Wow!
Film of twists and turns. Just when I think I have it figured out, there’s another surprise.

Some of the surprises were less off a shock, simply because of the way the book is written. However, there were still plenty of surprises!

Payne tells an amazing story of Rebecca, who wishes to avenge the murder of Madeline. Madeline died on her honeymoon, and her murderer is yet to be caught.
The noon brilliantly splits between Madeline’s timeline from the past (just before her death) and Rebecca’s timeline in the present. Both give more clues as to what truly happened that eventful night!

So happy to have been able to get an ARC for this book! I am a huge fan of this author and loved their previous books so much. This one was not a disappointment at all. Probably my new fave from the author.


Never trust the husband, ever. I mean that is honestly who we will always look to after a wife goes missing....

Madeline is a newlywed who goes missing on her backpack trip honeymoon. Madeline, and her husband Benjamin, decide on a backpacking trip for their honeymoon after their previous plans had to be cancelled. They are joined by their closest friends for their honeymoon adventure. But things go terribly wrong when Madeline goes missing. Was it an accident or something more sinister? Someone from Madeline's past is here to uncover the truth. Was it Benjamin who killed his new bride? Or was it the best friend Gwyn who always wanted to be Madeline? Who cut the new brides life short? Remember, never trust the husband.

Okay so there was a lot I enjoyed about this book! I won't go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil too much. But here is what I did enjoy:

- the pacing! This was a whirlwind of a book that I could not put down. The first chapter had me hooked from the beginning. I needed to figure out the truth too
- The twists! I didn't see any of it coming
- Dual POTs/POVS. This kept me interested and wanting to keep going forward. I was trying to piece it all together
- None of my theories were correct lol. What a wild ride.

Overall, I LOVED this read! This was a fun thriller with lots of twists. Also, super well written and kept me on my toes. 4 stars out of 5. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a blast, guys! I absolutely loved it! I'm always up for a good revenge story and this one hit the spot in every way.

When Madeline and Benjamin meet, it's love at first sight! And shortly after he opens his winery, Benjamin asks Maddy to marry him!

Due to a hurricane, they have to cancel their honeymoon and decide to go camping with friends. But on their second night in the wilderness, Maddy is pushed off a cliff and falls to her death. Three years later, Benjamin gets engaged to Maddy's best friend Gwyn.

Enter Rebecca.... our mysterious narrator, who is determined to go above and beyond to find out who is responsible for Maddy's death.

I’m being purposely vague as the less you know the better! But I just loved the concept of this story. As we follow Rebecca who sneaks herself into their lives we also get to see Maddy’s life in a dual time line.

I'm being deliberately vague because the less you know, the better! But I just loved the concept of this story. Whilst we follow Rebecca as she installs herself in Gwyn and Benjamin’s lives, we also get to know Maddy's life in a dual timeline.

With almost every chapter ending on a cliffhanger, I found myself reading into the wee hours of the night!

I did guess a few great twists, but that didn't detract from the fun of reading a well thought out plot. Kudos to the author for creating such a badass MC! I love how she never lost focus of her goal.

I loved this one! 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝘂𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 was such a quick read! I ended up predicting who our narrator was, but that actually made me happy in this case. It’s twisty, it keeps you guessing who the culprit was because they each had their motives and the ending twist was so satisfying! Many thanks to Thriller Book Lover Promos and Bookouture for my eARC. 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝘂𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 will be published 3/5 and I think it’s well worth the read!

Books like this make me love being an insomniac since I've so much more time to read! This was such an amazing book. Its set over dual timelines and dual povs. It never gets muddy or confusing about which is which, each has a very unique voice. I was suspecting absolutely everyone. The characters are all realistic and well developed. There's no *overly suspicious* character or someone the author is trying to hard to make seem guilty. These people are just naturally suspicious lol! It's well plotted out and you just never know what to think and who to trust. Which I loved!! This is everything I look for in a psychological thriller, the tension, the suspense, the always wondering...... perfection!

4.5 stars!

This was a ride!
After the initial hook, as I was reading about Maddy's life and meeting Benjamin, I just found her and her group of friends insufferable. I'm sure this was not unintentional. Having never read Jessica Payne before, I had initial concerns that the superficiality of Maddy and her life may reflect a superficial writing style from this author. It did not - the remainder of "Never Trust the Husband" is a very tightly controlled, strongly-written, and follows a genuinely ingenious plot.
This book was twisty and isolating - spending time in Rebecca's head was a really effective way of cutting us off from everyone else in the book and not trusting anyone or anything. It also lent a feeling of hopelessness that added to the tension. I will admit, I did guess the two (what I would consider) major twists, but I was still questioning certain aspects of those twists until the reveals. Also, having an idea of where the book might be going did not make it less enjoyable or less of a page-turner. It was really well-paced, atmospheric, and genuinely creepy at times, with the perfect setting. I'm excited to explore more of this author's writing, and can't wait to see more reviews of this book after pub day!

One of the BEST parts of a great thriller is when you NEED to keep reading to find out “What Happens”! “Never Trust the Husband”, by Jessica Payne is one of THOSE books! I recommend this for any Suspense-Thriller Enthusiast!

Madeline just married Benjamin and they’re on their honeymoon in the mountains, Madeline disappears and is presumed dead after 3 years without finding a body! Pushed to her death off a cliff, for what? Money? Jealousy ? Thankfully Madeline has someone on her side watching every move. It’s a novel of twists and who’s who!

Loved the plot, very creative with the narration. This one makes you question the husband, the best friend, the friends of friends and everyone who comes in contact with them. Without giving anything away, “always go with your gut instinct”!

The secrets and warning signs didn’t stop Madeline from the wedding and marriage she ever imagined! But upon her death, Gwen, one of her best friends, fulfills the spot next to Benjamin in Madeline’s home and her bed!

Entertaining! Engaging! A psychological thriller i recommend!

Why a 4 star? I thought the rapidly developed friendship between Gwen and Rebecca a bit far~fetched!

Thank you @thrillerbookloverspromotions Instagram for this eARC #bookoutour

I enjoyed this fast paced and super captivating tale from the start! The suspense never let up and I wasn’t sure which character had more to hide! This was a truly clever take on a missing person and I was suspicious of everyone! Rebecca was a force and I loved her methodical spirit! I don’t know if I could have done what she did and I admire her perseverance! Close to the end, I had an idea of how things would resolve but then the author threw in not one more twist but TWO that were fabulous! Being a fan of the outdoors, I loved the setting in Seattle and all the references to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I’m avoiding spoilers by keeping this vague but trust me-you’re going to want to read this! 4.5 stars

This was an excellent addictive read that had me gripped from the very first page until til the last. It is told in duel timelines, is easy to follow and has short chapters which kept me wanting to turn another page.

The storyline was good, full of suspense with some twists and turns along the way. The characters were relatable and believable although there are also some devious characters in the story too. It all made for a compelling and fantastic read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Never Trust the Husband" by Jessica Payne proves to be a captivating exploration of domestic suspense, a genre that is completely my cup of tea. Payne skillfully introduces a diverse array of characters, each adding a layer to the complex tapestry of toxic relationships within the narrative. The uncertainty of not knowing who to trust becomes a central theme, keeping readers on edge throughout the entire story.

The palpable tension is heightened by the watching and stalking vibes woven into the plot, creating a chilling atmosphere that adds a thrilling dimension to the novel. Despite my disappointment in figuring out the plot twist prematurely, Payne's storytelling prowess shines as the story unfolds, managing to maintain a gripping hold on my attention. The intricate dynamics between characters and the constant aura of mistrust make "Never Trust the Husband" a compelling page-turner, offering a suspenseful journey into the darker corners of relationships.

I love a good revenge story so this was right up my alley! This was an on the edge of your seat thriller that threw me for a loop! I couldn't figure out if the guilty party was Ben or Gwyn or both! It was heartbreaking to think that it was her BFF, but she did have a motive, and so did the husband.
There were some really good twists towards the end of the book that had me wondering why that never crossed my mind! Either way I didn’t figure it out which made the end so much jucier!

A nicely twisty dual time line, dual POV thriller. Who killed Maddy? No spoilers from me but this love triangle veers all over the place. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

It didn't take me long to know this was going to be a five star read. I stayed up past my bedtime because I wanted to know more. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I did not see the ending coming, I thought I had it figured out.....nope 🤯 Who do I need to contact about making this into a movie!!!

Never Trust the Husband
By Jessica Payne
Pub. March 5 2024
Bookature Publishing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

Wow! This book was fantastic and ticked all the boxes that make a great thriller.

💙 great plot
💙 suspense
💙 conflict
💙 resolution
💙 characters with depth
💙 connection
💙 twists
💙 some shock value

This book started with a bang and never let up till the end. I binged it in a few hours and was still thinking about it afterward, which is a sign of a well written novel.
The story mainly focuses on the characters Benjamin Rebecca, Gwyn, and Madeline .
Written in a duel narrative with a duel timeline, the story is filled with jealousy, lies and deceit, and revenge.There are also plenty of red herrings and red flags.. Who killed Maddy? Was Gwyn plotting behind Maddy's back to steal Benjamin? Were they both in on it?

Then, just when I thought I had it figured out, a twist from left field knocked me off my sofa. Addictictive and binge worthy, this is a book you won't want to miss out on.
I can't wait to see what Jessica comes up with for her next book, as she has quickly become an auto buy author for me.

Thank you, Netgally, Bookature, and the author for the advanced copy. This review was voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jessica Payne, and Bookouture for an ARC copy of "Never Trust the Husband".

"Never Trust the Husband" is a riveting psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. With its captivating plot, well-drawn characters, and expertly executed twists, it's a must-read for fans of the genre. I couldn't put it down and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping and immersive read.

Thank you @thrillerbookloverspromotions and @bookouture for including me on this tour and introducing me to @jessicapayne.writer !

Thriller fans, you need to clear your calendars before opening Never Trust the Husband because once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop!

I read multiple thrillers a month and not to brag, but I’m pretty good at unravelling plot twists. Jessica Payne totally tricked me and I loved every minute of it. The plot is so clever - every time I thought I had things figured out, Payne through in the perfect twist that left me 🤯😱

Never Trust the Husband is a thriller with emotional substance. Between all the OMG moments, there is heart and I was fully invested in what happened to Madeline and the present day lives of Rebecca, Gwyn and even the husband…

No exaggeration- I literally couldn’t put the book down - I read it while cooking, stretching, doing my skincare routine…. . My husband can vouch for my obsession, if you can trust him …. ; )

This book follows Madeline, who falls off a cliff while backpacking with friends and her new husband of only three days.

We go back and forth dual timelines from Madeline when she meets her new husband, and to four years later when someone who is so determined to figure out what happened, comes back to the town to try to get to know the same people to find any clues. This is after Botox, plastic surgery, contacts, so many changes she isn’t even recognized anymore.

I love the flipping back between timelines, I love the fun in trying to figure out who this person used to be while reading the past stories.
I wasn’t overall surprised with some of the twists, but a couple did get me for sure. I love when a book keeps you guessing throughout who you can trust, and this did just that. I also loved the writing style, short chapters, and the overall want to keep reading. I stayed up late to finish! There is a lot of stalking and following done in this book.

I would recommend for anyone who loves a good domestic thriller, such as the perfect marriage or You.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for this advanced copy in exchanged for my honest review!

Pleased to report that throughout most of the book I couldn’t quite grasp what was going on and who to trust. It was very much as though the truth was just out of my grasp, no matter how hard I strained to reach it.
A great premise and lots of characters who it was easy to see could have ulterior motives and trust issues all round. Lots of very complicated relationships and people following people who equally were following them, all desperately looking for the truth. In essence a young woman goes missing during her honeymoon with our knowledge that someone pushed her over a cliff, presumed dead. Later her husband is suddenly in a relationship with her best friend and engaged to be married to her seemingly in a hurry to declare his first wife presumed dead by absence.
Fairly relieved to say that I moved through most of the main characters, suspecting them each in turn, as I fear I was directed to. I did come up with the right answer, just a hair breadth before it was revealed but there were still some surprises I didn’t see coming. The sense of threat and foreboding that built up nicely throughout was sublime and definitely edge of the seat material. Definitely recommend.

This was a fun and fast paced thriller. I was questioning the characters and what was going on the whole time - who could I trust, who was lying, who was telling the truth?

I definitely would like to look at what else this author has written - I don't know that this will be a super memorable book but it was a great popcorn thriller and entertaining in the moment!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this copy.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author. It took me a minute to get into it but then I couldn’t put it down. I was sucked in. Was this story any way believable, absolutely not. Did it entertain and I never knew who did it until the very end, absolutely yes!

Looking forward to reading her other books.