Never Trust the Husband is the latest domestic thriller from author, Jessica Payne. This author is a master of the genre and an absolute auto-buy author. As a fan of her previous books, I was eager to dive into it. The authors storytelling prowess is at its best in this one as she delivers up an intricately woven psychological thriller to keep you guessing. The story is intriguing and captures the readers attention and doesn’t let go. There is the expected twists and reveals, some of which I guess and some which I didn’t, which make this a compelling read. The story explores themes of grief, loss, revenge and the lengths someone would go to find the truth at all costs. Never Trust the Husband is a testament to the authors consistent brilliance with its fast pace, intriguing plot and enthralling narrative. Once again Jessica Payne proves herself a master storyteller.

Wow so this one turned on its head in a way I wasn’t expecting. When Rebecca starts integrating herself into the lives of Gwyn and Benji she has a secret. She knows one of them killed Benjis first wife and she’s determined to prove it. As she starts looking for answers she starts to think someone is watching her as well and is her own secret about to be revealed. This is a great who done it.

This was a fantastic read! I loved all the twists and turns. Who is Rebecca? Who killed Maddy? Who is a friend and who is a foe? The ending really threw me for a loop. I cannot wait to read more from this author.

I would consider this to be a solid suspense novel. It kept me engaged and wanting to know more the entire time. What I found odd about this was that I was able to catch on to at least one of the major twists right from the beginning. That didn’t ruin anything for me throughout the book but it did make the writing style feel a little disjointed (until the twist was revealed). Otherwise, I suspected many people as I read on which made this book fun and fast to read. The author weaved in a lot of suspicious behavior so that it kept you on your toes and on the edge of your seat. I was somewhat surprised by the reveal of “whodunit” and definitely surprised by how it ended. It was a satisfying conclusion! Solid 3.5-4 stars!

This is my first novel by Jessica Payne but definitely will not be my last! A suspenseful thriller that keeps you guessing up until the end.. Madeline had finally fallen in love and married the man of her dreams and then a horrible tragedy occurs. Not sure who to trust, she is on the search for who "killed" her. Loved everything about this book!

I need everyone’s attention…

Never Trust the Husband

Payne is a front runner for author of the year. Her twists are so wild and so meticulously delivered that you will never see them coming . Every time I think I have it all figured out this sassy little lady throws me for a curve ball. Payne is the queen of the thriller world and the fresh faced author we never knew we needed until she arrived.

I can still remember Payne’s debut novel and the feeling of full body euphoria I got after concluding. I knew right there that she would become a favored and auto buy author.

Lies, deceit and secrets galore… Never Trust the Husband will keep you up all night.

Don’t believe me? Check out this teaser :

You look so happy in your wedding photo, gazing at your perfect new husband, glass of champagne held high in a toast. You chose to ignore the warning signs, but he hid more than one secret from you. And now he’s gotten away with your murder…

Every night I watch Benjamin and Gwyn in their gorgeous, glass-fronted Seattle home. Your ex-husband. Your best friend. Newly engaged, they’re busy dreaming of their future.

The official story is that you disappeared, but I know the truth. They killed you.

I know Benjamin’s new business is in trouble, that he desperately needs your money. I saw the way Gwyn looked at him at your wedding reception, finding any excuse to be close, to laugh too loudly at his jokes. After all, she always wanted your perfect life.

But don’t worry, Madeline. I won’t let it end like this. I can see everything from my place in the shadows between the trees. With their house lit up, they are on display. I’ll bide my time and worm my way into their home, their lives. They will never know the truth about who I am.

You didn’t get your happily ever after, and neither will they…

Three people know that Madeline was murdered. Madeline, the narrator and the killer. The unidentified narrator takes the reader through the meet-cute between Madeline and Benji up to Madeline’s death and the current day. Benjamin is now engaged to Madeline’s best friend, Gwyn. Certain that they must have killed her, the narrator inserts herself into their lives to learn the truth.

The book is quick and easy to read. The question of who the three people that knew Madeline was killed hold tights far into the storyline. The characters are believable and are created to bring out both good and bad in each. At times you can understand a persons motivation while at others the reader will be certain that the character is evil.


I received an ARC from Bookouture through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

I loved this and couldn’t put it down. So twisty!!! Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

⭐️3 Madeline is your typical spoiled, entitled girl with a wealthy father. She is the leader of her pack of girlfriends who is too good for any guy…until she meets Benji.

A whirlwind romance leads to a wedding and an unplanned honeymoon camping with their best friends.

Years later, she is still missing and presumed dead…but she is not, and she is determined to find out who tried to kill her.

The characters felt a little one-dimensional and I guessed a few of the twists in the story. Fortunately there were more twists to come, and overall, it was an enjoyable thriller.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date-March 5, 2024

Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for this ARC.
This is the first book I’ve read from this author and won’t be the last! This book had me on the edge of the seat from the very first page it was full of suspense and I had many gasps out loud because of the twists and turns I couldn’t keep up!

I thought I guessed the ending but I was so wrong my favourite character was Rebecca as she full of mischief and always scheming!

Overall, the book was a real page turner I would highly recommend! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟stars! 😊

Wow. What can I say? I started this and didn’t put it down u til I finished it at 4am.

This is a fast moving thriller that has everything you expect in this genre. Mystery, secrets, red herrings galore!

Rebecca is set out to avenge the death of maddy who was pushed from a cliff 3 years ago. In her quest she is trying to find out who is guilty by befriending people who were there the night Maddy was pushed. The twists keep coming until the final pages.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my arc in exchange for a honest review

Thanks so much Bookouture and NetGalley.

Madeline married Benjamin but then died shortly after under mysterious circumstances. He's now engaged to her best friend. Someone is watching them trying to figure out what happened to Madeline.

I really liked the idea of this novel. It was quite mysterious and I had to know what happened. There are lots of really good twists that kept me guessing. The end felt mostly like a letdown but it was still a good book overall.

I thought this was going to be a palate cleanser, not very memorable thriller but I was so wrong! The twists were so good. I read this in one sitting it was that addictive.

Never Trust The Husband was a quick read for me and I enjoyed the easy flow and short chapters. Most of the twists felt pretty predictable but I didn’t mind it. The story is about Madeline who was pushed off a cliff just days after her wedding and exploring the people in her life who could be suspects. Maddy was a bit unlikeable but this didn’t stop me from wanting to know what happened to her. Thanks to Net Galley for the early arc.

I requested Never Trust the Husband by Jessica Payne because the description stated that this would be good for fans of Shari Lapena and Freida McFadden, and I enjoy reading their books.

However, this book missed the mark for me. It was just okay. It had a good atmosphere and a promising storyline, but the flashbacks fell flat for me and just got a bit tedious to get through.

I may not be the audience for this book, but others will enjoy it and the premise and twists.

#NeverTrusttheHusband #NetGalley @bookouture

oh but this book is full of twists and turns to keep you going!

very interesting and fun, the different timelines come together nicely and it is well told

This is a twisty quick read that I really enjoyed. I guessed a couple of the twists but it was still a great story. I was surprised at the end and didn't see it coming. I'd definitely recommend this book as a quick read that keeps you interested the whole time. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What happened to Madeleine on that cliff just days after her wedding? There are many suspects and Rebecca is determined to get justice for Maddy. So many twists and turns in this book and the ending was a shocker!! My only complaint about this book is I had to stay up until 3am to finish bc I could not put it down lol! Fantastic read. This is the first Jessica Payne book I’ve read but it won’t be the last! Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this fabulous ARC!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced read copy.

I would typically pass right by this book based on the cover but Im so glad I didnt. This had me guessing right up until what happened was revealed. It was so twisty and kept me on the edge of my seat.

I struggled to like Madeline and felt there were a number of options for who hurt her. I didnt love how the book ended, I could have gone for a bit more but overall good read.

Well done!

A story that will really hook you! I was quick to finish this. I desperately wanted to find out what happened to Madeline and who killed her. And why? Were the remains that were found hers? Was her husband to blame? What about her best friend that is now engaged to her husband? I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Great book!