Hank Phillippi Ryan knocks me on my butt again. Her Perfect Life is another winner in this author’s already phenomenal library of works.

Hank has done it again

Hank Philippi Ryan’s latest “Her Perfect Life” is another fast-paced story that takes bends and turns right up to the end.
Hank knows broadcast news, as a long-time television investigative reporter, and it shows in the “perfect” Lily and what it takes to stay at the top in a cutthroat world.
She tells the story from several points of view, and pops back and forth in time to fill us in on earlier days. Secrets abound, and the question is, who will tell all?
A great read and one that will keep you guessing to the end.

-Laurie Fagen, author of “Fade Out” and “Dead Air” in “Behind the Mic Mysteries”

Lily Atwood is a famous television reporter. Everyone knows her and everything in her life is perfect and people around her try everything to keep it that way. She found a source who is giving her big scoops, but how reliable is this source and what do they want in return? Lily is hiding a few secrets of her own and if someone finds out about them, it could blow her perfect life apart.

Hank Phillippi Ryan is a favorite for me in suspense/thriller genre. I was beyond excited to have received approval to read the eARC. This book is filled with twists and turns and an ending I never saw coming. The writing was suspenseful and kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read them. I was completely intrigued by this cast of characters and web of stories that brought them together. I read a lot of thrillers and I was surprised by the ending to this story. The story is told from the viewpoint of three alternating characters, so be sure to read the chapter titles so you know whose perspective you’re reading. If you enjoy books with a good twist, or in this case, twists, then you’ll want to grab a copy of this book! This is Hank Philippi Ryan at her best! I was hooked on the first page and literally could not put this book down. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

INCREDIBLE book!! At first I wasn’t sure about the many different things happening, but they were woven together so well it was easy to keep pace. Just when I thought I knew who Smith was, there was another twist. I loved how the story all came together.

The synopsis for this sounded intriguing. A reporter named Lily with a “perfect life” has a source that gives her info. When the source starts giving her info on her own life, things get terrifying. Unfortunately I couldn’t connect to this. I wasn’t a fan of the writing style and the plot takes so long to get going. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Hank Phillippi Ryan's work. I love books set in Boston, I love twisty stories, and even though I don't love multiple POV, I really like the way this author weaves a story. I even read the acknowledgements to the very end! If you like books that grab you early and hang on until the end, buy this book.

This ended up being different than I expected, but still really good. I was hoping for a different outcome in the long run, but the twists were spectacular and everything made perfect sense once it all came together. Exceptionally well done!

Hard to put down! Story is told from the viewpoint of three alternating characters, so be sure to read the chapter titles. You get sucked into Lily’s perfect life until it begins falling apart. Then, the intrigue begins! Be prepared for twists & turns! Block off a good portion of time to read this book.

Keeping you guessing until the very end, Her Perfect Life is a compelling and well-crafted thriller filled with conflict, turmoil, and choices past and present that bring dire consequences.

Lily Atwood is beloved by her fans. An Emmy-winning television investigative reporter and single mom with a young daughter, she seems to have it all. But Lily has a secret from her past that she and those around her will do anything to protect in order to maintain the perception of her having the perfect life. When an anonymous source who has previously provided good tips starts feeding Lily info about her own past, she wonders if anyone truly knows the truth of what really happened many years ago. As she seeks to understand the motivations of those around her, Lily must decide how far she is willing to go to safeguard her image and leave the past in the shadows.

Despite the fame of the main character, something most of us will never understand or experience, Her Perfect Life explores themes that everyone can relate to –the desire to craft a positive professional reputation, caring about how others perceive you, owning your own narrative, keeping professional and personal lives separate, and the importance of family. Which allows the reader to connect to the characters and the story on a personal level, even if we might not have a lot in common with them at a surface level.

This was somehow my first Hank Phillippi Ryan book. Mea culpa. But it won’t be my last as I finally experienced what others have been talking about for years – strong writing and terrific storytelling within dynamic character-driven thrillers. Hank skillfully leverages her experience as an award-winning reporter in Boston to bring an accurate representation to the characters and journalism profession in the book. And the result is a realistic, edge of your seat story with cinematic qualities that draws in the reader and gets them invested in the outcome.

“What happened to Cassie? I imagined her dead, of course. I’d imagined her kidnapped, imprisoned, hidden, brainwashed, indentured, enslaved, made into a princess, transported by aliens to their faraway planet.”

Lily’s sister has been missing for years and is presumed dead. Despite challenges and tragic loss, Lily has built a very successful career as a tv journalist. In front of the camera, she appears to be perfect! But Lily is hiding some secrets that she can’t afford to have leaked! “Smith”, her informant, leads her on a confusing journey with an unknown end goal. What will happen with Lily and Smith? Is this goose chase worth the risk?

There are many twists and turns in this book, so it really kept me guessing. The writing style was good and I was very interested in the outcome.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have loved Hank Philippi Ryan since she came for a signing at the indie bookstore I worked at over ten years ago. Her books have gotten better and better each time and I’m happy to find that this one keeps up the trend. I almost didn’t get past the prologue - but I’m really glad I did! When you read this one please don’t give up if you don’t like ur writing style in the prologue. The rest of the book is different and great. My favorite of her books is still The Murder List but I think you’ll get sucked into this one and look for time to find a few minutes to read.

Her Perfect Life is the story of a Journalist Lily who being a stardom have secrets of her own past that haunts her. So what would happen when one day her main source starts giving information of her own life?? Interesting isn’t it???

I felt the same. But sadly this book didn’t work for me. The story line was amazing and the blurb was so much promising but went flat with execution. The characters didn’t connect with me and even after 50% of the read I felt like the story hasn’t begun.

Thank you publishers and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange of an honest review

Lily Atwood is a TV personality and reporter who presents a seemingly “perfect” persona. #perfectLily isn’t quite as perfect as she seems, and her producer’s job is to not only help find stories for Lily to cover, but to help protect her perfect image. These two even have a mystery source that has supplied them with intel on some big stories - but then their source begins to share Lily’s personal info with her producer - information that Lily hasn’t shared with anybody.


How does their source know about Lily’s missing sister or about the father of Lily’s child? And what is his motivation? These questions drive the story of Her Perfect Life forward to its shocking conclusion.

Hank Phillipi Ryan has written another edge of your seat, nail biting thriller! You won’t be able to put this one down. Coming to shelves September 14, 2021. Thanks to Hank Phillipi Ryan, NetGalley, and Forge Books for the advanced copy!

This thriller was fast-paced, exciting, and unpredictable. I didn't see the final twist coming, so I was shocked when it was revealed! I like the general plot and the way Hank Phillippi Ryan builds suspense, but the characters were flat. Greer was unlikeable and her perspective didn't really engage me. I couldn't really connect with Lily either. Although I did not form an attachment to any of the narrators, "Her Perfect Life" was entertaining and I think many fans of mystery will enjoy it.

This one was a disappointment which is partly my fault because I had heard so much hype about it and expected something more. With one exception none of the characters were likable and they did things that made no sense. The plot was thin and full of holes. It was really hard to believe that the main character was at the top of her profession. The likable character was a child, which was, for me, a saving grace.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the advance copy.

I really liked this book! It has all the elements I love in a thriller--mysteries, secrets, lies, past deeds, unlikeable characters (I don't have to like a character to like the book)! Lilly is a famous journalist with a young daughter she tries to hide from the spotlight. But nobody knows her sister, Cassie went missing from college years ago and Lily is still devastated about the fact they don't know what happened to her. Alternating between past and present, the novel slowly reveals the truth about what happened then and how it will impact the present. Lots of great twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end!

I ended up liking this book, but it took awhile to get there. the characters initially weren't likeable, an egotistical news personality, a very naive young woman and why she took on so much guilt was unclear and a jealous news producer. Add to this a mysterious, possibly dangerous source and an ex lover. Once it started moving, it got more and more interesting, while i guessed part of the twist, it was interesting to see how it played out. Most of the characters grew and most of the storylines got tied up. Overall it became a satisfying read

⭐⭐⭐.5
Lily Atwood loved her older sister Cassie, who disappeared when she was 18 and Lily was seven.
Lily continues to look for her, in fact, imagine she sees
Now at 33, Lily is an Investigative Journalism Television Reporter and seems to have the perfect life ~ fame, fortune and an adorable daughter Rowen.
Lily has an anonymous unerringly knowledgeable source who has been providing her with great info. He calls himself Mr. Smith. He recently blew the whistle on the local health inspector’s school cafeteria reports which helped Lily to win an Emmy. However now he somehow has inside scoop into Lily’s life! Lily is fearful that he may be he ex and is trying to destroy her.
Story is told by Lily, Greer, and Cassie. At time slow ~ as I am anxious to find out what happen to Cassie.
I loved whenever Rowen was in the story. Twist at the end was great!!

I always enjoyed reading the author’s ‘Acknowledgements’ and Hank Phillippi Ryan's comments didn’t disappoint and weres interesting.

Want to thank NetGalley and Macmillian –Tor/Forge for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for professional review purposes only.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 14, 2021.

I won't draw this out.

Not my favorite.

I hated everyone.

The mystery was blah.

The ending was blah.

I would have picked a different title.

And, that's about it.

Hank Ryan Phillip’s writing sucked me in last year with The First to Lie and I couldn’t wait to read more from her.

However, although her writing is just as beautiful this time around, the plot is less than compelling. It’s downright confusing, and not in an intriguing way. Unfortunately I spent most of the book confused about how the characters were so stupid and too uninterested to guess how things were connected. It was sadly nearly a DNF.

I’m sorry Ms. Phillipi! Still a fan, but I recommend others read a different book and skip this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forge Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.