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The Perfect Girlfriend
I smile at my boyfriend as I set the table ready for the delicious dinner that’s bubbling on the stove. I know I’m everything to him. I’ve made absolutely sure I’m his perfect match, in every way…
Jay and I have only known each other a short while, but whenever I gaze into his gorgeous green eyes I know he’s the one. His little house by the deep forest’s edge is perfect for the two of us – there’s no internet, no phone signal, and no neighbours. I’m about as far from my past as I could be. No one knows where I am, and I need to keep it that way.
Warm in Jay’s arms, I can persuade myself it’s ok that he disappears for hours when he thinks I’m asleep at night, returning the next morning, glittery eyed and tense. And I don’t mind that he likes to be in charge of our money, our time, of me. He’s just looking after me, keeping me safe from the outside world, because he loves me.
I won’t question him, I can’t challenge him. I need our relationship to work. Because I have secrets too . Jay thinks he knows me, but he doesn’t have a clue.
All I have to do is play my part, and pray he never discovers just how far from perfect I really am…
A completely addictive psychological thriller packed with incredible twists you won’t see coming. Perfect for fans of The Housemaid , The Split , and The Serial Killer’s Wife .
Jay and I have only known each other a short while, but whenever I gaze into his gorgeous green eyes I know he’s the one. His little house by the deep forest’s edge is perfect for the two of us – there’s no internet, no phone signal, and no neighbours. I’m about as far from my past as I could be. No one knows where I am, and I need to keep it that way.
Warm in Jay’s arms, I can persuade myself it’s ok that he disappears for hours when he thinks I’m asleep at night, returning the next morning, glittery eyed and tense. And I don’t mind that he likes to be in charge of our money, our time, of me. He’s just looking after me, keeping me safe from the outside world, because he loves me.
I won’t question him, I can’t challenge him. I need our relationship to work. Because I have secrets too . Jay thinks he knows me, but he doesn’t have a clue.
All I have to do is play my part, and pray he never discovers just how far from perfect I really am…
A completely addictive psychological thriller packed with incredible twists you won’t see coming. Perfect for fans of The Housemaid , The Split , and The Serial Killer’s Wife .
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2023
1296 people are currently reading
1409 people want to read
About the author
Hayley Smith
4 books107 followersHayley Smith is married with three children and lived for many years in north east Derbyshire, UK, where much of her writing is set.
She has worked as a graphic designer, youth worker and musician, and is still involved in organising music festivals and gigs.
Having a penchant for all things alternative, she often dips into the counter-culture scene for writing inspiration, producing quirky rough-edged characters and dark, unpredictable twists, turns and moral dilemmas.
She now lives in an eco-community in Shropshire.
She has worked as a graphic designer, youth worker and musician, and is still involved in organising music festivals and gigs.
Having a penchant for all things alternative, she often dips into the counter-culture scene for writing inspiration, producing quirky rough-edged characters and dark, unpredictable twists, turns and moral dilemmas.
She now lives in an eco-community in Shropshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 367 reviews
July 16, 2023
This was a nicely done debut novel which turned things on a dime with one twist and reveal which changed how I felt about the book. I thought I knew where things were headed, I thought I had things figured out, I was wrong!
Lauren meets Jay at a music festival. He has gorgeous green eyes; she has beautiful dark hair, and they know each other is the one. That is until the proverbial you-know-what hits the fan.
Lauren agrees to move into his cabin at the forest’s edge. It's perfect for two people who want to be alone, as in truly alone. There is no internet, no phone, and no neighbors. Jay soon takes over. Lauren doesn't have to worry about a thing (that is unless she dyes her hair). Jay takes over her finances, plans their time and is in complete control of Lauren. She will be his perfect girlfriend. Controlling, much? Lauren doesn't seem to mind, as she knows she is not perfect...
I had no idea what I was in store for when I began listening to this audiobook. I wanted to take Lauren aside and tell her to get you-know-what out of dodge! But Lauren has secrets and when the author revealed them, things clicked into place, and I sat back and enjoyed the ride. There is a nice amount of tension in this book. There were times I wanted to yell at Lauren, times I shook my head, and a few times I thought "okay, I see where this is going." Both characters have their own agendas and motivations. It was entertaining to learn what they were. Plus, that hair scene... Okay it's not as bad as when they grandmother put tar in Cathy's hair in Flowers in the Attic but still...
This was a solid debut novel and Hayley Smith shows promise and I have a feeling her books are going to keep getting better. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Bookouture audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Lauren meets Jay at a music festival. He has gorgeous green eyes; she has beautiful dark hair, and they know each other is the one. That is until the proverbial you-know-what hits the fan.
Lauren agrees to move into his cabin at the forest’s edge. It's perfect for two people who want to be alone, as in truly alone. There is no internet, no phone, and no neighbors. Jay soon takes over. Lauren doesn't have to worry about a thing (that is unless she dyes her hair). Jay takes over her finances, plans their time and is in complete control of Lauren. She will be his perfect girlfriend. Controlling, much? Lauren doesn't seem to mind, as she knows she is not perfect...
I had no idea what I was in store for when I began listening to this audiobook. I wanted to take Lauren aside and tell her to get you-know-what out of dodge! But Lauren has secrets and when the author revealed them, things clicked into place, and I sat back and enjoyed the ride. There is a nice amount of tension in this book. There were times I wanted to yell at Lauren, times I shook my head, and a few times I thought "okay, I see where this is going." Both characters have their own agendas and motivations. It was entertaining to learn what they were. Plus, that hair scene... Okay it's not as bad as when they grandmother put tar in Cathy's hair in Flowers in the Attic but still...
This was a solid debut novel and Hayley Smith shows promise and I have a feeling her books are going to keep getting better. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Bookouture audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
July 1, 2023
---4 'brb gonna go dye my hair blonde'☆---
My heart flutters with anticipation. My head reminds me to watch my back. After all, some dreams turn into nightmares, don’t they?
I just want to say, before you read this book please check out the tw's: r@pe, sexual and physical abu$e, death of loved one(s), PTSD, use of dru€s and abort!on
Nonetheless, this book omg jsjsishwjzosudh GOOSEBUMPS it was soso good. The way it kept me engrossed and sucked up in the story, every time I had to let go of this book and the characters I had to physically tear myself away from it 😭🤌🏻
The storyline and plot is mwah mwah, for a debut novel Hayley does an amazing job of creating such a story that'll keep the reader's interest and pop up in their mind randomly (yes I speak from experience)
And the way I was thinking the description of this book made no sense when acc compared with the book and then those last chapters, chills- 😩🙏🏼😭
Lauren is our " not-so average" 30-year-old and i say that because of her haunting past and the struggles she's had to overcome to reach her (also haunting) present. Eventually she meets a guy called Jay in a music concert and they naturally fall for eachother. Next thing you know, Lauren is now starting out fresh and new, living with her boyfriend in the middle of the woods with no social contacts attempting to become his "perfect girlfriend". Seems like that's just what she needs to escape from the horrors of her past but it turns out that even Jay has a. lot. of secrets and messed up past of his own that intertwine with Lauren's and that they might not be "The Perfect Couple" for each other after all.
The way it kicks off right from the beginning and is so fast-paced, it's one of those books which make you actually forget ur reading.
Also the way the prolouge lines up with a chapter ughh perfection!!! Even though there are some unnecessary scenes and choices made by our fmc I simply dont care, I feel like it just makes the book even more creepy
Talking about the writing, it is super easy to follow along and doesn't drag at all. It is paced fast but just perfectly for a book like this. I already wanna re-read it so this time I can pay more close attention to the little little details that make for such and amazing plot later, the way Hayley was just dropping secrets and hints all along.
If I had had sum this book up in one word it would probably be: addictivewink wink
~Character Rants~
They don't know the strength of my character. They don't know that I will do anything to find the truth.
Anything
Lauren (aka. our fmc) is such a mastermind, it's not even funny. The way I wanna give her such a tight hug for all she's been through 😭🫂💕 please the way I was rooting for her and was ready to through some hands at some *ahem ahem* people *ahem ahem*
and the whole I stalk you and you stalk me thing omg AND THE WAY THE FOX AND CHICKEN QUOTE LINED UP PERFECTLY 😭😭😭
'What a sly fucking fox you are'
Jay (aka. our mmc) one word- NOPE 😃
Aside from our main characters we also have some very.... confusing side characters with a lot of ermmm..... lets just say diversity in their behaviour 😀🔫
~Overall~
This book is filled with creepy moments, dark twists and turns, gripping plot twists and an un-put-down-able quality.
So, I would say that this is a perfect book is ur looking for something to get you out of a slump.
And even if you aren't in a slump rn still, just go read this trust me, you won't regret it!!
~Random/extra thoughts~
Speaking on the behalf of the whole the long black hair community- 💇🏽♀️💇🏽♀️💇🏽♀️
Also Lolly and Amos would make such a good couple idc idc 😭💕
~ Pre-read Review~
It's arc timee bitchess!! 😌💅
Psychotic fmc? Edge-of-ur-seat thriller? Yes please 😗
My heart flutters with anticipation. My head reminds me to watch my back. After all, some dreams turn into nightmares, don’t they?
I just want to say, before you read this book please check out the tw's: r@pe, sexual and physical abu$e, death of loved one(s), PTSD, use of dru€s and abort!on
Nonetheless, this book omg jsjsishwjzosudh GOOSEBUMPS it was soso good. The way it kept me engrossed and sucked up in the story, every time I had to let go of this book and the characters I had to physically tear myself away from it 😭🤌🏻
The storyline and plot is mwah mwah, for a debut novel Hayley does an amazing job of creating such a story that'll keep the reader's interest and pop up in their mind randomly (yes I speak from experience)
And the way I was thinking the description of this book made no sense when acc compared with the book and then those last chapters, chills- 😩🙏🏼😭
Lauren is our " not-so average" 30-year-old and i say that because of her haunting past and the struggles she's had to overcome to reach her (also haunting) present. Eventually she meets a guy called Jay in a music concert and they naturally fall for eachother. Next thing you know, Lauren is now starting out fresh and new, living with her boyfriend in the middle of the woods with no social contacts attempting to become his "perfect girlfriend". Seems like that's just what she needs to escape from the horrors of her past but it turns out that even Jay has a. lot. of secrets and messed up past of his own that intertwine with Lauren's and that they might not be "The Perfect Couple" for each other after all.
The way it kicks off right from the beginning and is so fast-paced, it's one of those books which make you actually forget ur reading.
Also the way the prolouge lines up with a chapter ughh perfection!!! Even though there are some unnecessary scenes and choices made by our fmc I simply dont care, I feel like it just makes the book even more creepy
Talking about the writing, it is super easy to follow along and doesn't drag at all. It is paced fast but just perfectly for a book like this. I already wanna re-read it so this time I can pay more close attention to the little little details that make for such and amazing plot later, the way Hayley was just dropping secrets and hints all along.
If I had had sum this book up in one word it would probably be: addictive
~Character Rants~
They don't know the strength of my character. They don't know that I will do anything to find the truth.
Anything
Lauren (aka. our fmc) is such a mastermind, it's not even funny. The way I wanna give her such a tight hug for all she's been through 😭🫂💕 please the way I was rooting for her and was ready to through some hands at some *ahem ahem* people *ahem ahem*
and the whole I stalk you and you stalk me thing omg AND THE WAY THE FOX AND CHICKEN QUOTE LINED UP PERFECTLY 😭😭😭
'What a sly fucking fox you are'
Jay (aka. our mmc) one word- NOPE 😃
Aside from our main characters we also have some very.... confusing side characters with a lot of ermmm..... lets just say diversity in their behaviour 😀🔫
~Overall~
This book is filled with creepy moments, dark twists and turns, gripping plot twists and an un-put-down-able quality.
So, I would say that this is a perfect book is ur looking for something to get you out of a slump.
And even if you aren't in a slump rn still, just go read this trust me, you won't regret it!!
~Random/extra thoughts~
Speaking on the behalf of the whole the long black hair community- 💇🏽♀️💇🏽♀️💇🏽♀️
Also Lolly and Amos would make such a good couple idc idc 😭💕
~ Pre-read Review~
It's arc timee bitchess!! 😌💅
Psychotic fmc? Edge-of-ur-seat thriller? Yes please 😗
July 18, 2023
Lauren and Jay met at a music festival. They instantly fell for each other. Not soon after, Jay even asked Lauren to move in with him. Not thinking twice, Lauren left everything behind and moved into a remote cottage in the woods with Jay. Once they were settled in, Lauren noticed that Jay wasn't the perfect man she had thought. He was secretive and controlling. What was he hiding? Could Lauren uncover his secrets before it's too late?
This was a good story with a few twists and turns. Why only three stars? It's because I couldn't connect with any of the characters. This novel does have quite a few high ratings. So if you're a fan of thrillers, you should check this novel out.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Hayley Smith, and Bookouture Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
This was a good story with a few twists and turns. Why only three stars? It's because I couldn't connect with any of the characters. This novel does have quite a few high ratings. So if you're a fan of thrillers, you should check this novel out.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Hayley Smith, and Bookouture Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
November 17, 2023
The Perfect Girlfriend by Hayley Smith delivers well on plot and character development but left just a few loose ends for me. There were a few unexpected plot twists, which I loved, so this book is one that was definitely enjoyable for me to spend time with.
July 2, 2023
What a fantastic debut novel a throughly enjoyable read.
Lauren meets Jay at a music festival and quickly moves into his isolated cottage. She is desperately trying to sort her life out after a lot of trauma. She takes up the role of perfect girlfriend. The problem is neither Jay or Lauren are what they seem and perfect doesn't trully exsist.
The thing i most loved about this was the fast pace. I started reading believing it was a story about relationships and then the real truth was revealed in spectacular fashion. It just made me desperate to find out what happened. The tension was build up perfectly. The twists and reveals were perfdctly timed. All characters were layered and developed within the main story. I thought some of the secondary characters were unneeded especially Maria for me she was there to move the plot along. It wasnt until the ending I though more about her. The story was gripping.
The ending yook a big leap of faith to be believed however due to the writing of Lauren i was right there.
I highly recommend this and look foward to your next book
Thank you netgallery and bookoulture for my arc.
Lauren meets Jay at a music festival and quickly moves into his isolated cottage. She is desperately trying to sort her life out after a lot of trauma. She takes up the role of perfect girlfriend. The problem is neither Jay or Lauren are what they seem and perfect doesn't trully exsist.
The thing i most loved about this was the fast pace. I started reading believing it was a story about relationships and then the real truth was revealed in spectacular fashion. It just made me desperate to find out what happened. The tension was build up perfectly. The twists and reveals were perfdctly timed. All characters were layered and developed within the main story. I thought some of the secondary characters were unneeded especially Maria for me she was there to move the plot along. It wasnt until the ending I though more about her. The story was gripping.
The ending yook a big leap of faith to be believed however due to the writing of Lauren i was right there.
I highly recommend this and look foward to your next book
Thank you netgallery and bookoulture for my arc.
June 10, 2023
Lauren meets Jay at a music festival. Lauren's life is quite the mess when she meets him. She had been dating a married man who dumped her, her parents basically disowned her because she brought such shame to the family, she's not getting along with her sister, she lost her job and her apartment and is living with a friend who can't wait to see Lauren go, and she also lost her best friend to suicide. A week after meeting Jay, she moves in with him. He lives in a dilapidated cottage with no wifi or phone service miles away from civilization. However, there is a lovely garden and Jay is into self sufficiency and Lauren begins to enjoy this new life.
Jay, however, is hiding a lot of secrets. For that matter, so is Lauren. From the title of this book, I thought this was going to be about something totally different. I'm glad it wasn't. Hayley Smith is an extremely talented author who brought the characters to life. The book was creepy and thrilling. I did not see all the twists coming. The twist at the end was amazing. I was literally anxious while reading this as everything played out. Once I started reading, I could not stop. I believe this is a debut novel and if so, it is just amazing. I highly recommend it. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it.
Jay, however, is hiding a lot of secrets. For that matter, so is Lauren. From the title of this book, I thought this was going to be about something totally different. I'm glad it wasn't. Hayley Smith is an extremely talented author who brought the characters to life. The book was creepy and thrilling. I did not see all the twists coming. The twist at the end was amazing. I was literally anxious while reading this as everything played out. Once I started reading, I could not stop. I believe this is a debut novel and if so, it is just amazing. I highly recommend it. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it.
June 7, 2023
"The Perfect Girlfriend" by Hayley Smith is a well-crafted and engaging psychological thriller that held my attention from start to finish.
The book follows Lauren, a 30-year-old woman with skeletons in the closet. Her past is filled with bad decisions, and the present isn't any different. She meets a guy named Jay at a music festival and moves in with him, trying to be the "perfect girlfriend". They live in a little house on the edge of a deep forest, where there’s no internet, no phone signal, and no close neighbors- just what Lauren needs to escape her traumatic past.
At first, love is in the air, and all is well in their corner of paradise. However, Jay has secrets of his own that slowly unfold as the story progresses. Lauren's idyllic new life soon shatters as those dark secrets in both their pasts reveal the snake in paradise.
I enjoyed the book very much, although I had a hard time connecting with Lauren. She made many dumb decisions, some of which caused me to roll my eyes, and many the times I wanted to shake some sense into her. The unsettling atmosphere and feeling of dread grew the more you read. Like witnessing a car accident where you can't look away, I couldn't stop reading as she made one stupid choice after another.
The author keeps the readers on their toes and encourages them to read the next chapter to find out what is really going on. The plot moves at a steady pace, and the author does a wonderful job of providing just enough detail to paint a clear picture of the characters and settings. The characterizations are interesting, and the suspense is nicely maintained until the climax at the end.
The book is loaded with surprises, dark twists, and creepy moments. The story grabbed me right from the beginning with rich storylines and some well-drawn characters. Lauren grew on me, and I rooted for her, but one of the secondary characters, Lolly, was my favorite.
I liked the writing and the way the story unfolded before my very eyes. The author doesn't give us all the information at once. Bit by bit she uncovers more and more pieces from the past and fills up the dots. I have to admit, some of Lauren's choices demand a suspension of belief (surely no one can be that stupid), but it all makes sense as the plot unfolds.
I debated between giving it 4 or 5 stars, but the spectacular ending caused me to give the book full stars. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy psychological thriller novels with a bite and like reading about a character's ability to overcome their own life struggles.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my Blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2023...
The book follows Lauren, a 30-year-old woman with skeletons in the closet. Her past is filled with bad decisions, and the present isn't any different. She meets a guy named Jay at a music festival and moves in with him, trying to be the "perfect girlfriend". They live in a little house on the edge of a deep forest, where there’s no internet, no phone signal, and no close neighbors- just what Lauren needs to escape her traumatic past.
At first, love is in the air, and all is well in their corner of paradise. However, Jay has secrets of his own that slowly unfold as the story progresses. Lauren's idyllic new life soon shatters as those dark secrets in both their pasts reveal the snake in paradise.
I enjoyed the book very much, although I had a hard time connecting with Lauren. She made many dumb decisions, some of which caused me to roll my eyes, and many the times I wanted to shake some sense into her. The unsettling atmosphere and feeling of dread grew the more you read. Like witnessing a car accident where you can't look away, I couldn't stop reading as she made one stupid choice after another.
The author keeps the readers on their toes and encourages them to read the next chapter to find out what is really going on. The plot moves at a steady pace, and the author does a wonderful job of providing just enough detail to paint a clear picture of the characters and settings. The characterizations are interesting, and the suspense is nicely maintained until the climax at the end.
The book is loaded with surprises, dark twists, and creepy moments. The story grabbed me right from the beginning with rich storylines and some well-drawn characters. Lauren grew on me, and I rooted for her, but one of the secondary characters, Lolly, was my favorite.
I liked the writing and the way the story unfolded before my very eyes. The author doesn't give us all the information at once. Bit by bit she uncovers more and more pieces from the past and fills up the dots. I have to admit, some of Lauren's choices demand a suspension of belief (surely no one can be that stupid), but it all makes sense as the plot unfolds.
I debated between giving it 4 or 5 stars, but the spectacular ending caused me to give the book full stars. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy psychological thriller novels with a bite and like reading about a character's ability to overcome their own life struggles.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my Blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2023...
July 23, 2023
Going to be honest, that was probably one of the most unbearably boring experiences I've had in a while. The book constantly gave me the feeling of being stuck at a dead end. It took a month for me to finish and not once did I find it fun or intriguing. Don't get me wrong, the potential of the plot itself is there but the execution left all of it very dull and lifeless. From the writing, characters and pacing. So much could've been cut down in the first half. The balance of details were off. Some parts were overly detailed and lacked in others.
I didn't care about a single character. Every one of them had the personality of a broken toaster. They, and the writing itself, provided no movement to the story to keep engagement. The way it sometimes takes shortcuts on having more dialogue and banter by instead, randomly stopping a scene where Lauren is asking Jay a question and then picking up with Lauren telling you what Jay had supposedly said. It made no sense. The interactions between Jay and Lauren became predictable in a way that it seemed as if there was a designated spinning wheel game with only a handful of ‘Jay reactions’ on it and the same ones kept winning over and over again. The repetition alone was killing me by the halfway point.
No thrills were had so I wouldn't consider this a thriller. The further I read, the more I feel as if this would be a book for those who are maybe romance focused readers trying to branch out to other genres? The story told more about the romance and the mystery aspect didn't really pick up much until way into the second half.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for proving a copy for an honest review.
June 14, 2023
Debut novel from this author and for that applause is due, there are some cracking ideas and scenarios and sub stories throughout the book, parts of it are troubling and dark, parts intriguing and others just very readable as the ‘plot thickens’
We don’t find out the crux of the matter until half way past and things made more sense after that, one of those ‘aha, right’ moments where it all falls into play, I guess it’s fair to say before that I was a bit confused occasionally as to why the main character was doing what she was doing…but that’s a side issue and all in all a very worthy debut and a good solid story with multiple issues needing sorting by the various people we meet, much promise for further reading from this author
We don’t find out the crux of the matter until half way past and things made more sense after that, one of those ‘aha, right’ moments where it all falls into play, I guess it’s fair to say before that I was a bit confused occasionally as to why the main character was doing what she was doing…but that’s a side issue and all in all a very worthy debut and a good solid story with multiple issues needing sorting by the various people we meet, much promise for further reading from this author
July 11, 2023
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
This book was not what I was expecting at all! Katie Villa did a fantastic job with the narration, so much so that I thought there was more than one narrator at times! The story is about a girl and her boyfriend living off the grid and playing music, but they both have alternative motives that are slowly revealed. I really liked that I couldn’t predict where it was headed and would definitely recommend if you like thrillers or mysteries!
This book was not what I was expecting at all! Katie Villa did a fantastic job with the narration, so much so that I thought there was more than one narrator at times! The story is about a girl and her boyfriend living off the grid and playing music, but they both have alternative motives that are slowly revealed. I really liked that I couldn’t predict where it was headed and would definitely recommend if you like thrillers or mysteries!
July 14, 2023
What a fabulous debut novel! This had so many twists and turns. Based on the blurb I wasn't sure about this one, but I saw that Katie Villa was narrating so I gave it a shot and I'm so glad I did! This deserves a better name and summary in my opinion.
We meet Lauren when she's down and out. A long, inappropriate relationship has ended that she's been blamed for, and her best friend passed away. Her family isn't very supportive so she is just looking for her place in the world.
She is traveling around with a band, playing the fiddle for them, when she meets Jay at a music festival. They spend most of the time in his camper and by the end of the festival, he's invited her to move in.
She's happy to do so and leave the drama behind but she didn't expect it to be quite so *ahem* rustic. There's a lot of work to do around there and instead of a cozy cabin, it's more like minimalistic, off-the-grid living, which she surprisingly thrives at.
Something just isn't quite right. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Jay can be intense and his friends seem to hate her. He is too elusive about his past.. but we also know that Lauren is keeping a few secrets of her own.
This story had a little bit of everything! It was all over the place, but in a good way. One thing I really appreciated was this took place over a significant period of time. Many of these stories go off the rails too quickly and the story hasn't been built. This really shows how the longer you stick around, the crazier it's going to get and the harder it is to get out of.
This book will make you feel so many different emotions. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen and review!
We meet Lauren when she's down and out. A long, inappropriate relationship has ended that she's been blamed for, and her best friend passed away. Her family isn't very supportive so she is just looking for her place in the world.
She is traveling around with a band, playing the fiddle for them, when she meets Jay at a music festival. They spend most of the time in his camper and by the end of the festival, he's invited her to move in.
She's happy to do so and leave the drama behind but she didn't expect it to be quite so *ahem* rustic. There's a lot of work to do around there and instead of a cozy cabin, it's more like minimalistic, off-the-grid living, which she surprisingly thrives at.
Something just isn't quite right. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Jay can be intense and his friends seem to hate her. He is too elusive about his past.. but we also know that Lauren is keeping a few secrets of her own.
This story had a little bit of everything! It was all over the place, but in a good way. One thing I really appreciated was this took place over a significant period of time. Many of these stories go off the rails too quickly and the story hasn't been built. This really shows how the longer you stick around, the crazier it's going to get and the harder it is to get out of.
This book will make you feel so many different emotions. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen and review!
June 3, 2023
This is the first book I’ve read by this author but it definitely won’t be the last. I couldn’t put this book down. Every character is so well developed and the scenes are very detailed. This book has all the twists and turns that make for an amazing thriller.
July 19, 2023
This debut novel was exceptionally well-written! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The author's writing style was easily understandable, the unexpected plot twists kept me on edge, and the pacing was skillfully maintained.
Lauren, who recently ended a toxic long-term relationship, yearns for a fresh start. At a music festival, she meets Jay, and they instantly connect. Soon after, she decides to leave behind her friends and family to stay with him in a remote cottage without any network service. However, suspicions arise as she finds weird things around the house. Jay harbors numerous secrets that fuel Lauren's anxiety, prompting her to dig deeper for the truth. As the story unfolds, she questions whether she truly knows her boyfriend and if her decision to abandon her previous life to move in with him was a right choice.
At times, I found myself wanting to shake Lauren awake to make her realize the gravity of her situation, as it made me anxious. However, as the story progressed, I was genuinely impressed by Lauren's wit. The author adeptly crafted suspense, flawed characters, and a captivating setting.
Katie Villa, the narrator, did an outstanding job bringing this thrilling story to life by skillfully portraying the characters.
I would like to express my gratitude to Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
Lauren, who recently ended a toxic long-term relationship, yearns for a fresh start. At a music festival, she meets Jay, and they instantly connect. Soon after, she decides to leave behind her friends and family to stay with him in a remote cottage without any network service. However, suspicions arise as she finds weird things around the house. Jay harbors numerous secrets that fuel Lauren's anxiety, prompting her to dig deeper for the truth. As the story unfolds, she questions whether she truly knows her boyfriend and if her decision to abandon her previous life to move in with him was a right choice.
At times, I found myself wanting to shake Lauren awake to make her realize the gravity of her situation, as it made me anxious. However, as the story progressed, I was genuinely impressed by Lauren's wit. The author adeptly crafted suspense, flawed characters, and a captivating setting.
Katie Villa, the narrator, did an outstanding job bringing this thrilling story to life by skillfully portraying the characters.
I would like to express my gratitude to Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
August 30, 2023
Rating: 3,75 stars ⭐️
This was a twisted domestic thriller with a lot of suspense that will really make you invested in the story!
I will not spoil the plot but know that not everything is as perfect as it seems..
The author is an up and coming writer and this debut novel was really interesting.
Thank you to Netgalley, Hayley Smith and Bookouture for providing me with this copy. All opinions are my own.
This was a twisted domestic thriller with a lot of suspense that will really make you invested in the story!
I will not spoil the plot but know that not everything is as perfect as it seems..
The author is an up and coming writer and this debut novel was really interesting.
Thank you to Netgalley, Hayley Smith and Bookouture for providing me with this copy. All opinions are my own.
July 20, 2023
Lauren meets Jay and they start a relationship. After moving in with him she realises he is hiding things. Is he the only one with secrets?
This starts off strongly and the pacing keeps up for most of the book. The characters are well written and I found myself not knowing who to trust or what was going to happen next. There is a creepy undertone throughout the whole book which I really enjoyed. There were a few small surprises but I did work out a couple of things beforehand. Overall this was a fun, engaging read and I will definitely be looking to see what the author writes next! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review
This starts off strongly and the pacing keeps up for most of the book. The characters are well written and I found myself not knowing who to trust or what was going to happen next. There is a creepy undertone throughout the whole book which I really enjoyed. There were a few small surprises but I did work out a couple of things beforehand. Overall this was a fun, engaging read and I will definitely be looking to see what the author writes next! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review
August 1, 2023
1.5 stars
This wasn’t what I was expecting when I read the summary and category of mystery & thriller. Yes there underlying plot is a mystery, but the overall book is about the MC Lauren being in an abusive relationship with Jay.
Jay is a psycho who gives Lauren “magical kisses” which he puts drugs (Special K) into her mouth then he pretty much rapes her while she is tied up. She ends up becoming dependent on these kisses.
Then Jay sells her car so she is trapped at his place with limited use of his vehicles. He is controlling and manipulative and Lauren blows off all of the red flags.
There are so many other triggers in this book that put this book more into a category of a fictional drama vs a mystery thriller. I think if this book was categorized differently, I would not have chosen this book since I don’t enjoy reading about abusive relationships, drugs, BDSM, child abuse/neglect and more like this.
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
This wasn’t what I was expecting when I read the summary and category of mystery & thriller. Yes there underlying plot is a mystery, but the overall book is about the MC Lauren being in an abusive relationship with Jay.
Jay is a psycho who gives Lauren “magical kisses” which he puts drugs (Special K) into her mouth then he pretty much rapes her while she is tied up. She ends up becoming dependent on these kisses.
Then Jay sells her car so she is trapped at his place with limited use of his vehicles. He is controlling and manipulative and Lauren blows off all of the red flags.
There are so many other triggers in this book that put this book more into a category of a fictional drama vs a mystery thriller. I think if this book was categorized differently, I would not have chosen this book since I don’t enjoy reading about abusive relationships, drugs, BDSM, child abuse/neglect and more like this.
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 20, 2023
The perfect girlfriend was a unique twist on relationships gone wrong. It starts off with the main character going off to live with a guy she just met. Sounds crazy. The relationship starts off good with little things that make you think the guy isn’t what he seems. I figured this was a typical abusive boyfriend book. Then the twist comes half way in and they just keep coming. This book kept me guessing and wanting to know what would happen next. Thank you to netgalley for my copy!
July 1, 2023
"I'm beginning to realise that there's more to him, a lot more, and I have only uncovered the top layer."
The easiest 5 stars I have ever given and one of the best thriller novels of 2023. I cannot believe that this book is a debut novel from Hayley Smith, this book is a phenomenal read that had me hooked from the prologue to the very last sentence.
This book is about Lauren who meets Jay at a music festival and then moves in with him aiming to become the ‘perfect girlfriend’. Lauren has her own demons that she is trying to forget but this new adventure is just what Lauren needs to escape these. Jay has an interest in self-sufficiency and Lauren begins to enjoy this way of living. Love is really in the air until the story progresses and you realise Jay has a few of his own secrets.
I devoured this book, although at some points I did find it hard to connect with some of the characters due to the poor decisions made at which point I wanted to scream “JUST LEAVE ALREADY!”. I knew these were poor decisions, but it did not stop me from reading more as every chapter left me wanting more and that is exactly what Hayley's intentions were.
I found the descriptions of the environment and characters were the perfect amount and really painted a picture of the world the book was in which made me feel like I was also inside the book watching events unfold. The book was very creepy throughout and I did not see all of the twists coming although I did expect a few but maybe this is due to me reading thrillers often.
Trigger warnings included in this book are abortion, drugs, physical abuse, death and abusive relationships.
Overall, a must-read psychological thriller for any reader. This book captivated me with the well-written plot and the dark twists and turns. This book left me wanting more and I would highly recommend it to anyone. I cannot wait to read more from the amazing Hayley Smith.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookoture for the ARC and trusting me to review this brilliant thriller but an even bigger thank you to Hayley Smith for writing this masterpiece.
The easiest 5 stars I have ever given and one of the best thriller novels of 2023. I cannot believe that this book is a debut novel from Hayley Smith, this book is a phenomenal read that had me hooked from the prologue to the very last sentence.
This book is about Lauren who meets Jay at a music festival and then moves in with him aiming to become the ‘perfect girlfriend’. Lauren has her own demons that she is trying to forget but this new adventure is just what Lauren needs to escape these. Jay has an interest in self-sufficiency and Lauren begins to enjoy this way of living. Love is really in the air until the story progresses and you realise Jay has a few of his own secrets.
I devoured this book, although at some points I did find it hard to connect with some of the characters due to the poor decisions made at which point I wanted to scream “JUST LEAVE ALREADY!”. I knew these were poor decisions, but it did not stop me from reading more as every chapter left me wanting more and that is exactly what Hayley's intentions were.
I found the descriptions of the environment and characters were the perfect amount and really painted a picture of the world the book was in which made me feel like I was also inside the book watching events unfold. The book was very creepy throughout and I did not see all of the twists coming although I did expect a few but maybe this is due to me reading thrillers often.
Trigger warnings included in this book are abortion, drugs, physical abuse, death and abusive relationships.
Overall, a must-read psychological thriller for any reader. This book captivated me with the well-written plot and the dark twists and turns. This book left me wanting more and I would highly recommend it to anyone. I cannot wait to read more from the amazing Hayley Smith.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookoture for the ARC and trusting me to review this brilliant thriller but an even bigger thank you to Hayley Smith for writing this masterpiece.
July 14, 2023
Oh. My. God. This is by far my favorite read of 2023 so far! The title “The Perfect Girlfriend” was a little misleading to me, or rather, didn’t quite capture what the book was. This book was perfect, it had the perfect plot twist and I truly loved the main character, Lauren. I thought the book was written incredibly well and I absolutely cannot believe that this is Hayley Smith’s debut novel! She has become an auto bug author for me and I cannot wait to see what else she publishes (hopefully soon). The only critique I have is that I would have liked to have seen a little more of Damien because he seemed like an important character in the story and then it’s just nothing. Radio silence. Never to be heard from again. I wish he had had more of a role in the ending of the book. Otherwise, this book was perfection and I finished it in almost one sitting. I absolutely devoured it due to the suspense.
August 1, 2023
Interesting thriller/mystery
Lauren and Jay meet at a music festival and things immediately seem right between them. At Jay's insistence and because of the fact that her own life seems to be a mess, Lauren decides to go and live in Jay's cabin.
The cabin is far away from civilization, does not have a telephone nor does it have Wi-Fi connection.
However secrets start tumbling on Jay's side as Lauren looks around the cabin and the lovely garden of the cabin.
The book keeps building up a creepy tension as the readers through Lauren feel like Lauren is being sucked Into controlling relationship where Jay seems to decide everything.
I especially liked the scene where Lauren realizes how important her long dark hair is in this relationship.
The other characters in the story made the story unpredictable primarily because none of the characters are what they seem.
Lauren was a very interesting side character. Obviously so was Rick.
The twists in the story were unpredictable and I enjoyed the way the story changed towards the end.
Very interesting thriller/mystery.
Lauren and Jay meet at a music festival and things immediately seem right between them. At Jay's insistence and because of the fact that her own life seems to be a mess, Lauren decides to go and live in Jay's cabin.
The cabin is far away from civilization, does not have a telephone nor does it have Wi-Fi connection.
However secrets start tumbling on Jay's side as Lauren looks around the cabin and the lovely garden of the cabin.
The book keeps building up a creepy tension as the readers through Lauren feel like Lauren is being sucked Into controlling relationship where Jay seems to decide everything.
I especially liked the scene where Lauren realizes how important her long dark hair is in this relationship.
The other characters in the story made the story unpredictable primarily because none of the characters are what they seem.
Lauren was a very interesting side character. Obviously so was Rick.
The twists in the story were unpredictable and I enjoyed the way the story changed towards the end.
Very interesting thriller/mystery.
June 28, 2023
In this engrossing tale of mystery and suspense, the author takes us on a thrilling ride through a web of secrets and unforeseen twists. From the very beginning, the story hooks the reader, demanding their undivided attention.
The narrative starts off at a measured pace, gradually building tension and setting the stage for what lies ahead. The protagonist, a seemingly ordinary individual, unravels an enigmatic world that surrounds them. The allure lies in the constant sense of danger and the unanswered questions that keep the listener on edge.
At times, I found myself questioning the protagonist's choices and yearning for them to exercise more caution. However, this flaw only served to deepen the intrigue, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next surprising turn of events. As the story progresses, the pace intensifies, propelling the listener forward at breakneck speed. The author masterfully weaves together disparate threads, creating a tapestry of revelations that tie everything together.
The writing style is impeccable, effortlessly capturing the reader's attention and maintaining a firm grip throughout. The author's ability to create confusion while offering resolutions is commendable, adding to the overall satisfaction of the listening experience. The skillful execution of suspense and the gradual unraveling of secrets showcase the author's storytelling prowess.
While there were moments when the narrative seemed to burble along slowly, these instances were a necessary part of the story's progression. As the plot thickened, the pace picked up, resulting in a gratifying crescendo that left me both satisfied and yearning for more.
Overall, this well-written mystery captivates from start to finish. It's a testament to the author's ability to craft intricate storylines, develop intriguing characters, and provide a satisfying resolution. If you enjoy being kept on the edge of your seat, enveloped in a cloak of confusion that eventually gets untangled, then this audiobook is sure to leave you thoroughly entertained.
The narrative starts off at a measured pace, gradually building tension and setting the stage for what lies ahead. The protagonist, a seemingly ordinary individual, unravels an enigmatic world that surrounds them. The allure lies in the constant sense of danger and the unanswered questions that keep the listener on edge.
At times, I found myself questioning the protagonist's choices and yearning for them to exercise more caution. However, this flaw only served to deepen the intrigue, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next surprising turn of events. As the story progresses, the pace intensifies, propelling the listener forward at breakneck speed. The author masterfully weaves together disparate threads, creating a tapestry of revelations that tie everything together.
The writing style is impeccable, effortlessly capturing the reader's attention and maintaining a firm grip throughout. The author's ability to create confusion while offering resolutions is commendable, adding to the overall satisfaction of the listening experience. The skillful execution of suspense and the gradual unraveling of secrets showcase the author's storytelling prowess.
While there were moments when the narrative seemed to burble along slowly, these instances were a necessary part of the story's progression. As the plot thickened, the pace picked up, resulting in a gratifying crescendo that left me both satisfied and yearning for more.
Overall, this well-written mystery captivates from start to finish. It's a testament to the author's ability to craft intricate storylines, develop intriguing characters, and provide a satisfying resolution. If you enjoy being kept on the edge of your seat, enveloped in a cloak of confusion that eventually gets untangled, then this audiobook is sure to leave you thoroughly entertained.
June 25, 2023
Thanks NetGalley and Bookouture for the arc of The Perfect Girlfriend by Hayley Smith.
Wow!!! Absolutely brilliant and a must read if you’re a thriller book lover. Highly recommend! I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Wow!!! Absolutely brilliant and a must read if you’re a thriller book lover. Highly recommend! I can’t wait to read more from this author.
July 26, 2023
The Perfect Girlfriend by Hayley Smith. (4.5/5 ✨)
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𝓟𝓾𝓫𝓵𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓓𝓪𝔂: 20th July 2023.
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Thank you @netgalley. Thank you @bookouture. Thank you @hayleysmithwriter for the chance to read and review this Advance Readers Copy.
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𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯: Lauren's life is basically a wreck; her best friend just passed away, her boyfriend just dumped her, she recently lost her job, and she had to move out of her flat. She meets Jay at a festival, they instantly click, they were perfect together, however, there is no such thing as a perfect fairytale. She settles in Jay's home. Things begin to unravel, and it appears that her best friend didn’t commit suicide after all but was murdered. 😮💨
𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: I'm honestly surprised that this is the author's debut book because it is totally enjoyable and nicely written.
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the plot, the twist, the ending. whew! This is a good book to read, absolutely gripping and i recommend for thriller lovers. 😮💨😮💨👏
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𝓟𝓾𝓫𝓵𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓓𝓪𝔂: 20th July 2023.
•
Thank you @netgalley. Thank you @bookouture. Thank you @hayleysmithwriter for the chance to read and review this Advance Readers Copy.
•
𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯: Lauren's life is basically a wreck; her best friend just passed away, her boyfriend just dumped her, she recently lost her job, and she had to move out of her flat. She meets Jay at a festival, they instantly click, they were perfect together, however, there is no such thing as a perfect fairytale. She settles in Jay's home. Things begin to unravel, and it appears that her best friend didn’t commit suicide after all but was murdered. 😮💨
𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: I'm honestly surprised that this is the author's debut book because it is totally enjoyable and nicely written.
•
the plot, the twist, the ending. whew! This is a good book to read, absolutely gripping and i recommend for thriller lovers. 😮💨😮💨👏
July 14, 2023
4.5 🌟!
Okay. The imagery of this book is still with me even though I officially finished it 3 days ago! And I loved the narrator.
This book starts with a female character whose life is a hot mess and decides to start all over when she meets a hot guy at a festival. When I first started this book, I thought stranger danger and what are you doing!? Why would you just uproot your life for a stranger, haven’t you seen a single horror movie!? But then. You get the first little carrot that makes it all click!
I loved this book! The writing was done really well where everything was described in enough detail that you got a clear picture, but not too much where it was overwhelming. Also. The darkness of the male lead was so pulling and captivating that I didn’t want to put the book down!
Definitely recommend this read!
Special thanks to NetGalley and bookouture for the ALC!
Okay. The imagery of this book is still with me even though I officially finished it 3 days ago! And I loved the narrator.
This book starts with a female character whose life is a hot mess and decides to start all over when she meets a hot guy at a festival. When I first started this book, I thought stranger danger and what are you doing!? Why would you just uproot your life for a stranger, haven’t you seen a single horror movie!? But then. You get the first little carrot that makes it all click!
I loved this book! The writing was done really well where everything was described in enough detail that you got a clear picture, but not too much where it was overwhelming. Also. The darkness of the male lead was so pulling and captivating that I didn’t want to put the book down!
Definitely recommend this read!
Special thanks to NetGalley and bookouture for the ALC!
October 29, 2023
3.5⭐
This is a good debut novel, though it was quite predictable it was very enjoyable, however I just couldn't stand the MFC.
MFC, who was incredibly naive.
I felt frustrated at how dumb she was 😅. I guess all these feelings makes a book worth the read, in this case listening to.
Lauren quickly move into Jays countryside home after they meet at a music festival and spending few days together.
Lauren Wanting to leave behind her old life and secrets saw it as an opportunity to start afresh, to be the perfect girlfriend.
But it’s nothing like she had imagined. It’s completely isolated, miles from anywhere. There’s no internet, no phone signal, and no neighbors.
Jay is keeping secrets from her, there are hints of women before her in the cottage that he refuses to acknowledge.
Lauren is also keeping secrets of her own.
As the story unfolds, all the secrets are uncovered, there are a few twist n turns, that will keep you interested to the end.
Thank You Netgalley & Bookouture for this audiobook.
This is a good debut novel, though it was quite predictable it was very enjoyable, however I just couldn't stand the MFC.
MFC, who was incredibly naive.
I felt frustrated at how dumb she was 😅. I guess all these feelings makes a book worth the read, in this case listening to.
Lauren quickly move into Jays countryside home after they meet at a music festival and spending few days together.
Lauren Wanting to leave behind her old life and secrets saw it as an opportunity to start afresh, to be the perfect girlfriend.
But it’s nothing like she had imagined. It’s completely isolated, miles from anywhere. There’s no internet, no phone signal, and no neighbors.
Jay is keeping secrets from her, there are hints of women before her in the cottage that he refuses to acknowledge.
Lauren is also keeping secrets of her own.
As the story unfolds, all the secrets are uncovered, there are a few twist n turns, that will keep you interested to the end.
Thank You Netgalley & Bookouture for this audiobook.
June 8, 2023
Right away I waa invested in the main character. I wondered what was going on while I was not reading. This book maintained a delicious eerie feeling throughout the entire book.
Great book that wasn't overly descriptive. Just the right amount of characters. The story line really flowed.
Great book that wasn't overly descriptive. Just the right amount of characters. The story line really flowed.
July 9, 2023
Thank you so much to the author and the publisher, Bookouture, for sharing an ARC of this book with me on NetGalley!!!
'Black is the colour - the words sing out from the stereo and the music drowns out the rain - 'of my true love's hair"
Wow !!!! By the end of the book I think I may have decided to dye my hair blonde … it was wild !!!! A psychological thriller about a young woman finding herself in a relationship that seems perfect but the secrets run so deep, they threaten to ruin it all. Nothing could have prepared her for what she found hot about this seemingly perfect guy she starts sharing a house with, Jay and his darkness. The narrative was quite fast paced, the mystery was thrilling and it made me more invested in the story and its possible development. The characters were absolutely a marvel and I loved every second of reading this book and experiencing all they actually experienced. At the very beginning, the author gives you this confusing excerpt of some scenes you can’t quite figure out. But from moment one you see there is something wrong about the whole thing. Even though throughout the book you’re not sure you’re putting the pieces in the right place. There is always something leading you astray and when you think you have it all figured out … you still would rather believe it is different. I loved that about this book!!! I’m very grateful I got the chance to read it !!!
'Black is the colour - the words sing out from the stereo and the music drowns out the rain - 'of my true love's hair"
Wow !!!! By the end of the book I think I may have decided to dye my hair blonde … it was wild !!!! A psychological thriller about a young woman finding herself in a relationship that seems perfect but the secrets run so deep, they threaten to ruin it all. Nothing could have prepared her for what she found hot about this seemingly perfect guy she starts sharing a house with, Jay and his darkness. The narrative was quite fast paced, the mystery was thrilling and it made me more invested in the story and its possible development. The characters were absolutely a marvel and I loved every second of reading this book and experiencing all they actually experienced. At the very beginning, the author gives you this confusing excerpt of some scenes you can’t quite figure out. But from moment one you see there is something wrong about the whole thing. Even though throughout the book you’re not sure you’re putting the pieces in the right place. There is always something leading you astray and when you think you have it all figured out … you still would rather believe it is different. I loved that about this book!!! I’m very grateful I got the chance to read it !!!
July 8, 2023
I like the twists in Hayley Smith's debut novel, The Perfect Girlfriend, especially the biggest one halfway through that came out of left field; I loved it! Most importantly, it doesn't read like it's written by a new author, it flows pretty well and (most) things are logical. However, I didn't fully buy Lauren's confusion and found it to be more convenient than genuine.
Katie Villa is slowly becoming a favorite narrator of mine. I love how she embodies the characters she speaks for.
I rate The Perfect Girlfriend 4 stars. I deducted a star for the excessive details about renovating the house and because my CPTSD was triggered and caused me to unintentionally zone out due to the much too vivid details of violence.
Thank you to Bookouture Audio for providing me with an ALC.
Katie Villa is slowly becoming a favorite narrator of mine. I love how she embodies the characters she speaks for.
I rate The Perfect Girlfriend 4 stars. I deducted a star for the excessive details about renovating the house and because my CPTSD was triggered and caused me to unintentionally zone out due to the much too vivid details of violence.
Thank you to Bookouture Audio for providing me with an ALC.
July 16, 2023
Such a true psychological thriller!! Several characters involved with each a story of their own so it wasn’t predictable. Didn’t want to put it down, so good!
July 14, 2023
Wow!! This is like no thriller I’ve read before. It’s dark, gritty and realistically weird. There’s a constant creepy undertone that you’re just waiting to peak at any time, but instead it cryptically drips hints throughout.
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