This book was very different. It just wasn't very thrilling to me.I kept switching back and forth and it was a little confusing!

Thank you letting me read this book.

So many twists and turns, this book felt like riding a roller coaster, and as a thrill seeker that is definitely a good thing. I really enjoyed this read

It's been a long time since I read a book where the abuser is the wife. Kind of made me think of Gone Girl

I was enamoured from the start. Although I didn't like the characters I was too involved into the story too stop. So many twists and turns and it's a definite must read..

Thanks Bookouture and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book for my honest review. All my thoughts about this book are my own and are not influenced by anyone else.

When husband Paul finds hid wife Michelle with fatal stab wounds at their seaside holiday home, he is propelled into a nightmare of false accusation and court appearances. He maintains he didn't kill his wife, but as evidence of a marriage consumed by domestic violence is revealed with Paul as victim, the jury just decide: was Michelle's death at the hands of her husband, finally snapping after years of abuse, or is someone else to blame?

This was a clever and gripping narrative by an author whose books always have the same effect of me as a reader: completely enthralled throughout. The domestic violence element was very interesting to be presented from the lesser-reported perspective of a male victim and it was effectively and interestingly presented, showing how pride and embarrassment can lead to hiding the signs and reality of a relationship with these dynamics.

Paul is a character that is easy to feel sympathy towards and also Emily, their daughter, who is witness to the violent and abusive aspects of their relationship. The reader will feel nothing but empathy with his situation; his reluctance to leave rhe family he has always desired, however flawed; and his embarrassment in the way his wife treats him. It really was such a well-written account of his perspective. The wife Michelle, although clearly struggling from mental health issues, is much harder to sympathise with due to her erratic and unreasonable behaviour to Paul.

The end of the book was a surprise to me and almost a little over-played in my opinion but it certainly kept me guessing and the book as a whole completely enthralled me.

Thank you to the author Maria Frankland, publisher Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC.

I liked it but didn’t love it. The timeline flips back and forth a bit in some of the chapters; you’ve gotta play attention. It’s an interesting change of pace reading a story where the husband is the victim of abuse. I will continue to look forward to titles by Frankland.
Thank You to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Maria Frankland for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Michelle and Paul are on holiday with their daughter Emily and dog Carla. But, Michelle is often verbally and physically abuse.

Michelle and Paul get into a fight one night, and when Paul gets back to the home after going out for some fresh air he finds Michelle on the floor with a knife in her chest.

Paul is arrested for attempted murder, and Emily won’t talk.

I loved the characters, and I was cheering for Paul the entire time. I changed my mind about who killed Michelle several times. Oh, I love storylines like this.

Be ready to get this one when it publishes on August 9th. You can thank me later. I’ll be looking for more books by @writermaria_f.

Thank you #NetGalley for the complimentary copy of #TheMarriedCouple in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you @bookouture for approving my request.

This is a story about a couple Michelle and Paul who on the surface seem like a normal couple bringing up their daughter Emily. At home it is different, constant rows, one of them is controlling in the relationship that threatens to damage what they have. When Michelle is found stabbed Paul is arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Can he prove he didn't do it and that he was the one who was treading on water all the time. If only he had spoken up to others fully.
Yet another great book from this author, can't wait for the next one.

The Married Couple by Maria Frankland was an interesting story. You don’t often see books written about domestic abuse to the husband. While the story kept me reading, I wasn’t a fan of many of the characters and I had already figured out how it was going to resolve in the end by about half way through the book. It was a fairly quick read and I enjoyed it.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, Bookouture, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own. Publication date: August 6, 2024

Wow! What a phenomenal written book and story line! This kept me sitting on the edge of my seat the entire book! Too many late nights because I could not put it down! I love the term “missus”!! Thriller, emotional, mysterious, and more! 5 out of 5 ⭐️’s for me!

Thank you Maria Frankland and NetGalley for allowing me to read this amazing book!

A solutely amazing! This kept me on tenterhooks throughout. From the very start, I was completely invested and dying to know what had really happened. The characters were well wrotten and the plot skipping back to the past brought so much more depth and understanding of the characters that they became real! I loved every second of this book and the twists were sheer genius! Such a good read

I was captivated from the start! I was completely immersed in this book and felt like I was amongst the characters. The numerous twists and turns keeps you guessing “who did it” throughout!

WOW The Married Couple an edge of the seat domestic thriller by Maria Frankland was absolutely breathtaking.

You will be amazed at what goes on behind the door of Michelle and Paul Jackson who have a six year old daughter Emily and their spaniel Carla.

Paul comes home to find Michelle has been stabbed and phones the the three nines for assistance but unfortunately a couple of days later she dies in hospital and Paul has been accused of murdering her.

Before Paul married Michelle he was having cold feet as Michelle had feelings of insecurity which stemmed from childhood experiences but he ignored them for the sake of their beautiful daughter Emily. All Paul wanted was a happy family environment but unfortunately after only one year of being married the bubble burst and Michelle started drinking heavily which escalated into abuse.

My heart went out for both Paul and Emily as they came through their front door as the majority of the time Michelle made Paul feel emasculated humiiated and frustrated.
The amazing double twist just blew me away at the end and how amazing if this book was made into a Netflix thriller.

I have read a few books from this author but I think this has to be one of her best yet, absolutely brilliant. Extremely well written with plenty of twists that will keep you reading until the end.

The storyline was well written with good characters that I couldn't stop reading about and what can I say about the ending? Just when I thought everything had reached a satisfactory conclusion then bang I didn't know what had hit me, absolutely fantastic.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this great ARC which I have no hesitation in recommending. Another of my top ten reads this year.

In the aftermath of a horrific tragedy, with the shocking news of Michelle Jackson’s murder. Her once-devoted husband, Paul, finds himself plunged into a nightmare of suspicion and accusation. The somber echoes of disbelief reverberate through the air, casting a shadow of doubt over his innocence. In a society quick to cast judgment, the narrative remains unchanged – the husband is always the culprit.
In the quest for justice and closure, the line between innocence and guilt blurs, leaving behind a tapestry of unanswered questions and unresolved mysteries. As the shadows of doubt loom, the search for the truth becomes a journey fraught with twists and turns. In the tumult of emotions that swirl around this tragic tale, one thing remains certain – the quest for truth is an arduous journey, paved with uncertainties and dotted with hidden revelations.

Another fantastic read by Maria Frankland. I love the way this story was cleverly written. I enjoyed the plot and the way it dipped in and out between past and present. Kept me hooked from beginning to end and was a real page turner.

I really did enjoy this book although a bit of a slow burner at the beginning - quite an emotional story but half way through it ramped up with a brilliant ending

I have to say that for most of the book, I wasn't super attached. It was interesting enough to keep reading but I wasn't overly excited. The last part of the book twisted in such a way that it helped redeem the book for me. Overall, I did enjoy it, but it wasn't a top favorite.

Good book, it kept me on my toes, for sure. I thought I had it figured out most of the way through...then OMG the twist! Great job on that one!
Thanks to netgalley, the publisher and author for the chance to read this ARC.

Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for this ARC. The publication date is the 6th August. This book had me captivated from the very first line it was definitely a page turner!

There were many unexpected twists and turns it was well written and I’d highly recommend this book! 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a new author for me but I can't wait to read more of her books. The Married Couple is a great summer thriller. I was hooked from the beginning and was hard for me to get anything else done until I finished this book.

Not for me

I couldn't get into this book. The characters, an obviously mentally ill, abusive woman and her somewhat simpering spouse, just didn't make me care what happened. After page after page of the wife being emotionally and physically abusive (to herself as well as her husband), I had had enough and skipped toward the ending. So, I know what happened, but I really didn't care. I did learn something new about the British criminal system, which I won't divulge as it is a bit of a spoiler, but otherwise this is a book that I will be happy to forget.