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My Perfect Marriage
* Previously titled How Can I Trust You?
My husband is accused of killing my best friend. Can I trust anything he says?
It feels like all the air has been knocked out of me. My best friend is dead, killed at her own daughter’s birthday party. All I want to do is run into my husband’s loving arms. But he’s in handcuffs, covered in her blood. His voice quivers, almost sobbing as officers put him in the police car. ‘You don’t think I did this, do you? I was trying to save her.’
At first, I’m sure he couldn’t have done it. The man I love wouldn’t hurt anyone. But as I try to prove that he didn’t murder Lucy, secrets begin unravelling…
It starts with the messages between the two of them. Initially, they seem innocent enough. But the more I look, the more I become convinced they were having an affair. Then I find out about his divorce lawyer…
Suddenly my whole life feels like a lie. If he was hiding his plan to leave me for Lucy, can I believe his protests that he is innocent? And if he really did murder his lover, what else is he capable of?
An unputdownable thriller that will keep you up all night! This gripping read is perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage and Shari Lapena.
My husband is accused of killing my best friend. Can I trust anything he says?
It feels like all the air has been knocked out of me. My best friend is dead, killed at her own daughter’s birthday party. All I want to do is run into my husband’s loving arms. But he’s in handcuffs, covered in her blood. His voice quivers, almost sobbing as officers put him in the police car. ‘You don’t think I did this, do you? I was trying to save her.’
At first, I’m sure he couldn’t have done it. The man I love wouldn’t hurt anyone. But as I try to prove that he didn’t murder Lucy, secrets begin unravelling…
It starts with the messages between the two of them. Initially, they seem innocent enough. But the more I look, the more I become convinced they were having an affair. Then I find out about his divorce lawyer…
Suddenly my whole life feels like a lie. If he was hiding his plan to leave me for Lucy, can I believe his protests that he is innocent? And if he really did murder his lover, what else is he capable of?
An unputdownable thriller that will keep you up all night! This gripping read is perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage and Shari Lapena.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2024
1120 people are currently reading
970 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Campbell
15 books702 followersAJ Campbell is an Amazon USA top 40 bestselling author, who loves throwing characters into unbelievable situations and figuring it out from there. The result is psychological suspense novels full of twists, turns, and torment, with gasp-worthy endings. An avid hiker, AJ lives in the UK on the Essex / Hertfordshire border with her husband, sons, and cocker spaniel, Max. She is a Netflix junkie, a theatre tragic, and a wine and Asian food enthusiast.
Connect with AJ here:
www.ajcampbellauthor.com
www.facebook.com/AJCampbellauthor
www.instagram.com/ajcampbellauthor/
Connect with AJ here:
www.ajcampbellauthor.com
www.facebook.com/AJCampbellauthor
www.instagram.com/ajcampbellauthor/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 363 reviews
July 4, 2024
One sunny Saturday, Ashley Morgan joins her husband, Danny, and their son, Elliot, at a blowout birthday party for a friend’s nine-year-old daughter. Lucy has pulled out all of the stops and happy children and smiling parents seem to be enjoying her handiwork. Until, that is, Ashley walks into her best friend’s garage and finds Lucy’s bloody body. Worse still, however, is the sight of Danny standing over her broken body holding a hammer.
As soon as the cops arrives, it seems like a closed case. A blood-soaked Danny is put into handcuffs and escorted to a police car. Just before he is hustled off, he begs Ashley to believe that he was just trying to save Lucy. Initially she is sure that they’ve got the wrong man. After all, he’s always been empathetic and kind—the type of person everybody loves. The doubts soon start, though, so she does the only thing possible: she starts to dig for the truth.
On Danny’s computer, Ashley finds messages from Lucy that have her thinking the worst. Those thoughts solidify into horror when she finds a business card for a divorce lawyer hidden in his desk. Was Danny going to leave Ashley for his childhood friend? Now determined to discover whether there are even more secrets to uncover, Ashley goes looking for answers and what she finds sets her world alight. Is it possible that Danny really did kill Lucy? And if so, is she now in danger as well?
A trail of secrets. Unbound betrayal. Confusion over whether to trust or suspect. All three just barely scratch the surface for My Perfect Marriage. A.J. Campbell’s newest thriller, I was utterly floored by the brilliance held within these pages. After all, from the moment I read the attention-grabbing start, my eyes were fixed to the pages as this twisted tale took me on the ride of my life. Well-plotted and nuanced, the treacherous lies, stomach-curdling events and shocking revelations will keep you spellbound for sure.
The characters felt wholly realistic and well-developed. From the gossipy townspeople to the blindsided wife, each and every one drew me in deep. Ashley, in fact, was portrayed in a clever, even-handed way and managed to never come across as melodramatic or over-the-top. In many plots such as this, that would’ve been a guarantee, but thanks to the sharp writing of Ms. Campbell, I needn’t have worried.
It was the storyline, however, that made this book a hole in one. From the steady pacing that meant I lost track of time to the explosive climax which had my adrenaline pumping, I was constantly on the edge of my seat. But it was the unguessable twist that truly took the cake. Coming out of left field but also fitting perfectly into place, it made the whole plot fit together seamlessly, in my humble opinion. So much so in fact, that multiple subplots were nailed in just one go.
There were a few teeny, tiny bits and bobs that irked me just a tad. Namely the unexplored epilogue. While it did answer all of the unresolved questions, there could’ve been so much more given the shocking conclusion. Additionally, I would’ve loved to hear from Danny some more. But then, you can’t have everything that you want, can you? Although I do have to say that I just so nearly did.
All said and done, this book was Campbell at her best. The fourth that I’ve read by her, I was captivated from the very first page as the storyline unfurled before me naturally in a show of true genius. Perfect for fans of Shari Lapena and Lisa Jewell, it held all of the necessary ingredients for an addictive, unputdownable tale. So, obviously, I strongly recommend that you go out and grab this one today. After all, this one will win you over hook, line and sinker just as it did for me. Rating of 5 stars.
Thank you to A.J. Campbell, Bookouture and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 8, 2024
Important Note: This book was formerly entitled How Can I Trust You?
Trigger warning: fatal car accident, arson, mention of: infidelity
As soon as the cops arrives, it seems like a closed case. A blood-soaked Danny is put into handcuffs and escorted to a police car. Just before he is hustled off, he begs Ashley to believe that he was just trying to save Lucy. Initially she is sure that they’ve got the wrong man. After all, he’s always been empathetic and kind—the type of person everybody loves. The doubts soon start, though, so she does the only thing possible: she starts to dig for the truth.
On Danny’s computer, Ashley finds messages from Lucy that have her thinking the worst. Those thoughts solidify into horror when she finds a business card for a divorce lawyer hidden in his desk. Was Danny going to leave Ashley for his childhood friend? Now determined to discover whether there are even more secrets to uncover, Ashley goes looking for answers and what she finds sets her world alight. Is it possible that Danny really did kill Lucy? And if so, is she now in danger as well?
A trail of secrets. Unbound betrayal. Confusion over whether to trust or suspect. All three just barely scratch the surface for My Perfect Marriage. A.J. Campbell’s newest thriller, I was utterly floored by the brilliance held within these pages. After all, from the moment I read the attention-grabbing start, my eyes were fixed to the pages as this twisted tale took me on the ride of my life. Well-plotted and nuanced, the treacherous lies, stomach-curdling events and shocking revelations will keep you spellbound for sure.
The characters felt wholly realistic and well-developed. From the gossipy townspeople to the blindsided wife, each and every one drew me in deep. Ashley, in fact, was portrayed in a clever, even-handed way and managed to never come across as melodramatic or over-the-top. In many plots such as this, that would’ve been a guarantee, but thanks to the sharp writing of Ms. Campbell, I needn’t have worried.
It was the storyline, however, that made this book a hole in one. From the steady pacing that meant I lost track of time to the explosive climax which had my adrenaline pumping, I was constantly on the edge of my seat. But it was the unguessable twist that truly took the cake. Coming out of left field but also fitting perfectly into place, it made the whole plot fit together seamlessly, in my humble opinion. So much so in fact, that multiple subplots were nailed in just one go.
There were a few teeny, tiny bits and bobs that irked me just a tad. Namely the unexplored epilogue. While it did answer all of the unresolved questions, there could’ve been so much more given the shocking conclusion. Additionally, I would’ve loved to hear from Danny some more. But then, you can’t have everything that you want, can you? Although I do have to say that I just so nearly did.
All said and done, this book was Campbell at her best. The fourth that I’ve read by her, I was captivated from the very first page as the storyline unfurled before me naturally in a show of true genius. Perfect for fans of Shari Lapena and Lisa Jewell, it held all of the necessary ingredients for an addictive, unputdownable tale. So, obviously, I strongly recommend that you go out and grab this one today. After all, this one will win you over hook, line and sinker just as it did for me. Rating of 5 stars.
Thank you to A.J. Campbell, Bookouture and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 8, 2024
Important Note: This book was formerly entitled How Can I Trust You?
Trigger warning: fatal car accident, arson, mention of: infidelity
April 17, 2024
3⭐
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ April 8, 2024
Page Count ~ 326 (p+ 58 chapters +3m later)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 42 minutes
Narrator ~ Eilidh Beaton
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ murder, secrets, betrayal, lies, infidelity talk
While in a bounce house at Lucy's daughters birthday party Ashley hears screams and finds her husband, Danny, covered in blood holding a hammer over Lucy's lifeless body. Seems pretty clear he's the lead suspect.
I didn't really care for any characters, except Ashley's sister, Susie, wasn't bad. Ashley doesn't make great choices and I was yelling at her at the end with the whole Champ bit. Her son, Elliott, was whiny and annoying at that part, too. Can't you feel the tension, kid?
Overall, this was just fine for me. It took a while to see how the prologue incident would tie in. I do enjoy finding secrets out about someone, but the big secret was kinda meh for me. There were some tense moments, especially at the end, and it was mostly fast paced, so that was great, but I wasn't entirely invested in the story and didn't care much for the ending.
Side note ~ I'm wondering why it says Lucy was her best friend when she was Danny's best friend from childhood.
Side note #2 ~ I had to chuckle when the cops came to confiscate the computers and she tells them that Danny's computer is on the right and please don’t touch hers because she needs to work. Oh yeah, sure ma’am, you can keep your computer in an active investigation 🙄
Narration notes:
She was mostly fine. Sometimes frantic when need be and sometimes monotone sounding.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ April 8, 2024
Page Count ~ 326 (p+ 58 chapters +3m later)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 42 minutes
Narrator ~ Eilidh Beaton
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ murder, secrets, betrayal, lies, infidelity talk
While in a bounce house at Lucy's daughters birthday party Ashley hears screams and finds her husband, Danny, covered in blood holding a hammer over Lucy's lifeless body. Seems pretty clear he's the lead suspect.
I didn't really care for any characters, except Ashley's sister, Susie, wasn't bad. Ashley doesn't make great choices and I was yelling at her at the end with the whole Champ bit. Her son, Elliott, was whiny and annoying at that part, too. Can't you feel the tension, kid?
Overall, this was just fine for me. It took a while to see how the prologue incident would tie in. I do enjoy finding secrets out about someone, but the big secret was kinda meh for me. There were some tense moments, especially at the end, and it was mostly fast paced, so that was great, but I wasn't entirely invested in the story and didn't care much for the ending.
Side note ~ I'm wondering why it says Lucy was her best friend when she was Danny's best friend from childhood.
Side note #2 ~ I had to chuckle when the cops came to confiscate the computers and she tells them that Danny's computer is on the right and please don’t touch hers because she needs to work. Oh yeah, sure ma’am, you can keep your computer in an active investigation 🙄
Narration notes:
She was mostly fine. Sometimes frantic when need be and sometimes monotone sounding.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
April 5, 2024
3.25-3.5 Stars
Ashley's world turned upside down when she found her husband, Danny, standing over his best friend's dead body, Lucy, with a bloody hammer. The police immediately took him in for questioning. Her husband claimed he had nothing to do with it, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that he was involved somehow. She decided to start her own investigation and began looking for clues and evidence. As she dug deeper, she uncovered a shocking truth that left her reeling.
The book has an interesting premise that I enjoyed, but I didn't connect or like any of the characters. The storyline was somewhat predictable, and I wish it had more elements that kept me at the edge of my seat. Nevertheless, if you're new to mystery novels, this book is a good choice to start with. It has all the fundamental elements of a classic mystery. However, for avid mystery readers, it may not offer anything new or unique. Overall, it's a decent read that has its moments and is worth considering.
***Thank you to NetGalley, A.J. Campbell, and Bookouture Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Ashley's world turned upside down when she found her husband, Danny, standing over his best friend's dead body, Lucy, with a bloody hammer. The police immediately took him in for questioning. Her husband claimed he had nothing to do with it, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that he was involved somehow. She decided to start her own investigation and began looking for clues and evidence. As she dug deeper, she uncovered a shocking truth that left her reeling.
The book has an interesting premise that I enjoyed, but I didn't connect or like any of the characters. The storyline was somewhat predictable, and I wish it had more elements that kept me at the edge of my seat. Nevertheless, if you're new to mystery novels, this book is a good choice to start with. It has all the fundamental elements of a classic mystery. However, for avid mystery readers, it may not offer anything new or unique. Overall, it's a decent read that has its moments and is worth considering.
***Thank you to NetGalley, A.J. Campbell, and Bookouture Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
May 19, 2024
How well can you truly ever know someone? That is the question that’s haunting Ashley. Is the love of her life a murderer? Could the father of her child actually be a cold-hearted killer? I was completely immersed in her pursuit of the truth. My heart went out to her and her son Elliot as the plot unfolded. At times I questioned her actions, but I was always intrigued by the outcome. Eilidh Beaton’s narration masterfully brings each character to life while adding intensity and emotion. The shocking conclusion had me on the edge of my seat. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my audiobook.
April 2, 2024
TRUST ME....
"How Can I Trust You?" begins with instant action:
* A car crash in the prologue
* The protagonist's husband covered in blood holding a hammer over a mutual friend.
Unfortunately, the book's pacing was uneven and failed to meet the elevated expectations that I had for talented author AJ Campbell.
AJ Campbell failed to put a compelling spin on the overdone "I can no longer trust my husband" trope.
I listened to the audiobook read by Eilidh Beaton. The narration was good but not great.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2024
But is it?….
Trust is paramount to Ashley and Dan’s marriage…at least Ashley thought it was…then when a horrific incident at a friends child’s party leaves the friend dead and Dan holding a hammer she wonders just how much she knows her husband
The story then evolves part Whodunit, part family crisis drama ( have I created a new genre 😎 ) plus a healthy smattering of psychological thriller which turn this authors ( who has previously self published 6 books and now publishes her 7th via Bookouture ) writing into a smooth, exciting and fast paced read with a tense ending
The references to village life including the old fashioned village shop owner and the many gossips were spot on, also really laughed at the toothbrush email, am sure many of us have had this same email!🤗
An addictive read that HAD to keep reading to see what was going to happen next
Trust is paramount to Ashley and Dan’s marriage…at least Ashley thought it was…then when a horrific incident at a friends child’s party leaves the friend dead and Dan holding a hammer she wonders just how much she knows her husband
The story then evolves part Whodunit, part family crisis drama ( have I created a new genre 😎 ) plus a healthy smattering of psychological thriller which turn this authors ( who has previously self published 6 books and now publishes her 7th via Bookouture ) writing into a smooth, exciting and fast paced read with a tense ending
The references to village life including the old fashioned village shop owner and the many gossips were spot on, also really laughed at the toothbrush email, am sure many of us have had this same email!🤗
An addictive read that HAD to keep reading to see what was going to happen next
April 3, 2024
Narrated by Eilidh Beaton
Presented by Bookouture Audio
I felt unreasonably detached from this story, so the whole thing was kind of bizarre.
Ashley and Danny are the perfect couple - until he's discovered standing over the bludgeoned body of his best friend, with the murder weapon in hand. As Ashley tries to work out what happened, she discovers more and more secrets that seem to have been deliberately hidden from her. Maybe her husband isn't the man she thought he was?
This was a really great setup and I was so bamboozled for the whole thing. There were so many secrets and lies and it was so hard to keep up with what the hell was going on.
Ashley had an excellent balance of believing her husband but also confronting him when necessary. She struck me as a really clever character, and I thought she handled things pretty well, actually. I wasn't sold on her love for that bratty kid of hers, but otherwise she seemed pretty switched on and it was easy to root for her.
The narration was otherworldly somehow - I don't know if it was the accent or tone or what, but it completely transported me to a different world. I did find it confusing to differentiate between who was speaking, but otherwise it was easy enough to listen to.
This was a decent thriller with some interesting moments. I did want a little more than just a secretive marriage and the related troubles, but otherwise this was a fun listen that kept me guessing.
With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC
Presented by Bookouture Audio
I felt unreasonably detached from this story, so the whole thing was kind of bizarre.
Ashley and Danny are the perfect couple - until he's discovered standing over the bludgeoned body of his best friend, with the murder weapon in hand. As Ashley tries to work out what happened, she discovers more and more secrets that seem to have been deliberately hidden from her. Maybe her husband isn't the man she thought he was?
This was a really great setup and I was so bamboozled for the whole thing. There were so many secrets and lies and it was so hard to keep up with what the hell was going on.
Ashley had an excellent balance of believing her husband but also confronting him when necessary. She struck me as a really clever character, and I thought she handled things pretty well, actually. I wasn't sold on her love for that bratty kid of hers, but otherwise she seemed pretty switched on and it was easy to root for her.
The narration was otherworldly somehow - I don't know if it was the accent or tone or what, but it completely transported me to a different world. I did find it confusing to differentiate between who was speaking, but otherwise it was easy enough to listen to.
This was a decent thriller with some interesting moments. I did want a little more than just a secretive marriage and the related troubles, but otherwise this was a fun listen that kept me guessing.
With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC
April 8, 2024
This book starts with a car crash, and that’s kind of the theme of the book - one day, the lives of several people turn into absolute trainwrecks. I wouldn’t compare this to “The Housemaid” or “The Perfect Marriage” like the synopsis does, but this was a definitely a good mystery/thriller.
Ashley, Danny and their son, Elliot, have a birthday party to attend. Danny’s best friend since childhood, Lucy, is having people over for her daughter Grace’s big day, and it was a picture perfect one. Elliot and Grace are also best friends, and everything was great…until it wasn’t.
Ashley is in the bouncy house with Elliot when she hears something. She shook it off, but when she thought she heard another cry, she started looking around. Upon investigation, she finds Lee, Lucy’s husband, howling in horror. She looks inside the garage to see Danny standing over Lucy’s body, covered in blood and holding a hammer.
Immediately the police are called, and of course Danny is the logical suspect - except for the fact that this is his best friend since childhood, he’s never had a temper, and he’s just as devastated as anyone else. Soon though, very soon, he is brought to the police station for questioning, which lets Ashley do some digging on her own.
I won’t tell you what she found, except for what’s revealed in the synopsis: her husband was seeing Lucy behind her back, messaging her from a burner phone, and then the nail in the coffin - an appointment Ashley found in his calendar. An appointment he made with a divorce lawyer. Were Danny and Lucy having an affair? They’re like siblings; Ashley didn’t think much of how touchy and close they are. Then, when Ashley starts looking in their office, she finds something that will be VERY hard for Danny to explain.
The mystery part of this was great, leaving the reader constantly wondering if it was really Danny who killed Lucy. Ashley found some juicy stuff, and all of the evidence seems to make no sense…until the ending, when everything is brought to light. I feel like this didn’t want to be a popcorn thriller, but the writing made it that way, and that’s my only complaint. 3.5 stars, rounded up for being quite entertaining.
(Thank you to Bookouture, A.J. Campbell and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 8, 2024.)
Ashley, Danny and their son, Elliot, have a birthday party to attend. Danny’s best friend since childhood, Lucy, is having people over for her daughter Grace’s big day, and it was a picture perfect one. Elliot and Grace are also best friends, and everything was great…until it wasn’t.
Ashley is in the bouncy house with Elliot when she hears something. She shook it off, but when she thought she heard another cry, she started looking around. Upon investigation, she finds Lee, Lucy’s husband, howling in horror. She looks inside the garage to see Danny standing over Lucy’s body, covered in blood and holding a hammer.
Immediately the police are called, and of course Danny is the logical suspect - except for the fact that this is his best friend since childhood, he’s never had a temper, and he’s just as devastated as anyone else. Soon though, very soon, he is brought to the police station for questioning, which lets Ashley do some digging on her own.
I won’t tell you what she found, except for what’s revealed in the synopsis: her husband was seeing Lucy behind her back, messaging her from a burner phone, and then the nail in the coffin - an appointment Ashley found in his calendar. An appointment he made with a divorce lawyer. Were Danny and Lucy having an affair? They’re like siblings; Ashley didn’t think much of how touchy and close they are. Then, when Ashley starts looking in their office, she finds something that will be VERY hard for Danny to explain.
The mystery part of this was great, leaving the reader constantly wondering if it was really Danny who killed Lucy. Ashley found some juicy stuff, and all of the evidence seems to make no sense…until the ending, when everything is brought to light. I feel like this didn’t want to be a popcorn thriller, but the writing made it that way, and that’s my only complaint. 3.5 stars, rounded up for being quite entertaining.
(Thank you to Bookouture, A.J. Campbell and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 8, 2024.)
April 13, 2024
4.5 stars rounding down to 4 stars on Goodreads.
I can always count on AJ Campbell’s books to be twisty and hook me from the start. Before starting this book I was in a major book slump and I knew this book would get me out of the slump. I savored every minute of this twisted thriller/murder mystery that had me on a roller coaster of emotions. I had so many theories and every time I thought I was right, I was completely wrong! I would have never guessed the ending and that’s why I LOVE AJ Campbell’s books! This is a book that you need to READ!
****Many thanks to Bookouture, AJ Campbell, and NetGalley for my #gifted copy in turn for my honest review!
I can always count on AJ Campbell’s books to be twisty and hook me from the start. Before starting this book I was in a major book slump and I knew this book would get me out of the slump. I savored every minute of this twisted thriller/murder mystery that had me on a roller coaster of emotions. I had so many theories and every time I thought I was right, I was completely wrong! I would have never guessed the ending and that’s why I LOVE AJ Campbell’s books! This is a book that you need to READ!
****Many thanks to Bookouture, AJ Campbell, and NetGalley for my #gifted copy in turn for my honest review!
March 10, 2024
Another addictive book from A J Campbell. Her books always have me hooked and this was no exception. A twisty and surprising story that certainly made me keep turning this pages, dying to know what would happen next.
Ashley is devastated when her best friend is murdered, and it appears that her husband is responsible. Danny is found covered in blood with the murder weapon in his hand, but claims that he is innocent. Ashley cannot believe that Danny is capable of murder, but she also thought that she knew everything about him. The more she looks, the more she finds his secrets. It doesn’t look good.
I had no idea where this was going. I kept changing my mind about who I thought did it and why. I could feel the tension, Ashley’s sadness and anger. Really felt for her, with the whole village talking about her behind her back.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on April 8th.
Ashley is devastated when her best friend is murdered, and it appears that her husband is responsible. Danny is found covered in blood with the murder weapon in his hand, but claims that he is innocent. Ashley cannot believe that Danny is capable of murder, but she also thought that she knew everything about him. The more she looks, the more she finds his secrets. It doesn’t look good.
I had no idea where this was going. I kept changing my mind about who I thought did it and why. I could feel the tension, Ashley’s sadness and anger. Really felt for her, with the whole village talking about her behind her back.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on April 8th.
April 8, 2024
Ashley and Danny and their son Elliot live in the small countryside village, where Danny grew up. They both moved from London and Ashley still misses the bustling streets of London. They are also both business partners to a growing business.
When they are all invited to Grace’s birthday party, where her mother is Danny’s childhood friend Lucy. They can’t wait to go as their son is best friend with Grace.
When the party is in full swing. Lucy’s husband Lee screams and when Ashley sees what’s going on. See her husband Danny covered in blood standing over the body of Lucy with a hammer in is hand. Lee accuses Danny of murdering her. The Police is called, and Danny claim he is innocent but, even so he is handcuffed and taken away by the Police.
Ashley wonders is her husband is innocent as he claims. Or did he really murder Lucy. His so-called best friend. Do you really know someone that you are married to? As Ashely further investigates. She discovers things about Danny she never knew. Can he really trust him?
How can I trust you is the 4th book I have read from the author, and this is another unputdownable read. She never disappoints. This is a tense twisty thriller about secrets Murder, blackmail and lies. Do we ever know fully the persons so close to us? This is another riveting read with surprising twist at the end. 5 stars from me.
When they are all invited to Grace’s birthday party, where her mother is Danny’s childhood friend Lucy. They can’t wait to go as their son is best friend with Grace.
When the party is in full swing. Lucy’s husband Lee screams and when Ashley sees what’s going on. See her husband Danny covered in blood standing over the body of Lucy with a hammer in is hand. Lee accuses Danny of murdering her. The Police is called, and Danny claim he is innocent but, even so he is handcuffed and taken away by the Police.
Ashley wonders is her husband is innocent as he claims. Or did he really murder Lucy. His so-called best friend. Do you really know someone that you are married to? As Ashely further investigates. She discovers things about Danny she never knew. Can he really trust him?
How can I trust you is the 4th book I have read from the author, and this is another unputdownable read. She never disappoints. This is a tense twisty thriller about secrets Murder, blackmail and lies. Do we ever know fully the persons so close to us? This is another riveting read with surprising twist at the end. 5 stars from me.
April 6, 2024
I received a copy of this audiobook from Bookouture Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
When I requested this audiobook from NetGalley, it was called ‘How Can I Trust You?’ and I seriously was wondering that as I read it. Nothing about this book was as it seemed or at least not as it was described to be.
First things first: The description of this states “My husband is accused of killing my best friend. Can I trust anything he says?” Well, the victim is not our main character’s best friend, it is her husband’s best friend. This was probably the most crucial part of this story. The concept of this book sounded a lot more intriguing to me with the victim being the main character’s best friend. If the description was honest and read “My husband is accused of killing his best friend. Can I trust anything he says?” I just don’t know if I would’ve requested it.
The description continues to be a little misleading. It’s difficult to say how without giving away the story, but what actually happens in this book is not exactly what the description says.
Beyond the inaccurate description, this book just moved along way too slowly for me. Even the narration was dreadfully slow. I moved the speed to 1.5 times to move it along quicker and about 2/3 of the way through, I bumped it up to 1.75 because I just wanted to finish it. It wasn’t until the 90% mark that anything actually happened and for me it just wasn’t realistic. And I like unrealistic. I just felt that the first 90% of the book provided no foreshadowing of what was actually going to happen.
The title of this book is being changed to ‘My Perfect Marriage’ and honestly that just doesn’t fit with this story either. The murder happens at the very beginning of the book and there is very little written about their marriage before the main character’s husband is hauled off for questioning. I never really got the feeling that our main character and her husband were the perfect couple. That’s not to say their relationship seemed flawed, it’s just that we literally don’t get enough insight into their relationship before the murder occurs to form any kind of opinions about it.
Overall, this book just wasn’t for me and the description of it is very misleading.
When I requested this audiobook from NetGalley, it was called ‘How Can I Trust You?’ and I seriously was wondering that as I read it. Nothing about this book was as it seemed or at least not as it was described to be.
First things first: The description of this states “My husband is accused of killing my best friend. Can I trust anything he says?” Well, the victim is not our main character’s best friend, it is her husband’s best friend. This was probably the most crucial part of this story. The concept of this book sounded a lot more intriguing to me with the victim being the main character’s best friend. If the description was honest and read “My husband is accused of killing his best friend. Can I trust anything he says?” I just don’t know if I would’ve requested it.
The description continues to be a little misleading. It’s difficult to say how without giving away the story, but what actually happens in this book is not exactly what the description says.
Beyond the inaccurate description, this book just moved along way too slowly for me. Even the narration was dreadfully slow. I moved the speed to 1.5 times to move it along quicker and about 2/3 of the way through, I bumped it up to 1.75 because I just wanted to finish it. It wasn’t until the 90% mark that anything actually happened and for me it just wasn’t realistic. And I like unrealistic. I just felt that the first 90% of the book provided no foreshadowing of what was actually going to happen.
The title of this book is being changed to ‘My Perfect Marriage’ and honestly that just doesn’t fit with this story either. The murder happens at the very beginning of the book and there is very little written about their marriage before the main character’s husband is hauled off for questioning. I never really got the feeling that our main character and her husband were the perfect couple. That’s not to say their relationship seemed flawed, it’s just that we literally don’t get enough insight into their relationship before the murder occurs to form any kind of opinions about it.
Overall, this book just wasn’t for me and the description of it is very misleading.
February 29, 2024
My first book by AJ Campbell and won't be my last. This is one of the best things about being a part of the Netgalley community, being exposed to so many great authors I would not normally know about.
This book is all about trust and do you really know the people you love the most, the ones you live with and see every day, one who you feel is your soulmate and also the great friendships you feel you hold with others, this is the dilemma Ashley finds herself in. Her husband Danny stands accused of killing her best friend Lucy which has totally floored Ashley, her husband is possibly a murderer, unbelievable. This is so hard for her as she is also trying to protect her young son Eliot from all that is happening around them. But Ashley will have to face more than this as other revelations come into play and she will need all the strength she can muster to deal with other bombshells which are about to hit her.
A well executed plot with believable characters all make for a great story. Lots of suspence and tension as the book progresses and we are left turning the pages to see how this will resolve, is Ashley destined to a new life as a single parent or has there been a great miscarriage of justice? You will need to read the book to find out and I highly recommend you pick this book up.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
This book is all about trust and do you really know the people you love the most, the ones you live with and see every day, one who you feel is your soulmate and also the great friendships you feel you hold with others, this is the dilemma Ashley finds herself in. Her husband Danny stands accused of killing her best friend Lucy which has totally floored Ashley, her husband is possibly a murderer, unbelievable. This is so hard for her as she is also trying to protect her young son Eliot from all that is happening around them. But Ashley will have to face more than this as other revelations come into play and she will need all the strength she can muster to deal with other bombshells which are about to hit her.
A well executed plot with believable characters all make for a great story. Lots of suspence and tension as the book progresses and we are left turning the pages to see how this will resolve, is Ashley destined to a new life as a single parent or has there been a great miscarriage of justice? You will need to read the book to find out and I highly recommend you pick this book up.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
June 25, 2024
*** Now titled My Perfect Marriage ***
Oooh, this was a twisty whodunnit! AJ’s books are always twisty and fun to read, How Can I trust You did not disappoint!
Ashely’s perfect marriage is about to crumble, when her best friend is murdered and her husband Danny is found standing over the body with a bloody hammer.
Who killed Lucy? Could her husband really be capable of murder or is there something more sinister at play? As Ashley tries to uncover the truth, she discovers hidden secrets and a slew of loose ends. She’s left with more questions than answers while she races to uncover what happened to Lucy.
Fast paced and jam packed full of mystery, intrigue secrets and betrayal - it’s another winner by AJ Campbell.
Many thanks to Bookouture Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for advanced ARC and ALC
The audio, narrated by Eilidh Beaton was brilliantly executed.
Oooh, this was a twisty whodunnit! AJ’s books are always twisty and fun to read, How Can I trust You did not disappoint!
Ashely’s perfect marriage is about to crumble, when her best friend is murdered and her husband Danny is found standing over the body with a bloody hammer.
Who killed Lucy? Could her husband really be capable of murder or is there something more sinister at play? As Ashley tries to uncover the truth, she discovers hidden secrets and a slew of loose ends. She’s left with more questions than answers while she races to uncover what happened to Lucy.
Fast paced and jam packed full of mystery, intrigue secrets and betrayal - it’s another winner by AJ Campbell.
Many thanks to Bookouture Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for advanced ARC and ALC
The audio, narrated by Eilidh Beaton was brilliantly executed.
April 5, 2024
I really enjoyed AJ Campbell's new novel, MY PERFECT MARRIAGE. I was sucked into this story right away. I thought that Ashley was really put through the wringer. I didn't know what to believe. Was Danny innocent or did someone else kill Lucy? This is a fast paced story that you can read or listen to in a day. I can highly recommend grabbing a copy. You won't be disappointed!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my gifted ARC.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub date.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my gifted ARC.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub date.
April 10, 2024
My Perfect Marriage is a completely addictive thriller, with so many twists and turns. This might be her best one yet.
I love a thriller centered around lies, secrets and deceptions in a relationship and My Perfect Marriage delivered on all counts, culminating in an intense nail biting ending.
I love a thriller centered around lies, secrets and deceptions in a relationship and My Perfect Marriage delivered on all counts, culminating in an intense nail biting ending.
March 30, 2024
This was a binge listen. The plot was so compelling. I found it more enjoyable as this deviated from the usual point of view story and was full of descriptive dialogue and scene setting. This was a teal refreshing change.
The plot could have been a hollywood film. You move to the countryside with your loving husband Danny and son Elliott. You become friends with his friends. Then at a party you find Danny covered in blood standing over Lucy's body with a hammer. Then he is arrested and it becomes a whodunit. Full of well developed characters,red herrings and twists and turns. This physiological thriller had me hooked and at times screaming at Lucy surely you'd know that. There were other suspects and clever writing never made me feel i really knew who did it. The final reveal was full of action and i could feel the tension exploding in the chatacters. The narration was perfect.
I cant recommended this enough i was hooked and felt everything was revealed in the right order.. I understand the title will be changed prior to publication which may put more emphasis on to the domestic side of things.. whatever the title this a compelling 5 star listen thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator
The plot could have been a hollywood film. You move to the countryside with your loving husband Danny and son Elliott. You become friends with his friends. Then at a party you find Danny covered in blood standing over Lucy's body with a hammer. Then he is arrested and it becomes a whodunit. Full of well developed characters,red herrings and twists and turns. This physiological thriller had me hooked and at times screaming at Lucy surely you'd know that. There were other suspects and clever writing never made me feel i really knew who did it. The final reveal was full of action and i could feel the tension exploding in the chatacters. The narration was perfect.
I cant recommended this enough i was hooked and felt everything was revealed in the right order.. I understand the title will be changed prior to publication which may put more emphasis on to the domestic side of things.. whatever the title this a compelling 5 star listen thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator
February 22, 2024
Sometimes, in a book, when someone explains something, I suddenly realise I'm kinda dumb. And that's how I felt every single time Ashley or anyone spoke about their job. The words were all in English, but my brain gave up like I was attempting to read Chinese.
The rest of the book was brilliant. I loved the air of mystery to it and how it all played out. And you know a book is good when you are suspicious of everyone.
This was another great read from my fellow Essex girl and I can't wait to see what's next.
Thank you to @ajcampbell @netgalley and @bookoutere for the chance to be an ARC reviewer for this one.
The rest of the book was brilliant. I loved the air of mystery to it and how it all played out. And you know a book is good when you are suspicious of everyone.
This was another great read from my fellow Essex girl and I can't wait to see what's next.
Thank you to @ajcampbell @netgalley and @bookoutere for the chance to be an ARC reviewer for this one.
April 3, 2024
Holy crap!! This book starts off speeding and doesn't let up off the gas until the very end! This one was full of twists and turns. Everything I thought to be true was WRONG! Once I started this one, I couldn't stop until it was over. It was such a tornado. It was so gripping!
Danny and Ashley seem to have the perfect life until Ashley's best friend Lucy is found murdered, and it looks like Danny did it. Will Ashley believe him when he says he didn't do it even though it looks like he did?
Campbell did a great job at developing the characters and the plot in this book. The characters were well developed, and the plot moved at a pace that made this one hard to stop reading. There were twists and turns with an ending that will leave your mouth on the floor!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Danny and Ashley seem to have the perfect life until Ashley's best friend Lucy is found murdered, and it looks like Danny did it. Will Ashley believe him when he says he didn't do it even though it looks like he did?
Campbell did a great job at developing the characters and the plot in this book. The characters were well developed, and the plot moved at a pace that made this one hard to stop reading. There were twists and turns with an ending that will leave your mouth on the floor!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2024
I have just finished an exhilarating rollercoaster of a novel that left my pulse racing. “How Can I Trust You?” surrounds married couple and business partners Ashley and Danny. While attending a friend’s daughter’s birthday party, a murder occurs, setting off a multi-layered mystery. As the plot unfurled, I found myself drawn in to solve the case alongside protagonist Ashley. This thriller truly delivers with its endless twists and turns. Just when I believed I uncovered the truth, the author introduced yet another unexpected twist. “How Can I Trust You?” is a superbly crafted page-turner that will keep readers guessing until the very last page. I highly recommend it if you enjoy a good page-turner.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
March 28, 2024
How can I trust you
I really liked this audiobook!
Ashley walks in on her husband at a child’s birthday party and he’s covered in blood. Did he just kill his best friend and business partner, Lucy, in cold blood? With Dan being charged and in jail, Ashley tries to piece together what happened and what Dan has been hiding.
This was a great psychological/domestic thriller with not too many characters to keep up with.
Narrator- loved who they chose for this audiobook. She was very engaging.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and AJ Campbell for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this audiobook!
Ashley walks in on her husband at a child’s birthday party and he’s covered in blood. Did he just kill his best friend and business partner, Lucy, in cold blood? With Dan being charged and in jail, Ashley tries to piece together what happened and what Dan has been hiding.
This was a great psychological/domestic thriller with not too many characters to keep up with.
Narrator- loved who they chose for this audiobook. She was very engaging.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and AJ Campbell for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2024
Real page-turner!!
Thoroughly enjoyed this AJ
Campbell, right after finishing "Did I Kill My Husband?" New author, for me...great! Really is unputdownable (?word?)
Thoroughly enjoyed this AJ
Campbell, right after finishing "Did I Kill My Husband?" New author, for me...great! Really is unputdownable (?word?)
February 25, 2024
CLEAR YOUR DIARY!!!!
When you pick up this book, life as you know it will cease to exist until you have finished it.
This book starts off a break neck speed and doesn’t slow down!
Filled with twists and turns and unexpected revelations it will have you hooked from the first paragraph.
Highly recommend but don’t blame me for the lack of sleep you will inevitably not get
When you pick up this book, life as you know it will cease to exist until you have finished it.
This book starts off a break neck speed and doesn’t slow down!
Filled with twists and turns and unexpected revelations it will have you hooked from the first paragraph.
Highly recommend but don’t blame me for the lack of sleep you will inevitably not get
March 7, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Overall I loved this heart-stopping psychological thriller about a woman whose husband is found standing over the dead body of her best friend. It was highly suspenseful right from the beginning and the murder happened swiftly, with just the right amount of build-up. I loved how each character had something to hide and how each managed to bring their own relevant information to the table at just the right times to move the story forward. I felt really immersed in the small town setting where everyone knows everyone and all the town’s gossip.
Additionally I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style with vivid descriptions such as: “Ashley steps into the bustling tent of around sixty guests engaged in lively banter, the hum of intermingling voices with intermittent raucous laughter playing with her senses.”
However, I didn’t like the mention of covid or the song titles and artists as I felt this aged the book. I think this book could have been truly timeless if these recent references hadn’t been made.
I loved how Ashley was a reliable narrator! I feel that so many psychological thrillers have unreliable narrators so this was a nice change.
I didn’t like how the majority the book was set in Ashley’s house with her trying to find clues because it slowed the pace a little. However, that being said, I enjoyed how each chapter ended on a mini cliffhanger or with new information being revealed which meant I couldn’t put the book down.
Ultimately this book is a must read for any psychological thriller lover. It has heaps of twists and turns and a great ending so I highly recommend it!
Happy reading x
Overall I loved this heart-stopping psychological thriller about a woman whose husband is found standing over the dead body of her best friend. It was highly suspenseful right from the beginning and the murder happened swiftly, with just the right amount of build-up. I loved how each character had something to hide and how each managed to bring their own relevant information to the table at just the right times to move the story forward. I felt really immersed in the small town setting where everyone knows everyone and all the town’s gossip.
Additionally I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style with vivid descriptions such as: “Ashley steps into the bustling tent of around sixty guests engaged in lively banter, the hum of intermingling voices with intermittent raucous laughter playing with her senses.”
However, I didn’t like the mention of covid or the song titles and artists as I felt this aged the book. I think this book could have been truly timeless if these recent references hadn’t been made.
I loved how Ashley was a reliable narrator! I feel that so many psychological thrillers have unreliable narrators so this was a nice change.
I didn’t like how the majority the book was set in Ashley’s house with her trying to find clues because it slowed the pace a little. However, that being said, I enjoyed how each chapter ended on a mini cliffhanger or with new information being revealed which meant I couldn’t put the book down.
Ultimately this book is a must read for any psychological thriller lover. It has heaps of twists and turns and a great ending so I highly recommend it!
Happy reading x
June 23, 2024
My Perfect Marriage is an escapism, psychological thriller that’s steady paced and very entertaining.
Ashley’s life will never be the same.
Her perfect marriage is about to come tumbling down.
Her husband, Danny is holding a bloody hammer, standing over his best friend Lucy’s dead body.
Danny is claiming his is innocent but the evidence doesn’t look very good.
Ashley starts to investigate but as she digs deeper the secrets, lies and betrayal are highlighted.
As the mystery starts to unravel, the shocking truth changes everything…..
This is my first A.J book and I’m now eager to read more.
There’s climbing tension, good and unlikeable characters, enthralling plot and one rampant ride.
Situation after situation will have you questioning your sleuthing skills.
And as the ending is revealed and the secrets unlocked, you will be on the edge of your seat.
A great storyline making the reading experience enjoyable.
Ashley’s life will never be the same.
Her perfect marriage is about to come tumbling down.
Her husband, Danny is holding a bloody hammer, standing over his best friend Lucy’s dead body.
Danny is claiming his is innocent but the evidence doesn’t look very good.
Ashley starts to investigate but as she digs deeper the secrets, lies and betrayal are highlighted.
As the mystery starts to unravel, the shocking truth changes everything…..
This is my first A.J book and I’m now eager to read more.
There’s climbing tension, good and unlikeable characters, enthralling plot and one rampant ride.
Situation after situation will have you questioning your sleuthing skills.
And as the ending is revealed and the secrets unlocked, you will be on the edge of your seat.
A great storyline making the reading experience enjoyable.
March 27, 2024
This is one of those books where it is hard to give a review without giving you a spoiler! My first book by this author. A very immersible read with relentless pacing that will keep fans of psychological thrillers awake WAY into the night. This is a one stop read so plan your evening in advance. There is not one moment during this book where I was certain I knew the outcome or the answer or the bad guy or the future. Kudos AJ Campbell.
February 28, 2024
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of How Can I Trust You? This started out real good, I liked the party scene but then it got very boring and in depth about housing. I was confused with all that talk. The ending was intense but honestly I wanted to put the book down quite a few times. Im sorry to say it didn’t do it for me.
March 25, 2024
Be prepared to have your whole day taken up by reading this.
This book has blown me away. It is phenomenal.
I enjoyed the pace of this book and how gripping it is. Full of outstanding twists.
This book has blown me away. It is phenomenal.
I enjoyed the pace of this book and how gripping it is. Full of outstanding twists.
February 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this book, with my honest review below.
How Can I Trust You? Was a great twisty read. It definitely did not go where I was expecting it, but that’s the mark of a solid thriller.
Ashley and Danny are a married couple, seemingly happy, with a young son who see their idyllic country life get upended when Danny’s friend Lucy is murdered… by him? As Ashley tries to solve the mystery she also find a lot of reasons not to trust Danny. But if you have ever met someone with the perfect excuses, it’s easy to put concerns aside until that person isn’t around to supply the perfect explanation. This story benefited from playing on that and keeping the reader just questioning enough as to who was the real suspect.
Recommend for any thriller reader!
How Can I Trust You? Was a great twisty read. It definitely did not go where I was expecting it, but that’s the mark of a solid thriller.
Ashley and Danny are a married couple, seemingly happy, with a young son who see their idyllic country life get upended when Danny’s friend Lucy is murdered… by him? As Ashley tries to solve the mystery she also find a lot of reasons not to trust Danny. But if you have ever met someone with the perfect excuses, it’s easy to put concerns aside until that person isn’t around to supply the perfect explanation. This story benefited from playing on that and keeping the reader just questioning enough as to who was the real suspect.
Recommend for any thriller reader!
September 23, 2024
She's done it again! Every time I read this author I think 'this is my favourite of her books', then she writes a new one and it becomes my favourite! I picked this up on a Sunday morning and didn't put it down until l'd finished it, even reading while I was cooking dinner and doing laundry as it was such a gripping tale. The author's writing style hooks you in and all her books have believable characters and storylines, and again this is a must read psychological thriller of a book with twists and turns you can't predict, with love, betrayal, secrets revealed and a murder!
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