This story seemed pretty predictable in most aspects including plot twists but overall it was engaging enough that I wanted to find out how it all worked out in the end. If you’re newer to the thriller genre I think this book would be a great one to try!

Thanks Netgalley for the free ARC! In my opinion, this novel got off to a slow start. About 25% in it became thrilling and very enjoyable. However, the ending was too complex and ridiculous. I still would recommend because it kept my attention and I looked forward to reading each chapter.

The book starts with an unlikely encounter and jumps straight into the story. I found the pacing odd - Chris and Kara's affair felt rushed, and there's no real sense of time passing, so it felt as though everything happened in a very short timeframe, although it's later revealed to be several months.

There was a good sense of tension and claustrophobia as their affair continued, but some of the characters felt underdeveloped and two dimensional, and a lot of the dialogue came across as unnatural.

Things escalated quickly - killing Perry was rushed into with no thought or planning that the reader is privy to. A key plot point (the police asking Chris to obtain evidence of Kara's plot to murder her husband) came out of nowhere, and I had to go back to check I hadn’t missed something. I can understand wanting to maintain the tension and mystery, but it felt sudden and confusing.

Everything was explained away in the end, and seeing Kara get what she deserved was satisfying. Overall the story was good but felt rushed and underdeveloped.

The Honey Trap by Theo Baxter

The Honey Trap is a psychological thriller with twists that will keep you engaged until the very end.

Chris Abram’s is having a rough time. Recently divorced and unemployed, he moves to a small town to work at a boarding school, only to discover upon arrival, that the job no longer exists. Now he’s homeless, jobless, and his only choice is to return home to his sister and rely on her generosity. When a chance encounter with a stranded and confused motorist turns into a job, he can’t believe his luck. Perry Bryant is an eccentric millionaire with some mental health issues. When he meets Chris, he likes him so much that he hires him as part of his medical team.

Kara Bryant is Perry’s much younger, and extremely hot wife. Unfortunately she’s also bored and sees Chris as her next diversion. Chris is thrilled with his dream job, until he starts seeing the way Perry acts with his wife, seemingly becoming a different and abusive man in an instant. As Chris is more drawn to this beautiful woman that is everything he has ever dreamed of, he puts his moral issues to the side and begins a torrid affair.

But will this hot romance lead to murder? How can he harm someone he really likes? Just how far will Perry go to make Kara happy? And will the secret Chris is keeping about his past, become his undoing now?

I enjoyed the storyline, especially the twists. I became invested in Chris and wanted to see just how far he would go to get his deepest desires. I liked the character development, including the other staff members. I was definitely drawn in and once the action picked up, I had a hard time putting this down.
The middle of the book dragged a bit, but once it picked up again, it was hard to walk away from. I liked the writing style, finding it easy to read. Fans of Freida McFadden, Nicole Trope, and Kiersten Modglin will love the twists and turns.

Definitely a great read. I will be adding Theo Baxter to my must read lists.

Thank you NetGalley for the Read Now opportunity of this ARC.
Will you fall for the wife? Chris did!
I was sucked right into this first thing because I was very interested in Perry's diagnosis and needing so much help at home, however it felt so obvious that he would be married to a younger woman that was just money hungry. Kara played the victim very well, and I did start to believe maybe Perry was abusive towards her as that does happen sometimes to patients that are mentally unwell.
I feel as if the middle of this book dragged a lot and a lot of the repetitive details could've been cut.
The ending was interesting to see that Perry was actually well and was in on getting his wife arrested.
I did enjoy the twists of this read the most!

I fortunately this book was not for me.

I found the characters annoying and the story repetitive and far fetched.

I’ve read other people’s reviews and am glad that people have enjoyed it. I therefore recommend you give it a go.

I was interested in this book the moment I read what it was about. I enjoy a good crime novel that puts you right in the middle of the incident. However, I expected more from this...

First of all, the main character being down on his luck and helping some random person on the side of the road who just happens to give him a job, is the most random and unlikely thing ever. I will give props to originality though. The way the wife, Kara, acted even without knowing her husband had "issues" is a huge red flag. But then for her to instantly come onto Chris and talk him into killing her husband, how could he not have seen that she is a walking hazard..? Parts like that, in the writing is what makes the story somewhat difficult to keep reading. I was just annoyed that the main character didn't see what she was doing right in front of his face.. I get that it is a story, but it is supposed to be a suspense thriller.. it did not follow through.

Near the end, there is a comment made by the cops about how "this is all part of the plan" and I was suddenly back pedaling.. what plan? This was not mentioned at all previously, other than the Prologue, but I feel like that should have been left out. Leave the reveal that they are in on the whole thing until close to the end when they grab the wire from him. That would have been a bit better, because Kara had just confessed to everything in the most perfect way!

I do think that the end was dragged out a little bit too long... She was arrested, Perry had a talk with Chris and his work carried on.. then maybe an epilogue of the trial and how that goes down. Then you wouldn't need all the extra fluff in between that was boring to read, it had no impact on the story.

Overall, it is an okay book. I do think that Theo Baxter is an author who is good for the Young Adult category and creates easy to read books stepping into the Thriller suspense drama, without having details that would scare readers off.

Chris is living in his car and just down on his luck. By chance, he helps a stranger who happens to be a millionaire. Perry offers Chris a job as his mental health live in nurse. Chris sees this as an opportunity of a lifetime and something that can turn his luck around. Perry forgets to mention he has a very attractive and seductive wife with wondering eyes.
Chris is presented with temptations along the way. Will he be able to avoid temptation, or will he fall into the honey trap?

So many twists and turns. This story starts a little slow but quickly picks up. The plot is very twisty, and character driven.

Definitely recommend.

Big thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

I am a sucker for the "kil for me?" plot. Theo James not only wrote that plot well, but his writing style is something that isn't hard to follow, but also immerses you in the story. His characters were enticing and I found myself wrapped up in the web of craziness he strung together page after page. The plot is convoluted and intense, and James does an amazing job here.

Definitely an author I will follow going forward!

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review .
This is the second book I’ve read from this author

An intriguing , cleverly written story of love , lust ,lies and deception.
You think it’s going one way and it takes a detour .

I found this novel to be a compelling exploration of the contrast between appearances and reality. The story follows Chris, a man living in his car, who crosses paths with Perry, a stranded motorist. Perry, who struggles with neurodivergence and anxiety, invites Chris to his luxurious home and offers him a job. Chris initially feels fortunate, until he encounters Perry's alluring wife, Kara, who swiftly seduces him, setting off a complex chain of events. The intricately woven narrative keeps readers guessing about the true motives of each character, leaving us breathless until the surprising conclusion.

Another cracking read by Theo Baxter. He is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I've read this book in one sitting as I found it very hard to put it down.

This was definitely a fun and entertaining popcorn thriller. It was a fast paced read and an easy one. Although it does start off on the slower side, it does pick up.

I had never read anything by this author before and I was extremely impressed! I love finding good authors, so that was a huge plus. The storyline was interesting and like the title says, it’s a honey trap. It was a little predictable at some points but I didn’t mind that at all.

As always with every Theo Baxter book I read there was plenty of plot twists, suspense, tension that kept me hooked.

good story but it started out a little slow for me. Once it picked up, though, wow, the teists and turns!! also, that twist at the end i loved!

thanks inkubator and netgalley. all thoughts and opinions are my own and isnt influenced by anyone else

Theo does it again!!!

Holy cow I never seen it coming! Theo is exceptional and will read anything he posts

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review

Thank you NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my free and honest review. Another intriguing storyline by a master author! I am always excited when Theo Baxter pens a new novel and this one is no exception. While this one seemed a bit predictable, it was still enough to keep me guessing.

This was an easy read with an array of interesting characters which had mental health and neuro diverse characteristics adding extra layers to both the characters and the story.

It's the age old tale of boy meets girl and girl encourages boy to murder her husband.

Sounds made to say it was a fun read, but it was, it didn't take it's self to seriously despite the plot, which I think is it's uniqueness.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book, this is my honest opinion

I enjoyed reading this book, despite the slow, rather boring beginning. I’m glad I preserved as the story became interesting with many twists and turns.
I must admit the plot was intriguing and the ending was brilliantly thought out. Well done.