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The Guilty Husband
It only takes one lie to destroy a marriage.
THE PERFECT HUSBAND…
Vince Taylor has everything he could dream of. He’s the CEO of a tech firm in New York City, owns a beautiful home, and most importantly, he is married to Nicole – the woman who stole his heart the first moment he set eyes on her. Together they have built the perfect life.
ONE GUILTY SECRET
But when Layla, a stunning young intern at Vince’s company is found dead, all eyes are suddenly on him. Vince has a secret that threatens to tear their perfect world apart…
He was having an affair with Layla. And he’ll do anything to cover his tracks.
DO YOU BELIEVE HIM?
When the police discover Vince lied about their relationship, they are convinced they have found Layla’s killer.
If Vince kept quiet about the affair… what else is he guilty of?
A totally unputdownable thriller, this book will have you gripped from the very first page until the jaw-dropping final twist. Fans of The Perfect Couple, My Perfect Wife and The Undoing will love this novel!
THE PERFECT HUSBAND…
Vince Taylor has everything he could dream of. He’s the CEO of a tech firm in New York City, owns a beautiful home, and most importantly, he is married to Nicole – the woman who stole his heart the first moment he set eyes on her. Together they have built the perfect life.
ONE GUILTY SECRET
But when Layla, a stunning young intern at Vince’s company is found dead, all eyes are suddenly on him. Vince has a secret that threatens to tear their perfect world apart…
He was having an affair with Layla. And he’ll do anything to cover his tracks.
DO YOU BELIEVE HIM?
When the police discover Vince lied about their relationship, they are convinced they have found Layla’s killer.
If Vince kept quiet about the affair… what else is he guilty of?
A totally unputdownable thriller, this book will have you gripped from the very first page until the jaw-dropping final twist. Fans of The Perfect Couple, My Perfect Wife and The Undoing will love this novel!
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2021
6318 people are currently reading
13410 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie DeCarolis
4 books442 followersStephanie is the USA Today best selling author of The Wives of Hawthorne Lane, The Perfect Sister, The Guilty Husband, and Deadly Little Lies. A graduate of Binghamton University and St. John's University School of Law, she currently lives in New York with her husband, their two daughters, and their very spoiled cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,237 reviews
March 1, 2022
DELICIOUSLY DESCRIPTIVE with DECEIVING CHARACTERS-this is DEFINITELY a “one more chapter” kind of book, with short chapters making for a quick pace!
Vince Taylor IS guilty of infidelity.
He will tell you that himself in Chapter One.
But, IS the CEO of the popular Technology company, Kitztech, ALSO guilty of murdering Layla Bosch, the young intern he was having an affair with? That is the crux of this story-and it’s a good one!!
Who will solve this mystery first?
Will it be Detectives Allison Barnes and her partner, Jake Lanner? Perhaps it will be Mullins, the retired NYPD detective, hired by Vince. Or maybe-it will be you??
Will Vince’s own APPS-Friend Connect, Date Space, or Secret Message end up incriminating him? Or will the articles printed by Kate Owens for World View, be his downfall? Or will either be his salvation?
Told over the course of the 14 day investigation, by alternating POV’s, I couldn’t put this one down!
I had a hunch about where this would lead, and enjoyed reading way past my bedtime, to find out if my sneaky suspicion would pan out. Ultimately it did, but that in no way impeded my enjoyment of this murder-mystery, by DEBUT author, Stephanie DeCarolis.
I’m off to find her Sophomore novel, now!!
Thank You to Harper 360-HQ digital for the gifted copy ! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review! AVAILABLE NOW!!
Vince Taylor IS guilty of infidelity.
He will tell you that himself in Chapter One.
But, IS the CEO of the popular Technology company, Kitztech, ALSO guilty of murdering Layla Bosch, the young intern he was having an affair with? That is the crux of this story-and it’s a good one!!
Who will solve this mystery first?
Will it be Detectives Allison Barnes and her partner, Jake Lanner? Perhaps it will be Mullins, the retired NYPD detective, hired by Vince. Or maybe-it will be you??
Will Vince’s own APPS-Friend Connect, Date Space, or Secret Message end up incriminating him? Or will the articles printed by Kate Owens for World View, be his downfall? Or will either be his salvation?
Told over the course of the 14 day investigation, by alternating POV’s, I couldn’t put this one down!
I had a hunch about where this would lead, and enjoyed reading way past my bedtime, to find out if my sneaky suspicion would pan out. Ultimately it did, but that in no way impeded my enjoyment of this murder-mystery, by DEBUT author, Stephanie DeCarolis.
I’m off to find her Sophomore novel, now!!
Thank You to Harper 360-HQ digital for the gifted copy ! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review! AVAILABLE NOW!!
March 13, 2023
I really wanted to love this book since it was recommended, but the police investigation put me off. There were simply too many mistakes, and my eyes kept rolling around in their eye-sockets.
October 12, 2025
“More often than not, the ones that seem too good to be true, are the ones hiding the biggest secrets.”
― Stephanie DeCarolis, The Guilty Husband
Wow. Good story that almost made it to a five but not quite.
First off-the good. I adored the fast moving plot and the fact that it got me addicted to it within the first two pages.
Second-the plot was great!
Third-Modern Noir-how fun!
Fourth-The imagery of everything from the creepy modern-day IT company to the soaring descriptions and themes of turquoise (my favorite color or one of them) were luscious.
Fifth-left me wanting more.
So-Yes! This is a damn good book!
I am going to have to use spoilers now. Please do not continue to read my review if you have not read the book:
The only thing not so good is...I figured out the "twist" in about...fifty pages? Seriously-it was pretty obvious BUT for those that do not read a great deal of domestic thrillers I do not think it will be. But it did have me questioning my hypothesis a few times though not for long.
It DID really remind me of Gone Girl!
I was not all that happy with the ending. It was not bad at all. BUT-I sort of got the feeling through the book the cop and Vince were going to get together. Anybody else have that feeling?
So, when they didn't it was sort of a bummer. More on that in a minute.
I did not want it to be Nicole because of the turquoise symbolism which I relate to. But it was pretty easy to figure out it was her.Nicole was to pure, to innocent, to PERFECT.
In these types of modern Noir books, they would not BE modern Noir if the lady in question was really like that-LOL. I knew something was wrong about Nicole but still....
Wish I'd been wrong.
I felt Layla was a bit one-dimensional.
I would have liked to see Allison and Vince together. Perhaps we will if there is a part two which it seems like it could be. Author? Helloooo? Author, are you listening? Part two?????
LOL. Recommended!
― Stephanie DeCarolis, The Guilty Husband
Wow. Good story that almost made it to a five but not quite.
First off-the good. I adored the fast moving plot and the fact that it got me addicted to it within the first two pages.
Second-the plot was great!
Third-Modern Noir-how fun!
Fourth-The imagery of everything from the creepy modern-day IT company to the soaring descriptions and themes of turquoise (my favorite color or one of them) were luscious.
Fifth-left me wanting more.
So-Yes! This is a damn good book!
I am going to have to use spoilers now. Please do not continue to read my review if you have not read the book:
The only thing not so good is...I figured out the "twist" in about...fifty pages? Seriously-it was pretty obvious BUT for those that do not read a great deal of domestic thrillers I do not think it will be. But it did have me questioning my hypothesis a few times though not for long.
It DID really remind me of Gone Girl!
I was not all that happy with the ending. It was not bad at all. BUT-I sort of got the feeling through the book the cop and Vince were going to get together. Anybody else have that feeling?
So, when they didn't it was sort of a bummer. More on that in a minute.
I did not want it to be Nicole because of the turquoise symbolism which I relate to. But it was pretty easy to figure out it was her.Nicole was to pure, to innocent, to PERFECT.
In these types of modern Noir books, they would not BE modern Noir if the lady in question was really like that-LOL. I knew something was wrong about Nicole but still....
Wish I'd been wrong.
I felt Layla was a bit one-dimensional.
I would have liked to see Allison and Vince together. Perhaps we will if there is a part two which it seems like it could be. Author? Helloooo? Author, are you listening? Part two?????
LOL. Recommended!
July 14, 2021
Vince Taylor seems to have it all. When an intern from his tech firm, KitzTech, is found dead, Vince’s perfect world is turned upside down. After the truth is revealed about Vince’s illicit affair with the murdered intern, he becomes the main suspect and his life begins to crumble. Stephanie DeCarolis’ debut thriller is fast paced with twists throughout. Told from multiple POVs and a nonlinear timeline, the events perfectly come together creating an intense thriller I could not put down. I look forward to reading future books by this author.
Thank you NetGalley and HQ Digital for my ARC.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and HQ Digital for my ARC.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 24, 2022
A domestic suspense that had the right elements to attract this reviewer!
We all know the story. A man cheats. The woman he was having an affair with is found murdered. The husband becomes the main suspect.
Did he do it?
Vince Taylor had everything. He is the CEO of Kitztech, a successful tech company responsible for famous apps. He is married to his beautiful and lovely wife, Nicole. Then a new intern, Layla begins working for his company. He becomes entangled with Layla and when he decides to break things up with her, she is found dead in Central Park. Cause of death: blunt head trauma.
The cops, Detective Allison Barnes and detective Jack Lanner come knocking asking questions and all clues point to Vince as the prime suspect. They just have to prove it.
I did not feel any empathy toward Vince. After all, he had a good life and decided to throw it all away by cheating. He made his bed and now he had to lay in it. I wanted detective Barnes to get him for his lies. His wife deserved better!
Stephanie DeCarolis's debut novel was told from multiple POVs and had different timelines. The Guilty Husband was a fast-paced, addicting suspense novel that had me listening whenever I could. I do have to admit that I knew the ending from the very beginning but despite guessing it, I enjoyed the deliverance.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Harper 360-HQ digital via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
We all know the story. A man cheats. The woman he was having an affair with is found murdered. The husband becomes the main suspect.
Did he do it?
Vince Taylor had everything. He is the CEO of Kitztech, a successful tech company responsible for famous apps. He is married to his beautiful and lovely wife, Nicole. Then a new intern, Layla begins working for his company. He becomes entangled with Layla and when he decides to break things up with her, she is found dead in Central Park. Cause of death: blunt head trauma.
The cops, Detective Allison Barnes and detective Jack Lanner come knocking asking questions and all clues point to Vince as the prime suspect. They just have to prove it.
I did not feel any empathy toward Vince. After all, he had a good life and decided to throw it all away by cheating. He made his bed and now he had to lay in it. I wanted detective Barnes to get him for his lies. His wife deserved better!
Stephanie DeCarolis's debut novel was told from multiple POVs and had different timelines. The Guilty Husband was a fast-paced, addicting suspense novel that had me listening whenever I could. I do have to admit that I knew the ending from the very beginning but despite guessing it, I enjoyed the deliverance.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Harper 360-HQ digital via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
March 23, 2021
On reading the acknowledgements was really surprised to find out this is the author’s debut book
It’s a story as old as time and one us psychological thriller lovers will know well, a husband, a secret, a mistress, a wife and a disaster and if you ( like me ) love all that then you will be pleased with this story, it is told in a even paced way and the back and forth chapters clearly shown so you know where you are and who with
There are many questions to be answered throughout and the author takes you one way, then the other and just before 90% ish when you think you are never going to work it out it all becomes clear and the last 10% fizz along with the added thrill of what you have just learnt, it’s good 🤗
The characters were believable and some thoroughly grim, some deceptive and some you couldn’t help but feel for
Not sure the paragraph thrown in seemingly randomly as to why men sit with their legs slightly opened was needed but there you go.....
A really great debut novel, ticking all boxes and giving an entertaining and intriguing yet not anxiety riddled read
9/10
4.5 Stars
It’s a story as old as time and one us psychological thriller lovers will know well, a husband, a secret, a mistress, a wife and a disaster and if you ( like me ) love all that then you will be pleased with this story, it is told in a even paced way and the back and forth chapters clearly shown so you know where you are and who with
There are many questions to be answered throughout and the author takes you one way, then the other and just before 90% ish when you think you are never going to work it out it all becomes clear and the last 10% fizz along with the added thrill of what you have just learnt, it’s good 🤗
The characters were believable and some thoroughly grim, some deceptive and some you couldn’t help but feel for
Not sure the paragraph thrown in seemingly randomly as to why men sit with their legs slightly opened was needed but there you go.....
A really great debut novel, ticking all boxes and giving an entertaining and intriguing yet not anxiety riddled read
9/10
4.5 Stars
August 16, 2021
(2.5) This was a rough 1 for me. I wasn’t drawn to any of the characters & i found it very predictable, so I really struggled to get through it. I should’ve packed it in early on but the reviews were so good! So I’m certainly the outlier here..
March 20, 2021
Vince Taylor has everything he coulf dream of. He's the CEO of a tech firm in New York City, owns a beautiful home and he's married to Nicole - the woman who stole his heart. Together they have built the perfect life. But when Layla, a stunning young intern at Vince's company is found dead, all eyes are suddenly on him. Vince has a secret that threatens to tear their perfect life apart......
This is another really good debut novel that's gripping from the first page. The descriptive writing makes you feel that you are there. It's narrated by Vince, Nicole and Layla's perspectives and flips back to before the event and the present day. The pace is steady with lots of twists to keep you on your toes. A story of secrets, lies and betrayals. I will be looking out for the next book from the author.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the author #StephanieDeCarolis for my ARC of #TheGuiltyHusband in exchange for an honest review.
This is another really good debut novel that's gripping from the first page. The descriptive writing makes you feel that you are there. It's narrated by Vince, Nicole and Layla's perspectives and flips back to before the event and the present day. The pace is steady with lots of twists to keep you on your toes. A story of secrets, lies and betrayals. I will be looking out for the next book from the author.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the author #StephanieDeCarolis for my ARC of #TheGuiltyHusband in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2022
The Guilty Husband by Stephanie DeCarolis is a domestic thriller novel and was originally published in 2021 but is now being released in paperback. The story in The Guilty Husband is one that is told by changing the point of view between the characters giving all angles to the story.
Vince Taylor is a man that seems to have it all, a beautiful wife, Nicole, and as a CEO of a major company Vince is very wealthy. However, when the police come to question Vince about the murder of one of his young interns, Layla, Vince sees his world beginning to crumble as Vince was having an affair with Layla and doesn’t admit that to Detective Barnes or his wife.
The Guilty Husband by Stephanie DeCarolis was a novel that once I picked up I became completely engaged and didn’t want to put it down. I enjoyed the back and forth between the characters that was a fun game of cat and mouse. The story of course came with a few twists and turns that made it that much more enjoyable as it went along and I would definitely read this author again in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Vince Taylor is a man that seems to have it all, a beautiful wife, Nicole, and as a CEO of a major company Vince is very wealthy. However, when the police come to question Vince about the murder of one of his young interns, Layla, Vince sees his world beginning to crumble as Vince was having an affair with Layla and doesn’t admit that to Detective Barnes or his wife.
The Guilty Husband by Stephanie DeCarolis was a novel that once I picked up I became completely engaged and didn’t want to put it down. I enjoyed the back and forth between the characters that was a fun game of cat and mouse. The story of course came with a few twists and turns that made it that much more enjoyable as it went along and I would definitely read this author again in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
April 9, 2021
Vince and Nicole the rich, beautiful, perfect couple or so it appeared until one of the new interns at Vince's high tech company of which he happens to be the CEO is found dead in Central Park. The victim beautiful, luscious Layla had been having a very secretive affair with Vince and now it looks like he will be the prime suspect. This news will destroy his wife as they were trying to conceive a child with much difficulty but Vince swears he's didn't murder Layla and the affair meant nothing and he had already ended it with Layla. ( Isn't that wht every spouse caught in an affair says? ) The detectives zero in on Vince when a diary with missing pages is found and the secrets that Layla wrote in her journal are quite the dooming evidence. In the meantime lovely but devastated Nicole is being stalked by reporters and especially one who seems to want more than pictures while Vince continues to plead his innocence.
Will Vince be arrested and go to trial? Did he murder Layla? Will Nicole ever be able to forgive Vince all his indiscretions? What about the family they wanted so badly? Is there really such a thing as "Happily Ever After" ?
This was a terrific story from start to finish. I can't believe this was a debut novel because the storytelling and writing was spot-on. The characters were relatable and Vince for all his stupidity was very likeable and I felt bad for him at times. There were a few calculating and vicious females in this story and some unscrupulous media reporting as well. The story is relevant to our real news today when a public figure or celebrity has an affair or other indiscretions that are found out and their lives become a media circus and every bit of privacy that they once had is completely shredded and destroyed into a million pieces. The ending maybe a shocker to many because it is very clever but I had figured it out because their were many undertones of the famous best selling book "Presumed Innocent" by Scott Turow. Don't miss out n this story if you want to read a good and fast page turner with plenty of action and many secrets and lies.
I want to thank the publisher "HQ" (HQ Digital) and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this yummy book a rating of 4 Sinister 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
Will Vince be arrested and go to trial? Did he murder Layla? Will Nicole ever be able to forgive Vince all his indiscretions? What about the family they wanted so badly? Is there really such a thing as "Happily Ever After" ?
This was a terrific story from start to finish. I can't believe this was a debut novel because the storytelling and writing was spot-on. The characters were relatable and Vince for all his stupidity was very likeable and I felt bad for him at times. There were a few calculating and vicious females in this story and some unscrupulous media reporting as well. The story is relevant to our real news today when a public figure or celebrity has an affair or other indiscretions that are found out and their lives become a media circus and every bit of privacy that they once had is completely shredded and destroyed into a million pieces. The ending maybe a shocker to many because it is very clever but I had figured it out because their were many undertones of the famous best selling book "Presumed Innocent" by Scott Turow. Don't miss out n this story if you want to read a good and fast page turner with plenty of action and many secrets and lies.
I want to thank the publisher "HQ" (HQ Digital) and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this yummy book a rating of 4 Sinister 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
February 23, 2021
This was a great read- I was surprised to see it was a debut book by this author. Vince and Nicole seem to have the perfect marriage but we find out Vince was having an affair with Layla, an intern at his company, and Layla has now turned up dead.
This was one of those cool books where you know the main character has made some mistakes and he isn’t even super likeable, yet you still like him. The mystery in itself is sound, and I enjoy an unreliable narrator. There are also some chapters narrated by the detective, Allison, who is also flawed but likeable.
Overall, this was a fun read with a believable mystery that gives us some good twists. I was engaged throughout the entire story and was invested in what happened to these characters. I’d recommend this book for sure and am looking forward to other books by this author. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This was one of those cool books where you know the main character has made some mistakes and he isn’t even super likeable, yet you still like him. The mystery in itself is sound, and I enjoy an unreliable narrator. There are also some chapters narrated by the detective, Allison, who is also flawed but likeable.
Overall, this was a fun read with a believable mystery that gives us some good twists. I was engaged throughout the entire story and was invested in what happened to these characters. I’d recommend this book for sure and am looking forward to other books by this author. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
August 14, 2021
I'm guilty!
I'm guilty of enjoying THE GUILTY HUSBAND, even though "I saw it coming" and correctly guessed "whodunnit" very, very early on.
THE GUILTY HUSBAND'S "husband" is Vince, a wealthy tech firm CEO who also happens to be married.
THE ACCUSATION? Vince had an affair with Layla the intern and is accused of murdering her.
DID HE DO IT? Is Vince a guilty husband?
Told from four POVs (Vince, Vince's wife, Layla, and Allison from the NYPD) this book is fast-paced, character-driven, and skillfully told. All the MCs are flawed and fallible (my favorite kind!); with secrets that are sporadically revealed throughout the book.
What I enjoyed most about this book was its even pace. The book instantly hooked me, never dragged, and was impossible to put down.
This book is a very impressive debut by author Stephanie DeCarolis and a fabulous choice for a quick, compelling, entertaining, and very satisfying summer read.
I listened to the audiobook, read by a full cast of talented narrators.
I look forward to reading future books by this author.
I'm guilty of enjoying THE GUILTY HUSBAND, even though "I saw it coming" and correctly guessed "whodunnit" very, very early on.
THE GUILTY HUSBAND'S "husband" is Vince, a wealthy tech firm CEO who also happens to be married.
THE ACCUSATION? Vince had an affair with Layla the intern and is accused of murdering her.
DID HE DO IT? Is Vince a guilty husband?
Told from four POVs (Vince, Vince's wife, Layla, and Allison from the NYPD) this book is fast-paced, character-driven, and skillfully told. All the MCs are flawed and fallible (my favorite kind!); with secrets that are sporadically revealed throughout the book.
What I enjoyed most about this book was its even pace. The book instantly hooked me, never dragged, and was impossible to put down.
This book is a very impressive debut by author Stephanie DeCarolis and a fabulous choice for a quick, compelling, entertaining, and very satisfying summer read.
I listened to the audiobook, read by a full cast of talented narrators.
I look forward to reading future books by this author.
April 19, 2021
2.5 stars rounded up to a very generous 3.
if you've read any other mystery/thriller books - even one - you probably do not need to read this one. From the unbelievably- and I mean that sincerely- shoddy detective work, predictable twist, and decisions no real person would ever make, there are few realistic plot lines in this book.
In the age of social media, there is no way our murder victim - one Layla Bosch, intern extraordinaire- could have gotten away with the things she did. Not at a billion- dollar social media company, thinly veiled as Facebook-meets-Snapchat, and not in any other part of her life either.
The plot line, had it been executed differently- a lot more detailed, perhaps a techy sidekick for Layla - has potential. The detectives were by far my favorite characters until their work became so sloppy - give them some more brainpower and you may have some substance.
I love surprises and this novel just didn't provide any for someone a bit more seasoned in the genre.
Thank you Netgalley for the preview!
if you've read any other mystery/thriller books - even one - you probably do not need to read this one. From the unbelievably- and I mean that sincerely- shoddy detective work, predictable twist, and decisions no real person would ever make, there are few realistic plot lines in this book.
In the age of social media, there is no way our murder victim - one Layla Bosch, intern extraordinaire- could have gotten away with the things she did. Not at a billion- dollar social media company, thinly veiled as Facebook-meets-Snapchat, and not in any other part of her life either.
The plot line, had it been executed differently- a lot more detailed, perhaps a techy sidekick for Layla - has potential. The detectives were by far my favorite characters until their work became so sloppy - give them some more brainpower and you may have some substance.
I love surprises and this novel just didn't provide any for someone a bit more seasoned in the genre.
Thank you Netgalley for the preview!
December 31, 2021
Vince Taylor has the prefect life. He is the CEO of a popular tech firm based in New York City, he has an amazing wife he is madly in love with, and a beautiful home. He and his wife have built the perfect life together.
It’s not until the gorgeous Layla, an intern at Vince’s company turns up dead, that the pieces of Vince’s life start crashing down around him. Vince was having a hot and steamy affair with the brown haired beauty and was presumably the last person to have seen her before her death.
Everyone has secrets and the characters in this book are no exception. How far would you go to keep the truth from being revealed?
I love domestic thrillers and this one didn’t disappoint. Although I was able to figure out the major plot twist, it did not take away from my enjoyment of the book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.
It’s not until the gorgeous Layla, an intern at Vince’s company turns up dead, that the pieces of Vince’s life start crashing down around him. Vince was having a hot and steamy affair with the brown haired beauty and was presumably the last person to have seen her before her death.
Everyone has secrets and the characters in this book are no exception. How far would you go to keep the truth from being revealed?
I love domestic thrillers and this one didn’t disappoint. Although I was able to figure out the major plot twist, it did not take away from my enjoyment of the book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.
September 4, 2021
On Amazon, this book currently has one of those genre-identifying marketing subtitles: The Guilty Husband: An utterly gripping psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist!
Successful, 40ish tech CEO has an affair with a 20-something intern while his wife is undergoing unsuccessful attempts at IVF. His secrets start to unravel when the intern turns up dead.
Can you guess who killed the intern?
The sad thing is that all of the stuff we hear from the murderer's perspective after the big (unsurprising) reveal at the end would have made for a more interesting POV scattered throughout the book. That is, the "psychological thriller" aspect of the book would have been better if the author hadn't structured her book to deliver a "jaw-dropping twist" that was neither jaw-dropping nor a twist.
Successful, 40ish tech CEO has an affair with a 20-something intern while his wife is undergoing unsuccessful attempts at IVF. His secrets start to unravel when the intern turns up dead.
Can you guess who killed the intern?
The sad thing is that all of the stuff we hear from the murderer's perspective after the big (unsurprising) reveal at the end would have made for a more interesting POV scattered throughout the book. That is, the "psychological thriller" aspect of the book would have been better if the author hadn't structured her book to deliver a "jaw-dropping twist" that was neither jaw-dropping nor a twist.
November 18, 2021
This book was an exciting ride from the very beginning! When I’m already gasping in the first third of a story, I know I’m in for a good thriller. Definitely the case with this book; I found it to be a very impressive debut novel.
Vince is a lucky man, in his eyes and the eyes of most of the world. CEO of a large tech company, gorgeous blonde yoga-instructing wife, Nicole, a huge house along with a penthouse apartment in NYC…he seems to have it all.
What the world doesn’t know is that he also has a 20-something intern named Layla. His marriage has been rocky after multiple failed IVF attempts, and he has strayed into the arms of a much younger woman. Soon, he realizes how stupid he’s being taking this risk at losing his wife, and tries to break things off with Layla. She’s not taking it well, even though he made it clear from the beginning that this was to be a casual affair.
One morning, he arrives at work to find everyone talking about one thing: that hot intern was found dead in Central Park, and it definitely wasn’t an accident. As the police begin their investigation, they start looking into her relationship with the CEO. Vince is shady when questioned, anxious, lying to them to avoid his wife finding out about his indiscretions. The police though, unbeknownst to him, have Layla’s diary, and what he’s telling them in no way matches up with what she had written before her death.
Soon, his wife knows everything, the WORLD knows everything due to his semi-celebrity status and the salaciousness of an older man in power being in an extramarital relationship with a young intern. As more and more comes out in the news, Vince realizes he’s close to losing everything. When the handcuffs click on his wrists, he knows his life is over…but he still maintains his innocence.
This book was mostly written from the points of view of Vince and Allison, the main detective on the murder case. Towards the end, a couple other characters join in the narration and that’s when it goes from good to crazy good. This jumped around a lot (very ‘Gone Girl’) but never got convoluted. It was full of twists and turns from beginning to end, and I was thoroughly entertained by the entire thing. An excellent debut thriller, and a definite recommended read!
(I’d like to thank HQ, Stephanie DeCarolis and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
Vince is a lucky man, in his eyes and the eyes of most of the world. CEO of a large tech company, gorgeous blonde yoga-instructing wife, Nicole, a huge house along with a penthouse apartment in NYC…he seems to have it all.
What the world doesn’t know is that he also has a 20-something intern named Layla. His marriage has been rocky after multiple failed IVF attempts, and he has strayed into the arms of a much younger woman. Soon, he realizes how stupid he’s being taking this risk at losing his wife, and tries to break things off with Layla. She’s not taking it well, even though he made it clear from the beginning that this was to be a casual affair.
One morning, he arrives at work to find everyone talking about one thing: that hot intern was found dead in Central Park, and it definitely wasn’t an accident. As the police begin their investigation, they start looking into her relationship with the CEO. Vince is shady when questioned, anxious, lying to them to avoid his wife finding out about his indiscretions. The police though, unbeknownst to him, have Layla’s diary, and what he’s telling them in no way matches up with what she had written before her death.
Soon, his wife knows everything, the WORLD knows everything due to his semi-celebrity status and the salaciousness of an older man in power being in an extramarital relationship with a young intern. As more and more comes out in the news, Vince realizes he’s close to losing everything. When the handcuffs click on his wrists, he knows his life is over…but he still maintains his innocence.
This book was mostly written from the points of view of Vince and Allison, the main detective on the murder case. Towards the end, a couple other characters join in the narration and that’s when it goes from good to crazy good. This jumped around a lot (very ‘Gone Girl’) but never got convoluted. It was full of twists and turns from beginning to end, and I was thoroughly entertained by the entire thing. An excellent debut thriller, and a definite recommended read!
(I’d like to thank HQ, Stephanie DeCarolis and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
February 28, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, Stephanie DeCarolis and Harper Collins for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
There was a lot I liked about this book. It held my interest and kept me guessing. The "before" and "after" is a theme I like in books and it worked well here.
Often with books like this, there's something that let's it down, the author rushes the ending or wimps out at delivering the perfect twist but I had no faults with this book. Everything tied in nicely. Perhaps some of the back story could have been explored and explained further but there nothing I think I would have changed overall.
I can see The Guilty Husband being snapped up to appear on the big screen.
There was a lot I liked about this book. It held my interest and kept me guessing. The "before" and "after" is a theme I like in books and it worked well here.
Often with books like this, there's something that let's it down, the author rushes the ending or wimps out at delivering the perfect twist but I had no faults with this book. Everything tied in nicely. Perhaps some of the back story could have been explored and explained further but there nothing I think I would have changed overall.
I can see The Guilty Husband being snapped up to appear on the big screen.
July 18, 2024
Worth a read but I didn’t love it.
April 9, 2021
Thank you to both #NetGalley and HQ Digital for providing me with an advance copy of Stephanie DeCarolis’s debut novel, The Guilty Husband, in exchange for an honest review.
#TheGuiltyHusband is billed as a mystery and suspense read. How this book got published, however, may be the better mystery of the two. Think of the blandest oatmeal you have ever eaten and you have essentially read this book. I normally only reserve one-star ratings for novels I absolutely loathe, but there truly is nothing redeeming here. Both the writing and story are duller than cardboard.
The novel is written in the first person, alternating between several characters (though for the majority of the novel it is only two) as well as between the past and present. I typically enjoy stories that are told from the perspective of multiple characters, but if you use the first person, then you need to craft actual characters or at least write in a way that the reader can distinguish between them. Apologies, but Detective Barnes and Vince could easily be the same person and I would have no clue had it not been for the chapter headings.
Again, the dreaded “show, don’t tell” rule applies heavily here. In fact, the writing seems to be competing for first place in a contest where “telling” has become a new form of art. This would also help the characters go from 2D to 3D, which would avoid the distinction issue.
Therefore, if you enjoy reading sentences such as this fabricated example, “I received the report. I walked to my boss’s office. We discussed the report. I rolled my eyes and went home,” then I guess you should read this novel—but we will never be friends; mostly, because watching paint dry was more alluring than having to struggle through this snooze-festival to review it.
#TheGuiltyHusband is billed as a mystery and suspense read. How this book got published, however, may be the better mystery of the two. Think of the blandest oatmeal you have ever eaten and you have essentially read this book. I normally only reserve one-star ratings for novels I absolutely loathe, but there truly is nothing redeeming here. Both the writing and story are duller than cardboard.
The novel is written in the first person, alternating between several characters (though for the majority of the novel it is only two) as well as between the past and present. I typically enjoy stories that are told from the perspective of multiple characters, but if you use the first person, then you need to craft actual characters or at least write in a way that the reader can distinguish between them. Apologies, but Detective Barnes and Vince could easily be the same person and I would have no clue had it not been for the chapter headings.
Again, the dreaded “show, don’t tell” rule applies heavily here. In fact, the writing seems to be competing for first place in a contest where “telling” has become a new form of art. This would also help the characters go from 2D to 3D, which would avoid the distinction issue.
Therefore, if you enjoy reading sentences such as this fabricated example, “I received the report. I walked to my boss’s office. We discussed the report. I rolled my eyes and went home,” then I guess you should read this novel—but we will never be friends; mostly, because watching paint dry was more alluring than having to struggle through this snooze-festival to review it.
January 16, 2022
Where do I start with this book? Every single character was significantly under developed. There was so much potential to develop on Vince character, the CEO/ tech millionaire who was actually really weak and pathetic.
The writing quality was poor and predictable. The plot had so much potential yet the author didn’t do anything with it.
I hate doing really bad reviews but honesty is important! I have no idea how this has a 4.01 goodreads rating!
The writing quality was poor and predictable. The plot had so much potential yet the author didn’t do anything with it.
I hate doing really bad reviews but honesty is important! I have no idea how this has a 4.01 goodreads rating!
March 21, 2021
This book was such a good read, I really had not got a clue who had killed Layla until the very end. But she was a nasty bit of work in it, highly recommend this book x
February 10, 2022
The Guilty Husband, is exactly what I needed right now. This book is highly suspenseful and thrilling. I have been in a book slump. Reading thrillers that were not thrilling, suspense novels that were straight up boring and murder mysteries that lacked mystery.
The Guilty Husband is categorized as a suspenseful psychological thriller and it is exactly just that! The Guilty Husband delivers! Jam packed with twists and turns that there is no way you will see coming.
Is this really a debut novel? Stephanie DeCarolis, you knocked this one out of the park.
Told through multiple points of view and done with such ease and clarity, this is a book I will be raving about for a long time.
Quite a few times I thought I had this book all figured out and boy oh boy was I wrong! This is an instant 5 star book and I believe it is going to really break the internet on release day! Kudos to DeCarolis! This is an author you will want to keep on your radar.
The Guilty Husband is categorized as a suspenseful psychological thriller and it is exactly just that! The Guilty Husband delivers! Jam packed with twists and turns that there is no way you will see coming.
Is this really a debut novel? Stephanie DeCarolis, you knocked this one out of the park.
Told through multiple points of view and done with such ease and clarity, this is a book I will be raving about for a long time.
Quite a few times I thought I had this book all figured out and boy oh boy was I wrong! This is an instant 5 star book and I believe it is going to really break the internet on release day! Kudos to DeCarolis! This is an author you will want to keep on your radar.
March 24, 2021
I was looking for a thriller and spotted this book and I certainly got one. It's a lot different of a thriller than I am typically used to. However, I really liked that about it. All of us have secrets, I think that is just mostly in part to human nature. However, how many of us really stop to think about what kinds of secrets others have? I mean really stop and think about it? Because I know that I don't or at least I didn't until I read this book.
This book keeps you jumping from one moment to the next and it ties you in with all of the characters perfectly. I normally do not like books that have so much back and forth in them because a lot of times it seems so forced. Not this book. Stephanie DeCarolis has done an amazing job of keeping timelines together and still be able to keep up with all of the facts in regular time to.
I knew this would be an interesting book, I mean obviously the title says it all. So right there it gave me some idea of what it was going to be about. I requested the book from Net Galley just off of the title. I know that probably seems strange but every once in awhile I like to do what I call 'book roulette' and randomly pick a book by either the cover or the title without reading the blurb on the back. It has helped me add some really interesting and talented new authors to my reading list.
And you're probably thinking by looking at the title that this is going to be one of those carbon copy 'husband cheats on wife with mistress then marriage is destroyed, divorce is inevitable, now one life together is now split into two kind of scenario. And I will tell you, you have it all wrong. This is not like any other book I have ever read.
It's inciteful, rousing, creative, original, and mind blowing because you do not see the end coming. I had a few guesses on who the real murderer was and I was happy to see that one of my guesses was correct but the reasoning behind it was so not what I had originally thought. I love it when a book surprises me like that.
The characters are written with depth and you can feel the drama, angst, and the desperation flowing out of the pages. You can really relate to the characters even though God knows most of us will never be billionaires in this life time. However, the main characters are still written like real people and it was really easy to sympathize with them or yell at them in your head for being ding dongs lol.
The world in which the characters are written into is very detailed in itself. You feel like you're actually there looking over everyone's shoulder. I like how she wrote the police officers as humans and not just a bunch of chumps in a suit with guns. Because let's face it, a lot of books written these days are written like that.
I want so badly to be able to really write and tell you all about this book but I hate spoilers and I dislike reviewers who just regurgitate the words of the book blurb back up on the screen and call it a 'review.' It's not a review, it's just a summary of what anyone with eyeballs can go and read by themselves for themselves and understand what the book is about.
I loved this book. It's edgy and emotional and heart pounding drama. I really loved Stephanie DeCarolis' writing style and she has gotten herself a new fan. I will be checking out her other books and throwing myself back into the deep end of those pools to. Check out this book. You will not be sorry.
I was given this ARC by NetGalley to read and review. All opinions are my own and completely honest.
This book keeps you jumping from one moment to the next and it ties you in with all of the characters perfectly. I normally do not like books that have so much back and forth in them because a lot of times it seems so forced. Not this book. Stephanie DeCarolis has done an amazing job of keeping timelines together and still be able to keep up with all of the facts in regular time to.
I knew this would be an interesting book, I mean obviously the title says it all. So right there it gave me some idea of what it was going to be about. I requested the book from Net Galley just off of the title. I know that probably seems strange but every once in awhile I like to do what I call 'book roulette' and randomly pick a book by either the cover or the title without reading the blurb on the back. It has helped me add some really interesting and talented new authors to my reading list.
And you're probably thinking by looking at the title that this is going to be one of those carbon copy 'husband cheats on wife with mistress then marriage is destroyed, divorce is inevitable, now one life together is now split into two kind of scenario. And I will tell you, you have it all wrong. This is not like any other book I have ever read.
It's inciteful, rousing, creative, original, and mind blowing because you do not see the end coming. I had a few guesses on who the real murderer was and I was happy to see that one of my guesses was correct but the reasoning behind it was so not what I had originally thought. I love it when a book surprises me like that.
The characters are written with depth and you can feel the drama, angst, and the desperation flowing out of the pages. You can really relate to the characters even though God knows most of us will never be billionaires in this life time. However, the main characters are still written like real people and it was really easy to sympathize with them or yell at them in your head for being ding dongs lol.
The world in which the characters are written into is very detailed in itself. You feel like you're actually there looking over everyone's shoulder. I like how she wrote the police officers as humans and not just a bunch of chumps in a suit with guns. Because let's face it, a lot of books written these days are written like that.
I want so badly to be able to really write and tell you all about this book but I hate spoilers and I dislike reviewers who just regurgitate the words of the book blurb back up on the screen and call it a 'review.' It's not a review, it's just a summary of what anyone with eyeballs can go and read by themselves for themselves and understand what the book is about.
I loved this book. It's edgy and emotional and heart pounding drama. I really loved Stephanie DeCarolis' writing style and she has gotten herself a new fan. I will be checking out her other books and throwing myself back into the deep end of those pools to. Check out this book. You will not be sorry.
I was given this ARC by NetGalley to read and review. All opinions are my own and completely honest.
February 14, 2022
Vince Taylor has got it all – he’s the CEO of his own hugely successful tech firm and is married to his gorgeous wife Nicole, who he’s been in love with since the moment he set eyes on her. But Vince has a secret – don’t they always? – he’s been having an affair with a sexy young intern at his company and she’s just turned up dead in Central Park. Vince swears he’s not guilty of murder, but he’s sure acting like a man who has something to hide…
This book hooked me from the very first chapter! It’s everything a psychological thriller should be – fast paced, full of twists and turns, some red herrings to throw the reader off the track, and a stunner of an ending. There’s some police procedural thrown in for good measure too. I loved Detective Allison Barnes and I hope Ms. DeCarolis writes about her again the future, she’s a great character. Oh, and did I mention this is DeCarolis’s debut novel? Wow! Coming out of the gate so strong makes me eager to see what she’ll write in the future!
Fans of “The Last Mrs. Parrish” and “Gone Girl” will really enjoy this novel. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper360 for providing me an advance copy of this book.
This book hooked me from the very first chapter! It’s everything a psychological thriller should be – fast paced, full of twists and turns, some red herrings to throw the reader off the track, and a stunner of an ending. There’s some police procedural thrown in for good measure too. I loved Detective Allison Barnes and I hope Ms. DeCarolis writes about her again the future, she’s a great character. Oh, and did I mention this is DeCarolis’s debut novel? Wow! Coming out of the gate so strong makes me eager to see what she’ll write in the future!
Fans of “The Last Mrs. Parrish” and “Gone Girl” will really enjoy this novel. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper360 for providing me an advance copy of this book.
March 27, 2021
Thank you HQ Digital and NetGalley for an early copy of The Guilty Husband. What an Incredible debut!!!! I Absolutely Loved it from beginning to end. I didn’t figure it out, I was totally surprised at the ending. Great, Great, Great storyline. Keep writing Stephanie.
July 29, 2022
Never take anyone at face value. More often than not, the ones that seem too good to be true, are the ones hiding the biggest secrets.
Is it a jaw dropping twist when you call the killer the moment they come onto the page?
Other than the mystery not actually being a mystery, I kept reading. I was really hoping it wasn’t who I thought it was .
I did like the detective and thought she could have used more character development. If she and her partner were recurring characters in future books I might be interested in picking them up.
Also the characters are very sympathetic towards the men, and very unflattering towards the women.
A quick read with a predicable murdered and tired motive.
Is it a jaw dropping twist when you call the killer the moment they come onto the page?
Other than the mystery not actually being a mystery, I kept reading. I was really hoping it wasn’t who I thought it was .
I did like the detective and thought she could have used more character development. If she and her partner were recurring characters in future books I might be interested in picking them up.
Also the characters are very sympathetic towards the men, and very unflattering towards the women.
A quick read with a predicable murdered and tired motive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2023
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK or decent reads.
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I guessed who the killer was from the start and hoped it wouldn't be discovered. Yes, I am a bitch who hates cheaters and I love to see them totally fucked up.
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I guessed who the killer was from the start and hoped it wouldn't be discovered. Yes, I am a bitch who hates cheaters and I love to see them totally fucked up.
November 9, 2021
Meh. No «jaw dropping twist». Badly written. No likable characters. Lastly, so sick of hearing about the heat all the time. So many fillers in this book.
February 27, 2021
First, I want to thank NetGalley, HQ and Stephanie DeCarolis for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Synopsis: Vince Taylor, CEO of a software company, has everything he could dream of: the career, the houses, and a beautiful blonde yoga instructor wife, Nicole. Except, when an intern at his company, Layla, ends up dead, he’s under suspicion. Vince lies to the police, but the truth is he was having an affair with Layla. If Vince lied about his relationship with Layla, what else is he willing to lie about?
Rating: 4.25/5
Wow! I’m so impressed by Stephanie DeCarolis’ debut novel!
The characters were so easy to love and hate. There were many characters introduced throughout the story but they were all needed to develop the story! I also loved that DeCarolis had a lawyer in the story since she is a lawyer!
The plot was set up great! First you learn of a dead intern. Next it is uncovering secrets and lies from the past with twists from new characters. There was almost a slow burn in some parts but by the end I couldn’t put the book down! I kept trying to figure out who killed Layla and DeCarolis kept throwing in twists where I had to change my thoughts! I was never right! She did an excellent job tying the story together so beautifully!
I will definitely recommend this story and will be looking for DeCarolis’ books in the future!
Synopsis: Vince Taylor, CEO of a software company, has everything he could dream of: the career, the houses, and a beautiful blonde yoga instructor wife, Nicole. Except, when an intern at his company, Layla, ends up dead, he’s under suspicion. Vince lies to the police, but the truth is he was having an affair with Layla. If Vince lied about his relationship with Layla, what else is he willing to lie about?
Rating: 4.25/5
Wow! I’m so impressed by Stephanie DeCarolis’ debut novel!
The characters were so easy to love and hate. There were many characters introduced throughout the story but they were all needed to develop the story! I also loved that DeCarolis had a lawyer in the story since she is a lawyer!
The plot was set up great! First you learn of a dead intern. Next it is uncovering secrets and lies from the past with twists from new characters. There was almost a slow burn in some parts but by the end I couldn’t put the book down! I kept trying to figure out who killed Layla and DeCarolis kept throwing in twists where I had to change my thoughts! I was never right! She did an excellent job tying the story together so beautifully!
I will definitely recommend this story and will be looking for DeCarolis’ books in the future!
March 30, 2021
I absolutely DEVOURED this book! It is so well-written and has all of my favorite things! Jaw-dropping WTF moments, multiple first person POV, nonlinear timeline, likable characters (and some hatable), and everyone is a suspect! I especially liked Allison, the police detective. She’s written like she’s a regular character instead of just a cop like I see so often. I actually really enjoyed reading her chapters rather than skimming them to get to the other ones. I really loved how the truth was unraveled a bit at a time rather than dumped all at once at the very end. The Guilty Husband is definitely a book I’ll be recommending for a long time! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!
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