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The Perfect Girlfriend
Karen Hamilton's The Perfect Girlfriend is a frightening depiction of unbridled obsession, where love and pure hatred grapple on a knife edge. The perfect new psychological thriller for fans of Friend Request and The Girl Before.
Juliette loves Nate.
She will follow him anywhere. She's even become a flight
attendant for his airline, so she can keep a closer eye on him.
They are meant to be.
The fact that Nate broke up with her six months ago means nothing.
Because Juliette has a plan to win him back.
She is the perfect girlfriend.
And she'll make sure no one stops her from
getting exactly what she wants.
True love hurts, but Juliette knows it's worth all the pain...
'Brilliant and terrifying' Fiona Cummins, author of RATTLE
'So addictive it should come with a warning' Alice Feeney, author of SOMETIMES I LIE
'One of the best twisted narrators I've ever read' C.J. Tudor, author of THE CHALK MAN
'Thrillingly different and totally gripping. I loved it!' Laura Marshall, author of FRIEND REQUEST
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2018
1271 people are currently reading
26106 people want to read
About the author
Karen Hamilton
6 books711 followersKaren Hamilton caught the travel bug after an early childhood spent abroad (Angola, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Belgium and Italy) and having worked as cabin crew for a major airline.
In 2006, she and her husband put down roots in Hampshire UK and four years ago, she later gave up flying to raise their three sons and concentrate on her writing.
In 2009, she decided to 'become a writer.'
The Perfect Girlfriend is her first novel (released March 2018).
In 2006, she and her husband put down roots in Hampshire UK and four years ago, she later gave up flying to raise their three sons and concentrate on her writing.
In 2009, she decided to 'become a writer.'
The Perfect Girlfriend is her first novel (released March 2018).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,194 reviews
October 14, 2017
Oh wow! What a compelling, brilliantly written psychological thriller "The Perfect Girlfriend" is, from a very talented debut author Karen Hamilton.
Meet Juliette - attractive, romantic, passionate, obsessed, psychotic and IN LOVE. She is the perfect girlfriend. She'll make sure no one stops her from getting exactly what she wants - the perfect boyfriend, the perfect life, the perfect ending. How far will she go to get what she wants? How far would you go?
There's unfortunately not a lot that can be said about the exceptional plot that won't give anything away but I will say this is a frighteningly scary scenario about a truly psychotic girlfriend who is adamant to win back her ex boyfriend at whatever cost. They say "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" and it's never more true than in this book. I do believe we all harbour a little 'Juliette' buried in us somewhere!
I quite liked Juliette at the start, I certainly didn't condone what she was doing but at first it all seemed rather non threatening - but then - oh my goodness, who would believe what lengths someone would go to in order to get what they wanted. You fast become very worried for Nate, the object of her desires. It soon became very scary and I was on tenterhooks during the last quarter of the book to see just how things were going to pan out. Did she get her man back? Well, you'll need to see for yourself but be warned, this is one highly dangerous woman!
There's also a couple of intriguing side stories that relate to Juliette or Elizabeth as she was known when she was younger, with the first one introduced to us in the first chapter, all leading you to form opinions of her early on.
I loved the backdrop of using Juliette as an air hostess, it was a very unique and interesting idea and I didn't realise quite what goes on behind the scenes of the job - constant training and appraisals, jet lag sickness, tiredness, failed relationships, living out of suitcases etc - all on top of dealing with whinging and demanding passengers.
"The Perfect Girlfriend" is an excellently written book, very descriptive, full of emotion and strong diverse characters, that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend and I'd happily read more by this author in the future.
A well earned 5 stars.
Meet Juliette - attractive, romantic, passionate, obsessed, psychotic and IN LOVE. She is the perfect girlfriend. She'll make sure no one stops her from getting exactly what she wants - the perfect boyfriend, the perfect life, the perfect ending. How far will she go to get what she wants? How far would you go?
There's unfortunately not a lot that can be said about the exceptional plot that won't give anything away but I will say this is a frighteningly scary scenario about a truly psychotic girlfriend who is adamant to win back her ex boyfriend at whatever cost. They say "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" and it's never more true than in this book. I do believe we all harbour a little 'Juliette' buried in us somewhere!
I quite liked Juliette at the start, I certainly didn't condone what she was doing but at first it all seemed rather non threatening - but then - oh my goodness, who would believe what lengths someone would go to in order to get what they wanted. You fast become very worried for Nate, the object of her desires. It soon became very scary and I was on tenterhooks during the last quarter of the book to see just how things were going to pan out. Did she get her man back? Well, you'll need to see for yourself but be warned, this is one highly dangerous woman!
There's also a couple of intriguing side stories that relate to Juliette or Elizabeth as she was known when she was younger, with the first one introduced to us in the first chapter, all leading you to form opinions of her early on.
I loved the backdrop of using Juliette as an air hostess, it was a very unique and interesting idea and I didn't realise quite what goes on behind the scenes of the job - constant training and appraisals, jet lag sickness, tiredness, failed relationships, living out of suitcases etc - all on top of dealing with whinging and demanding passengers.
"The Perfect Girlfriend" is an excellently written book, very descriptive, full of emotion and strong diverse characters, that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend and I'd happily read more by this author in the future.
A well earned 5 stars.
February 16, 2024
DISCLAIMER:
This review is based solely upon my personal reading experience with this book. If you like, really like, or even love this story, I am truly happy for you.
My thoughts are by no means a reflection on, or judgement of you, or your experience. With that tiny caveat out of the way, let's proceed, shall we?
I will try to keep this short. I did not enjoy this at all. By the end, I was legit pushing myself to complete it. I did not care to sit in the front row of this woman's mental delirium any longer. OVER IT.
The writing didn't work for me. The format didn't work for me. I found it to be repetitive and banal. The protagonist is obviously mentally disturbed, I get it.
Is there anything else going on here, or are we just beating the dead horse of the fact that Lilly, Elizabeth, Juliet, whatever the f* her name is, is insane?
There was no point. She was obsessed .
I am not sure if that was the reveal people are talking about? It seemed so obvious, I cannot imagine that was the reveal, but I am unclear as to what else would be?
The most interesting part of this was her work as part of a flight crew for an airline and even that was fairly boring.
I am all for devious plotting, scheming, long-game revenge planning, but this, I didn't get the ultimate goal.
It wasn't even revenge, she wanted to be a part of these people's lives; she wanted their lives. It was bizarre and yeah, just ultimately, not to my taste at all.
As I always say, however, there is a reader for every book and this book already has a ton of praise and fans. Sadly, it just was not my cuppa tea!
Thank you, Graydon House Books, for the ARC. I appreciate the opportunity and wish this would have worked for me.
It hurts my heart to write negative reviews, but I must always call it as I feel it.
This review is based solely upon my personal reading experience with this book. If you like, really like, or even love this story, I am truly happy for you.
My thoughts are by no means a reflection on, or judgement of you, or your experience. With that tiny caveat out of the way, let's proceed, shall we?
I will try to keep this short. I did not enjoy this at all. By the end, I was legit pushing myself to complete it. I did not care to sit in the front row of this woman's mental delirium any longer. OVER IT.
The writing didn't work for me. The format didn't work for me. I found it to be repetitive and banal. The protagonist is obviously mentally disturbed, I get it.
Is there anything else going on here, or are we just beating the dead horse of the fact that Lilly, Elizabeth, Juliet, whatever the f* her name is, is insane?
There was no point. She was obsessed .
I am not sure if that was the reveal people are talking about? It seemed so obvious, I cannot imagine that was the reveal, but I am unclear as to what else would be?
The most interesting part of this was her work as part of a flight crew for an airline and even that was fairly boring.
I am all for devious plotting, scheming, long-game revenge planning, but this, I didn't get the ultimate goal.
It wasn't even revenge, she wanted to be a part of these people's lives; she wanted their lives. It was bizarre and yeah, just ultimately, not to my taste at all.
As I always say, however, there is a reader for every book and this book already has a ton of praise and fans. Sadly, it just was not my cuppa tea!
Thank you, Graydon House Books, for the ARC. I appreciate the opportunity and wish this would have worked for me.
It hurts my heart to write negative reviews, but I must always call it as I feel it.
April 2, 2019
The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton is a 2019 Graydon House publication.
Takes obsession to a whole new level-
Six months ago, Nate broke things off with Juliette, and processed to move on with his life. Little does the handsome airline pilot know that Juliette has not accepted the break-up. In her mind they belong together, and she will go to any length to get him back- proving to Nate, once and for all, that she is the ‘perfect girlfriend’.
Told from Juliette’s first- person perspective, the reader quickly becomes caught in her snare, unable to fully digest her cunning insanity. She pulls out all the stops-planning meticulously, beginning with her training to become a flight attendant, then acquiring a ‘best friend’ to make her look good, while keeping close tabs on Nate, at all times.
The commentary from Juliette, is sinister, and shockingly calm, her attitude cold, and extremely unsettling. As the story continues along the inevitable collision course, there is a feeling of both anticipation and dread. I wondered if Nate would ever discover he had a stalker, what would happen when and if he finds out how utterly and completely off the rails Juliette really is- or if this is all just an exercise in futility for Juliette. I couldn’t see quite how this was all going to go down for her, but I knew it was going to be epic.
I never could have anticipated just how devious Juliette really is, how manipulative, and utterly chilling her plans are for the unsuspecting Nate- or how absolutely determined she is to have him- until death do us part!
This is certainly a compulsive read, and a cleverly constructed novel of suspense. One may even experience momentary lapses in judgment, as Juliette is a pro at manipulation- even managing to elicit sympathy from the reader on a few occasions, as she reveals very poignant and painful experiences in her past. However, one might want to remember that Juliette is hardly a reliable narrator.
Another curious thought I kept having was how others might view Nate. I never could quite peg the guy. I couldn't trust Juliette, really, so I had questions, especially after the reader is finally introduced to him.
Unfortunately, after a strong beginning, the middle dragged just a little. I’m not sure if I grew weary of Juliette’s constant planning and reorganizing when her plans didn’t go as she’d anticipated, or if her running obsessive monologue finally exhausted me, but it did lose momentum there for a time. But, don’t let the lull seduce you into complacency!! The conclusion rocked me back on my heels, with a stunning twist that literally sent a shiver down my spine!
Overall, this was one wild ride. There was a little turbulence from time to time, but there was a smooth landing, making this a satisfying trip.
4 stars
Takes obsession to a whole new level-
Six months ago, Nate broke things off with Juliette, and processed to move on with his life. Little does the handsome airline pilot know that Juliette has not accepted the break-up. In her mind they belong together, and she will go to any length to get him back- proving to Nate, once and for all, that she is the ‘perfect girlfriend’.
Told from Juliette’s first- person perspective, the reader quickly becomes caught in her snare, unable to fully digest her cunning insanity. She pulls out all the stops-planning meticulously, beginning with her training to become a flight attendant, then acquiring a ‘best friend’ to make her look good, while keeping close tabs on Nate, at all times.
The commentary from Juliette, is sinister, and shockingly calm, her attitude cold, and extremely unsettling. As the story continues along the inevitable collision course, there is a feeling of both anticipation and dread. I wondered if Nate would ever discover he had a stalker, what would happen when and if he finds out how utterly and completely off the rails Juliette really is- or if this is all just an exercise in futility for Juliette. I couldn’t see quite how this was all going to go down for her, but I knew it was going to be epic.
I never could have anticipated just how devious Juliette really is, how manipulative, and utterly chilling her plans are for the unsuspecting Nate- or how absolutely determined she is to have him- until death do us part!
This is certainly a compulsive read, and a cleverly constructed novel of suspense. One may even experience momentary lapses in judgment, as Juliette is a pro at manipulation- even managing to elicit sympathy from the reader on a few occasions, as she reveals very poignant and painful experiences in her past. However, one might want to remember that Juliette is hardly a reliable narrator.
Another curious thought I kept having was how others might view Nate. I never could quite peg the guy. I couldn't trust Juliette, really, so I had questions, especially after the reader is finally introduced to him.
Unfortunately, after a strong beginning, the middle dragged just a little. I’m not sure if I grew weary of Juliette’s constant planning and reorganizing when her plans didn’t go as she’d anticipated, or if her running obsessive monologue finally exhausted me, but it did lose momentum there for a time. But, don’t let the lull seduce you into complacency!! The conclusion rocked me back on my heels, with a stunning twist that literally sent a shiver down my spine!
Overall, this was one wild ride. There was a little turbulence from time to time, but there was a smooth landing, making this a satisfying trip.
4 stars
January 16, 2019
Oh my gosh, this book gives new meaning to the word obsession!
Just when you think you’ve seen it all! Or in our case read it all, comes this little gem of a thriller that will leave you speechless!
Her name is Lily but also goes by her middle name Juliette. It just depends on who she interacts with or what situation she finds herself in. She has separate Facebook accounts for each persona. Her primary goal? Get married. And not to just anyone! She is determined to have Nate - whether he wants her or not! Lucky boy, Nate. Whatever it takes, no matter who gets crushed in her path. Make no mistake, she is driven to make him hers!
Lily...Juliette is more than capable of reinventing herself, even taking on a whole new profession and moving to a new city! Any barrier will be breached. There is no stopping this. Love will conquer all! Or should I say over-the-top obsession!
Karen Hamilton writes a tense thriller that explores the lengths someone will go to satisfy their perceived love interest! I was left shaking my head at how far off the deep-end this woman would go! Yikes!
Poor Nate! Does he even stand a chance? Well, of course friends, you’ll have to read this one to find out!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin-Graydon House Books and Karen Hamilton for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all! Or in our case read it all, comes this little gem of a thriller that will leave you speechless!
Her name is Lily but also goes by her middle name Juliette. It just depends on who she interacts with or what situation she finds herself in. She has separate Facebook accounts for each persona. Her primary goal? Get married. And not to just anyone! She is determined to have Nate - whether he wants her or not! Lucky boy, Nate. Whatever it takes, no matter who gets crushed in her path. Make no mistake, she is driven to make him hers!
Lily...Juliette is more than capable of reinventing herself, even taking on a whole new profession and moving to a new city! Any barrier will be breached. There is no stopping this. Love will conquer all! Or should I say over-the-top obsession!
Karen Hamilton writes a tense thriller that explores the lengths someone will go to satisfy their perceived love interest! I was left shaking my head at how far off the deep-end this woman would go! Yikes!
Poor Nate! Does he even stand a chance? Well, of course friends, you’ll have to read this one to find out!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin-Graydon House Books and Karen Hamilton for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2019
Oh ...that was fun💕
Fatal attraction taken to the airlines!
He loves me..... He loves me not!
A bit of a gender cross-over in this obsessed stalker novel. Juliette is so motivated to keep tabs on pilot and boyfriend, Nate, that she becomes a flight attendant. Oh my gosh, I would have loved to see the expression on Nate's face when she "revealed" her new role to him (and while on the job)!
Juliette sees herself as a "perfect girlfriend" and believes wholeheartedly in the mantra "If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they're yours." BUT she manipulates the ending to "If they don't, make them."
There is more depth to the novel as Hamilton brings in the other characters and their response/reactions to "something about" Juliette. She is such a flawed character and I was full on board as she planned out her mission. She did not disappoint as she kept upping the ante! Quite scary really! (although I didn't take it seriously/ just entertaining)
I had a fun time reading this debut novel and was never bored. Juliette was the snarkiest narrator as she tried to manipulate her world. She kept me thoroughly entertained and giggling at the over the top shenanigans she piled on poor Nate! And oooh....... that end. Poor Nate!!
Brilliantly addictive just like I like my psychological thrillers.
Thanks to Harlequin/ Graydon House for my review copy.
Fatal attraction taken to the airlines!
He loves me..... He loves me not!
A bit of a gender cross-over in this obsessed stalker novel. Juliette is so motivated to keep tabs on pilot and boyfriend, Nate, that she becomes a flight attendant. Oh my gosh, I would have loved to see the expression on Nate's face when she "revealed" her new role to him (and while on the job)!
Juliette sees herself as a "perfect girlfriend" and believes wholeheartedly in the mantra "If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they're yours." BUT she manipulates the ending to "If they don't, make them."
There is more depth to the novel as Hamilton brings in the other characters and their response/reactions to "something about" Juliette. She is such a flawed character and I was full on board as she planned out her mission. She did not disappoint as she kept upping the ante! Quite scary really! (although I didn't take it seriously/ just entertaining)
I had a fun time reading this debut novel and was never bored. Juliette was the snarkiest narrator as she tried to manipulate her world. She kept me thoroughly entertained and giggling at the over the top shenanigans she piled on poor Nate! And oooh....... that end. Poor Nate!!
Brilliantly addictive just like I like my psychological thrillers.
Thanks to Harlequin/ Graydon House for my review copy.
April 4, 2019
The Perfect Girlfriend is perfectly crazy!
Lock up your bunnies boys, Juliet/Lily is here! This book was Fatal Attraction’s crazier big sister! This wild story has movie written all over it, and the part of Juliet would be so much fun to play. Karen Hamilton has written an addictive entertaining story about one of the most likable psychotic characters I have ever met in a book. This was one mind blowing thrilling debut novel!
Juliet, the psychotic formerly known as Lily has one goal in life... to marry Nate. Even though he broke up with her, she is convinced that he will see the error in his ways, after all she is the “perfect girlfriend.” Juliet will stop at nothing to win Nate’s affections. She changes her career and is now a flight attendant for the same airline that he is a pilot for, she changes her residence now she lives only minutes away from Nate,She even changes her name, although I’m not quite sure what inspired that. This is really all you need to know about the plot, just sit back, buckle up, and get ready for one wild and crazy ride!
The entire story is told from Juliet’s POV. I loved every minute I spent inside Juliet’s head, her inner dialogue was priceless. I loved how she justified every crazy thing she did, she almost had me convinced a few times. Poor Nate he really was caught between a rock and well... Juliet. Unlike in the movie Fatal Attraction Nate was single he just didn’t want to commit to Juliet or anyone for that matter. Nate’s only mistake and it was a fatal one, was dating Juliet in the first place.
🎧🎧🎧 I listen to this book on audio, and spending many hours with Juliet in my ear was fabulous! This is the first time I’ve listen to a book narrated by Anne Marie Lee and she did a wonderful job. She really brought the character of Juliet to life, And I think she gave her the perfect tone.
This is a fun entertaining over-the-top story that will appeal to anyone who loves themselves some crazy! Absolutely recommend!
*** many thanks to Harlequin and Harper Audio for my copies of this book ***
December 12, 2018
"If you love someone, set them free.
If they come back, they're yours.
If they don't, make them."
What in the cray-cray did I just read?
This book is the very definition of a slow starter. If not for my fascination with the psychotic inner dialogue of the main character, the only character really, Elizabeth/Lily/Juliette or whatever she's calling herself on any given day, I might have given up on this one.
...and that would have been a colossal mistake.
Somewhere around the 40% mark this story takes off like a ballistic missile flying over a cuckoo's nest.
This book is so much fun, in a Fatal Attraction meets Misery kind of way. There are no lengths too great for Elizabeth/Lily/Juliette when it comes to getting what she wants.
"It's a shame I didn't bulk buy voodoo dolls when I had the chance, but I could probably order some more online."
*insert circus theme music*
And just when I thought I could sit back and watch everything play out, a twist was thrown in that, dang it, I should have seen coming, I can't believe I didn't see it coming, HOW DID I MISS IT??
It's hard to believe this is Karen Hamilton's debut. Bring on the next one, Karen! I'm so ready.
⭐ 4.5 Stars rounded down because I feel like this story ran a bit long due to too much unnecessary descriptive chatter.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If they come back, they're yours.
If they don't, make them."
What in the cray-cray did I just read?
This book is the very definition of a slow starter. If not for my fascination with the psychotic inner dialogue of the main character, the only character really, Elizabeth/Lily/Juliette or whatever she's calling herself on any given day, I might have given up on this one.
...and that would have been a colossal mistake.
Somewhere around the 40% mark this story takes off like a ballistic missile flying over a cuckoo's nest.
This book is so much fun, in a Fatal Attraction meets Misery kind of way. There are no lengths too great for Elizabeth/Lily/Juliette when it comes to getting what she wants.
"It's a shame I didn't bulk buy voodoo dolls when I had the chance, but I could probably order some more online."
*insert circus theme music*
And just when I thought I could sit back and watch everything play out, a twist was thrown in that, dang it, I should have seen coming, I can't believe I didn't see it coming, HOW DID I MISS IT??
It's hard to believe this is Karen Hamilton's debut. Bring on the next one, Karen! I'm so ready.
⭐ 4.5 Stars rounded down because I feel like this story ran a bit long due to too much unnecessary descriptive chatter.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2018
4.5 stars
If you love someone, set them free.
If they come back, they're yours. If they don't, make them.
Juliette knows that she and Nate were meant to be together. They have a long history and even though he broke up with her, she knows it was meant to be. She just needs to make sure that he gets with the program. Stupid man.
So Juliette gets herself hired at his airline. (He is a pilot) and she keeps an "eye" on him.
BTW: Juliette's investigative skills are off the chain.
It did take me a minute to get Juliette's fascination with Nate..because he is a bland douche in my opinion but us girls gotta stick together..... So I jumped on board.
Juliette took me on some wild adventures in this book. She might be a tad bit different but I still loved her crazy ass.
People just judged her wrongly. So what if it felt like people should go running from a room when she entered?
No one had such a hard life as poor Juliette.
I really did enjoy this book. Even if it took me fifty eleven million days to read it. I'm in a book slump and working non-human hours at work and I still loved the heck out of Juliette's world. So if you fall into the nutter loving world when you are reading this is the book for you. Then when people ask why you loved it so much...…
PS> I would have given it the full five except the ending gave me blue balls.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
If you love someone, set them free.
If they come back, they're yours. If they don't, make them.
Juliette knows that she and Nate were meant to be together. They have a long history and even though he broke up with her, she knows it was meant to be. She just needs to make sure that he gets with the program. Stupid man.
So Juliette gets herself hired at his airline. (He is a pilot) and she keeps an "eye" on him.
BTW: Juliette's investigative skills are off the chain.
It did take me a minute to get Juliette's fascination with Nate..because he is a bland douche in my opinion but us girls gotta stick together..... So I jumped on board.
Juliette took me on some wild adventures in this book. She might be a tad bit different but I still loved her crazy ass.
People just judged her wrongly. So what if it felt like people should go running from a room when she entered?
No one had such a hard life as poor Juliette.
I really did enjoy this book. Even if it took me fifty eleven million days to read it. I'm in a book slump and working non-human hours at work and I still loved the heck out of Juliette's world. So if you fall into the nutter loving world when you are reading this is the book for you. Then when people ask why you loved it so much...…
PS> I would have given it the full five except the ending gave me blue balls.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
June 29, 2022
4 stars!
This takes obsession to a whole new level!
Juliette is determined to win back Nate who broke up with her six months ago. She will stop at nothing to become his ideal partner.
This was a wild and crazy ride that I loved following. I really enjoyed the inside look at flight attendant training and all that is involved in their career path. The author did a fantastic job engrossing me in the main characters obsessive, snarky and manipulative mind. I was gripped and entertained and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what she would do next! It was a twisted and tension filled story that kept me on my toes.
Was this storyline completely believable? No! Did I have a super fun time escaping into the story? Yes! This was pure entertaining escapism. A perfect summer read!
One thing that strangely stood out for me was the amount of times “whilst” was used since I never use that word myself.
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
This takes obsession to a whole new level!
Juliette is determined to win back Nate who broke up with her six months ago. She will stop at nothing to become his ideal partner.
This was a wild and crazy ride that I loved following. I really enjoyed the inside look at flight attendant training and all that is involved in their career path. The author did a fantastic job engrossing me in the main characters obsessive, snarky and manipulative mind. I was gripped and entertained and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what she would do next! It was a twisted and tension filled story that kept me on my toes.
Was this storyline completely believable? No! Did I have a super fun time escaping into the story? Yes! This was pure entertaining escapism. A perfect summer read!
One thing that strangely stood out for me was the amount of times “whilst” was used since I never use that word myself.
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
April 17, 2019
"The girl gave her heart to the boy and their fate was sealed. Seriously, he should have listened, because no one can fight fate. No one."
If only Elizabeth / Lily / Juliette had warned Nate of this sooner because this poor dude is about to have his life flipped upside down by one of the craziest whack jobs ever. To call this lady persistent is the understatement of the year. She will stop at nothing to get her man and it was so much fun to watch (read?) for this reader! These types of books are my jam so I wasn't surprised to have enjoyed it as much as I did. Juliette had me laughing to cringing from paragraph to paragraph.
The ending, for me, was just perfect! Well done, Karen Hamilton!
If only Elizabeth / Lily / Juliette had warned Nate of this sooner because this poor dude is about to have his life flipped upside down by one of the craziest whack jobs ever. To call this lady persistent is the understatement of the year. She will stop at nothing to get her man and it was so much fun to watch (read?) for this reader! These types of books are my jam so I wasn't surprised to have enjoyed it as much as I did. Juliette had me laughing to cringing from paragraph to paragraph.
The ending, for me, was just perfect! Well done, Karen Hamilton!
March 20, 2024
In the grand theatre of love's masquerade, where passion and obsession waltz in a perilous embrace, Karen Hamilton's "The Perfect Girlfriend" choreographs a danse macabre. The narrative twirls around Juliette, a woman ensnared in the relentless grip of a love that refuses to bow its final curtain, even in the face of her ex-lover Nate’s cold indifference.
Juliette, sculpted from the marble of obsession, teeters on the delicate tightrope between love and control. She emerges as a masterclass in character development—a villain protagonist who is as unique as she is intriguing. Her complexity and multi-dimensional nature captivate readers, drawing them into a web of madness fascination. Her actions, kindled by a love that has morphed into fixation, show the lengths she will go to achieve her idea of a perfect relationship.
This psychological thriller delves into the abyss of a woman’s psyche, unearthing the terrifying repercussions of a love that clings too tightly. It’s a narrative that scrutinizes the imprints of past traumas and their influence on one’s present actions and future aspirations. As the story unfolds, it lays bare the roots of Juliette's consuming obsession, revealing a tangled web of shared history that inexorably binds her to Nate, weaving their fates together in the present. At times, Juliette’s character may stir sympathy, as fleeting glimpses of her vulnerability and the motivations behind her actions are revealed. Is her fixation with Nate a distorted manifestation of love, or is it a specter of something more profound, more elemental?
While the novel's climax arrives with a rush, it does little to diminish the enthralling experience. It is a testament to Hamilton's skill that even with a swift ending, the narrative remains a compelling exploration of the lengths one will go for love—or what one believes love should be.
"The Perfect Girlfriend" earns a resounding 5-star rating from me, not just for its heart-pounding narrative, but for gifting me with a magnum opus yandere-ish protagonist, a ‘Juliette’ who dances on the knife-edge of sanity and madness. It is a gripping thriller, that lingers, its melody echoing in my minds, a haunting reminder of the darkness that lurks in the corners of love and obsession.
Juliette, sculpted from the marble of obsession, teeters on the delicate tightrope between love and control. She emerges as a masterclass in character development—a villain protagonist who is as unique as she is intriguing. Her complexity and multi-dimensional nature captivate readers, drawing them into a web of madness fascination. Her actions, kindled by a love that has morphed into fixation, show the lengths she will go to achieve her idea of a perfect relationship.
This psychological thriller delves into the abyss of a woman’s psyche, unearthing the terrifying repercussions of a love that clings too tightly. It’s a narrative that scrutinizes the imprints of past traumas and their influence on one’s present actions and future aspirations. As the story unfolds, it lays bare the roots of Juliette's consuming obsession, revealing a tangled web of shared history that inexorably binds her to Nate, weaving their fates together in the present. At times, Juliette’s character may stir sympathy, as fleeting glimpses of her vulnerability and the motivations behind her actions are revealed. Is her fixation with Nate a distorted manifestation of love, or is it a specter of something more profound, more elemental?
While the novel's climax arrives with a rush, it does little to diminish the enthralling experience. It is a testament to Hamilton's skill that even with a swift ending, the narrative remains a compelling exploration of the lengths one will go for love—or what one believes love should be.
"The Perfect Girlfriend" earns a resounding 5-star rating from me, not just for its heart-pounding narrative, but for gifting me with a magnum opus yandere-ish protagonist, a ‘Juliette’ who dances on the knife-edge of sanity and madness. It is a gripping thriller, that lingers, its melody echoing in my minds, a haunting reminder of the darkness that lurks in the corners of love and obsession.
March 30, 2019
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin- Graydon House Books for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review
OMG this was downright creepy with a protagonist that made my skin crawl. Of course, I just couldn't put it down.
I have never considered myself a "boy crazy" type of gal and over the course of my teen and adult years, it has made me cringe at the "thirstiness" of some people when it comes to relationships. Our protagonist, Juliette, is basically a diabetic over her ex, and she is willing to do ANYTHING to make him come back to her. As Karen Hamilton states in her author's note, it is difficult to list Juliette's good qualities. Although there are glimmers of compassion as we see in her flight attendant job, there are so many unhealthy qualities in regards to Juliette's outlook on friendship and relationships.
All I have to say is lock up your husbands, lock up your sons, and welcome to crazytown! I am literally being as evasive as possible because you need to experience the nuttiness for yourselves!
Publication Date 26/03/19
Goodreads Review: 19/03/19
OMG this was downright creepy with a protagonist that made my skin crawl. Of course, I just couldn't put it down.
I have never considered myself a "boy crazy" type of gal and over the course of my teen and adult years, it has made me cringe at the "thirstiness" of some people when it comes to relationships. Our protagonist, Juliette, is basically a diabetic over her ex, and she is willing to do ANYTHING to make him come back to her. As Karen Hamilton states in her author's note, it is difficult to list Juliette's good qualities. Although there are glimmers of compassion as we see in her flight attendant job, there are so many unhealthy qualities in regards to Juliette's outlook on friendship and relationships.
All I have to say is lock up your husbands, lock up your sons, and welcome to crazytown! I am literally being as evasive as possible because you need to experience the nuttiness for yourselves!
Publication Date 26/03/19
Goodreads Review: 19/03/19
April 16, 2019
TWO STARS-NOVEL, ONE STAR-AUDIO
I may be guilty of letting a VERY BAD, HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE narrator influence my rating on this novel. But, the story is so dumb, that I'm sure I wouldn't have enjoyed it anyway.
You guys know how angry I get when I waste a precious Audible credit on a bad production. AAAAARGHHH (Using an Audible credit is my very last resort, reserved for only the books I've researched, sampled and really want to read. Usually used for the newest books that I either missed on Netgalley/Edelweiss and I know my library/Overdrive app won't have available for months.)
This is the old story of girlfriend stalks ex-boyfriend relentlessly. They must be together forever she is certain of it. She plans, manipulates, changes her hair color and even her name. The author is very meticulous, not a single triviality of this stalking is overlooked. Everything is described in excruciating detail. B O R I N G !
Now, picture this modern girl, this stalker, this whiz of social media weirdly has... the exact voice of Glinda the Good Witch from Wizard of Oz. You get my pain, now, don't you? R I D I C U L O U S !
Anyway, my venting is done. Thank you for listening. I have a review to post on Audible👊.
I may be guilty of letting a VERY BAD, HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE narrator influence my rating on this novel. But, the story is so dumb, that I'm sure I wouldn't have enjoyed it anyway.
You guys know how angry I get when I waste a precious Audible credit on a bad production. AAAAARGHHH (Using an Audible credit is my very last resort, reserved for only the books I've researched, sampled and really want to read. Usually used for the newest books that I either missed on Netgalley/Edelweiss and I know my library/Overdrive app won't have available for months.)
This is the old story of girlfriend stalks ex-boyfriend relentlessly. They must be together forever she is certain of it. She plans, manipulates, changes her hair color and even her name. The author is very meticulous, not a single triviality of this stalking is overlooked. Everything is described in excruciating detail. B O R I N G !
Now, picture this modern girl, this stalker, this whiz of social media weirdly has... the exact voice of Glinda the Good Witch from Wizard of Oz. You get my pain, now, don't you? R I D I C U L O U S !
Anyway, my venting is done. Thank you for listening. I have a review to post on Audible👊.
December 7, 2019
YOU’VE NEVER READ A LOVE STORY AS TWISTED AS THIS.
You can find my full review and more at PhDiva.blog!
You know when you read a book and you know who you are supposed to like and dislike, and somehow you feel the exact opposite? That describes how I read The Perfect Girlfriend in a nutshell!!! This book is T-W-I-S-T-E-D!!! I sat down to write this and I wasn’t even sure how to begin because this is one of the strangest and most entertaining books I’ve read in ages—in a good way!
Told in first person narrative, Juliette tells the story of what happens after the love of her life breaks up with her. Ok, so maybe she didn’t handle the break up that well. But now she is giving him exactly what he asked for—space! So he will come back to her at the end, right? He will definitely understand what she did to meet his needs.
Juliette is playing the long game. She could arrange a meet-up at any time if she wanted to, but she has this planned out. Slow and steady. Stick to the plan. Everything will work out if you stick to the plan. And so we see her applying for Nate's airline, going through the long flight attendant trainings (seriously, flight attendant training at many companies takes about 8 weeks), and then building up her seniority on her flight schedule.
“Perseverance always pays off. It never, ever fails.”
Juliette should have friends to show she isn’t needy, right? So she makes a friend. Their friendship was SO entertaining! Amy’s reactions to a few odd things Juliette does are spot on, and then in Juliette’s monologue we hear her “I guess it was a bit odd…” Juliette is at a minimum a bit odd, and more accurately she is off her rocker.
And this brings me to who I should like and dislike, and I oddly found myself rooting for Juliette and all of her crazy ideas! She was just SO entertaining and persistent. And even though she is absolutely someone who needs serious help, everyone who has been cruelly dumped, bullied, or mistreated will find a small amount of delight in her revenge plots.
“You think you can use people and discard them when it suits. Like I was nothing. Like I meant nothing. Like we meant nothing.”
The writing on this book is divine. So much of this book happens inside of Juliette’s head, and yet she often doesn’t clue you in on her plan in advance, so we see it unfold in shocking real time. And here is where we should give all of the credit to Karen Hamilton’s writing. Her story is gripping and hard to put down, though much of it is inner monologue. And she also finds a way to humanize and make Juliette sympathetic, despite the fact that she is absolutely vindictive and crazy.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.
You can find my full review and more at PhDiva.blog!
You know when you read a book and you know who you are supposed to like and dislike, and somehow you feel the exact opposite? That describes how I read The Perfect Girlfriend in a nutshell!!! This book is T-W-I-S-T-E-D!!! I sat down to write this and I wasn’t even sure how to begin because this is one of the strangest and most entertaining books I’ve read in ages—in a good way!
Told in first person narrative, Juliette tells the story of what happens after the love of her life breaks up with her. Ok, so maybe she didn’t handle the break up that well. But now she is giving him exactly what he asked for—space! So he will come back to her at the end, right? He will definitely understand what she did to meet his needs.
Juliette is playing the long game. She could arrange a meet-up at any time if she wanted to, but she has this planned out. Slow and steady. Stick to the plan. Everything will work out if you stick to the plan. And so we see her applying for Nate's airline, going through the long flight attendant trainings (seriously, flight attendant training at many companies takes about 8 weeks), and then building up her seniority on her flight schedule.
“Perseverance always pays off. It never, ever fails.”
Juliette should have friends to show she isn’t needy, right? So she makes a friend. Their friendship was SO entertaining! Amy’s reactions to a few odd things Juliette does are spot on, and then in Juliette’s monologue we hear her “I guess it was a bit odd…” Juliette is at a minimum a bit odd, and more accurately she is off her rocker.
And this brings me to who I should like and dislike, and I oddly found myself rooting for Juliette and all of her crazy ideas! She was just SO entertaining and persistent. And even though she is absolutely someone who needs serious help, everyone who has been cruelly dumped, bullied, or mistreated will find a small amount of delight in her revenge plots.
“You think you can use people and discard them when it suits. Like I was nothing. Like I meant nothing. Like we meant nothing.”
The writing on this book is divine. So much of this book happens inside of Juliette’s head, and yet she often doesn’t clue you in on her plan in advance, so we see it unfold in shocking real time. And here is where we should give all of the credit to Karen Hamilton’s writing. Her story is gripping and hard to put down, though much of it is inner monologue. And she also finds a way to humanize and make Juliette sympathetic, despite the fact that she is absolutely vindictive and crazy.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.
September 22, 2018
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Juliette has met the love of her life in Nate, a handsome and charming pilot. Even though Nate broke it off with her six months ago, Juliette knows that Nate is in love with her too. She has made it her life mission to show him that he loves her, and to rekindle their relationship. After getting a job as a flight attendant, so she can be around him more, she slowly starts to put her plan in action to remind Nick how she was his ‘perfect girlfriend’, and how she will stop at nothing to win him back.
“The Perfect Girlfriend” is the first novel for author Karen Hamilton. A former flight attendant, Hamilton’s experience sets some truth and fact in a novel of psychological, obsessive fiction.
This novel really has only four characters; Juliette, Nate, Bella and Miles, and each one has a unique and slightly dysfunctional personality that adds character to the novel. Juliette (although right from the beginning you can tell that her psychological functioning is not what one would consider “normal”) is hilarious, passionate, and determined as Hell. Her POA (plans of action) lists were something that the Type A Personality in me relished and envied (granted, mine wouldn’t involve stalking……probably). Although Nate is the victim and Juliette is, for all intents and purposes, the “villain” of the novel, Hamilton has written it in such a way where a reader will actually root and cheer for Juliette, and wait for Nick to get his come-uppance.
A novel that is set all over the world (sometimes only from the interior of a plane), “Girlfriend” will take you on a thrill ride. A deranged yet lovable main character, exotic and charming backdrops and a creative storyline will leave you unable to put the book down until the very end. The ending itself is both surprising yet not unexpected, and left me wanting more.
Hamilton definitely has some writing chops, and her writing education has paid off with her debut novel. A unique, suspenseful novel, “Girlfriend” has given me high hopes for whatever Hamilton writes next.
Juliette has met the love of her life in Nate, a handsome and charming pilot. Even though Nate broke it off with her six months ago, Juliette knows that Nate is in love with her too. She has made it her life mission to show him that he loves her, and to rekindle their relationship. After getting a job as a flight attendant, so she can be around him more, she slowly starts to put her plan in action to remind Nick how she was his ‘perfect girlfriend’, and how she will stop at nothing to win him back.
“The Perfect Girlfriend” is the first novel for author Karen Hamilton. A former flight attendant, Hamilton’s experience sets some truth and fact in a novel of psychological, obsessive fiction.
This novel really has only four characters; Juliette, Nate, Bella and Miles, and each one has a unique and slightly dysfunctional personality that adds character to the novel. Juliette (although right from the beginning you can tell that her psychological functioning is not what one would consider “normal”) is hilarious, passionate, and determined as Hell. Her POA (plans of action) lists were something that the Type A Personality in me relished and envied (granted, mine wouldn’t involve stalking……probably). Although Nate is the victim and Juliette is, for all intents and purposes, the “villain” of the novel, Hamilton has written it in such a way where a reader will actually root and cheer for Juliette, and wait for Nick to get his come-uppance.
A novel that is set all over the world (sometimes only from the interior of a plane), “Girlfriend” will take you on a thrill ride. A deranged yet lovable main character, exotic and charming backdrops and a creative storyline will leave you unable to put the book down until the very end. The ending itself is both surprising yet not unexpected, and left me wanting more.
Hamilton definitely has some writing chops, and her writing education has paid off with her debut novel. A unique, suspenseful novel, “Girlfriend” has given me high hopes for whatever Hamilton writes next.
May 1, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton is another book about obsession, but one that I thought was executed very well. When I first started this book I thought it was a bit of a slow read, but after I put it down for awhile and came back to it I devoured the rest of it very quickly.
The Perfect Girlfriend tells the story of a crazypants girl named Juliette and her obsession with a man named Nate. They dated for a bit and end up breaking up, but Juliette refuses to accept that as being the end of it. She is going to have him no matter what she has to do... I don't want to go into the plot too much because I think it is best to read it without knowing much. The blurb for this book is really perfect, and basically all you need to know.
I've begun to notice that I am really temperamental when it comes to books that focus on one person's obsession with someone or something. Some I like and some I just can't stand. The Perfect Girlfriend made it more interesting for me, instead of being annoying even though Juliette is in fact pretty annoying.
Final Thought: There definitely aren't any likable characters in this book, but I don't think there are meant to be. I would also say there isn't anything too surprising in here, but the writing was great and I couldn't tell this was a debut novel. If you love books about obsession I would definitely check The Perfect Girlfriend out. And I can't wait to see what Hamilton comes up with next!
The Perfect Girlfriend in 3-ish words: Scandalous, Devious, & Clever
The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton is another book about obsession, but one that I thought was executed very well. When I first started this book I thought it was a bit of a slow read, but after I put it down for awhile and came back to it I devoured the rest of it very quickly.
The Perfect Girlfriend tells the story of a crazypants girl named Juliette and her obsession with a man named Nate. They dated for a bit and end up breaking up, but Juliette refuses to accept that as being the end of it. She is going to have him no matter what she has to do... I don't want to go into the plot too much because I think it is best to read it without knowing much. The blurb for this book is really perfect, and basically all you need to know.
I've begun to notice that I am really temperamental when it comes to books that focus on one person's obsession with someone or something. Some I like and some I just can't stand. The Perfect Girlfriend made it more interesting for me, instead of being annoying even though Juliette is in fact pretty annoying.
Final Thought: There definitely aren't any likable characters in this book, but I don't think there are meant to be. I would also say there isn't anything too surprising in here, but the writing was great and I couldn't tell this was a debut novel. If you love books about obsession I would definitely check The Perfect Girlfriend out. And I can't wait to see what Hamilton comes up with next!
The Perfect Girlfriend in 3-ish words: Scandalous, Devious, & Clever
March 16, 2021
First of all, let me say that this book won my mind and soul with it’s uniqueness. I have never read anything similar to it in my entire life, and now when I finished it (I read it twice, in case you wonder, that’s how good it is!), I wonder why there isn’t more books like this out there? Or maybe there is, and I am just not aware of them (In case you know anything similar to this (novel, short story, a movie or a TV show), please recommend!)?
The story follows Juliette who figured out how to be a perfect girlfriend, and nothing will stop her this time around to have her happily ever after with Nate.
You see, six months ago Nate left her and broke her heart, but now she knows how to win him over, make him fall in love again and be everything he ever wanted and needed.
The best thing about The Perfect Girlfriend is it’s perspective. We get to see everything from the psycho’s POV, every move, every thought that Juliette has, we get to experience there with her.
And the best part, even though we know what she’s doing is wrong, we still feel the empathy.
At least, that’s what my reading experience was like.
I caught myself rooting for Juliette even though I knew what she was doing was so wrong. I even detected myself breathing hard thinking: “No, don’t do that, you’ll turn him off from you! No, This is wrong, you should do it differently!” like I wanted for Juliette to complete her mission and really manipulate Nate into falling in love with her.
Even though I knew that my compassion is coming from the wrong place, but I still couldn’t help myself.
I guess Juliette manipulated me as well!
Or maybe there’s a little psycho squatted in me, and this book helped her to see a glimpse of light.
Enough with my philosophy, I will tell you just few more things about the book.
The writing style is amazing (as you probably already concluded basing on my previous ramblings) and the fact that this is Hamilton’s debut novel blows my mind! I can’t wait to read her next novel, and the one that’ll come out after that one, and every one after that, because I just want to be in the first class on that Karen Hamilton wagon that will takes us whatever it will take us. I don’t care where, I just know I want to be there (again me and my philosophy, it is obvious I haven’t write reviews for a while).
The Perfect Girlfriend is a brilliant piece of work. Thrilling and unique read that will stay with readers long after they finish it.
I highly, highly recommend it!
Read this and more reviews on my blog: https://bookdustmagic.com
The story follows Juliette who figured out how to be a perfect girlfriend, and nothing will stop her this time around to have her happily ever after with Nate.
You see, six months ago Nate left her and broke her heart, but now she knows how to win him over, make him fall in love again and be everything he ever wanted and needed.
The best thing about The Perfect Girlfriend is it’s perspective. We get to see everything from the psycho’s POV, every move, every thought that Juliette has, we get to experience there with her.
And the best part, even though we know what she’s doing is wrong, we still feel the empathy.
At least, that’s what my reading experience was like.
I caught myself rooting for Juliette even though I knew what she was doing was so wrong. I even detected myself breathing hard thinking: “No, don’t do that, you’ll turn him off from you! No, This is wrong, you should do it differently!” like I wanted for Juliette to complete her mission and really manipulate Nate into falling in love with her.
Even though I knew that my compassion is coming from the wrong place, but I still couldn’t help myself.
I guess Juliette manipulated me as well!
Or maybe there’s a little psycho squatted in me, and this book helped her to see a glimpse of light.
Enough with my philosophy, I will tell you just few more things about the book.
The writing style is amazing (as you probably already concluded basing on my previous ramblings) and the fact that this is Hamilton’s debut novel blows my mind! I can’t wait to read her next novel, and the one that’ll come out after that one, and every one after that, because I just want to be in the first class on that Karen Hamilton wagon that will takes us whatever it will take us. I don’t care where, I just know I want to be there (again me and my philosophy, it is obvious I haven’t write reviews for a while).
The Perfect Girlfriend is a brilliant piece of work. Thrilling and unique read that will stay with readers long after they finish it.
I highly, highly recommend it!
Read this and more reviews on my blog: https://bookdustmagic.com
June 9, 2019
3 Stars
Obsession.
It’s something that Juliette (aka Elizabeth/Lily) is very familiar with. The thing is, she loves Nate. She adores him and she simply wants to be with him. It doesn’t register with her that he broke up with her months ago and doesn’t seem to want to be with her. That’s trivial! She knows that they are meant to be. He is her soulmate and she will be with him. Forever.
Juliette does whatever it takes to be near him, including sneaking into his flat sometimes and taking a job with his airline to be close to him. Tracking him is her life, because someday soon, they will be together.
Chilling, right? The hairs on your arms just stood up.. and you got the feeling that someone was watching you? Yeah, they just might be.
I listened to the audiobook of “The Perfect Girlfriend” and thought the narration and the beginning were both absolutely brilliant. It was creepy to the freakin max and I was sucked in. I thought heck this is terrifying and I can’t wait to see where it goes. While I was wholly invested in the first half of the novel, the second half was much of the same and I lost interest. In addition, I also found the ending to be wholly predictable. The writing was well done however and the author Karen Hamilton did a great job portraying the main character. All in all, I think if the novel was shorter, I would have liked it a lot more.
Thanks to Hoopla for the audiobook.
Published on Goodreads on 6.9.19.
Obsession.
It’s something that Juliette (aka Elizabeth/Lily) is very familiar with. The thing is, she loves Nate. She adores him and she simply wants to be with him. It doesn’t register with her that he broke up with her months ago and doesn’t seem to want to be with her. That’s trivial! She knows that they are meant to be. He is her soulmate and she will be with him. Forever.
Juliette does whatever it takes to be near him, including sneaking into his flat sometimes and taking a job with his airline to be close to him. Tracking him is her life, because someday soon, they will be together.
Chilling, right? The hairs on your arms just stood up.. and you got the feeling that someone was watching you? Yeah, they just might be.
I listened to the audiobook of “The Perfect Girlfriend” and thought the narration and the beginning were both absolutely brilliant. It was creepy to the freakin max and I was sucked in. I thought heck this is terrifying and I can’t wait to see where it goes. While I was wholly invested in the first half of the novel, the second half was much of the same and I lost interest. In addition, I also found the ending to be wholly predictable. The writing was well done however and the author Karen Hamilton did a great job portraying the main character. All in all, I think if the novel was shorter, I would have liked it a lot more.
Thanks to Hoopla for the audiobook.
Published on Goodreads on 6.9.19.
September 25, 2018
3.5 stars
Full disclosure: As a flight attendant for a US airline, this was a tale of two halves for me.
For the first 50% of the book, I was enjoying the true portrayal of a flight attendant’s life...the training, the co-workers who overshare on the jumpseat (we call it jumpseat psychology), the expectations of the passengers and that flight attendants HATE working LAS VEGAS flights!! (Although I don’t fly International so I deal with all of that WITHOUT the rewards of 3 days of sightseeing, or trips to salons- my overnights at airport hotels are WAY too short for any of that!!)
I loved how Elizabeth (Lily) who was now going by her middle name Juliette , had carefully formed a POA (plan of action) to get her man back, including getting a job as a flight attendant at the airline he worked for, as a pilot.
She had given Nate his “space” for seven months and was now going to reinsert herself into his life as a more “sane”, confident version of her previous self. Had she continued to play this role, her plan may have worked, and I would’ve liked to see the story continue to play out in this direction, with a more plausible, (but not necessarily happy) ending-after all, this is a psychological thriller, not a romance.....😉
But Juliette is far from sane.
Two traumatic events from her school age years, have forever scarred her, and made her into the unhinged, delusional woman that she is today.
I was totally engaged in the first 50% of the book....her shenanigans were fun to read about as she strategized on how to win Nate back.
Another CRAZY flight attendant..(second one I have read about this year...) I can deal with, for the sake of a good story, but the second 50% of the book was way “over the top” and the ending a hard sell for ME!! 😕
I promise you-most of us are just normal people like you, despite the jet lag!
REALLY!! 🤣
I would like to thank Netgalley, Karen Hamilton and Harlequin-Graydon House books for the ARC I was provided in exchange for my candid review!
Available March 26, 2019 in the US !!
Full disclosure: As a flight attendant for a US airline, this was a tale of two halves for me.
For the first 50% of the book, I was enjoying the true portrayal of a flight attendant’s life...the training, the co-workers who overshare on the jumpseat (we call it jumpseat psychology), the expectations of the passengers and that flight attendants HATE working LAS VEGAS flights!! (Although I don’t fly International so I deal with all of that WITHOUT the rewards of 3 days of sightseeing, or trips to salons- my overnights at airport hotels are WAY too short for any of that!!)
I loved how Elizabeth (Lily) who was now going by her middle name Juliette , had carefully formed a POA (plan of action) to get her man back, including getting a job as a flight attendant at the airline he worked for, as a pilot.
She had given Nate his “space” for seven months and was now going to reinsert herself into his life as a more “sane”, confident version of her previous self. Had she continued to play this role, her plan may have worked, and I would’ve liked to see the story continue to play out in this direction, with a more plausible, (but not necessarily happy) ending-after all, this is a psychological thriller, not a romance.....😉
But Juliette is far from sane.
Two traumatic events from her school age years, have forever scarred her, and made her into the unhinged, delusional woman that she is today.
I was totally engaged in the first 50% of the book....her shenanigans were fun to read about as she strategized on how to win Nate back.
Another CRAZY flight attendant..(second one I have read about this year...) I can deal with, for the sake of a good story, but the second 50% of the book was way “over the top” and the ending a hard sell for ME!! 😕
I promise you-most of us are just normal people like you, despite the jet lag!
REALLY!! 🤣
I would like to thank Netgalley, Karen Hamilton and Harlequin-Graydon House books for the ARC I was provided in exchange for my candid review!
Available March 26, 2019 in the US !!
January 7, 2018
“If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they’re yours. If they don’t, make them.”The course of true love never did run smooth but for woman on a mission, Juliette Price, actions definitely speak louder than words. In fact Juliette is so inordinately single-minded that she is almost a force of nature and willing to play a decidedly long game in her quest for the perfect future with her ex-boyfriend and pilot, Nate Goldsmith. Whilst her ex may have just called time on their burgeoning relationship with an inevitable request for “space”, Juliette has an ingenious plan in store which she intends to execute to ruthless perfection. At times merely obsessive, at others scarily psychotic, nothing will prevent Juliette from reclaiming her one true love.
After six-months apart Juliette is prepped and ready for a reunion with Nate and key to that is her employment as an air hostess (“flying waitress”) on the very same airline that Nate is a pilot for with a planned reunion aboard further down the line. Whilst training for her “wings” she engages in some serious Internet stalking and keeps a close eye on Nate’s flat, slipping in to deposit his favourite wine and straighten the clothes in his wardrobe, all in the hope of jogging his memory of their happier times. He may have de-friended her but woe betide any man who doesn’t change his passwords and from installing a spy tracking application on his mobile and cross-checking their flying schedules, Juliette is building up to put her plan in action. As Juliette schedules a reunion in Las Vegas with Nate after ten-months of waiting she is ready to play the starring role in a fairytale of her very own making, regardless of Nate’s opinion on the matter. And if Nate doesn’t accede to Juliette’s demands..? Well, there is an easy way and a hard way and for Juliette Price aka “TOTWGA” (The One That Won’t Go Away), compliancy benefits from uncertainty. Outlining the intricacies of the plot and just what ensues would risk spoiling the novel for other readers as much of the fun comes from seeing the extravagant lengths that brazen Juliette is willing to go to, proving she is more than a match for Nate Goldsmith!
Stunningly well-written, The Perfect Girlfriend is a pleasure to lose yourself between the pages of and Karen Hamilton keeps an unravelling plot ticking along nicely, upping the ante along the way with her constant factoring in of unforeseen responses and reframing of logistics. Juliette is a difficult character to condemn or even dislike, more so when the reader learns about the trauma of her childhood in a prologue which revisits her as a ten-year-old when she was known as Lily. Along with sporadic memories of her teenage boarding school years it is easy to understand where her familiar feeling of injustice has sprung form and the more exposure the reader has to Nate, the less sympathetic he begins to appear. As a man who has had an enviable passage through life and taken it all for granted with a string of interchangeable women on tap there is something akin to just deserts about Nate getting his comeuppance. At various points during the story Hamilton does an excellent job of depicting just how confused Juliette is, as she chops and changes from wishing to tether Nate to her out of revenge to then veering blindly towards imagining that they have a conceivable future together after such a checkered history.
The airline backdrop makes for a refreshingly different setting and The Perfect Girlfriend is peppered with little snippets of information on the underlying loneliness of a life lived out of a suitcase, the difficulty of establishing lasting relationships and the temptations of alcohol against the constant fatigue of jet lag. Given Juliette’s occupation is simply a means to an end, her irritation with the exacting passengers quickly runs dry, but as something of a chameleon her many faces make her anything but predictable and she is a pleasure to observe from a safe distance!
I am usually a fairly harsh critic of psychological thrillers however The Perfect Girlfriend kept me throughly consumed, largely because of Juliette’s breezy narrative, dry sarcasm and the fact that Hamilton keeps things simple. The twist that knits everything together will be patently obvious to most clued-up readers from early on, but thanks to keeping the characterisation of Juliette on the credible side of deranged and doing so to absolute perfection, the story works well. It is easy to underestimate the skill required to pay such meticulously close attention to a character’s portrayal without putting a foot wrong and letting the facade slip, and the very fact that Karen Hamilton has achieved this whilst still managing to elicit sympathy for the tenacious Juliette has left me keen to read more of her work.
Obsession and manipulation may be a tried and tested starting point for a psychological thriller but The Perfect Girlfriend is a superior example and comes highly recommended for an immersive, fast and outrageously zany read!
Many thanks to book reviewer and friend Miriam Smith for kindly sharing the novel with me.
December 23, 2017
The Perfect Girlfriend by Kate Hamilton is the story of Juliette who is still in love with her ex boyfriend Nate and will do anything to get him back. This was a scary psychological thriller about obsession. I would like to thank NetGalley and Headline for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2018
When I read the description for The Perfect Girlfriend, I knew I had to get my hands on it! I’ve said it a million times, but I’ll say it again – I love books involving stalking! There’s just something extra creepy and chilling about them!
The Perfect Girlfriend follows Juliette, who has recently been dumped by her boyfriend. We learn pretty quickly that Juliette is a nut. She sneaks into her ex’s apartment while he’s at work, secretly follows him around to take pictures of him to add to her “collection”, and gets a job as a flight attendant for the airline he’s a pilot at, all in an effort to stage a reunion with him and win him back.
This book is more of a suspenseful ride, rather than a scary one. Instead of being terrified, like in other stalker related books, the reader is left thinking about how crazy Juliette is, so that makes this book unique.
I found the book very easy to read, and read almost all of it in just a few hours, because once I got into the story, I was dying to see how it would all play out. I wont give anything away, but I did feel like the ending of the book was left with some loose ends that I would have loved some resolution to (or maybe an epilogue), but I know that many readers of thriller genres enjoy books that don’t have neat endings, and if you’re one of those type of readers, you’ll love this one! Personally, I like my endings more tied up so that I’m left with no questions by the end of the book, however I know that neat and tidy endings don’t always exist in real life, and I can understand why the author chose not to go in that direction for this book.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and loved Karen Hamilton’s writing, and can’t wait to read other books by Ms. Hamilton! I’d like to thank Wildfire publishing for my copy of the book. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review! The Perfect Girlfriend is out now, so if you’re a fan of suspenseful thrillers with unlikeable and unstable characters, this will be a great choice for you! I rated this one 3.5 stars.
The Perfect Girlfriend follows Juliette, who has recently been dumped by her boyfriend. We learn pretty quickly that Juliette is a nut. She sneaks into her ex’s apartment while he’s at work, secretly follows him around to take pictures of him to add to her “collection”, and gets a job as a flight attendant for the airline he’s a pilot at, all in an effort to stage a reunion with him and win him back.
This book is more of a suspenseful ride, rather than a scary one. Instead of being terrified, like in other stalker related books, the reader is left thinking about how crazy Juliette is, so that makes this book unique.
I found the book very easy to read, and read almost all of it in just a few hours, because once I got into the story, I was dying to see how it would all play out. I wont give anything away, but I did feel like the ending of the book was left with some loose ends that I would have loved some resolution to (or maybe an epilogue), but I know that many readers of thriller genres enjoy books that don’t have neat endings, and if you’re one of those type of readers, you’ll love this one! Personally, I like my endings more tied up so that I’m left with no questions by the end of the book, however I know that neat and tidy endings don’t always exist in real life, and I can understand why the author chose not to go in that direction for this book.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and loved Karen Hamilton’s writing, and can’t wait to read other books by Ms. Hamilton! I’d like to thank Wildfire publishing for my copy of the book. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review! The Perfect Girlfriend is out now, so if you’re a fan of suspenseful thrillers with unlikeable and unstable characters, this will be a great choice for you! I rated this one 3.5 stars.
February 5, 2019
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
2.5 Stars
Uhhhhhhhhhh . . . . .
Once again I am the dissenter in the ranks amongst my friends and their high ratings. However, at 3.68 this book doesn’t have a high rating from the masses in general so maybe I didn’t read it completely wrong??? I also chose to pick it up during a time when my attitude was like such . . . .
So maybe that can shoulder part of the blame. Thanks work for being so extra last week, you turd!
I really wanted/expected this to turn my frown upside down. I mean, you know your homegirl likes the stalkers. And all the comparisons to a certain someone being dropped had me expecting You 3.0 - only . . . .
The Perfect Girlfriend had potential. Hell, it started out with our main gal breaking into her ex-boyfriend’s apartment while he was out of town. Her lack of self-awareness even made me chuckle at times . . . .
“I have seven missed calls from Nate and one from James. It feels like harassment.”
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut, it was really slow going for me – the ridiculous(™Ron2.0) was off the charts – which would be A-okay if things didn’t go from farfetched over-the-top storylines to ones that . . . .
Also? I would have MOTHER.EFFING.LUUUUUUUUUUURVED it if Juliette had actually been . That would have been a fun twist I didn’t see coming. Buuuuuuuuuut, it didn’t happen and what did happen just left me feeling meh.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
2.5 Stars
Uhhhhhhhhhh . . . . .
Once again I am the dissenter in the ranks amongst my friends and their high ratings. However, at 3.68 this book doesn’t have a high rating from the masses in general so maybe I didn’t read it completely wrong??? I also chose to pick it up during a time when my attitude was like such . . . .
So maybe that can shoulder part of the blame. Thanks work for being so extra last week, you turd!
I really wanted/expected this to turn my frown upside down. I mean, you know your homegirl likes the stalkers. And all the comparisons to a certain someone being dropped had me expecting You 3.0 - only . . . .
The Perfect Girlfriend had potential. Hell, it started out with our main gal breaking into her ex-boyfriend’s apartment while he was out of town. Her lack of self-awareness even made me chuckle at times . . . .
“I have seven missed calls from Nate and one from James. It feels like harassment.”
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut, it was really slow going for me – the ridiculous(™Ron2.0) was off the charts – which would be A-okay if things didn’t go from farfetched over-the-top storylines to ones that . . . .
Also? I would have MOTHER.EFFING.LUUUUUUUUUUURVED it if Juliette had actually been . That would have been a fun twist I didn’t see coming. Buuuuuuuuuut, it didn’t happen and what did happen just left me feeling meh.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
March 4, 2018
4.5/5
That blurb above is the stuff my dreams are made of, it’s disturbing enough to pique my interest, it alludes to obsession and hints at stalker like behavior AND it’s exactly enough to reel me in and make me want to read more. I’m not sure what that says about me as a person, but I have been dying to read this since the first time I read the cover and let me tell you, it was SO worth the wait.
The entire story is told from Juliette’s point of view and Hamilton uses this opportunity to dive deep into her character, she is one complex, unstable woman that I couldn’t get enough of. I never had any idea of what she would do next, she’ll go to extremes to get what she wants and what she wants is Nate and a side of revenge. She’s one of those characters that will cause you to constantly change your mind, she’s like watching a car crash you can’t tear your eyes away from her. As you learn about her past there were moments I felt bad for her then within a few pages her erratic behavior caused me to want to shake some sense into her. She takes delusional to a whole new level, her brand of crazy and unhinged is both fascinating and enough to thank the lord that you’ve never crossed paths with someone like her in real life.
This stands out from other psychological thrillers not only because the characterization is so strong but also because the entire thing doesn’t hinge on a series of crazy plot twists, instead it captivates in a more subtle manner. A sly twist will be inserted at an unexpected moment which took me even more by surprise and lent an air of polish and sophistication that was just so well executed. And the ending was just perfect, I can’t say more but my god was it chilling and totally fitting.
The Perfect Girlfriend in three words: Consuming, Disturbing and Polished.
That blurb above is the stuff my dreams are made of, it’s disturbing enough to pique my interest, it alludes to obsession and hints at stalker like behavior AND it’s exactly enough to reel me in and make me want to read more. I’m not sure what that says about me as a person, but I have been dying to read this since the first time I read the cover and let me tell you, it was SO worth the wait.
The entire story is told from Juliette’s point of view and Hamilton uses this opportunity to dive deep into her character, she is one complex, unstable woman that I couldn’t get enough of. I never had any idea of what she would do next, she’ll go to extremes to get what she wants and what she wants is Nate and a side of revenge. She’s one of those characters that will cause you to constantly change your mind, she’s like watching a car crash you can’t tear your eyes away from her. As you learn about her past there were moments I felt bad for her then within a few pages her erratic behavior caused me to want to shake some sense into her. She takes delusional to a whole new level, her brand of crazy and unhinged is both fascinating and enough to thank the lord that you’ve never crossed paths with someone like her in real life.
This stands out from other psychological thrillers not only because the characterization is so strong but also because the entire thing doesn’t hinge on a series of crazy plot twists, instead it captivates in a more subtle manner. A sly twist will be inserted at an unexpected moment which took me even more by surprise and lent an air of polish and sophistication that was just so well executed. And the ending was just perfect, I can’t say more but my god was it chilling and totally fitting.
The Perfect Girlfriend in three words: Consuming, Disturbing and Polished.
November 13, 2020
Wow this was a story about how love can make you obsessed!!!
Well what can i say about this book YAY i loved it. This is the story of one sick psychotic puppy Elizabeth, you see she is in love with Nate, or she thinks she is & will do anything she can to keep it that way Nate broke things off with Elizabeth (AKA) Juliette & now Juliette seeks revenge on those who did her wrong especially Nate.
She knows everything about him, likes dislikes she even gets a job at the same airline this infuriates Nate to the point he doesn't even remember marrying her THEN THE KNIVES ARE BOUGHT OUT!!
MY THOUGHTS
i loved this book it was fast paced chapter by chapter you could feel the tension building all characters had their flaws & at times it was a fun read but other times i couldn't believe how far Elizabeth would go, she is one sick psychotic puppy, a very twisted psychotic read.
Well what can i say about this book YAY i loved it. This is the story of one sick psychotic puppy Elizabeth, you see she is in love with Nate, or she thinks she is & will do anything she can to keep it that way Nate broke things off with Elizabeth (AKA) Juliette & now Juliette seeks revenge on those who did her wrong especially Nate.
She knows everything about him, likes dislikes she even gets a job at the same airline this infuriates Nate to the point he doesn't even remember marrying her THEN THE KNIVES ARE BOUGHT OUT!!
MY THOUGHTS
i loved this book it was fast paced chapter by chapter you could feel the tension building all characters had their flaws & at times it was a fun read but other times i couldn't believe how far Elizabeth would go, she is one sick psychotic puppy, a very twisted psychotic read.
September 30, 2019
2.5 stars rounded up
This book was just really dry. Juliette/Elizabeth/Lily just wasn't believable as a crazy to me? I don't know if it was the writing (if I had a dollar for every "whilst") or that she was so unemotional while being ridiculously delusional, but I just did not connect with this book or the MC (and I love a crazy, vengeful girl).
The flashbacks were confusing, and just thrown in. It helped explain her, but they just didn't flow with the rest of the book.
Given that this was a debut, and I did love the idea behind the story, I will definitely give another of her books a try.
This book was just really dry. Juliette/Elizabeth/Lily just wasn't believable as a crazy to me? I don't know if it was the writing (if I had a dollar for every "whilst") or that she was so unemotional while being ridiculously delusional, but I just did not connect with this book or the MC (and I love a crazy, vengeful girl).
The flashbacks were confusing, and just thrown in. It helped explain her, but they just didn't flow with the rest of the book.
Given that this was a debut, and I did love the idea behind the story, I will definitely give another of her books a try.
April 15, 2019
Wow! Now that was one crazy girl - and read!
March 9, 2018
An engaging and well written psychological thriller with an unreliable, obsessive, manipulative and creepy aka psychotic main character. In other words, it was a nightmare to be in her head as she was narrating her story from her warped and deranged point of view.
How far would you go to make your dreams of a perfect future come true?
Juliette loves Nate. Juliette would do anything to keep Nate for herself. Juliette is the perfect girlfriend.
Well, I sure wouldn’t want a Juliette in my life!
How far would you go to make your dreams of a perfect future come true?
Juliette loves Nate. Juliette would do anything to keep Nate for herself. Juliette is the perfect girlfriend.
Well, I sure wouldn’t want a Juliette in my life!
July 6, 2019
Hold on WHILST I decide what star rating this book deserves.....
Ok...I'm still giving this 5 stars even though I cringed every time the author used the word "WHILST". It seemed like at least 400 give or take 100. I know "whilst" is the common replacement for "while" in British speak but I've read numerous other British authors and this is the first time it jumped off the page and smacked me in the face. Egads!!
But more importantly ...
Other than that, the writing was excellent! Was it fluff and solely entertainment? Certainly...but I cruised through this book like I was on the Autobahn. I ended up really liking the deranged protagonist. I actually wanted her to succeed. Wonder what that says about me?? Hmm
Highly entertaining debut, don't mind me whilst I sit over here and wait for the authors's next book.
5*/3.57*
Ok...I'm still giving this 5 stars even though I cringed every time the author used the word "WHILST". It seemed like at least 400 give or take 100. I know "whilst" is the common replacement for "while" in British speak but I've read numerous other British authors and this is the first time it jumped off the page and smacked me in the face. Egads!!
But more importantly ...
Other than that, the writing was excellent! Was it fluff and solely entertainment? Certainly...but I cruised through this book like I was on the Autobahn. I ended up really liking the deranged protagonist. I actually wanted her to succeed. Wonder what that says about me?? Hmm
Highly entertaining debut, don't mind me whilst I sit over here and wait for the authors's next book.
5*/3.57*
August 8, 2017
There’s a new spate of psychological thrillers in town – where things are mixed up a bit and the main protagonists are not all sympathetic characters stuck in an untenable situation – sometimes the main protagonists ARE the untenable situation as is true with Juliette, the star of “The Perfect Girlfriend” and what a star she is.
Obsessive – Yes. Brilliantly engaging – Yes. Really quite scary? Yes absolutely, also occasionally witty, always focused, also actually has a real beef, Nate isn’t exactly the most reliable or the nicest of men. Still, you know, she wants him back and boy will she do absolutely anything to achieve that goal.
I loved it – Juliet not withstanding, the book flows outwards in a fascinating, page turning fashion, the underlying titbits about life in the air are endlessly enthralling brought to beautiful life by Juliette – who whilst using them as a means to an end also gets somewhat caught up in it. I loved how she related to other people, both those she was using and those that just came into her line of sight – her inner thought processes are often hilarious but bang on the money so even though she’s obviously nuts its that kind of nuts that you really relate to.
I won’t give away anything about how she gets on or whether her obsessive and perfectly formed plan works out – but you’ll have a hell of a reading time getting to that answer, a lot of fun and a lot of insightful probing of human foibles and how we are formed – The Perfect Girlfriend resonates on more than one level.
But mostly it is all Juliet – Passionate and determined she will pull you along with her, in fact I spent most of the read wishing for her success – I can’t think of anything more appropriate for Nate than to be forever locked into her sphere of gravity – but whether or not my wish was granted you’ll have to read to find out.
Yes I know you shouldn’t root for the stalker. But in this case I simply couldn’t help myself.
Incredibly addictive, should come with a “Do Not Disturb” sign even though you’ll end up disturbed in quite another sense – The Perfect Girlfriend is the perfect lazy reading day experience.
Recommended.
Obsessive – Yes. Brilliantly engaging – Yes. Really quite scary? Yes absolutely, also occasionally witty, always focused, also actually has a real beef, Nate isn’t exactly the most reliable or the nicest of men. Still, you know, she wants him back and boy will she do absolutely anything to achieve that goal.
I loved it – Juliet not withstanding, the book flows outwards in a fascinating, page turning fashion, the underlying titbits about life in the air are endlessly enthralling brought to beautiful life by Juliette – who whilst using them as a means to an end also gets somewhat caught up in it. I loved how she related to other people, both those she was using and those that just came into her line of sight – her inner thought processes are often hilarious but bang on the money so even though she’s obviously nuts its that kind of nuts that you really relate to.
I won’t give away anything about how she gets on or whether her obsessive and perfectly formed plan works out – but you’ll have a hell of a reading time getting to that answer, a lot of fun and a lot of insightful probing of human foibles and how we are formed – The Perfect Girlfriend resonates on more than one level.
But mostly it is all Juliet – Passionate and determined she will pull you along with her, in fact I spent most of the read wishing for her success – I can’t think of anything more appropriate for Nate than to be forever locked into her sphere of gravity – but whether or not my wish was granted you’ll have to read to find out.
Yes I know you shouldn’t root for the stalker. But in this case I simply couldn’t help myself.
Incredibly addictive, should come with a “Do Not Disturb” sign even though you’ll end up disturbed in quite another sense – The Perfect Girlfriend is the perfect lazy reading day experience.
Recommended.
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