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Horrible Husbands
Is your husband so horrible that you’d ask your best friend to kill him?
Penny: I know my husband has cheated on me. But I can’t believe what I just found in the bedside drawer. Are my children safe . . . ?
Lisa: The first time he did it was on our wedding anniversary. He broke down in tears afterwards. That’s the thing about Simon. He’s always sorry . . . until the next time.
Holly: My husband is useless. He just loafs around the house all day and spends my money. But now I think he’s done something far worse.
We’ve descended on Penny’s stunning country home for a rare girls’ weekend.
As the cocktails flow, it turns out we’re all keeping secrets. Bloody hell, we sure can pick them.
We clink our glasses. “Here’s to our horrible husbands. May they get what’s coming to them.”
Good friends will die for you. But only best friends will kill for you.
Please note this book contains themes of domestic abuse that some readers may find upsetting.
Penny: I know my husband has cheated on me. But I can’t believe what I just found in the bedside drawer. Are my children safe . . . ?
Lisa: The first time he did it was on our wedding anniversary. He broke down in tears afterwards. That’s the thing about Simon. He’s always sorry . . . until the next time.
Holly: My husband is useless. He just loafs around the house all day and spends my money. But now I think he’s done something far worse.
We’ve descended on Penny’s stunning country home for a rare girls’ weekend.
As the cocktails flow, it turns out we’re all keeping secrets. Bloody hell, we sure can pick them.
We clink our glasses. “Here’s to our horrible husbands. May they get what’s coming to them.”
Good friends will die for you. But only best friends will kill for you.
Please note this book contains themes of domestic abuse that some readers may find upsetting.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2025
1553 people are currently reading
2457 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Huntley
22 books476 followersJessica Huntley is an award-winning and best-selling psychological thriller author. She's an ex-British soldier and Personal Trainer and has been writing almost non-stop for the past four years.
She is now the author of sixteen books, including two trilogies, six standalone thrillers, two anthologies, a co-written horror project and a novella. She is both self-published and traditionally published with Inkubator Books and Joffe Books.
She writes books for thriller readers who like their stories dark and twisty with complex, yet memorable characters, who often suffer from relatable mental health disorders.
When she isn't writing, Jessica is either keeping fit, walking her dog or looking after her young son.
Sign up to her email list to receive news about her upcoming book releases, get a first look at covers and some thriller recommendations. Visit her website where you'll also be able to download a short story called "You Die ... I Die".
She is now the author of sixteen books, including two trilogies, six standalone thrillers, two anthologies, a co-written horror project and a novella. She is both self-published and traditionally published with Inkubator Books and Joffe Books.
She writes books for thriller readers who like their stories dark and twisty with complex, yet memorable characters, who often suffer from relatable mental health disorders.
When she isn't writing, Jessica is either keeping fit, walking her dog or looking after her young son.
Sign up to her email list to receive news about her upcoming book releases, get a first look at covers and some thriller recommendations. Visit her website where you'll also be able to download a short story called "You Die ... I Die".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 391 reviews
February 3, 2026
The twist was horrible
February 2, 2026
DO GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES???
3️⃣3️⃣3️⃣
(I guess not!)
Three close friends married to three horrible husbands get together for a rare girls’ weekend.
They clink their glasses and propose a "May our horrible husbands get what’s coming to them!” toast.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Clare Corbett, Charlie Albers, and Anna Cordell.
(Three fabulous narrators!)
Did I listen to the same book as everyone else???
(There were so many laudatory reviews posted on GR!)
MY TAKE? A 5-star narration, 1-star storyline.
Midway through the book, my eyes were rolling so rapidly that they started to hurt.
Yes, it was HORRIBLE, just like the adjective used in the book's title.
UGH!
Fortunately, this was an Audible Plus freebie, so no credit was wasted.
Just my time.
😭⏰😭⏰
One star, rounded up.
January 13, 2025
Horrible Husbands is wickedly addictive! I definitely want to be part of “the bitches.” This thriller had my head spinning and my heart racing. It was a twisty, unpredictable ride from start to finish. The plot is clever and fast-paced with countless twists and turns. The conclusion is both unexpected and satisfying. Jessica Huntley masterfully creates characters that are flawed, but you can’t help but root for their success. This is the fourth book I have read by this author and highly recommend them all. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you BookSirens and Joffe Books for my ARC.
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November 17, 2024Where do I even start with this book? It all came about on a rare girls' weekend with me, my twin sister and our best friend.
There we were, swapping husband/fiance stories, complaining about them and also saying how much we love them too. Then we started chatting about life insurance and how much we'd get if they died ... as you do!
Next thing I know, my sister has given me the idea for this book. "Jess, you should totally write a book about wives offing their husbands". And Horrible Husbands was born.
I think it was the most fun I've had writing a book (after How to Commit the Perfect Murder in Ten Easy Steps) and when I told my husband I was writing a book about killing horrible husbands he gave me a look and said "I'm glad I don't take anything you write personally".
Anyway, it was finished over a year ago and I sent it out on submission to literary agents and publishers. Lo and behold, it got picked up by none other than Joffe Books and I couldn't be happier for it to have found a home with them.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Yes, it's dark but it's full of humour, friendships and girl power. Oh, and a brilliant hiding place for a body (thank you, Joanna for that idea!)
Jessica xx
There we were, swapping husband/fiance stories, complaining about them and also saying how much we love them too. Then we started chatting about life insurance and how much we'd get if they died ... as you do!
Next thing I know, my sister has given me the idea for this book. "Jess, you should totally write a book about wives offing their husbands". And Horrible Husbands was born.
I think it was the most fun I've had writing a book (after How to Commit the Perfect Murder in Ten Easy Steps) and when I told my husband I was writing a book about killing horrible husbands he gave me a look and said "I'm glad I don't take anything you write personally".
Anyway, it was finished over a year ago and I sent it out on submission to literary agents and publishers. Lo and behold, it got picked up by none other than Joffe Books and I couldn't be happier for it to have found a home with them.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Yes, it's dark but it's full of humour, friendships and girl power. Oh, and a brilliant hiding place for a body (thank you, Joanna for that idea!)
Jessica xx
February 8, 2025
Huh. I knew this was going to be a far-fetched, escapist fantasy about women getting rid of their horrible husbands (which I’m 100% into!), but it went sideways and was too over the top for me. I love some bloody vengeance, and I was hoping for a Sweetpea-style situation here, but this read more like Freida McFadden and the Scooby gang wrote this after hotboxing in the Mystery Machine.
I’m clearly an outlier here, so don’t let me dissuade you from picking it up - I have apparently become particular about my revenge fantasies. 🤷🏻♀️
* thanks to Joffe Books for the NetGalley review copy. Horrible Husbands published Jan 28.
I’m clearly an outlier here, so don’t let me dissuade you from picking it up - I have apparently become particular about my revenge fantasies. 🤷🏻♀️
* thanks to Joffe Books for the NetGalley review copy. Horrible Husbands published Jan 28.
January 24, 2025
Three best friends, Penny, Holly, and Lisa, have been close since childhood and share everything, except for Lisa's abusive husband, Simon. During a girls' weekend getaway, they reveal their own partners' dark secrets and decide to take matters into their own hands by plotting to kill their husbands. They toast to their plan but what will happen next...
Ah, this book is a gem that resonates with all of us in some way (we all sometimes get fed up). The idea for this book was inspired when Jessica was out with her friends, and a brilliant concept was born. I am eagerly anticipating a carnival scene or an illegal alien marriage in future works. Just a subtle suggestion... LOL
From the moment I started reading, this book captivated me. I have learned not to read Jessica's books before bedtime, as her gripping stories make it impossible to put the book down. The clever plot of this book has stayed with me long after finishing it.
The writing in this book is exceptional, making it an easy and binge-worthy read with an unpredictable reveal and ending. I appreciate the open-ended conclusion that allows the reader's imagination to run wild. The final outcome can be interpreted in various ways, adding to the intrigue.
I loved the writing style, plot development, and well-fitted characters in this book. There was no unnecessary exposition, just a gripping narrative that kept me hooked until the very end.
The multiple points of view and timeline shifts in the story enhance the understanding of the plot and events. I hesitate to reveal too much, as the main twist is truly unexpected. This book was a fantastic read, and I am eagerly anticipating more from this author.
If you're a fan of dark, suspenseful reads with complex friendships, female vigilantes, and endless guessing games, this book is must-read. I highly recommend adding it to your TBR list - it's even better than Jessica's last book!
And on a cheeky note, both of Jessica's latest books offer some interesting tips on disposing of a body (just kidding!). Happy reading!
Thank you, Booksirens, Joffe Books, and Jessica, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ah, this book is a gem that resonates with all of us in some way (we all sometimes get fed up). The idea for this book was inspired when Jessica was out with her friends, and a brilliant concept was born. I am eagerly anticipating a carnival scene or an illegal alien marriage in future works. Just a subtle suggestion... LOL
From the moment I started reading, this book captivated me. I have learned not to read Jessica's books before bedtime, as her gripping stories make it impossible to put the book down. The clever plot of this book has stayed with me long after finishing it.
The writing in this book is exceptional, making it an easy and binge-worthy read with an unpredictable reveal and ending. I appreciate the open-ended conclusion that allows the reader's imagination to run wild. The final outcome can be interpreted in various ways, adding to the intrigue.
I loved the writing style, plot development, and well-fitted characters in this book. There was no unnecessary exposition, just a gripping narrative that kept me hooked until the very end.
The multiple points of view and timeline shifts in the story enhance the understanding of the plot and events. I hesitate to reveal too much, as the main twist is truly unexpected. This book was a fantastic read, and I am eagerly anticipating more from this author.
If you're a fan of dark, suspenseful reads with complex friendships, female vigilantes, and endless guessing games, this book is must-read. I highly recommend adding it to your TBR list - it's even better than Jessica's last book!
And on a cheeky note, both of Jessica's latest books offer some interesting tips on disposing of a body (just kidding!). Happy reading!
Thank you, Booksirens, Joffe Books, and Jessica, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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January 29, 2026Early contender for worst read of the year goes to......
This started off really well, a trio of childhood best friends who get drunk together and somehow land on the topic of killing off each other's husbands so that none of them is under suspicion for killing off their own.
I mean, steep price to pay for friendship but whatever. Solid premise.
And that's all it was. A great hook. The execution was so bad it had me thinking, you know what?
Maybe some of you should stay away from murder.
For legal purposes, all of you should stay away from it, yadda yadda.
But really, some people should stay a few steps further away.
My pet peeve is incompetent women. You're in a thriller, babes. Get. It. Together.
You plan a murder with people you know really well. You may think you know your childhood best friends, but if you've lived in three separate countries since uni (and you're all in your 30s now) plus haven't seen each other in more than 3 years, maybe the first bonding activity shouldn't be 'let's do murder together!'.
Just do mimosas.
And the thing is, I gaslit myself at that point. Told myself, nah, life happens. You can absolutely live totally separate lives for more than a decade and STILL be close enough to kill for each other, a communal group chat is enough to keep the fire alive, it's okay. Just a little light murder.
Turns out, I was right.
And unlike every other time in existence where I love being right, this time pissed me off.
They're already bad at murder, why wasn't that enough? I would have been okay with them bumbling about trying to kill three people and not get caught.
But this retconned what I felt like was at the core of the book.
Because wdym one of you actually intentionally led the rest slowly down the path where murder was the fun suggestion 'to get the gang back together'? Oh and btw you've been fucking one of the husbands for ages. Could not see your bestie but had plenty of time to see her husband. All the way from another country. Oh and you're also a serial killer but somehow put your friends in danger to prove a point.
But guyssssssss, I did this for us!! So we could all be together 😊
Wut.
Very 'leave your husband, I'm bored'.
A star is too generous.
Rounded down. This is not a non-rating. It's a rating of zero.
Audiobook was good, though.💀
Also, the writing was okay but what was written was not.
And like, the husbands could use the murdering, is the thing. I wanted to enjoy it. But at what cost.
Gah.
This started off really well, a trio of childhood best friends who get drunk together and somehow land on the topic of killing off each other's husbands so that none of them is under suspicion for killing off their own.
I mean, steep price to pay for friendship but whatever. Solid premise.
And that's all it was. A great hook. The execution was so bad it had me thinking, you know what?
Maybe some of you should stay away from murder.
For legal purposes, all of you should stay away from it, yadda yadda.
But really, some people should stay a few steps further away.
My pet peeve is incompetent women. You're in a thriller, babes. Get. It. Together.
You plan a murder with people you know really well. You may think you know your childhood best friends, but if you've lived in three separate countries since uni (and you're all in your 30s now) plus haven't seen each other in more than 3 years, maybe the first bonding activity shouldn't be 'let's do murder together!'.
Just do mimosas.
And the thing is, I gaslit myself at that point. Told myself, nah, life happens. You can absolutely live totally separate lives for more than a decade and STILL be close enough to kill for each other, a communal group chat is enough to keep the fire alive, it's okay. Just a little light murder.
Turns out, I was right.
And unlike every other time in existence where I love being right, this time pissed me off.
They're already bad at murder, why wasn't that enough? I would have been okay with them bumbling about trying to kill three people and not get caught.
But this retconned what I felt like was at the core of the book.
Because wdym one of you actually intentionally led the rest slowly down the path where murder was the fun suggestion 'to get the gang back together'? Oh and btw you've been fucking one of the husbands for ages. Could not see your bestie but had plenty of time to see her husband. All the way from another country. Oh and you're also a serial killer but somehow put your friends in danger to prove a point.
But guyssssssss, I did this for us!! So we could all be together 😊
Wut.
Very 'leave your husband, I'm bored'.
A star is too generous.
Rounded down. This is not a non-rating. It's a rating of zero.
Audiobook was good, though.💀
Also, the writing was okay but what was written was not.
And like, the husbands could use the murdering, is the thing. I wanted to enjoy it. But at what cost.
Gah.
February 12, 2025
What on earth did I just read???
The beginning very slow and boring
The middle I’m actually enjoying this a bit more now
The ending WHAT ON EARTH IS HAPPENING THIS IS RIDICULOUS 😂
The beginning very slow and boring
The middle I’m actually enjoying this a bit more now
The ending WHAT ON EARTH IS HAPPENING THIS IS RIDICULOUS 😂
January 15, 2025
Three women, best friends since childhood. Three husbands, who have all made big mistakes. When a weekend away gets the girls to finally be honest with each other, we get this fantastic page turner…
“The Bitches” haven’t seen each other in three years, though they text and FaceTime constantly. All three women have things in their marriages that they haven’t even confessed to their best friends: Lisa is married to the abusive Simon, Penny is married to the cheating Drake, and Holly is married to the lazy, thieving Will - and these are the LEAST of the things these men have done. I’ll let those who read it find out the rest of their sins, but let’s just say, you may want to kill them too!
When Penny invites her friends to her house for a weekend and the alcohol starts pouring, a deviously delicious plan is hatched - they need to kill their horrible husbands. This book had me hooked from page one, but when the planning started, I couldn’t stop reading until the ending that had me laughing and pumping my fist. Told from the points of view of the three women, this book seamlessly works its way through events of the past, as well as what is happening in the present.
I haven’t read a book this suspenseful in quite a long time - the bonus is that this book is also darkly humorous, filled with great characters, and gets emotional at times. It’s not easy to put all of those facets into a book, as well as have so many stories happening at the same time, and not have everything come out convoluted, but the author did it. There was no way I could put this one down until it was over, and because it’s so enthralling, it was a very quick read. Five stars!
(Thank you to Joffe Books, Jessica Huntley and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on January 23, 2025.)
“The Bitches” haven’t seen each other in three years, though they text and FaceTime constantly. All three women have things in their marriages that they haven’t even confessed to their best friends: Lisa is married to the abusive Simon, Penny is married to the cheating Drake, and Holly is married to the lazy, thieving Will - and these are the LEAST of the things these men have done. I’ll let those who read it find out the rest of their sins, but let’s just say, you may want to kill them too!
When Penny invites her friends to her house for a weekend and the alcohol starts pouring, a deviously delicious plan is hatched - they need to kill their horrible husbands. This book had me hooked from page one, but when the planning started, I couldn’t stop reading until the ending that had me laughing and pumping my fist. Told from the points of view of the three women, this book seamlessly works its way through events of the past, as well as what is happening in the present.
I haven’t read a book this suspenseful in quite a long time - the bonus is that this book is also darkly humorous, filled with great characters, and gets emotional at times. It’s not easy to put all of those facets into a book, as well as have so many stories happening at the same time, and not have everything come out convoluted, but the author did it. There was no way I could put this one down until it was over, and because it’s so enthralling, it was a very quick read. Five stars!
(Thank you to Joffe Books, Jessica Huntley and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on January 23, 2025.)
February 10, 2026
2.5 Stars
This book didn't grab me. The whole story was really silly if you ask me.
This book didn't grab me. The whole story was really silly if you ask me.
January 23, 2025
They call themselves The Bitches. Three women best friends since childhood. They tell each other everything, even though they haven’t seen each other for three years. They keep in touch. They are a tight knit group who tell each other everything. Or do they?
They finally arrange to spend a weekend together and during an evening of drinking the secrets come out. They are all married to Horrible Husbands. There’s the lazy one. Who lives off his wife, the cheater and the abusive one. The friends decide it’s time they did something about them.
There are so many twists and turns to this story, it kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are sympathetic despite their plans. I found myself quickly turning pages, desperate to know what happened next. The suspense is turned up to ten and the attic scene had me jumping at every sound in sympathy. I can honestly say that I didn’t see the end coming. The twists were so well crafted they took me by surprise every time. This is the first book by Jessica Huntley that I’ve read. I can honestly say it won’t be the last. If you enjoy well crafted psychological thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat, Horrible Husbands is definitely the one for you.
They finally arrange to spend a weekend together and during an evening of drinking the secrets come out. They are all married to Horrible Husbands. There’s the lazy one. Who lives off his wife, the cheater and the abusive one. The friends decide it’s time they did something about them.
There are so many twists and turns to this story, it kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are sympathetic despite their plans. I found myself quickly turning pages, desperate to know what happened next. The suspense is turned up to ten and the attic scene had me jumping at every sound in sympathy. I can honestly say that I didn’t see the end coming. The twists were so well crafted they took me by surprise every time. This is the first book by Jessica Huntley that I’ve read. I can honestly say it won’t be the last. If you enjoy well crafted psychological thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat, Horrible Husbands is definitely the one for you.
January 13, 2025
A fun and unpredictable story from the start- I loved the story of the 3 friends (or bitches) and the ride this absolute twisty story takes you on. I finished in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest opinion!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest opinion!
December 10, 2024
Thank you to the author for letting me have an ARC copy. This book comes out in January 2025.
Holly, Penny and Lisa are best friends. However they haven't seen each other in a while. The normal stuff you know: work, husbands, kids, not living near each other. They decide to finally have a weekend with each other. It's much needed, and they finally tell each other why they had to get away for a bit. Holly thinks her husband is the local murderer, Lisa is being abused, and Penny has found horrific images on her husband's laptop. It's time to put an end to this. It's time to kill their horrible husbands and find freedom.
Wow, what a dark adventure! This book kept me glued to the pages! We get all the girls POVs through present day and then third person of the past. There is plenty of opportunity to get to know the woman, their day to day lives, their desires in life, who they were, who they thought they'd be and who they turned out to be!
As with all Jessica's books, there were plot twists and I'm proud to say I got a few of my theories correct! (I do think a couple were made obvious though and we were actually waiting for the character to find out. I think this was a smart way of showing the characters personalities and how they were occasionally quick to make assumptions, or simply naive as we can all be sometimes) However, as always with a Jessica novel, there were some I was not even close to getting! One twist really threw me off guard and at that point, I devoured the ending without even making myself a plot twist cup of tea! I'd like to have known what my face looked like while reading this! I was so speechless, my "twists that will make you gasp" came out silent... 😲
This book is very dark and deals with tough situations, however there is a bit of humour in there too. I really liked the characters and felt like I was there alongside them (not that I really wanted to be... cos, brutal days!) and another satisfying ending!
My fourth book by Jessica this year (I think!) but I think this may be my favourite, as it had a great plot, a fantastic twist, female glory, and some really memorable characters.
Holly, Penny and Lisa are best friends. However they haven't seen each other in a while. The normal stuff you know: work, husbands, kids, not living near each other. They decide to finally have a weekend with each other. It's much needed, and they finally tell each other why they had to get away for a bit. Holly thinks her husband is the local murderer, Lisa is being abused, and Penny has found horrific images on her husband's laptop. It's time to put an end to this. It's time to kill their horrible husbands and find freedom.
Wow, what a dark adventure! This book kept me glued to the pages! We get all the girls POVs through present day and then third person of the past. There is plenty of opportunity to get to know the woman, their day to day lives, their desires in life, who they were, who they thought they'd be and who they turned out to be!
As with all Jessica's books, there were plot twists and I'm proud to say I got a few of my theories correct! (I do think a couple were made obvious though and we were actually waiting for the character to find out. I think this was a smart way of showing the characters personalities and how they were occasionally quick to make assumptions, or simply naive as we can all be sometimes) However, as always with a Jessica novel, there were some I was not even close to getting! One twist really threw me off guard and at that point, I devoured the ending without even making myself a plot twist cup of tea! I'd like to have known what my face looked like while reading this! I was so speechless, my "twists that will make you gasp" came out silent... 😲
This book is very dark and deals with tough situations, however there is a bit of humour in there too. I really liked the characters and felt like I was there alongside them (not that I really wanted to be... cos, brutal days!) and another satisfying ending!
My fourth book by Jessica this year (I think!) but I think this may be my favourite, as it had a great plot, a fantastic twist, female glory, and some really memorable characters.
January 10, 2025
Horrible Husbands by Jessica Huntley is an addictive, gripping and heart-pounding psychological thriller that will make you guess all the way through, rewarding with a jaw-dropping twist!
This goes straight to my 6-star shelf!
I loved the emotions. I loved the touch of reality. I loved how the story turned into the madhouse! I loved everything about this book!
Penny, Holly, and Lisa have been best friends since childhood and even though they went to different universities and live in different parts of the UK, they will never miss the chance to chat daily. Each of them experiences challenges and difficulties that they are not ready to share. When Penny arranges the long weekend, things take an unexpected turn and nothing will be like before.
It was easy to follow as the story was presented in the present, told from the perspectives of all three main characters. Flashbacks were relevant to understanding emotional attachment and could be eye-opening for someone who goes through a similar situation and is confused.
Thank you BookSirens for this copy!
This was incredible!
This goes straight to my 6-star shelf!
I loved the emotions. I loved the touch of reality. I loved how the story turned into the madhouse! I loved everything about this book!
Penny, Holly, and Lisa have been best friends since childhood and even though they went to different universities and live in different parts of the UK, they will never miss the chance to chat daily. Each of them experiences challenges and difficulties that they are not ready to share. When Penny arranges the long weekend, things take an unexpected turn and nothing will be like before.
It was easy to follow as the story was presented in the present, told from the perspectives of all three main characters. Flashbacks were relevant to understanding emotional attachment and could be eye-opening for someone who goes through a similar situation and is confused.
Thank you BookSirens for this copy!
This was incredible!
January 8, 2025
Penny, Holly, and Lisa have been friends since childhood, but their bond takes an unexpected turn during a long-overdue girls' weekend getaway. While venting about their miserable marriages, the three women share shocking secrets about their husbands—secrets so dark that they begin to entertain the unthinkable: murder. A twist on the classic "Strangers on a Train" premise, the key difference here is that these women already know each other all too well.
Told from the perspectives of all three women, the story delves into their desires, frustrations, and the toxic marriages they endure. While the plot is undeniably dark, there are moments of biting humor that offer a reprieve from the tension. The twists and turns keep the reader guessing, and the characters are richly developed, each one revealing more layers as the story unfolds. I was immediately drawn into their world and found myself hooked from start to finish.
While the ending might feel a bit far-fetched, it fits within the over-the-top nature of the narrative. Overall, it’s a thrilling, fast-paced read with a perfect mix of suspense, drama, and dark comedy.
Told from the perspectives of all three women, the story delves into their desires, frustrations, and the toxic marriages they endure. While the plot is undeniably dark, there are moments of biting humor that offer a reprieve from the tension. The twists and turns keep the reader guessing, and the characters are richly developed, each one revealing more layers as the story unfolds. I was immediately drawn into their world and found myself hooked from start to finish.
While the ending might feel a bit far-fetched, it fits within the over-the-top nature of the narrative. Overall, it’s a thrilling, fast-paced read with a perfect mix of suspense, drama, and dark comedy.
January 30, 2025
I really enjoyed Jessica’s previous book, Under Her Skin, and was looking forward to another one. The start of Horrible Husbands was explosive and gripping. I liked each of the friends and how unique their personalities and lives were. It’s great that there’s Holly, a character with a visible physical disability. I feel this goes a long way towards creating awareness in books. I feel very strongly that this isn’t done enough and needs to be. Thanks to Jessica Huntley for doing this. I have visible physical disabilities as well as an invisible disability, and they’re all severe.
I liked Penny and Lisa’s backstories, and the book structure of alternate POVs was immersive as was the writing style.
It’s the first time Boots Pharmacy and their products and meal deals have been mentioned in a book, and that made the book gain extra points from me, as I love the store. It was an interesting choice of job for Lisa.
I found the description of Penny’s house luxurious and the friends’ conversations on WhatsApp were revealing.
Thanks to Jessica Huntley
5 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I liked Penny and Lisa’s backstories, and the book structure of alternate POVs was immersive as was the writing style.
It’s the first time Boots Pharmacy and their products and meal deals have been mentioned in a book, and that made the book gain extra points from me, as I love the store. It was an interesting choice of job for Lisa.
I found the description of Penny’s house luxurious and the friends’ conversations on WhatsApp were revealing.
Thanks to Jessica Huntley
5 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 18, 2026
Horrible husbands, horrible wives just overall horrible people with a horribly stupid ending.
January 27, 2025
4.5 stars.
This was such a brilliant read! So dark, twisted and fast paced. It had such a creepy vibe too which I loved.
Lisa, Penny and Holly have been best friends for most of their lives but they don’t get to see each other very often due to living in different parts of the country. They decide to have a rare girls weekend and secrets are spilled, ones which they haven’t previously shared with each other just how horrible their husbands are.
Things progress quickly and soon take a dark turn. I was gripped by the storyline and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what was going to happen.
Things definitely didn’t turn out how I expected. If you love a fast paced thriller I recommend this one.
Thank you to Zooloo’s Book tours for having me on the tour and to the publisher for my gifted ebook.
This was such a brilliant read! So dark, twisted and fast paced. It had such a creepy vibe too which I loved.
Lisa, Penny and Holly have been best friends for most of their lives but they don’t get to see each other very often due to living in different parts of the country. They decide to have a rare girls weekend and secrets are spilled, ones which they haven’t previously shared with each other just how horrible their husbands are.
Things progress quickly and soon take a dark turn. I was gripped by the storyline and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what was going to happen.
Things definitely didn’t turn out how I expected. If you love a fast paced thriller I recommend this one.
Thank you to Zooloo’s Book tours for having me on the tour and to the publisher for my gifted ebook.
January 25, 2025
Horrible Husbands is an addictive, twisty thriller that I could not put down! I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out how it ended, but at the same time I was sad when I finished it because I loved it so much! The plot is so cleverly crafted, and the twists and turns had me shocked! The characters in this book are most definitely flawed, but I loved them all the sake and found myself rooting for them. This book is a great mix of dark moments, emotional moments, and also humorous moments. It really was just the perfect mix of everything for me.
Overall, I loved this book and I can’t wait to read more by this author!
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I loved this book and I can’t wait to read more by this author!
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2025
The book is fast paced, poignant, gripping, and twisty. I didn’t see some of the twists coming. The characters are flawed and go through all kind of emotions. Though the things described in book can be triggering for some. Lisa, Penny, and Holly are friends. Lisa married Simon whom she met in the unsettling circumstance. Penny is married to Drake and Holly is married to Will. Their husbands are harbouring secrets and hiding truth from them. When all three women gather at Penny’s house for the weekend, things take a dark and interesting turn. If you are looking for a twisty, dark, and suspenseful read, look no further.
Thanks to the Publisher, Author, and zooloos book tours
Thanks to the Publisher, Author, and zooloos book tours
December 3, 2024
3.5/5
This book was pretty short and enjoyable, I had a fun time reading it. (But I would definitely look up trigger warnings for this, especially if you're sensitive to garbage/abusive relationships/men.)
The premise of this story: Sometimes you just need to plan to murder your garbage husband with your besties, just casual girl's trip activities!
I do wish we got a bit more background on the characters, we definitely get some but I think I would like more overall and with a few other characters besides the main group of best friends. I think I only say that because of how the book finished, I think that should have had a bit more background to it (sorry for how weird and vague that sounded, I'm trying not to spoil anything).
We support women's rights and wrongs in this household! It's called karma.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This book was pretty short and enjoyable, I had a fun time reading it. (But I would definitely look up trigger warnings for this, especially if you're sensitive to garbage/abusive relationships/men.)
The premise of this story: Sometimes you just need to plan to murder your garbage husband with your besties, just casual girl's trip activities!
I do wish we got a bit more background on the characters, we definitely get some but I think I would like more overall and with a few other characters besides the main group of best friends. I think I only say that because of how the book finished, I think that should have had a bit more background to it (sorry for how weird and vague that sounded, I'm trying not to spoil anything).
We support women's rights and wrongs in this household! It's called karma.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
August 11, 2025
wow, I am dissapointed.
this story started off great! three e hoa friends that were all in horrible situations with disgusting husbands helping each other. the definition of girl hood and then the wheels well and truly fell off in the last half.
Husband that is into kids - believable
Husband that is an absurer - believable
Husband that kills his mistress- believable
sounds like the basis of a great story right- WRONG.
all of a sudden we have a triple cross as one of "the bitches " slept with the others Husband oh but also happens to be a vigilante killing those who deserve it? The same lady that then tells her best friends abusive husband where to find them (even though they had a plan in place to kill said Husband) and then she ended up getting over powered and in no position to stop the abusive husband from killing her and her friends? and then to really seal the deal she was double crossing the "pedo" husband the whole time in a long con??? get off.
really dissapointed as there was the potential for this book to be great but it feels like two people wrote the story.
this story started off great! three e hoa friends that were all in horrible situations with disgusting husbands helping each other. the definition of girl hood and then the wheels well and truly fell off in the last half.
Husband that is into kids - believable
Husband that is an absurer - believable
Husband that kills his mistress- believable
sounds like the basis of a great story right- WRONG.
all of a sudden we have a triple cross as one of "the bitches " slept with the others Husband oh but also happens to be a vigilante killing those who deserve it? The same lady that then tells her best friends abusive husband where to find them (even though they had a plan in place to kill said Husband) and then she ended up getting over powered and in no position to stop the abusive husband from killing her and her friends? and then to really seal the deal she was double crossing the "pedo" husband the whole time in a long con??? get off.
really dissapointed as there was the potential for this book to be great but it feels like two people wrote the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2025
This book was like a runaway train... clickety-clack... clickety-clack... clickety-clack, clickety-clack, clickety-clack, clickety-clack....until it goes off the rails! But then we find it didn't go off the rails, it just took a detour on a totally different track, and then, man! What a bumpy ride it was.
Never underestimate the power of the girls. Best friends since childhood, Lisa, Holly, and Penny have gone their separate ways, but remain in touch through WhatsApp. None of them have revealed the secrets behind the facade of their relationships, or how horrible their husbands are. But once they're together for a reunion, it all comes out and the author takes a page from Strangers on a Train. With a twist. Because they're not strangers at all, and their plans are much more complicated.
If you're a fan of books that will keep you up all night, this book is for you!
Thanks to Joffe Books for an advance readers copy for review!
Never underestimate the power of the girls. Best friends since childhood, Lisa, Holly, and Penny have gone their separate ways, but remain in touch through WhatsApp. None of them have revealed the secrets behind the facade of their relationships, or how horrible their husbands are. But once they're together for a reunion, it all comes out and the author takes a page from Strangers on a Train. With a twist. Because they're not strangers at all, and their plans are much more complicated.
If you're a fan of books that will keep you up all night, this book is for you!
Thanks to Joffe Books for an advance readers copy for review!
January 17, 2025
My Initial Thoughts
When I first started reading, I was straight away a bit shocked. The trigger warnings are only that the book contained DV. It did in fact contain non-consensual straight away in the prologue!
Thankfully I could carry on reading but the book is intense and so many thoughts. Did anyone else watch the tv series "Why Women unalive?" This whole book gave me them vibes.
Plot
I found the plot addicting and certainly paced at the right speed. Although a lot of the twists was predicable, the big final twist, that I did not predict at all. I did like the fact that all the women had different problems within their marriages, showcasing just how different peoples lives are behind closed doors.
Characters
The women are easy to relate to if you have ever been in the same situation as they all find themselves and you understand their crazy thought process. I liked how Lisa, Penny, and Holly each had distinct personalities, adding depth to their individual stories.
Recommend
I would maybe recommend this to you if you like psychological thrillers, enjoyed the TV series 'Why Women K;ll' and have checked the trigger warnings before hand. Maybe use Storygraph content warnings as not all are included!
Favourite Quotes
""Yes, but sometimes dreams can turn into nightmares."
" We all know murd3r is wrong, but some people deserve it."
"I guess we're all hideously bad at picking decent men to marry."
"Here's to our horrible husbands' said Penny ' May they get what's coming to them."
Favourite Chapter/s
No chapter in particular was my favourite.
Summed up in one sentence
Journey with three best friends, discovering secrets and lies within their friendships and marriages.
Overall Wrap up
I did enjoy reading this and found the storyline and plot enticing. I wish I had been more prepared going into the book but it was an ok read, gave me the vibes from several TV programs and although it was something that was predicable in places, the end twist I was completely blindsided by.
Stars.
4
Spice.
N/A
Book Information
Horrible Husbands by Jessica Huntley
Genre - Psychological Thriller.
Pages - 285 pages.
Tropes -
Unreliable narrator.
Available on Kindle Unlimited - Yes from the 23rd January 2025.
Available Formats - Kindle and paperback.
Publishing Information - To be published on 23rd Jan 2025 by Joffe Books.
Format in Which i Read - Kindle.
Where my copy come From - Zooloo's Book Tours.
POVs - Multiple POVs - Holly, Penny and Lisa.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines - Multiple timelines for Lisa as it flashes back.
1st or 3rd Person - 1st person.
HEA, HFN or Cliffhanger - Mysteries solved, HFN.
Series or Standalone - Standalone.
Trigger Warnings - YES, please check the content warnings as there is DV, SA, and CA!
January 12, 2025
What happens when three best friends gather for a weekend of cocktails, confessions, and revenge? In Horrible Husbands, Jessica Huntley creates a darkly addictive thriller that’s equal parts shocking and empowering.
Told from the perspective of a narrator, Lisa, trapped in a toxic marriage, this twisty tale plunges you into the secrets, betrayals, and ultimate vengeance of three women who’ve endured enough. Penny, Holly, and Lisa share an unbreakable bond, but as their horrifying truths unravel, their friendship is tested like never before.
The story kicks off as a fun, wine-fueled weekend escape but quickly spirals into something far more sinister. The emotional depth of the characters makes their choices believable—perhaps even justifiable. Huntley masterfully weaves suspense with wicked humor, keeping you turning pages late into the night.
Horrible Husbands is not just a thriller; it’s a searing exploration of loyalty, resilience, and what happens when women refuse to be victims anymore. The question isn’t whether the husbands deserve their fate—it’s whether the friends can live with the consequences of their pact.
Fans of Big Little Lies and The Girl on the Train will devour this gripping and sinister novel. As she always does, Huntley keeps us guessing until the last chilling page. A must-read for anyone who loves a story about friendship—and revenge—taken to the ultimate extreme.
Told from the perspective of a narrator, Lisa, trapped in a toxic marriage, this twisty tale plunges you into the secrets, betrayals, and ultimate vengeance of three women who’ve endured enough. Penny, Holly, and Lisa share an unbreakable bond, but as their horrifying truths unravel, their friendship is tested like never before.
The story kicks off as a fun, wine-fueled weekend escape but quickly spirals into something far more sinister. The emotional depth of the characters makes their choices believable—perhaps even justifiable. Huntley masterfully weaves suspense with wicked humor, keeping you turning pages late into the night.
Horrible Husbands is not just a thriller; it’s a searing exploration of loyalty, resilience, and what happens when women refuse to be victims anymore. The question isn’t whether the husbands deserve their fate—it’s whether the friends can live with the consequences of their pact.
Fans of Big Little Lies and The Girl on the Train will devour this gripping and sinister novel. As she always does, Huntley keeps us guessing until the last chilling page. A must-read for anyone who loves a story about friendship—and revenge—taken to the ultimate extreme.
February 10, 2025
Alternately dark and humorous, Horrible Husbands by Jessica Huntley is an over-the-top escapist thriller tempered with friendship fiction. The main characters include Lisa, a pharmacist; Holly, a personal trainer; and Penny, a wealthy business owner and mom of six-year-old twins. As the title suggests, the trio have each married despicable mates, and the reader doesn’t have long to wait before these three best friends seize the opportunity for revenge. There are many plot twists along the way, some of which were foreshadowed and easy to guess, while others came as total surprises. As a result, I was either scared for the women, because I knew what awaited them, or scared for myself, because I didn’t know whether the next turn of events would keep me awake all night. In the end, we all got what we deserved, as I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
August 17, 2025
I cannot call this book the heights of originally, and a lot of "surprising" things didn't bring me surprise - BUT. I had fun! Honestly it was a good and crazy read considering everything that had happened in the story. So even though I was disappointed with some aspect, I did overall enjoy this a lot.
January 19, 2025
An explosive start and a captivating gripping on the edge of the seat read, from beginning to end .
It's a gripping, well written storyline and plot with plenty of twists and turns and revelations all the way through.
There are strong and interesting characters and a surprising twisty ending.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
It's a gripping, well written storyline and plot with plenty of twists and turns and revelations all the way through.
There are strong and interesting characters and a surprising twisty ending.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
April 21, 2025
This absolutely a popcorn read. It also may be a tough read for some folks as it deals with some pretty awful situations.
Our husbands are horrible. So, though, are our wives. I did not like them! Didn't stop me from reading, though.
The book is definitely entertaining.
I will say that one big reveal wasn't a surprise at all. It was a horrifying thing to be sure, but the only shock was that the character it was about was shocked. I mean hugely obvious.
All in all, a good read.
* ARC via Publisher
Our husbands are horrible. So, though, are our wives. I did not like them! Didn't stop me from reading, though.
The book is definitely entertaining.
I will say that one big reveal wasn't a surprise at all. It was a horrifying thing to be sure, but the only shock was that the character it was about was shocked. I mean hugely obvious.
All in all, a good read.
* ARC via Publisher
December 6, 2024
Guys, I have such a bingeworthy thriller for you! I literally couldn't put this one down, it was so entertaining.
Penny, Lisa and Holly have been best friends for so long. When the opportunity comes up for them to catch up for a girls' weekend, they jump at the chance. After a few drinks to loosen up, the girls begin to reveal their secrets and it becomes clear that neither of them have great husbands. Then it's put across that they end their torment, will they go through with it?
Take my advice and pick this one up if you get a chance!! It doesn't publish until end of January but I read it early and loved it so much that I knew I had to share how good it was with everyone.
Penny, Lisa and Holly have been best friends for so long. When the opportunity comes up for them to catch up for a girls' weekend, they jump at the chance. After a few drinks to loosen up, the girls begin to reveal their secrets and it becomes clear that neither of them have great husbands. Then it's put across that they end their torment, will they go through with it?
Take my advice and pick this one up if you get a chance!! It doesn't publish until end of January but I read it early and loved it so much that I knew I had to share how good it was with everyone.
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