Love, Honor, Betray

Lexington, Alabama #3

by Mary Monroe

Award-winning New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe delivers the latest thrillingly scandal-filled novel in her Depression-era saga of a church-going lady and her oh-so-upstanding husband racing to cover up their many sins—and gambling on one scheme too many . . .

With mysterious serial murders rattling peaceful Lexington, Alabama, Jessie and Hubert Wiggins’ steadfast calm and devotion to each other reassures everyone that faith will see them through. But the Wigginses have paid a terrible hidden cost to maintain their façade . . .

Hubert thought he and his secret lover, Leroy, could continue seeing each other on the down-low in peace. But when Leroy’s ex-wife moves back in with him, Hubert’s attempts to keep Jessie in the dark, plus his jealousy and need for satisfaction drive him to reckless extremes—and desperate risks.

Jessie believes her marital struggles will all be worthwhile if she can connive Hubert to finallyconsummate their marriage. But his erratic behavior and her frustration soon has her trying yet another new lover, who is as charming as he is unreliable—and unexpectedly dangerous . . .

Now with their secrets out of control—and the police perilously near—Jessie and Hubert discover who is behind the deaths plaguing their town. But can they risk a pursuit that could expose their own web of lies? When their only choice pits them against each other, their next move will either bury their deceptions for good—or reveal the one truth they can’t escape . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, African American, Historical, Audiobook, Romance, Death

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2023

About the author

I am the third child of Alabama sharecroppers and the first and only member of my family to finish high school. I never attended college or any writing classes. I taught myself how to write and started writing short stories around age four. I spent the first part of my life in Alabama and Ohio and moved to Richmond, California in 1973. I have lived in Oakland since 1984.

My first novel THE UPPER ROOM was published by St. Martin's Press in 1985 and was widely reviewed throughout the U.S. and in Great Britain. An excerpt is included in Terry McMillan's anthology BREAKING ICE. I endured fifteen years and hundreds of more rejection letters before I landed a contract for my second novel, GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. It was published in October 2000 by Kensington Books. GOD DON'T PLAY is my seventh novel to be published, and it landed me a spot on the prestigious New York Times Bestsellers list for the first time! My eighth novel, "BORROW TROUBLE," was released December 2006. My ninth novel, DELIVER ME FROM EVIL, was released September 2007 and my tenth novel, SHE HAD IT COMING, was released in September 2008, and my eleventh novel THE COMPANY WE KEEP, will be released March 2009.

I won the Oakland Pen Award for Best Fiction of the Year in 2001 for GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. I won the Best Southern Author Award for GONNA LAY DOWN MY BURDENS, in 2004.

I am divorced, I love to travel, I love to mingle with other authors, and I love to read anything by Ernest Gaines, Stephen King, Alice Walker, and James Patterson. I still write seven days a week and I get most of my ideas from current events, the people around me, but most of my material is autobiographical.

Reviews

[Lois · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hated it.
This trilogy could've and should've been a single novel.

CW: homophobia, respectability politics, racial trauma

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 = This book was loaded with drama and WTF moments. It wasn’t a bad read, but the ending felt lazily written.

[Jennifer B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series should have been a one book series. Mrs. Wiggins was so good that no other books really needed to follow. This book Love, Honor, Betray was just like Empty Vows, so much so it felt like I was reading the same book at times. The same boring Jessie and Hubert. The only difference was in this book you found out that Tyrone and Floyd, the funeral home assistants, were the serial killers, Hubert and Jessie confessed all their sins to each other, Jessie really got pregnant this time and it was Hubert’s which made it Hubert’s first biological child and Leroy died. I completed it because I’m not a quitter and wanted to fully finish the series but ugh what a waste.

[Niatate · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t like this book at all. Too much repetition from last book. Unrealistic ending. Barely touched on the “mystery” and who couldn’t see that coming anyway. Honestly this should not have been a series. The first book was good. The next two unnecessary.

****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****





Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

[Demetrius · Rating 3 out of 5]

I declare! Jessie and Hubert were some lying individuals 🤣

[Paula Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In LOVE, HONOR, BETRAY, we find ourselves back in the lives of Hubert and Jessie Wiggins in the third installment of Mary Monroe’s Lexington Alabama series. Things pick up right where the second book of the series ended, the serial murders are still plaguing the town with no clue as to who the culprits are. The killings have become more sinister with racial undertones as the victims are no longer young black women but now includes black men who are being hung in trees. Everyone is afraid and on high alert. This is beneficial for Hubert’s business as the funeral home director, but the potential threat to their lives is instilling fear. Especially considering the Klan may be on the loose and the police investigation is hitting too close to home to the appalling act they are keeping secret.

Hubert has managed to keep his secret affair with his lover Leroy hidden but things change, sending Hubert in a downward spiral. Jessie is dealing with the frustrations of being in a marriage without intimacy. She takes up an affair with a married man who proves to be too much for her. Will the secrets they share as well as the ones they are keeping from each other be the downfall of their marriage of convenience?

Although I enjoyed my journey with Hubert and Jessie and their messy marriage, I find this book to be a bit repetitive and wordy. The book provides some of the shock value as MRS. WIGGINS, but they are predictable moments as well. You can count on Mary Monroe to bring the drama and I am here for it!

[Cheryl James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3rd and final book in the series.

This series was entertaining. It was nice to re-visit Mary Monroe's writing. It has been a while since I read any of her books.

Historical fiction on a subject that is still relevant in today's world. It made me happy that the couple decided to tell the truth about their past, and stay together as a family, for now. Knowing Mary, she may spin the block, and give us an unexpected update!!

[Octavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can rate this higher than 5 ✨️ simply because it is from Mary Monroe. The Ending of this Trilogy gave me a shocking surprise. But, it just warned my Heart so much! If you have read this Author's previous series called, "The Neighbors Series," you will once again swiftly fall into her twists and turns of events!! However, this novel is an 4x Better! 🧡
After Book #2, "Empty Vows." I wasn't prepared for the "conversation pieces" and subjects the author decided to tread on, at that time. Yet, wanted to know how the Finale would be when I learned of this one being later published. I have adored Ms. Monroe's writings ever since her very first novel, "The Upper Room." And her "God Don't Like Ugly Series." She has always Blessed readers with very realistic characters. This time around, she took a very different approach with many ways that people could choose to live their lives. Decisions...Decisions...Decisions...
This author created Hubert and Jessie as wonderful characters to portray the Realism of the World today.
* Another Must-Read Series *

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to read Love, Honor, Betray when I read the description: depression-era saga, mysterious serial murders, husband and wife living scandalous lives. The setting of the country town in Alabama and descriptions of their day to day lives, food, and struggles were done well. The book gave me a fairly good understanding of what it might have been like to be a black person living in the south with the fear of lynchings, rape, murder, and abuse.

I was very surprised when the murders were solved about 2/3 of the way through the book and that they weren’t the focus of the book. The focus was more about the married couple’s sexual escapades with other people. It was kind of entertaining at first but became very repetitive and cringey.

The book is very heavy on dialogue with the characters conversing about a lot of mundane things and also so much suspicion in their discussions for no apparent reason. The ending of the book was unconvincing.

Many thanks to Goodreads for this book. I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.

[Kim’s Kindle Reads. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this one is my 2nd favorite. Jesse and Hubert kept me on a good ride. so much mess, drama, murders, fake pregnancies and then some. I was thoroughly entertained while listening to this. Jesse finally got some D from Hubert, he is DELIVERT hahahahahaha!!!

[Lexus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! It's a fun, lighthearted story filled with humor. As someone from the South, the church drama and scandals feel so authentic. Hats off to Mary Monroe for crafting such a relatable and entertaining read!

[Kelsie Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Honor, Betray is book three in the Lexington, Alabama multicultural interest series by bestselling author, Mary Monroe.

Book three begins where book two left off. Hubert and Jessie are both preoccupied with their married life and the secrets they’re keeping from each other and the world.

The story is again revealed through the alternating viewpoints of Hubert and Jessie, using appropriate chapter headers. Though part of a series, this novel works well as a standalone, due to adequate backstory. However, I recommend reading the series in order for the complete storyline. This book is appropriately paced throughout. The plot is compelling with unexpected twists. I give Love, Honor, Betray 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to all readers of historical fiction, especially multicultural interest fiction.

My thanks to Kensington Books, Dafina, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

[Darcia Scates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was over the moon when I received this advanced reader's copy. March,2023, her official release date could not come fast enough for me, so I wrote a letter to the publisher to ask for a copy and I was blessed! I received my copy in the mail last week. I was on the edge of my seat with books one and two in this series. I had no clue who was behind the scenes commiting the crimes. However in this book, you are given hints as to who committed the crimes. This book was good, five stars, but I would give ten stars to books one and two. Start with those, and end with this one, you will be pleased!

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect pacing
Great character development
Strong plot
Many jaw-dropping twist and turns
The narrators made this story come alive!

Highly highly recommend!

The South at its worst made for page turning-long listening entertainment

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was predictable. I never found out the details of the murder The Wiggins were involved in (Blondeen).

[Eros Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Monroe is so messy.
I had such a good time with this.
Book I is still my favorite but was easily my second favorite from the series.

-entertaining plot twists
-steady pacing
-unexpectedly funny
-8/10 audiobook
-40+ MCs
-small southern town
-conversational storyline

This is the 3rd book in the series but they can be read as standalones, imo. The author does a great job of doing a recap of the previous plots before continuing the story. I would absolutely recommend reading the first 2 for the mess & drama.

[PrincezzBookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series definitely gets messier the more I read. I cant believe the confessions that happened in this one. I am beyond shocked at the boldness of Jessie and Hubert.

[Linda Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series!!

[Elizabeth B Forsythe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I AM CURRENTLY READING THE THIRD BOOK IN THIS TRILLOGY. THIS IS A BOOK CLUB SELECTION.

[Rhonda Powell · Rating 1 out of 5]

not what I expected

I hope there is another part to this. Some things still did not get resolved. I will be waiting to see if it happens.

[Tracey · Rating 1 out of 5]

.5 star

I enjoy this series less and less with each book. Mrs. Wiggins was bonkers and there was a lot happening in that first story. The characters weren't likable but the story was at least engaging. Jessie and Hubert are just a dull couple. Even their extramarital activities failed to spark interest from me.

The one thing that kept me reading was waiting for the reveal of the serial killer. I was expecting a big climax around that loose thread. Instead, the reveal is by accident and the resolution done within a chapter or two. And then the book keeps on going for some reason!

The actual conclusion is lackluster and a drag to read. I just don't enjoy this as a series. And now there's a fourth book that doesn't even seem connected to this in any way. I have to think long and hard about whether I'll continue.

[Diane Rembert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone is killing black women in Lexington, Alabama and in this book, we find out exactly who the culprit(s) is, and it's downright heartbreaking. Their reasoning is absolutely disgusting, but justice eventually prevails.

Hubert's weekly visits to Hartsville are suddenly put on hold when his lover's family comes to stay and refuses to leave. He has a few encounters which force him to stay home with Jessie more, much to her dismay. Now, she must get more creative about her secret life.

Something life-changing happens and they both come clean about the skeletons in their closet. Us their love strong enough to sustain their farce of a marriage? We find out in this conclusion of the Mrs. Wiggins series.

I enjoyed this entire series and highly recommend that lovers of Mary Monroe pick it up as well.

[Pamela Murrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love, Honor, and Betray by Mary Monroe is the third and last installment of the Lexington, Alabama series. It was a continuation of the story of Jessie and Hubert Wiggins. This book dragged at times for me. The dialog was dry, and the climax was uneventful and to be honest I was bored and just wanted the book to end. Mrs. Wiggins was the best book in the series.

[Tamyka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed in this as a series conclusion and the turn at the end seemed to come from no where and made no sense based on the series seemed like a way to just wrap everything else but seemed to go against the character’s dispositions

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was filled with lots of twists and turns just like all her other books. This was definitely a page turner. :)

[Billie Atkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok book

[We Slay Book Club · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 stars

Trisha: 5 stars
Angela: 4 stars
Letisha: 3 stars
Brandon & Kelly: 1 star
Tracey: .5 star

[Bri The Shameless Romance Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tbh I think this book could have been combined with the second book into a 400 page read. It wasn’t the best and the 3 star rating is being slightly generous. The characters actions are somewhat repetitive/reminiscent of book 2. What really kept me intrigued was the mystery, but that’s all wrapped up at the 50 percent mark.

I get that this series is all about lies, the negative consequences of them and needing to be honest but the ending left me a little unsatisfied. Everything was wrapped up too neatly after all of the lies and craziness.

Also I wasn’t fully satisfied with how Herbert’s sexuality was developed or explored. I’m not sure if it was the author not being sure how to write it or if she felt it was more fitting to frame the story that way because of his religious beliefs and the time period. It’s just odd to me that we didn’t get any thoughts from him regarding him realizing that he could also be attracted to woman in a sexual way. I mean in the first book we get Maggie questioning if she could have had a regular sex life with the right man and gotten over her aversion of sex if she hadn’t married Herbert. It’s odd that we don’t have him questioning something similar or even contemplating if his attraction is just to Jessie.

I think if you’re truly curious about Herbert after book 1 it wouldn’t hurt to wrap up this saga with books 2 and 3. Otherwise it’s not really worth it. Book 1 hands down leaves books 2 and 3 in the dust.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.25)

I felt this one was *slightly* better than the second book, but it still wasn't as good as Mrs. Wiggins. To be honest, I feel like Mrs. Wiggins could have just been one book. I'm not really feeling this being a series.

Again, the murderer took mainly a back burner in this whole book. I was able to guess who the murderer was almost right away (it was very obvious) and I felt that it was a cheap cop out. Most of the book just consisted of Jessie and Hubert going behind each other's back and lying. Although they both did each other dirty, I feel like Jessie was way worse than Hubert. I already didn't care for Jessie in the previous book, and seeing the way she lied left and right made me dislike her even more.

I believe the fourth (and possibly final) book in this series comes out next year. I may check it out just to complete the series, but I don't have my hopes up for me liking it as much as I did Mrs. Wiggins.

[janekareadss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again, Mrs. Monroe does NOT miss when it comes to writing books! 🎯Lots of shocks in this book and I enjoyed reading it!! Glad that Jessie and Hubert finally came clean to one another. Wish we could hear more about their life after the baby but maybe there’s more to come 👀