The perfect father or is he? What are the best psychological thrillers I’ve read all year. This book kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page

I must say that like Esther, I didn't spot the signs of the abuse in the beginning of the relationship. Rob's perspective seemed odd at times but it wasn't until I read the book a second time that I finally noticed the gaslighting and manipulative skills that Rob has perfected. The story itself is really well done in terms of bringing awareness to difficulties of pregnancy and massive guilt in whatever decision a woman makes. I didn't enjoy the constant jumping between different times and jumps from one narrator to another however this pushed the story along into the narrative that Charlotte intended. I think it is a thriller definitely worth reading.

This was an amazing thriller that kept me on my toes the whole time. The author’s depiction of the characters was spot on and the plot had me breathless! A great read!

Esther and Robin are parents to two-year-old Riley. Esther returned to her job as soon as Riley was born, while Robin temporarily gave up his career to be a stay at home father. Esther had a very difficult pregnancy, and she was grateful when it was over, but, she adores Riley. The only thing that makes it bearable leaving every day is the fact that she knows Robin is a wonderful father and Riley is in good hands.
Until he might be the perfect father, but the perfect husband is debatable. Esther comes home from work expecting to be greeted by Robin and Riley. The front door is ajar and the text she receives from Robin, “Sorry”, does nothing to ease her fears. A knock at the door does not bring good news, and we now take a trip to the past to understand the present.
There were several really good twists in The Perfect Father. Honestly, I never really liked the character of Robin, and Esther left me feeling ambiguous until certain secrets were revealed. There was one secondary character that I truly felt carried quite a heavy load. I won't say more as it would surely give away a major plot point.
I really liked Unfollow Me and liked this book just a little bit less. 3.5 stars.

A good and interesting read!

I would recommend this to everyone who loves a good story with captivating characters! Definitely a good read!

The Perfect Father started off perfectly, it was captivating and fast paced. I loved the way Charlotte Duckworth dropped the smallest clues that things are not what it seems from the very beginning. By the time I get to the 50% mark, I already know what the plot was about and things were getting redundant as the same sentences are repeatedly written in 20 different ways. I managed to finish the book by skipping most of the internal monologues.
Overall, the premise was strong, but characters were not particularly likeable.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sorry
That’s what the text message says.

But, sorry, for what?

When Esther, the breadwinner of the family, returns home after receiving this message, she discovers that her husband Robin, a stay at home Dad, and their two year old daughter, Riley, are missing.

And, then the police arrive.

The story unfolds from the perspectives of both Esther and Robin, past and present, until all is revealed.
Clearly, Robin was not the PERFECT FATHER he appeared to be.

But, he was perfect at the art of manipulation. (One thing in particular was really distasteful to me)

Sorry
I wish I could recommend this one, because I REALLY enjoyed “Unfollow Me” which I read last year.

But the ending to this story is attained when TWO things CONVENIENTLY occur.
One involved the story arc I mentioned, which I found to be in poor taste.
The other, although still convenient, I at least found FITTING.

I would like to thank the Publisher for my gifted copy.
It was my pleasure to provide a candid review!
Available Dec. 1, 2020

WoW I'm trying to come to terms with what this book!
So fast paced. I didn't want this book end.
I loved every single second of this novel!
Its amazing and I promise you won't be disappointed!

This story is told in two povs. Robin and his wife Esther. After a difficult pregnancy Esther is delighted Robin wants to be an at home father so she can go back to her career. She adores. One day she gets a mysterious text from Robin that makes her anxious something is wrong g at home.
As she goes from room to room looking for her husband and daughter, she realizes Robin has fled with Riley, and she'll do whatever it takes to get her daughter back.
I honestly have to say I didn't like any of the characters in this book, and it seemed like it would never end. I kept reading since I was already half way through to see what the big twist would. be and how it would end. One of the twist thrown I. Is quite easy to figure out,, I have to say the end was interesting, not enough to rate it the 2 stars unfortunately.

Wow....wow - Buckle up Buttercup, this is one emotional roller coaster ride! But wait....he’s the perfect father right? Or is he a perfect liar? Does one really know the person you live with, your husband? He adores you, he’s sacrificed his career for you to take care of the baby...for the well being of you, for the love and well being of your child. Twists and turns - the revelations in this story I’m still thinking about after reading the last page! OMGoodness, I feel emotionally raw and drained (in a good way).

On another note, kudos to Ms. Duckworth, for bringing a very real, and serious, medical condition to light (hyperemesis gravidarum), that sometimes occurs during pregnancy.

The one thing I didn't care for, was the frequent use of profanity in the book.

My profound thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

3.5 * rounded down. This is one of those novels with chapters from different perspectives and timelines like "Now" and "Three Years Before" and "After". I found this very readable, although I didn't connect emotionally with any of the characters. It was entertaining, but forgettable.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for a twisty thriller that packs a punch. Robin is the perfect father to little Riley - caring for her as a stay at home dad so that mom Esther can continue her career. But something's not right...and the cracks begin to appear when Robin and Riley are reported missing.

The best thrillers are the ones that really catch you off guard - there's a reason why everyone still talks about Gone Girl years later. And Charlotte Duckworth has done the same thing here - setting up and building a story, and just when the reader thinks she's figured everything out, yanks the floor out from under her with a twist. I won't give too much more away, but I will say that this twist felt very real to me, unlike some of the more implausible thrillers I've read. Grab this book and settle in for a fun read on a rainy day.

Thank you to Quercus Books for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Having loved Duckworth's first two books, I was desperate to read The Perfect Father. And did it live up to the hype created in my own head? 100%. From start to end, this is a book that draws you in, plays with your emotions, and messes with your head - in the way only the best of this genre can. The twists were genuinely shocking, but didn't ever feel out of place. Instead, they always made sense in the context of the story, with the breadcrumbs so artfully laid prior to the reveal only really jumping out at you once the big reveal had come. Which I loved, personally, as I can usually guess what's about to happen! Every single character is thoroughly fleshed out, with not one of them feeling as though they couldn't be a real person. And the situations they find themselves in are all too real, too. By the end I had feelings of genuine loathing, sympathy, and empathy - almost having to remind myself these weren't people I knew in real life. I could gush on for hours, but to put it in the most succinct manner I can, The Perfect Father is a perfect read, and I will be buying everyone I know a copy for Christmas. Please, do yourself a favour, and read it. And make sure you put a good block of time aside to do so, because I guarantee you won't be able to put it down.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. I have enjoyed her books in the past, so was thrilled when i saw this one available. Jaw dropper. She does an amazing job of setting the story and then about 1/3 of the way, throwing in a twist you NEVER saw coming! Same with the ending. Twists and relationships formed you never saw coming. I don't always like books that go back and forth from present to past but this one was written very well. Another good book by her!