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The Perfect Husband
He was the perfect husband. Until he wasn’t.
When Shelly's marriage ends in divorce, she's left completely devastated and feeling like she's never going to find love again.
Until she meets Eric.
Shelly can't believe her luck. The first person she meets after (reluctantly) joining online dating, and he's handsome, caring, everything she ever wanted and more. From romantic dates to expensive gifts, it's as if she's in a dream.
But just when Shelly thinks she's finally found her happily ever after, she begins to realize that all is not as it seems. As the cracks start to develop, perhaps Eric isn't the perfect man she thought he was. Will her dream become a nightmare?
A dark women's fiction novel, perfect for fans of Amanda Prowse and Liane Moriarty.
When Shelly's marriage ends in divorce, she's left completely devastated and feeling like she's never going to find love again.
Until she meets Eric.
Shelly can't believe her luck. The first person she meets after (reluctantly) joining online dating, and he's handsome, caring, everything she ever wanted and more. From romantic dates to expensive gifts, it's as if she's in a dream.
But just when Shelly thinks she's finally found her happily ever after, she begins to realize that all is not as it seems. As the cracks start to develop, perhaps Eric isn't the perfect man she thought he was. Will her dream become a nightmare?
A dark women's fiction novel, perfect for fans of Amanda Prowse and Liane Moriarty.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2018
1364 people are currently reading
689 people want to read
About the author
Buffy Andrews
27 books98 followersBuffy Andrews is an Amazon best-selling author. She is president of Author and Friends LLC and Andrews Creative Concepts.
She lives in southcentral Pennsylvania with her husband, Tom.
Author website: www.authorbuffyandrews.com
Shop at her online literary gift stores:
Author and Friends on Cafepress: www.cafepress.com/authorandfriends
Author and Friends on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/AuthorAndFriends
Author and Friends on Teepublic: http://tee.pub/lic/authorandfriends
She lives in southcentral Pennsylvania with her husband, Tom.
Author website: www.authorbuffyandrews.com
Shop at her online literary gift stores:
Author and Friends on Cafepress: www.cafepress.com/authorandfriends
Author and Friends on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/AuthorAndFriends
Author and Friends on Teepublic: http://tee.pub/lic/authorandfriends
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
August 4, 2018
Remember in the 90's when NBC had "Monday Night Movies" and they starred actresses like Candace Cameron, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and the sister from Growing Pains?'There was always this voice over that stated This movie should be watched by every parent with a teenage daughter. So you just knew that it was going to horrify every parent in America. The movies were generally about horrifying issues like abusive relationships, eating disorders, or even worse based on true stories.
Trigger warnings everywhere!
So yeah this book was definitely just like those movies. No surprises, the nice guy is actually a sociopath, the main girl misses all the red trigger signs, and the best friend is all wide eyed and so astonished that all this shit is going down. I am the police personnel just saying in a detached voice nothing new to see here folks.
I received this ARC from NetGalley. All views expressed are my own.
Trigger warnings everywhere!
So yeah this book was definitely just like those movies. No surprises, the nice guy is actually a sociopath, the main girl misses all the red trigger signs, and the best friend is all wide eyed and so astonished that all this shit is going down. I am the police personnel just saying in a detached voice nothing new to see here folks.
I received this ARC from NetGalley. All views expressed are my own.
September 3, 2018
WOW!!!!!!
Frightening, disturbing..............I was still shaking when I finished this book
Frightening, disturbing..............I was still shaking when I finished this book
November 9, 2018
What a heartbreaking beginning “no one would miss me. I was a zero, nothing, zilch”
Shelly has been divorced from her ex husband Scott after he cheated on her. Since then she has focused on her career. She meets Eric on a dating site and he seems like the perfect man, generous, caring and too good to be true!!
I guess it’s true when they say “hindsight is a wonderful thing” I couldn’t help but think stop and think I about committing to someone you hardly know. At some time in our lives we have all probably jumped into a new relationship too soon and this is the classic reason why you shouldn’t.
A bit predictable,but nonetheless a very good dark psychological thriller that would make you think twice about going on dating sites to find the perfect match.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
June 6, 2018
The Perfect Husband is a psychological thriller. Reminds me so much of the movie “Sleeping with the Enemy” with Julia Roberts. Red flags are going off all over the place and Shelly just shrugs them off. At 45%, it got a little too “Fifty Shades if Gray” for me so I skimmed over some parts. This one kept me interested enough to read it but don’t think I would recommend it due to the content of the book. (A lot of abuse) Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this complimentary book. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 24, 2020
The Perfect Husband fue una lectura que apenas me duro un dia, es asombroso lo muy agil de leer que es, en ningun momento se vuelve tediosa o pierde tu atencion, todo lo contrario, con cada nuevo capitulo se hace mas y mas adictiva.
Un pero que le pongo es que me falto mas suspense, y tambien que la autora no explotara aun mas ciertos detalles que pudieron hacer que la novela fuera aun mas memorable, aun asi, me quedo con el gran y necesario mensaje que transmite ( aparte de el rato estupendo que me hizo pasar ).
Si buscas un thriller psicologico tal vez esta historia no sea todo lo que buscas, me explico, el libro tiene varios momentos espeluznantes pero considero que mas que un libro de misterio, es una historia de fuerza y superacion con algunas pinceladas de thriller.
Personalmente creo que la autora hizo un muy buen trabajo con Shelly, la protagonista, es facil empatizar con ella y aunque me hubiese gustado conocerla un poco mas despues del infierno que vive, admito que su personaje me dejo conforma.
Otro punto positivo fue la amistad entre ella y su mejor amiga, me encanto su relacion, fue muy sincera y entrañable.
En definitiva, The Perfect Husband pese a no ser lo que esperaba, me sorprendio gratamente. Me entretuvo mucho y lo devore literalmente en una tarde. Aconsejable.
3 Estrellas!
June 5, 2018
I love this book! There are people in this world who are not cynical, or "worldly". They trust and they believe that there is goodness in just about everyone….they are the ones that make the human race so wonderful! Shelly fell victim to someone that purposefully set out to deceive but did it in such a "loving way" that she was truly blindsided. It is a sad lesson in life to know that not everyone is what they seem, and that one person can love with so much abandon while the other has the complete intention of decieving, hurting and trying to destroy everything about the other. I sincerely hope that whoever reads this book does not lose their naiveté but does think twice before entering into a relationship. Great job Buffy Andrews on showing how easy it is to be manipulated and why this message needs to be shared!!
July 18, 2018
This was a really great book! It had everything I love in a book. I barely got any house work done until I finished it! Wonderful job Buffy Andrews- I cant wait to read more of your stuff!
May 23, 2018
This was well written. It didn't drag on, yet still managed to be telling in detail. A touchy subject to write about and my only suggestion is to post a warning to readers due to triggers. The best way to end this story was through the epilogue, absolutely 2 thumbs up for closure and a message to all about to or have been in an abusive situation or craving for attention even if it comes in an ugly form. YOU matter and they are nothing. Until you've actually gone through it yourself you should not judge, the abused are the victims not the ones at fault. Great read.
I received an ARC from the publisher/NetGalley for an honest review
I received an ARC from the publisher/NetGalley for an honest review
June 28, 2018
I haven't read anything by this author before and I really enjoyed this book. A tense pyschological thriller which kept me engrossed throughout the book. I empathised with Shelley in parts of the book but in others I was shouting at her not to be so stupid - I wanted to warn her and help her escape this man.
A fast, easy read which I found I zipped through quickly. I enjoyed the writing style of the author and will be looking out for more books by her.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
A fast, easy read which I found I zipped through quickly. I enjoyed the writing style of the author and will be looking out for more books by her.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2018
**I have received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
wow!! what a book!!
a member from my Facebook book club "the fiction cafe - book club' recommended this book as similar to behind closed doors if i remember correctly - so i decided to request from netgalley an ARC and i am so glad that i did, as i was not disappointed at all!
First book i have read from the author - excellent writing, very interesting plot and building of the story!
Will definitely follow the author in the future!!
wow!! what a book!!
a member from my Facebook book club "the fiction cafe - book club' recommended this book as similar to behind closed doors if i remember correctly - so i decided to request from netgalley an ARC and i am so glad that i did, as i was not disappointed at all!
First book i have read from the author - excellent writing, very interesting plot and building of the story!
Will definitely follow the author in the future!!
Read
May 16, 2018DNF.
ARC.
ARC.
August 6, 2018
I read half of this book. It is so poorly written I cant read anymore. It's like an eighth grader wrote it!!
September 25, 2018
At first I thought it was just a bit sappy, but then I began thinking about what had happened to a family member, and I thought, “while not the best-written book in the world, at least parts of it could happen.” Intelligent women, looking for love and companionship, could be taken in by someone like Eric. Beware that which seems too good to be true.
July 12, 2018
I love the book, as much i predicted that the guy (ERIC) can not be that perfect at the beginning and there is more into his gentleness when i read the first chapters but i continued reading until the end and i learned a lot from the book.
As women we seemed to be sacrificing a lot and i felt the connection and emotion string as am reading the book, the author just knew how to connect it to reader. The end is amazing!
As women we seemed to be sacrificing a lot and i felt the connection and emotion string as am reading the book, the author just knew how to connect it to reader. The end is amazing!
July 15, 2018
The Perfect Husband was an easy read to get into, I really felt for Shelly, it's a horrible situation to be in, an absolute page turner of a book, I really enjoyed it.
August 8, 2018
If it seems too good to be true, take off your Louboutins and run.
Truth: Abuse of any kind is real and should be given the attention it requires. And for the message that comes through the novel I will amend my review. I hope the novel’s messages helps someone.
Truth: Abuse of any kind is real and should be given the attention it requires. And for the message that comes through the novel I will amend my review. I hope the novel’s messages helps someone.
August 4, 2018
I really don't like writing reviews when I dislike a book. But, that is the point of reviews. I find this so unbelievable. You gotta wonder how she could ignore soooo many signs. You have to wonder how she could let him do the things he did to her and think it was love. Even giving in to him so much was just naive. I did read a few reviews before writing this and it did change my opinion a bit. To see it or read what others have been through. I've never been in that situation (thank goodness).
I'm sure a relationship like this has to mess with your self worth. I do understand when you find someone and you love them so much that you over look things because you just can't picture your life without them. Not to the extent of what the main character went through.
It's great that the author gave a voice to this. I guess I didn't enjoy it because I just found it a bit far fetched. The ending wrapped up too quickly for my taste. Some of the things were very hard to read. Very demeaning . This just wasn't my cup of tea. I will read this author again. For not caring for the book, I did read it in 2 days so it did keep my attention . Maybe it isn't that the book was so bad, maybe just more of what it was about.
I'm sure a relationship like this has to mess with your self worth. I do understand when you find someone and you love them so much that you over look things because you just can't picture your life without them. Not to the extent of what the main character went through.
It's great that the author gave a voice to this. I guess I didn't enjoy it because I just found it a bit far fetched. The ending wrapped up too quickly for my taste. Some of the things were very hard to read. Very demeaning . This just wasn't my cup of tea. I will read this author again. For not caring for the book, I did read it in 2 days so it did keep my attention . Maybe it isn't that the book was so bad, maybe just more of what it was about.
June 18, 2018
Loved this book!
The Perfect Husband is darker than Buffy Andrews other books, but still captures the characters emotions beautifully. Be careful, once you start reading, you won’t want to put the book down until your done!
The Perfect Husband is darker than Buffy Andrews other books, but still captures the characters emotions beautifully. Be careful, once you start reading, you won’t want to put the book down until your done!
June 5, 2018
Ok for starters I am totally going to admit I requested this due to the authors name.
Huge Buffy fan even after all these years. Now onto the review :)
I actually really enjoyed this book.
There were GIANT red flags throughout this story. But from everything I have read and know about abusive relationships, is that there generally are always big red flags that tend to get ignored or swept under the rug. Lost in the throes of blossoming romance. This was certainly true in this book. I almost wanted to shake the main character Shelley. She was extremely naive for a lady in her forties I thought.
Her best friend was pretty much the same way. I feel as her best friend she should have noticed how her friend had changed etc but she pretty much thought the man was perfect too.
Certain parts of this book was obvious. The tracker on the phone being a HUGE flag but I was also fairly sure the phone wasn’t the only tracker.
Eric was a scary character. I am sure for people who have been in type of relationship he would have been a character that people would have found relatable to their abusive spouse/partner..
However, if you are affected by triggering subjects such as a rape etc you might want to give this a miss.
This book is pretty much a big warning on relationships like this.
I enjoyed this because it was a good addictive read.
I was impressed with her writing style and I would definitely look out for more books from her in the future.
Read and reviewed courtesy of Netgalley
Huge Buffy fan even after all these years. Now onto the review :)
I actually really enjoyed this book.
There were GIANT red flags throughout this story. But from everything I have read and know about abusive relationships, is that there generally are always big red flags that tend to get ignored or swept under the rug. Lost in the throes of blossoming romance. This was certainly true in this book. I almost wanted to shake the main character Shelley. She was extremely naive for a lady in her forties I thought.
Her best friend was pretty much the same way. I feel as her best friend she should have noticed how her friend had changed etc but she pretty much thought the man was perfect too.
Certain parts of this book was obvious. The tracker on the phone being a HUGE flag but I was also fairly sure the phone wasn’t the only tracker.
Eric was a scary character. I am sure for people who have been in type of relationship he would have been a character that people would have found relatable to their abusive spouse/partner..
However, if you are affected by triggering subjects such as a rape etc you might want to give this a miss.
This book is pretty much a big warning on relationships like this.
I enjoyed this because it was a good addictive read.
I was impressed with her writing style and I would definitely look out for more books from her in the future.
Read and reviewed courtesy of Netgalley
July 9, 2019
Finally, a synopsis that lived up to my expectations. This isn't some great peace of literary fiction but it is very entertaining and fast paced. I literally finished this in one sitting.
The characters are all believable. Most thrillers have some pretty unrealistic characters that can take away from the plot but the characters felt like people that could live on your street or work with you. The writing was straight forward. Not overly flowery, just right to get the story across. The plot was great, it was very clear. Even though we are told the husband becomes bad at some point in the book it is interesting to see how it evolves and how the main character works through it. It is also logical, this could and probably has happened in real life. I was very intrigued from beginning to end. I took away a star because it a five star book has to blow me away and this was just a satisfying read and I still highly recommend it.
The characters are all believable. Most thrillers have some pretty unrealistic characters that can take away from the plot but the characters felt like people that could live on your street or work with you. The writing was straight forward. Not overly flowery, just right to get the story across. The plot was great, it was very clear. Even though we are told the husband becomes bad at some point in the book it is interesting to see how it evolves and how the main character works through it. It is also logical, this could and probably has happened in real life. I was very intrigued from beginning to end. I took away a star because it a five star book has to blow me away and this was just a satisfying read and I still highly recommend it.
July 5, 2018
I almost gave up on this as it was so easy to see what was coming - and I find it hard to believe (and astonishing) that women still put up with this kind of thing. I know some folks are naive and trusting, which should be a good quality, but we hear too many stories about this kind of controlling behaviour (that of the husband) - red flags aplenty here but the main character, Shelly, does not see them, and so the situation continues to escalate. The reader cannot help but feel sorry for her, but also pretty angry and annoyed that she goes along with all the actions of her 'perfect' husband!
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
June 6, 2018
The Perfect Husband, Buffy Andrews
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Women's Fiction, Romance
Writer K.J. Charles wrote a blog post recently about what is and isn't a romance novel. She says romance needs to have that happy ending, a HEA or at least a HFN between the two (or more) main characters and that's exactly how I feel. This ISN'T romance, its a great read, I really enjoyed it but romance it is not. I'll skip my usual moan about women's fiction :-) For me this book is better categorised as General Fiction, Drama/Dark fiction.
It starts well, that careful meeting when adults are thrown back into the dating field, after death, divorce, break-ups. Shelley meets Eric and her best friend Jackie and her workmates all agree he's the perfect man. Even at this early stage we can see one of two red flags but Shelley, blissfully immersed in Love Land misses them.
How easy that is, how we make excuses, tell ourselves “he/she didn't mean it that way./its understandable, I shouldn't have.../well he/she had past issues that make that reaction normal for them.
Eric's like a whirlwind, and Shelley is so in love, feels so treasured, so taken care of, even though she is perfectly OK at taking care of herself. Everyone loves a bit of pampering, a little special treatment and I could see so much why Eric appealed, such a contrast to her ex.
And before she knows it they're moving in together, and of course it doesn't make sense to keep her stuff when Eric's is so nice, and he says he'd rather not have things from her life with Scott. Some of the things were hers alone though, and he's all “well, of course if you really want to keep them we can change things round, make room somewhere...” sounding like he's doing her a favour almost. She knows he doesn't really want anything of her past in their new home, and she loves him, she wants what he wants.
Suddenly she's married, and the cracks start to appear. Sadly this is real life for so many people, men and women, and it's so easy to say “just leave” but by the tome things are that bad all confidence in the victim, in Shelley, has been lost. Life becomes just a constant struggle to watch out for anything that might make Eric angry, and then after pretending she accepts his remorse, his words of “you need to try harder Shelley, I don't like having to get angry at you” That's a classic, turn the blame around, and something abusers are so good at.
The real kicker is can she escape, will she find the strength, will he let go? The drama parts of this novel were superb, so carefully done its easy to see how outgoing, attractive, confident Shelley becomes a shadow of that person, and yet all the while presenting a front of the perfect marriage. I was so rooting for her.
I moaned about genre classification, and if I was a solely romance reader I'd have been so disappointed. Happily though I'm an eclectic reader. Its a fabulous read, not romance by a long shot but an incredible dark, ( not as in horror dark thankfully) psychological suspense, mirroring what is real life for many people, sucking us in to Eric and Shelley's world, wondering how it can all end.
Stars: Five, a wonderful read, breathtaking in places with superb pacing, slowly revealing the real Eric.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Women's Fiction, Romance
Writer K.J. Charles wrote a blog post recently about what is and isn't a romance novel. She says romance needs to have that happy ending, a HEA or at least a HFN between the two (or more) main characters and that's exactly how I feel. This ISN'T romance, its a great read, I really enjoyed it but romance it is not. I'll skip my usual moan about women's fiction :-) For me this book is better categorised as General Fiction, Drama/Dark fiction.
It starts well, that careful meeting when adults are thrown back into the dating field, after death, divorce, break-ups. Shelley meets Eric and her best friend Jackie and her workmates all agree he's the perfect man. Even at this early stage we can see one of two red flags but Shelley, blissfully immersed in Love Land misses them.
How easy that is, how we make excuses, tell ourselves “he/she didn't mean it that way./its understandable, I shouldn't have.../well he/she had past issues that make that reaction normal for them.
Eric's like a whirlwind, and Shelley is so in love, feels so treasured, so taken care of, even though she is perfectly OK at taking care of herself. Everyone loves a bit of pampering, a little special treatment and I could see so much why Eric appealed, such a contrast to her ex.
And before she knows it they're moving in together, and of course it doesn't make sense to keep her stuff when Eric's is so nice, and he says he'd rather not have things from her life with Scott. Some of the things were hers alone though, and he's all “well, of course if you really want to keep them we can change things round, make room somewhere...” sounding like he's doing her a favour almost. She knows he doesn't really want anything of her past in their new home, and she loves him, she wants what he wants.
Suddenly she's married, and the cracks start to appear. Sadly this is real life for so many people, men and women, and it's so easy to say “just leave” but by the tome things are that bad all confidence in the victim, in Shelley, has been lost. Life becomes just a constant struggle to watch out for anything that might make Eric angry, and then after pretending she accepts his remorse, his words of “you need to try harder Shelley, I don't like having to get angry at you” That's a classic, turn the blame around, and something abusers are so good at.
The real kicker is can she escape, will she find the strength, will he let go? The drama parts of this novel were superb, so carefully done its easy to see how outgoing, attractive, confident Shelley becomes a shadow of that person, and yet all the while presenting a front of the perfect marriage. I was so rooting for her.
I moaned about genre classification, and if I was a solely romance reader I'd have been so disappointed. Happily though I'm an eclectic reader. Its a fabulous read, not romance by a long shot but an incredible dark, ( not as in horror dark thankfully) psychological suspense, mirroring what is real life for many people, sucking us in to Eric and Shelley's world, wondering how it can all end.
Stars: Five, a wonderful read, breathtaking in places with superb pacing, slowly revealing the real Eric.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
July 29, 2018
Frighteningly Realistic Portrait of Life With a Sociopath
This book was quite difficult to read, due to the realism the author portrayed that was much like a life I escaped from, just barely. He had to leave me for dead before I realized that he was the worthless one, not me. I am crying as I write this, but it is incumbent upon me to let others know that this is not just fictional, but actually far too common. Please, if any of this rings bells to you about your relationship, or that of someone you know, get out and get help.
If I hadn't, my children would have been motherless, and I would not have found the man I have been happily married to for 19 years. I learned that real love is about honesty, equality, communication, friendship, and so much more. Real love is not hurtful. It is rewarding and I treasure my husband, he treasures me. Please, never settle for anything less, no one should live a life of fear.
As for the book, I give kudos to the author for demonstrating how narcissistic personality disorder works and how sociopathic people prey on the insecurity of others. It is a well-penned journey featuring a protagonist that is a relatable, fully-fleshed character. The antagonist was done excellently, almost frighteningly so.
The supporting characters are realistic, and the plot moves well. The author was skillful in demonstrating how a sociopath will show many faces in different situations until they finally remove the mask for their prey. She also showed how they manipulate the victim to believe that they brought the series of abuses in due to "flaws", leaving the victim ever less confident.
All in all, it is a very good book, and I think most readers would like it. For those who identify with it, please don't hesitate to save yourself. You are worthy of real love. If you take anything away from this, I hope it is that.
As Always, I Wish Happy Reads to All from the Unapologetic Book Junkie 😉!!!
This book was quite difficult to read, due to the realism the author portrayed that was much like a life I escaped from, just barely. He had to leave me for dead before I realized that he was the worthless one, not me. I am crying as I write this, but it is incumbent upon me to let others know that this is not just fictional, but actually far too common. Please, if any of this rings bells to you about your relationship, or that of someone you know, get out and get help.
If I hadn't, my children would have been motherless, and I would not have found the man I have been happily married to for 19 years. I learned that real love is about honesty, equality, communication, friendship, and so much more. Real love is not hurtful. It is rewarding and I treasure my husband, he treasures me. Please, never settle for anything less, no one should live a life of fear.
As for the book, I give kudos to the author for demonstrating how narcissistic personality disorder works and how sociopathic people prey on the insecurity of others. It is a well-penned journey featuring a protagonist that is a relatable, fully-fleshed character. The antagonist was done excellently, almost frighteningly so.
The supporting characters are realistic, and the plot moves well. The author was skillful in demonstrating how a sociopath will show many faces in different situations until they finally remove the mask for their prey. She also showed how they manipulate the victim to believe that they brought the series of abuses in due to "flaws", leaving the victim ever less confident.
All in all, it is a very good book, and I think most readers would like it. For those who identify with it, please don't hesitate to save yourself. You are worthy of real love. If you take anything away from this, I hope it is that.
As Always, I Wish Happy Reads to All from the Unapologetic Book Junkie 😉!!!
July 3, 2018
This book was one of those super easy reads.....its fast paced- quite short- and very predictable- but you know what....I it wasnt that bad! It wasn't a great read- it was ok to good.
I read it on a flight from Rome to Manchester- so it took perhaps 2.5 hours to read.
The dialogue is very simple- the conversations are not as flowy as perhaps they should be- and it's no big thinker- but it was a decent way to pass a few hours stuck on a plane as you didnt have to really think much to process the story.
The story revolves around Shelly and Eric- a couple who meet online and fall head over heels- Eric is the perfect gent- right up until they get married and his personality flips. He becomes abusive, controlling and obsessed with his wife.
Conversations felt forced at times- they just didn't seem like natural conversation- the way things were over explained- that got on my nerves a bit.....
Will I remember it in a months time? Probably not. But I dont regret reading it.
I read it on a flight from Rome to Manchester- so it took perhaps 2.5 hours to read.
The dialogue is very simple- the conversations are not as flowy as perhaps they should be- and it's no big thinker- but it was a decent way to pass a few hours stuck on a plane as you didnt have to really think much to process the story.
The story revolves around Shelly and Eric- a couple who meet online and fall head over heels- Eric is the perfect gent- right up until they get married and his personality flips. He becomes abusive, controlling and obsessed with his wife.
Conversations felt forced at times- they just didn't seem like natural conversation- the way things were over explained- that got on my nerves a bit.....
Will I remember it in a months time? Probably not. But I dont regret reading it.
June 6, 2018
I would actually rate this a 3.5 star read if I’m being honest. I am a huge fan of this author and love reading her books, but this is something totally different from her. I have read a lot of similar stories recently and as much as I wanted to love this story it fell a little short for me.
This isn’t a book for those who are easily shocked, nor is it for anyone who may have suffered abusive relationships before as there are many triggers throughout. The red flags are all there, unfortunately Shelly doesn’t see them or, when she does get a hint of something, she dismisses it too quickly. The story is predictable but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it.
The writing is good, the characters believable and the story, once it gets into the nitty gritty, goes at a good pace. I just feel that there are so many similar type books around right now that this didn’t have any stand out moments for me.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.
This isn’t a book for those who are easily shocked, nor is it for anyone who may have suffered abusive relationships before as there are many triggers throughout. The red flags are all there, unfortunately Shelly doesn’t see them or, when she does get a hint of something, she dismisses it too quickly. The story is predictable but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it.
The writing is good, the characters believable and the story, once it gets into the nitty gritty, goes at a good pace. I just feel that there are so many similar type books around right now that this didn’t have any stand out moments for me.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.
June 20, 2018
One of the fastest books I've ever read!!!
Shelly finds The One after losing all hope that she will ever love or will be loved again. Eric is the perfect match for her, caring, sweet and attentive and their relationship takes a fast course and gets serious pretty quickly. When you know, you know, right?
But what if someone you love and trust uses your insecurities and weaknesses to manipulate you and control you? How do you begin to trust in yourself again, how do you get up from rock bottom and fight to escape?
Exhilarating relate-able story will make you feel so close to the main character. You want to help her, you want to warn her, advice her but you know you can't, so you just watch as she's heading to the dark future in hands of tyrant.
I found this book a very easy read with a very tough topic. I flew through it in matter of hours and at the end felt like part of me was missing. It was over much sooner than I would like and I think the story would really benefit from more pages and a bit more volume to it. However I would still recommend it as I really enjoyed it and it would make a great fast read for people who don't like to spend days or months reading a book.
Shelly finds The One after losing all hope that she will ever love or will be loved again. Eric is the perfect match for her, caring, sweet and attentive and their relationship takes a fast course and gets serious pretty quickly. When you know, you know, right?
But what if someone you love and trust uses your insecurities and weaknesses to manipulate you and control you? How do you begin to trust in yourself again, how do you get up from rock bottom and fight to escape?
Exhilarating relate-able story will make you feel so close to the main character. You want to help her, you want to warn her, advice her but you know you can't, so you just watch as she's heading to the dark future in hands of tyrant.
I found this book a very easy read with a very tough topic. I flew through it in matter of hours and at the end felt like part of me was missing. It was over much sooner than I would like and I think the story would really benefit from more pages and a bit more volume to it. However I would still recommend it as I really enjoyed it and it would make a great fast read for people who don't like to spend days or months reading a book.
June 4, 2018
This book totally screamed 'Sleeping with the Enemy', so many red flags I was practically yelling at my kindle when Shelly tells her best friend, Jackie that she's met someone special....Eric showers her with expensive gifts, takes her to posh restaurants, tells her she's beautiful, but wouldn't it be lovely if she had a boob job to make her boobs bigger and Shelly, who wants to please her 'White Knight' after a disastrous marriage break up, will do anything to please Eric.
In Shelly's defence, Eric fools everyone except the reader and I suppose that's how these narcissistic men work, they charm you, disarm you and then harm you...ultimately all Shelly wanted was to be loved and there is nothing wrong with that.
The only issue I had with this book was the sometimes the dialogue was a bit repetitive, there were lots of 'You didn't have to buy me this', 'I'd do anything to make you happy.' I suppose it was the writers way of re-enforcing Eric's neediness.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book, this is my honest opinion.
In Shelly's defence, Eric fools everyone except the reader and I suppose that's how these narcissistic men work, they charm you, disarm you and then harm you...ultimately all Shelly wanted was to be loved and there is nothing wrong with that.
The only issue I had with this book was the sometimes the dialogue was a bit repetitive, there were lots of 'You didn't have to buy me this', 'I'd do anything to make you happy.' I suppose it was the writers way of re-enforcing Eric's neediness.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book, this is my honest opinion.
August 7, 2018
This was a very good read. Got me hooked from the start all the way to the end. As I was reading I knew where this book was going but it was still very interesting to see just how much she would put up with. And I think she made the right chose. This book deals with something that goes on in this world way too often and some never makes it out until it's too late. Many women finds their self in this situation and not strong enough to get out. Shelly handle herself very well and was able to save herself. Good for her. You want to know what she was going through and was strong enough to save herself. Read the book. You won't be sorry and it will open your eyes to a story of life. A must read!
June 1, 2018
Thanks Netgalley for an ARC to read and give my honest opinion.
He was the perfect husband until he turned into a man you don't even want to look at when he is throwing a childish fit. Warning signs were all over the place when Shelley was dating this man, and she chose to ignore them. When he turns violent she fights back. I wasn't terribly impressed with the beginning in this book and felt it went too fast where as the ending kind of dragged out. I gave it three stars for entertainment! Thanks Netgalley!
The author doesn't romanticize the first part which gives you the feeling where the book is going to go before it even goes there. Which makes it feel false. Most men in these situations are great at covering who they really are, and I don't think the author quite captures it.
He was the perfect husband until he turned into a man you don't even want to look at when he is throwing a childish fit. Warning signs were all over the place when Shelley was dating this man, and she chose to ignore them. When he turns violent she fights back. I wasn't terribly impressed with the beginning in this book and felt it went too fast where as the ending kind of dragged out. I gave it three stars for entertainment! Thanks Netgalley!
The author doesn't romanticize the first part which gives you the feeling where the book is going to go before it even goes there. Which makes it feel false. Most men in these situations are great at covering who they really are, and I don't think the author quite captures it.
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