I was hooked by chapter one. This story started right away and I NEEDED to know what happened.

Lauren and her husband, Alex, appear to have built a strong marriage and a picture perfect life together. Some lies strengthen marriages and some lies destroy life as you know it.

Lauren’s little sister, Ellie, went missing one night in New Orleans 12 years ago. Even though its been more than a decade, Ellie and her father still hold out hope that she will come how safe and sounds. Over the course of these 12 years though, life has continued for Lauren. She meets the love of her life at a community grief meeting and the bond over the lost of a sibling. Alex also has a missing brother, Clive.
One day Lauren receives a phone call from the New Orleans police saying they found Ellie‘s body and photos were found with her. Who’s keeping secret’s? How knows what happened that night 12 years ago?

Spoilers ahead….. (won’t be posted on good reads)
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I think the few things I didn’t love are 100% just personal preference and no fault of the authors.
The way the twist was written, of Lauren actually being there in New Orleans, made me feel like I couldn’t trust the Lauren. I like when twists like this are written in a way that even the main character learns she can’t even trust her own memory. I almost feel like if Lauren some how got hit in the head and lost all memory of that night, I would have continues to love her character.
Second, I didn’t love was how 12 years later Lauren and her dad kind of acted like not finding her body would have been better and they are besides themselves learning Ellie, in fact, has passed away. I know this isn’t a real story, but I don’t think too many people would still think their child is still alive and most times finding the body does give the family closure.
Lastly, I wish there was a true ending!!!! I need to know what happened. It felt like getting super in to a true crime case but learning its still unsolved. This is a personal preference but I can’t stand when the author leaves the ending to be interpreted by the reader. I need to at least know what is going on in Alex’s head because I need to know if he masterminded this situation or if Lauren is the villain who played victim the entire book. After writhing this point out, it does make me (frustratingly) like the book more. (Laughing to myself).

Overall, if you like Stacy Willingham, Mary Kubica, or Sally Hepworth books, you’ll enjoy this one.

I received the audio book from NetGalley. The narration by Stephanie Cannon was great! I listened to it in one sitting!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an arc of My Perfect Husband!

Well, I didn't see that last twist coming! You never really know someone... even someone you married. 🕵️‍♂️🕵️‍♂️🕵️‍♂️

Publisher's summary
My sister is dead. Did I marry her killer?
The moment I first gazed into Alex's soulful gray eyes, I knew I'd met the man I wanted to spend my life with. And I was right. When my beloved sister vanished, Alex put up posters and wiped away my tears after bad dream—she put me back together. But when police pull a crumpled photo from my dead sister's pocket, and I see my husband's familiar face smiling back at me, my perfect world shatters.
Smoothing out the faded picture, I get shivers down my spine. I pray it's a mistake, because I thought they'd never met. Was I wrong to trust the man I married?
The color drains from Alex's face when I hand the photograph to him, and his explanation just doesn't add up. I wonder if my sister called him out on his lies. Did she push Alex too far? Or did he push her?
As I look at the man I promised to love forever, I realize he must not know that I don't trust him. If he killed my sister, am I next?
But I won't let him hurt me. My husband has no idea what I'm capable of, and how far I'll go to keep myself alive.

Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for the ALC of this book!

My Perfect Husband
By: Georgina Cross
Narrated by: Stephanie Cannon
Publisher: Hachette UK - Bookouture
Release date: 05-16-24

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was wonderful! I enjoyed that this book had lots of twists and turns but I’m not sure I liked the execution. For the first 3/4, I was loving this book but the ending kind of felt like a letdown. I’m sure others will love this book but it wasn’t for me.

Format: Audiobook
Narrator: first person
Language: English
Movie Rating: PG
Actual rating (with decimals): 2.3
Overall review:
Disclaimer - I am not sure I like the twists and turns of a mystery - especially when the author leaves parts out until the last 10%. This book disappointed me in some ways - I am not sure why the author left out the fact that that narrator was one who witnessed one of the deaths. It felt like they were lying to me in the end.

I did enjoy the setting of New Orleans and the need for a level of transparency with a spouse. The husband/wife in this book were definitely in a pickle and I enjoy thinking about how things played out after the book ended.

3⭐️⭐️⭐️



✨Mystery Thriller
✨ Family Fiasco
✨Betrayal



✨I have a mixed feeling with this book.
I’m not gonna lie, I kept re reading each chapter because it was on different timelines which is quite confusing.
Anyway, as predicted ending , it end with a good impact not as good but it was enough to have a an impact to the audience.



✨ Thankyou netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc for a honest review .


🫶🏼shaye.reads

Wow! I could not stop put this book down! It had me so hooked!! I will be 100% ready more of Georgina’s books!! I was completely hooked from the start which continued throughout. I love the how the husband also had his open secrets and how everything unfolded nicely, it did not feel rushed or prolonged. Do have to say I loved the ending and the very last twist!
Overall this was a great thriller that kept me guessing wanting to read more. I would 100% recommend this book to all readers.
Thanks to Georgina Cross, NetGalley, and Bookouture for the ARC.

I have very mixed feelings regarding this book.

It was quite a slow burn, and I struggled with the main character quite a bit. I am going to give this book 2.5 stars because the premise is good, but I think the follow through, and the execution, could have been better. I do see the appeal of this book; who was the killer, what happened to her sister, and will anyone come to justice? But the ending left me flat.

I would like to check out the author's other works to see how she executes her other works to see if this is just a one-off on a little bit of a let-down.

I had the privilege of having prior access to the audiobook and I'm here to share my experience with you!

The police call Lauren to inform her that her sister, previously reported missing, was found dead. Still on the call, the police officer asks her to check some photos, they were with her sister and could contain valuable clues to the case, since she was not alone in the images.

A face smiling at the camera catches Lauren's attention... A very familiar smile, since that was Alex, her husband.

That was enough to hook me, I really wanted to go to the end to get answers and the ending could be considered shocking.

However, the construction of characters didn't please me so much, especially Lauren, the protagonist who managed to make the story inconvenient at several moments.
We follow your point of view and it is full of assumptions, made from almost nothing and discarding the facts, very drawn-out thoughts and mainly the creation of scenarios such as "she would have done this", "they will think that", "and if?"

The author had a great premise in hand and knows how to conduct her writing (despite the repetitions), but I believe she focused too much on trying to prevent the reader from reaching the final revelation ahead of time and this choice affected the development of other important points.

The audiobook lasts 8 hours and a few minutes and it only took me a little longer than that to finish.
My English listening is still not as good as my reading ability, but the narrator, Stephanie Cannon, helped a lot.

Some important points were the way she pronounced each word clearly and how she brought the necessary emotion to the moment. The voice modulation was also well done during the dialogues and crucial for the other points mentioned to be successful!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Bookouture Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Georgina Cross, with the audio perfectly narrated by Stephanie Cannon. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Lauren has struggled for 12 years, since her younger sister, Ellie, vanished in New Orleans. But when she met Alex, she felt she had met a kindred spirit. Because Alex's sibling was also missing. But when police find Ellie's dead body, they show Lauren a picture that was in her pocket - a picture that shows Alex with Ellie on the day she died.

Wow - another twisty thriller that will have you second guessing everyone! The story is told in multiple timelines from Lauren's POV. The author really put you in the New Orleans atmosphere, and those familiar with the city will appreciate all the love. The narrator did a great job with all the voices - pack this one in your beach bag!

Great story to dip in and out of. Listened while doing chores and the garden. Watch out for that twist!! Unexpected.
Enjoyed the narrator too.

*ALC review*
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release date: May 16, 2024

This is the first book I've read by Georgina Cross. I love a good thriller and I was hooked with this one line "My sister is dead. Did I marry her killer?". I was able to read this via audiobook narrated by Stephanie Cannon. Stephanie does an outstanding job in narrating this story.
The story is from one POV but goes between present and past timelines. The timelines are easy to follow along and it adds to the thrill and story unfolding.

I did enjoy this book and I was able to listen in one sitting. It is fast-paced and easy to listen to at 1.75x speed. The twists and various characters kept me engaged and wondering how the story would end. It isn't the most thrilling book but it is a mystery and a case needs to be solved. I took away one star because the ending was very abrupt and disappointing. I'd recommend this book to someone wanting to get into the mystery/thriller genre or a break between the high-thrill reads.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for this ALC.

When I go to read a book I usually try not to read too many reviews or summaries, especially with mysteries and thrillers, and I'm glad I stuck with my convictions for this one as well. I was intrigued right from the start about a married couple with tragic pasts tying them together...but in ways the reader could never imagine. I found it to be fast-paced and entertaining, and you don't have to wait until the end for some big twists. Cross' descriptions were vivid, allowing the reader to imagine being in and amongst the streets of New Orleans. I found the narrator to be easy to listen to and capable of portraying a wide cast of characters.
I will definitely be visiting more of the Cross' books in the future!
Thanks to #NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

This book will hook you from the first page. Lauren is in New Orleans and her sister, Ellie is missing. The call she’s been dreading finally comes saying remains have been found. Photos are with the body and she recognize some of the faces. One in particular is her husband. His arm is around Ellie. Did he kill her? The ending leaves so many questions. It’s perfect!

I don't know how to write this review without giving any potential spoilers! There was a lot of excitement. I recommend going in blind, because it will make the book a lot more mysterious and shocking. I didn't know who to trust, all of these people had something to hide. I will say, my initial gut instinct was correct on this one, but that didn't stop me from suspecting everyone else at some point along the way. This binge worthy thriller is available May 16th, 2024!

I enjoyed this book, it kept my attention and I wanted to get back to it when I was away. The twist at the end was kind of fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Lauren's sister Ellie went missing 12 years ago and was never found. Her husband Alex has a brother Clive who also has gone missing so that unfortunate connection has made them even closer. Throughout their marriage Alex has always supported Lauren on the anniversary of Ellie's disappearance. Then Lauren gets the phone call they have all been waiting for and Ellie's remains have been found. Also found on her phone were some photos from the day that Ellie went missing and she is with 2 young men. When the police send the photos to Lauren to see if these men look familiar, her heart nearly stops for more reasons than one...........Enjoy!!!!

Audiobook review🎧

'My Perfect Husband' is such a page-turner! Right from the get-go, I was hooked. That initial twist at the start of the story got me all fired up. I really liked how the author wove together two timelines, keeping things interesting. I also quit enjoyed the pace of this one. I never really felt bored or had a hard time staying engaged with the audiobook.

Sure, some parts of the plot were a bit out there, but hey, it's fiction, right? I just went with it and got lost in the story. This one kept me guessing until the very end. Although I have to say, the ending left me feeling a bit unsatisfied as it was bit too open ended for me.

Even so, I finished this book within 48 hours. If you're looking for a fun story that will keep you guessing, 'My Perfect Husband' is a great selection.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture Audio and Georgina Cross for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

It’s a yes for me!

@deannsdailydrop 🖤

Thanks NetGalley. This one just wasn’t for me. The twist at the end left me very flat. It is written mostly from the sister‘s point of view , Lauren, and there’s a lot of time spent on her sister almost obsession with her. The author also added a twist of the husband Alex and his brother Clive. It just was slow paste and a lot of repetitive information for an ending that was middle of the roa and didn’t make sense, including very poor police procedures throughout the book. Just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Perfect Husband by Georgina Cross in exchange for an honest review.

This book took a while to get going but once it did I enjoyed the storyline. I feel like the writing was too descriptive for a thriller - describing settings in such detail when we’re trying to get to the bottom of a murder takes away from the main point and it made the story drag.

Plot twists and being shocked are important for my enjoyment of thrillers and I found these ones pretty easy to guess, which ruined that aspect.

This audiobook was absolutely incredible. The narrator did an amazing job, was easy and fun to listen to.

Lauren has been agonizing over the disappearance of her sister for years only to have a blow to her heart when she receives a photo proving her husbands dishonesty. Lauren can't help but wonder should she believe her incredible husband, or should she follow the facts and find out why he has kept their relationship a secret for so long.

The ending was a twist that you couldn't expect, leaving you wondering what you would do in this situation. I highly recommend this book, and I loo forward to reading more of Georgina Cross's work.

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Georgina Cross and Bookouture for allowing me to read in exchange for a review.