My Lovely Wife is a gripping, darkly twisted exploration of marriage, unlike any other. This couple’s version of "wedded bliss" is far from typical, and that’s what makes the story so unsettling and engaging.

Samantha Downing expertly crafts her characters with sharp precision, drawing readers into their unsettling world. The blend of everyday life with sinister undercurrents creates a story you simply can’t turn away from. The plot is full of unexpected twists, keeping you on your toes as the layers unfold in unpredictable ways.

What I loved most about this book was the steady build of tension. With each chapter, more secrets are uncovered, revealing deeper dimensions to the characters and shifting the reader’s understanding of the events leading up to the shocking finale. The way the author brings everything together, with a final twist that leaves you reeling, is brilliantly executed.

This psychological thriller stands out for its well-developed characters and its smart, immersive writing. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why the genre can be so addictive—once in a while, a story comes along that truly surprises you, giving you that rush only a great thriller can provide.

Highly recommended for fans of dark, character-driven suspense.

A mesmerising novel which kept my interest throughout. Full of twists and turns. Great to see the family dynamics playing out

Samantha Downing never fails to deliver. My Lovely Wife is a great page turner. A loving husband, wife and two children, a wonderful house house in a friendly neighborhood. Anyone looking in would imagine a very normal family. The truth could not be further away.
The characters are enthralling and cleverly bring the reader into their world.
The story does get a little far-fetched but is full of twists and turns. There were times when I felt breathless with anticipation of what what coming next.
This is a really great thriller. An unexpected ending.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

A suspenseful thriller of a read that reads well and quick I was flying through the pages

Plenty of twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat

Thank you Netgalley for a copy for an honest review

This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

Wow what a book and why did it take me so long to read it. The story is from the point of view of the husband who has no name. It is full of twists and turns, right up to the end. The pace of the book keeps you hooked that you want to carry on reading. This is my first book by this author but definitely not my last.

While I can't deny this novel did keep me adequately entertained, I did feel like I'd read similar (in terms of plot, characters, structure and theme) so many times before. Yes, I enjoyed it but was also left a little disappointed that there is just nothing new here. Generic is the word I hasten to use. And as for the 'twist', I truly believe any reader that has read more than one thriller previously will have downright expected it, let alone merely guessed it.

Not without merit, but firmly in the middle of the road.

The blurb to My Lovely Wife doesn’t give you much does it? It piques enough interest but tells you nothing about the story…

Meet Millicent and her unnamed husband (our narrator). I must admit, I got to the end of the book and didn’t realise I didn’t actually know his real name. On the face of it, they’re living the American dream. He teaches tennis and she sells real estate. But they have an unusual hobby and this hobby just wow!!

This is a hard book to review as I don’t want to give away much more about this startling couple and their habits. Everything I read about them just left me wanting more, I needed to know more. My brain was just saying over and over “What The….”

This is twisted, totally and utterly twisted. The route Downing took me along left me stunned as to how twisted one story could be. How obsessed one person can be, how much of a pathological liar someone could be. Bloody brilliant!

Clever writing and a good storyline. Suspenseful and keeps you interested. Keeps you hooked right from the beginning. Interesting twists and ending.

This was the first book I’ve read by Samantha Downing but it won’t be my last. This book surprised me I didn’t know where it was going. When it was revealed I was like no way surely not? As I’d never read anything like it before.

I thought I’d worked it all out but boy was I wrong. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thanks goes to net galley and the publishers for proving me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Omg talk about a roller coaster read wow this book kept me on the edge of my seat threw out I just couldn't put it down this writer keeps you hooked and once your hooked your not letting go I found this book thrilling the characters were fantastic and well thought out and the little clues all the way threw keep you guessing until the end this book stays with you long after you close the book this book is well worth the read I promise you wont be disappointed

The book started good but then went downhill for me we had the typical twists and I saw them coming from a mile off which always disappoints me.

I really enjoyed this book there was twists and turns and I was shocked what happened was not expecting it at all was fast paced and enjoyed the storyline

Wow, what a page turner debut from Samantha Downing!

Could not put it down!!!

It’s hard to review this without spoilers, but it was a great domestic thriller for sure. I love books that explore marriages and relationships that gone awry and this fit the bill perfectly!
What a twisted novel!

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced reader copy!

Well written, well developed characters, good twists. But the whole premise of this is so ghastly, that I'm afraid it made it a pretty horrid book.
In the wake of a nasty abduction in London hitting the headlines, this read was too uncomfortable for me to enjoy, and I do wonder what the author thought about writing this, and how the book would be received.

Oh my word, this was such a twisted book! In the best possible way, of course. Diabolical, unique and thrilling, this was a brilliant debut thriller. Well recommended!

A gripping psychological thriller with great twists, guaranteed to keep you up late into the night. Looking forward to read more from Samantha Downing.

This is an intense book. Utterly gripping and I was just constantly surprised.

I love the books that you just can't put down and when the twist comes, it's just a complete shock.

I will be recommending this book to everyone.

The task of repopulating the senior library has been an exciting and daunting task aS in a boarding school our aim is to encourage all members of the community to read. Because of this, I have been searching down a wide and diverse range of books to read that will entice a wide cross-section of the school to come in, browse and find books that they love.
Books like this will ensure that the senior students in the school see the library as a diverse, modern and exciting place with books that speak to them and they want to recommend to their friends, classmates, teachers and tutors.
It is an engrossing and exciting read with fully-formed characters and a plot that ensures that it's hard to look away. It is as far from formulaic as it is possible to be and kept me up far too late in order to finish it. I immediately wanted to read all of this writer's other books as I loved their voice and found that it really drew me into the story and made me think about it even when I'd stepped away from this tale.
This is a thought-provoking read which I'm sure will be a popular and well-read addition to our new library; I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to read it and I know that the students are going to absolutely love it too!