The Doctor

The Doctor's Wife #5

by Daniel Hurst

Is he the perfect man or the perfect liar?

From the moment I first see Doctor Drew Devlin, I want him to be mine. Drew is the perfect man – he’s charming, handsome and wealthy. And I need the security that comes from being with someone like him. I’m at my lowest point and I have nothing to lose; this is my chance to escape my troubled past. So I’m going to stop at nothing to ensure that Drew marries me…

Whatever it takes, I will become the doctor’s wife.

Except when I get closer to Drew, I realise the doctor isn’t who he says he is. He’s hiding a dangerous secret.

But so am I…

From the number one bestselling author of The Doctor’s Wife, this is a totally gripping and page-turning psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the final jaw-dropping twist. Perfect for fans of John Marrs, T.M Logan and Freida McFadden.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2026

About the author

Daniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part, The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers.

You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'

Reviews

[Natalie "Curling up with a Coffee and a Kindle" Laird · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I've loved The Doctor's Wife series, I couldn't wait to read a prequel 'where it all began' for our protagonist Fern.
Because I have had all the other books on audio, I could literally hear Tamsin Kennard's voice as Fern! How mad is that?! She IS Fern.
This was another quick read, and I didn't even know I needed a prequel, but I loved being back with these amazing characters! Hurst gives a great insight on how things began.

[Andrea Pole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Judy Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

In THE DOCTOR, a wicked, delicious prequel thriller by Daniel Hurst, readers are invited to journey into the intricate backstory of Fern and her eventual marriage to the enigmatic Doctor Drew Devlin.

This fifth installment in "The Doctor's Wife" series artfully unravels the deep-seated secrets and profound motivations that shape both characters, providing a vivid exploration of their lives before the pivotal events of the first book unfold. The narrative promises to enrich our understanding of their relationship, illuminating the connections and challenges that brought them together in a dangerous, obsessive love partnership and game of cat-and-mouse.

About...

Fern's Pursuit Fern, at a low point in her life, is determined to marry the charming, handsome, and wealthy Dr. Drew Devlin as a way to escape her troubled past. She will stop at nothing to make him hers.

Drew's Deception:
Drew presents himself as the "perfect man" and a respectable figure, but he is hiding a dangerous secret.

Uncovering Secrets:
As Fern gets closer to Drew, she realizes he is not who he claims to be.

Alternating Perspectives:
The story unfolds with alternating chapter perspectives from Fern and Drew, allowing readers a glimpse into their inner thoughts, motivations, and the pathological narcissism characteristic of Hurst's novels.

The Catalyst:
The book details Fern's initial actions and discoveries that lead to the events in the subsequent books of the series, where her desire for revenge takes center stage. 

My thoughts...

I had the pleasure of reading all the books in the Doctor series and enjoyed this delivish prequel that sets the stage for the addictive and twisty series that follows, where the seemingly perfect life of the Devlins is unraveled by dark secrets, betrayal, and a quest for revenge.

The prequel explores the origin story of Doctor Drew Devlin and the events leading to his fateful meeting with Fern, the manipulations, and the dangerous secrets.

In Fern's initial pursuit of Drew, she was driven by a desire for security and escape from her own troubled past as she meticulously plans to ensure Drew marries her—at any cost. She then realizes there are cracks in his facade.

The Doctor serves as an origin story for the couple’s toxic dynamic, exploring the beginning of their relationship, showing how Fern first targeted Drew as the perfect escape from her own dark past, and Drew's dangerous secrets.

The prequel establishes the foundation of their "wickedly twisted game of cat-and-mouse," and power dynamics, showing that neither was ever truly the innocent party they pretended to be in the first book. These revelations establish that Fern was a "femme fatale" from the very beginning, setting the stage for the diabolical revenge she eventually takes in The Doctor's Wife.

The prequel highlights that Fern does not merely stumble upon these secrets; she recognizes them and chooses to use them to her advantage to "snare" him into marriage.

True to Hurst's signature style, the narrative features alternating perspectives between Drew and Fern, highlighting the pathological narcissism and early betrayals that define their toxic relationship with fun, diabolical twists fans adore.

Series...
While this book is the fifth release in the series, it is chronologically the first. It precedes: 
The Doctor’s Wife (Book 1)
The Doctor’s Widow (Book 2)
The Doctor’s Mistress (Book 3)
The Doctor’s Child (Book 4) 

The message of Daniel Hurst’s The Doctor’s Wife series, reinforced by the prequel The Doctor, is a cynical warning about the danger of underestimating others and the toxicity of perfection. 

The prequel highlights that Fern does not merely stumble upon these secrets; she recognizes them and chooses to use them to her advantage to "snare" him into marriage.

Recs...

Fans of the author and the series will enjoy this one, and if you like the fast-paced, manipulative, and domestic psychological thrillers characteristic of Daniel Hurst, these authors and books are recommended.

~Dear Debbie Freida McFadden
~The Intruder Freida McFadden
~My Husband's Wife Alice Feeney
~Rock Paper Scissors Alice Feeney
~Jill Is Not Happy Kaira Rouda
~Jane Doe Victoria Helen Stone
~None of This Is True Lisa Jewell
~The Good Samaritan John Marrs

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating; 4 Stars
Pub Date: Jan 23, 2026
January Newsletter

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is he the perfect man… or the perfect liar?”
This twisty psychological thriller had me hooked from the very first line. When our narrator lays eyes on Doctor Drew Devlin, she’s certain he’s the answer to every problem in her life—charming, successful, wealthy, and exactly the kind of man who could offer the stability she’s desperate for. But as she sets her sights on becoming the doctor’s wife, it becomes clear that both of them are carrying secrets big enough to shatter their carefully constructed lies.
What unfolds is a dark, addictive game of manipulation, desire, and survival. The tension builds beautifully as the layers peel back, revealing two people who are far more dangerous—and far more obsessed—than they first appear. I devoured this in a single sitting, constantly second-guessing who was really in control.
If you love domestic suspense with morally messy characters, shocking reveals, and that delicious feeling of “just one more chapter,” this one will absolutely grip you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Utterly compulsive. A wild, twist-filled ride.
#BookReview #PsychologicalThriller #DomesticSuspense #Bookstagram #ThrillerBooks #PlotTwist #MustRead #TheDoctorsWife #BookishAddict #ThrillerTuesday #DarkReads

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #5 in the Doctor Wives series and we now know how Fern and Drew met. Another twisty thriller that I could not put down. I’m tempted to read all the others in this series again. This is book #49 that I have read of Daniel’s. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

[Lauren Elkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fern is one crazy lady

[Sam’s Book Space · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

A gripping thriller!

I really enjoyed this one! This was my first book that I’ve read in ‘The Doctor’s Wife’ series, and also my first book by this author! This one is a prequel to The Doctor’s Wife, and the story is told with a dual-POV between Fern and Drew. I loved the short chapters and the book felt easy to read, perfect if you also like Freida McFadden books.

The midway twist left me shocked, and was a twist I never saw coming! 😲😱 It was so good!

I really can’t wait now to read the next book in the series! The epilogue certainly left me wanting to know more!

Highly recommend this one if you like short, fast- paced thrillers.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★ 4.5 stars

The perfect man...or the perfect liar?

That's a bit misleading because I don't get any of that sense when reading this prequel to The Doctor's Wife series. In fact, scrap any pre-conceived notions you may have had about Doctor Drew Devlin from the first book because he is nothing at all like we were lead to believe!

In this book, Hurst takes us back to where it all began with Drew and Fern. How they met, fell in love and were married. And it ends when Drew met Alice. It's a prequel that offers the back story to a tale we were already well familiar with. But like with any Hurst thriller, there are spanners galore that are thrown in for good measure. Thus changing my first opinion of Drew that Fern painted via Hurst's pen from the first book and onwards. He was a man we loved to hate; that she was driven to commit the crime she had because of his infidelity. But the Drew Hurst introduces us too has none of that narcissistic charm we thought he had. In fact, he was kind and considerate, very likeable. He even valued faithfulness and loyalty, both in himself and others. So what drove him to have that affair with Alice?

When we meet Drew, he is engaged to Rose and working in a practice alongside Phil, a serial philanderer. But it's thanks to Phil that Fern meets Drew and the rest became history. Fern had just been dumped by her boyfriend the week of her best friend's funeral. And it is on her way to work one morning that she meets an anonymous woman who buys her a cup of coffee and gives her some advice.

"Find yourself a doctor and marry him! You won't regret it."

This front row seat look into the lives of Drew and Fern will have you wondering just what is at play here. Or who is playing who? We thought we knew Fern, but do we really? Is this really the full story? Is one the victim of the other? Or is it the other way around? I won't tell you what I think or it may spoil things. But let me say, that things are not always what they seem.

This is the best of the Doctor's Wife series yet! I thoroughly enjoyed stepping back in time with Drew and Fern...and I'm wondering if there will be a follow-up for the time between the end of this one and the beginning of The Doctor's Wife? I guess with Daniel Hurst, never say never.

I would like to thank #DanielHurst, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheDoctor in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Lori Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Doctor is book 5 in The Doctor's Wife series by Daniel Hurst. I have really enjoyed the books in this series and was excited to see a new one. The Doctor takes you back to the beginning before Drew and Fern were married. It tells the story of how they met, what they felt, and the things they did before they got married and after. It's told from both points of view, Fern's and Drew's and gives the reader insight into their relationship. If you haven't read The Doctor's Wife series, I would highly recommend that you read them first. However, since this book takes you back to the beginning you could enjoy this as a standalone, too. This book had quite a few surprises that I didn't know and I've read every book in the series. I read The Doctor way too fast and enjoyed every minute! I rate The Doctor 4 stars with a high recommendation. I loved reading about Fern and Drew's early life and what they got into back then. The Doctor is available on January 23 and should be devoured then. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of The Doctor in exchange for a fair review. #TheDoctor

[Rachel Gent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!! I read this before the rest of the series oops but now super excited to read the rest ! A

[Samantha Dufault · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Only read 50 pages, the plot was so stupid

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit it, I couldn’t resist returning for one more installment of the lives of Drew and Fern Devlin, the doctor and his wife. This is the fifth in the series but is actually a prequel that delves into the backstory of how Fern became The Doctor’s Wife.

As is typical in a Hurst novel, there are diabolical twists and pathological narcissism. As with the prior stories, it’s an engrossing, fast paced read that I couldn’t put down. I like the continued author’s style of alternating chapter perspectives from the two main characters, allowing a glimpse into their inner thoughts and motivations.

You may dislike some (or all!) of the characters and think some things a bit over the top,  but you will enjoy this psychological thriller.  It is an entertaining, escapist read; what I like to call a “popcorn thriller.”


Thanks to @Netgalley and @Bookouture for the DRC.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟

They say if you mess with the bull you get the horns but what we will all be saying from now on is when you mess with Fern you are sure to get pricked.

​This was a quick and easy read that was twisty in the traditional thriller way. It features a female lead who went from zero to crazy faster than I thought possible given how seemingly normal she was from the outset.

​We all hope to find the person of our dreams but Fern took the phrase love hurts to a whole new level. The man of her dreams happened to be a well-off doctor living his ideal life. Drew had a good job a beautiful fiancé and friends who saw the best in him but a blast from the past quickly looks to upend all that. Usually people are afraid of the past coming back to haunt them but once Fern entered his life it was the present he should have been more aware of.

​I understand this book is a prequel to an existing franchise with leads well known to readers of the earlier entries. That allowed the author to be direct and upfront with a lot of the plot points and it was great for once not having to worry about the whodunit of it all.

​Reading this prequel did not take away my interest in the previous books. It only enhanced my intrigue to know what craziness Fern gets into next. The first half was really entertaining and I was absolutely astonished how quickly Fern went about getting the life she felt she deserved by any means necessary.

​The second half however slowed to a crawl just a bit. I found myself shaking my head that with all the equity Fern built up in her psycho-laden portfolio Drew still thought it was a good idea to test how solid that portfolio was. I am sure he will learn the hard way real quick once I dive into the other books.

​This was a highly enjoyable read with a very unhinged character who I am sure will surprise book after book. I can't wait to see how many people Fern crosses paths with to keep what is hers but I for one wouldn't go beating round that bush anytime soon.

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t think of a single book by this author that I didn’t enjoy. Each and every one of them is fantastic, but the series about the doctor and his wife is an absolute gem. I was therefore thrilled when the author decided to write a prequel and take us back to where it all began.

This time, we get a front-row seat to discover how the doctor and his wife met and how their relationship started.

Readers who have already read the series know who Fern is and what she is capable of, and we thought we understood why she became the way she is—but is that really the full story?
This is definitely a book you need to read if you want to be taken back in time. And if you haven’t read the rest of the series yet, this is the perfect place to start.

Is one the victim of the other, or did one become who they are because of the other’s actions? I think they are more than evenly matched—except that one of them is just a little more calculating and therefore always one step ahead.

Both the doctor and the doctor’s wife are fantastic creations born from the author’s creative mind, and together they make these books an absolutely phenomenal whole.

All I can say is: read it!

I’m giving this one 5 stars.

Thank you

[Eilidhs World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel starts his books the same way every time… and I mean that as a compliment 😄 I was hooked by page 3 🪝📖

The story follows Drew and Fern, and honestly, I really liked them both. Drew’s life is pure chaos and stress 😵‍💫🔥, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him in certain moments. Fern, on the other hand, is a strong, powerful, take-no-nonsense female lead 💪👑 who refuses to let anything or anyone stand in her way. We love to see it 👏✨

The storyline kept me engaged and flipping pages nonstop 📖➡️📖. The writing itself was excellent—smooth, gripping, and clearly well thought out 🖊️👌. That said, I was really hoping for a jaw-dropping twist 😱. The twists we got were good, but I wanted more—give me that “did not see that coming” moment!

Overall, I’m rating this one 3.75 stars, rounded up to a solid 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Cynthia Sauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC of The Doctor.

I will preface my review by saying I have not read this entire series. When I requested the ARC, I was familiar with the author but didn’t realize this was part of a series. I had “The Doctor’s Wife” on my shelf already so went ahead and read that one first.

“The Doctor” was a quick and enjoyable read. I suppose there are probably Easter eggs in here that I missed since I haven’t read the entire series. Fern is a truly deplorable character but yet still I somewhat empathized with her. She’s just trying to save her marriage, after all! At some point I will probably pick up the other books in the series just to see it through.

[Renko Dekker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book of 2025, and I flew through it (finished it in 2,5 hours). I've read all the books in the Doctor's Wife series, so I obviously had to read this one as well. I received it from Bookouture via Netgalley.

This book is the start, the beginning of it all. And that was an absolute blast to read about. Now, you understand it all (although you should just start with the first book of course). The characters are great, with all their imperfections and craziness. The story is just interesting and it reads easily as it is exciting to find everything out.

Great thriller!

5/5 ⭐️

[Cin (cinsnextchapter) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Doctor is the fifth installment in The Doctor’s Wife series, and it wraps everything up beautifully by taking readers back to where the story first began between Drew and Fern. Although it’s technically the fifth book, it works as a prequel and could easily be read first if you’re new to the series. I flew through the pages in a single afternoon, desperate to get all the details behind Drew and Fern’s backstory. Daniel Hurst never disappoints, and this twisty thriller is the perfect addition to the series!

[Kelli Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a prequel I didn’t realize we needed but I’m glad for it! It was wonderful to get Dr. Drew’s point of view and how Drew and Fern got to to the events of The Doctors Wife series. And if there was ever a question that Fern was a villain, that is a question no longer!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Bookouture for the advance reader copy.. this is my honest review. Publication date Jan 23, 2026.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A prequel to the doctors wife series.. there is a reason Daniel Hurst is my favorite author. His books are just so gripping and easy to read..I love his style and this book is no different!!! It takes you into the mind of Fern and Drew and into their past and how they met. Totally hooked form the first page and finished in record time!!! 


Daniel you are such an awesome writer, keep it up!!

[Rachiebo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It never fails. A Daniel hurst book can pull you out of a reading slump and keep you guessing u til the end! I’m an instant buy when it comes to this author! Just when you think you know what will happen! Bam the author throws in a hard left and I’m sitting here looking both ways as to what hit me! Whew! Love this book

[Katlin Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book! Daniel Hurst never fails me! This one was super twisty and I probably yelled wtf about ten times. Now I have to read the whole series. Lol.

[Kim Melbourne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a large number of Daniels books and all in this series about the doctor.
Another great read, good pace and very easy to read with it's usual mix of twists....as a book I cannot fault it. However, for me, reading this as 5th in the series seemed a bit backwards and didn't really add value to the previous books and storyline in the series.
would still recommend this as a good book though.

[Stuart Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great pre book to the series. Engaging and interesting!

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good book from Daniel. I enjoyed some sections of the book but parts of it dragged on with me feeling a little bored and looking forward to the end.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading and finding out how Fern and Dr Drew met. I’ve read all the other books 2 1/2 years ago and because I can’t remember everything that happened in the other 4 books I’m starting to read all the others again. I really enjoy the books written by Daniel Hurst.

[Meda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The prequel explores the origin story of Doctor Drew Devlin and the events leading to his fateful meeting with Fern. It's a story about the danger of underestimating others and profound motivations that shape character :) Domestic suspense with morally messy characters and crazy twists.

[Caitlin Bunting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book to finish this series off, personally I think it went on a little too long and unfortunately because of this in my opinion a lower rating seems necessary.

[Lyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book & found it interesting how Fern & Drew initially met. I read this quickly & was gripped throughout intrigued to hear both Drew & Fern's points of view. There were a couple of points I found a little unbelievable & not sure would actually happen but this added to the story. Fern's character definitely developed the story & she wasn't frightened to act on how she felt!!

This could be read as a stand alone story despite being no 5 in the doctor series by this author. Overall a very good read & woud recommend.