The Second Marriage by Jess Ryder
Genre: Domestic thriller, Suspense
Read: 1st November 2021
Audible
Published: 3rd November 2021
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
DESCRIPTION:
‘They’re lying,’ my little stepson whispers, his blue eyes shining with tears as I tuck him into bed for the first time. ‘They think I’ve forgotten, but I remember everything. I know my mummy is still alive.’
My best friend warned me that it was too soon to marry Edward, a widower with an adorable but troubled little boy. She said we were moving too fast. But all I could see was a kind, loving man, struggling with grief, who needed my help.
Yet as storm clouds gather above our small wedding ceremony, my hopes and dreams fall apart. None of my husband’s family turn up to support us. Instead of a honeymoon, we have a quiet night in. My wedding bouquet is placed on his first wife’s grave. And then my new stepson tells me he’s sure his mother is still alive.
What does Noah remember and why is his father trying to make him forget? Have I been completely wrong about my husband? What happened to the woman who came before me, and how far will he go to stop me finding out the truth?
An utterly unputdownable, gripping, twisty psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Before I Go To Sleep, The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl.
MY REVIEW:
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Jess Ryder's domestic thriller THE SECOND MARRIAGE.
A fast paced read that is as addictive as it is absorbing, THE SECOND MARRIAGE will have you second guessing as you plough your way through the secrets, the lies, the deception and the twists. Just when you think you know what's going on, along comes another sharp turn taking you on yet another bumpy thrill ride. I will say this, it certainly wasn't what I expected...and pleasantly so.
The story begins with Lily, having taken a job as 8 year old Noah's private tutor, ruminating over the interview she was late for and thus being swept off her feet by Noah's charismatic father Edward. What follows is a whirlwind courtship resulting in a proposal and a registry office wedding as she becomes Mrs Edward Morgan.
But as Lily is soon to discover - marry in haste, repent at leisure. For with Edward comes two adult daughters and a mysterious past which he refuses to discuss. His main stipulation at her interview should have been a red flag - forbidding her from mentioning Noah's deceased mother...EVER. And yet Noah confides in her that the rest of the family is lying; that they think he doesn't remember but he remembers everything; that his mother is alive. Lily is shocked. Maybe he's mistaken. Yet when she broaches the matter with Edward he becomes cool and distant, dismissing the idea as Noah's imagination and wishing it to be true. But Lily isn't so sure.
She confides in her best friend Marsha whom Edward outwardly loathes and does his best to keep her from seeing her. Classic control behaviour. But Lily will not be swayed. Marsha does some digging into his mother Clare's death which proves to be tougher than it should be. But her determination pays off and she has a doozy of a story to share with Lily about her discovery. The problem is, is it true? Is the information Marsha has uncovered her Edward? Or is it someone else? Because if it is in fact Edward then he has some explaining to do...not that Lily would believe him after the lies he has spun over and over again. So what exactly is the truth?
But at the centre of this story is an innocent little boy who awaits the return of his mother to whisk him away from a life locked inside the fortress his father has built around them. And for what? Is it to protect them? Is to keep others out? Or is it to protect himself? Lily isn't sure anymore. But one thing she is sure of and that is Noah remembers more than what the family thinks he does, despite being only 3 at the time his mother disappeared, and Edward is doing his level best to suppress the boy's only remaining memories of his mother. Surely that can't be healthy...can it?
Lily has no choice but to confront Edward with what she knows...and he breaks down with tears of relief that he no longer has to keep the secret from her. So why keep it in the first place? To protect her? Noah? Or himself? And what about his grown daughters, Tara and Georgia? Every time the three of them are together Lily gets the feeling they are talking about her as the conversation ceases the moment she walks into the room. Tara, the eldest, is constantly aloof and doesn't care who Lily is or what she is doing there. Georgia at least pretends to like her. And Edward? He just continues to appease his entitled daughters while Lily is inwardly fuming. While poor Noah is the pawn in some secretive game they seem to have going on.
Lily has obviously gotten herself into muddy waters and soon finds that she is in too deep to do anything about it without raising suspicion. I began to wonder how it was all going to end for all involved because it wasn't going to be pretty, that's for sure.
Surprisingly, I really enjoyed THE SECOND MARRIAGE as its fast pace kept me turning the pages to find out what happens next. And I was hoodwinked this time. I couldn't foresee the outcome as much as I tried to conjure up possible scenarios. So I gave up trying and just enjoyed the ride. There were enough twists to give you whiplash and enough unlikeable characters to leave you speechless. I didn't like Edward from the first moment. He was too smooth and too perfect that he had to be hiding something. He was creepy and controlling, and I couldn't believe a word that came out of his mouth. His daughters were two faced, bitchy and completely self-entitled. Lily was naive and honestly stupid to be taken in after just coming out of a seven year relationship herself. Noah, despite his obvious anxiety which was at times frustrating, was probably one of the most redeeming characters alongside Marsha who could spot the wolf from the sheep, even if her friend couldn't.
While in some ways it may not be hard to work out where THE SECOND MARRIAGE might be heading, there are still plenty of twists to keep you guessing and second guessing throughout. There is plenty of tension that makes it a solid thriller and like Lily, you're not sure who or what to believe.
Filled with secrets, lies and deception, THE SECOND MARRIAGE is intense and addictive read that is perfect for fans of domestic thrillers.
I would like to thank #JessRyder, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheSecondMarriage in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Jess Ryder is the author of five psychological thrillers - 'The Ex Wife', 'Lie to Me', 'The Good Sister', 'The Dream House', The Girl You Gave Away' and her latest, published November 2 2020 - 'The Night Away'. All titles are published by Bookouture. She also writes as Jan Page. With many years' experience as a scriptwriter, she loves watching television crime drama. Jess is a passionate reader and particularly enjoys thrillers.
Jess lives with her partner in London, UK and has four grown-up children.
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