The Husbands by Chandler Baker – dazzling honesty

Nora is a full-time lawyer and a mom of one with another on the way. Nora is also married, although her husband does what so many do, view his childrearing responsibilities as “helping” Nora out. There’s the occasional hour of reluctant babysitting, but otherwise, husband (Hayden) disappears when the going gets even a little tough — lifting weights while his wife juggles a call with her boss and their child.

Nora and Hayden are also looking for a new home for their expanding family. And this is where Dynasty Ranch sparks Nora’s interest. Dynasty Ranch is an exclusive suburban neighborhood run by high-powered women who would love to welcome a female lawyer to their inner circle. Sounds great.

Well, we’ll see . . . 

For many of us (working) moms out there, Nora’s situation is one we can relate to. I was married once . . . before I found a second guy who actually shares parenting and household responsibilities *gasps* 50/50. A guy who does not keep score and is more than willing to pick up my slack. I have a lot of slack. I’m not proud of it. But such is life. Okay, but back to Chandler Baker’s The Husbands, which is part contemporary novel, part psychological thriller, and about as addictive as a nonalcoholic mojito. I love my nonalcoholic mojitos, but insert whatever poison sweetens the end of your day. What we’ve got here is a gender-swapped Stepford Wives, but oh, it’s deadlier and so much more fun than that! And as the plot unravels, Nora discovers that the secret to Dynasty Ranch and a shared “second shift” may be more than she bargained for.

I’ve read a trade review that referred to The Husbands as “feminist rage” — and, I mean, yeah, slap that title on and wear it like a badge. We need more feminist rage because I can tell you, there’s nothing dramatized here for plot effect. Making myself small, putting my career last, I’ve lived that. If you’re an overworked working mom, this book is both STRESS RELIEF and LOVE LETTER. You’ll be nodding along as the storyline unfolds and the theme of gender inequality is explored. 

A book for all the working moms. Pure power.

“We can elbow and push all we want for every packed lunch, picked-up towel, put-away pan, and scheduled doctor’s appointment, but until paternity leave is normalized, until schools call fathers about sick kids as often as they call mothers, until sons are given not just the same number of chores but the same types as daughters, until the helpless sitcom dad with a tool belt isn’t quite so loveable, I’m skeptical of how much ground we’re really gaining.” 

Chandler Baker, The Husbands

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Book: The Husbands
Published: Flatiron Books
Pages: 346
Publication Date: August 3rd, 2020
Stars: 5/5

Jonathan Ball Publishers kindly sent me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion, rating, or the content of my review.