betrayals. The book is wonderfully written. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

This is a well written high suspense story with only important characters ~everyone has their part in the
nefarious goings on in the families involved. From start to finish the deep secrets being protected were
buried, for both good and not~so~good. By the time we come to the home stretch the cards are all in
place and the evil is taken out of the picture and for a second…Or third time people will become on the
road to the peace happiness they well deserve.
My thanks to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for the download copy of this book for review purposes.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for The Innocent Wife by Sally Royer-Derr. It’s a fast paced domestic thriller that checks all of the boxes and wrapped up in a bow by the end. Natalie is a special education teacher teaching at a new school while raising her young daughter. A person from her past surfaces at the school, old patterns seem to reemerge, and strange things begin happening at home. This is a perfect book if you are a fan of Freida McFadden and are looking for a quick and entertaining read! Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Books for the ARC!

The Innocent Wife is fast paced, full of secrets and lies, deception, twists and turns and some down right nasty characters.

What can be better than that.

Natalie a single mum with secrets of her own has taken a teaching position at her daughter's school when she comes face to face with Lucas another teacher.

The staff and students adore this handsome charming man but Natalie knows better.

She knows his secrets, his lies, how he uses his charm to be the predator that he is.

His wife Olivia is slowly realizing something is not right with their marriage and her new found friend Natalie doesn't know how to tell her.

Adding to the tension someone is following Natalie, getting into her home and putting her and her daughter's life in danger.

Natalie is hiding her own secrets.

We all have secrets , some more deadly than others.

Sally Royer- Derr masterfully weaves twists and turns, red herrings that will have you staying up to the final page.

This was my first book by this author but it certainly wont be my last.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review The Innocent Wife.

Riveting. Intense. Emotional. This engaging thriller, layered with multiple secrets and twists, captivated me from the first page to the last. A must read you should add to your TBR immediately!

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Innocent Wife by Sally Royer-Derr due to be published January 13, 2025.

Olivia Hanson’s husband, Lucas, is her rock; charming and successful, he offers her safety, security and the life she always dreamed of. Olivia is a picture-perfect housewife, smiling and supportive. Natalie returns to school and ends up teaching with Lucas. But Natalie knows the secrets Lucas has – and his lies. Will she expose him to her new friend, Olivia?
I have previously read two of Sally Royer-Derr’s books and loved them. This one had me hooked from the beginning. There were lots of twists and turns and secrets with all the characters. It was fascinating to see how all of them interacted and intertwined with one another. The ending was very satisfying, and I would highly recommend this one!

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