A.J. McDine’s The Husband Before You is a gripping domestic thriller that keeps readers guessing with its layered secrets and compelling emotional tension. The novel explores the complexities of marriage, trust, and the echoes of past relationships that linger long after they're gone.

The story follows Eve, whose seemingly perfect relationship begins to unravel when she discovers unsettling truths about her partner’s previous marriage. As the narrative unfolds, McDine deftly balances suspense with emotional depth, revealing how trauma and betrayal can shape identity and influence present-day choices.

What sets this novel apart is the psychological realism with which McDine portrays her characters. Eve is a relatable, well-drawn protagonist whose emotional journey—from suspicion to revelation—is both believable and engaging. The tension builds steadily, with a mix of red herrings and surprising twists that keep the reader invested through to the end.

The Husband Before You is a well-paced and tightly written psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of domestic suspense. It’s not just a story about uncovering secrets, but also about reclaiming strength and clarity in the aftermath of deception.

Not read anything from this author before. Was a great read loved how its told from the different perspectives of the characters. Really enjoyed it.

Thriller lovers, watch out for your next great read. The Husband Before You by AJ McDine was a great read. It’s available now.

Definitely a binge read thriller! This book was a gripping from start to finish! A J McDine has once again created a story full of unexpected twists and turns. Intriguing and suspenseful, you just have to finish this in one go!

Alex's husband went missing ten years ago. She's remarried now, and she and her husband have a new baby. When her first husband Freddie shows up at her door with a warning to not trust her new husband, Alex is left reeling with questions.

Was I just *slightly* mad at the ending of this? Yes.

Did I message the author to vent? Yes. (Thank you AJ for taking the time to chat with me!)

But... did I enjoy it? You know it.

AJ McDine's books are what I reach for when I'm looking for a true domestic thriller. Her novel The Baby was one of my top reads last year.

This is definitely a novel you can binge read. If you read a ton of thrillers, you might guess a few things here and there, but I still enjoyed the ride. And I always love a novel with a faithful dog! 🐾♥️

I loved this book! The way it went back and forth between the past and present helped with the story. I was on my toes for pretty much the whole story! There were parts I found predictable, but basic parts so it didn’t ruin it for me. I love how it was left open at the end for a possible sequel! I’m definitely going to be reading more from this author!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of The Husband Before You by A.J. McDine in return for an honest review.

This book was a gripping read from start to finish! Full of unexpected twists and turns, it kept me on the edge of my seat and turning pages late into the night. A.J. McDine does a fantastic job weaving suspense and intrigue into every chapter, making it nearly impossible to put down. While some moments felt slightly stretched, the overall story was compelling and cleverly plotted. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with secrets that unravel in surprising ways, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

Jaw dropping twists and turns. Fast paced. Couldn’t put it down and read it in one setting. So many twists that every time I thought I had it figured out, I didn’t.

One of my favourite authors and this book did not disappoint! A gripping read right from the beginning

A good book overall. The story we a little far fetched, but enjoyable enough to keep me reading. The characters were well defined and I liked the style of writing.

If you guys are looking for a new psychological thriller to read I highly recommend The Husband before. It’s fantastic. I couldn’t put it down. Author AJ McDine is a new-to-me favourite author. I first discovered her in the fall when I read and reviewed her book, Everyone Has Secrets. It was fantastic and I knew I wanted to read AJ McDine’s back list. So when I was given another opportunity to read and review her upcoming book, The Other Husband, I couldn’t resist. It did not disappoint. An absolute page turner, that had me hooked from the opening sentence. I was on the edge of my seat biting my nails all the way through. Full of twists and turns and a rather shocking ending.

What would you do if your husband mysteriously disappeared, leaving you to care for your newborn baby and toddler alone? Well that’s exactly what happened to Alex. Her husband Freddie has been gone for 10 years, after mysteriously disappearing. But Alex had to move on and rebuild her life, for the sake of her and her children. After 7 years, Freddie was legally declared dead, and Alex remarried Carter, Freddie’s best friend 🫣😅. They even had a baby together. But on the evening of their 4 year dating anniversary, a random knock on their front door changes everything.

After 10 years Freddie suddenly reappears. He is bedraggled and unkempt, offering no explanation as to where he’s been for the last 10 years. But the one thing he does is to warn Alex not to trust Carter, her other husband. What should Alex do? Listen to her first love and first husband, who broke her heart and abandoned her 10 years earlier? Or trust and believe in her current, stable second husband Carter? Well you know I’m not going to give any spoilers so you’ll simply have to grab a copy of The Other Husband on April 1st, 2025.

Thank you so much author @ajmcdine for my advanced copy of The Other Husband. Such an engaging, fascinating read!

Pub Date: April 1st, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you #Netgalley for the copy!

An interesting concept for this psychological thriller. A husband, Freddie, goes missing, after years pass the wife, Alex, marries one of his best friends, Carter, and moves on in her life. But a knock at the door suddenly changes everything. Each person seems to be carrying their own secrets both of the past and present. What happens to the new life Alex has built? Where does Freddie fit in?

I have heard such great things about this author, so I was keen to read this. It didnt disappoint. Loved the twists, unpredictable ending, I couldnt stop reading as I wanted to find out what was going to happen. Well done. I can't wait to read more of your books.

I love this authors work and have been a fan since the first one. The latest novel is just as addictive!
Alex’s husband has been missing for 10 years. Alex ended up marrying and having a child with Connor, her husbands best friend. Convinced she is never going to see her husband, Freddie again, Alex has the shock of her life when she opens the door to reveal Freddie
I was furiously flicking through the pages of this book desperate to find out what had happened to Freddie
The one thing I loved about this book is the author drip fed information to us. I changed my opinion on the characters so many times and the it felt like a real rollercoaster
The ending was so satisfying and as always, this book and author is highly recommended from me!
The book is available on kindle unlimited!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This book was a bit too predictable for me. I saw things coming, and wasn’t frantically turning the pages to find out what happened next. It was an enjoyable read, but did not give me that wow surprise factor.

A tense, emotional domestic thriller that keeps you guessing. With a strong, relatable narrator and secrets that unfold at a steady pace, it’s both suspenseful and deeply personal.

Some twists were more predictable than others, but the character-driven storytelling and emotional depth made it a satisfying read.

this book is a chilling psychological thriller about a woman who opens her door to find her long-dead first husband standing before her. With her life seemingly perfect with her second husband Carter, Freddie's return shakes her to the core, especially when he warns her not to trust Carter. Torn between two men and haunted by threatening notes, she must unravel the truth before it’s too late. A twisty, suspenseful story about trust, betrayal, and the shocking secrets that can surface from the past.

NetGalley review: The Husband Before You by AJ McDine. A great little twisty thriller. When Alex’s first husband Freddie disappears without a trace, and is declared d3ad after 7 years, she eventually settles down with Carter, her first husband’s best friend. Which is great… until Freddie turns up on their doorstep 10 years from the day he disappeared. As a reader, I felt torn and was kind of wanting her and her first husband to get back together, Carter seemed a bit smarmy and too good to be true. When Alex starts getting creepy notes, she doesn’t know who to trust.
Really enjoyed this book, it was easy to read and grabbed my attention quickly.
4/5
Thankyou to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Alex lives a happy life with her husband Carter, her 2 daughters and their son. One day, she opens her front door and Freddie (her first husband and Carter's best friend) is standing there after missing for a decade. He comes with a warning

I liked the dual POV, and it kept the plot moving quickly. I don't believe that psychological thrillers need to be completely realistic and believable, but this one was was fairly outside of the box. Alex was frustratingly patient while awaiting answers from Freddie after he returned after 10 years with a cryptic warning. I wasn't sure which husband to hope Alex ended up with as both showed red flags and behaved in odd ways. The twist was predictable as well for the most part.

It is a quick read, Freida McFadden-like, and can be read in one or two sittings. Solid 3 star read.