My overall impression: with friends like these, who needs enemies?

I have been hunting for a great thriller and this book is exactly what I’d been searching for! It’s Always the Husband is a twisty tale that is told from multiple perspectives. I loved the different points of view as they contained plenty of detail while keeping me guessing about what narrators were reliable.

C.L. Taylor’s plot is one that is tightly woven together; I sometimes find thrillers follow a familiar predictable pattern but this was not the case in It’s Always the Husband. I think that each thread of the story is meticulously plotted and realized that some of the smallest details were, in fact, some of the biggest clues. As the book reaches its conclusion, all the clever details in the tapestry of the tale are revealed. I was both surprised and satisfied when all was divulged.

I am hesitant to say anything that will spoil the book for those who have not read it. However, I have a newfound appreciation that a daily school run is not in my routine!

3.5 stars really

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released June 5, 2025.

I liked this one and I definitely had to keep reading to find out for sure what was going on! This is a well written fast-paced thriller with a great cast of characters and their POVS.

My only small complaints are that I wanted there to be more going on between Jude and Will and that part of the plot was pretty minimal. Also, for me the ending was too predictable and I would have liked a little more tension.

I did really enjoy It’s Always the Husband and I would read more novels from C.L. Taylor. I really enjoyed her writing and the characters!

It's Always The Husband is a domestic thriller set around a group if parents in a small town. The titular husband has been accused of murdering not one but two wives, and Jude is warned to stay well clear. But she doesn't see things the same way.

There are a lot of characters, and the narrative is unveiled from multiple points of view, so the first half of the book feels slow. There's a lot of set up, of cliques and politics, before things become very interesting. The characters are nicely nuanced, with good and bad traits, making it difficult to work out who to believe.

The final section of the novel sees some amateur detective work go wrong, as well as several revelations that turn things around. It all makes sense in the end - and becomes a very good thriller.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Another great read by C. L.Taylor.
Jude recently divorced moves to Lowbridge with her daughter Betsy.
She is a no-nonsense kind of person, so she doesn't engage with the clique at the school gates.
That is until there is an altercation at the school gates. Jude and Will, who's first wife, died, and then his partner Robyn has disappeared soon get the tongues wagging.
Queen bee Victoria decides to have drinks so she can find out what is happening between Jude and Will. She wants to warn her. They think Will murdered Robyn.
This was full of twists and turns. Who to believe and who is lying.
I didn't work out who it was.
There are a lot of characters in this, and trying to keep track at times was challenging.
With thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This was my first book by CL Taylor. It was a fast read and kept me engaged. I personally like more depth within a story but I think a lot of readers will enjoy this if they are looking for a fast paced thriller.

It's Always the Husband by new to me author C.L. Taylor, published by Avon Books UK, is a thrilling school gate general fiction mystery/thriller.
There are multiple povs, lots of characters. It took me more than a minute to get them all sorted in my head.
Jude and Will, Victoria and Andy, Sorrell and Finnley, all of them are connected.
A complex, complicated, verwirrende story, full of twists and turns, schadenfreude, desperation, hate and more.
A great read, 4.5 stars.

Compared to her other books, I felt that this was a very weak offering.

It lacked pace and the plot was very long and drawn out. I ended up getting to just over halfway and feeling fustrated that nothing significant had caught my attention. I ended up skimming the latter half of the book in hope that it would pick up but in the end but I got to nearly 80% and decided to give up. I found myself not that bothered to find out how it ends.

In terms of writing, the characters were well written and crafted but they were under utilised and underplayed in a story that could’ve had so much more tension and fear within it pages.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

As always, I really enjoyed this book by C.L Taylor and thought it was super easy to read. I loved the change of perspective and I was wondering how the story was going to play out all the way through! Can't wait for another release from C.L Taylor.

I was so excited to get my hands on an ARC for this book as I love this author.
I was not disappointed! Took a little while to get used to the way it is written but enjoyed the characters points of view expressed through the style of writing.
The plot was engaging and full of surprises, which kept me reading long into the night. A great thriller. Not my favourite of this author’s collection but certainly a page turner and a bloomin good read nonetheless.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon publishers for my ARC in return for honest feedback.

Its Always the Husband is set in a small close knit community where everyone knows each other and noone has any secrets from each other. Or do they?
Incomer Jude and daughter Betsy move to Lowbridge for a fresh start; the school mums are quite cliquey and judgemental so Jude tries to keep herself to herself. But when trouble comes knocking, she has to become involved.
It was a great read with lots of sub-plots and twists to keep me entertained; I was gripped to the page and couldnt wait to find out what happened next.

This book was an easy read. Lots of short chapters in the POV of 3-4 characters.
I couldn’t see where the book was going and when I tried to guess what was going to happen, I kept getting proven wrong.
I found the ending fell a bit flat for me and felt like there were some unanswered questions- who is Ali? What happened to the money Sorrell lost?- does she ever get it back?

It's Always The Husband by CL Taylor

What's it all about?

The school gates have never been so dangerous…

When newly divorced Jude arrives in the small town of Lowbridge, she is soon drawn to the enigmatic Will, father to her young daughter's best friend.

But Will's devastating past holds questions that nobody knows the answer to – and after two tragedies tore his life apart in just a few short years, gossip and rumours abound about what really happened to the women he loved.

Because whilst one dead wife is tragic, two starts to look like murder…

My Review

Being a newbie to C L Taylor's books, I feel I can come in completely without bias about this book.

This book reminded me of Motherland but on steroids. Lots of characters, school gates mum club and the story is told from each of their perspectives. Normally I don't like this way of writing as it can be confusing however the author has done a fantastic job with how they have written this. It's another page turning thriller!

I'll also be honest, it kept me guessing! Whilst I was reading this, I pictured a TV show in my head - I truly believe it would be an amazing 6 part series! The ending in particular was one of my favourites I've read in a while!!

It's definitely one to preorder!
Rating: xxxx.5

This book is released on 5th June 2025 so in perfect time to take on your summer holiday 😀

Thanks to both CL Taylor and Avon Books for this advanced readers copy.

This is a wonderful afternoons enjoyment. Brilliant storyline with some very strong characters and lots of sub stories going on for different people. Friendships that you don’t expect to happen. Robyn the second parter one day just disappears amid rumours of who has done what. You can tell this is a CL Taylor book and if you have like previous books you won’t be disappointed and if you are new to this author definitely one you will follow 😊

Another fast paced book from this author. Great twists in it. Managed to keep me hooked right from the start.
Would recommend to anyone who likes this genre

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from Netgalley. This was a compelling read. Taylor utilises the ensemble cast well, and unlike with other books with this many main characters, I felt like the ensemble added to the story rather than confusing me with how many there were are. Although the 'main' revelation felt rushed, I loved the final, subtle twist in the epilogue. It didn't click until I'd put the book down, but it made me gasp out loud. I haven't read anything by this author for a few years, but I'm excited to read their next work.

What a fantastic read that kept me hooked! I am a huge fan of C.L. Taylor, and this one didn’t miss the mark either. There were twists and turns every which way—I loved the multiple POVs, and there was so much to unravel that you never knew who to trust with all the secrets and lies. I would definitely recommend it!

Loved, loved, loved!! So we'll written and masterfully plotted out. I loved the multiple plot points that were perfectly weaved throughout the book. The characters were original and brought to life so vividly. There were twists, turns, secrets, lies, it was an absolute delight to get lost in this story and I couldnt put it down

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Although I thought I had read C.L. Taylor before, it turns out that this was my first time reading her work - and I'm so glad I had the opportunity. I especially love that she's a local author!

Taylor delivers a gripping, well-paced thriller that held my interest throughout. Her ability to build suspense and create complex, believable characters stood out. The story progresses in a way that keeps the reader guessing with plenty of twists.

The dedication - "To everyone who has survived the school run" - sets the tone immediately for some scathing observations on the school gate cliques. Sharp and relatable! I was hooked from the first chapter and often wished I could read on.

There are so many layers to this story, expertly depicting how seemingly flawless lives can hide deep cracks. The author is a master of the red herring, leading to several "WTF!" moments as the plot unfolded!

Around the three-quarter mark, though, I was starting to wonder if there was almost too much going on. The number of possible theories felt a little overwhelming at times. While the book remained a page-turner, the ending felt rushed, a little confusing and less satisfying than I hoped for. Hence the four stars.

Despite this, I found the book engaging and extremely readable. The combination of humour, suspense and sharp social observation made for a compelling and thought-provoking read. Although the resolution wasn't as strong as the build-up, the ride was worth it! I'll definitely be checking out more of this author's work in the future.

It’s Always the Husband by C.L. Taylor is a gripping psychological thriller that expertly explores the complexities of friendship, betrayal, and suspicion. The story follows a tangled web of secrets and lies as a group of friends becomes caught up in a shocking crime. Taylor’s sharp writing and clever plotting create a tense, absorbing narrative that keeps you guessing until the final reveal.

The characters are well-developed, each with their own hidden motives and emotional baggage. The shifting perspectives and timelines add depth to the story, slowly peeling back layers of deception and mistrust. Taylor skillfully builds suspense, and while some twists are more predictable than others, the emotional weight behind them keeps the story engaging. The exploration of toxic friendships and moral ambiguity adds an extra layer of complexity.

The pacing is strong, though the middle section slows down slightly as the focus shifts to character backstory. However, the final act delivers a satisfying and unexpected resolution that ties the threads together well. It’s Always the Husband is a smart and unsettling thriller that offers both psychological depth and sharp twists. A solid 4-star read—perfect for fans of dark domestic suspense.