*Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* 3 somewhat reluctant stars... possibly rounded up from 2.5. I was quite disappointed in this book. The premise of this book really pulled me - a domestic thriller where secrets from the past come back to haunt the protagonist. Chris and Rose are living an ordinary life with their teenage daughter Julia, when a a young woman, Katie, turns up on their doorstep, claiming to be Chris' child. I found the story quite confusing at times and the reaction of characters to be less than realistic. For example - a character grins after someone agrees to attend her mother's funeral with her. That, and other actions by the characters seemed out of place. However, what hasn't been my cup of tea may appeal to others and the book is certainly full of twists and turns.

This book was a strange one. The characters' choices throughout were difficult to comprehend and I can not put a number on the amount of times I read 'I'm sorry I lied...'
Despite this the tale was intricately woven with lots of intrigue and suspense throughout so overall an interesting read. With thanks to netgalley and Jake Cross for the advance copy.

It started off strong, but about halfway through the book started getting very strange and unbelievable. If it had been any longer, I probably wouldn't have finished it. I also had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. I would say this was an average read, not terrible but not great either.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Perfect Stranger is a cleverly plotted thriller that kept me on my toes. I didn't connect all that much with the characters, but it was still an engaging book and an entertaining summer read!

I found this a little dull and predictable. The plot was fine, the characters fine. Just meh.a shame but

A great book from Jake Cross. I’ve never read a book by this author before and I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. The characters were well thought out and the story was well paced.

Rose and Chris are happily married and are about to celebrate their sixteenth wedding anniversary. A young girl turns up on their doorstep claiming to be Chris's daughter. Nothing will ever be the same again. From page one I was hooked infact I devoured this read and finally turning the last page at 1.am. I spent most of this read sat on the edge of my seat. A slow burner to start with and then it takes off like a rocket. The plot was original, clever and so gripping. A psychological thriller par excellence. WHAT A READ I LOVED IT!!!! An easy five stars and so Highly Recommended.
I would like to thank the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Perfect Stranger – Jake Cross

Secrets can destroy relationships and Perfect Stranger is about dark secrets.

Rose and Chris’s twenty year old marriage faces the test of time when a young teenage blonde shows up on their doorstep, claiming to be Chris’s daughter – the result of a summer fling.

Feeling sorry for this wide eyed innocent beauty, Rose allows Katie to stay, despite Chris’s protests. But soon after Katie moves in, strange things start happening - unexplained accidents and a friend’s disappearance. The couple’s perfect life starts to disseminate and Rose starts doubting everybody, to the point of losing her own sanity. She does not know who to trust and even Chris starts acting outlandish.

The book was a racy thriller but however it had its weak arcs in the plot. The characters were not likable. Sometimes when we read we want to identify with the characters we are reading about – we want to empathize with them but rather than feeling sorry for Rose and her arthritic condition, one tends to feel indifferently. There were unanticipated twists and turns and the end was unexpected to the point of being bizarre. The writing style made up for what was lacking in plot and characterization. It was crisp, engaging and well edited. The book did have its moments of suspense where the readers want to race through the pages eager to know what awaits them at the end.

My rating 3.5 * / 5

A strange teenager knocks on your door telling you she’s your daughter Katie and has no where to go.
Do you let her stay?
Chris & Rose do until they find out if she is chris’s daughter.
Soon after Katie moves in with them lots of strange things start happening and most of them are pointing in Chris’s direction.
Is he hiding a secret?
Or is something else going on ?
Thanks Netgalley

First book I read by this author but certainly not the last. Not going into storyline because you already know what the book is about and I don't want to spoil anything for you. This was an exciting book from beginning to end. I might add I didn't expect the ending which is so exciting while reading a book.. I Couldn't stop turning pages! Definitely recommend this book.

This book was very well written. Nice and easy to read and flowed well. Had me on the edge of my seat. Wondering which way it was going to go. Great mystery can’t beat it.

While I enjoy a good psychological thriller, this one just didn't work well for me. Chris is married to Rose -- who has debilitating arthritis (which doesn't actually matter much for the plot) -- and they have an adult daughter, Julia, who still lives with them. Along comes Katie who convinces Chris that she's his long lost daughter from some anonymous fling years ago, and the whole happy family takes her in, hoping to live happily ever after. Since it's a psychological thriller called Perfect Stranger, you can guess how that ends up.

The beginning was slow, the premise -- especially in the age of technology -- was just too unbelievable, and the characters were all just very unlikeable. The writing was often disjointed, but in a confusing way and not a keep you on your toes way. Even the ending was just strange, although fairly predictable from the way the rest of the story went. Unfortunately, this book just didn't work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the arc of this book. It did not influence my review.

I have never read anything by this author before and liked the idea behind this book. Unfortunately it just fell a bit short for me. The writing was a bit stilted and I found it difficult to like any of the characters. I will however look out for more books by him in the future

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest The premise of this book sounded really exciting but I didn’t end up loving it like I thought I would. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and even liking them. There were some good twists and turns but it just wasn’t for me.

Fantastic! The characters come to life and keep you guessing. I was gripped turning the pages until the end!

Perfect Stranger by Jake Cross is another book on my To-Read list. I have so many books and wish I had more time in the day. People often ask me how I read so much… I clear my evenings and devote a few hours strictly for reading! I rarely watch TV at night, I prefer to snuggle with the dogs and get into a good story. The only downside to this set up is that I often stay up too late because the book is too good to put down!

Here’s what you need to know about this book:

Following a whirlwind romance, Rose and Chris’s marriage has been unshakeable for twenty years. But when teenager Katie turns up on their doorstep, blonde, wide-eyed and beautiful, their perfect life threatens to crumble to pieces. Because Katie says she’s Chris’s long-lost daughter, the product of a forgotten summer fling.

The couple is still reeling from shock when Katie tells them she has nowhere to go. The couple is her only hope. Kind-hearted Rose invites Katie to stay, despite Chris’s protests. The poor girl has only just lost her mother – they can’t leave her out on the street.

But soon after Katie moves in, strange things start happening. Someone crashes into a neighbour’s fence. An unexplained fire starts in the couple’s kitchen. And a family friend coming to visit disappears on the way to the house. Chris insists Katie has to go. But it’s Chris who won’t explain where he was at the time their friend went missing…

The couple’s dream life seems to be turning into a nightmare. With dark secrets about Chris’s history with Katie’s mother coming to light, Rose no longer knows who to trust. Soon, she isn’t sure whether she’s invited a dangerous stranger into her home, or whether she’s been living with one all along…

I know I’m going to love this book based on the description. It has all the elements of a thrilling story. It makes you wonder, what would you do if a girl landed on your doorstep claiming to be a long lost daughter? Great premise!

Due out Aug. 21, only $2.99 on Kindle!

Perfect Stranger by Jake Cross was a book that I couldn't put down. Sadly, I did not have the time to finish in one day - but I wanted to.
Imagine a strange young woman turning up on your doorstep who believes she may be your daughter. The product of a holiday fling. You never knew about her and here she is an adult. What does she want? Is she looking to replace the parents she lost tragically recently? Is she there to be a worthwhile addition to your family or there to break it?
Chris is thrown for a loop when, Katie, the presumed daughter shows up. His wife, Rose, is much more welcoming. Chris has serious reservations about welcoming this woman into his life. And all of a sudden she is living in his home.
No spoilers here, you have to read more to find out. One small criticism, Chris lives most of his life in his head it seems - it was confusing at times to follow his thoughts. More than once I felt like I missed the first book in the series, but no matter this book is fantastic!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

At first, I was intrigued by the basic premise. A teenager knocks at the door and claims to be the husband's daughter, whom he never knew he had. Long-buried secrets come out, piecemeal.

Unfortunately, just when you thought the story was coming to a conclusion, the author introduced another bizarre, not-quite-believable twist. This happened time and again. Each time, it felt like the author wanted the book to be just a little bit longer. It just did not work for me.

When I first started reading this book I thought, "oh no this is going to be like every other mystery thriller I have read." I was really surprised when it gripped me only a few chapters in. I quickly realized this is not your average mystery thriller. I found myself going back and forth on who I thought was the "bad guy." I was honestly just trying to keep up which, I really enjoy in a book. Love when authors keep you guessing!

The book does start a little slow, it is to help set the scene. As the description says, it is about the Redfern family and when a stranger shows up at their door it sends their lives upside down. From there, without giving anything away, Jake Cross has you guessing who is lying and who is telling the truth, and thinking about who is right or wrong in the situation.

I would 100% recommend this to my friends and family and anyone who loves a good mystery/thriller.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture!

Labeling this narrative as a thriller is an outlandish act of subterfuge. Jake Cross has written a mediocre suspense novel at best. And while the plot thesis is intriguing, it seems jumbled with its lack of trepidation, underdeveloped characters, and slow plot pace. Cross is undoubtedly a better writer than what is displayed in this latest piece. Perhaps it can be saved in edits but as is, the book fails to hit the mark. 2 stars.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC thanks to NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own