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The Perfect Girl
He always said she was just a friend… What if she’d kill for more?
Sophie is perfect. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and when she smiles her wide, open, caring smile, her teeth sparkle. Everybody loves her. So would I, except she’s my husband Mike ’s best friend, and sometimes they seem a little too close for comfort.
This summer, Sophie is renting the grand house next door, bringing over fancy wine, offering to babysit our beautiful three-year-old daughter. It’s nice, actually. She’s smart and funny. Maybe the way she is with Mike – squeezing his arm, tilting her head when she laughs at his jokes – is just how she is with everybody.
But then she says something that sends a shiver down my spine – does she know something about me she shouldn’t?
And when her new husband arrives, looking slightly too familiar, I realise my time is running out. My baby girl and I are in terrible danger.
Sophie really is perfect. She has me perfectly trapped. And as my world begins to crumble, I start to does Sophie just want to steal my husband, or has she planned the perfect murder?
A completely unputdownable psychological thriller that will keep you flicking through your Kindle late into the night. Perfect for fans of The Housemaid , The Guest List and anything by Louise Candlish, Erin Kelly or TM Logan.
Sophie is perfect. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and when she smiles her wide, open, caring smile, her teeth sparkle. Everybody loves her. So would I, except she’s my husband Mike ’s best friend, and sometimes they seem a little too close for comfort.
This summer, Sophie is renting the grand house next door, bringing over fancy wine, offering to babysit our beautiful three-year-old daughter. It’s nice, actually. She’s smart and funny. Maybe the way she is with Mike – squeezing his arm, tilting her head when she laughs at his jokes – is just how she is with everybody.
But then she says something that sends a shiver down my spine – does she know something about me she shouldn’t?
And when her new husband arrives, looking slightly too familiar, I realise my time is running out. My baby girl and I are in terrible danger.
Sophie really is perfect. She has me perfectly trapped. And as my world begins to crumble, I start to does Sophie just want to steal my husband, or has she planned the perfect murder?
A completely unputdownable psychological thriller that will keep you flicking through your Kindle late into the night. Perfect for fans of The Housemaid , The Guest List and anything by Louise Candlish, Erin Kelly or TM Logan.
414 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2023
3510 people are currently reading
3728 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 367 reviews
April 17, 2023
4.5⭐
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, debut, flashbacks, secrets, cheating
Emma and Mike have been married for a few years and have a 3 year old daughter, Arla.
Mike and Sophie have been best friends since childhood.
JB, Sophie's husband, really makes the story interesting when they move in next door.
Emma never really got along with Sophie. They both make an effort to become friends for Mike's sake though. Sophie seems like a conniving one, or is she? Since Emma is our only narrator I really didn't know who to believe. And I really started to find her unreliable when she was talking to her dead mother and mother was talking back.
I totally think men and women can be best friends, but Mike and Sophie's relationship was a little too close for my liking, but I'm not the wife so whatevs.
Overall, a fast paced, gripping psychological ride for this impressive debut. I liked the twists and turns and was quite pleased with the ending. I enjoyed my first experience with this author and I'll definitely be back for her to mess with my mind some more.
*Thanks Kelly Golden and Rachel's Random Resources for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, debut, flashbacks, secrets, cheating
Emma and Mike have been married for a few years and have a 3 year old daughter, Arla.
Mike and Sophie have been best friends since childhood.
JB, Sophie's husband, really makes the story interesting when they move in next door.
Emma never really got along with Sophie. They both make an effort to become friends for Mike's sake though. Sophie seems like a conniving one, or is she? Since Emma is our only narrator I really didn't know who to believe. And I really started to find her unreliable when she was talking to her dead mother and mother was talking back.
I totally think men and women can be best friends, but Mike and Sophie's relationship was a little too close for my liking, but I'm not the wife so whatevs.
Overall, a fast paced, gripping psychological ride for this impressive debut. I liked the twists and turns and was quite pleased with the ending. I enjoyed my first experience with this author and I'll definitely be back for her to mess with my mind some more.
*Thanks Kelly Golden and Rachel's Random Resources for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
March 17, 2023
Too many flashbacks. It was honestly really confusing because they would happen in the middle of the present scene. These flashbacks should have been separated into different chapters.
The “twists” weren’t really twists at all and the ending was absolutely awful. I’m annoyed that Emma went to prison for something she clearly didn’t do.
This book really dragged on and felt never ending.
The “twists” weren’t really twists at all and the ending was absolutely awful. I’m annoyed that Emma went to prison for something she clearly didn’t do.
This book really dragged on and felt never ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2023
I didn’t like it. Twists? Turns? Psychological thriller? lol Not really. It’s just a story about a woman (Emma) who’s mother manipulated her into marrying a rich man (Mike) She couldn’t seal the engagement so she got pregnant with whoopsie another man’s baby. This baby daddy (johnnie)happened to be who she DID love but she left him high and dry for her intended.
During this story the baby is a 3 year old girl who loves her daddy. But our protagonist is riddled with guilt because of her affair and the daughters parentage.
Enter the best friend Sophie. But not the best friend of Emily. Oh no. She’s the best friend of Mike. We could have explored the age old “can men and women really be friends”. But no. It comes out that unbeknownst to Emma, Sophie and Mike were F buddies. So that’s why it took 6 years and a pregnancy to get married. Sophie wanted Mike all along.
But wait! There’s more! Sophie herself is now married to this man (JB or Johnnie). But he’s pretending to not be the baby’s daddy. Sophie is pretending that she’s just a charming effed up person and has been drugging Emma to make her look crazy to everyone. Emma is confused.
Mike is wondering why she hasn’t cried after losing her dick (but not really sick) mother. Oh yeah. She died. Forget to mention that. Her baby daddy is pretending he’s someone else while married to her husbands best friend. The best friend is pretending she knows nothing while gaslighting her to believe her husband abuses her.
Of course she’s confused! I’m confused! This is all too much and not written well enough to flow.
It all comes to a boiling point when Sophie reveals SURPRISE! Mike is not the father and BIGGER SURPRISE! Johnny is. A tussle ensues and Mike dies. Predictably, Emma goes to jail for the murder.
Ok. I’m fine with all of this really. It’s not a great book but it’s fine. BUT THEN! We skip ahead 6 years. Emma has done her jail time and Sophie moves her back into her home where she now lives with Emma’s daughter and Johnnie. Ooookkaaaayyyy. Here we find out that the crazy dead mom had history with Mikes parents and thought she was going to be in the will. And then it abruptly ends with Johnnie (who hasn’t spoken a word to her since he helped frame her for murder) rushes her out of the house to go into hiding with their daughter from Sophie. The End.
WHAAAAT?! This is the absolute worst ending. Wtf is happening? Why is he doing this? Is he protecting her? Is he just starting a new level of torture for her? No motivation here and there was no real character development for us to guess.
We could have had so many good books out of this. Johnnies quest to claim his daughter. Emma trying to unpack her childhood with her crazy manipulative mother. A couple fighting for their marriage in the face of a psycho ex eff buddy. And what’s with Mikes parents? We could have had a story about the entire Will situation snd the inheritance. Instead we get a mangled piece of work that just left me feeling annoyed.
During this story the baby is a 3 year old girl who loves her daddy. But our protagonist is riddled with guilt because of her affair and the daughters parentage.
Enter the best friend Sophie. But not the best friend of Emily. Oh no. She’s the best friend of Mike. We could have explored the age old “can men and women really be friends”. But no. It comes out that unbeknownst to Emma, Sophie and Mike were F buddies. So that’s why it took 6 years and a pregnancy to get married. Sophie wanted Mike all along.
But wait! There’s more! Sophie herself is now married to this man (JB or Johnnie). But he’s pretending to not be the baby’s daddy. Sophie is pretending that she’s just a charming effed up person and has been drugging Emma to make her look crazy to everyone. Emma is confused.
Mike is wondering why she hasn’t cried after losing her dick (but not really sick) mother. Oh yeah. She died. Forget to mention that. Her baby daddy is pretending he’s someone else while married to her husbands best friend. The best friend is pretending she knows nothing while gaslighting her to believe her husband abuses her.
Of course she’s confused! I’m confused! This is all too much and not written well enough to flow.
It all comes to a boiling point when Sophie reveals SURPRISE! Mike is not the father and BIGGER SURPRISE! Johnny is. A tussle ensues and Mike dies. Predictably, Emma goes to jail for the murder.
Ok. I’m fine with all of this really. It’s not a great book but it’s fine. BUT THEN! We skip ahead 6 years. Emma has done her jail time and Sophie moves her back into her home where she now lives with Emma’s daughter and Johnnie. Ooookkaaaayyyy. Here we find out that the crazy dead mom had history with Mikes parents and thought she was going to be in the will. And then it abruptly ends with Johnnie (who hasn’t spoken a word to her since he helped frame her for murder) rushes her out of the house to go into hiding with their daughter from Sophie. The End.
WHAAAAT?! This is the absolute worst ending. Wtf is happening? Why is he doing this? Is he protecting her? Is he just starting a new level of torture for her? No motivation here and there was no real character development for us to guess.
We could have had so many good books out of this. Johnnies quest to claim his daughter. Emma trying to unpack her childhood with her crazy manipulative mother. A couple fighting for their marriage in the face of a psycho ex eff buddy. And what’s with Mikes parents? We could have had a story about the entire Will situation snd the inheritance. Instead we get a mangled piece of work that just left me feeling annoyed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2023
1.5 stars
The Perfect Girl is a rather uneventful, slow and disjointed read with a crap ending.
⛱️ Storyline ⛱️
Emma's life is idyllic. She has everything that she wants; a big house by the sea, a doting husband and gorgeous three-year-old daughter, Arla. Emma's perfect world is threatened when Mike's best friend, Sophie, comes to stay for the summer. Sophie is attractive, flirty and bold. Emma worries that Sophie and Mike might be more than just friends. Things only just get even more dramatic when Sophie's husband, J.B, joins them and there's something very familiar about him...
⛱️ Strengths ⛱️
-There weren't really many. Initially the story was quite compelling and I really wanted to find out what Sophie's intentions were. She presented as a complex and mysterious character.
-Arla and Emma's mother and daughter bond was well portrayed and endearing.
⛱️ Weaknesses ⛱️
-The story was way too overwritten and uneventful. I kept expecting something momentous to happen but nothing really happened. The story could have been cut by 100 pages. There was so much repetition especially about Emma's guilt, complex relationship with her mother and trying to figure out Sophie's intentions.
-Apart from Arla, none of the characters were likeable. Not every novel has to have likeable characters but you want someone to root for. I did feel a bit bad for Emma especially as she was a good mum, but she lied and cheated. All of the adults were so messed up. I felt sorry for poor Arla getting stuck in the middle of the adult's mistakes. Sophie was just evil and Mike was just dumb! How can you be close friends with a woman you've slept with many times in the past and expect your wife to be OK with it??? How can you expect your wife to feel comfortable when your female friend is giving you massages and is touchy feely and flirty with you??
-The character's intentions were so unclear and haphazard. I couldn't figure Sophie out and what she wanted. Why would she kill Mike if he's her best friend and why would she kill her husband if she claimed that she was so in love with him?? Why did she lie about J.B hurting her?? Did Sophie and J.B get together because they really liked each other or because they wanted to get what they wanted from Emma and Mike? None of it made sense. Did her and Mike really have a fling when he was with Emma? Nothing was explained. Also J.B pretending not to know who Emma was even when just the two of them were alone was really unrealistic and stupid!
-There weren't any surprising or shocking twists as everything is given away pretty much right away. As soon as we're introduced to J.B, we're told that he's Emma ex who she cheated with on Mike and the biological father of Arla. It's pretty much clear that Sophie still has a thing for Mike.
-The ending was just terrible! I don't really see the point of Mike's death or Sophie's motives for killing Mike if she loved him so much. She claims that J.B. was meant to die but why would she want him dead??
⛱️ Conclusion ⛱️
This was a poorly developed, repetitive and predictable story with no jaw dropping twists or even anything eventful going on in the storyline. This really didn't feel like a thriller at all.
⛱️ Grading ⛱️
Characterization: C
Ending: F
Setting: C-
Suspense: C-
Writing: D
Overall grade: D-
⛱️ Will I add this to my book shelf? ⛱️
Well it's on my Kindle bookshelf but I'll probably remove it as I highly doubt I'll be reading it again.
The Perfect Girl is a rather uneventful, slow and disjointed read with a crap ending.
⛱️ Storyline ⛱️
Emma's life is idyllic. She has everything that she wants; a big house by the sea, a doting husband and gorgeous three-year-old daughter, Arla. Emma's perfect world is threatened when Mike's best friend, Sophie, comes to stay for the summer. Sophie is attractive, flirty and bold. Emma worries that Sophie and Mike might be more than just friends. Things only just get even more dramatic when Sophie's husband, J.B, joins them and there's something very familiar about him...
⛱️ Strengths ⛱️
-There weren't really many. Initially the story was quite compelling and I really wanted to find out what Sophie's intentions were. She presented as a complex and mysterious character.
-Arla and Emma's mother and daughter bond was well portrayed and endearing.
⛱️ Weaknesses ⛱️
-The story was way too overwritten and uneventful. I kept expecting something momentous to happen but nothing really happened. The story could have been cut by 100 pages. There was so much repetition especially about Emma's guilt, complex relationship with her mother and trying to figure out Sophie's intentions.
-Apart from Arla, none of the characters were likeable. Not every novel has to have likeable characters but you want someone to root for. I did feel a bit bad for Emma especially as she was a good mum, but she lied and cheated. All of the adults were so messed up. I felt sorry for poor Arla getting stuck in the middle of the adult's mistakes. Sophie was just evil and Mike was just dumb! How can you be close friends with a woman you've slept with many times in the past and expect your wife to be OK with it??? How can you expect your wife to feel comfortable when your female friend is giving you massages and is touchy feely and flirty with you??
-The character's intentions were so unclear and haphazard. I couldn't figure Sophie out and what she wanted. Why would she kill Mike if he's her best friend and why would she kill her husband if she claimed that she was so in love with him?? Why did she lie about J.B hurting her?? Did Sophie and J.B get together because they really liked each other or because they wanted to get what they wanted from Emma and Mike? None of it made sense. Did her and Mike really have a fling when he was with Emma? Nothing was explained. Also J.B pretending not to know who Emma was even when just the two of them were alone was really unrealistic and stupid!
-There weren't any surprising or shocking twists as everything is given away pretty much right away. As soon as we're introduced to J.B, we're told that he's Emma ex who she cheated with on Mike and the biological father of Arla. It's pretty much clear that Sophie still has a thing for Mike.
-The ending was just terrible! I don't really see the point of Mike's death or Sophie's motives for killing Mike if she loved him so much. She claims that J.B. was meant to die but why would she want him dead??
⛱️ Conclusion ⛱️
This was a poorly developed, repetitive and predictable story with no jaw dropping twists or even anything eventful going on in the storyline. This really didn't feel like a thriller at all.
⛱️ Grading ⛱️
Characterization: C
Ending: F
Setting: C-
Suspense: C-
Writing: D
Overall grade: D-
⛱️ Will I add this to my book shelf? ⛱️
Well it's on my Kindle bookshelf but I'll probably remove it as I highly doubt I'll be reading it again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2025
I was seeking perfection when I selected "The Perfect Girl".
Unfortunately, "perfection" was a "no show".
The book dragged and was replete with repetitious text.
The book's ending was absurd and eye-rolling.
I listened to the audiobook read by Laura Greaves.
The narration was good but not great.
The audiobook's production was sloppy.
The timing of announcing the book's chapters was completely off.
One star, rounded up.
April 4, 2023
not a great storyline
The book goes in circles until about 7/10 of the way through. Then the story gets a little too far fetched. Then ends abruptly.
The book goes in circles until about 7/10 of the way through. Then the story gets a little too far fetched. Then ends abruptly.
February 18, 2023
I just could not get into this book I tried several times but just ended up not finishing it it just was too slow for me!!!
May 3, 2023
Exciting psychological thriller
A slow paced thriller that suddenly becomes faster and more exciting as you get towards the end.
What I enjoyed was the twists and turns and the fact that it left me with questions at the end about Sophie and Mike, almost enabling you to discuss whether her story was the truth.
When a young couple and their child find the husband's glamorous best friend show up next door, waves begin to happen let the husband Mike questioning his wife's stability and believing his friend over his wife.
An enjoyable read and very well written with good character development.
I awarded a four instead of a five purely because I already knew who was at the centre of making out that Elle was unstable.
Nonetheless I highly recommend this book by Kelly Golden.
Kerry Kennedy Author
A slow paced thriller that suddenly becomes faster and more exciting as you get towards the end.
What I enjoyed was the twists and turns and the fact that it left me with questions at the end about Sophie and Mike, almost enabling you to discuss whether her story was the truth.
When a young couple and their child find the husband's glamorous best friend show up next door, waves begin to happen let the husband Mike questioning his wife's stability and believing his friend over his wife.
An enjoyable read and very well written with good character development.
I awarded a four instead of a five purely because I already knew who was at the centre of making out that Elle was unstable.
Nonetheless I highly recommend this book by Kelly Golden.
Kerry Kennedy Author
February 4, 2023
Kelly Golden is a new-to-me author. I was hooked by the synopsis and title and eager to start the book. Once I did, I was even more hooked. The plot twists and turns from beginning to end, and I got the feeling right from the beginning that things were not perfect.
The setting was imaginative, as were the descriptions of the homes in the area as well as Emma and Mike's home.
Emma is a great mum to Arla, but I found her to be vulnerable although she was strong. Her fear of Sophie led to me fearing Sophie. Mile was a well-fleshed out character. I wasn't sure what to think of Sophie's husband, JB.
Sophie is a real character, and the unease she brings is utterly palpable throughout the book. I kept thinking "what next?" and I was waiting to find out what happened. I did not have to wait long as the pace of the book is so quick, with short chapters.
The pacing was amazing and appropriate for the book and plot as I just wanted to know what was going to happen. It kept me guessing though.
Every character is impeccably thought out and portrayed and the attention to detail is great to keep the tension and atmosphere. It's one of those novels that makes me satisfied yet uneasy long after I've finished it. It begs the question: how well do we really know people? And how close is too close for comfort? How far will some people go for the life they want?
Thanks to Kelly Golden, KG and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
5 stars
The setting was imaginative, as were the descriptions of the homes in the area as well as Emma and Mike's home.
Emma is a great mum to Arla, but I found her to be vulnerable although she was strong. Her fear of Sophie led to me fearing Sophie. Mile was a well-fleshed out character. I wasn't sure what to think of Sophie's husband, JB.
Sophie is a real character, and the unease she brings is utterly palpable throughout the book. I kept thinking "what next?" and I was waiting to find out what happened. I did not have to wait long as the pace of the book is so quick, with short chapters.
The pacing was amazing and appropriate for the book and plot as I just wanted to know what was going to happen. It kept me guessing though.
Every character is impeccably thought out and portrayed and the attention to detail is great to keep the tension and atmosphere. It's one of those novels that makes me satisfied yet uneasy long after I've finished it. It begs the question: how well do we really know people? And how close is too close for comfort? How far will some people go for the life they want?
Thanks to Kelly Golden, KG and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
5 stars
April 20, 2023
It took me much longer than it should to finish this as I just couldn't get to grips with the characters. The storyline is OK, but there's too much waffle for me and I just couldn't muster the desire to keep reading it so I kept dipping in and out which; to be fair, probably didn't help with my affinity to any of the characters. There's usually one you can warm to but they all drove me mad and I could have throttled all of them well before the end! I think this book was probably a good 25% longer than it needed to be and there were times when I wished it would hurry up and get to the point. Not one I will be re-visiting.
April 12, 2023
Excruciating read. Sat down one day and forced myself to finish it, and should have made it a DNF.
June 19, 2023
Nope! Not having it! That can not be the end of these characters! Follow up needed or I will be having a middle aged bookworm tantrum!!!
That ending came at a million miles an hour!! Whilst I felt it was a bit too slow paced for me at the start, I soon realised this made the impact of that ending so much more effective!
Amazing characters and storylines within this read, my mind is whizzing with some questions. I wish the book was longer as I didn’t want this to end.
Even writing this review, I now want not only a follow up, but a prequel of uni life!
My first book by the author and any future books will be an auto-buy.
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
That ending came at a million miles an hour!! Whilst I felt it was a bit too slow paced for me at the start, I soon realised this made the impact of that ending so much more effective!
Amazing characters and storylines within this read, my mind is whizzing with some questions. I wish the book was longer as I didn’t want this to end.
Even writing this review, I now want not only a follow up, but a prequel of uni life!
My first book by the author and any future books will be an auto-buy.
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
February 20, 2023
I bought this one on a friend's recommendation - and she was right!
Emma is living her perfect life with husband Mike and daughter Arla in what was Mike's family home. With easy access to the beach, her life really is perfect but with one cloud on the horizon. Sophie. Gorgeous, blonde and Mike's best friend, she has always concerned Emma and now she's coming to live in the closest house to them for the summer. When, eventually, her new husband turns up, bells ring for Emma and she wonders just what is going on . . .
This is an astonishing debut! Everything a psychological thriller should be; giving the reader much to absorb and putting so many doubts in their mind. We read so many stories of opposite-sex 'best friends' who go on, years later, to marry that I'm always a bit dubious about these relationships. With plenty happening in this book, I was gripped, no doubt about it. The ending? Well, I don't know if it was always planned but, for me, it was a bit abrupt as if the writer had run out of options. It doesn't take away from the fact this is a terrific debut and I'm happy to give it 4.5*.
Emma is living her perfect life with husband Mike and daughter Arla in what was Mike's family home. With easy access to the beach, her life really is perfect but with one cloud on the horizon. Sophie. Gorgeous, blonde and Mike's best friend, she has always concerned Emma and now she's coming to live in the closest house to them for the summer. When, eventually, her new husband turns up, bells ring for Emma and she wonders just what is going on . . .
This is an astonishing debut! Everything a psychological thriller should be; giving the reader much to absorb and putting so many doubts in their mind. We read so many stories of opposite-sex 'best friends' who go on, years later, to marry that I'm always a bit dubious about these relationships. With plenty happening in this book, I was gripped, no doubt about it. The ending? Well, I don't know if it was always planned but, for me, it was a bit abrupt as if the writer had run out of options. It doesn't take away from the fact this is a terrific debut and I'm happy to give it 4.5*.
August 6, 2023
I went into this thinking I was going to LOVE it. But when nothing really happened by page 200 it became a chore to keep reading.
I didn’t like any of the characters - besides Arla, they’re all horrible. They’re all shady and unreliable as all hell.
It is so dry for like….320 pages. Nothing really happens besides all the characters being inappropriate with each other, tons of secrets being kept and no one owning up to anything.
The bounce between past and present is so random and sudden that it just ended up being messy to me. The chapters are all short - something I LOVE - so it would have made more sense to just put the past in its own chapters. The weirdness with Emma’s mom kind of “appearing” and talking with her threw me off a bit.
The ending does pick up as far as pace goes, but the twists just didn’t do it for me.
I feel soooo bad because typically I’m so easy to please, but unfortunately this one just want written for me - even with a Billie Eilish drop.
I didn’t like any of the characters - besides Arla, they’re all horrible. They’re all shady and unreliable as all hell.
It is so dry for like….320 pages. Nothing really happens besides all the characters being inappropriate with each other, tons of secrets being kept and no one owning up to anything.
The bounce between past and present is so random and sudden that it just ended up being messy to me. The chapters are all short - something I LOVE - so it would have made more sense to just put the past in its own chapters. The weirdness with Emma’s mom kind of “appearing” and talking with her threw me off a bit.
The ending does pick up as far as pace goes, but the twists just didn’t do it for me.
I feel soooo bad because typically I’m so easy to please, but unfortunately this one just want written for me - even with a Billie Eilish drop.
February 2, 2023
This book messed with my head. It was a slow burn at first, getting familiar with the characters, the settings, relationships and backgrounds, etc. But boy, once this got going, it was so good. The author had me believing no one at one point. She has written such a clever, crafty, twisted and messed up character in this story that she gets away with everything. I really hated her. Manipulative. The ending... WOW. How can you just end it like that? Come on. Seriously. I need answers. I need more. Please. I really enjoyed this read and fell in love with the little girl who I just wanted to take away from everything happening and run away with her. A well deserved four stars. Highly recommend. Twisted. Gripping. Thrilling. Deadly.
March 25, 2025
3.5 stars
Storyline was interesting, I kept waiting to see what the next thing Sophie would pull around Mike and definitely was frustrated at how Emma was never believed. But once the vacation started, the interactions between the 4 adults felt immature and flat. I was hoping for more substance to the arguments and suspense side of the plot and was left hanging. While the idea had merit, it left me wanting and will probably be forgettable for me unfortunately. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator had a great voice for the book, but her pacing felt artificial and inconsistent.
Storyline was interesting, I kept waiting to see what the next thing Sophie would pull around Mike and definitely was frustrated at how Emma was never believed. But once the vacation started, the interactions between the 4 adults felt immature and flat. I was hoping for more substance to the arguments and suspense side of the plot and was left hanging. While the idea had merit, it left me wanting and will probably be forgettable for me unfortunately. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator had a great voice for the book, but her pacing felt artificial and inconsistent.
July 25, 2023
Started off so good but then lost me. Ending was a let down
November 24, 2024
Spoiler ***** The book was an interesting read, albeit frustrating with so much of it lacking reality. Just one example- If you were regularly being drugged with street drugs, do you think you’d just find yourself forgetful and chalk it up to grief and nothing more? You wouldn’t feel it?
Serious lack of loyalty with character relationships all the way around that went on for years. There wasn’t a really likable character in the book except the 3 year old. Does that even count? And with what happened towards the end (won’t give it away) before the very end left me expecting a seriously awesome twist ending, but the ending was so anticlimactic and rushed. I just sat there wondering what happened? I’ve got more I could say but won’t spoil it.
This book has good potential, but definitely needs some changes towards reality, a better ending, which wouldn’t be difficult to achieve, and how about a character you want to root for? But if you’re looking for an entertaining read and not much more go for it!
Serious lack of loyalty with character relationships all the way around that went on for years. There wasn’t a really likable character in the book except the 3 year old. Does that even count? And with what happened towards the end (won’t give it away) before the very end left me expecting a seriously awesome twist ending, but the ending was so anticlimactic and rushed. I just sat there wondering what happened? I’ve got more I could say but won’t spoil it.
This book has good potential, but definitely needs some changes towards reality, a better ending, which wouldn’t be difficult to achieve, and how about a character you want to root for? But if you’re looking for an entertaining read and not much more go for it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ from the beginning I hated Sophie! Then I was warming to her but still suspicious. Then I HATED that I was right all along but allowed myself to be fooled.
At certain points I didn’t trust any of them, especially Emma.
Mike really should of put Sophie in her place at certain points I wanted to scream at him. It seemed he finally realised what a wicked witch she was just minutes before it was to late, which added to my frustration of him.
Little Arla had my wishing she was with a different family just so I knew she was safe.
I’d of rated this book higher but that ending has me reeling. I need a follow up book.
Do they get away?
Did JB happily let a murderer raise his child or did he feel scared?
So many questions
At certain points I didn’t trust any of them, especially Emma.
Mike really should of put Sophie in her place at certain points I wanted to scream at him. It seemed he finally realised what a wicked witch she was just minutes before it was to late, which added to my frustration of him.
Little Arla had my wishing she was with a different family just so I knew she was safe.
I’d of rated this book higher but that ending has me reeling. I need a follow up book.
Do they get away?
Did JB happily let a murderer raise his child or did he feel scared?
So many questions
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2023
Really wouldn’t consider this a “psychological thriller”. I was quite disappointed in this one. Randomly found it on KU & thought the storyline sounded right up my alley. The prologue was very intriguing but the storyline didn’t live up to the expectations of a thriller. There were too many flashbacks in the middle of present times that made no sense & confused me on if it was current or past conversations. There were really no thrills, more so just surprising moments. & the ending was absolutely terrible that just angered me. (I was waiting for books to become available from the library through the Libby app or else this would’ve been DNF for me.)
March 16, 2023
What ??? Very unnecessary details throughout this looooooong book. Boring.
April 16, 2023
Sloowww so I skimmed and it wasn’t good lol
May 15, 2023
Had to force myself to finish this book.
March 20, 2023
A Must Read!
I enjoyed this book ... It was twisty and fun, I loved the way the author described everything from the beautiful scenery to the food that was prepared, I loved the details! The authors words were woven into such a suspenseful story and her characters were brilliant! These people were so complex (it was insane) !!! My only complaint is I need a few more chapters...
I enjoyed this book ... It was twisty and fun, I loved the way the author described everything from the beautiful scenery to the food that was prepared, I loved the details! The authors words were woven into such a suspenseful story and her characters were brilliant! These people were so complex (it was insane) !!! My only complaint is I need a few more chapters...
February 17, 2023
4.5*
How would you feel if your husband’s female best friend who is gorgeous and rich and charming moves in next door? Even if your husband swears blind, they are and only ever have been just platonic friends? Insecure? Nervous? Welcoming?
Meet Emma, she’s coming to terms with her mother’s death, though that is one relationship a psychologist would have a field day with. The gorgeous Sophie is moving in next door, she’s lovely but there is something that’s not quite right in Emma’s world.
Told entirely from Emma’s point of view, I wasn’t sure who to trust in this tense tale. Was Emma losing the plot leaving sharp knives in her daughter’s play kitchen and forgetting to make her lunch for nursery or was she the sanest of the lot and actually the one telling me the truth? I really didn’t know. Jealousy and secrets can do a lot to a person in normal circumstances but in the complex mind state of a strange kind of grief (which Emma is very much in), it can be warped. Was Emma the unreliable narrator or is someone manipulating her life?!
Golden kept me guessing right up to the final breath of the book. I really didn’t know what would happen to Emma and what did happen left me shocked. If this is Golden’s first step into the dark side of fiction (which it is), I can’t wait to see what she produces next!
How would you feel if your husband’s female best friend who is gorgeous and rich and charming moves in next door? Even if your husband swears blind, they are and only ever have been just platonic friends? Insecure? Nervous? Welcoming?
Meet Emma, she’s coming to terms with her mother’s death, though that is one relationship a psychologist would have a field day with. The gorgeous Sophie is moving in next door, she’s lovely but there is something that’s not quite right in Emma’s world.
Told entirely from Emma’s point of view, I wasn’t sure who to trust in this tense tale. Was Emma losing the plot leaving sharp knives in her daughter’s play kitchen and forgetting to make her lunch for nursery or was she the sanest of the lot and actually the one telling me the truth? I really didn’t know. Jealousy and secrets can do a lot to a person in normal circumstances but in the complex mind state of a strange kind of grief (which Emma is very much in), it can be warped. Was Emma the unreliable narrator or is someone manipulating her life?!
Golden kept me guessing right up to the final breath of the book. I really didn’t know what would happen to Emma and what did happen left me shocked. If this is Golden’s first step into the dark side of fiction (which it is), I can’t wait to see what she produces next!
July 6, 2023
I couldn't put the book down for the longest time, then the ending was terrible. I can't believe I wasted my time.
January 31, 2023
First, I want to thank Kelly Golden and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.
Oh WOW!! Kelly Golden out of the blue shocked me by pulling on many of my heart strings with The Perfect Girl. Now I had never read anything from her before so I was not sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised.
I have to be honest and say that the book started off a little slow for me. However, what first caught my attention was sweet Arla! Oh that girl pulled on my heartstrings big time! She was so adorable!! I loved all the cute scenes she was in. Infact, she was one of the aspects of the book that hooked me right away. Not to mention I thought it was a very unique name.
There were two other storylines that really pulled on my heartstrings: the loss of the mother and the infertility issues. Seeing how great Sophie was with Arla and her own personal situation just literally killed me!
Oh WOW!! Kelly Golden out of the blue shocked me by pulling on many of my heart strings with The Perfect Girl. Now I had never read anything from her before so I was not sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised.
I have to be honest and say that the book started off a little slow for me. However, what first caught my attention was sweet Arla! Oh that girl pulled on my heartstrings big time! She was so adorable!! I loved all the cute scenes she was in. Infact, she was one of the aspects of the book that hooked me right away. Not to mention I thought it was a very unique name.
There were two other storylines that really pulled on my heartstrings: the loss of the mother and the infertility issues. Seeing how great Sophie was with Arla and her own personal situation just literally killed me!
August 10, 2025
I normally don't read slow burns and/or psychological thrillers, but knowing that someone was going to die at some point based on the prologue, kept me reading. The characters were all stupidly messed up and toxic, which kept things interesting. It drove me crazy that Emma kept telling herself that whatever she was doing was wrong, but would do it anyways. At some point you would think she would make the decision to change something, especially if she knew it wasn’t right. My biggest problem with this book was the quick climax and abrupt ending. The ending of the book left me feeling confused and conflicted, and asking a lot of questions. I don’t mind having a few questions at the end of a book, but this one left me with a lot of questions that were very broad. The ending pretty much ruined the rest of the book for me because of how sudden it was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2023
Very disappointed in this book. It was super drawn out and felt like about 100 pages could have been cut. There were a lot of flashbacks that just happened in the middle of a chapter with no indication. Mike got on my nerves so bad because his and Sophie's relationship was very inappropriate and when he knew Sophie made Emma uncomfortable, he still never put a stop to it. He would continue going off alone with her, ignore his wife to talk to her, let him grab his arm, etc..And the end just annoyed me so bad. I can't believe that Emma went down for his murder. And it seems like the ending is just going to suck all around until the very last page and all of a sudden, they're running off together. What? Why? Give us more detail!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2023
Not great
From the reviews I really thought this would be a great read but I guess it got overhyped? It had enough mystery to it that I was interested throughout the book but some of the "twists" were pretty obvious and in the end not that shocking. Then not only did the end have some pretty undesirable parts but it literally ends without the loose ends being tied up at all? I'm only giving 2 stars because it did somewhat keep me interested but I would not recommend this due to the fact the ending is such a let down.
From the reviews I really thought this would be a great read but I guess it got overhyped? It had enough mystery to it that I was interested throughout the book but some of the "twists" were pretty obvious and in the end not that shocking. Then not only did the end have some pretty undesirable parts but it literally ends without the loose ends being tied up at all? I'm only giving 2 stars because it did somewhat keep me interested but I would not recommend this due to the fact the ending is such a let down.
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