This is my first book by the author.

Parts of this were really great. The tension, the build up to the reveal and the concept were really engaging. The pace was good and the characters varied enough to give them all their own voice.

However for the last 20% or so everything just felt unbelievable and awkward. I even found myself laughing at a few bits asmt the sheer lunacy of it!

The narrator for the audio book did a great job at doing all the varying accents etc. and I found her really engaging to listen to.

Overall this was a bit of a mixed bag for me but I would probably give this author another try.

I could have listened to this brilliant narrator, Tamsin Kennard, for days. She is excellent and really did this story justice with her gorgeous voice and accents.
The premise of The Perfect Boyfriend is intriguing – Kirsty bumps into Hughie, a guy she went out with at school. He had left her abruptly and hatefully, and she hasn’t seen him for a decade. Despite his having aged badly, she recognises him instantly. He, however, pretends not to know her – and is going by another name. Is Kirsty’s pregnancy making her imagine things? Is she mistaken, or is her ex-boyfriend pretending to be someone else?
Susie Lynes is brilliant at developing characters and I couldn’t help but really enjoy getting to know warm-hearted Kirsty and the love of her life, Dougie.
The story is full of surprises, mystery, suspense and drama. The author throws in lots of twists (one of which, however, felt a little pointless), and this story kept me hugely invested in finding out what was really going on.
A really enjoyable audiobook.

What started as a simple story quickly unfolded into a tale layered with deception, lies, and plenty of surprises.

Midwife Kirsty is about to start her maternity leave when she spots someone she believes is her ex-boyfriend—the one who ghosted her years ago. The trauma she thought was long buried rises to the surface.

Feeling increasingly unsettled, Kirsty begins noticing strange events around her and starts questioning if they’re connected.

Her friends and family doubt her, which drove me crazy—gaslighting always triggers me! But I was glad Kirsty didn’t back down and keeps digging for answers.

I appreciated the simplicity of the story and the small cast of characters. I got through this quickly as I found it addictive, but it would be easy to pick up and put down on a vacation without getting lost.

The audiobook was fun, though the Scottish accent might be tricky for some readers. I managed to listen at 2x but had to slow to 1.50x at times.

One of the twists had me nearly falling over and made me want to go back and reread to catch all the clues I missed. And just when I thought it was done, another whopper!

Was it all realistic? Maybe not, but this was a thoroughly enjoyable read that kept me hooked till the very end.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

This twisty turny psychological thriller has unique parts, which is hard to find in this genre.
Kirsty swears that she sees her ex-boyfriend from high school at work, but when she confronts the guy, he acts like a complete stranger who doesn’t know her. She feels pretty awkward about it, but can’t let it go. Everything unravels from there.

I didn’t love the guys point of view in the novel. He lays everything out too much which is a bit of a pet peeve for me. I like when the reader isn’t talked down to, but has to figure things out on their own.

Overall, it was an entertaining read that should be enjoyable for anyone who loves the genre.

Tasmin Kennard, the narrator, did a great job as always. She had such a delightful voice to listen to.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Bookouture Audio for the chance to receive this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really appreciate it!

The Perfect Boyfriend
S. E. Lynes
I really like the narrator of this audiobook. Her voice transitions throughout the chapters quite smoothly. The narrator also portrayed the characters really well and gave them life. The story is interesting, we follow a couple who is having a baby when the girl discovers her ex who ran away at her workplace. And the story unfolds from there, she keeps finding out secrets and trying to find her neighbor. It keeps adding and adding to the story, keeping it engaging with the audience. It was really interesting and new, not something I expected. I like the way the author has written the different perspectives. That’s what I like in a story, for it to make sense and for it to flow and this author has done that as well as having a few twists and turns. As it’s an audiobook, there aren’t any mistakes I could correct. However I look forward to getting more audiobooks from this publisher and others on Netgalley. It reminded me of Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter, at least the style of writing.

Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me this audiobook. I enjoyed it

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.8 stars

Kirsty is a pregnant midwife on her last couple of shifts at work before her maternity leave begins. She runs into her high school boyfriend at work after not seeing him for ten years. The new doctor says he isn't who she thinks he is. Then her elderly neighbor goes missing. Several twists I didn't see coming.

I enjoyed the narration by Tamsin Kennard.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

The Perfect Boyfriend* by S.E. Lynes, Narrated by Tamsin Kennard

"The Perfect Boyfriend" is a darkly captivating psychological thriller that masterfully balances tension and emotional depth, making it a standout in its genre. S.E. Lynes weaves a narrative that is intricate and gripping, holding listeners in a vice-like grip throughout the story.

This novel unfolds with precision, quickly drawing readers into the lives of its meticulously crafted characters. The protagonist's journey is one of escalating suspense, as secrets and hidden motives are gradually revealed. Lynes' writing is taut and evocative, painting vivid scenes that come alive through Tamsin Kennard’s exceptional narration.

Kennard’s performance is nothing short of phenomenal. Her nuanced delivery brings each character to life, capturing their unique voices and emotional complexities. The way she navigates the twists and turns of the plot adds an additional layer of suspense, making the listening experience incredibly immersive. Kennard’s ability to convey the tension and psychological undercurrents of the story is a testament to her skill as a narrator.

Lynes delves into the dark corners of her characters' minds, revealing the fragility and resilience that coexist within them. This psychological depth adds a layer of sophistication to the narrative, making it more than just a conventional thriller.

The pacing of the audiobook is expertly managed, maintaining a steady buildup of tension that keeps listeners captivated. The shifts in perspective and unexpected twists are handled with finesse, ensuring that the plot remains unpredictable and compelling.

"The Perfect Boyfriend" is a must-listen for fans of psychological thrillers. S.E. Lynes’ storytelling, combined with Tamsin Kennard’s mesmerizing narration, creates an audiobook experience that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. It’s a journey through the labyrinth of human emotions and hidden truths, one that leaves a lasting impression long after you finish the final chapter.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers that delve deep into the minds of their characters while delivering relentless suspense, "The Perfect Boyfriend" should definitely be on your playlist!

PERFECT! PERFECT! PERFECT!

this was one great read! This book had a way of pulling you into and holding you hostage! The twist and turns was out of this world! Everything each and every page was a wild freaking rollercoaster ride! I love it

Kirsty is sure she spots her ex working in the same hospital as her. But when she confronts him, he tells her she's mistaken and gives her his name. Kirsty is left unsettled as she is sure she used to know him. Of course, she goes about and does her own research.

This was a good thriller. It kept me entertained and had excellent narration on the audiobook. I did feel like it was missing something though, I just can't put my finger on what.

I was a bit conflicted on whether to rate this title 3 or 4 stars, I was going to plump for 3.5 then I added on an extra half purely to make up for the readers that don’t want to understand Aberdonian vernacular - I’m not from Aberdeen, they have a different accent (I’m not a huge lover of the accent in all honesty) and different words for things but it really isn’t too much of a stretch to guess what’s being said. In fact it’s explained. It was not overdone at all.

I enjoyed the majority of the story, I found Kirsty easy to warm to, a heavily pregnant midwife, who is always going the extra mile for people, but she has friends and family a bit concerned about her mental health when she’s adamant that she’s seen her ex boyfriend, who upped and left many years ago walking the halls of the hospital she works at. Add to that her obsession that her octogenarian neighbour Joanie is missing, she’s tired, stressed and won’t let it go.

Things take a turn when lovely Joanies body turns up in the North Sea, has Kristy’s dear pal really drowned herself?

And what about that encounter with Hugh?

The story that unravels is so well plotted with twists and turns that I was even questioning myself! The story that played out was reminiscent of an actual case in Glasgow, I wonder if the author took inspiration from this.

There was an extra little bit of fuckery from the author in the epilogue that made me skip back a few times. Well played.

I really enjoyed Tamsin Kennards narration on the title, she handled the varying accents with ease.

My gratitude to Bookouture Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This had some real surprises in it. I had a hard time getting into it at first and then it got interesting and bizarre. Great narration and well written.
Plenty of gaslighting throughout! Worth the listen.

This book did have enjoyable twists and turns that I did not see coming. However, I was not invested in any of the characters. I felt the characters did not have many layers/depth. I also found that the story was not smoothly tied together- it was hard to connect different details. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this opportunity!

This book did a great job at grabbing my attention and keeping me trying to think a couple of steps ahead just to find my instinct was wrong. Stories that can get me thinking one way and prove me wrong in a mind-blowing way is an A+ for me. The main character is easily relatable to people of various ages and of different stages in their lives. The twists and turns in this story had me like I needed to know these characters in real life and I found myself having authentic feelings about some of the scenarios. The book also did a great job of addressing some social issues that we see in society such as mental health and the way the elderly and pregnant people are treated as perceptually vulnerable groups. At times I did struggle to follow timelines laid out in the story but this was not an overly distracting concept and could honestly have been me remembering incorrectly. The book kept me guessing and never let up on the twists and discoveries even to the last few sentences. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a suspenseful murder thriller with well-written undertones of societal reflection and current social issues.

3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️


✨ revenge, past life, whos who!?


✨ unfortunately, this book of s.e lynes is not my favourite. The story plot was great but predictable .
I don’t get some of the parts of how his ex boyfriend just instantly want to make revenge - just on a silly that his gf has been lucky in life .
Anyway, on the good note. Easy and light thriller.
Fast paced but not as great.
I think the author can do better especially from the last books she had.


✨ 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ brilliant star for Tamsin Kennard- the narrator for this book. Everytime i see her going to the voice over, instantly I know it’s going to be performed well. Just the story ruined it all.


✨ Thankyou @bookouture for the opportunity to read this arc for a honest review .


✨shaye.reads

This was a solid 4 stars for me for the majority of the book, but the ending seemed too bland bringing my final rating to 3 stars.

Kirsty is at the end of her pregnancy and is working as a midwife when she runs into her ex-boyfriend in the hospital, only he pretends to not know who she is and has a different name. While her husband and friends offer logical possibilities, Kirsty can’t shake her gut feeling. But if her gut is right, why is he doing this?

This was a true psychological thriller following Kirsty and the strange happenings in her neighborhood. It was repetitive, but to me that’s part of the psychological aspect: constantly questioning self and reality. I really liked Kirsty, and the narration was wonderful! but the reveal seemed underwhelming. It didn’t seem to really have twists. Once things were confirmed it felt like things I already knew as the reader.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio
for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.

Pub Date Jan 06 2025

I love S. E. Lynes, but I found this to be a bit lacking for what I expect from her books. The narrator did a good job

A woman is in danger, bound and drugged and at the mercy of a merciless killer. This is an excellent opening to a novel. A great hook!

We don't quite know who that woman is at the start of S.E. Lynes' The Perfect Boyfriend but, by Chapter 2, the point of view character Kirsty Shore seems like a pretty good guess. Kirsty is lovable, a pregnant midwife who is seemingly friends with everyone, including her elderly neighbor Joan. So when she sees an old flame who vanished from her life a decade prior and who insists he isn't who she thinks he is, it's easy for the people in Kirsty's orbit to just assume she's hormonal, confused, and overly excited.

Our second POV character, Hughie, is exactly who Kirsty thinks he is: the boyfriend she loved as a teen who vanished in the night after trying and failing to take her virginity. From there, The Perfect Boyfriend goes down a somewhat predictable route - Kirsty follows her 8-month pregnant gut, Hughie is absolutely horrible, and no one seems to believe her until it's too late.

A few deaths later, I was able to connect the dots a chapter or three before Kirsty, though the novel ends in two unguessable twists. I didn't love the end reveals---they sort of grossed me out and made me lose a lot of faith in the novel's cast---but they worked in that I didn't see them coming.

In the end, The Perfect Boyfriend was a fine airport-read of a book (I listened to it on walks) and won't disappoint anyone looking for a cheap thrill.

This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed it! What a wild ride full of twists and turns around every corner. I listened to the audiobook in two days because I just had to know what was going to happen next!

This book kept me on my toes the whole book. The twists were not what I expected at all!!! Definitely a book that should be on your TBR.

The beginning of this book caught my attention almost immediately. Who is this person? Why do they look like someone from her past, but answers to a different name? It had so much potential but it all fell flat there. While I can appreciate the author including information that’ll come full circle in the end, it totally diverted the story. I spent way too long trying to understand why the story was called “the perfect boyfriend” instead of “the missing neighbor”. While I can ignore the unbelievability of the big coincidence, I feel like this one missed the mark for me. The audio narrator of this audiobook had a strong Scottish accent. While I enjoyed it, some listeners may feel it difficult to enjoy. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ALC.