Take a little but of Gone Girl and throw in some Fatal Attraction and you have some idea of the novel The Perfect Girlfriend. This psychological thriller is told from the point of view of a woman determined to get her boyfriend back and is willing to do anything to make that happen. In addition the setting in the world of airline travel adds to the fun. It is a great read for fans of the genre.

Lily was the perfect girlfriend until Nate dumped her, but this can’t be, because Lily knows it’s fate, they’re meant to be together forever. And she will let nothing stand in her way.
An unpredictable , page turner that kept me at the edge of my seat. There were so many twists and plot turns, all of which worked brilliantly. On and on they came until the end, and that is where I became very disappointed, because it ends with a non-finish. I think I know why the author left it that way, but it would have been so much more satisfying to have a definitive ending, and there would have been many to choose from. So while the plot is brilliant, I can only give it 4 stars, because I felt so let down by the ending.

Juliette is The Perfect Girlfriend! She and Nate were together but he broke it off because he needed some space. So that is what Juliette gave him, at least from his perspective. She never really left though. She began a career as an airline stewardess, since he is a pilot. She still knows his schedule, thanks to the app she put on his phone. In fact, Nate is never really without Juliette, he just doesn’t know it.

This is the beginning of a twisted, psychological thriller by Karen Hamilton. Juliette knows that she and Nate are destined to be together, she just needs Nate to get with the program. She has it all worked out. She also plans to get revenge on Bella, the girl who she wanted to be like at boarding school. Bella should have welcomed her with open arms and made Juliette a part of the group. Now Bella is going to pay for her disloyalty.

The novel started out a little slow but quickly picked up before it was mid-way through. I had a problem with her use of the word ‘whilst’. I realize the story is set in Europe and that is how they speak but the word just stuck out as being over used, especially in a few chapters. I also hated the ending!! I like things wrapped up in a neat little package and this one is more open ended. I don’t want to say more so I don’t give anything away.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It caught my attention and the premise of the story was great. The different story lines in the book come together nicely and made the revenge motive more understandable. I would say this is 3 ½ stars out of 5.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel.

One of the best psychological thrillers ever printed! An amazing convoluted plot. A woman obsessed with the man who dumped her and the lengths she goes to win him back. Dark secrets from the past continue to haunt her. How she infiltrated his work, family, friends. Cold and calculating. You won’t be able to put this one down.

Wow! What a debut novel by Karen Hamilton. As a former flight attendant, her knowledge of the industry shines thru! Ms. Hamilton slowly and methodically spins her web and coaxes us in.

From the first chapter, Lily/Elizabeth/Juliette is 10, watching her little brother, Will, age 4. Why and what happens next, will carry thru the rest of her life. She tries so hard to make friends at Boarding school. Unfortunately, she is met by a privledged girl, Bella, who is the epitome of a mean girl. This will set wheels in motion, and Juliette takes things to a whole new level. Her stalker/obsession for Nate, Bella’s brother is scary! But, Nate is not the only object of her obsession. So many twists and turns. Ms. Hamilton makes us fear Juliette and pity her in same breathe. Pieces of the puzzle are slowly given until the ending. The ending will leave you wanting more!

Thanks to Netgalley, Karen Hamilton and Harlequin-Graydon House books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This a fantastic debut novel. This was a page turner and should be at the top of thrillers for 2019. The author did a fantastic job with the development of Juliette and her obsession with her ex- boyfriend Nate, This is a hard review to write as I don't want to give anything away. This is at the top of my list for best novel this year.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

"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.

3.75 stars

Imagine breaking up with someone and you think all is good, but it’s not. This is literally Juliette. She is determined to do whatever she can to get back with Nate and she is willing to go to whatever lengths she has to, to get it done.

A great psychological thriller that will only have you turning the pages faster than ever, but it will also make you want to sleep with one eye open just in case you find an ex that is having a hard time letting you go in your house.

Hamilton delves deep into Juliette’s brain and lets her readers insider her mind, it’s almost as if we are actually her. Juliette is such an interesting character and this is one of those books where you will find yourself rooting for her. Throughout the novel we learn more about her past and why she is the way she is and you almost sympathize with her. With books like these, I don’t know why, but I always find myself rooting for the villain. (I guess that’s a bit of a stretch?) I can almost guarantee that you will be on her side by the end of the novel.

It’s always interesting to read books like this evacuee it’s always enjoyable to see how far a person will go to get what they want and let me tell you that Juliette will do the impossible to be with Nate.

The twist, for me, changed the whole way I read the novel. It will change everything for you and you finally understand why Juliette is doing what she is doing. I don’t want to spoil it, but it’s a must read for thriller fans and it’s a wild ride!

Thank you HarperCollins Canada for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review and many thanks to Netgalley as well.

My goodness! Oh wow. Put some time away for this book. It has all the ingredients for a terrific psychological thriller. This might be my favorite book of the year. Unputdownable!

No spoilers from me. Book is great with lots of lies, deception, tragedy, and twists. Also, loved the unpredictable ending. Can't say enough great about this book. Karen Hamilton knocked it out of the park.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this fabulous book.

Can you say obsessed? Juliette is absolutely obsessed with her ex-boyfriend Nate. She visits his apartment when she knows he isn't home to straighten up and leave his favorite foods. Nate is a pilot so Juliette becomes a flight attendant to prove to Nate they are perfect for each other. Everything she does with her life is for the ultimate payoff of getting back together with Nate. This book only took me 2 days to read as I could not put it down. The last night I stayed up late into the night thinking I would only read one more chapter but my oh my the twists and turns!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller of a book and can not wait for more books by this amazing debut author! I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Harlequin Graydon House. All opinions are my own.

tl;dr: The Perfect Girlfriend won't be for everyone, but if you like deeply disturbed main characters, this is absolutely worth your time.

The Perfect Girlfriend has a seemingly simple premise: Juliette is training to be a flight attendant with the airline her ex boyfriend, Nate works at as a surprise, plus the job seems like it could be interesting. She drops by Nate's apartment to check in on things, but she's not being nosy--he wanted space and she's giving it to him because she loves him and just wants to get back together with him.

Except Juliette is living on a different plane then the rest of us (I know! couldn't be helped) and she thinks very, very differently than most people do.

Because Juliette is giving Nate his space but only because she has a plan to get him back, because she's sure they are destined to be together.

Together no matter what. No matter who gets in her way, no matter if Nate isn't interested, no matter if she finds Nate even more irritating than she finds everyone else (which is a lot), no matter if complication after complication arises (which they do).

It takes bravery to make your main character unlikable, and Juliette is *profoundly* unlikable. She's delusional, obsessive, and lacks understanding of basic social skills. She's capable of seeming nice but isn't able to do more than become enraged when new or old acquaintances don't want to do what she wants them to do. And as she wants instant, forever friendships or relationships that are impossible to sustain because she can't stop herself from prying or stealing or coming on too strong--or often, all of that--then she is always left disappointed. And angry.

Juliette does have a troubled past but that past has led her to become--well, I think parasite is too kind. Juliette doesn't want to be part of Nate's life, she wants to *be* his life (and wife) and be not just part of his family but to be loved and accepted by them on a level that isn't possible.

In The Perfect Girlfriend, it really is enthralling to watch Juliette go after her what she wants, get it, and decide it isn't enough. And that's the thing--no matter what or who she wants, when Juliette gets it, the result never lives up to her fantasy. So she reassesses and starts again, tries some more. Always in pursuit of something that can never happen.

It can't happen because instant and lifelong perfection isn't attainable but also because Juliette, for all that she wants love, isn't capable of it. She sees people as things to be obtained or destroyed.

It usually starts with attain and ends with her wanting destruction as everyone is never a good enough friend, never apologetic enough for what she feels are slights, and, in the case of Nate, will never be enough and she will do whatever it takes to get what she wants, a lesson Nate is slow to learn.

Juliette is not someone that readers will like or possibly even empathize with but her ferocity--at her core, she is simply furious anger--is astounding and the lengths she will go to via detailed planning or simply knowing how to use a moment or a person makes for fascinating (if very chilling) reading.

If you enjoy deeply flawed main characters--and if you can handle a nonstop psychological game in which everyone loses (even Juliette, because nothing and no one will be right/enough) then you should absolutely check out The Perfect Girlfriend.

It's genuinely creepy, because Juliette is terrifying, but there's also an occasional sly moment, and despite her lack of humanity, Juliette's belief in it--and yes, always anger at it--makes this a weirdly engaging read.

I think Juliette's take on an old saying shows what The Perfect Girlfriend is...well, perfectly:

"If you love someone, set them free.
If they come back, they're yours.
If they don't, make them."

Wow, Juliette is a perfect example of someone that becomes completely obsessed with a man. She is someone who goes after what she wants and doesn't stop until she gets it, even if it takes a long time. I really enjoyed this debut psychological thriller. I think these are the kind of books that make it hard for me to trust others without knowing their true intentions... Juliette was such a creepy stalker that only made friends with people to use them in specific ways.

It's hard to truly describe this book without giving too much away. I'll just say it always kept me guessing about what Juliette would do next. Well written with an exceptional main character.

A terrific first novel by Karen Hamilton! I couldn’t put it down, and there are very few villains who I have enjoyed this much. Smartly written, darkly humorous, and perfectly twisted.

This book was awesome! What a great ride. Karen Hamilton is one of my new favourites for sure, she is definitely an author to watch out for. Her characters were so descriptive.....Lily/Juliette is every mans worst nightmare. Just when you think she couldn’t get any worse ....she did!
Thank you netgalley for introducing me to yet another fantastic author.
Awesome!

3.5 stars.
This is one crazy book and I normally get along very well with crazy…not so much with this book. Another thing I love in my thrillers is unlikeable characters, but again it just didn’t work for me. There were soooooo many “eye roll” moments that at times I found myself laughing over the absolute ridiculousness of these characters. I read a ton of thrillers and I’m finding it harder and harder to find a thriller that hits all my sweet spots. I can see many readers loving this book and hope that if you enjoy thrillers to give this one a try because it is an enjoyable ride.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

What an amazing debut novel by Karen Hamilton! This book had me hooked from the first chapter and I found it hard to put down. I loved the plot twists throughout the book. I'm looking forward to reading more from Karen Hamilton. I have told friends and family about this book (especially my friends who love to travel). Thank you for the advanced copy.

I was shocked with the opening chapter and the type of trauma it can create to a person who experience the incident. This was a the story of a sociopath who has set out to get back together with her ex-boyfriend. She had a master plan and she would not let anything get in the way.

I will be honest I enjoyed the story. I love the theme that the main character was flight attendant and we got to experience the lifestyle. You had to suspend belief in a few scenes but it was overall a fun read. I love how we uncover the backstory between Lilly/Juliette and Nate.

My biggest gripe was the ending felt too much Gone Girl. I would have resolve it differently.

Review will be posted on publication date on What to Read Next Blog.

The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton was one heckuva thriller. I have often mentioned that a book reminds me of a Lifetime movie (and y'all, I LOVE Lifetime movies to be clear), but this belong in that genre more than any other. It's rare that I read a book, and as a twist happens I say (practically yell) out loud, "WHAT?!?" This book was that. The story is told from an ex-girlfriend who is trying to get her ex back. She is willing to go to extreme lengths to do that. However, that's only one part of the story. This one was revenge on revenge on revenge, and whoa, whoa, whoa. I don't want to give too much away because the twists are so much of the appeal. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me get these thrills early. Y'all will be able to see what I'm talking about when this releases in March 2019!

“If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they’re yours. If they don’t, make them.”

I'm all about psychological thrillers lately, and THE PERFECT GIRLFRIEND's synopsis sounded like exactly what I wanted to start my November with.

The story follows Juliette, a girl in love with a boy. She'll go to great lengths to be with him - even against his will. He broke up with her several months ago, you see. But that's not gonna slow her down!

Juliette was BANANAS! I was both in awe of and shocked by her obsession with Nate; how can someone be so crazy?! She isn't likeable at all, but her audacity and sleuthing skills are something to behold.

I was really entertained throughout the entire book, however, the ending did leave me wanting a little more. No spoilers, and I did enjoy it, but it felt a little flat to me.

Overall, highly recommended!

This week I have been staying up way past my bedtime thanks to some really good books. I am so tired all day but when I get in bed with a book, my blankets, essential oils, dogs, suddenly I get my second wind!



The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton was everything I wanted in a creepy thriller. It kept me turning the pages, I kind of wanted the main character to get her way, I laughed at her audacity, and I wasn’t sure in which direction the book was going to go.

The Perfect Girlfriend is a book that caught my attention early on and held it to the last page. I can’t believe this is the author’s first novel, well done!

“If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they’re yours. If they don’t, make them.”

Juliette loves her ex-boyfriend Nick. She loves him so much in fact, that she’s convinced they belong together even though he broke up with her. If she can show him she’s changed, suely he will want her back though.

She even completes training to become a flight attendant at the airline where Nick is a pilot. How surprised he will be when he sees her!

And Nick’s sister Bella, a girl who was mean to Juliette growing up at school, she will get what’s coming to her. Juliette has a plan in place and nothing will get in her way.

What a devious main character! I loved it. And I don’t want to give away any secrets but…WOW!

Here’s the official synopsis:

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.



I wish this book was out now but its coming in March 2019. Pre-order it now!