Kelli Tager did a wonderful job narrating this debut by Justine Sullivan! I love her voice and enjoyed the different character voices she created! She definitely added to the overall level of anxiety throughout the novel with her inflection and tone.

The book itself is more of a domestic drama than a psychological thriller so I am basing my review off of that classification. Liz goes through some situations that many of us go through at some point in our lives. She thinks she is living her best life until a text shows up on her husband’s phone followed by a kissy face emoji. To be clear, Liz isn’t snooping her husband’s phone or already thinking he is involved in any nefarious activity. The phone was on the counter next to her while he was in the other room. Any of us would have glanced at the screen once it lit up, no matter whose phone it was! Because the text was nowhere near anything Liz thought she’d see, it sent her into a downward spiral that completely consumed her life.

There were times I thought Liz went to extreme measures to get the answers she craved. Other times, I felt as though she didn’t worry nearly enough about other situations that arose. The author did a wonderful job portraying Liz’s anxiety and helplessness throughout the novel which was amplified in the narration. The prose itself was that of an experienced writer and, because of this, I look forward to what she has in store in the future!

I received an advanced audio copy. All thoughts are my own.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Liz annoyed me at times but I can't imagine I'd act much differently in her shoes. The book kept me guessing and I found the ending to be satisfying.

He Said he would be late / Sullivan
This debut novel by Sullivan lets us get to know Liz Bennett, a one book-so-far author and new mother who lives a life most women would enjoy in a wealthy suburb with a nanny. But Liz isn’t enjoying life and new motherhood, and work on her new book is going nowhere. When she sees a text on her husband, Arno’s phone, she immediately assumes he is having an affair with a co-worker.

Liz gets a (somewhat disastrous) makeover and begins stalking the other woman. She can’t sleep and is obsessed with finding out if Arno is sleeping with his co-worker. She is convinced he is. Liz eventually gets the answers to her questions, only to consider if she is asking the right questions.

Kelli Tager, experienced actor and voice artist, narrates a believable, confused, and depressed Liz.

He said he would be late. Is he actually working late or . . .?

Liz Bennet is struggling a bit with life. With a young baby and trying to write a book, she feels stress. When she notices a text on her husband Arno’s phone from a female coworker that has a kissing emoji, she becomes obsessed with the thought that he is cheating on her. He is always working late.

And when I say Liz is consumed with this idea, the woman is CONSUMED!

Liz begins to stalk Vivian, said coworker, and the lengths so goes to!

I can't tell more without giving too much of the story away. But there is a twist a the end that got me!

Many thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I feel like I need to split my review into two parts. The first for the performance and narration aspect. Hands down that is a five star. Be narrator did a fantastic job and I will for sure be looking for more done by this narrator.

As for the plot of the book and the characters, it did not hit the mark for me. This did not feel like a psychological thriller. It really feels like it's being marketed in the wrong genre I feel like it's a better fit for women's fiction or family life fiction, I wouldn't even put this in a suspense category. I think the book had a lot of potential but it just never got there for me.

Plot = 2 stars
Character = 3 stars
Meets genre expectations= 2 stars
Narration = 5 stars

Overall = 3 stars

I listened to the audiobook of this one and I have to say that the narrator was amazing. She really brought the story to life and did a great job with the characters. The story itself was enjoyable, but I struggle a little with calling it a thriller. While the book centers around the main character being convinced her husband is cheating the story moved so slowly that it didn’t seem like a thriller to me. I didn’t really like the characters which I think make it harder to stay engaged through some of the slower bits. I did really like the ending (that was my guess about what was happening!). This is a hard one to talk about without spoiling anything. Is ill say it was an enjoyable read and as I said before definitely one to consider for audiobook. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars rounded up for the narration.

There were definitely some things I liked about this book but as a whole the story was kind of meh. I can’t really put my finger on what it was that I was having an issue with but it just wasn’t scratching the itch that a book like this would normally take care of. Also it was weird the MC was Liz Bennett because I’m fairly certain that wasn’t on purpose…

I listened to the audio version of this story it was about 10hrs and 50 mins. I do enjoy a good psychological thriller or thrillers in general so as a fan I first was a little disappointed that this was classified as a psychological thriller I just didn’t feel like it was. I enjoyed the narrator but this book sadly was just not for me. But that’s just my opinion and coming from person who is a big mystery fan I think I expected more. Thank you netgalley for letting me listen to this story and I will try this author again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the audiobook ARC!

He Said He Would Be Late is an interested book, but it just irked me in a few ways...

First of all, It was kind of annoying that the protagonist was named Liz Bennett, but was very unlike Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. That's probably not something that borrowed anyone other than me, but it was just a little irksome. I also felt that the book was a little one-dimensional. Of course, that makes sense given that it is portraying a woman on a mission with one thing to find out - but it still left things feeling a little flat.

That being said, this was a different sort of a psychological twisting tale, which I appreciate. It would be a good way to add a little variety to a diet of cookie cutter thrillers. Probably more of a 2.5 star read for me, but I'll round it up to 3.

Honestly, I had a hard time with this book. It was kind of boring for the first 3/4 and then the twist was semi-predictable. I wish there had been more action or clues as to what was happening to make it more enjoyable. Still it was well written.

First, I really like the narrator.

Second, the book itself was just meh. It was way too drawn out in my opinion and it wasn't anything new and fresh. Liz was so dislikable that I had to really push myself to finish and I think most of it stemmed from her dislike for her baby. It was odd. And maybe it was baby blues, who knows.

She had it all or did she? Doubt and insecurities drove this suspense. She’s a new mom, at her worst for feelings, body image and forgetfulness. So needless to say, she’s starts questioning everything. Been there??
I gave this a 3.5⭐️. I felt like it was a bit long for the situation but I highly suggest listening to it. The narrator was amazing. This was a debut novel and the author has talent. I’m telling you this story made me uncomfortable almost the entire time. And then the ENDING! What?!
So yes, it was engaging and nail biting if you like that sorta thing.
Thanks Macmillan Audio via NetGalley.

I wanted to read this because it felt like it could be an up and coming mystery author. I won’t be finishing this Because it didn’t have enough different from your typical domestic suspense and I have read too many of those to do another one. I wish I felt a hook in the beginning but this feels like everything else you have read.

First off I want to thank @netgalley & @macmillanaudio for my free ALC in exchange for an honest review.

First thing I was expecting a thriller, but this is not one at all. I am very glad I listened to this one as I don't think I would've made it through the book, there is nothing happening for the majority of it. It's a bendy psychological read, but nothing exciting happens.

The characters did feel realistic and have realistic fears which I did enjoy. Although Liz the FMC was a bit annoying and overly obsessive at times. This book is very much centered on the characters and delves deep into motherhood, post partum depression, generalized anxiety and about bettering yourself.

The book is very detailed oriented, there's not one missed detail regarding Liz's everyday life, because of this the ending left me really underwhelmed. It just ended so abruptly with no real closure, but you can make it out even though. I just think that could've been explored and would've made it more exciting.

Overall it was enjoyable but nothing thrilling. I was waiting to see if the was an unreliable narrator all along or if her husband was really cheating.

Thank You to NetGalley for access to this book and a chance to review it.
Cover and name, I would say is great, it really drew me in. Other than that, it was a light read - not too much thought or anything you could miss easily. However, to me it was just not my style. 16 chapters in, we finally get to some action, and then not till chapter 30 something that it picks up... I was waiting for some kind of climax, some kind of hook or an "OHH!" but it never happened. The book just kept going on and on, to me what felt like a monotone way, and never really developed. The ending I could not stand, to lead all the way through and then in the last sentence give some spice to the book - and that was it. Just ended.

All together, like mentioned, this would be a great read for a relaxing day by the pool or to put you to sleep at night, maybe a long flight to keep your mind busy... but as for some adventure, mystery, or intrigue into the book, I would say skip it, its not here.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the chance to listen to and review this audiobook prior to release.

He Said He Would be Late is being marketed as "a fast-paced, twisty psychological debut". While it's definitely psychological as it deals much with the inner workings of Liz's emotions and mental state, I would consider it more of a slow burn. I think some may be led to believe this is a thriller based on the title and cover and be disappointed. This is one case where I think the readers should read the synopsis to make sure they correctly set their expectations- that may have helped me to enjoy it a little more.

That being said, I don't think this one was for me. The whole problem of the book could have been solved in a 5 minute conversation. I also can appreciate that the author was aware of that and wanted to get to the heart of why she did what she did when she could have taken a more simple route.

I wish the author great success and look forward to what she writes next!

Audiobook narration 4/5. Story 3/5

This book will be available on March 14th,

This was an interesting listen. I really liked the narrator. The story was ok but it got a little annoying on how she obsessed over the possible affair. I have been through that situation and so I just felt like it was a little much but I still think this was a good book to listen too.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for allowing me to listen to this ARC in advanced for my honest opinion.

This was a fun palate cleanser. I don't like thrillers that are too creepy, so this was perfect for me. Love a good twist at the end as well.

I received an audio ARC of this book from NetGalley and was incredibly excited to read it, as I thoroughly enjoy thrillers.

Unfortunately, I would not classify this book as a psychological thriller. None of the characters are likable, except the nanny and Emma. The main character, Liz, makes some very questionable decisions and I spent a good majority of the time figuring out just how reliable of a narrator Liz is. Is she truly suffering from PPD? Does she have an underlying substance use disorder (it’s very likely)? Is she delusional? Or is she just a wife with a gut feeling who takes things too far instead of just having a confrontational and uncomfortable conversation with her husband?

Overall it felt like nothing truly happened in this book, I guessed all the “twists” and the only truly shocking part to me was that Arno was able to get his hands on a first edition of Pride & Prejudice. I’m thankful I was chosen to receive an ARC, but this book just wasn’t for me.

I have never read a crazier character than Liz Bennett. The amount of disdain I have for this woman isn’t something I can even put into words.

I listened to this on audiobook and it was truly so hard to get through. Don’t hear what I’m not saying, the writing was well done. The author was intelligent and I believe she does and will continue to write great novels. It’s Liz Bennett. She is 1000% terrible and it was torturous for me to listen to.

There were so many triggering things in this for me. She’s a new Mom and I’m quite certain she truly HATES her daughter. She’s a paranoid narcissist. She projects and blames everyone and is never at fault. She’s also so insecure and her need for validation, love, and approval was painstakingly cringy.

I have never felt such strong dislike over a novel before in my life. I feel terrible writing this review but I also feel so strongly in my thoughts about this it that I had to write it.