I just finished Never Trust the Husband by Jessica Payne for my @bookouture book tour and here are my thoughts.

Maddy had it all. The gorgeous husband, the influencer job and a trust fund to keep her comfortable for the rest of her life. Yet during her honeymoon she disappears. The wedding party wakes up to find her gone. It is suspected that she fell.

After some time her husband proposes to her best friend and it brings someone out of the shadows. They are watching them both because one of them wanted Maddy dead and they will find out which one it was and they will pay for what they did.

DISCLAIMER: I am already a hardcore @authorjessicapayne fan and I can often be found fangirling after her books but it also means my expectations are through the roof.

Jessica knows how to set the scene. We get the book split between then and now. The time from when Maddy met Benjamin and three after she disappears. Rebecca’s POV is the current day and she is here to find out what happened to Maddy. We know that she thinks it's either Benjamin or Gwyn or both of them. The past is told from Maddy’s POV.

The book is a twist on a twist on a twist and I am here for all of that. This book will whip you around so hard you will end up with whiplash. Everyone is unreliable. No one can be trusted and you never know what you will find on the next page. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I’m already a fan of the writing style which is fluid and strong with the imagery she makes my mind conjure is amazingly vivid.

One of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read this year. 4.5 stars.

This one has to be next on your list.

Thank you to @netgalley and #bookouture for my gifted copy

#nevertrustthehusband #netgalley #booksontour #booktour #bookreview #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #b #read #bookaholic #booksbooksbooks #bookphotography #bookshelf #booklove #love #bookreview #bookcommunity #bookblogger #instabooks #booklovers #reader #igreads #bookrecommendations

"Never Trust the Husband” by Jessica Payne was a thrilling 5-star read. Madeline always kept men at arm’s length until one night she meets Benjamin. Benji’s romantic gestures quickly have Madeline head over heels in love. They are married shortly afterward, and then on their honeymoon, disaster strikes. Four years later, Rebecca befriends Gwyn, who is living in the house with the man that Madeline was meant to have. Can Rebecca get the answers she seeks before her own secrets are discovered?

This story had me hooked from the very beginning. When I say from the very beginning, I mean the last page of the prologue had me wanting more. The story switches back and forth between Madeline, four years ago, and Rebecca now. It’s easy to keep the two POVs straight. There are a couple of plot twists which keep you wanting to read the next page. I would definitely recommend this book to thriller fans!

Thanks to Bookouture, Jessica Payne, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

A fun and fast paced thriller that will keep your heart pounding, this was a super quick read and a very solid mystery !

What a tangled and twisty story this was. I did guess one of the twists but it didnt stop me enjoying the rest of the book
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC which I would happily recommend

I love a good domestic psychological thriller, add a dual timeline with a sickening revenge plot and an unreliable narrator, and you have Never Trust the Husband. This book surprised me in the best way, it's a fast-paced thriller that hooks you in from the very beginning and keeps you hanging on every twist and turn. With chapters that are on the shorter side and extremely engaging writing, Never Trust the Husband is tough to put down, I found myself taking my Kindle everywhere with hopes of a chance to read at any spare moment. I found some of the twists easy to figure out, but the execution was done well, even though I expected what was coming at the end. This is my first Jessica Payne novel and I'm looking forward to checking out her backlist, I quite enjoy her writing style! A solid read for any Thriller connoisseur!

Madeleine has the perfect life, she's beautiful, wealthy, has wonderful friends and a loving fiancee. Then she disappears over a cliff, never to be found. This is the premise of Never Trust the Husband. I thought the book was ok but I was able to figure out the ending.

Madeline and Benjamin are newlyweds and on a camping trip with friends. Madeline leaves the tent late at night with her camera to take a photo of the night sky by the edge of the cliff. She then hears footsteps and someone shoves her over the cliff.

Three years later, Madeline is officially declared dead as her body was never found. And Benjamin and Gwen, Madeline’s best friend, are engaged. Now, Benjamin can claim the money that the wealthy Madeline had.

But a woman named Rebecca is watching them as they live in their fancy home. She is determined to revenge Madeline’s death.

This book kept me guessing who Rebecca is for the longest time. I was shocked when I discovered who she really is. This book is one that shows not just evil, but jealousy, envy and hate. The descriptions of Seattle with its wet and gray weather made me shiver. Not a place I want to be. Although, I hear it is beautiful at times. So, I’m not putting this city down. But back to the book and this tense and twisting story. It kept me reading and not wanting to put the book down. A very good read. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

One sitting read. Wow! From what I have seen, this author is known for page turning psychological thrillers and I can't wait to read more. So many twists and turns!

This one hooked me from the beginning. A wife falls off a cliff just a few days after the wedding. Some say it was an accident, but others think the new groom is to blame. He was cleared by the police and is now engaged to the bride’s best friend. One person is not moving on, and she will stop at nothing to find out what really happened. I was fully engrossed through the entire story, and the ending was absolutely shocking.

I have just come on to write my review, and my fiance and I booked our wedding yesterday. His face when I showed him the title of this book- what a picture! LOL.
Anyway, humour aside.
This book is another fabulous read from Jessica Payne. She writes like she has written so many more books than four- it is so well written. The plot reads so smoothly and quickly, with pacing to go with it. The characters are fascinating and compelling.
Easily a read in one sitting novel, and completely unputdownable= which seems to be Jessica Payne's standard level!
Loved it.

"Never Trust the Husband" by Jessica Payne is a riveting psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge with its gripping plot and unexpected twists.
The story unfolds with the mysterious death of Maddy, just days after her wedding to Benjamin. Three years later, Benjamin is engaged to Maddy's best friend, Gwyn, and they seem to be living the perfect life. Enter Rebecca, a transformed friend of Maddy's, determined to uncover the truth behind Maddy's murder. Payne skillfully weaves a dual timeline, alternating between Rebecca's present-day investigation and Maddy's past, creating an intriguing narrative that unravels the layers of deception.
The novel keeps you guessing until the end, with two intertwined mysteries: Rebecca's true identity and the identity of Maddy's killer. While the plot may follow some thriller conventions, the execution and pacing make it a compelling read. The alternating perspectives build suspense, and the author skillfully navigates through the complexities of jealousy, betrayal, and hidden motives. Despite some predictability, "Never Trust the Husband" is a must-read for thriller enthusiasts, offering an engaging journey into the dark recesses of secrets and revenge.

Very grateful to the publisher for this copy and my place in the blog tour, opinions are my own

Benjamin and Gwyn appear to be the epitome of marital bliss. Their beautiful Seattle home, their engagement, their shared dreams—all seem idyllic. But beneath the surface lies a web of lies and treachery.

**Madeline**, the missing woman who once inhabited this very house, holds the key to the truth. The official story claims she vanished, but I know better. **Benjamin and Gwyn killed her**.

As I watch them from the shadows, I see their every move. But I'm the one with revenge on my mind.

**Review**:
*Never Trust the Husband* is a rollercoaster of suspense. Jessica Payne masterfully weaves a tale of betrayal, obsession, and hidden agendas. The characters are devious, their secrets tantalizingly revealed.

The pacing is relentless, urging readers to turn page after page. I could not put this book down! The story shifts perspectives, between two characters, allowing glimpses into each character's psyche.

Payne's writing is sharp, her twists unexpected. The suspense keeps you guessing until the final revelation. And oh, what a revelation it is!

Prepare to be glued to the pages, your heart racing as you navigate the dark corners of obsession and betrayal.

If you were to read only good thrillers this year, this is one of them. 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 is an addictive, mind-blowing and entertaining thriller that threw me off completely. Never mind losing sleep, you'll spend days thinking about this even after you've finished reading it.

In 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥, Madeline Hughes (Maddy) was killed. Shoved from her back down a steep cliff during her honeymoon. Question was, did her husband Benjamin do it? Or was it her best friend Gwyn who was envious of Madeline? Not long after Maddy died, Benjamin and Gwyn were engaged to be married. This made both of them even more suspicious. Who was Maddy's real killer? Is it as what the saying always says: 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥?

Written in dual POVs, (Rebecca's and Maddy's) we are taken to before and after the murder of Madeline Hughes. Rebecca's POV reflects the events post murder while Maddy's tells us her story before her death. We know that Rebecca is out to avenge Maddy. The dual POVs and timelines work well for me and aren't confusing. I had a great time switching back and off between the timelines.

Although I had my suspect of who Rebecca is, I still had lots of fun with the plot twist. I definitely could not guess who Maddy's killer was and this added to all the fun in reading this.

The fast paced plot and short chapters make reading a breeze. I love Payne's writing style. Even though this is the first book I've read written by Payne, it absolutely won't be my last.
𝓜𝔂 𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Thank you NetGalley @netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had a fun time. Sometimes that's all you need in a book. Great twists and turns. No one is innocent in the end.

What a twisted story! When a woman is pushed off a cliff on her honeymoon who is to blame? Rebecca has changed her identity in order to discover the truth and exact revenge.

This was a fantastic book with lots of twists! I definitely recommend reading it!!

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the chance to read Never trust the husband by Jessica Payne. This was my 2nd title by the author and I totally enjoyed it (especially the ending)! The book is filled with suspense, and twists, and told in two timelines, narrated by two voices. Definitely recommend this book for those who love twisty thrillers!

Never Trust the Husband by Jessica Payne was excellent. I read some other reviews and people raved about it- they aren’t wrong. I love a good revenge story and this had everything to make a perfect suspense story. Twists and turns and surprises throughout the book kept me turning pages and reading as fast as I could.

Synopsis:

Every night I watch Benjamin and Gwyn in their gorgeous, glass-fronted Seattle home. Your ex-husband. Your best friend. Newly engaged, they’re busy dreaming of their future.

The official story is that you disappeared, but I know the truth. They killed you.

I know Benjamin’s new business is in trouble, that he desperately needs your money. I saw the way Gwyn looked at him at your wedding reception, finding any excuse to be close, to laugh too loudly at his jokes. After all, she always wanted your perfect life.

But don’t worry, Madeline. I won’t let it end like this. I can see everything from my place in the shadows between the trees. With their house lit up, they are on display. I’ll bide my time and worm my way into their home, their lives. They will never know the truth about who I am.

Out now!

Thank you for approving me again to read one of your books! I enjoyed this one a lot. This was so thrilling and thought provoking and gave me a little bit of anxiety. The twists were so good and unpredictable!! Definitely a good read! Did not disappoint ☺️

Thank you Netgalley, Jessica Payne, and Bookouture for the ebook! This was a great and thrilling read that I just couldn't believe the ending of!!! Wow! Honestly you won't guess the twist!

Another smasher from the talented Jessica Payne, wholly deserved 5 stars!

Madeline Hughes has never wanted for anything, with her large trust fund left to her by her late mother and her wealthy father she has always had exactly what she desired. She also has never found a man she wanted to spend a second date with, let alone one she would want to marry and spend the rest of her life with until out celebrating her 28th birthday she meets Benjamin North. Their romance moves quickly and within months they are engaged to be married and planning their wedding. Maddy has never felt for a man like he does with Benjamin. Doubts surface for Maddy though during the planning and she worries that Benji (her nickname for him) might be cheating on her however he constantly has crystal clear answers for all her questions, and she reassures herself her feelings are nothing but paranoia, and she is determined not to lose this man she loves so much. Their wedding takes place but the beach honeymoon they had planned has to be cancelled due to a storm. One of the wedding guests brings up an alternative idea, to go backpacking on a beautiful nature trail, Maddy isn’t keen however she sees how excited Benji is to go and so she agrees. However, on the first night of their trip Maddy goes missing, her camera is also missing and therefore it is presumed that she fell over the cliff whilst trying to take photos of the view but despite a huge search no body is found. Fast forward 4 years and not only has Benjamin had Maddy declared “dead in absentia” he has also moved on and gotten engaged to Maddy’s best friend Gwyn. Rebecca Johnson, a travel nurse, then arrives in Seattle; she is determined that Maddy did not fall and in fact was pushed to her death, but she just has to find proof of it. She gets close to Gwyn and Benjamin as she suspects one or both of them are to blame for Maddy’s death especially given how fast they have both moved on. But is Rebecca putting herself in danger getting close to two people she thinks may be murderers? And who are hiding the biggest secrets, Benjamin, Gwyn or Rebecca herself?!

Another brilliant read from Jessica Payne, I absolutely loved this one. I was already hooked by the first chapter, especially when I read the line “it wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t cheap, but I did what I had to in order to become someone new”! So intriguing! I had a lot of fun trying to guess who exactly Rebecca was and although I did guess right reasonably early on, I still wasn’t 100% sure so still gasped when it was revealed, despite my suspicion’s. Some people might say the story line is a little far fetched but as far as I am concerned, I read fiction to escape reality, so I am fine with things being a little fanciful. I have to admit that in the beginning I really didn’t like Maddy, I felt she came across like a bit of a spoilt brat but the more I got to know her the more I realised my initial impression of her was wrong and I did end up liking her.

Ultimately a lovely tangled web of deceit and lies and I loved it. Jessica Payne never disappoints, and I really recommend this one for anyone who enjoys the psychological thriller genre, you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jessica Payne and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.