The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

My first book by Liane Moriarty, but I have seen the TV-series Big Little Lies based on her book. I really loved that story so was happy to find this book on  'grab a book' shelves. 

"Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive. . . .

Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.

Acclaimed author Liane Moriarty has written a gripping, thought-provoking novel about how well it is really possible to know our spouses—and, ultimately, ourselves." 

I found this story absolutely fascinating. I love the way Liane Moriarty builds up the characters, slowly showing cracks in their perfect images. It is the way we always want to show ourselves from our best sides to the outside world. Why we can't admit our shortcomings. This is mostly visible in the character of Cecilia Fitzpatrick and her perfect life. Rachel lives with her life's tragedy hidden behind a neutral face. She cannot get over it and cannot live with it. Tess who thought she had the perfect marriage and the perfect friend finds out one day that her life is changing.

“Falling in love was easy. Anyone could fall. It was holding on that was tricky” 

Moriarty builds up the story with small changes in the average day of these people. There are no bigger than life changes, but slowly the main characters decide to take control of their lives. It is interesting to see how things develop. And, it is not entirely in the way you think. 

“None of us ever know all the possible courses our lives could have and maybe should have taken. It's probably just as well. Some secrets are meant to stay secret forever. Just ask Pandora.” 

I really liked this novel, the story of three women who learns that life has its surprises. You just have to decide whether you can live with them or not. Makes me eager to read something else by Liane Moriarty.