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..”

This thriller builds anticipation and kept me guessing about what will happen next the entire time!
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my

You never know who you are married to. At least Olivia doesn’t. With the help of Natalie she might find out but Natalie has problems of her own. This is a well written twisty book. There was nothing that I didn’t like. Many suspects and no answers till he end!

Oh my goodness! I read this book so fast because I just didn't want to put it down. So many secrets that have to come out, some good and some bad. I loved Natalie, so strong to move on from a bad relationship. Olivia is a bit mousey at the beginning, but as the story moves on she becomes a lot stronger, maybe because of her friendship with Natalie.. I refuse to give away any of the secrets in the story, you'll need to discover them on your own. This is a great winter, weekend read and once you get started on the book you might zoom through it like I did!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

The Innocent Wife by Sally Royer -Derr


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.

An exciting read which had me guessing and say on the edge of my seat .
Great characters and a totally brilliant plotline . Had me gripped from the first chapter .

An interesting story that kept me engaged throughout. The characters were very well developed and the story moved at just the right pace. It certainly touches on the dangers of people abusing positions of power and grooming. It could be quite triggering for some had they been in the same situation. That is a testament to how well it was written.

This was a page turner, read in one sitting. Natalie is starting again, she has a new job in a school where her daughter can attend, but it all changes when she walks in to see her childhood partner there. Lucus is a teacher and doesn’t remember Natalie. Olivia is Lucus new wife and she starts to bond with Natalie. The secrets become exposed and the truth will come out.
Brillant edge of your seat read, I liked the different views from the main characters and the way the book was written. A fast paced psychological thriller. 5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

This was a fast paced thriller which kept me hooked from start to finish. Told from different perspectives which helped build up the suspense. I loved how well written the characters were and how the story just flowed throughout. I will definitely be recommending this to anyone loves a good gripping thriller. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this great book.