So many twists and turns. I was hooked from the beginning. Loved this book

Thanks Netgalley and publisher. All thoughts are my own and aren't influenced by anyone else

Ashleigh and her family are at the lavish birthday party of their friends Lucy and Lee’s daughter who is friends with their son. Lucy and Lee were childhood friends of Lucy’s husband Danny so when there is a noise and a shout, no one is more surprised than Ashleigh to find her husband holding a hammer, covered in blood and standing over a body. What on earth has happened? Danny wouldn't hurt anyone…. Would he?

OMG! A brilliantly written book that had me racing through it. It's incredibly well crafted, with short snappy chapters each one making the reader want more. There are umpteen twists and turns, each leading to different possible scenarios as to what happened and why. I felt for Ashleigh and her predicament and how she wants to protect her family. It’s an edge of your seat read, one that had my heart racing. Loved it.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter or Threads @nickisbookblog
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My first book by AJ Campbell and won't be my last. This is one of the best things about being a part of the Netgalley community, being exposed to so many great authors I would not normally know about.

This book is all about trust and do you really know the people you love the most, the ones you live with and see every day, one who you feel is your soulmate and also the great friendships you feel you hold with others, this is the dilemma Ashley finds herself in. Her husband Danny stands accused of killing her best friend Lucy which has totally floored Ashley, her husband is possibly a murderer, unbelievable. This is so hard for her as she is also trying to protect her young son Eliot from all that is happening around them. But Ashley will have to face more than this as other revelations come into play and she will need all the strength she can muster to deal with other bombshells which are about to hit her.

A well executed plot with believable characters all make for a great story. Lots of suspence and tension as the book progresses and we are left turning the pages to see how this will resolve, is Ashley destined to a new life as a single parent or has there been a great miscarriage of justice? You will need to read the book to find out and I highly recommend you pick this book up.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

This was such a gripping thriller which had me hooked from start to finish. It was a fast paced thriller with many twists and turns.

Ashley, her husband Danny, and their son Elliott have just moved to the country from London. It is where Danny grew up and he was quite persistent with the move. Danny's has reconnected with his child hood friend Lucy. When Elliott is invited to Lucy daughter’s party they all attend. When Ashley hears screams coming from the garage and runs over She finds her husband holding a hammer and his childhood best friend dead on the floor. Danny is quickly taken in for questioning by police this is where Ashley realises that her life was not as perfect as she thought Danny has been keeping secrets which could put Ashley and Elliott in danger.

This was a jaw dropping thriller which will have you gasping out loud at parts. It was extremely well written with fantastic well developed characters. I can’t wait to recommend this fantastic thriller. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy.

The start was fast and furious with plenty of twists and suspension. Sadly halfway through i got totally confused, the pace slowed and i just found it rather boring. Others may love it but this just was not for me. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of How Can I Trust You? This started out real good, I liked the party scene but then it got very boring and in depth about housing. I was confused with all that talk. The ending was intense but honestly I wanted to put the book down quite a few times. Im sorry to say it didn’t do it for me.

It's takes quite some time before you can trust someone completely because trust has to be earned after all. Once that bond is broken, you can do you very best to try and glue it together again, but in my opinion that crack will always show and there will always be that niggling voice that makes you hesitate. I don't think you can ever have faith in someone for 100% again once they have let you down.

This is what happens to Ashley. Once you start digging, you have to deal with what you find out and the believe you had, is crumbling down little by little. Is life, the way you have lived it for the last couple of years, falling down the drain or is this all a nightmare you will be able to leave behind.

I loved the way the author portrays the characters. I had the feeling there was not one single person except for Ashley I could not suspect. My mind was jumping around like a ping pong ball on an energy drink, because I really could not decide who I would blame for all this.

When it's too obvious, there must me more to it or maybe sometimes the obvious is the one and only thruth. What will it be here...?

A totally enjoyable book. 5 stars

Thank you

“How Can I Trust You” by AJ Campbell is a very aptly titled book. The beginning starts off with a bang - we follow Ashley, married to Danny and mother to Elliot, who lives in the small town where Danny grew up. Danny’s best friend is Lucy and Ashley’s family is going to Lucy’s daughter’s birthday party. While at the party, Ashely hears screams, enters a garage, and sees Danny holding a hammer standing over Lucy’s dead body. The beginning gripped me … and then the story slowed down. The police, understandably, suspect Danny - who claims his innocence. Danny is held by the police and Ashley wonders “Did Danny really do it?” She uncovers some information about their business - including a hidden floor safe - and starts to wonder. While the digging is going on, Ashley wonders why someone keeps trying to break into the house and why there’s some things that just don’t make sense. But among Ashley’s uncovering, there’s also a lot of discussion about Ashley and Danny’s business and how it’s tied to Lucy’s business. Usually I read these types of books rather quickly and I found myself feeling bogged down with the information and Ashley’s waffling about who might’ve done it - Danny or someone else. This book wasn’t for me, but I did like the overall idea and I’d give this author another go.

How Can I Trust you? By AJ Campbell

This was the first time reading and AJ Campbell book and it definitely will not be the last. I really enjoyed this read. It had just the right amount of suspense, twists and turns, and character development. Its pacing was on point and I did not feel myself getting bored or distracted. I will definitely look for other books by AJ Campbell.

Thank you Net Galley, AJ Campbell and Bookouture for the opportunity to preview this novel.
#NetGalley #AJCampbell #Bookouture #HowCanITrustYou

I so wanted to read this book however I struggled a little with it. I’m so sad.

If you want a fast paced start that slows in the middle then gets to a jam packed face paced finish this is for you. The twists are fast and furious and come at you like you wouldn’t expect however I just couldn’t connect with this book like I had hoped. This is nothing to do with the writer or the book I think I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind for it. I will re read it at a later date.

I want to thank NetGalley/the author and publisher for their kindness in allowing me n advance copy to read and review. I will come back to this I promise!!

I loved the twists and turns in this book, they were so well done and kept the tension and suspense building throughout.

I am quite a fan of this author, so I was quite happy when I received an ARC of How Can I Trust You? Ashley, her husband Danny, and their son Elliott have just moved to the country from London. It is where Danny grew up and he was quite persistent with the move. Danny's best friend from childhood, Lucy and her husband Lee, live right up the road. Ashley and family attend Lucy and Lee's daughter's birthday party. Ashley hears screams coming from the garage and runs over. She sees her husband holding a hammer and his childhood best friend dead on the floor. Thus, the book begins.

I was excited because I enjoy fast paced books, and what can be more fast paced than opening up with a murder scene? Well, I was fooled because once that happens the book slows down. Way down. A lot is going on but it wasn't keeping my interest. There was a lot of info about their business venture and I felt like I was reading and reading and getting nowhere until the very end.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me, but I do recommend it as other will enjoy it. Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it.

Name of Book: How Can I Trust You?
Author: A. J. Campbell
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: Bookouture
Pub Date: April 8, 2024
My Rating: 3.7 rounded up
Pages: 326

The cover states
My best friend is dead
Did my husband killer her?

Ashley and Danny work together at a home decor type of business. They have a son Elliot and never keep secrets from each other.

Elliot is excited about attending his friend Grace’s birthday party. Her parents Lucy and Lee Ellis have an estate Pelham House and since the adults are friends they are included in this party. Danny and Lucy have known each other since childhood. In fact, Lucy was instrumental in getting Ashley and Danny together. Now Lucy and Ashley have been best friends since they moved to .Thyme End.
Elliot wants his mom to go on the bouncy castle with him. She and many of the other mom's join in then hear a scream and see Lee collapses drenched in crimson. Danny is holding a hammer and Lucy lies lifeless on the concrete floor.
Lucy is dead and
Danny is arrested.

Story definitely drew me in. Most of the characters were likeable. THAT prologue had we curious right from the start!.

Although this is AJ (Amanda) Campbell seventh novel it was my first; so I started by reading her bio - which states
AJ draws inspiration for her stories from seemingly unbelievable situations in which ordinary people find themselves. She creates compelling characters that resonate with her readers.
AJ lives in the UK with her husband, sons, and cocker spaniel,

I also enjoyed reading ~ “A Letter from AJ’
She tells us that her inspiration for his story came from living in a small village and knows the residents are passionate about keeping the village the way it is. It got her thinking how far people would go to stop development.
She then started plotting.

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 6, 2024.

Successful self-employed couple Ashley and Danny have moved out to the quaint English country village, everything is good - until Ashley’s best friend Lucy is killed and Danny is found standing over the body, covered in her blood.

‘You don’t think I did this, do you? I was trying to save her.’

From the high impact opening AJ Campbell expertly sets Ashley and the reader walking the tightrope of wanting to believe in her husband’s innocence while uncovering the clues that may prove his guilt or clear his name.

It’s an original plot and there’s a very nice balance between tangible evidence, her husband under arrest and Ashley’s anxiety-fuelled need to dig deeper to get to the truth.

I found it slowed a little in the middle before all ramping up very nicely for a high tension finale. Expect twists and tension and to keep changing your mind on Danny’s guilt or innocence.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture

I was excited to read this book because it seemed to have good reviews so far, but it was not great, in my opinion. I feel like it was a very slow moving plot in the beginning, and I feel like the whole first third of the book was just filler text and jumble. I almost did not finish it. Even when additional details fell into place, it never got exciting for me. It had a good ending, but I would not call it great. There was no big plot twist. It did not surprise me at all.

So overall, it was okay. No terrible, not great.

I always enjoy this author’s books. And this one was no exception! It starts and ends with a bang! First, there’s the car crash, and, next, a person’s head is bashed in with a hammer! The successful owner of a marketing firm is arrested, and, needless to say, his shocked wife is driven to prove his innocence. Along this journey, she keeps uncovering more secrets until she doesn’t know what to think! This book is well fleshed out with interesting characters sprinkled about. I read this book quickly and thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing keeps you engaged! Now, I’m left waiting for her next book!

CLEAR YOUR DIARY!!!!
When you pick up this book, life as you know it will cease to exist until you have finished it.
This book starts off a break neck speed and doesn’t slow down!
Filled with twists and turns and unexpected revelations it will have you hooked from the first paragraph.
Highly recommend but don’t blame me for the lack of sleep you will inevitably get

𝐀 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐭. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥, 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞, 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞...𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡.

Gated communities, wealth, and manicured lawns give the illusion of safety, but a child's extravagant birthday party marks the before and after for Ashley, Danny and their nine-year-old son Elliott. The family lives in the tranquil village of Thyme End, where it often appears that time has stood still; at least for Ashley, who misses the hustle and bustle of London. Because Danny wanted to live in the village where he grew up, Ashley acquiesced.

Ashley is also reluctant to attend the birthday party of the daughter of Danny's childhood friend Lucy. She's so open and gregarious whereas Ashley is more introverted. and she can't help but notice how touchy Lucy is with Danny. She doesn't like it but chalks it up to a long friendship. But the cheer of the birthday party is interrupted by screams. Danny is found holding a bloody hammer over Lucy, dead from blunt force trauma.

Soon Ashley finds herself in a whirlwind of deception. The more she tries to fight for Danny's innocence, the more questionable things she finds...a hidden safe, a burner phone, a business meeting with a divorce lawyer...Ashley begins to wonder just what else Danny may be hiding.

Tense and gripping from the first page, this story is NOT to be missed! All of the scenes played out like a movie, and the desperation and shock exuding from Ashley was tangible. The reader is definitely made to experience those feelings along with Ashley, and the ending was just absolutely explosive! You can get your hands on this one April 8, 2024, from Bookouture, or even better, run to NetGalley right now to request it!

So many twists in this one! 🌪️ Could not sleep last night so I decided to read thinking it would help me fall asleep. Nope. This one keep me up wanting to see what happens next!!! What a ride!!! 😳😳 Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review. You can purchase this book or find it on Kindle Unlimited April 8, 2024.

Another excellent book from AJ Campbell. With AJ , you always know you will get a fast-paced thriller, premise, this did not disappoint.
The twists and turns and revelation of the truth are geniously written. It is a page turner, and when you think you have it, figured everything out, you realize you have no idea.
The ending, your mind will be obliterated. Sit down, buckle up, and enjoy the twisty ride. Fleshed out characters, excellent plot, and fantastic ending.
I loved everything and recommend it to every thriller fan