Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I enjoyed this book. I wouldn’t say there were a lot of twists but, there were a few. The twists didn’t really “wow” me but, they were just there.

Overall, solid thriller and glad I got the chance to read this book before it was released.

There was a lot to like about this book, but I found the structure really difficult to cope with. I like short chapters to a point, but at some points, especially towards the end, the constant switching of chapters was jarring, and there was no real reason for many of them to be separate chapters, rather than sections within a longer chapter. It felt like it was done just to lean into the gimmick of naming each chapter after the point of view character, rather than just having the story be straightforward 3rd person narration.

Other than that, though, I enjoyed Her Perfect Girl. It was interesting and fast paced, and the author did a good job making me feel for the characters. I also really appreciated that the author trusted the reader to make connections without necessarily spelling them out explicitly; it made the novel feel much more natural and realistic. I would definitely recommend this one for any fan of mysteries!

3.5⭐A small town is rocked by a murder when a six-year-old is abducted and killed, and the case remains unsolved six months later. When another girl is found murdered in the same manner, the police realize they are dealing with a serial killer. The story is narrated from multiple perspectives, including the killer, and unfolds through different timelines in short chapters. The author's description of the parents' pain, grief, and guilt is deeply moving despite the sad storyline.

Overall, a decent fast-paced read...There is so much anticipation leading up to finding the killer...in my opinion, it felt unfinished to me, and I wanted more. I was hooked from the beginning but the ending left me disappointed. I could have used a bit more shock and surprise.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC

Robert and Emma’s daughter has been murdered. They are having a very difficult time dealing with this as one would expect. This book deals with a difficult topic so for some it may be a difficult read but it is handled well. This story had me from the first page and didn’t ever lose me. Very good. Will be reading more from this author!

Thank you to Nicky Downes, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion. Her Perfect Girl publishes July 12, 2024.

A murder that shocks a small town…

Pictures of the missing girl Charly Dean are plastered across every newspaper and television screen in the country until a dog walker discovers her body in the woods. A chilling detail at the crime scene leads the local police to believe they have a serial killer on their hands, and he’s just getting started.

A killer with unfinished business…

Months later, with Charly’s murder still unsolved, her parents can hardly look at each other, torn apart by grief, blaming themselves – and each other. Then a second victim is found in the same woods. Charly’s parents will stop at nothing to find justice for both girls. But that means facing the shocking truth that the killer didn’t pick Charly at random. She was carefully chosen. And the sinister reason lies somewhere in their past…


I found it incredibly easy to get sucked into this book due to the multiple POVs, different timelines, and really short chapters (which are always a hit for me). The characters were well developed and you get a deeper understanding for parents who have suffered the loss of a child- the grief they experience and the triggers that bring those feelings to the surface, after being buried for a period of time. I wouldn't consider this a thriller, but as more of a police procedural and domestic drama. Regardless, it was skillfully executed. It begins with Emma and Robert discovering their 6 year old, Charly, is missing and then it picks back up 6 months later when it's revealed that Charly had been murdered. It doesn't stop there because the body of another 6 year old has been discovered as well. Emma and Robert will stop at nothing to uncover their daughter's killer and find a link between the two murders, in hopes of preventing a third murder and causing another set of parents lifelong grief and anguish. You know when you read books and they play like a movie in your head...this is one of those stories that you can actually visualize in your imagination, easily transported right in the middle of all the drama and action. It easily triggers all the emotions of grief, denial, sadness, anger, and frustration. The perspective from the wig maker gave me the creeps and at times, sent a chill down my spine (you've got to read it to see what I'm talking about). I felt like the police procedures were necessary to provide information, but to also throw out some red herrings to keep the reader from figuring it all out. It has all the makings of a great story...suspense, murder, kidnapping, tension, but I did find the ending to come rather abruptly. I was hoping for one more big twist or shocking reveal. Overall this was a great book that I would definitely recommend.

At times this was an emotional read, 6 year old Charly has been takem but by who? Told from multiple points of view, it's well written and allows you to get into the mind set of the characters. A really good read overall.

HER PERFECT GIRL by Nicky Downes
⭐️ rating: 6.5/10

read if you like:
👶🏻 missing children
🕵🏻 detective procedurals
🖐🏼 multiple POV’so
🗣️ short, quick chapters
🔥 slow burns

summary:
This book is about two parents, Robert and Emma, whose daughter Charley went missing months prior, and was ultimately found dead. With her case unsolved, another girl goes missing, and the families and detectives struggle to identify — why were these girls chosen? Was it random? If not, what did they have in common? With both families ravaged with grief and regret, they look to each other to try to get justice for their children.

This story is written from multiple POV’s - Emma’s, Robert’s, two of the law enforcement officials, and ultimately, the killers. Even though the book itself is fairly long, each chapter is short, quick and to the point, keeping you on your toes. The chapters each tell the story from a different angle, which makes it interesting. Ultimately I didn’t think the reveal was as dramatic as it could have been, but it’s still a satisfying ending, especially for people who like things wrapped up nicely and happily! I just could have used a bit more shock and surprise.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC. This book comes out July 12!

Charly Dean, a six year old with beautiful blonde hair is taken, and then found dead with her hair all cut off.
Her parents are devastated, but the investigation has stalled.
A second girl is found in the same place, with her hair cut off.
Robert and Emma Dean take it upon themselves to try and find the murderer.

A very suspenseful, gripping and emotional book.
The grief felt by Charly's parents really shines through, you can feel their pain.

Well written, fast paced, short chapters. The book really does grip the reader from the first to the last page.

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Ooof. This book has all the feels & all the find them going for it!
So good. Just felt it went bam bam bam from start to finish.
The parents, I was so glad to see alternative parents, locs & spiky hair, nights out with others. Feel seen! Things can happen to anyone & it does. That’s scary but better to read & see & beware.
Honestly a great book, hard subject as kids but written well & the storyline just took it & ran.
Enjoy!

Her Perfect Girl
By: Nicky Downes

4 Stars

When their little girl, Charly, is murdered Robert and Emma are at a loss. When another little girl is killed, more questions than ever are being asked. By the parents. By the police. Why take the girls and, more importantly, WHO took the girls? As these parents navigate their own guilt over Charly, one small clue may be the key to finding the killer. That killer may be closer than anyone ever believed.

This is a story that will grab you and hold on. It's told from different viewpoints and this will lead you on a fast-paced read. It was an emotional roller-coaster that was both thrilling and well written. It captivates in a way many books, similiar in style, do not. The characters were easy to follow and like, well some anyway.

Overall, this was an easy read that kept me engaged.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

Solid weekend read. This is a long book, but the short chapters make it an easy read. Each chapter is told from a different characters perspective, including the killer, but we don’t know who the killer is. We go through the story knowing his thoughts and anticipating his actions, and we follow the detectives as they try and find him. While the author went into great lengths to express the feelings of the grieving parents, there were some side stories that didn’t add anything more to the main story. We also meet a second grieving family, but don’t really get to know them or their backstory and they seem to be forgotten towards the end. There is so much anticipation leading up to finding the killer and then the story ended. The authors writing style kept me captivated, and I hope we see more of the DI and PC!

Title- Her Perfect Girl by @nickydownesauthor
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book had an engaging and captivating story line that kept me hooked until the very end, but unfortunately, the conclusion felt incomplete and left me yearning for more closure. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing perspective offered by the varying POVs, which were expertly woven together and never confusing. The chapters were also the perfect length, offering a convenient and comfortable reading experience. If you’re looking for a quick and satisfying read, I highly recommend this book.

Synopsis-

A murder that shocks a small town…

Pictures of the missing girl Charly Dean are plastered across every newspaper and television screen in the country until a dog walker discovers her body in the woods. A chilling detail at the crime scene leads the local police to believe they have a serial killer on their hands, and he’s just getting started.

A killer with unfinished business…

Months later, with Charly’s murder still unsolved, her parents can hardly look at each other, torn apart by grief, blaming themselves – and each other. Then a second victim is found in the same woods. Charly’s parents will stop at nothing to find justice for both girls. But that means facing the shocking truth that the killer didn’t pick Charly at random. She was carefully chosen. And the sinister reason lies somewhere in their past…

A gripping page-turner that will have you racing to the twisty end. Readers of Cara Hunter, Rachel Abbott, K. L. Slater and Clare Mackintosh will be absolutely gripped by Her Perfect Girl.

A murder shocks a small town when six-year-old Charly Dean is abducted and murdered in Her Perfect Girl by Nicky Downes. Charly’s murder remains unsolved 6 months later, and her parents can hardly look at each other, torn apart by grief, blaming themselves and each other. Then, a second victim is found in the same woods. Charly’s parents will stop at nothing to find justice for both girls. But that means facing the shocking truth that the killer didn’t pick Charly at random. She was carefully chosen. And the sinister reason lies somewhere in their past.

The story is told from various points of view and different timelines. The author skillfully unravels the story. Her Perfect Girl is a thrilling mystery with credible characters. The storyline was quite sad and I cried a few times. The story did end rather quickly, but was still good.

The story shows Robert’s and Emma’s journey through their grief and their hope and how memories don’t fade but their effects get weaker as time passes. But when something does remind them, those feelings slam back into their lives.

A very good psychological thriller with a good mystery and good writing.

I would recommend this book and this author.

#HerPerfectGirl #NetGalley @Stormbooks_co

Good mystery with multiple viewpoints that give a suspenseful edge to the book. A sensitive storyline that was well told in this fast-paced read. The wig maker was very creepy!

Charly, a 6-year-old girl disappears only to be found dead a short time later. When a few months later another girl turns up murdered in the same way, the police know they have a serial killer on their hands.
The novel is written from different POV. It shows us how parents try to cope with the loss of their only daughter and move on without her. Emma and Robert try to find their daughter's killer now that they realize she was not a random victim. It also includes the perspective of the police investigation and that of the killer himself.
It's a read that keeps us on edge, suspicious of everything and everyone, rooting for the parents, empathizing with their grief. On the other hand, the police procedural part is very enjoyable and provides more information to keep us guessing who did it.
The book is so smooth that I felt more like I was “watching” a series than reading it. A really entertaining and engaging read.

What a RIDE! This book was unexpected, full of twists and kept me guessing until the end. New Author for me and can't read to read more from her.

This is more mystery than thriller. Quick chapters and an easy read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Very choppy. Right away, it was confusing to me; almost seems like things are missing and the bare minimum was written down to get a plot across. It was not hard to lose interest. The wig thing was definitely creepy. Just not something that flowed or seemed to make a whole lot of sense to me. The cover was very alluring though!

This was an enjoyable read, more of a mystery than a thriller. It was not a memorable read but it was still entertaining with a good ending.

Emma and Robert are devastated as someone murdered their six year old daughter Charly. They both feel guilty for not protecting their daughter as it happened when they went out to a club. They are frustrated that the killer hasn't been found yet. Now, another girl has been murdered and left in the same spot as Charly.

The parents start to take matters into their own hands to track down a killer. The perspective from the wig maker was so creepy! The wig makers chapters were what kept me on the edge of my seat and engaged in seeing how this would end.

The couple goes from grief to hope. This was a very emotional read.