A tense and engaging plot which will keep you wondering right up to the last pages about where and how this is going to end. Totally believable characters and although you sense who is inherently good and who is inherently bad, you still can't be 100% sure about what really happened. The end, when it comes, is unexpected but immediately explains so much.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis and title both were intriguing so I requested it on Netgalley and got the copy. From the synopsis, I gathered that the story will be about Vanessa who has some personality disorder or whatever but in reality, this book is more about a toxic relationship. So the synopsis is misleading.

Vanessa is 32 and lives with her old friend when she met Conner it took her only a few months to fall in love and move with him. After her mother's death she was in bad patch her sister supported her in every way. Now she is grown up and want to have her Dream home from where she won't have to move. She had developed the habit of visiting overpriced houses. Until one day CCTV caught her coming out of the house and the owner is murdered in the same time slot.

I found this book okayish. It kept shifting Now and Then perspective which I didn't enjoy. I found the pace a bit slow and Vanessa her self wasn't much likeable so it was kinda hard to feel for her. On the other hand, Conner's character was shady from the start. Her sister is the best character in the book, everyone needs a sister like her. There wasn't anything extraordinary in this book. The final twist wasn't much interesting too and the ending was predictable. This book wasn't even a proper mystery.

Another excellent read from this excellent author. I really enjoyed this book. It a quick paced fast read that skips between timeframes. Vanessa creates personas to brighten up her life while she escapes into a make believe world viewing houses beyond her reach. But it wasn’t always like that. Striving for the perfect life she makes mistakes, loses the trust of those she should keep close while being taken in by those she shouldn’t. Then comes along Connor and the perfect job and life should be bliss, but will it?
A great read clever read that you are really not sure where it’s taking you until it has you hook, line and sinker

A truly incredible read. Vanessa had the job of her dreams in media with a cosmetic company. After moving in with her boyfriend Connor, Vanessa begins to obsess about moving. Using pseudonyms Vanessa starts to book viewings of hugely expensive properties. But one property belonging to a childhood favorite author of hers leads to murder and everyone thinks Vanessa did it.
I could not put this book down.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good psychological chiller with a twist that I did not expect.

Ellwood's last book Day of the Accident was fantastic so I was really looking forward to The Perfect Life.
Sadly the book lost me towards the end.
3 stars.

A fabulous read, cleverly takes you on a journey that no one would ever want, kept me guessing right until the end, which makes it my best read for quite some time

Perfect Life’ by Nuala Ellwood in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

When Vanessa feels low and needs a coping mechanism she takes up different identities and makes appointments to look over houses for sale, houses that she could never in her wildest dreams be able to afford. It’s on one such occasion that she views Holly Maze House, a house that featured greatly in her childhood belonging to Geoffrey Rivers her favourite author. Vanessa knows she was in the house when he dies and everyone believes she killed him but could she have done such a thing and not remember?

‘The Perfect Life’ is another superbly written psychological thriller by an author who’s fast becoming one of my favourites. The story is gripping with excellent descriptions of Vanessa’s controlling boyfriend Connor, her best-friend Lottie and sister Georgie. Each character becomes an integral part of the story that quickly draws you in until you can’t stop reading. I became slightly confused at times as the chapters moved from one scene to another but not enough to detract me from my enjoyment of the story. This is an excellent novel not to be missed and I can recommend it without hesitation.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley . Ive read a few of this authors books so was really looking forward to it.

Written in alternate timelines so the reader is aware something has happened.

Packed with tension and suspense this is a jam packed read full of mystery and intrigue.

A insightful look at how far people go to create the perfect life with the perfect lie.

Published july 22nd

Following the death of her mother, Vanessa seeks the perfect life she craves. It seems she has found it in her new boyfriend, Connor, however it soon becomes clear that he is controlling and abusive. I found his the most compelling aspect of the story. The author illustrates how easy it can be for a woman to be blinded by love. Vanessa finds herself pregnant after unprotected sex she didn't consent to and decides to have an abortion. The fact that Connor is found guilty of rape sends a clear message to readers that this isn't ok.

There is another thread about Vanessa taking on alter egos in order to view houses she could never afford to buy. This was an interesting premise and I think could have worked well as a novel in itself.

Another key theme is the murder of Geoffrey Rivers with Vanessa as the primary suspect. He is the author of her favourite childhood books featuring a small boy named Angus and Holly Maze house, Again, the idea of incorporating parts of the childhood story was good.

The book alternates beween then and now and I found this confusing at times and it disrupted the flow

The climactic ending was well written. The perpetrator was an unexpected twist- perhaps too unexpected? As a reader, I felt like I wanted to have more clues ointing towards him.

I found the novel engaging and consequently finished it in a day. I felt invested in Vaness'as stoy- particularly her relationships with Connor, her best friend, Lottie, her sister and her boss/colleagues.

Overall, I felt there were too many different threads and lots more could have bee made of each. Perhaps more focus on how Vanessa felt - especially about the abortion .

Thanks to netgalley for the advanced copy.

Twisted,psychological thriller. Interesting characters and a big twist at the end. Wasn't keen on the then and now but we need the back story.

I received this eBook on @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is one hell of a twisty, psychological read that completely shocks you but keeps you addicted from the start. Literal mind games on the reader!

When I first started reading I thought I had the story sussed, but it is so cleverly written that the twists start before you are even aware. The overall story it actually very sad and I felt so many emotions for Vanessa, she really goes through hell.

I definitely recommend this book, especially if you like psychological reads.

Far from perfect! The Perfect Life by Nuala Ellwood ⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
⁣
Some may remember my raving review of The House On The Lake by Nuala Ellwood earlier this year. Having absolutely loved it, I was ecstatic to receive the advance copy of her latest thriller.
⁣
Featuring a young woman’s struggle to fit it and settle down, The Perfect Life was both predictable and relatable, provoking emotion but lacking a bit of an edge at the same time.⁣
⁣
While the ending is a certain win — a truly unexpected turn, revealed at a carefully planned pace — I feel the outcome could have evolved into so much more.⁣
⁣
The Perfect Life kept me glued to the pages, no doubt — yet it’s one to be forgotten soon after you’re through.⁣
⁣
➕ Rather light-hearted and easy to read, here’s a story for those who appreciate an entertaining escape.⁣
⁣
➕ Masterful execution of the then-and-now timeline structure, a pleasant reminder of The House On The Lake.⁣
⁣
➖ Lack of depth concerning the supporting characters and their journey took away from the experience.⁣
⁣
❗️ Is it worth a read? Absolutely 💛

Iv`e never read any of her books before and found the cover interesting.
Vanessa pretends to be someone else visiting expensive houses for sale that she couldn`t afford then after being shown around she finds a dead body, and the police see her running from the scene on cctv.
Spoiler Alert
The story goes off in another angle to her marriage with spousal abuse, rape, abortion and childhood memories.
Vanessa was a very weak unlikable person and I found it difficult to keep interested, I love murder mystery books so found this not to my taste but with plenty of turnings I understand why it got more 4/5 stars and does not put me off reading more of her books
Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review

What a page turner!! This had me gripped. Absolutely loved it and will be highly recommending it to my book club

I enjoyed this book. A good twist. We all want the perfect life never realising we already have it. She tries to be someone else.

This book has a lot to recommend it. Vanessa is an interesting character, and the situation she finds herself in is gripping. I did find the "now" and "then" chapters got a bit wearing. About two thirds of the way through the book I found my self skimming some of them to get to the end faster.
Apart from the structure it seemed quite well written.

This book only very narrowly missed 5 stars. Cleverly crafted, with mostly good characterisations, the story draws you in. I read it in two goes and was irritated at being interrupted. It's a little difficult to say more without giving things away, but I recommend reading it to find out for yourself!

What is a perfect life anyway?? This book is so very powerful, I was able to relate to it so much. There are two stories & a life lesson simmering in the background. To say that I enjoyed it doesn't feel right really, what I mean is that I couldn't put it down & wanted justice for Vanessa & wrongs put right. It's brilliantly written & I would love to read more from this author.

Many Thanks to the author and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book before being published in exchange for an honest review.

Very fast pace book. I couldn´t put it down, psychological thriller. I really enjoyed all the intrigues in the book.
Vanessa has been living with her best friend for a few years, but then she meets in a bar a friend of somebody who works with her. After a few dates she decides to move out of her friend´s flat and to live with him as we all see that he is the perfect guy and who does not want a perfect life with the perfect guy and in the perfect house?

Through the past and the present the author tells us the story of Vanessa, who´s mother died quite early. Vanessa was 10, when mum went out to get some groceries and a book of her favourite author and died suddenly in her car.

So when she decides to go and live with the perfect guy, her best friend doesn´t take it very good and she cuts her relationship, changing her phone number and even going to live for a while to another country.

Luckily her sister is supporting her all the way and when things don´t turn up the way they should with the perfect guy…. She is there to help and support her through the hardest times.

Tense, atmospheric psychological thriller. web of lies, paranoia, deceit, that created one big twisty and twisted story
I love thrillers so I enjoyed this book thoroughly from the beginning to the end finishing in one sit.

This is the second book I have read by Nuala Ellwood and I enjoyed this as much as the first. A clever story that encompasses many important issues in society, amongst them being social media addiction and the effects it has on depression and mental health issues. It also covered gas lighting., the psychological manipulation which many people are not aware of but is as damaging as abuse.