Thank you for letting me read an early copy of Rosie Walsh’s new book, which I raced through in record time because, once started, putting it down didn’t seem to be an option. The One Day You Were my Husband is, yet again, an absolute barnstormer of a novel, gripping and twisty, fascinating and immaculately researched. The characters are well drawn and entirely believable, the settings immersive. Trust me, once you begin reading this book, you won’t be able to stop.

This made me want to cry so many times. Twists, bittersweet and ultimately satisfying. Amazing read.

This novel centres round the relationship between Carrie and Johan - a chance meeting in the hospital where Carrie works as a medic leads to an intense 5 month relationship and a proposal and wedding in Thailand. Then he is arrested for drug smuggling and Carrie is left with no understanding of what has happened to the man she thought she knew and loved.

Forced to return to rescue her career, Carrie moves on with her life but still has so many unanswered questions.

A chance internet query leads to her finding out that Johan is now living in Sweden having received a royal pardon and is married.

Carrie, also married and with 7 year old twins, needs to understand what happened - however her quest sets up a train of unexpected events which derail her quiet measured existence. She is forced to take charge of her life and move on.

A compelling love story and thriller combined.

One to be recommended.

The One Day You Were My Husband is a really brilliant read from Rosie Walsh. Full of suspense, and twists the book is well paced and Carrie is a likeable lead.
5 stars

A five star read with clearly depicted and relatable characters. Set against equally imaginable settings, the story takes the reader down a path where it’s impossible to see what will happen next as you learn and slowly begin to understand along with the characters where this will all end up.

The One Day You Were My Husband (the title is a little unwieldy) looks like a romance,and I suppose it is in some ways, but it's also got a strong slant towards psychological thriller. Which I love! I've read all of Rosie Walsh's books, I think, and she's a really great storyteller.

This story is about Carrie, a surgeon, who once had a whirlwind romance with Johan and married him on a beach in Thailand, only for him to be immediately arrested by armed police and subsequently imprisoned on drug trafficking charges. She hasn't seen or heard of him since, has never had any real explanation about what happened, and is now happily married to Robin, and the mother of twins, whose very premature birth has derailed her career.

When fate causes her path to cross once again with Johan's, will Carrie finally get some answers?

This was a really fabulous read. I loved Carrie's character (and her twins Raffy and Maeve). Her relationships with her family - her largely absent mother, beloved father who is now almost lost to dementia, temperamental sister Maya - are beautifully drawn, as are her vocation as a surgeon and need to get back to it.

As Carrie gradually learns more about what really happened back then, many aspects of her life - past and present - are suddenly thrown into question.

Brilliant read.

Carrie is a trainee dr when she falls hopelessly in love with Johan. They are separated and their lives go in different directions. Well told and fast paced. A great read

Read in 3 hours and 31 minutes.

What am I supposed to do now?
How am I supposed to go about my day, knowing that this book is yet to be released to the world (hold tight until June 2026 rolls around) and that few readers have been impacted by its blow?

Carrie Cole was a respected surgeon, storming up the ranks of a London hospital, when handsome Swede, Johan Kullberg, sweeps her off her feet with a whirlwind romance.

Their intense, passionate relationship mimics a Hollywood film so it seems perfectly natural to quietly marry on a remote beach when Johan is booked to complete his archeological diving work in Thailand.

During their First Dance as husband and wife, they’re dragged apart by the local police, and Carrie’s life- and heart- is shredded.

Johan has been charged with smuggling illegal drugs into the country and sentenced to 25 years in a Thai prison.

Carrie is stunned when the police reveal this; “I had read about Bang Kwang. It sounded like the darkest place on earth. It housed Thailand's highest-security male prisoners, along with the national death row and execution chamber. I distinctly remember one post on a forum that said the only way out of Bang Kwang was in a box.”

This isn’t happening. It can’t be real. Except that it is. Her loving new husband is a convicted criminal and his actions have left her in shambles.

Eventually, Carrie meets and marries Robin. He’s the antidote to her traumatic past, she thinks; he’s reliable, doting, and always supportive. She’s a protective stay at home mother to their two children and she’s at peace. She’s happy.

So why does her life screech to a halt when she sees a B&B available in the city that she’s scheduled to visit, run by a very-much-free Johan?

How did he escape prison? Why will no one tell her what happened?

Carrie can’t stop herself from scratching at her scars and opening those wounds again.

She needs closure- she needs the truth.

“Shamefully,” she recounts “I've also relapsed into reading and rereading the few things that are available online about Johan. I don't know who I resent more for this wasted time, him or myself.”

Her sister, impulsive, ex-pat Maya, firmly believes that the past should be the past- even though that means siding with their controversial mother.
First love is always going to be rose-tinted; it doesn’t mean that you have to derail your life to rehash history:

“And Carrie. No matter how badly he did you over, no matter how badly he broke your heart, your trust, your career, and, let's face it, your life, for a while - before all of that happened, you loved him like he was the last man on earth. You adored him.”

In many ways, Carrie has only just begin to reclaim her life back. She owes so much to her dedicated husband- can she really risk her marriage over a fruitless reunion with her notorious first husband?

“Robin, my rock.
I think of the agony I suffered over Johan all those years ago; the despair I felt at having failed to recognise who he apparently was. And then the gratitude when the universe sent Robin my way. Solid, kind, generous Robin: a man I could finally trust.”

The more that Carrie learns about the events that led up to that beach arrest, the less that she can trust the people closest to her…

This book was incredible. It’s bitter, vulnerable, hopeful, and loving.
The author writes about a flawed mother who’s desperately trying to find her way back to the original path that she set for herself, and the pain that she feels about being torn between two men; a hero and a villain.

Having read a book by this author before,I knew that this story would be saturated with emotion but I wasn’t prepared for the twists; it was a treasure hunt where every flashback uncovered a new lie, and I was hooked.

Learning about the intricacies of life as a surgeon (trainee and fully fledged), and how the legal system works (both in Thailand and the UK) was fascinating, as was the explanation of a standard charity framework.
The author describes the longing and shame that unresolved trauma generates, and the what-ifs that haunt any special occasions.

At first, I judged the main character for her knowingly seeking out Johan and demanding that he explain dangerous secrets, but I understood why she spiralled.

It’s an intense story- even more gripping because this does happen in real life- and I’m grateful to NetGalley for the chance to read such a vibrant book.

In the end, we have to remember who we really are…

The wait for Rosie Walsh’s return is over - The One Day You Were My Husband is a stunning page-turning mystery, beautifully written and plotted. Set in three starkly different locations which reflect both the tyranny and wonder of emotions and experience, Walsh explores control, motherhood, career and trust. A brilliant brilliant book.

I've always loved Rosie Walsh books, and this one was no exception! It's a really interesting story which makes you think 'what if...?' When Carrie and Johan got married, their lives were suddenly changed... twelve years later, Carrie is now married to someone else, has children with him but... Johan is back in her life.

I was really intrigued from the start. I wondered what would happen, what had happened in Johan and would they find a way to move forward?
There were some moments which seemed a bit extreme and unlikely, however, I enjoyed the story as it was pure escapism.

I had read and enjoyed Rosie Walsh’s previous novel, The Man who didn’t call, and thoroughly enjoyed it, so was intrigued to receive an advance copy of this latest one. Thank you to Net Gally and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
I have to say that I absolutely loved it and it is one of my favourite books of the year.
I particularly enjoyed the varied locations- Thailand, Sweden, the wilds of Wales and London which were very different and all brought to life in a clever way. The protagonist Carrie is a trainee brain surgeon, quite an unusual profession. However she is portrayed in a relatable way, as a mother without all the answers, a young woman in love bewildered by her surroundings in Bangkok and finally a mature woman who finally seems to have her life in order. There are many unexpected twists and turns and I couldn’t put this book down. I highly recommend it!

Review of ‘The One Day You Were My Husband’ by Rosie Walsh, due to be published on 4 June 2026 by Pan Macmillan.

A story of two lives, in two parts - focussed on Carrie and Johan, her first true love and a whirlwind romance which cruelly ends with Johan being arrested on their wedding day in Thailand.

Carrie remarries, has twins and attempts to rebuild her career as a surgeon, when a chance encounter on a business trip to Sweden blows everything she thought she knew apart leading to a quest for answers, reliving her past and discovering that everything she thought she knew, may all be an elaborate lie.

The characters are well developed and scenic locations are well described.  It’s a heart wrenching, beautifully written, compelling thriller that is a highly recommended read.

An enthralling tale across many years that throws back together a couple who had been pulled apart by an arrest on the day of their wedding. It’s good to remember to assume nothing

The title made me read it, but this book blew my mind. It delivered on so many levels, from the thriller element to the love story. I enjoyed the different locations, the impact of parenthood on life choices and the balance of work and family. It's such a different story to many others out there and I found the combination of thriller and love themes, to interweave brilliantly and deliver what is truly an exceptional book. You want something different? Boom, this is it! I must also mention the twist near the end, which I was reading while in a cafe in Hay-on-Wye for the Winter Hay Festival. I had presumed that the story was pretty much going to be sewn up, with a light touch, then I read a certain reveal and I actually swore out loud it was so good! This is not something I think I have ever done before, but it took me by surprise so much (in a good way) it shook me!

Carrie meets and marries her soulmate on a romantic island in Thailand. Within 24 hours, he has been arrested and taken from her.

Life moves on and Carrie marries and has a family but in a chance turn of events, she finds that Johan alive and well. She then feels compelled to get some answers. Where did he go? What was the story? She needs to know so she sets about finding out.
Will she like what she finds?

Written between real time and past time, Rosie Walsh writes a wonderful narrative that keeps the reader completely engrossed with the storyline.
The ending did not disappoint.

Stick with this; the twists when you find out what happened to Johan I just didn’t see coming! This is the story of Johan and Carrie who meet by chance when Carrie is at work and end up falling in love. Josh. Is arrested within four hours of their marriage but it takes us to the end of the book to see what really happened.

Carrie's youthful marriage to Johan - after a whirlwind romance - ended in his tragic death, and left her with emotional damage that took years to get over. Now she is finally happy in her life with Robin and their two children, and is even considering a return to the medical career that she was forced to jettison at one stage.

So the last thing she expects, during a brief visit to Stockholm to meet with her one time mentor and explore the possibility of a surgical internship at a hospital there, is to discover that Johan is alive. And even though she knows that she would be wise to stay away from the possibilities raised by this revelation, Carrie finds herself unable to resist opening Pandora's Box...

Rosie Walsh has delivered an atmospheric, emotional, and utterly unique piece of story telling that lands a number of body blows in the process of delivering it. While I could have wished that the book was not quite so long, it is undoubtedly one of my most memorable recent reads. Don't miss it!

4.5 Stars

This was my first Rosie book and I liked it. I cried A LOT!
It was sweet and sad and mysterious and heartbreaking and adorable and I really enjoyed reading it. I just wished that the first 75% would've been a bit shorter - I wanted more of the last 25%! But I liked it all.
I'm glad I'm not a doctor in England - all those things you have to do to become one and then stop being one and then starting to work again? Jeez! I didn't understand anything when she said all those British doctor things! LOL. There might've been a tiny bit much of that for a non-British, non-Doctor reader.
Oh, and I thought that maybe they should've been a few years younger in the beginning? 27 and 30 seemed a bit old for things.
But the story was really interesting, plottwisty and beautiful ... and I enjoyed it.

This is a brilliant, twisty love story disguised as a thriller, and I loved it. The pacing is impeccable, the twists are excellent, and the story unfolds with ease.

I was totally immersed in this book from the first page. It’s the story of Carrie and Johan - their lives touching, joining, breaking apart and magnetically pulling back together - but the hows and why’s are the real drama. Just when I thought things were resolved, yet another revelation appeared and I was swept back along on a new trajectory. Well written, pacy and a great read - I’m off to look for more books by Rosie Walsh.

A fantastic story, Once started, you have to finish.
Its major strength is the characters.
I loved the love story between Johann and Carrie. Here was a man steeped in charisma, the most attractive fictional man I've encountered in a long time. This made it all the more perplexing when he was accused of a crime. Carrie was also a great character, determined to succeed in surgery but forced to give up her work to look after her premature twins. Her mother, a firebrand who takes part in protests and knows people in high places, is also a fascinating character. Her poor parenting, as she prioritised her own career, impacts the way Carrie reacts to situations.
The twists were dropped gently with incendiary effect. So enjoyable.

Wow! Just wow! Welcome back, Rosie Walsh! This book is phenomenal!!

There are more twists and turns than a roller coaster! The characters are so well developed that it felt like I was actually part of their lives, like I really knew them. When things started unfolding, lies were discovered, and truths were finally told, I literally sat with my mouth open in shock.

This book had me in a complete choir hold from the first page to the last. I couldn't sleep last night until I finished it (3am).

I urge you to pre-order now! This is a psychological thriller you don't want to miss!!

What an amazing read ! This book was full of twists and the perfect mix of thriller and love story combined.

The characters were well written, I felt like I knew them, The plot was brilliant. How our past can shape our future so well explored, also how unexplained events can never really be forgotten until we find out the answers,

Motherhood, career , love, control and trust are all tied up in this page turning book. I highly recommend it .

I absolutely devoured this book. The writing is perfection and so emotional at times. I loved everything about it – the love story, the main characters, the location, the many twists that I didn’t see coming. The ending was a wonderful shock, and I’m now on the lookout for more books from this brilliant author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review. Truly excellent!

I loved this book heart wrenching at time a wonderful read that drew me in & kept me turning the pages totally involved.Rosie Walsh writes so beautifully her characters come alive.#netgalley #panmacmillan.

Rosie Walsh used to write as Lucy Robinson and I loved those books. Rosie Walsh writes more grown up books and I adore them.
This was so good. Starts of as just a normal love story but there were so many twists and surprising turns. I read it so quickly. Now will have to wait ages for her next one.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sensational!

I went into this book with absolutely no idea what to expect. From the blurb, I assumed it would be a mix of genres, but nowhere does it warn you that it’s essentially a masterclass in how to write perfection.

Love story? ✔️
Mystery/Thriller? ✔️
Characters? Beautifully crafted, creative, and imperfect in the best, most human ways.
Locations? I want to go everywhere these characters went and see everything they saw.

A complete delight from start to finish.

My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC of “The One Day You Were My Husband.”

I'm gonna need a quick lie down after this one. Because I don’t read descriptions, I had no idea what to expect. This really is a story about quiet and heavy betrayal, conditional versus unconditional love, and how hard it is to pull yourself back together after being put through the wringer. As frustrated as I felt at times, I couldn’t put it down.

I really enjoyed this. The pacing is quite slow, but it works perfectly to build the atmosphere and kept me intrigued the entire time. It's a gripping mystery about love and loss.
The core emotional journey was well-executed, and the ending was helped tie up any loose ends. Highly recommended.

The one day you were my husband is a cracking novel. I couldn't put it down and I'm certain you won't either. Its insanely well written.

An enjoyable book which developed with many unexpected twists and turns. Slightly slow to start but soon gathers pace with a variety of diverse characters with many complex intertwined relationships. Set in Devon, London, Thailand and Stockholm over a period of 14 years with main characters Carrie and Johan and their love affair.

I have written this unbiased review from a free copy received from netgalley. I absolutely loved, loved this book. I love all of Rosie's books to date, she manages to write books based around romantic relationships but they always have an unexpected twist which keeps you reading and wanting to find out the outcome. The description of places and relationships, you really get a sense that Rosie has lived some of that life herself and is able to draw on her own experience. The book centres on a split second in time and a decision you make which can change your life forever. Would highly recommend this book. 5 stars from me.

I enjoyed this book! It was a bit slow at first but then it really opened up! The characters were believable and throughout I needed the answers, to what actually happened? So it left me guessing! All in all a good solid read.