3.25/5 stars! The set up for this book made a lot of sense, but the pay off was just average. Emily is your typical FMC that does all the stupid things throughout the entire book, but we're somehow supposed to root for her.

If Only You Knew by Theo Baxter is a gripping and emotional read that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The story is filled with tension, secrets, and well-developed characters that feel real. The pacing is steady, and while some twists are predictable, the writing keeps you engaged. It’s a story that makes you think about the past and how it shapes the present. A solid 4 stars compelling, suspenseful.

Theo Baxter’s If Only You Knew is an unsettling psychological thriller that dives deep into the terror of a toxic, high-stakes divorce. From the very first chapter, the tension is suffocating—Emily is trying to break free from her powerful, manipulative ex-husband, but someone is determined to make her life a waking nightmare. Stalked, hacked, and gaslit at every turn, she’s forced to question not only her ex, Teddy, but also her seemingly perfect new boyfriend, William.

While the plot leans heavily into the expected tropes of a domestic thriller—gaslighting, power imbalances, and a battle of control—it does so in a way that feels fresh. Emily is a strong protagonist, and while she makes some frustrating choices along the way, her resilience makes her easy to root for. Teddy, on the other hand, is the kind of villain that makes your blood boil—charming on the surface but cruel to the core. And William? Well… let’s just say you’ll be second-guessing his intentions the whole time.

This book had such a good buildup, but I felt that the ending was a little weak.
I felt it was a little abrupt, and I would have liked maybe an explanation for Teddy's wild behavior.
I hated Teddy so much, and I love it when an author can make me feel strong emotions towards a character.
I also had so much anxiety reading what Emily was going through on a daily basis.
Again, I love when an author can evoke such strong feelings when reading.
Overall, i thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it!
Theo Baxter is definitely becoming a favorite author of mine!

I loved this book. I was so good. the twist and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to reading more from this author

I really enjoyed this one. It was hard to put down. It kept me wanting more. The characters are amazing! And I love the title and the story line. Such an amazing book!

Emily is going through a messy divorce from her abusive husband, Teddy, who uses his power to drag out the process, leaving her in debt and unable to move on. She reconnects with an old friend, William, hoping for a fresh start. But just as life seems to settle, her home is broken into, and she feels like someone is watching her. Is William hiding something, or is Teddy out for revenge?

A fast and enjoyable read, though some parts felt repetitive and a bit over the top, I found it more of a domestic drama than a psychological thriller, but it was still an enjoyable, quick read.

I would like to thank Inkubator Books & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

This book was hard because the characters (Emily) was just not loveable and there was potential for Teddy to be loveable but I couldn't get over the stupid actions Emily made and just made this book unlikable but sometimes that's the point.

An interesting story of a marriage out of control and a woman searching to be free. She finds herself on a wild ride to survive and questions who is out to get her. The abusive husband is one in question always as the story unfolds. A realization that divorce does not break the tie in this rollercoaster of a plot. A thrilling adventure that had me captivated until the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC. I loved this book and read it one sitting. I could not put this book down! So many twists. I would definitely recommend this book.

Theo Baxter once again proves his mastery of the psychological thriller genre with If Only You Knew, a gripping and emotionally charged tale that keeps readers questioning what’s real and what’s imagined. The story centers on Emily, a woman navigating the aftermath of a toxic marriage to her manipulative, narcissistic ex-husband. As she tries to rebuild her life, strange and unsettling events begin to unfold, leaving her—and the reader—unsure of who or what to trust.

Baxter’s writing shines in its ability to create a pervasive sense of unease. The tension builds steadily as Emily becomes increasingly paranoid, convinced her ex is behind the strange occurrences but unable to prove it. The narrative pulls the reader deep into her psyche, making her fears and doubts feel immediate and relatable. This psychological depth is one of Baxter’s strengths, and he uses it effectively to blur the line between perception and reality.

The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter unraveling new layers of mystery and suspicion. Baxter’s signature twists keep the reader guessing, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, he masterfully upends your expectations. The story is as much about Emily’s personal journey as it is about the external threats she faces, which adds a compelling emotional weight to the plot.

What makes If Only You Knew particularly memorable is its exploration of psychological manipulation and the lasting scars of an abusive relationship. Baxter handles these themes with sensitivity while maintaining the suspense and intensity that fans of the genre crave.

In conclusion, If Only You Knew is a standout thriller that delivers on every front—tension, emotion, and mind-bending twists. Theo Baxter continues to be a must-read author for fans of psychological thrillers, and this novel is no exception. It’s a compelling, nerve-wracking journey that will leave readers questioning reality until the very last page.

This was yet another gripping thriller by Theo Baxter, one of the best! This book was suspenseful, intense and filled with intrigue and twists! I loved it.

Emily’s life is stressful as she goes through a nasty divorce. A feeling of dread and foreboding quickly becomes a sensation of being watched and stalked. Is her mind playing tricks on her because of her damaging divorce, or has she become prey to an unknown hunter? I was engrossed and entertained. This character driven thriller pulled me in immediately. I enjoyed the conclusion although it felt slightly rushed. Thank you Booksprout for my copy.

Emily is ready to divorce her husband, Teddy, and then she gets derailed by an obvious stalker. There are signs of someone breaking into her home, reading her emails, and watching her with surveillance added to her home. She obviously suspects her soon-to-be-ex, but could it be her new fling, William? This quick read will have you thinking is Emily paranoid, who can be trusted, and who is in rue danger.

I enjoyed the fast pace, quick read!

I throughly enjoyed If only you knew, it was very character driven which is a big aspect for me that i always look out for. I found myself hooked in the book very quickly unable to put it down. My only complaint is that the ending felt very rushed but other than that it was a very enjoyable read. 3.5 star

A tumultuous thriller detailing the difficulties Emily is facing as she tries to extricate herself from her abusive ex-husband. This book overall was an easy read with several shocking moments, but I felt it lacked the traditional thriller vibe. It felt more like a domestic drama that detailed significant difficulties Emily went through as she navigated through a messy divorce. The story itself was not difficult to read, was overall well written with good character development.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, all opinions are my own

This was a fantastic read from start to finish like omg could not put down.
It's a must read read you will not be disappointed

I'd like to preface my review with the thought that this book could be a trigger. Read some reviews before reading the book.

I started this book then set it down then picked it back up. I'm glad I did. I think it started a little slow for me and that's why I got bored with the first few chapters. But, once it starts going it's pretty much non stop. I felt so bad for Emily; it was just one thing after another with barely any time to breathe. I figured it out quite early, not the whole whole thing, but enough for it to still be a crazy ride.

Thanks for the ability to review this book.

This book was so good, a quick read for me as I just devoured it, there was twists at every turn and the story was gripping. I really recommend this book to all!

If Only You Knew was an absolutely captivating and thrilling read!
Emily is in the midst of a horrible divorce from an abusive husband, whose family name has everyone on his side. When things start to escalate in Emily’s life she really has to decide just who to trust.

I really enjoyed this story, parts of it made me feel so tense as if I was living through Emily’s experience with her. I kept wondering just exactly what was going on and could never quite pinpoint it! But I thoroughly enjoyed how everything wrapped up in the end.
Thanks to netgalley and Inkubator Books for the arc!