John’s books always sound really good, but seem to have that shock factor where the books just has unnecessary scenes. Too gory maybe. Didn’t finish it. Too much violence and rape and just not a good story.

I’m not sure why I keep requesting his books. They all seem to be very basic writing and kind of disturbing and crude. I couldn’t even finish it. Just didn’t have anything in the story to grab my attention.

Local businessman Mark Shady has the looks, a charming personality and money. He is perfect boyfriend material for Anna, showering her with gifts. Despite all of this, alarm bells start to ring for Anna as their love life takes a dark and disturbing turn and she dumps him.

But Mark isn’t the charismatic and charming person he portrays to the outside world. He is a psychopath who preys on woman, drawing them in before abusing them. Mark has managed to get away with it so far and was found not guilty when his latest victim reluctantly agreed to press charges and testify against him in court. DS Ray Lewis has worked very closely with the victim Anna, and is dumbfounded and incredibly frustrated when Mark is found not guilty by the court.

Having been found innocent, Mark Shady is riding high with misplaced confidence and is looking for his next victim. He is gloating and begins to mock DS Lewis and Anna on social media. DS Lewis knows it’s only a matter of time before the evil Mark is put behind bars and vows to ensure this happens as his final swansong before retirement.

What an absolutely gripping, fast paced story with some real page-turning twists. The subject of abuse is handled very sensitively and gives a real insight without providing too much unnecessary detail. I loved the stereo-typical character of DS Ray Lewis, who adds some genuine feel-good charm to the book, and I was so pleased with the way things ended for him personally. The character of Mark Shady is so well written, he is vile and conceited and his actions make for an uncomfortable yet compulsive read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc.
This is the second John Nicholl and I’ve loved both! This was an intense thriller. I can’t imagine the fear the characters had to go through in this book. Spine tingling suspense!
Release date April 4, 2025.

Anna lavishes the attention Mark gives her .. he really is the most perfect boyfriend... BUT..

No spoliers from me but this is genuinely a good read.

It is pacy and filled with drama. There are plenty of moments where I questioned Anna's thoughts because I actually liked Mark..

What a great psychological thriller. John Nicholl knows how to get you to love and hate the characters, great twist. And the ending kinda made me emotional. I loved everything about this book

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
This was a gripping read! A perfect boyfriend is who Anna thinks she has found until he isn’t!! The horror and memories are tough to leave..
Mark loves control and each girl thrills him more until one bests him!

Just wow! Intense and pulsing - sometimes scary and creepy - read it in 3 hours, couldn't stop! Characters, both good and evil, so well written they feel real, you feel along with them - and a perfect balance between the bad guy's thoughts and deeds and the investigators as they pursue him. If you like intense investigative fiction, this is it.

This is another fantastic psychological thriller by John Nicholl. The start of the book quickly drew me in and I was surprised throughout with the various twists. I often don’t like detective thrillers, however really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it.

What a book this was and what a psychopath. He really was evil personified and I wouldn’t read this book unless you have a strong stomach . I loved the aging detective character and would,love another book to continue his story . The twists in this book were amazing and I’d definitely give it 5 stars and recommend this to my friends. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book

Mark Shady is a local wealthy businessman and Anna’s boyfriend. At first glance, he is charming and showers Anna with gifts and complements and a man that all a person could wish for but underneath it all he is a narcissistic psychopath who plays on women, controls them and abuses and rapes them. and seems to get away with it because of lack of evidence.
But one day DS Ray Lewis knows that one day his luck will run out and they will get him and put him behind bars.
I have read quite a few books from this author and like this one he never disappoints. This is a fast-paced tense, twisty thriller and its quite a grim read with regards to the character of Mark Shady and him trying to control women. But Ray s such a likeable character and adds a bit of light in the darkness of this story. This is a great read but like others have said its not for the faint hearted as some of it is uncomfortable the way Shady character belittles his victims. But regardless of that I couldn’t put this down a read in it in 24 hours. 5 stars from me.

It was an interesting and captivating story. It kept me reading and guessing what it is next.
I liked how the plot and the characters were described and written. You can see their evolution and thoughts clearly and you can understand better the why of everyones doing.
And even though some things are predictable, it still doen't take away from the mystery of the story and the ending was quite a surprise for me.
That I didn't see coming.

Really recommand this book !

Anna Edwards oh wow!!
You trust him with your life.
You shouldn't.
the Boyfriend
Mark Shady has for the last time raped and abused her,
And DS Raymond Lewis is going to get justice for Anna this time Shady has gone too far been now let off for the third time, with a not guilty verdict in court.
Shady thinks he's untouchable, he's a psycho using them.
The final straw for Ray is been mocked on social media.
He is going to bring this flash restaurant owner well and truly down and get him sent away for a very long time or be put in the ground.
And again, Oh Wow what a book,
It's so unputdownable right through to the ending that will chill your bones sending big goosebumps through you.
I love Ray Lewis as a character he deserves happiness in his life as well as been a clever detective.
What more can I say.
I loved it!!
Comment

This is a gripping thriller with a plot filled with unexpected twists and turns.
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.
The setting is vividly described, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience.

Unfortunately this was not one of my favourites by John Nicholl. There was obviously a real hatred for this character throughout and some “on the edge of your seat” moments but it didn’t feel very realistic to me. I do love a great punchy ending too which i thought this lacked. I wanted to enjoy it more but sadly not a winner for me.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for my open and honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones and interaction on Facebook and instagram where possible.

I liked this book. It was different from how I imagined it was going to be in that some was written from the 'boyfriend' point of view and some was from the girl, but most of it was from the detective's point of view which surprised me. However, it was still really good, dark and enjoyable to read. At some parts of the book, you ended up feeling tension in your belly, and wondering what was going to happen next, or 'are they going to be ok', so definitely some suspense in there too. I liked that you got to see and understand what she the victim was feeling, and the author did a good job of portraying the emotions felt in a realistic way. The ending was fantastic, loved how the detective was portrayed in a kind, gentle manner throughout, and also showing his frustration at the situation. I would recommend this book to others who enjoy crime thrillers. 5 stars!

2.5 stars rounded up to 3
Expected publication date - April 4, 2025

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.

Anna thinks she has the perfect boyfriend in Mark until he does unthinkable things to her. Mark is familiar to Inspector Ray Lewis, who has arrested him before on similar charges. Without enough evidence, he wasn't sent to prison before or this time. Now, the race is on. Can Ray send him to prison before more women are hurt or worse?

This story didn't really do it for me. Some parts were very descriptive for no reason, while other parts lacked description. I really had to force myself to finish.

Let's dive into The Boyfriend. This isn't your typical romance. Forget happily ever after, this is a descent into something truly dark and disturbing.
Anna thinks she's found the perfect guy in Mark. Wealthy, charming, everything she's ever wanted. But behind that facade is a monster. He's possessive, controlling, and downright dangerous. When Anna finally escapes, she learns there's no running from him. He's relentless. And she's not the only one in danger.
This book is not for the faint of heart. It's emotionally draining and horrifying. It tackles themes of abuse and obsession in a way that's raw and unsettling. I found myself invested in Ray's character, which was a small bright spot in a very dark story.
Consider this your trigger warning. This book deals with heavy topics. If you're looking for something light and fluffy, this is not it. But even though it's dark and horrifying, it's very well written and I couldn't put it down. If you're ready for a chilling and thought-provoking read, The Boyfriend will definitely leave a mark.

"The Boyfriend" by John Nicholl was a fast paced story that had many twists and turns. This book kept you on the edge of your seat and made you want to see what happened.
Ray Lewis has a case against Mark, a man that hurts women. When the bad guy wins in court, Ray is ready to stop him at any all and costs. As more women are getting hurt Ray is confident that Mark is the one that is guilty. As Ray is trying to make a case against Mark, Mark is making Ray look stupid. When the cops daughter becomes involved it's a whole new game for Ray.
Highly recommend.

I've really enjoyed John Nicholl's previous books.This is a dark, disturbing read, but in the authors usual style, he allows us to get deep inside the mind of a true psychopath.
You really do find yourself going through all emotions, and at times, it is a very uncomfortable read, but such is the writing that you are compelled to carry on to what was a great ending to a gripping page turner.
Recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the Arc