An explosive debut thriller about one woman's search for revenge - and the dangerous chain of events she sets in motion...

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

I'll be giving feedback in a couple of seconds ... when I've got my breath back! What a thrilling, sordid, heart breaking, infuriating, outrageous and quite fabulous little novel that was! Basic plot be 'hot mess ex-wife of philandering charmer unleashes revenge via Facebook' but there's a lot more than that going on here. Domestic abuse in the form of the most excruciating gaslighting I've encountered on the page in a long while, the motives and fall-out of revenge, the resilience of a mother's love for example. And the writing is so tension inducing, the sense of injustice so suffocating, the righteous frustration and anger so consuming that I was left exhausted! The sympathy I felt for Caroline had me rooting for her every step of the way until, well, I started wondering is she unhinged? And then I was aghast as I realised I'd gone exactly where Jack wanted Caroline to go - gah, so clever! And slightly horrifying. The character development of Caroline is so believable and satisfying though I would've like to see Jack suffer more at the end ... prison, possibly? Or a painful death? Ahem, yes I went there ... but Caroline moved on from revenge despite the rawness of her pain and as triumphant as her acts of vengeful justice had seemed, her emergence at the other end, damaged but hopeful, was an utter joy! In all this was a hugely entertaining read that dealt with some very serious issues (specifically gaslighting) in a way that managed to be fun, engrossing and inspiring without diminishing said issues into mere plot points.

This is a really good modern thriller. Caroline finds her ex husbands little black notebook and takes revenge on him. Well worth reading.

With not the most likable characters this was high stakes and fast paced. Following one woman as she seeks revenge this is a gripping read.
Caroline's life played out like a car crash, watching these things happen and knowing there is nothing you can do to stop them!
With themes centering on abuse and social media this was a brilliantly strong psychological thriller

You know the saying “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”? Well, it perfectly applies to this novel. I was initially attracted to this novel by the intriguing blurb and I quickly found myself immersed in this story about revenge and psychological abuse.

The protagonist of the novel is Caroline Atkinson, an acclaimed researcher, good at her job and respected by her colleagues. However, on the personal side, things are not so good. Her husband, the man she thought she was going to spend the rest of her life with, has left her and he’s taken their children with him. Now, all Caroline has left is late-night shopping and wine. Until, one day, a mistake delivers to her door something that could change her life. She gets her hands on something that can destroy her husband and she sets in motion a plan that not only will destroy his reputation and his life, but she makes it so that he knows she is behind all of it but there is nothing he can do about it.

As the truth about her marriage slowly comes out, as the author describes in details the pain not only of a woman betrayed by her husband but also of a mother desperately missing her children, I couldn’t help but sympathize with Caroline and her plan of revenge. She could appear cold and emotionless, but she is humanized by her guilt and doubts as she continues with her plans, by her heartbreak over her children, and by her constant emotional dependence to her husband.

I loved that most of the novel is an internal dialogue that Caroline has with her ex-husband in which she explains to him all the ways she is going to make him pay. The multi-layered and complex characters and the gripping and twisty plot kept me completely hooked, from the first to the last page. PERFECT TEN is a dark and thrilling novel about domestic abuse, revenge, and privacy, it kept me glued to the page.

Getting revenge on that special someone certainly seems to be featuring in many crime fiction novels of late, and this book runs with that as its central theme too. It skirts the periphery between being women's fiction/chick lit and thriller, and will be enjoyed by fans of both genres.

The story has lots of quirky features and a distinctive feminist overtone to it, that sets it apart in a crowded marketplace. The two mian characters, Caroline and Jack, are both deeply flawed individuals with a knack for setting fire to the relationships that mean the most to them. Ward impressively plays on the notion that you can never judge a book, or a family, by its cover. What is perceived, is not always the reality of the situation. Although this theme is ubiquitous in the genre and often makes for compelling reading, I find a lot of the stories far-fetched. This is due to the fact that I would never waste my energy trying to avenge something in particular. This is another one of those tales where I cannot help but ask why on earth would Caroline pump everything into her desire for revenge? Why not move on, and be the better person!? And there we go, I reckon i've just answered my own question! It quite simply makes for a thrilling story!

A well written book that plays on stereotypical behaviour, and a short, sharp and easy readable narrative, 'Perfect Ten' delivered a fun, outrageous storyline exactly when I needed just that. This is Jacqueline Ward's debut psychological thriller, and boy what an excellent debut it is. Jacqueline writes stories about strong women and their lives and loves, exploring the real life emotions of revenge, obsession, rage, trust, guilt and joy. Each of these emotions play a substantial role in this story and perfectly illustrate how strong feelings can make us do things we later regret. I look forward to seeing what work Ms. Ward publishes in the future.

Many thanks to Corvus for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Fantastic book which kept me hooked right until the end. Fast paced and great characterisation. Loved the fact that as a reader you were questioning how reliable the narrator was for most of the novel.

Caroline is a compulsive hoarder, has a drinking problem and has lost her children to her ex due to her mental instability. At least that’s what he would like you to believe, but then again Caroline is willing to go to really crazy lengths to get revenge on Jack and his perfect partners.

Throughout the story the reader is never quite sure whether Caroline is a complete fruitcase and fits the criteria for her own psychopathy test or whether her ex is the actual threat. That in itself is the actual dilemma, especially in real life scenarios. In a he said, she said situation the more convincing liar is the one who is believed.

At a certain point in the story there is no clear distinction between Caroline and Jack, which is the whole point of or rather the moral of the story. Neither of them are doing what is best for their children, while they are consumed with hate and revenge for each other. Regardless of who started what and who was at fault first, they have both become right-fighters and fight to be right instead of fighting for what is right for their two children. A tale as old as time when it comes to divorce and separation.

From personal experience I can tell you that if the intelligent well-educated Caroline plays nice then she has no hope of keeping her children, because when you are dealing with a manipulative abuser with psychopathic tendencies, playing nice and being therapeutically correct just doesn’t cut it. If your ex is a two-faced individual, who has a charming side for the outside world and a ruthless abusive one for you, then the majority of people will want to believe he is mister nice guy, as opposed to the nightmare he really is.

Friends don’t want to be involved, and yet take sides anyway. People who know the truth brush it aside for a more convenient and pleasant narrative. Family members protect and enable the abuser. The only way to win against a person like that is to play dirty too. You have to leave your morals and good intentions at the front door.

You know what the best and most ironic thing about this book is? The title. Perfect Ten is the Holy Grail of imaginary perfection, and just so we are clear the grass isn’t greener on the other side – it’s still just plain old green.

Ward is an expert at keeping her readers on their toes in this potent tale of revenge, obsession, control and abuse. She makes it easy to comprehend how an abuse victim is unable to recognise the abuse and to fall into the trap of a self-fulfilling prophecy, especially when the victim is subjected to repeated messages about her supposed mental ill-health, her inability to be a good mother and her lack of self-worth.

It’s a tense and frustrating reminder of the injustice many victims experience in situations like this, and how many abusers can convince everyone around them that they are the victims instead. You have to be your own army, because trust me when the going gets tough you’ll find your so-called friends were never friends in the first place. I think the author wants us to think about that the next time we pass judgement too quickly or decide sitting on the bench is better than supporting someone in genuine need of a helping hand.

I enjoyed the read, because it rang a lot of bells for me and despite it seeming far-fetched, dramatic and wee bit like a television drama, I can assure you this is the unfortunate reality for many in abusive relationships. Kudos to Ward for highlighting the more manipulative, controlling and psychological side of abuse.

A quick and pacy read, Perfect Ten tells the story of Caroline, a woman scorned and out for revenge on her cheating husband. Jack has destroyed her life, torn away her children and her friends, and reduced her to a broken shell. Can she exact revenge on this monster and get her kids back?

I read this through in just two sittings - although it's fairly predictable in places it remains a real page turner. Recommended.

I liked this book and the story. Caroline is a professional psychologist who has, thanks to her ex husband’s lies, lost her friends, social standing and children. Jack made Caroline out to be delusional as she thought he was having affairs.
Caroline is struggling to find her feet when her Jack’s luggage is accidentally delivered to her house. In it Caroline finds a journal detailing all of her ex husbands affairs complete with a rating out of ten. Caroline hits rock bottom but decides to get revenge on her husband and the women he cheated with.
This book really shows the perils of social media as she begins to out the women and everyone has an opinion. I liked this and the characters and the f@t that even as a professional sometimes emotions override everything. As Caroline follows her path of revenge she finds that she is finding herself again.
A great debut and I would read the author again.
Thanks to Atlantic books and NetGalley for an ARC.

The plotline of this book drew me in from the beginning, the bitter divorce the cheating ex husband who's ex wife wants revenge however I have to say I do think that sadly I think this book could have been shorter than it was because I felt like I was reading it for a long time.

As characters go you aren't suppose to like Jack and that much is clear from the get go and you don't like him he's a terrible human being however caroline although I found myself rooting for her and her mission to get revenge I also questioned some of her choices along the way. Sleeping with married men when the same thing has been done on you is a huge no no for me, it felt like it made her less likeable as a character, yes she was drinking and sad when it happened but these were womens husbands, women whom had done nothing to deserve it.

Over all the book was very slow paced but the ending was rather rewarding

This book could have been much shorter. There are bits that could be shorter. (See what I have done here?)

I liked the plot idea, all of us know really book smart people with strong careers falling for absolutely unworthy people. The heroine, Caroline has a PHD and rock solid career, knows psychology but still gets abused by her manipulative husband, and these things do happen in real life. I loved the tension and her careful planning, but I feel the plot was a bit over the top after 70% - too much going on!

Not bad for a holiday read but I wish it was less repetitive.

I received Perfect Ten by Jacqueline Ward from Netgalley.

I can't remember when I was so completely hooked by a book. At the beginning I had to limit the amount I read because it was just so shocking I couldn't cope with it. But as the story unfolded I found it more and more compelling, and sadly, so believable.

I will certainly look out for Ward's novels in future and I thoroughly recommend this psychological thriller, you won't be disappointed.

realy enjoyed the storyline. one womans desire for revenge on her exresults in a rollercoaster ride of events.

A great novel about getting revenge on that one person!

This book was very interesting and fun to read. The story opens with Caroline, who finds her ex husbands little notebook in one of the suitcases that got accidentally delivered at her house.
In this notebook, Jack marks all the women he slept with on a scale of 1 to 10, also the women he slept with while married to Caroline.

Caroline is still fully enraged by his cheating and decides to exact some well deserved revenge on Jack. What follows is a war on social media.

I would really recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with some revenge mixed in.