I think I don’t like thrillers dealing with married or ex-married couples all that much, because the two I have read (this one and Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney) did nothing for me. I just don’t care about straight people’s marriages and all their drama.
Since I read an ALC of this, let’s start by the narrator: they were good, not my all times favourite, but still good, and I think had I not listened to this book on audio, I would have given it one star instead of two. That’s the power of audiobooks for y’all.
Now, aside from the narrator, I didn’t like anything about this book, aside from the fact that it was some kind of revenge story. It wasn’t well exectued, but it was a good for her plot and it should at least count for something, I guess.
The main issue I had with the book was the writing style. There were too many POVs for me and none of them had any distinguishable characteristic, not even Olivia’s one which was the only one told in first person. I didn’t care for most of the characters and I don’t think the other POVs added anything to the story. I see no point in them and I would have much preferred if the book was only told from Olivia’s perspective.
In general, all the characters were really flat. I couldn’t tell most of them apart and I think they were pretty useless. I’ve already forgotten all their names and I finished the book two days ago. Character work was almost completely absent and I hate when authors don’t take their time to build their characters and just throw shadows in there, instead of people.
I guess this wanted to be a plot driven book, but the plot itself was boring and mostly predictable, there was only one twist that I didn’t see coming, but that wasn’t enough to make me interested in the story. I don’t know if it’s this subgenre of thriller or if I’ve just been unlucky, but I really struggled to care about any of their shenaningans.
I think if the book was only written from Olivia’s perspective, it could have benefitted not only in style, but also in plot, because I feel like the author was too focused on trying to keep all the POVs together and forgot to make the plot engaging. If the book had less characters in general, I also think it would have gone way better for me.
I don’t think I’d recommend this, especially if you are a thriller beginner. I am still curious to read more thriller centering around couples to see if it’s the subgenre or if I’ve just been unlucky with the two I have read. I am also still curious to read The Island by this author, which has a concept that intrigues me more than The Guilty Couple did. I am still worried I won’t like it, seeing as I struggled with the writing and the characters in this one, but we will see, maybe C.L. Taylor will surprise me and I’ll find a new favourite.

Thank you very much Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of The Guilty Couple in exchange of my honest opinion.

I have read quite a few books by C.L Taylor. Some of them I really enjoyed and some others were a little bit less gripping.

The Guilty Couple, for me, was in the later group.

This story started off very well. I found it intriguing and I wanted to know more about it. Who was guilty? Had anyone been framed? How did the police not realise? Is there any way they can prove this mistake?

I quite enjoyed how, at the beginning, everyone seemed to know something and been somehow involved in this situation. It made me start guessing and plotting, having different theories.

As the book kept going, I became a little bit bored of the plot. There were no characters that I cared enough about for me to be interested in the story and I kind of knew where the story was heading.

This book would be perfect for people that are starting reading thrillers, and it is a good book, don't get me wrong. But after reading so many thrillers, it didn't have that wow-factor for me!

The Guilty Couple Book Review 📖

I enjoyed this one and found it a super easy listen in the evenings. It's written from three points of view, Olivia, her husband Dom and police officer Dani (who also has a second job as a personal trainer??)
There weren't any edge of your seat or gasp out loud moments, but kept my attention.
And that's all I really have to say to be honest. Not one I loved or would particularly remember, but worth a listen.
3.5⭐️

Olivia and Dominic are not the perfect couple but Olivia was framed for plotting Dominic’s murder but now she wants to find out why he framed her!
As always a twisty book from C L Taylor and this is what we expect and love. Audiobooks are not my favourite but I enjoyed this and will read the actual book on holiday. Thank you to netgalley for this audio arc for my honest review.

I received a copy of the audiobook narrated by Clare Corbett via @NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did enjoy this, it’s my first C.L Taylor and I didn’t suspect the ending. Whilst other bits were predictable.

I wasn’t a fan of many of the characters, usually a sign of a well written book when I’m not keen!

I’m still relatively new to the genre and still manage to find thrillers infuriating, it’s the not knowing for me!

I feel like the ending wasn’t fully wrapped up. Will there be another instalment? I hope so!

When I read the blurb of The Guilty Couple I knew immediately it was one I wouldn't want to put down so I requested both the audio and eBook. I am so glad I did as this was one rollercoaster I did not want to get off!

From the outset we know Olivia has been wrongfully imprisoned for plotting to kill her husband, so where exactly is this story going to go? There is no need to be concerned about the plot being predictable with this one because Taylor has planted plenty of little twists and turns that will have you trying to predict the ending from the very start. At times I thought I had it all figured out to find I'd been thrown a little red herring amongst a hint of truth.

The book is full of characters which you will love to hate, instantly distrust and also those who you just can't make your mind up about. This is a story with some very unsavory characters and situations which leaves a lot to question and many blurred lines.

The suspenseful narration of the audiobook and the flow of the eBook both work perfectly and it was great to be able to jump in and out between the two so flawlessly.

A fast paced, gripping thriller/mystery that you won't want to put down.

Rating;: 3,5 stars
I’m so late with my reviews lately! Is anyone else finding it hard to keep up?
Anyway, this book was released on 23 June 🫢 and here is my very late review!

Thanks to @netgalley and @harpercollinsuk for my advanced audio copy!

I really enjoyed the narrator Clare Corbett on this audiobook, but although it held my interest throughout, I have to admit I was expecting so much more.

This is my first book by this author and I have heard nothing but good things about her. But alas, it was not what I expected! 🫤

After 5 long years in prison for plotting the death of her husband Dominic, Olivia Sutherland is finally free. Now all she can think about is how to rebuild her relationship with her teenage daughter and prove that her ex-husband framed her for something she didn't commit.

So what didn’t work for me?
Well, first of all, there were several plot holes... which I can't mention without giving major spoilers! Suffice to say, I'm still not entirely sure why Dominic set her up or how certain facts revealed at the end were even possible!

I was not particularly invested in Liv’s character. She came across as boring and insecure! I expected her to be more of a badass after spending 5 years in prison. Smithy, her friend and cellmate was much more interesting as swas Dani, the cop. To bad her character focuses today much on her personal problems rather than doing the right thing!

But after suspending my disbelief and a little eye rolling I just went with the flow and enjoyed the ride!

Absolute roller coaster of a book! Fantastic audiobook and the story kept you on the edge of your seat throughout.

I’ve read a few C.L Taylor books and this one is my favourite so far.

The mystery kept you gripped until the end.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Yet another fab book by this wonderful author.

I loved how fast paced it was, something exciting happened in every chapter and it kept be hooked throughout.

I liked the main character and her bond with her daughter. Certain parts were a little over the top but all in all still an enjoyable read.

Description 🔖

Olivia Sutherland has spent the last five years in prison after being wrongly accused of plotting to have her husband (at the time) Dominic murdered. Now she’s no longer in prison she has some very clear objectives for her life; reunite with her teenage daughter and repair their relationship, prove her innocence and out her ex-husband for being the one who set her up.

Olivia will have to go to extremes to achieve her goals. Has her time in prison amongst career criminals prepared her for this? And will Dominic allow her to go through with her plans? He has secrets that Olivia couldn’t have dreamed up and scarily, it’s more than Olivia’s freedom at stake, it’s her life.

General Thoughts 🤔

I would consider myself a C.L. Taylor fan as I have read quite a few of her books and obviously I must enjoy them because I keep going back for more. Although I did enjoy this book, I don’t think it quite measured up to the others that I have read before. Personally, I thought that the story was somewhat dragged out and there was a large percentage of the book where it seemed like lots had happened but really nothing much had progressed.

On the upside, the plot itself was full of twists and there were some good gotchas sewn in. Though I didn’t find the ending that surprising, there were some small threads to the story that did take me by surprise.

Characters 👫👭👬

Olivia was the main character and I have to admit that I found her kind of frustrating. She’d spent such a long time (at least what I would consider a long time) in prison, I’d have thought she’d have gotten a bit more rough around the edges. However I felt like she was almost pretending to have the confidence to go through with things but when it came down to it, she’d chicken out, or ruin the plan. All of that said. I felt every bit of desperation from this woman. Ultimately, she wanted her daughter back and she was definitely persistent in going about doing that.

I really liked Smithy as one of the sideline characters. Yes, she was definitely not a law abiding citizen, but I thought that she was loyal and that she was a good friend to Olivia. There were some ups and downs between them but in the end, I think it was clear that they had a solid friendship.

Writing Style ✍️

I have a theory about why this book seemed to drag on for me and it’s about how many plots were included. There were a lot of side plots and I think it distracted from the main plot in a negative way as opposed to throwing readers of the scent. I am all for a complex story with lots of characters weaved into it, but every plot has to feel like it has a purpose and I’m not sure that this book achieved that unfortunately.

Conclusion & Scoring 🎖

I really did want to love this book but sadly, it just missed the mark for me. I didn’t hate it, but it’s not something I would shout about to my friends. I’m probably being a bit generous with my rating, but I don’t do halves and because I know that this author is capable of so much more, I’ll round up as opposed to down.

C.L. Taylor has written another corker of a thriller!

As always, there are great characters, some you relate to, some you detest. I adored Smithy, she is my personal fave.

The while story is twisted and creepy. It's very, very dark. Maybe her darkest yet. I was genuinely gripped from the start to the very end.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is superb!

The guilty couple is a domestic thriller which is one of my favourite genre.

As the story follows Olivias release from prison, you see her trying to unpick what actually happened when her husband set her up for murder. Lots of twists and turns throughout the book and whilst the very ending wasn't my favourite, I really did enjoy the first 95%.

This is my favourite book of C L Taylor I've read so far.

Thanks for the chance to read this ARC!

I received an audio copy of this book and it was most appreciated by my dogs as they got extra walking! A really gripping domestic thriller. Liv was wrongly accused of attempting to murder her ex-husband Dom along with her boyfriend Jack. On her release she needs to know the story and who was involved and what happened to Jack who disappeared. A really twisty story with lots of secrets and twists. I loved it.

Excellent, highly reccomended. Enthralling and Edge of your seat gripping. Fantastic narration, plot and perfectly timed twists! Looking to read more from the author and also the narrator soon.

I am a big fan of C.L. Taylor and could not wait to listen to this audio book and it really did not disappoint

The blurb reads

"Five years ago, Olivia Sutherland was wrongfully convicted of plotting to murder her husband.

Now she's finally free, Olivia has three goals: repair her relationship with her teenage daughter, clear her name, and bring down her husband – the man who framed her.

Just how far is she willing to go to get what she wants? And how far will her husband go to stop her? Because his lies run deeper than Olivia could ever have imagined – and this time it’s not her freedom that’s in jeopardy, but her life"


Each chapter is told from the different characters points of view and is such a good and gripping storyline that I was hooked. We meet Olivia who is the main character, I really felt for Olivia as her life has basically been ruined by other people that she was once close to and her relationship with her daughter is basically lifeless. We meet her husband, Dominic who for me personally was a very undesirable character and I took a very quick dislike to him, we then meet Dani who is Dominic's current fling and whom had an affair with whilst married to Olivia.

A good story that is intricately weaved within the characters and for me was really worth the read.

Thanks to NetGalley, CL Taylor and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The Guilty Couple is an exciting tale of revenge. The book is full of secrets and lies, and grabbed my attention straight away. It is fast paced and there are twists and turns galore and nothing was quite as it seemed. I listened in one sitting because I just needed to know how it would end!!

Excellent narration by Clare Corbett.

This is a great book from a auto buy author. There are some good and unexpected twists. Fast paced and easy to read. 4 out of 5 stars

I have loved all of C l Taylors books and this did not disapoint.
The story is told by 3 people, Olivia, her ex husband Dominic and Dani police officer. Olivia was convicted of planning to murder her husband 5 yrs later and on her release she is determined to prove she was innocent plus regain custody of her daughter, the story has plenty of action and twists and turns.
The audio book was great the narrator Claire Corbett done an amazing job bringing the characters to life. I listened while following along my physical copy.
Gripped from start to finish

Thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator did a great job and kept me interested.
CL Taylor has written an intriguing tale that tells the story of the marriage of Olivia and Dom. it starts in the courtroom as Olivia awaits the verdict following her trial, where she is charged with hiring a hitman to kill her husband Dom. She protests she is innocent and has been set up.

After serving 5 years, she is free and determined to rebuild her relationship with her daughter and prove her innocence. She builds a network of support including friends from before her time in prison and friends she has made inside, with that network she begins to unravel the truth.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this title

The audiobook of this story was just engrossing as the story itself. Seeing this book recommended everywhere on the bookstagram, I knew I had to read it as well.

That’s what I call a wild ride! I was so intrigued by the story that I honestly couldn’t stop listening, and the narrator's voice surely helped to make the experience even better.

The suspenseful moments in here are just one after another and I could barely get a grip on what happened and how is this going to resolve in the end? The author has done an amazing job of creating a book with so many characters that have their own place and moment in here.

I can’t say that I liked any of them, to my surprise not even the little daughter, but I also think that’s not a surprise after seeing what her parents could do throughout this story.

The final chapters were really unexpected and I’m curious to know if we will ever get a sequel because that surely left a door open for more in the future.

🆓🎧 Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy