3.5

Detective Darcy White has just been called out to the scene of a homicide. When she arrives on site, she makes her way through the home seeing the body of a man and then meets his wife, who was found with blood on her hands. But this crime isn't as simple as it might seem. Darcy knows the wife and has a personal connection to her. The wife, Charlotte, is the woman her husband, Bradley, was having an affair with. Charlotte knew Bradley was married but she doesn't know that Darcy is his wife. As Darcy starts an interview with Charlotte about what happened, Charlotte makes a statement that only further tangles the web: She didn't kill her husband, but she knows who did. Bradley.

This domestic thriller drama was a quick and enjoyable read. I had a pretty good guess of the outcome pretty early on and the twists weren't too crazy, but it was still a fun, easy binge listen. Story is told in dual POV by Darcy and Charlotte and the narrator did a good job voicing the two characters in distinct ways. Overall, a solid popcorn domestic thriller.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the audiobook for review.

My Husband’s Mistress is a fast paced edge of your seat thriller! There is so much anticipation and suspense. I definitely recommend this for anyone who is looking for a quick paced read full of twists.

I really enjoyed the story, pacing and narrator. I wanted to finish in one sitting but I had family come to visit to I had to put it down but couldn’t stop thinking about it as I was already halfway through! I just had to know what happened. I picked it back up the minute my family left 😹

Thank you for the ARC

My Husband’s Mistress by Willow Rose is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story follows a woman caught in a whirlwind of betrayal and suspense when she discovers her husband's affair, only to later find herself tangled in a deadly murder mystery involving the very woman who shattered her life.

The novel kicks off with a chilling scene where the mistress of the protagonist’s husband is found standing next to the body of her husband, blood on her hands, and claiming that the husband was the one who did it. The emotional rollercoaster begins as the protagonist, a cop working the case, must decide who to trust—her unfaithful husband or the woman who caused her immense pain.

Willow Rose masterfully balances tension and emotion, keeping readers hooked with a fast-paced narrative filled with twists and turns. The main character’s inner conflict is both relatable and compelling as she navigates the complexities of love, betrayal, and justice. The suspense builds to a thrilling crescendo, making it impossible to predict the ending.

With dark, intricate plotting and complex character development, My Husband’s Mistress is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. It’s a tale of deception, betrayal, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her children, all set against a backdrop of secrets and lies that will leave you questioning who can truly be trusted. If you enjoy twist-filled crime dramas, this one will not disappoint.

I'm so glad I got this advanced copy as an audio book-- it was wonderfully done and I found myself making excuses to listen more! You spend time in the head of both the wife and the mistress, and while I started out thinking I knew who to root for, the story twists. I'd recommend to fans of Frieda McFadden-- it's got that domestic horror vibe at points. Five stars in my book! Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Willow Rose delivers a dark and twisted thriller with My Husband’s Mistress, a novel packed with secrets, betrayal, and murder. From the very first page, the tension is palpable, drawing readers into a tangled web of deception where nothing is as it seems.

The story unfolds at a perfect pace, with a steady buildup that keeps the suspense simmering until the shocking revelations hit. Rose masterfully balances intrigue and drama, making every twist feel both surprising and inevitable. The complexity of the plot, combined with its relentless tension, ensures that readers remain fully engrossed until the final page.

With its expertly crafted suspense and jaw-dropping twists, My Husband’s Mistress is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Willow Rose once again proves her ability to deliver a gripping and unpredictable story that lingers long after the book is finished.

I was sucked into this one very quickly. I definitely didn’t trust Charlotte, especially finding out that she was Darcy’s husband’s mistress. I felt bad for Darcy being the detective on the case. I didn’t expect the final twist. The last 40 pages wrapped everything up in such a nice bow.

I enjoyed the dual POV. Getting to see both Darcy and Charlotte’s POVs really made the story. Lauryn and Barbara did a great job portraying each character.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copies of this book.

4 stars - Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ALC of 'My Husband's Mistress'. The premise of this book immediately caught my attention. The story revolves around four key characters: Darcy, a detective married to Bradley, a high-powered attorney who is having an affair with Charlotte. When Charlotte’s husband, Edward, is found dead, the question arises—who killed him? Both Charlotte and Bradley have compelling motives, keeping the suspense high throughout!

I especially enjoyed the alternating POVs between Darcy and Charlotte, which kept me guessing and second-guessing the identity of the killer. The audiobook was a fast-paced and engaging listen, with excellent narration that enhanced the experience. The story had a satisfying twist, and I appreciated the closure at the end. I did want a little more character development of Edward - we got a brief insight into who he was, but I wanted a little more. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I really enjoyed this!! It kept me on the edge of my seat and I was always wanting to know what happened next. I thought I had it figured out and I was so incredibly wrong.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutoure Audio for the gifted ALC.

My Husband's Mistress by Willow Rose and narrated by Lauryn Allman and Barbara Barnes was an excellent heart-stopping psychological thriller and it was an excellent audiobook from start to finish. I just love the way this author writes, and every book she has written has been 5 stars reads with lots of twists and turns throughout that will have you hooked from the beginning till the very end. My Husband's Mistress was no different. . . . Another s Star read!

The narrators Lauryn Allman and Barbara Barnes were brilliant and bought this audiobook alive. Just superb together.

I highly recommend this book. Great Holiday read.

Big Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Bookouture Audio for my ARC's.

This is just typical Willow Rose and I love it. It just can get you totally engrossed and forget about the world for a few hours whilst you listen. I must admit I loved the ending and did see it coming but now how, that always makes for a great book.

Wasn’t able to finish due to NetGalley taking the book out of my account on the punishing date- not leaving me time to leave a review.

My Husband’s Mistress by Willow Rose.

Thank you @NetGalley for my audio ARC.

Detective Darcy White saw her husband, Bradley and Charlotte at a restaurant and immediately knew they were having an affair. Now a year later, after Bradley swore to her that he has stopped seeing Charlotte, Darcy arrives at a murder scene and the suspect is Charlotte.

Charlotte is accused of murdering her husband, but she tells Darcy it was Bradley who did it so that they could be together.

Does Darcy believe this woman who ruined her life or does she protect her husband who lied to her previously?

Even though some parts of the story did get a little far fetched, it was still a great whodunit.

4 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to Bookouture for the ARC & Bookouture Audio for the ALC via NetGalley! 💌

Y’ALL. Imagine being a detective, walking into a murder scene… and the prime suspect is your husband’s MISTRESS. Oh, and she’s blaming YOUR husband for the crime. Sounds like a fever dream, right? WHEW. This book was DRAMA from page one!

🔪 THE PLOT: Darcy White is a detective, and she’s good at her job. But when she’s called to a murder scene and realizes the suspect is Charlotte—the woman her husband, Bradley, has been CHEATING on her with—things get messy. Charlotte swears up and down that Bradley is the real killer, and suddenly Darcy is stuck between being a detective and a scorned wife. Can she trust the man who betrayed her? Or is Charlotte setting her up for an even bigger lie?

💣 WHAT WORKED FOR ME:
🔥 Unputdownable—I DEVOURED this. Short, fast chapters kept me flipping pages like a madwoman.
🎭 Dual POV—Getting inside both Darcy and Charlotte’s heads? Chef’s kiss. So much tension!
💃 SO MUCH DRAMA—Infidelity, murder, betrayal, secrets on top of secrets… LOVED IT.
🎧 Great audiobook narration—Lauryn Allman & Barbara Barnes did a solid job bringing these messy characters to life!

🤔 WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
📖 A bit predictable—Not all the twists shocked me, but I was still entertained!
⏳ Dragged a little at the end—The final stretch could have been tighter.

Overall, this was a juicy, binge-worthy thriller with all the soap opera-level drama I LIVE FOR. Messy characters, tangled lies, and a whole lot of betrayal. If you love thrillers where no one is innocent and everyone has something to hide, add this to your TBR!

🔥 READ IF YOU LIKE:
✅ Domestic thrillers with cheating spouses & murder
✅ Fast, addictive reads with jaw-dropping secrets
✅ Morally grey women making BAD decisions

"My Husband's Mistress" by Willow Rose

This book is a thriller that delves into betrayal, deception, and the complexities of marriage. Detective Darcey White is assigned to investigate the murder of Edward Kane. Upon arriving at the crime scene, she discovers that the prime suspect, Charlotte Kane—the victim's wife—is also her husband's mistress. This revelation propels Darcey into a turbulent journey where her personal and professional lives collide. She is forced to confront the painful truth about her marriage and unravel a web of lies.

The plot features some unexpected twists and turns that make the book exciting. I listened to the audiobook, which helped keep me engaged and eager to return for more.

While I found parts of the plot somewhat predictable, I still enjoyed the twists that kept me guessing.

Overall, My Husband's Mistress is a fast-paced and engaging read. The characters and storyline challenge perceptions of truth and loyalty. If you enjoy thrillers and psychological suspense, you're likely to enjoy this book.

The Kane family lives a seemingly picture-perfect life, until Charlotte is arrested for murdering her husband. When Detective Darcy is put on the case she immediately recognizes Charlotte because she is her husband’s mistress.

Charlotte claims that she didn’t kill her husband, it was actually Darcy’s husband. Now, Darcy is closer to the case than anyone can know. She must investigate and determine if the woman she hates is a murder who is trying to frame Darcy’s husband or if she is in fact innocent. Darcy vows to win Charlottes trust while hiding that fact that Charlotte has implicated her husband.

The plot of this book intrigued me and I enjoy reading about strong female characters. However, there were parts of the plot that seemed improbable. Specifically, that an intelligent, seasoned detective didn't realize what was happening in her own home. I don't want to spoil the plot so I will leave it at that. Overall, this book was enjoyable and fun to listen to and I would absolutely read another book by tis author or listen to another audiobook by this author.

Whenever I hit a reading slump, I pick up a book written by Willow Rose. Her multifaceted characters and her clever storylines pull me in by page two. My Husband's Mistress is the perfect example. A police detective, Darcy finds herself in a precarious situation. She is brought in to investigate the murder of her husband's mistress's husband. The blood-covered mistress is found by her hubby's body. She claims innocence; fasten your seatbelt... It's going to be a rocky ride. The narration is well done.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for letting me try the book.

I enjoyed this book. I listened to it on audio and thought the narrater did a great job. I guessed one of the twists but not the main ones. I liked the premise a lot of a wife going to the murder scene of her husband’s mistresses husband. It was interesting to see how it was going to play out and what sides she was going to take. It was a quick read and I would recommend.

International bestselling author, Willow Rose (favorite author), returns from her Detective Billie Ann Wilde series (a favorite) with her latest new standalone —a gripping psychological thriller, MY HUSBAND'S MISTRESS.

Things get personal for Detective Darcy White in a twisty and dangerous game of cat and mouse involving a murder— when her husband's mistress is the one she is questioning. But the mistress does not know the detective is the wife.

Get ready for a wild ride!

About...

Detective Darcy White is with the St. Augustine PD, and she is gunning for a promotion to senior detective. Being a female, she is under even more scrutiny.

On the personal front, she is married to the charming, cheating husband, Bradley. As sleek as his black Mercedes, he is an attorney who always demands center stage. They have five-year-old twins, Jacob and Emma, who keep her in the marriage.

At the beginning of the novel, Darcy is following her husband and catches him in a French cafe with an alluring woman, kissing her. This scene, a pivotal moment in the story, confirms Darcy's suspicions about Bradly's infidelity. She knows deep down that Bradly has secrets. She must decide what to do next.

The story picks up a year later when she is in charge of her first murder case. The victim: Edward Kane, 45 years old, and the husband of her husband's mistress, Charlotte.

Let the games begin.

My thoughts...

Get ready to be on the edge of your seat, getting your mind blown time after time as the story progresses. With secrets, lies, deception, betrayal, revenge, and lines crossed, this entertaining game of cat and mouse with unreliable narrators is full of intrigue. Trust no one. The plot has unexpected twists that keep you guessing until the explosive ending.

Oh my, just when you think this will be a predictable love triangle, it is anything but. Again, this is masterful, Willow Rose, so expect the unexpected. She is a pro at delivering jaw-dropping twists, and MY HUSBAND's MISTRESS is the perfect example!

I am a huge fan of Rose's Detective Billie Ann Wilde and have read them all. This is my first standalone from her, so I wondered how it would be. That jaw-dropping twist? Let's say it's an unexpected game-changer you will not see coming.

Told from the POVs of Darcey (wife) and Charlotte (mistress), you do not know whom to trust in this unputdownable, whodunit suspense! The strong character development will connect you to the characters and their struggles.

Willow Rose delivers the unexpected with a clever, executed twist. It's a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers, and if you're a fan of the genre, this book is a perfect addition to your reading list. I also adore books set in Florida that are in my backyard.

Audiobook...

The audiobook was exceptionally narrated by Lauryn Allman and Barbara Barnes, giving the two main characters a distinct POV. You will be glued to your iPhone while they deliver an engaging listening experience and an entertaining performance.

Author's Note/Inspiration...

What I love about this author is that she always includes the inspiration for her novels, and if inspired by true crimes, she includes the link to read more, which I find fascinating. You can read more about the gruesome case from France and the courageous story of the wife who took it public. Trust me; you will be lured down a rabbit hole, leaving you speechless.

Recs...

MY HUSBAND'S MISTRESS is for fans of the author and those who enjoy works by Freida McFadden, Jenova Rose, Mary Kubica, Ashley Winstead, Daniel Hurst, Miranda Rijks, and Emily Shiner.

Thanks to Bookouture, Bookouture Audio, Hachette UK, and NetgGalley for gifted advanced reading and listening copies in exchange for my honest thoughts.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: March 28, 2025
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This was an entertaining read with lots of twists. However, there are some incredibly unrealistic aspects that are integral to the story, so I found that to be a bit distracting. It's a pretty slow burn for a while, and I didn't find any of the characters particularly likable. I was gifted an ALC in exchange for my honest opinion, and I will say that the narration was well done.

10/10. I absolutely loved this book! So many twists that kept you intrigued. Finished the audiobook in a day. The narrator was AMAZING! I loved that we had both view points.