Member Reviews

Oh my goodness, this book will keep you guessing right up to the last page. If you want a suspenseful psychological thriller that has a lot of great twists, than this one is for you!

Madeline tragically dies on her honeymoon when she is pushed off a cliff. Enter Gwynn, Madeline’s best friend who quickly gets engaged to Benjamin (Madeline’s husband). Sound crazy – well it is! You must read!!!!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC!

Was this review helpful?

Yet again Jessica Payne has written a cracker of a novel. In Never Trust The Husband we meet Rebecca, a travel nurse, who wants to become friends with Benjamin and Gwyn to discover what happened to Benjamin's first wife Madeline. Madeline disappeared, feared dead, whilst on their honeymoon. Rebecca wants to avenge the death of Madeline and suspects the couples part in it.
In any murder, the husband is nearly always suspect number 1 but is Gwyn to be trusted? Do either of them know more of what happened that fateful night in the mountains. Full confession, I did suspect parts of the book at around 30% but this in no way detracted from the rest of the storyline, in fact I was blindsided by other events that occurred. A great read for anyone who loves psychological thrillers and likes plenty of twists

Was this review helpful?

This is one of those stories where nobody can entirely be trusted. The unreliability of the narrator though, is taken to a whole other level!

Madeline is gone - presumed dead - and now her beloved husband Ben is engaged to her best friend Gwyn. Do they know more about what has happened to her than they are letting on? Someone is determined to find out...

This an attention-grabbing story with plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. It's an easy read and gets 3.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

Never Trust the Husband by Jessica Payne is super twisty. Not only can’t you trust the husband but I wouldn’t trust anyone else either! The characters were fully fleshed out and I found them to be intriguing. Once I started this, I didn’t want to put it down.

Was this review helpful?

This book had me sucked in right from the beginning. I loved the idea of not really knowing who was telling us the story. Talk about a twist on an unreliable narrator! Payne did a fantastic job of keeping the reader guessing throughout and every time I thought I had it figured out she threw in another twist. The setting of Seattle was fantastic and gave this story such an atmospheric feel.

I recommend going in knowing as little as possible so I’m keeping my review vague to avoid spoilers. I will say that if you’re looking for a quick and suspenseful read with shorter chapters and dual points of view and timelines then this book is for you. This was my first book by Payne, and I can’t wait to read more by her.

Thank you Bookouture, Jessica Payne and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for a digital review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Wow, this book was even better than I had hoped for! It had so many twists and turns that I wasn't expecting. I was gripped from the very beginning, and couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to find out how it all ended, and I was not disappointed! I highly recommend to other readers, and can't wait to read more from this author. Great job!

Was this review helpful?

This book was amazing! I enjoyed everything about it, never trust the husband by Jessica Payne is a definite must read. One of my favourite genres to read is a good revenge story and this one ticked all the right points for me. Full of suspense and a few twists and turns, this murder mystery is going to captivate you. Make sure you do not have plans because when you start you will not be able to put this book down.

Madeline Hughes never believed in love until she met her future husband Benjamin, it was love at first sight. After opening his winery and buying their home together. They get married, but honeymoon plans have been cancelled due to a hurricane. They decide for their honeymoon they are going to go backpacking with their closest friends. Wanting to capture a scenic photograph of the Seattle landscape Madeline sets up for the perfect shot when she is pushed from behind off the cliff and is from then on presumed dead.

After a few years have gone by, we are introduced to Rebecca who has set out her plan to seek revenge for Madeline’s death. Finding out Benjamin has moved on with Madeline’s best friend Gwyn this enrages her, she sets out to get into their inner circle to look for clues. Who would want to kill Madeline?

This book was a page turner, there was twists and turns and with the authors writing everything felt so scenic. The characters were written so very well that in some moments you feel true anger for the actions some people took. My head was all over the place trying to figure out who the murderer was, in some instances I was sure I knew who it was but once it was revealed I was mind blown. I was rooting for Rebecca to not get caught and hope she set off on the right path to avenge Madeline.

Told in Madeline and Rebecca’s perspective, we see chapters from the past and learn further details as the book progresses.

Loved this book, a fun thriller that is perfect for anyone who likes revenge. Well worth the read, you’re going to want to add this to your tbr list, a must read. A big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the copy of this arc in exchange for my full honest review. 4.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

Wow wow wow I was pulled in from the opening pages.So many twists and turns kept me guessing as I raced through the pages.Stayed up past my bedtime could not put it down grab this book,#netgalley #bookoutoure

Was this review helpful?

Madeline is on her honeymoon when she ventures out of her tent in the early morning hours to capture a photo of the Seattle landscape. She sets up her tripod and camera on a cliff and right before she is going to take the picture, she is pushed off.

We are then introduced to Rebecca who is out to seek revenge for Madeline’s death. She is enraged when she finds out Madeline’s husband, Benjamin has moved on with Madeline's best friend, Gwynn and they are planning to get married. Who killed Madeline and why?

This story was a page-turner, and I was completely sucked in from the Prologue until the explosive ending. There were so many red herrings throughout that my head was spinning. I love a good revenge thriller and Rebecca’s revenge plan was so diabolical I couldn’t read fast enough to find out if she was able to pull it off.

If you are looking for a twisty, intense domestic thriller, look no further!

I have read all of this author's books and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!

Was this review helpful?

Wow!
Film of twists and turns. Just when I think I have it figured out, there’s another surprise.

Some of the surprises were less off a shock, simply because of the way the book is written. However, there were still plenty of surprises!

Payne tells an amazing story of Rebecca, who wishes to avenge the murder of Madeline. Madeline died on her honeymoon, and her murderer is yet to be caught.
The noon brilliantly splits between Madeline’s timeline from the past (just before her death) and Rebecca’s timeline in the present. Both give more clues as to what truly happened that eventful night!

Was this review helpful?

So happy to have been able to get an ARC for this book! I am a huge fan of this author and loved their previous books so much. This one was not a disappointment at all. Probably my new fave from the author.


Never trust the husband, ever. I mean that is honestly who we will always look to after a wife goes missing....

Madeline is a newlywed who goes missing on her backpack trip honeymoon. Madeline, and her husband Benjamin, decide on a backpacking trip for their honeymoon after their previous plans had to be cancelled. They are joined by their closest friends for their honeymoon adventure. But things go terribly wrong when Madeline goes missing. Was it an accident or something more sinister? Someone from Madeline's past is here to uncover the truth. Was it Benjamin who killed his new bride? Or was it the best friend Gwyn who always wanted to be Madeline? Who cut the new brides life short? Remember, never trust the husband.

Okay so there was a lot I enjoyed about this book! I won't go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil too much. But here is what I did enjoy:

- the pacing! This was a whirlwind of a book that I could not put down. The first chapter had me hooked from the beginning. I needed to figure out the truth too
- The twists! I didn't see any of it coming
- Dual POTs/POVS. This kept me interested and wanting to keep going forward. I was trying to piece it all together
- None of my theories were correct lol. What a wild ride.

Overall, I LOVED this read! This was a fun thriller with lots of twists. Also, super well written and kept me on my toes. 4 stars out of 5. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

This was such a blast, guys! I absolutely loved it! I'm always up for a good revenge story and this one hit the spot in every way.

When Madeline and Benjamin meet, it's love at first sight! And shortly after he opens his winery, Benjamin asks Maddy to marry him!

Due to a hurricane, they have to cancel their honeymoon and decide to go camping with friends. But on their second night in the wilderness, Maddy is pushed off a cliff and falls to her death. Three years later, Benjamin gets engaged to Maddy's best friend Gwyn.

Enter Rebecca.... our mysterious narrator, who is determined to go above and beyond to find out who is responsible for Maddy's death.

I’m being purposely vague as the less you know the better! But I just loved the concept of this story. As we follow Rebecca who sneaks herself into their lives we also get to see Maddy’s life in a dual time line.

I'm being deliberately vague because the less you know, the better! But I just loved the concept of this story. Whilst we follow Rebecca as she installs herself in Gwyn and Benjamin’s lives, we also get to know Maddy's life in a dual timeline.

With almost every chapter ending on a cliffhanger, I found myself reading into the wee hours of the night!

I did guess a few great twists, but that didn't detract from the fun of reading a well thought out plot. Kudos to the author for creating such a badass MC! I love how she never lost focus of her goal.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this one! 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝘂𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 was such a quick read! I ended up predicting who our narrator was, but that actually made me happy in this case. It’s twisty, it keeps you guessing who the culprit was because they each had their motives and the ending twist was so satisfying! Many thanks to Thriller Book Lover Promos and Bookouture for my eARC. 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝘂𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 will be published 3/5 and I think it’s well worth the read!

Was this review helpful?

Books like this make me love being an insomniac since I've so much more time to read! This was such an amazing book. Its set over dual timelines and dual povs. It never gets muddy or confusing about which is which, each has a very unique voice. I was suspecting absolutely everyone. The characters are all realistic and well developed. There's no *overly suspicious* character or someone the author is trying to hard to make seem guilty. These people are just naturally suspicious lol! It's well plotted out and you just never know what to think and who to trust. Which I loved!! This is everything I look for in a psychological thriller, the tension, the suspense, the always wondering...... perfection!

Was this review helpful?

4.5 stars!

This was a ride!
After the initial hook, as I was reading about Maddy's life and meeting Benjamin, I just found her and her group of friends insufferable. I'm sure this was not unintentional. Having never read Jessica Payne before, I had initial concerns that the superficiality of Maddy and her life may reflect a superficial writing style from this author. It did not - the remainder of "Never Trust the Husband" is a very tightly controlled, strongly-written, and follows a genuinely ingenious plot.
This book was twisty and isolating - spending time in Rebecca's head was a really effective way of cutting us off from everyone else in the book and not trusting anyone or anything. It also lent a feeling of hopelessness that added to the tension. I will admit, I did guess the two (what I would consider) major twists, but I was still questioning certain aspects of those twists until the reveals. Also, having an idea of where the book might be going did not make it less enjoyable or less of a page-turner. It was really well-paced, atmospheric, and genuinely creepy at times, with the perfect setting. I'm excited to explore more of this author's writing, and can't wait to see more reviews of this book after pub day!

Was this review helpful?

One of the BEST parts of a great thriller is when you NEED to keep reading to find out “What Happens”! “Never Trust the Husband”, by Jessica Payne is one of THOSE books! I recommend this for any Suspense-Thriller Enthusiast!

Madeline just married Benjamin and they’re on their honeymoon in the mountains, Madeline disappears and is presumed dead after 3 years without finding a body! Pushed to her death off a cliff, for what? Money? Jealousy ? Thankfully Madeline has someone on her side watching every move. It’s a novel of twists and who’s who!

Loved the plot, very creative with the narration. This one makes you question the husband, the best friend, the friends of friends and everyone who comes in contact with them. Without giving anything away, “always go with your gut instinct”!

The secrets and warning signs didn’t stop Madeline from the wedding and marriage she ever imagined! But upon her death, Gwen, one of her best friends, fulfills the spot next to Benjamin in Madeline’s home and her bed!

Entertaining! Engaging! A psychological thriller i recommend!

Why a 4 star? I thought the rapidly developed friendship between Gwen and Rebecca a bit far~fetched!

Thank you @thrillerbookloverspromotions Instagram for this eARC #bookoutour

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this fast paced and super captivating tale from the start! The suspense never let up and I wasn’t sure which character had more to hide! This was a truly clever take on a missing person and I was suspicious of everyone! Rebecca was a force and I loved her methodical spirit! I don’t know if I could have done what she did and I admire her perseverance! Close to the end, I had an idea of how things would resolve but then the author threw in not one more twist but TWO that were fabulous! Being a fan of the outdoors, I loved the setting in Seattle and all the references to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I’m avoiding spoilers by keeping this vague but trust me-you’re going to want to read this! 4.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

This was an excellent addictive read that had me gripped from the very first page until til the last. It is told in duel timelines, is easy to follow and has short chapters which kept me wanting to turn another page.

The storyline was good, full of suspense with some twists and turns along the way. The characters were relatable and believable although there are also some devious characters in the story too. It all made for a compelling and fantastic read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

"Never Trust the Husband" by Jessica Payne proves to be a captivating exploration of domestic suspense, a genre that is completely my cup of tea. Payne skillfully introduces a diverse array of characters, each adding a layer to the complex tapestry of toxic relationships within the narrative. The uncertainty of not knowing who to trust becomes a central theme, keeping readers on edge throughout the entire story.

The palpable tension is heightened by the watching and stalking vibes woven into the plot, creating a chilling atmosphere that adds a thrilling dimension to the novel. Despite my disappointment in figuring out the plot twist prematurely, Payne's storytelling prowess shines as the story unfolds, managing to maintain a gripping hold on my attention. The intricate dynamics between characters and the constant aura of mistrust make "Never Trust the Husband" a compelling page-turner, offering a suspenseful journey into the darker corners of relationships.

Was this review helpful?

I love a good revenge story so this was right up my alley! This was an on the edge of your seat thriller that threw me for a loop! I couldn't figure out if the guilty party was Ben or Gwyn or both! It was heartbreaking to think that it was her BFF, but she did have a motive, and so did the husband.
There were some really good twists towards the end of the book that had me wondering why that never crossed my mind! Either way I didn’t figure it out which made the end so much jucier!

Was this review helpful?