The Husbands: A Novel

I listened to this audiobook with The Walking Book Club and let me say I loved it! The Husbands gives such a real, accurate portrayal of working parents. Chandler Baker did a great job developing the characters and I felt like these could be people I would know in real life. And let's not forget the modern day spin on the Stepford Wives - love it! I can't wait for the movie and can only hope it's as well done as the book.

The Husbands by Chandler Baker (Author), Allyson Ryan (Narrator). The first person narration helped me enjoy this book because it made me feel like I was Nora. Her insight on marriage, motherhood, and working woman was so relatable. I know lots of Noras including myself. The story’s is a cautionary tale of: 1) what the cost of “having it all” might look like; 2)“be careful what you wish for”; and 3) in science, “how far should we go? and should we?” Nora Spangler is a successful Personal Injury Lawyer working in a Man’s World - her office frowns upon children in the office; Nora’s pregnant but hasn’t told the office for fear of losing the partnership; Nora’s behind in her billable hours because of her first pregnancy … it’s a struggle. Then there’s her home life. Nora has a loving husband with a young child and one on the way. Unfortunately, she seems to carry most of the domestic duties … which an issue for her that spills into her marriage. She is weary both physically and emotionally. Nora & Hayden go house hunting … Enter Dynasty Ranch - An Exclusive Suburb Enclave. “Every home in Dynasty Ranch had neat lawns. Every home is sixty-three feet apart. Every home is a model home, perfect, a promise of domestic bliss. The American Dream. The white picket fence.” At Dynasty Ranch, all the wives/mothers have high-powered jobs and are supported by their husbands. Who wouldn’t want this? It seems to good to be true … Nora thinks it’s something in the water. But as the story unfolds she often repeats to herself - “Question Everything?” Nora will find herself struggling with the question How far is she willing to go to get more help from Hayden? And at what cost? The Husbands is a MUST read. A Page Turner - The book had me from page one and kept me right to the very end … a very shocking ending. Chandler Baker has crafted a clever domestic/psychological thriller that makes you laugh, think, and gasp in horror all at the same time. Thank you to @macmillan audio and @thewalkingbookclub for the opportunity to review this book. Previous to this book I had not read any of Chandler Baker books. I enjoyed this book so much that I intend to read more of her books.

it's rather funny that I ran across this book during the Ruby F & Jodi H hubbub 😆