This book has such a unique storyline and the last 15% of the book was wild and amazing but the lead up was quite boring and I had to force myself to get through a lot of it because I knew it had to be going somewhere good. The writing was good and it was easy to follow along but I think the pacing was off which took away the excitement I had.

This is a great read. The plot twists and turns and keeps you guessing right until the last page. Not only is this an engrossing thriller, but it's a good exploration of what it means to be in a violent relationship: how the main character wrestles with self-doubt and must keep her resolve in an atmosphere of abusive gaslighting.
I will definitely read this author again.

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC, which I received in exchange for this honest review.

Overall I did enjoy the book, however I found it took a long time to get going. The first 60% or so of the book I found quite slow and the main character repetitive and a little frustrating. Towards the end of the book it picked up pace a little and overall I found myself enjoying it.

The twists and turns were a little lacking and fairly predictable however I enjoyed the chapters which delved a little deeper into the characters past lives.

The book deals with some difficult and sensitive issues well whilst still staying an easy read with nothing too over the top or distressing for the reader.

📖Book review 📖

The Stranger in my bed by @karenkingauthor
Publish date 23rd November 2020

Thank you to @netgalley and @bookouture for this advanced readers copy, in an exchange for an honest review.

A new to me author, who I immediately loved and am looking forward to reading all her other books.

This was fantastic, I was so excited reading it and rushed through it in a few hours.

The characters were all so interesting, I enjoyed that we saw the situation from different point of views. The twists kept coming and I didn’t know who or what to believe!

This is the authors first step into psychological thrillers normally writing within the genre of romance. This can not be the last, phenomenal writing!

#netgalley #netgalleyreview #karenking #thestrangerinmybed #bookouture #bookreview #bookcommunity #booksofinstagram #bookstagram

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC, which I received in exchange for my honest review. The Stranger in My Bed is a domestic thriller with a very interesting premise. Freya has been married to Phil for two years, when he is involved in a serious auto crash that leaves him with amnesia. During their whirlwind courtship and wedding, Phil seemed to be the perfect man. The reality of marriage proved to be quite different however, as Phil was an adulterous and abusive control freak.

The accident takes place on the night when Freya had finally reached her limit and was intent on leaving her husband. The book poses an interesting question, if an abuser has no memory of their abusive behavior and now seems to be the charming man he once was, should you give him a second chance? Spoiler alert, water always seeks its own level.

The book is repetitive at times and some readers may become frustrated with Freya's indecision. Having done some legal work for abused wives, I found Freya's mixed feelings of hope, guilt and determination to be very authentic. It is easy to say that you would leave someone after they hit you but the reality is that women stay for many reasons.

I was very satisfied with the conclusion of the story and I feel that everyone got what they deserved in a manner of speaking. Be sure and read the author's note at the end of the book for more information on seeking assistance if you are in an abusive relationship.

What is the man that tormented you the man that made your life a living hell lost his memory would you use it to get revenge? Amazing book based on this premise. I highly recommend.

Freya and Phil had a whirlwind romance and became married. They had a tumultuous marriage and Phil had a horrible car accident the night Freya had enough of Phil's abuse and decided to leave him, Then there was a terrible turn to Freya's situation, What should she do now? Should she stay or leave? I'm not sure what I would have done but I couldn't read fast enough to see what unfolds. There are twists that will leave you wondering what is really going on? Who can you believe? Everyone in the book has something to hide and it all ties together with one shocking twist at the end! I enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the authors other work.

Thanks NetGalley for this read.

This book suspenseful. It was pretty fast to finish. I enjoyed the book. The characters were great to get to know.
It wasn't bad..... Just wasn't what I thought it would be.
Overall pretty good.

What would you do? Freya is desperate to leave her marriage. Phil was the perfect husband at the beginning: attentive, loving, thoughtful. But the mask slipped and Phil showed the angry, aggressive side of his nature – meaning Freya is going. As she leaves, she’s told by police that her husband has been in a car crash, and she quickly realises that he doesn’t remember anything about the last two years, since their honeymoon. Freya knows it’s a gamble to give him another chance but Phil does appear a changed man. But is it safe to do so? I liked the mini plots that stemmed from the lead story, and thought it was a tense, taut read.

Psychological thriller this isn't. I found this a very lame attempt at a thriller. There was no on the edge of your seat reading that was needed. 
The opening of the synopsis says ‘We have a patient who has been involved in a serious accident. We believe he’s your husband.’ That doesn't happen, the police know exactly who he is!
None of the characters were at all likeable, Freya especially. I have no idea how many times the author used "vulnerable" in the book, but it was her word of the work. 
I have no doubt there are men like Phil, all charm and everyone thinks he is wonderful, but Freya was an educated woman in her thirties with a good job.
It was fairly obvious where all this was heading and the ending was as predictable as it was disappointing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for my ARC in return for an honest review.

I wanted to read The Stranger in My Bed as soon I saw the amazing blurb but I’m left feeling upset with how predictable this was. There’s some great twists that could and should have happened!

Don’t get me wrong, the writing is fantastic and the characters as well. I just like a few surprises in a thriller and to be this felt more like a drama. Extra points for the great ending!

Great title,
Attractive blurb
BUT
Predictable plot, not immersive much for me. It is an okay read which can be overlooked if you are looking for an adrenaline filled, rollercoaster of a book which twists your mind and keeps you guessing.

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Net Galley for granting me this book in return for an honest review. I do not want to give the story away - it’s covered in the synopsis but I would say this is the first book I have read by this author and enjoyed it immensely. I loved the style of writing how it covered the different characters and their feelings and from page one was hooked by the drama within.

I did not want to put it down and could not wait for the next chapter totally absorbing and would highly recommend.

Freya thought she had met the man of her dreams when she first shared a table in a busy coffee shop. Tall, dark and handsome, Phil soon swept her off her feet; roses, romantic lingerie and holidays - you would think she had it all. But her marriage had turned sour, There was abusive and arguments, with Phil regularly blaming Freya for “pushing his buttons” and Freya thinking that Phil will not compromise. . After 2 years of marriage and the abusive episodes escalating into physical violence, Freya decides she has had enough and packs her bags to leave telling no one of her intentions. However, a visit by the police telling her that Phil has been involved in a car accident changes everything. How can she leave him now? By a bizarre chance, Phil has amnesia and cannot remember any part of his married life from when they returned from honeymoon. Freya’s sister Daisy tells Phil that they had had an affair - now she is pregnant, calling round when Freya is at work. Is this true? Why would he have an affair when he loves Freya so much? Is this an opportunity for Freya to regain the man she married, or is it really Phil who is to blame? Add into the mix Phil’s ex wife, his mother Aileen and a young boy called Danny and you will find yourself wondering just who to believe. The stakes are high in this fast paced psychological thriller; who stands to lose the most if Phil’s memory of those missing two years returns? Complementary copy received fromNetGalley.

Karen King’s debut psychological thriller, The Stranger In My Bed, to be published November 23, 2020, explores the darker side of relationships. Cleverly told from multiple points of view, the expertly woven storyline keeps readers guessing which partner is the abusive one and which partner is in danger. Told gently, as only an accomplished children’s writer could do, King’s thriller highlights the complexity of abusive relationships and why many victims choose to remain.

Freya and Phil Keegan haven’t been getting along for quite a while now. Surely the bruises, remnants of broken china and guiltily gifted bouquets reflect that something is wrong in their seemingly perfect marriage. One of them has had enough – the bags are packed and in the car. Then the unimaginable happens. Phil is in a near-fatal car accident and, although recovering, seems to have amnesia. How convenient. With no memory of the abuse, can the Keegans start over? Should they?

Readers familiar with the traits of an abusive relationship will instantly recognize one of the Keegans gaslighting the other. One of them will try to deny any knowledge of fights and even go so far as to play the victim. But you won’t be fooled. Will you? See for yourself. You’ve been warned: there are unexpected twists!

Amazon has a deal for you right now: $1.99 if you pre-order this thriller. At less than the cost of a great coffee, will you deny yourself the chance to sniff out who’s lying?

Thanks to Karen King, Netgalley and Bookouture for a great gift of an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Freya and Phil’s relationship at one time was what every girl dreamed about. Until Phil started changing into a man that Freya no longer recognizes. He becomes hateful and abusive. Freya was leaving him for good. That is until she gets a call saying Phil was hurt in a car wreck. He could barely remember who he was anymore. Freya decided that she would stay and make Phil pay for what he had done to her. After all, he could not remember her or anything having to to do with how abusive he was to her. Now she could get her revenge. While the plot was easily figured out, it did not affect my thoughts while reading it. The writer did a great job with keeping the time sequencing in order and throwing in some twists. Overall I think it is a solid 4 stars.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was an easy read for as I love thrillers, however this one fell flat for me. The writing was good but I found that I already kind of knew where the story was going, therefore leaving no real twists or surprises for me and I didn't particularly like or connect with any of the characters. Thanks to Karen King, NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Freya and Phil have been married just over two years, things haven't always been a bed of roses between the two of them.

With the marriage in turmoil and Phil becoming violent Freya decides to pack her bags and plans to leave, after another row Phil storms out and is involved in a car crash. As Phil comes round he has no memory since they got married can Freya put it all behind her and start again.?

I was pleasantly surprised by this read, I really enjoyed this I was hooked straight away and was really engaged all the way though, thinking who was playing who, kept me page turning and intrigued.

Highly reccomended ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Many thanks as always to Bookouture.

Saw mostly where this was going. Was overall a good read. Didn't draw me in as much as I wanted it to. Was easy enough to follow what was going on. Just fell flat for me a little. There was no wow factor.

This is my first Karen King book but it won’t be my last, I loved her writing style and I found reading this book like watching a movie, fast paced and having me wanting more. I did work out the plot early doors, but this didn’t spoil the book for me one bit, I loved everything about it. Family drama, Freya and Phil have a lot of secrets within their marriage, but when Phil looses his memory of the whole time they have been married, is it a chance for them to start over and forget the past? Unfortunately the past always has a way of coming back to us..