I received an ARC of this book from Harper 360 via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. I was surprised to see that the first 2 reviews that popped up on my Goodreads were negative, as I really enjoyed this one. I read a ton of psychological thrillers but this is my first 5-star review in a while. Another reviewer mentioned it was unrealistic for Dani to be both a police officer & a personal trainer - yes, I guess that is true but it did not affect my enjoyment of the book. I did not predict the villain (always satisfying when I am not a step ahead) and I was glad to see revenge served in the end (can't stand when people get away with wrongdoing). I can't imagine being in Olivia's shoes, in prison for something I did not do and away from my child for so long. Emotional for sure.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I've read by C.L. Taylor. I was immediately drawn to the cover, and crossed my fingers after requesting it! The Guilty Couple was ridiculously thrilling and filled with drama. I couldn't put this book down! I really enjoyed all the twists and C.L. Taylor's writing was on point! Such an amazing read--highly recommend!

*thank you to Harper360, C.L. Taylor, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Previously published at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/the-guilty-couple/

“It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.”
― Voltaire, Zadig et autres contes
The Guilty Couple is one of my new favorite mysteries! This is my first CL Taylor novel, and it checks all the boxes; flawed and unreliable characters, a quick pace, an intricate plot and a satisfying resolution. I could not put this down until the very last sentence because I was so invested in what was happening. Five years ago, they wrongfully convicted Olivia Sutherland of plotting to murder her husband. She has finally been released and wants to clear her name, repair her relationship with Grace, her 12yo daughter, and bring down Dominic, her husband and the man who set her up. But how will she do it without going back to jail? And how far will Dominic be willing to go to stop her? And Dani, the cop Dom is having an affair with, has a vested interest in making sure Liv does not make trouble.
Without Jack, Liv’s lover who disappeared right before Liv was convicted, Liv’s “family” is her group of friends who have stood by her throughout her time served, but also, Kelly Smith “Smithy,” who was her cellmate, and released right around the same time. There is a theme of friendship throughout the book, and how we determine who our “family is. While Liv and Smithy’s relationship is amazing and strong, what I really enjoyed was her relationship with Grace, her 12yo daughter. I am glad that Taylor made it real, and explored Grace’s feelings about her mother’s release. It was not all sunshine and rainbows. Her daughter felt very conflicted, only knowing that her mom had plotted to kill her dad. She does not immediately forgive Liv. Another reviewer mentioned that Dani, Dom’s lover and a cop, is in a similar situation with her sister, Casey, who is a drug addict. Her determination to save her sister from an almost certain death is admirable, and you want to root for her, even though she is not a good person. Instead of just one storyline in this book, there are little nuances of mini-storylines all woven together, and it works! The author does a wonderful job exploring all the relationships Liv has, including her relationship with Ayesha, whom she is living with, Lee, her former business partner and Nancy, her best friend and the wife of Dom’s best friend. Through each of these relationships, there are themes of guilt, mis-loyalty and love. Seemingly, everyone has something to hide.
Even with the deception and guilt, both of which run deep in The Guilty couple, the reader will root for Liv. You feel all throughout the book that something terrible is going to happen, and it is that creepy feeling that keeps you reading. I enjoyed each character, even the bad ones. And there are so many surprises, you will want to go back and read it again to see what you missed

An utterly unexpected revenge story which once again shows that revenge is a dish best served cold. Couldn’t stop routing for the wife to get closure!

Olivia is in prison for trying to have her husband killed. She says she was framed. After 5 years she is released and wants to start fresh with her daughter, only her ex is not willing to let that happen. Everyone has secrets,and they all eventually will come to the surface.
This was a decent thriller with several story lines that all come together throughout the book. The chapters are told from the perspective of different characters. It is mostly well written, however, I felt it always threw me off a little when it switched from 1st person to 3rd person depending on which character the chapters were from the viewpoint of. I would have preferred chosing one style.
Overall, the story was fast paced and kept my attention.

Loved everything about this book! I’m a huge domestic thriller fan and this one did not disappoint! Must read!

This is my first read by this author and all I can say is WOW!! The characters Olivia and Dominic....Olivia was in prison convicted of trying to murder her husband Dominic, but was she really the one who did it?

Thank you Netgalley, author and publisher for providing me with my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a captivating, could not put down read. This determined woman just wanting to set things straight and have a relationship with her daughter is in for the fight of her life! The question is WHO are/is the guilty couple?

An intriguing premise: A woman framed by her husband for his attempted hired murder. Once she's cleared, she seeks revenge.

So many things about this didn't quite add up or felt off kilter. I was so bothered I struggled to really get into the story. I can't even quite put my finger on the issue but there was something missing between plot and characterization.

When I read the synopsis for this book, I was dying to read it! A woman finds herself in prison after wrongfully being accused of plotting to murder her husband. She’s now getting out, and wanting revenge. I immediately got “Double Jeopardy” vibes, but this was totally not that. This was SO MUCH JUICER than even the synopsis would leave you to believe…

This woman, Olivia, was framed in this alleged murder plot and yes, she is now being released from prison. She hasn’t seen her daughter in years, and she now carries a social taint with many of their common friends. She’s a convicted … murder hirer? Murder plotter? She can’t go near her ex-husband, Dominic, and only has supervised visitation with her daughter, Grace. She has no job, nowhere to live, and a lot less friends than she once had. Worst of all? She was innocent, and she knows her husband and his mistress were to blame.

The rest? I can’t get into it, or I’d be giving out spoilers, but like I said - very juicy, very entertaining and a very enjoyable read. It’s told from the points of view of several people, and the chapters fly by. The entire book, I was thinking I’d give this four stars. Then, towards the end I decided to raise it to 4.5, after a couple huge twists that I didn’t see coming. THEN, it could have ended several times and still been great, but there were a few closing chapters that revealed even more. That raised it to a rounded-up five star from me. Highly recommend!

(Thank you to Harper 360, C.L. Taylor, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

This book was loaded with secrets, betrayals, affairs, and drama. The plot was engaging, and I felt like it kept me enticed to see who framed Olivia (and why).

A few pieces to the puzzle didn’t quite fit in my opinion, but I loved the potential for a second book.

Well rounded. Exactly what I’m looking for in a solid mystery.

I loved this book. It kept me hooked and had twists and turns that were both unexpected and well written. I barely put it down. I would definitely recommend to a friend.

After serving 5 years in prison on a wrongful charge, Olivia is out on parole. Her one dream is to resume a relationship with her teenaged daughter, and right the wrong of her conviction. Falsely accused by her now, ex-husband, sent her to prison, and Olivia is determined to find out why he betrayed her.
In this fast paced novel, Olivia uncovers multiple clues to her ex’s lies, including an affair with a police women who testified against her at trial.
Now her ex husband wants to take their daughter to Dubai, and possibly never return. Olivia engages a team of friends to help her keep her daughter.
This book was an engaging, page turner with a few twists. I read it quickly and enjoyed every word!
5 stars
Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy.

Super unique story, interesting characters, and a quick, addictive storyline - all my favorites!!

After being wrongly imprisoned for 5 years, Olivia is released and ready to clear her name, no matter what it takes. She knows her husband framed her, and has likely turned their daughter against her. Did he do it alone? How can she prove it?

Pros: This was a page-turner for me, with lots of suspense, which I absolutely enjoyed!

Cons: The twists weren’t earth-shattering or shocking, but confusing. At times I felt there were a few too many things going on, and I’d get confused and have to reread a few pages to see if I missed something.

Overall, I liked the story and would absolutely read another story by this author. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4, Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for this ARC!

WOW that ending was great!!!! Fantastic book my first by this author it won't be my last! I loved how the story flowed so easy through 3 different Povs, it had me wanting to keep reading and reading to find out what would happen next!!!! O really enjoyed this one

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The Guilty Couple by Cl Taylor. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for providing an ARC to review.

Olivia has spent five years in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Now that she is free, Olivia is determined to restart her life with her daughter, but the man who framed her has other thoughts.

This book was so fast-paced that sometimes it felt a bit overwhelming but in a good way. While it often felt that the author threw in all the plot twists that a book could have, it kept the story going at a rapid pace and didn't give me time to think about how sometimes Oliva's actions were kind of foolhardy. There was definitely a lack of character development, but with so much going on, I could easily ignore that. I give this book a solid 3.75/5 stars.

The Guilty Couple is a standard mystery. It offers an edge of your seat ride.
I read it in one day while at the beach, and missed more of my share of waves doing so!

A husband frames his wife for murder and she spends years in prison. When she gets out she has to solve the actual murder, repair her relationship with her daughter - and get revenge on her husband.

A good, fast, enticing read.

I did like this book a lot but some things about it I didn’t like. When the book was changing different POV it would also change to 3rd person and 1 person back and forth. First person pov was Olivia and 3rd person pov was Dominic and Dani. I don’t like that in books. It gets confusing sometimes but the writer did an excellent job to not make it confusing for the reader. I can just imagine the audiobook being way more confusing than reading. But that’s just my opinion it may not be confusing for some. But this story by the end I was stil confused by it and I still have questions about the book that weren’t answered this book was great. Oh and the cover of the book is a little misleading if you ask me so is the name of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc !

I found the premise interesting and was excited to read it after seeing all of the rave reviews. I am just going to be honest and straight to the point here: I was not impressed, found every twist predictable. I was bummed I guess all of the twists. 😒

Now this is what I call a real thriller and you better hang onto your hat for this unpredictable one! The story begins with Olivia being released from prison after 5 years and she is convinced that her ex-husband and policewoman Danielle Anderson, or Dani, framed her. Her cellmate, Kelly Smith, or Smitty, is released shortly after and they join forces to try and clear Olivia's name. There are plenty of surprises in this book that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for the ARC of this very intriguing book that I highly recommend to anyone who loves a real thriller.