This was a reverse domestic abuse story, and I couldn't put it down.
It was interesting to read about a man dealing with domestic abuse because a lot of stories and the media focus on only domestic abuse against females. It is important to realize that it can happen to men, too.
It also gave me all the anxiety.
I couldn't imagine anyone going through what Paul went through with his wife. I couldn't imagine a spouse using their child as leverage.
It was interesting to see that the authorities and other people didn't take Paul's abuse seriously because he was a man.
Domestic abuse is horrific and can happen to anyone.
I also did feel for Michelle. I felt like she needed help badly but didn't get it.
Mental health should be taken more seriously.
This was a very good book and I would definitely recommend it!

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of surprises and twists. The different timelines and how they came together were really interesting. The story kept me hooked from beginning to end, and I couldn’t stop reading!

Plot twist, indeed! I love how Maria uses alternating timelines in her novels. I found the use of DV (TRIGGER WARNING) well researched and sensitive, though impactful. I did not feel Maria went "too" far in any description.
We rarely see the husband as the victim, so that element was a new perspective. I think the way this story unfolded was brilliant and delivered in a manner that only Maria Frankland could pull off. The details and depth in the story were painfully well done.
I could not even guess who was guilty, as I was skeptical until the end. I kept waiting for that twist that displayed everything as a gotcha. Brilliantly written, with passion and heart, this book will hold you hostage, and you will have to keep reading because the mystery of who did what dangles precariously ahead.

This is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish - The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next. The writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative. The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed.

I absolutely loved this trippy psychological thriller. It kept me on my toes the whole time and I was shocked by the crazy ending.

The writing style is very fluent, the characters are great and I liked the premise. The author also manages to leave my mind in a state of confusion the whole time. I could not really decide whether I found myself in the 'I believe their story' or the 'I don't buy it at all'

I had my eye on something I found suspicious and it seemed I was right about that, but I had not expected this outcome.

This is a great domestic and I admired and felt for Paul at the same time. He says he did not kill his wife. Now it's up to the jury to decide whether he can walk away or remain locked up.

The characters were compelling, and the plot was both chilling and thrilling. The suspense never let up, keeping me hooked until the last page.

Maria Frankland never disappoints. I read quite a number of books by this author by now. I love the fast pace and tension that she brings out in these books. I actually feel my heart palpitating! Definitely recommend!

Wow, talk about a psychological mess. This book was amazing. I’m glad my initial guess of what happened wasn’t correct. I didn’t see that ending coming. I liked how this book highlighted domestic abuse in a new way, however I felt like we are meant to sympathize with Michelle a lot too which took away from Paul and his experience. Overall this is an amazing book that’ll keep you glued to your seat. Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy!

The Married Couple is more of the same as it pertains to domestic thrillers, and it doesn't add much new to this genre. However, what it does add is the perspective of the husband being the victim of abuse at the hands of his wife, which we all know happens quite often in real life, but is seldom centered in discussions of abuse.

As much as I wanted to empathize with Paul, I found myself more frustrated with him than anything. I am not sure if this is me not understanding why he didn't ~just leave~ which is a tale as old as time when it comes to abusive relationships—especially when kids are involved—but how stretched bare this story was if it wasn't focused on how mean Michelle was to him made it difficult to get through and care about. Paul seems to be a very weak and directionless man, not because he was abused by Michelle, but because he finds himself in a position where everything wrong appears to be his fault because he was moping from scene to scene and refusing help. Which, again, are things that people suffering abuse do, but it was very challenging to read about this when Frankland gives little else to hold onto.

This wasn't written the best, and has pacing issues throughout. Some of Michelle's actions were confusing without explanation, and the plot twist at the end was completely underwhelming.

3.5 ⭐️s

Thank you to Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC!

This book really didn’t do it for me. It started off trying to give Gone Girl, but it felt like it wasn’t fully ready to commit. Further, I felt there were too many narratives going on and jumping around with memories and reality that it made the read confusing.

Loved this book. I couldnt stop reading it and it was brilliant from start to finish. Loved the fact it was different, the woman was the one being abusive. I loved how I was kept guessing and I highly recommend this book.

I read the entire book but quickly skimmed through much of it..... I think it could have been much shorter and left much of the legal jargon out. Also I feel like the characters continued to go through the same battle/conversations over and over! I was a little surprised by the end but it was somewhat predictable. Didn’t really care for it since poor Emily was the one with the most to lose. Appreciate the context and raising awareness of domestic abuse, however it was tough to read.

This book landed firmly in the middle for me. Spousal abuse towards men isn’t something we see represented very often in books, but it is very important. The chapters from Michelle’s point of view showed what I’m sure is a realistic thought pattern for abusers, in that they cannot seem to help themselves but, on a basic level, know that what they are doing is wrong. However, despite her upbringing, I didn’t feel any sympathy towards her.

The book moved along enough to keep me turning the pages (figuratively, read it on Kindle), but it became painstakingly repetitive about halfway through. I wanted to see what happened in the end, though, so I read on. I feel this could’ve been made shorter and have the same amount if not more, impact.

Overall, I think this is worth reading for the content, but the writing and pacing left me wanting in spots.

A twist-filled domestic psychological thriller, The Married Couple kept me captivated until the end. I love the creative mind Maria Frankland has for writing a great domestic thriller and she’s crafted another intense book with her latest release.

Thank you, Maria Frankland, Bookouture, & netgalley for my copy! All opinions are my own.

Paul and Michelle Jackson have been married for only 5 months. They are parents to Emily, 6. They are currently on a vacation to the beach and Emily wants both of her parents to accompany her to build a sandcastle. Paul is ready to go but Michelle isn’t interested in the beach but instead says she will stay behind and read her book. When Paul and Emily return sometime later, they find Michelle in a bar next door drinking. This is a red alert for Paul because he knows how Michelle gets when she starts drinking because she doesn’t know when to stop. Refusing to accompany Paul and Emily to the amusement park, Michelle wants to stay in the bar. Paul worries about her while they are gone. When they return, they find her completely drunk and violent once again. Leaving her to cool off for a bit, Paul returns later only to find Michelle on the floor with a knife sticking out of her chest. He knows she must have done this to herself as she has self-harmed herself for years. The paramedics and police arrive and Paul is arrested. It appears that Michelle has hurt herself many times before and called the police saying Paul hit her. He has begged her to get help yet he keeps putting up with her abuse to him and hides it from his co-workers. Now, as Michelle is fighting for her life, Paul is remanded to prison until he can stand trial.

I’ve probably given out some spoilers here but I’ve tried to set the stage for a situation that is fairly uncommon but truly exists. There are many abused men out there that put up with this because they usually have children and honestly want their spouse to get help and get well. I won’t tell you more, but you will find this story quite eye-opening and sad. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Wow, this book is deserving of all the stars. Great writing, a brilliant plot, characters who stay with you long after the book is finished. Just wow!

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Married Couple." It was brimming with twists, turns, and surprises. The multiple timelines and the way they converged were fascinating. It was gripping from start to finish, and I simply couldn't put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

To be honest I had some trouble getting interested in the story, but once it captured my interest I was hooked! It definitely had the psychological thriller part right. I did think the story could have been compresed some. With that said I feel this is definitely a good read! I did figure out Part of the ending, but some definite shockers too.

Thank you to the Publisher, Maria Frankland and NetGalley. Any review is voluntary and my own opinion.

A domestic abuse situation where the wife is the abuser--more common than we think yet we never read or hear about it. Maria Franklin dives into the situation and delivers a page turning thriller. Multiple POV's and timelines keep the book flowing nicely.

This one definitely gives off legal thriller vibes. Main setting is jail and the courtroom with little blurbs about real life situations. This was a bit slower of a book.
This book is a great reminder to us that men are not the only sex that can be abusers, and women can do it too.
There were bits and pieces that were a bit unbelievable, like I get that they checked cameras in the area, but how about actually talking with the folks that worked at the establishments to help with alibis.

Paul and Michelle are a couple having some marriage issues and both questioning if they should truly be together. They have an amazing daughter Emily. Suddenly, Michelle is dead, and Paul is the primary suspect. Did Paul do it?