This was a quick page-turner of a domestic thriller. I found the storyline easy to follow and engaging...maybe a little too easy? I found it to be somewhat on a YA level with the dialogue and plot. The story itself was intriguing...a coach preying on young girls, past tragedies, poor choices, relationships gone bad, and more. It was just a little too predictable for me. If you're into a fast little thriller with a group of mostly unlikable characters behaving badly, this might fit the bill for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

I found myself at the edge of my seat devouring each page the entire time. A very good, fast paced thriller and I can’t wait to recommend this to friends. The story was well written and each character had the perfect level of development and backstory to make the book that much better. Thank you so much to Netgalley, Sally Royer-Derr and Storm Publishing for this ARC!

I binged this so there was enough suspense to hook me but I also feel like sometimes there was some confusion. Like when Natalie was so sure someone had been in her house, why wouldn’t she call the police? She had a child and lived near a school. She was so quick to talk herself out of it and someone who had a double history of assault and was on such high alert likely would not. There were also several coincidences that lined up which sometimes make a fiction book fiction but in this one things just felt a little jumbled at times. There were several things that were great like Haley’s storyline (her family and the principal’s reactions), Olivia standing up for herself and Jake (minus the “mom” scenario).

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Storm Publishing for my DRC.

It makes me sad to give less than three stars, but I didn't enjoy anything about this novel. There are just so many books out there to choose from in this genre and many are much more compelling and interesting. There was just so much inner dialogue and much of it was repetitive. There were lots of coincidences in the plot which made it unbelievable. The main characters were not likeable and they didn't seem to make any progress. Some details regarding daily life were unnecessary yet other details were missing which left some of the story feeling disjointed.

This is another thriller by Sally Royer-Derr. It involves 3 main characters, Natalie, a single mother and special education teacher; Lucas, another teacher at the school who had an illicit affair with Natalie when she was under age; and Olivia, Lucas' wife, who also started her relationship with Lucas when she was underage.

The suspense builds throughout the book because there is another character in the book but he is hiding in the shadows. As Natalie's relationship with Olivia grows, Olivia's relationship with Lucas is peeled open for examination.

The ending was not as illuminating as I had expected. There were a lot of coincidences, and some mistakes made by Natalie that I don't think were consistent with the character. But overall, a good read. I will continue to read books by Sally Royer-Derr because I enjoy her stories.

Olivia and Natalie and a mystery "Him" narrate this book, which is a cat and mouse type of mystery. They become friends, realize they have more in common than they initially believe, and join forces to help another. It's an intense and intriguing story, but I had a hard time engaging with the characters. I still enjoyed it.

I was attracted to this novel as the cover claims it is a gripping and unputdownable domestic thriller. Sadly it was a disappointment and did not reach my expectations. Maybe it was just a case of picking this up to read at the wrong time as I appear to be in the minority in my opinion.

A multi-layered storyline of which the main protagonists are Natalie, who has just started a new job in a school and a new friend, the wife of a work colleague, Olivia. They have a strange connection as a past trauma of Natalie’s surfaces again after twenty years as she discovers that Olivia is now suffering in the same way!

Lacking in intrigue I was not drawn in by the characters or the sometimes unbelievable events, as there were for me just too many coincidences. With thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review.

Trigger Warning - Grooming, SA

I enjoyed this twisty thriller by Sally Royer-Derr but it did make me feel icky in parts.

Natalie is recently divorced, and just moved with her young daughter into a home close to the school she just transferred to work at. On her first day, she is introduced to another teacher, Lucas Hanson. Natalie already knows Lucas but he doesn’t seem to recognize her. She remembers how he groomed and took advantage of her when she was just a teenager.

Olivia is Lucas’ young wife. They got married and moved towns as soon as Olivia turned eighteen. Over the past six years, Olivia has been catering to Lucas’ demands and high expectations but she’s tired of all that now. She wants to start making her own choices, but Lucas won’t let her…

Natalie’s daughter Emma tells her mom about the man watching her from across the street. Unexpected gifts are showing up at Natalie’s doorstep and she’s getting ominous texts. Who is the man watching her house? Has Lucas figured out who she is?

The narrative is told from Natalie and Olivia’s perspectives as they navigate their friendship, and work through their trauma. I stayed up until 2am to finish this in one reading. I won’t give the ending away but I had some theories and although I was wrong, I was excited to know I was thinking along the right path.

I can’t even explain what I read..so many things happened. Someone is stalking Natalie and somehow getting in her house. Her ex-soccer coach/boyfriend is a teacher at her new school..he is definitely a predator and she will stop at nothing to prevent him from what he did to her 20 years prior.

I enjoyed reading The Innocent Wife by Sally Royer-Derr which is incredibly intense. A book that is difficult to put down until the very last word. I sympathize and empathize with Natalie and Olivia to have known and having a relationship with Lucas a very annoying person. A thrilling chase of hide and seek with a cat and mouse. I recommend the book to anyone who loves reading thrillers and murder mystery

Meet Olivia Hanson, a young housewife to the highly successful and charming Lucas Hanson, a teacher at the local school where Natalie has just become a colleague. Natalie has just found a new place to start over with her young daughter, Emma. Running from her violent ex partner, Theo, she feels a new home, a new job, and new beginnings far away from his jail cell will be a welcome safe place to be. However, on her first day she realizes she will be placed in Lucas' classroom, she is thrown back to her own childhood, where she was romantically involved with her soccer coach...Lucas Hanson. As Natalie and Olivia's friendship blooms, we see they have more in common that they initially realized and they race to save another young girl.

I ate this book up. It grabbed me from the very beginning and I was enthralled. The characters were so intertwined and complex and I loved Natalie and Olivia. There were twists and turn everywhere. It is sent in three perspectives, Natalie, Olivia, and "Him." I felt the perspectives were extremely well written and switched from person to person perfectly. I did not find myself getting lost in the switches or confused. It is an absolute page turner, with the tension building from the very beginning.

5 stars!

However, please do note if age gap relationships and grooming triggers you, this may not be the book for you. Keep that in mind before deciding whether to read or no.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sally Royer-Derr and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I've read Royer-Derr's last two thrillers, both outstanding, but this one is my favorite of them all. I loved both Olivia and Natalie– two relatable and well fleshed out characters, adored the slow burn...and, of course, started page flipping like a maniac! I can't wait to see what Sally writes next. Rubbing hands together, itching for my next read.

Wow, what a fantastic domestic thriller! This book grabs you right from the first page and doesn’t let go until the very last. It’s packed with tension, twists you won’t see coming, and a story that keeps you guessing the whole way through—a must-read for sure!

The story is told through three perspectives: Olivia, Natalie, and “Him.” This setup is so well done, keeping you on the edge of your seat and constantly piecing together the bigger picture. Each character’s voice feels unique and adds so much to the unfolding drama.

The characters are written with real depth, and I have to say, Natalie was my favorite. She’s so admirable, especially in how she’s determined to help others avoid the kind of trauma she went through as a teenager. The author also made a bold move by including a teen predator as one of the main characters, which adds a raw and daring element to the story.

What really sets the book apart is how fast-paced and unpredictable it is. The twists come one after another, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, you haven’t. It’s a total rollercoaster, with the tension building perfectly from start to finish. Sally Royer-Derr does such a great job keeping you hooked and a little on edge the whole time.

This is a solid five-star read that I couldn’t put down. I’m already looking forward to whatever she writes next!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Crazy how one day you can be living your life and you are happy, very happy! I am Olivia Hanson, my husband is Lucas Hanson. He is a school teacher and has been for many years. I maybe young and naive ,but that doesn't make me blind and stupid!

Natalie Amaryllis is my name and my little girls name is Emma. Long story, but her real dads name is Theo and no she doesn't know. She knows the only father she has ever had is Jake. Jake is my best friend and he helped me I needed him the most. So.as far I am concerned my daughter will always think that Jake is her father.

Lucas Hanson is teaching math. I am teaching special education in the same school. I, being Natalie. I had Mr. Hanson when I was in high school he was my sports teacher. He was also my abuser.

Olivia and I become instant friends and soon best friends. Or did we......

There are so very many things that happen some good some really bad. This Has been quite the ride so if you aren't afraid come read a very twisted thriller you will not regret!

Happy reading!!

Sally Royer-Derr crafts yet another binge-worthy read! This is my second novel by this author and she is now on my list of must-reads. Her last book grabbed me instantly with the opening story lines, and this book was no different.

⭐️ Meet Natalie, mother to Emma. Natalie has dealt with big challenges thrown her way in life, and she is just starting over. A new home, a new job, new beginnings from her frightful past. But what Natalie doesn’t realize is she isn’t starting over at all. Her past quickly begins to catch up to her, revealing itself and unraveling in hidden ways.

⭐️ Meet Olivia Hanson. Olivia is a younger woman, the dedicated wife of Lucas Hanson. Olivia and Natalie cross paths and become friends. Natalie discovers they both have a connection.

⭐️ Meet Lucas, a loving husband who everyone is enamored with. He makes sure Olivia has everything she needs to live a comfortable life at home. Lucas teaches fourth grade at the local elementary school, in which Olivia volunteers on occasion.

⭐️ Meet Jake. Jake, father of Emma, loyal best friend, and husband of Candice. Jake is that friend everyone needs in life. He’s the type of guy who always puts others first.

This story is built on intertwining layers and deep-rooted connections. Sally Royer-Derr’s book of dark secrets, betrayal, suspense, and unknowns is one you can immerse yourself into immediately. The multiple POV’s and continuous twists make this an absolute page-turner. If you have not picked up a book from this author yet, now is your time! The Innocent Wife is out for publication today!

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Sally Royer-Derr for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
#netgalley #stormpublishing #sallyroyerderr #suspense

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for the book #TheInnocentWife by #SallyRoyerDerr. Natalie runs into an old acquaintance, Lucas, at the new school she is working at. She knows he is up to his old ways and is convinced that she can save his much younger wife, Olivia. There are a lot of secrets and lies strewn throughout this book and it is amazing. I couldn’t put it down.

Fast paced and thrilling! I read this in one sitting and was engaged the entire time. I was addicted from the very first page!

It was brave of the author to have a sexual predator of under-age girls as a main character in her novel. The plot was cleverly thought out but I found the first half of the book filled with so much unnecessary information that I almost gave up reading.

Lucas Hanson was the school soccer coach when he groomed fifteen year old Natalie. For two years they had an intimate relationship until her parents relocated to another town, moving her out of his reach.

It's now twenty years later, Natalie Amaryllis has returned to her home town after gaining a position as a teacher in her old school. On her first day at work, she's horrified to discover that she'll be assisting Lucas Hanson, evidently a well liked colleague at the school. He doesn't recognise her!

For weeks they work together in the same classroom, yet Lucas still doesn't recognise Natalie. Whilst twenty years is a long time, I couldn't accept that Lucas had no inkling that he'd 'known' Natalie all those years ago. Unbelievable!

The last quarter of the book improved, yet it's Lucas' astounding memory loss which earns my 2* rating.

This is my personal, unbiased opinion, judging by the amount of high ratings, I'm in the minority. With thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

The Innocent Wife
by Sally Royer-Derr
Pub Date: Jan 13 2025

First I want to thank #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for giving me the opportunity to read an E-ARC of #TheInnocentWife, what a fantastic 5 star mystery/thriller! My first book I've read by author Sally Royer-Derr and I'm very impressed with her writing skills! I plan on reading many more of her books in the future.

The main character, Natalie starts a new position at her young daughter's school. She's introduced to Lucas, a beloved teacher and colleague, only Natalie knows different! Natalie remembers Lucas, (now married to Olivia a much younger woman) from her past when he was her sports coach and groomed her when she was only 15, fortunately Lucas doesn't recognize Natalie. Natalie and Olivia become friends and Natalie is trying to find a way to tell Olivia to watch out for her husband as he can't be trusted....the story gets crazy, lots of twists and turns. An excellent domestic/trhiller that was very hard to put down! I highly recommend it.

Amazing thriller.

This kept me up on the edge of my seat all the way along the book.

I will checkout the author backlist this is an amazing discovery.