Member Reviews
My Husband's Lies
by Liz Lawler
Pub Date: 20 Nov 2023 | Archive Date: 20 Nov 2023
My Husband's Lies is an excellent choice for fans of psychological thrillers and domestic dramas. While it starts a little slow, the character development and suspenseful plot make it a page-turner that you won't want to miss. Kate's relatable character and Mark's intriguing secrets combine to create a memorable and emotionally charged story that will leave you pondering the boundaries of trust and love in a marriage.
Synopsis: I love my husband. But should I trust him? I watch the clock anxiously. My husband Mark should have been home hours ago. Where is he? When at last I hear the noise at the door, I breathe a sigh of relief, but it’s the police – Mark is wanted in connection with a young woman’s death. My blood turns to ice. Mark swears he had nothing to do with it, that the beautiful blonde woman was a colleague, nothing more. But he refuses to tell me where he really was that night. I believe that he’s not a killer – but I know he’s hiding something. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Many thanks to #MyHusbandsLies #NetGalley for providing me with an E-ARC of this heart pounding novel that goes on sale 11/20/2023.
Kate is a wife who gets the shock of her life when her husband is accused of murder. She is in denial about it and everyone is lying to her. When strange things start to happen that make her question everything.
This has lots of twists and turns and I enjoyed it.
4 stars 🌟
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC of My Husbandś Secret.
This book felt like I was reading a Netflix series! It took off with a bang and I finished it in one day! This book was suspenseful the entire time and really kept me on the edge of my seat. I suspected multiple people were involved for at least the first half of the book. After that, it became really obvious to me what was going on and who was involved. Even though I had figured it out, the writing remained very fast paced and it kept me interested and invested in how the story would end. I will admit that I got really annoyed with Kate as she started to realize what was going on but it was as though she didn’t want to believe what was right in front of her- especially when she became concerned for her son's safety!
The only part that fell flat for me was in the epilogue. It's hard to really comment without revealing spoilers so I will just say that the "rationale" that was given for some of the actions (or lack thereof) did not resonate with me at all and felt unrealistic. Otherwise, I would recommend this fast paced, very suspenseful book!
Side note: Fellow animal lovers- I was worried at first that something would happen to the senior dog in the book but not to worry!
I enjoyed the first half of this book much more than I did the second half. It did, however, keep me guessing until the end. I couldn't quite relate to Kate's actions. It was well written though and if you can give some leeway for some dramatic licence I can still recommend this as a twisty thriller. I will definitely lookout for Liz lawler's other books.
This started out with so much promise but halfway through things fell apart for me,it seemed at .times to over the top.I found myself skipping bits which I don't like doing.
This one wasn't for me but it wouldn't stop me from reading more from this author in the future.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
"My Husband's Lies" is a riveting psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. This gripping tale of love, betrayal, and secrets masterfully explores the complex dynamics of a seemingly perfect marriage tested by unexpected twists and turns.
The story is narrated by Kate, a character you can't help but root for. From the very first page, Kate's anxiety and desperation are palpable as she waits for her husband Mark to return home. Her deep concern for his safety is heart-wrenching, and you can't help but sympathize with her.
Mark, on the other hand, is initially presented as a somewhat enigmatic figure, leaving you with mixed feelings. As a reader, you try to dislike him due to the cloud of suspicion surrounding him, but as the story unfolds, you find yourself drawn into the complexity of his character. His unwillingness to reveal his whereabouts on the fateful night adds to the tension, and you can't help but become emotionally invested in his innocence.
The narrative is skillfully paced, with a slow build-up in the first half that provides ample time for character development and backstory. At times, the story might feel a bit slow due to the extensive background information and the intricacies of the characters' relationships. However, this deliberate pace is essential for building suspense and allowing readers to immerse themselves in the characters' lives.
Around the halfway point, the story takes a sharp turn, and that's when the real magic happens. Twists and revelations start to pile up, and you'll find it nearly impossible to put the book down. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and you'll be captivated by Kate's determination to uncover the truth and save her family.
In summary, this book is an excellent choice for fans of psychological thrillers and domestic dramas. While it starts a little slow, the intricate character development and suspenseful plot make it a page-turner that you won't want to miss. Kate's relatable character and Mark's intriguing secrets combine to create a memorable and emotionally charged story that will leave you pondering the boundaries of trust and love.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an early copy of My Husband’s Lies. This was not a good book because of Kate who was such an unlikable character. How could she do what she did with Olivia in her life and letting her do all she did with her son. It was totally unrealistic and the ending was the worst. I’m not sure why I kept reading it and I don’t like to give bad reviews but this one is not worth it. I’m so sorry.
Thanks to publishers and Net Galley for granting me this book. It’s an easy read if at times a little slow but enjoyable book.
This is a brilliant book. It had me from the first chapter. It has all the nice unpredictable twists and turns I love in a thriller.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for access to this Arc in exchange for my honest review.
Well, the twists in this book are quite surprising, 99% of them I didn't see coming. It felt a bit slow burn somewhere in. But in the end, it was what I'd call a nice read.
"My Husband's Lies" by Liz Lawler is a book that started with great promise, but as I continued reading, I found myself wrestling with conflicting feelings. The novel introduces us to Kate, the central character, and from the outset, her actions and reactions raised some questions. For instance, the idea of someone entering your home and rearranging your furniture should naturally evoke a sense of intrusion and outrage unless, of course, it was a service you had requested. Kate's oddly muted response to this situation struck me as a bit unrealistic.
The story revolves around Kate's concern for her son's safety, which is a fundamental theme. Yet, her response to this concern was puzzling. Instead of immediately prioritising her son's well-being and ensuring his safety, she embarks on a curious journey of playing detective, leaving her child in a potentially hazardous situation. This choice seemed contrary to her maternal instincts, and it frustrated me as a reader.
What bothered me most was Kate's passivity throughout the story. She appeared to allow events to unfold around her rather than taking charge of her own life. This passiveness contributed to my growing impatience with her character. I found myself yearning for her to display more agency and take control of the circumstances.
As the story progressed, the plot took some rather implausible and far-fetched turns, which strained the boundaries of credibility. This departure from a more grounded and believable narrative left me feeling disconnected from the outcome. I found it challenging to invest emotionally in the story as it ventured into territory that seemed increasingly removed from reality.
In conclusion, "My Husband's Lies" was a book that held potential with its initial premise but fell short of my expectations due to the inconsistencies in character behaviour and the increasingly unbelievable plot. The two-star rating reflects my overall disappointment with the book, as I was left wanting more from a story that could have been more engaging and relatable had it adhered to a more logical and plausible narrative.
This one had so much promise - I couldn't put it down in the first half but the second half felt like it was dragging. I liked how the secrets kept things twisting and turning, but I found myself liking Katie less and less as the story went on. Maybe it's because some of her actions as a parent felt unrealistic, but it also felt like it took a really long time to get to the turning point of the story. I will say that the ending shocked me, but the pace kept me from really appreciating it. That being said, I liked the idea and would read more from Lawler!
Synopsis (From Netgalley, the provider of the book to review)
*******************************************************
I love my husband. But should I trust him?
I watch the clock anxiously. My husband Mark should have been home hours ago. Where is he?
When at last I hear the noise at the door, I breathe a sigh of relief, but it’s the police – Mark is wanted in connection with a young woman’s death. My blood turns to ice.
Mark swears he had nothing to do with it, that the beautiful blonde woman was a colleague, nothing more. But he refuses to tell me where he really was that night. I believe that he’s not a killer – but I know he’s hiding something. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Then Mark is gravely hurt, lying in a coma. I’ll do anything to keep my husband here with me and our perfect, blue-eyed little boy. As I sit by his hospital bed, tears streaming down my face, I realise that if Mark can’t prove his innocence then I’ll have to.
But digging deeper into my husband’s life makes me question everything I thought I knew about us. If Mark ever wakes up, will we have a marriage left at all?
Or will my husband’s secrets tear my precious family apart for good?
A great quick read of a book that is brimming with wonderfully written deep, dark suspense and secrets that will suck you in from page one to end. Highly recommended!
#shortbutsweetreviews
I was instantly grabbed by the book and so enjoyed the fast paced excitement of the first part of this thriller and then... it all got a little much....Kate unfortunately wasn't all that believable as a character. She made some weird moves as a mother - trusting her young son into the care of someone she didn't know? The 2nd part of this book dragged and I was pushing hard to finish it. Also not 100% sure the title actually fits the storyline. Not a bad read! But could have been better.
In the beginning I was intrigued by the storyline and wanted to learn more about the crime. The book became predictable and dragged on especially in the middle. Kate was too chaotic for me, especially allowing a stranger to live in her house and take care of her child without any initial doubt. Kate was naive and I would have liked to see the characters more developed.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When Kate’s husband Mark is arrested and accused of murder she is in denial about his involvement. But then strange things start happening within her family and she starts to question everything. Enjoyed this one! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this advanced readers’ copy. Will definitely check out more from this author. #booksbyashleynicole
Holy cow! The first half of the book had my entire attention. One day Kate was a well-loved doctor happily married to a pilot. They had a beautiful family with a son that they both adored. The next day Kate’s entire world is flipped upside down when she discovers that her husband is being accused of murder.
Could her husband really have murdered a young woman on his trip to Barcelona? This is the first twist with many more to come throughout the story. While Mark is in a coma, Kate looks more into her husband’s shady life and realizes there is much more to the story. She struggles to unravel Mark’s web of lies while awaiting his recovery.
I found the 2nd half of this book to be slightly slow compared to the first half. I found myself rather annoyed with Kate throughout the 2nd half as well. She gave “classic horror story main character making bad decisions” vibes.
I read a lot of thrillers and was impressed with the twists in this book but found that it fell slightly flat for me in the 2nd half. I wish the whole book was as fast paced as the first half but overall, it was a good thriller.
Thank you to Liz Lawler, Netgalley, and Bookouture for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I read a lot of thrillers and maybe this is just from oversaturing my reading with books of this nature but My Husband's Lies felt entirely too predictable. For the most part, Initially this felt really interesting; the narrator seemed to be respectable and strong-filled. As the story unfolded, Kate was too chaotic for the nature I thought the author had created her to have. The lack of critical thinking felt far to unrealistic for a pragmatic physician. Even more unrealistic to me was a mother not vetting a stranger that she let live in her house and take care of her child.
Despite the less than stellar review, I would definitely give another novel by Liz Lawler a try. She did create a clear vision and made interesting characters, I would just prefer to storyline be tailored to the character rather than trying to fit them in a misdesgined mold.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. What do you do if you're not sure that you can trust your husband? The first half started out really strong and I was completely engrossed in the story. As the story went on some of the characters started to annoy me. Mainly the main character as she is smart enough to be a doctor, but completely ignored many red flags and let a stranger into her home too easily. The plot became predictable, but I still enjoyed reading how things played out. Overall a really enjoyable psychological thriller.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This booked pulled me in from the start and kept my attention to the end! So many different twists and turns that I did not see coming. Very well written, entertaining, some edge-of-your-seat moments and great characters!
THANK YOU to the author, Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC in return for my honest review!