The Perfect Boyfriend by S.E. Lynes is a tense psychological thriller that will take you up and down like a wild roller coaster ride. You are constantly questioning, and you continually trying to understand what the hell is going on and how all this is related.

When 8-month pregnant midwife Kirsty sees Huey in the corridor of the hospital where she works, her past memories swipe her off her feet. Kristy and Huey used to date in high school but then he disappeared leaving Kiersty with a broken heart and a million questions.
The same day Kirsty gets extremely worried about her elderly neighbour who just disappears without a trace. The last time Kiersty saw her she looked scared and worried.
Is she overreacting and hormones are playing up or something bigger is happening?

The story was mostly presented in the current timeline and from Kierstie's point of view so it was easy to follow. Some parts were slower than others but the ending comes in intense and some good twists leave you with an open mouth!

Thank you, NetGalley and Booktoure for this copy!

The Perfect Boyfriend was a great psychological thriller that had me hooked from the start. I thought the plot was really well paced, with just enough doubt placed on Kirsty to question whether she was a reliable narrator, while also giving enough details to build conclusions about what probably happened. The only reason for the 4-star review is parts of the ending - I thought that the "bad guy" was just a little bit overly evil/sinister to be quite believable. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, it was a wild ride from start to finish!

I was provided both the eBook and audiobook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Bookouture and the author for letting me read it early!

The Perfect Boyfriend by S.E. Lynes is the first book I have read by her and won't be the last. This book was WOW! so many twists and turns. This was a wild ride and had me glued to it until I could find out what really happened. It was not what I was expecting but was so enjoyable. This is a thriller with so many lies, deception and had you asking so many questions until the end. What a wild crazy ride. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this book.

This is my first read of the year, and my first book by this author, and unfortunately not one that I could finish reading. The premise and blurb were very intriguing to me, but my goodness, it was a very slow read. It was taking forever for anything to happen. I don't think I gelled very well with Kirsty, so it was hard to form a connection to her. After reading the note that Hughie left for her and her family all those years ago, I hated him immediately. I'm sad to have to say I'm cutting my losses now, but I don't find myself caring how this one turns out.

I'm on the fence tbh. I loved the premise and there were some really good twists and turns
The characters were brought to life well but to me they didn't seem entirely real and therefor I found it hard to relate or become invested. There were a lot words on this book when they really weren't needed. Granted that is who the character was written to be, she likes to drag everything on and on and on but ad a reader I was a bit frustrated n then just didn't care. I am also not a fan of using transcripts and interviews to tell a story. I understand its really popular atm and including chat room/ whatsapps/ news articles etc is supposed to add a sense of reality maybe, but I just find it takes me out the story. Especially as its a completely different vibe.

So that aside, I said I was on the fence so it wasn't all negative. The premise was really interesting. It starts off quite well and captured my attention. I did find the further on the book got, the pace started to pick up a bit and I found it a bit easier to read

I think it was a really good thriller. Most people will not take issue to the change on medium like I do so that won't be an issue for most. I'd also say the parts that felt like waffle to me, will be appreciated by those who enjoy more character led books and enjoy that very lengthy monologue about just heading into work or something.

So on the fence. As I said

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read this ARC.

Mixed feelings about this book. The first portion of the book was So Beautifully & Poetically, Nostalgically reminiscent of an old Relationship. In Example one of my favorite passages from it:

"But that's the thing about unresolved history. It's the moth, isn't it? That damn flame, so bright, so dazzling, so warm until it's not warm anymore, it's hot, too hot, and all you know is your wings are on fire and you're completely buggered."

But then everything changes and what you thought you were reading does this complete 360 and you have no idea what the heck is going on. Before you know it you're in this twisty, crazy, thriller reading so fast you are trying to soak everything up, that it's almost hard to comprehend what is actually going on.. and whether all of it is realistic or believable. Not a lot of likeable characters in the first place, then after it's all over they do this weird "trying way too hard to be a twist" type of crap with her partner where you're thinking one thing the whole time turns out to the other and (trying my hardest not to give away any spoilers here) but who the heck cares!? Why is that a twist type of thing in the first place!? It should be perfectly normal and not a big deal at all. Imo her partner was crap the whole book anyway, never really cared to listen to her or take her very seriously.

Then the passage at the end with Hughie was unnecessary and honestly just weird, They should have just left it where it was. Didn't hate her journal entry but, why not just end with that. Idk I might have just been over it at that point but it dragged on way too long after the ending for my taste. Liked the book, great author but it was just too much.

"I was so young, the romance of it hit me before the sadness did. The romance was tied up with the sadness, if you get what I mean, the idea of myself as a romantic heroine, there to soothe and heal this broken boy. With this soft, educated accent and his tragic past, Hughie was like a character from a book or a film. Not good-looking, not exactly, more charismatic. He had the rizz, as the younger midwives say now. All about the rizz, was Hughie. But he wasn't like that to begin with."

Who writes like that !? Honestly I don't care much whether I loved the book or not reading the first half was all I needed, I'll give the author 5 stars just for the writing style.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Bookouture Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest by S.E. Lynes, with the audio perfectly narrated by Tamsin Kennard. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

Kirsty is happily married and pregnant, working as a midwife. At the hospital one day, she runs into a man she instantly recognizes as Hughie, her former boyfriend who disappeared years ago. But the man insists she is mistaken.

Told from both Kirsty and Hughie’s POV through a documentary, as well as from the past so that the reader gets both sides of the story. I liked the past glimpses – the characters felt like real teenagers, and you could feel the angst. This is a twisty one that had me gasping at one point – didn’t see that coming, although not sure it necessarily needed to be a big surprise? Loved the accents and thought the narration was perfect. As always with SE Lynes’ books, this was a well-written psychological thriller that will keep you guessing.

This book starts with a bang: a toe-tinglingly tense scene at the hospital where protagonist Kirsty works as a midwife.
The premise is just as gripping – as Kirsty leaves the labour ward, she sees her childhood sweetheart, Hughie, walking along the corridor towards her. But when she says hello, Hughie looks right through her, then claims they’ve never met.
Is Kirsty mistaken, or is Hughie lying? And if he is, why?
The search for answers provides the narrative drive for the novel, as Kirsty, herself heavily pregnant and about to go on maternity leave, tries to work out what the heck is going on.
Add a missing elderly neighbour into the mix alongside some delicious twists and Kirsty’s increasing paranoia, and you have all the ingredients for a solid psychological thriller.
The Perfect Boyfriend is written from both Kirsty and Hughie’s point of view. Personally, I preferred Hughie’s chapters, but then I do like an odious antagonist. And the charming, amoral Hughie Reynolds is definitely that.

Wow! What a way to start off reviewing in 2025 with a brilliant 5 star read from S.E. Lynes that had me completely hooked from start to shockingly twisty finish!

I’m a huge fan of this authors work and that love affair started with one of my favourite all time read’s Valentina. So I was thrilled to find out that The Perfect Boyfriend was set in the same area as that book plus there was a cheeky nod hidden sneakily in the background too! I spotted it straight away as I’m sure many fans will have done and it made me smile and want to get stuck into Valentina all over again!

Anyway, our heroine in this book is Kirsty a heavily pregnant midwife whose life is changed dramatically-not once but twice!-by Hughie, a thoroughly unlikeable character who’s reappearance throws Kirstys settled life into chaos. Kirsty is convinced that she sees an old boyfriend working at the hospital where she also works. But calling out to him makes her feel very uncomfortable when he declines to answer to Hughie, stating she has the wrong person. Why would he lie? And by not letting it go is Kirsty putting her own life and that of her unborn child at risk?

The Perfect Boyfriend is actually a pretty perfect psychological thriller with some cracking twists and some genuinely scary moments. The alternate viewpoints give you an insight into both the characters of Kirsty and Hughie, setting up the scene as it heads towards its inevitable showdown. Kirstys pregnancy also formed a major part in how she was perceived by others throughout the story showing that preconceptions are still very much alive when it comes to “hormonal” women!

I thought I’d figured it all out about half way through but ofcourse I didn’t join all the dots and there were 2 plot twists that I didn’t see coming at all! The signs were all there but I just didn’t connect them together!! Don’t you just love it when that happens?!

A highly anticipated read that totally lived up to my expectations!

S.E. Lynes, The Perfect Boyfriend, Bookouture, January 2025.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

I found this book a disappointing read, with none of the page turning enthusiasm other reviewers have expressed. However, there were some twists, undermining stereotypes and raising questions about friendship, motivation, and the influence of nurture. For example, Lynes asks whether a difficult family life necessarily promotes the type of evil portrayed in Hughie Reynolds. Importantly, Kirsty’s observations about the way in which both aging and pregnancy influence the respect given to people in these categories is a thoughtful reflection on the way in which people are valued.

Kirsty Shaw is pregnant, partner to Dougie who was a student at the school they both attended. Dougie was not in the same friendship group when Kirsty and her friends met Hughie. Seeing him as a person who needed support they took him into their group, Kirsty’s family also welcomed him to their home and everyday activities. Kirsty and Hughie become boyfriend and girlfriend, until the day he departs, leaving only a harsh note. This impacts on Kirsty’s life to the extent that she has kept it and remains humiliated at Hughie’s treatment of her. When she sees Hughie again, and he refuses to acknowledge her or that he is Hughie, Kirsty determines to find out why.

Despite the features that I found admirable about this book, I was unimpressed with the lengthy debates Kirsty indulges in while she pursues the truth. Lynes makes the point that Kirsty is a lover of real crime documentaries, and the book is written as transcripts and recordings which reflect this genre. However, whether Kirsty’s self-indulgence and inability to explain herself is typical of the genre and this is why Lynes has created a character who is so self-regarding is not clear. I found the character frustrating. Dougie, as Kirsty rightly points out, should have had more respect for her and her concerns – another annoying character. The other characters are comparatively well drawn. Hughie’s heated solutions to problems he faces, suggests that he has no redeeming qualities, but his back story could suggest reasons for this; Joan and Tasha are Kirsty’s friends, but also provide some complex moments.

Overall, this is a book I found unsatisfying. However, I was impressed by Lynes, The Split, so am willing to try another in the futu

S.E. Lynes delivers another gripping psychological thriller, the story follows Jenna, a woman who thinks she’s found her perfect match in Alex—charming, attentive, and seemingly flawless. But as cracks begin to appear in their relationship, Jenna is forced to question whether Alex is too good to be true.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book was the masterful way Lynes builds tension. The narrative is filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had figured it out, the story took another unexpected turn. The characters are believable, with Jenna’s determination making her a particularly compelling protagonist.

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that are as clever as they are unsettling, The Perfect Boyfriend is a must-read.

A very cagey read.
I thought Kristy was unnaturally obsessed with Hugh. The way he dismissed her as a young teenager was very cruel and cold but she seemed to be fixated on it.
It was an interesting read and I did like how Lynes told the story in a different approach as interviews and transcripts rather than just a normal narration.
People are not always what they seem to be but sometimes it’s best to leave things in the past.

This book was really well written and I really wanted to like this book but unfortunately I didn’t like it.

Right when I thought I figured it all out, I was stunned with the finale of this book! I totally did not expect the twist at the end.

There were times when I had to go back and re-read parts because I realized later in the book that I missed little hints or had complete oversight in character details!

I definitely enjoyed the weight storytelling from the main character in the book with commentary sprinkled throughout from the antagonist.

This was such an entertaining read. I really felt the characters' personalities in the way they spoke and read throughout the book. I will definitely be checking out other books by the author!

Kirsty and Hughie are loves young dream, until they’re not, Hughie uses a cowardly way to break up leaving a devastated Kirsty behind. Fast forward 11 years and heavily pregnant Kirsty is working as a midwife when she’s sure she sees Hughie in the hospital. However the man she thinks he is Hughie claims he is not. When other things start happening around her Kirsty is convinced everything is pointing back to Hughie but with her close family and friends not believing her she strikes a one woman quest to uncover this man’s truth.

This was a steady thriller, some predictable twists and others I didn’t see coming. Kirsty was a relatable character, especially how so many dismiss pregnant women and blame hormones.

3.5 🌟 rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my eARC in exchange for my book review.

This was a super twisty story that I found hard to put down once I started reading. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, holding a breath I didn't realize I was holding. I most definitely did not have the ending figured out and I had to pick my jaw off the floor. I will definitely be checking out this author's other books.

Thankyou to NetGalley and bookouture for allowing me to read this ARC.

This book has taken a while to get into, and I feel it was rather dragged out in places, which kept making me lose focus.

However this was a great read if you can stick to it and push through.

I did enjoy reading this book however I felt it was lacking something.
It did not have the realistic feel of some of Ms Lynes earlier books. It felt somewhat far fetched.
Thanks to Netgalley for sending me a copy.

Kirsty Shaw's boyfriend Hughie disappeared from her life suddenly many years ago on the day they received their exam results. She has heard nothing since and even thinks he may be dead. Until one day , in the hospital where she works as a midwife, she bumps in to him and he's now working as an anaesthetist at the hospital. Or is he? He refuses to acknowledge that he even knows Kirsty but why?
I found the book started well and then slowed down until about half way when it picked up pace again. I was slightly confused at times although being a bedtime reader and it being Christmas, this could have been more to do with the wine, Baileys, gin than the book itself.
This author writes intelligent plots that are intriguing to the reader and all the ends come nicely together by the end of the book. There was a couple of twists , one in particular that I thought was very cleverly written and I had no clue about and which took me by surprise.
Altogether a good read. Thank-you to Bookouture and the author for the chance to read this early copy.

Perfect boyfriend... Perfect liar... Perfect killer.

S.E. Lynes delivers another gripping psychological thriller that will have you doubting everything you think you know. Told from the perspectives of Kirsty, a pregnant midwife, and Hugh, her enigmatic high-school ex-boyfriend, The Perfect Boyfriend intricately weaves the past and present into a tale filled with secrets, lies, and deadly consequences.

The story begins with Kirsty spotting Hugh, the man who vanished from her life years ago, working in the hospital. Except now, he goes by another name and claims not to recognize her. Kirsty’s determination to uncover the truth sets off a chain of chilling events that spiral into danger for everyone around her.

What makes this book stand out is Lynes' masterful use of dual POVs. Kirsty’s relentless pursuit of answers contrasts sharply with Hugh’s cold, calculated thoughts, revealing layers of manipulation and deception. The pacing is taut, the characters well-drawn, and the tension builds steadily, culminating in an explosive and utterly unexpected ending that left me gasping.

Lynes also captures Kirsty’s vulnerability and strength as she battles skepticism from those around her. The way her fears are dismissed as “hormonal” is as frustrating for the reader as it is for her, adding a layer of emotional realism to the narrative. Meanwhile, Aberdeen’s wintry, atmospheric setting enhances the suspense, becoming a character in its own right.

Though the title might not fully encapsulate the darker depths of this story, the twists more than compensate. The subtle revelations throughout keep you guessing, while the final pages pack a punch that lingers long after you’ve finished reading.

This is a psychological thriller at its finest—tense, dark, and brimming with surprises. Highly recommended for fans of intelligent, character-driven suspense.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and S.E. Lynes for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review