Holy cannoli! When I say that Never Trust the Husband started with a bang and never let up, I wholeheartedly mean every word. Between the boatload of secrets, underhanded motivations, and unthinkable betrayals, I couldn’t, for the life of me, put the deftly obscured clues together in time. Add in the heaping dose of red herrings, and there wasn’t a chance that my sleuthing would land on the truth before the final reveal.

The plot was pure dynamite as well. Told via the dual POVs of Rebecca in the present and Madeline in the past, the intricate storyline had delicious ever ratcheting suspense. Even the explosive climax was utterly spellbinding, albeit perhaps just a tad over-the-top. Nonetheless, the rest of the novel was genuine and true as I was pulled into the immersive storytelling from the very first page. I just wish we’d had a bit more to the conclusion, as I would’ve LOVED to find out what happened next.

The characters were finely layered with very real flaws that hinted at plenty of suspicious behavior, all of which brought my doubts out to play. With a relatively small cast and two vividly distinct identities in Madeline and Rebecca, I found myself wrapped up by the events right from the start. Each individual felt so real, in fact, that they almost could have walked right off of the page. Still, I would’ve liked maybe one more POV. Possibly Benjamin or Gwyn? Even if only a few chapters from their viewpoint, it would’ve given quite the perspective. But then, perhaps that’s me just being greedy.

Filled with jealousy, revenge, friendships, and love, there were plenty of emotions that ran the gamut from sweetness and light to twisted and dark. Addictive and binge-worthy, this is not a book to be missed. After all, it was a psychological thriller that took the desire for justice and turned it all on its head. Wholly unique and undeniably original, interconnected plot lines lined up just so as to keep me firmly in the dark until the two final earth-shattering twists. Trust me when I say, you won’t see them coming. I, for one, definitely did not. Rating of 4.5 stars.

Jessica Payne weaves a web in her stories and I am always sucked in in the best possible way!

Dual timelines and dual narrators, Madeline and Rebecca. Madeline's timeline starts with her falling over a cliff on her camping honeymoon with her new husband and several friends, and then takes you back to events leading up to her fall. Rebecca's timeline is present day. She is determined Maddie was murdered and is set on finding out for certain who did it.

This book had so many twists and surprises. I could not stop reading and was on the edge of my seat right up until the end.

I thought I knew how things would turn out. I was close on part of it. And I loved where it went and the ending.

If you love a twisty thriller, grab this one in March!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and allowing me to take part in this tour!

Omg! This book was classic Jessica Payne where from the very first chapter i was hooked and the suspense did not let up. This book is so cleverly plotted and the twists were so well done and very unexpected!

Payne is getting better and better with each book and i feel this one is going to be a winner for all psychological and domestic thriller lovers.

Easy to binge, addictive and a shocking ending! Thank you SO much to Bookouture, netgalley and Jessica Payne for the ARC of this book. Can't wait for the next haha!

I needed a book that would be gripping and interesting and I’m glad I picked this one. The plot sounded very intriguing and it did not disappoint me. It wasn’t necessarily the most fast-paced novel but its pace was steady enough to keep my interest. I guessed one reveal early on but I absolutely loved that, I thought it was brillant and malicious and I love malicious. And the writing was very pleasant.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

This is the fourth book I've read from Jessica Payne and the fourth book I loved! Although I did pick up on who everyone was before the reveal, I still enjoyed the journey to get there! Watching Rebecca creep around, following Ben and Gwyn, was super fun. I almost felt like I was watching them myself. The tension was great between every character, and I was happy with how it ended.

🍿 If this was a TV series, you would call it BINGEABLE!!
How far would YOU go to avenge a MURDER?

Every night Rebecca watches Benjamin and Gwyn in their glass-front Seattle home, which overlooks the gorgeous Puget Sound-the house that Madeline bought him.

Madeline’s husband and her BEST friend. Newly engaged.

The official story is that she disappeared, but Rebecca knows that isn’t QUITE the truth.

She knows that Benjamin’s winery is in trouble, and that he desperately needed your money.

She also watched the way Gwyn looked at him at your wedding reception, finding reasons to be close, and always laughing at his jokes-jealous of her “best friends” perfect life.

And, Rebecca is determined to make sure that they DO NOT get away with murder.

Set with the perfect backdrop of Seattle tasting rooms, and its Woodinville wineries-I poured myself a glass of vino 🍷and settled in for the ride!

I had gotten away from reading the Psychological Thrillers that I had spent much of 2022 choosing as they had become TOO over the top and twisty, But I was in the mood for something FUN and this synopsis was IRRESISTIBLE!

And, Jessica Payne has delivered EXACTLY what I was craving in this twisty, entertaining and addictive psychological thriller. Was it OTT? Yes. And, this time I didn’t care a bit!!

I had not read her work before, but I know who to turn to now! I was engaged from the start, and just HAD to find out how it would play out!

Expected publication date: March 5, 2024.

Thank You to Bookouture for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

Don't you love a not so perfect marriage? Especially in a thriller. Never Trust the Husband is a non-stop fast paced action packed thriller that will give you Girl On the Train / Gone Girl vibes. These are truly my favorite types of books to read where nothing is as it seems. Rebecca is grieving the death of Madeline, her best friend and is focused on watching Benjamin (Madeline's husband) nonchalantly move on with his new life. There was so much to unpack with Madeline's history and their web of secrets amongst their inner friend group. I really enjoyed this book and would give it a 4/5 - I highly recommend if you enjoy fast paced phycological thrillers.

It’s another TWISTY McTWISTFACE of a thriller by @jessicapayne.writer 🤩🤩

A devious cat and mouse, revenge-driven story which will have you “one more chapter-ing” into the wee hours. Great characters, effortless writing, dual timelines, it has it all.

Maddy (young, gorgeous, rich) marries Benji, the chap of her dreams!Unfortunately her dreams are cut short when she tragically meets her end at the bottom of a cliff while on her honeymoon with Benji and her friend Gwyn (why is Gwyn on Maddy’s honeymoon you ask… well the bigger question is why is Gwyn engaged to Benji a few years later…?! 👀) Someone is hell bent on finding out what happened to Maddy, and discovering just what Gwyn and Benji are up to…

I was so absorbed in this book and was hooked up to the very end (THE END…!)

I’ve read two of Payne’s books, this and The Good Doctor but she has just cemented herself as an autobuy author for me now. Pop this one on your TBR this very minute. Better yet, pre-order it for its release on 5th March.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚…...💔

Special thanks to @thrillerbookloverspromotions @jessicapayne.writer Bookouture and NetGalley for this #gifted e-ARC.

➡️ swipe for synopsis 👉🏼

MY REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is another great Jessica Payne book! The ending is a *chefs kiss*. I loved the dual POVs and dual timelines. Those are always a hit with me. But it did seem a bit of a slow burn for me - those are hard for me.
The story itself seems pretty straight-forward. You think you know where it's going, but WHO DID IT?!
Then BOOM 💥 twist🤭. And you're like ..... but there's still like 30% of the book left soooo that's not REALLY the answer...... and then it's like a steep downhill slide into a crazy ending, in typical Jessica Payne fashion.

Definitely recommend this one. She always has great thrillers, and it reads pretty quickly, too!

QOTD❓️⁉️❓️Do you often call the twist in a book, and find out you're wrong in the end?

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#thrillerbooks #suspensethriller #thrillerreader #thrillerlover #thrillerobsessed #bookrecs #bookreview #bookstagram #bookaholic #booklover #bookstagrammer #booklove #bookcommunity #bookobsessed #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #booksofig #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookishfeatures #tbr #tbrpile #bookbuzz #mysteryandthrills #thrillerbooklovers #thrillerfriendsunite #jessicapayne #nevertrustthehusband
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Even the title is catchy…a novel of mystery and intrigue…this talented author has written a page turner. Love and romance…family and friends…a recipe for an afternoon of guessing and predicting. That being sad, the different voices and time lines were confusing. Don’t try to discern the ending…secrets and red herrings…thanks Netgalley.

Thank you to Jessica Payne, Bookouture and Thriller Book Lover Promotions for the ARC!

Rebecca isn’t who she says she is. Because she is grieving the death of her friend Madeline, and doesn’t like seeing that her husband, Benjamin, is now engaged to Madeline’s former best friend Gywn. Madison was killed under mysterious circumstances; could one of these two be responsible? And if so, why? Rebecca will not stop until she finds out the truth and even gets Madeline’s death.

I have read every one of Jessica Payne’s books and loved them all, but this one is next level. I seriously couldn't believe what was happening by the end of this book! Told in dual timelines, Rebecca attempts to avenge Madeline’s death. I’m not sure which timeline I liked better - it seriously got better with every chapter!

I was absolutely captivated by this entire book - from its beginning with Madison’s being pushed off a cliff just days after marrying Benjamin - to the twists at the end. The atmosphere - the feeling of something be off - permeated the pages and the tension was revved up even more as the truth came closer to being revealed.

THIS right here is how you write a psychological thriller - I didn’t know what was coming and when the twists were all revealed, I realized it had been right there in front of me the entire time. “Never Trust the Husband” gets each and every star from me and I cannot wait to see what Jessica Payne does next!

“Never Trust the Husband” releases March 5, 2024. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

Madeline had the perfect life, until she was pushed off a cliff on her honeymoon. Now three years later, Rebecca is out to avenge her murder. The top suspects? Madeline’s husband, Benjamin, and her best friend, Gywn, who are suspiciously engaged to each other now. Will Rebecca be able to worm her way into their lives to figure out who the killer is? How far will she be willing to go for revenge?

Wow! This an incredible thriller! I am a sucker for a book that has shocking twist and turns that you don’t see coming. And this book delivered on all accounts! A great book to kick off the new year with!

3.5 Stars

I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley.

Embarking on this suspenseful journey, I found myself both intrigued and somewhat unsurprised by the twists the story unfolded. From the outset, the focus on Benjamin and Gwyn hinted at an impending revelation, and as the narrative unfolded, I couldn't help but sense that the truth was lurking just around the corner.

The plot, revolving around Madeline's mysterious disappearance during her honeymoon, offered a promising premise. What stood out was the intricate web of relationships and the way the characters, especially Madeline's ex-husband Benjamin and former best friend Gwyn, found themselves entangled.

As the narrative delved into Madeline's past interactions with Benjamin and her circle of friends, it added a layer of depth to the story. The three-year gap since her disappearance and the subsequent infiltration into Benjamin and Gwyn's lives by someone determined to unveil the truth promised an engaging exploration of the complexities surrounding Madeline's fate.

While there were moments where the twists felt somewhat anticipated, the storyline's emphasis on past events and character dynamics provided a nuanced understanding of the unfolding drama. The narrative's strength lay in its ability to keep the reader engaged, despite the occasional predictability, by delving into the intricacies of relationships and the quest for justice.

Really really loved this book! Everytime you think you know who is narrating, you think again. All the twists and turns and possibly the best thriller I will read all year. Only wish I had was an epilogue that followed up a couple years down the road but truly loved the book.

Holy Cow! This book was so good! I am thrilled that I got to read it as an ARC reader!

The suspense in this book did not let up until the end of the book. I had no clue how the book was going to end until the reveal of the villain! I love it when I can’t figure out the details until the end!

I loved the character and the speed of the story line was perfect! Could not put this book down!

Thank you for letting me be an ARC reader for this one!

Never Trust the Husband
by Jessica Payne
March 5, 2024
Bookouter
Thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Never Trust the Husband is a totally twisty psychological thriller that will have you glued to the pages late into the night! Fans of The Perfect Marriage, The Housemaid and Shari Lapena will be hooked.
This is the first Jessica Payne book for me and I was not disappointed. It's a great book of love and betrayal.
Incredible book!
5 stars

Never Trust The Husband by Jessica Payne
Madison Hughes lived a very privileged , well funded life. Everything had been handed to her on a silver platter including the love of her life, Benjamin. After their honeymoon plans fall thru they take an impromptu backpacking trip with the rest of the wedding party only Madison never makes it home. Now Benjamin is left a very wealthy widow. 3 years later he’s engaged to Madison’s maid of honor and best friend, Gwyn. Rebecca shows up out of the blue to avenge Maddie’s death. What her connection is to Maddie you won’t find out till the end of the book.
This was an entertaining read. I really felt I knew who Rebecca was but I was wrong. I also thought I knew who ‘killed’ Maddie but was entirely wrong there too. Lots of twists and turns, a little slow out of the gate but it got there.

4.5 stars rounded up.
This was my second book by Jessica Payne and wow did it not disappoint. I need to add more of her books to my TBR after this one.
Three years after Madeline is presumed dead, her husband, Benjamin, is now engaged to her best friend, Gwyn. Rebecca is trying to find out the truth with what happened to Madeline and who tried to kill her. Did her new husband do it? Or her best friend? And who even is Rebecca?
I thought I knew what was going on.. but I was wrong. Such a good twist towards the end. Left me shocked. I was so mad that I couldn’t read this book fast enough, I had to tell my husband to leave me alone so I could finish faster.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for a honest review. Never Trust the Husband by Jessica Payne hits bookshelves on March 5, 2024.

Jessica Payne's novel is a real twisty story of love and betrayal. I enjoyed every page!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book. The novel will be published in March.

Another hit from Jessica Payne! I have read everything she has published and will continue to read everything she publishes! Someone is watching newly engaged Benjamin and Gwyn and plotting revenge for the disappearance of Benjamin's first wife, Madeline. Madeline disappeared on their honeymoon and is presumed dead. Be ready for twists and turns and jaw dropping moments until the very end!