This was another great book by Jessica Payne! Madeline and Benji were in love, and they got married. But on their impromptu honeymoon with their friends, Madeline is pushed over the edge of a cliff, never to be found. Benji and her best friend, Gwyn, get together and 3 years later, they are engaged. Enter Rebecca, a girl who is determined to find Madeline’s killer, and she’s got her sights set on Benji and Gwyn. Rebecca starts following them, and then she befriends Gwyn. Who is Madeline’s killer?

Payne knocks it out of the park with this book, yet again! She keeps you turning the pages, with bated breath, on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book. This book is told from two prospectives – Madeline and Rebecca. We learn from Madeline’s POV how her and Benji get together, all the way up to her hiking honeymoon. Rebecca is told in the now. We follow along on her journey into finding out who killed Madeline.

There’s a few mysteries happening in this book and I was able to figure out both of them before they were revealed, but that did not take away from my enjoyment of the book at all. One of the mysteries I second guessed myself, but I turned out to be right. The second one I figured out but didn’t know the story behind it. That’s all I can say about that because I don’t want to give anything away.

I highly recommend this book (and any other book by this author as I have read them all!)

Never Trust the Husband was a fantastically crafted thriller, weaving in a past timeline and current timeline. From the title, until the end of the story, it keeps you questioning the characters and their motives. I especially loved the use of the second person, which gives the story an added edge. As with her other stories, Jessica Payne has crafted another propulsive story that'll make it hard to put down.

I really loved the main character, and was intrigued by her moral ambiguity. She was a character I was more than happy to follow, and I liked her for all her unlikable traits.

I highly recommend this thriller.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read and review this advanced reader's copy.

Note: I also listened to the audiobook, which was enjoyable. I did listen at 2.15x speed, which is faster than my normal speed, due to the way the narrator read.

As soon as I read the blurb for this book I just knew it was a must read for me. As soon as I had finished reading the prologue I was hooked. A brilliant thriller with short and snappy chapters and I found myself constantly saying just one more chapter. Packed full of secrets and lies and with characters you won’t know who is or isn’t trustworthy. If you like a good suspense thriller then this is the book for you.

Actual Rating: 3.5⭐

Never Trust the Husband is a thriller story about betrayal and revenge.
I really enjoy this whole story, the writing style was easy to read which get me hooked into the story really fast.

The plot also flows smoothly between the dual timeline of the past and present time viewed from two different characters – Rebecca and Madeline. From this dual timeline and POV, readers will see things happening before Madeline comes to her demise to understand Rebecca’s reason for revenge.

While I do enjoy this one, I have to admit this wasn’t as mind blowing or twisted as this author’s previous books.
Personally, I think it’s pretty predictable if you really pay attention to the clues scattered throughout the story. I was able to guess the twist of the story pretty early, nevertheless I still enjoy my time reading it until the end to see the big reveal.

Overall, this is a pretty good suspense thriller and I’ll definitely look forward to more books by this author in the future!

I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: death, toxic relationship, stalking, grief

I’ve never read anything by this author before but was looking forward to this one.

Sadly, I think this one was just not for me. I really didn’t like any of the characters which meant I wasn’t cheering anyone on.

There are many 4 & 5 star reviews and I appear to be very much in the minority with my view on it. I hope the book does very well.

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A few years ago, Madeline was murdered on her honeymoon. In present day, Rebecca is someone from Madeline's past, who is determined to prove that Benjamin, the husband, or Gwyn, the best friend, were responsible.

This one kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it! I kept guessing who Rebecca might be, sure I was right, but then changing my mind. Even after that reveal, there is another big twist that I definitely did not see coming. What a great thriller!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review,

This book was a turn around and what kind of book.
Wasn’t expecting the sneaky end at all.

Really good & kept me reading. You don’t know everyone or everything in your life. Never take it for granted. This book shows it.

I love it when a book surprises me! I thought I had this one figured out, and even though I had guessed part of the twist, there was so much more going on! My jaw literally dropped at some of the reveals! This was a fast read for me as I had to know who killed Madeline!

I recommend this one if you are looking for a thriller that has great twists!

Thank you, @thrillerbookloverspromotions for having me on this book tour, and to @netgalley, and @bookouture for the #gifted e-arc!

4.5 stars rounded

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Maddy marries Benjamin and only a few days after their wedding, Maddy is pushed off a cliff and murdered. Now, 3 years later, Benjamin is engaged to Maddy's best friend, Gwyn, and has petitioned to have Maddy declared dead even though the body hasn't been found yet. An old friend of Maddy's, now going by Rebecca, with a changed appearance, arrives on the scene and decides to befriend Gwyn and Benjamin to find out which of them killed her. Was Gwyn jealous of Maddy's life and wanted to move into it herself, or did Ben need Maddy's fortune to save his winery?

This was a great read. Initially, it alternated between Rebecca in the current day, and Maddy in the past, meeting Benjamin and up to their wedding. There were 2 mysteries really, who is Rebecca really, and who actually killed Maddy. I was guessing about both the whole time, really wanting to get to the bottom of things. There was a big reveal at about 70% that left me shocked, which I love. And although at that point, I kind of figured some of it out, it wasn't the whole story. I thought this was an excellent read and I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Wow what did I just read?? Jessica Payne's thriller Never Trust the Husband was full of twists and turns. This murder mystery will have you trying to find out who did it and then when you think you have it figured out, plot twist!! This book was told in multiple POVs but very easy to understand and follow. The characters were likeable and some not which means they were serving their purpose. I will quickly be reading more books by this author.

Definitely recommend everyone read this one, you won't be disappointed.

Never Trust the Husband is the next book from the very talented author Jessica Payne. This is a fast paced, psychological thriller that will keep you glued to the pages. It is told in multiple point of views by well developed, very devious characters. It is a highly suspenseful murder mystery loaded with domestic drama and betrayal. It is highly entertaining and will make you question just who you should trust. A well written thriller, I love this author’s writing style. Jessica Payne never disappoints.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Jessica Payne for another thrilling story to read and review. A must read author for me. As always, the opinions expressed are strictly my own.
#netgalley #bookouture #jessicapayne. #paychologicalthriller

Told from the perspective of the missing wife in the past & the stranger set to avenge her possible murder in the future, I was constantly trying to figure out who the stranger was. I wanted to know what happened to the missing wife. Boy, did Jessica Payne take some twists in this psychological thriller! I loved it!

Thank you, Jessica Payne, Bookouture, & netgalley for my early copy! All opinions are my own.

OMG! WOW. If I could give this ten stars I would! Jessica Payne never disappoints but this? This was above and beyond. When I say this book had me hooked, I mean hooked. I read this in two days only because I had to work. What in the heck is going on here? We meet Madeline after her wedding and then she disappears. We have a second narrator named Rebecca. The chapters alternate between Madeline “Maddy” in the past and Rebecca in the now. Rebecca is someone from Maddy’s past who wants to bring forth revenge on who killed Maddy. But, Rebecca has changed her identity to someone that no one from their past would recognize. Rebecca starts to stalk Maddy’s husband and his new fiancé who was actually Maddy’s bff. I was on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE time trying to piece together who did what, who is who and what really happened to Maddy. This is so fast paced and had my nerve’s jangling. There is a twist that made me actually gasp out loud. Thank you Netgalley, the Publisher and the amazing Jessica Payne for this wild ride.

‘Never Trust The Husband’ -- or anyone, for that matter. Especially when your former friend and your husband/spouse decide to get married after your death. Can you think of two shadier individuals than that? (Yes, that is a rhetorical question.)

This psychological thriller is a proper page-turner. It’s fast-paced with brief chapters, unreliable characters, and red flags popping at every turn that keep you guessing on the edge of the cliff, I mean, your seat until the very end.

I’ve struggled with non-linear timelines and dual POV formats in the past, but in this case, watching the drama unfold through Rebecca and Madeline’s chapters was pure entertainment. Each one possessed little lies, secrets, and other tantalizing details that I always find so delightful in this genre.

That being said, I’m not entirely convinced that the central storyline is plausible, but it was enough to suspend my disbelief without completely dismissing it. This could partially be due to having one of my suspicions confirmed (a small victory!) that seemed more believable. Altogether, it made for a unique and addictive story, especially when you're desperate for answers and are met with unforeseen twists and more questions along the way.

Be ready to devour this book pretty quickly!

Trust me. 😉

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this advance copy with me in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Wealthy social media influencer Madeline Hughes was pushed off a cliff just days after her marriage to the handsome and seemingly perfect winery owner Benjamin. But looks can be deceiving, and maybe Benji isn’t as on the up-and-up as he looked, considering he’s now engaged to Madeline’s former bestie Gwyn. Although no one was ever arrested for what happened to Madeline, a mysterious woman named Rebecca is convinced that Benjamin or Gwyn had something to do with it, and she’s keeping them under very close surveillance. After all, you know what they say when a woman meets up with foul play, right? It’s always the husband.

The talented Jessica Payne takes the revenge thriller and turns it on its head! Who is Rebecca and what does she want? What secrets was Benji hiding? Who might have wanted Madeline dead? This twisty tale is fast paced and chock full of red herrings and misdirection to keep you guessing. The secret to Rebecca’s identity is a stunner, but Payne doesn’t stop there – she keeps bringing the action with even more twists to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end!

Madeline Hughes was never going to settle down, she was happy living the single life, that is until she met Benjamin North, or Benji as he affectionately became known to her. Theirs was a whirlwind romance and, although people tried to warn her off him, they were soon married, then just a short while later Madeline is missing, presumed dead. Just three years later and Benjamin is engaged to Gwyn, Madeline's best friend and Rebecca is convinced that one of them has killed her and is determined to get revenge...

This latest domestic thriller by Payne is a dual timeline told from the perspectives of Rebecca in the present day and Madeline in the time leading up to her disappearance. The plot is well crafted with characters that you don't know who to trust from one chapter to the next and the twists, when they come, are unexpected and, at times, jaw dropping. This is a fast paced read with short chapters that grabbed me from the start and another belter from this author which I highly recommend, if you like a thriller you can sink your teeth into you can't go wrong with this author's books.

I'd like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

A great story full of twists and turns. It certainly had me guessing until the very end. There were so many suspicious characters who all appeared to have a reason for wanting Madeline dead. If you love thrillers, then this one is for you. Grab a coffee or tea and settle yourself into your favourite chair, you’re in for the ride of your life. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Awesome psychological thriller with huge twists you won't see coming! Well-developed characters, smooth writing and an easy-to-follow timeline makes for great reading!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

4⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ Seattle, Washington
Publication date ~ March 5, 2024
Est page Count ~ 357 (p+ 67 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 45 minutes
Narrator ~ Sarah Borges
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ dual timeline ~ now & 4 to 3 years ago, murder, jealously, revenge, stalking

Madeline narrates in the past her life with Benjamin and her "friends" up until she falls off a cliff.
Rebecca narrates in the now her plans to avenge Madeline's death.

This is what I'm talking about with a revenge plot! Unfortunately, I had every last twist figured out early on, but that did not take away from my enjoyment at all. It was suspensefully fast paced with a perfect ending.

Y'all my legs ache and I need a nap just thinking about all the running these characters did. Oh hey lets meet up for a 7 mile run every day this week, yeah sure...oh wait it's a beautiful day, so lets do 10 miles. Sure I've run,..fine jogged,..fine walk/jogged 10 miles before, but more like over a 6 month period, not at one time. I did actually have a nice afternoon brisk walk with my pup today just so you know. Kudos to those that do love to run.

Payne has solidified her place in the thriller genre officially with this one. Absolutely couldn’t put it down and while I figured out the who pretty quickly, I was still left with my mouth hanging open. Talk about cold! And I loved it!

The two timelines worked really well, one from before the “murder”, and one present day. The characters were sketchy, best friends trying to steal away boyfriends, etc. I love a good shady character in a thriller and they were done well.

Would definitely recommend this one!