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My Husband's Past

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My best friend disappeared twenty years ago. I thought she was dead. But today I’ve received a message that makes my heart stop. It says it’s from Izzy. And she’s blaming my new husband for her disappearance…

I stare at the email in horror. I’ve only just managed to put what happened to Izzy behind me. My life is so different now. I have two perfect children, and the perfect husband at last.

“I couldn’t just say nothing. You remember I was being stalked? My stalker is your husband. You're in danger. Run.

My blood turns to ice as I look up at my charming, caring husband. Is this some kind of joke? Griffin is kind, he's safe.

But as he smiles at me, the doubt starts to creep in. The way he always asks me about my childhood, pressing for information about my friends. The way he always wants to know where I am…

I thought my best friend was dead. I thought her stalker killed her.

If the email isn’t really from Izzy, then who sent it—and what do they want from my family? But if it is, am I living with the man I’ve feared for twenty years? And if he can’t hurt Izzy, will he settle for me instead—or worse, my children…?

A jaw-dropping psychological thriller that will have your mind spinning as you race towards the final twist. Perfect for fans of addictive page-turners like The Housemaid, The Family Across the Street and The Family Upstairs.

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2024

1386 people are currently reading
584 people want to read

About the author

Shari J. Ryan

65 books2,015 followers
Shari J. Ryan is a USA Today and International Bestselling Author of over 40 novels, with more than 700,000 copies sold and translations in 13 languages. She writes emotionally evocative WWII fiction inspired by true stories that have resonated with readers around the globe. Her work has earned Top 100, Top 10, and #1 chart rankings, as well as two Rone Awards.

As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Shari brings a deeply personal connection to her work. Her stories are rooted in truth and remembrance, written to ensure history is never forgotten.

For Shari, writing is more than a passion; it is her way of expressing herself and connecting with others. She strives to share every emotion she experiences with each reader who picks up one of her books.

Shari holds a bachelor's degree from Johnson & Wales University and began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer until 2012, when she discovered her true calling in novels.

Some of Shari’s bestselling books include The Nurse Behind the Gates, The Stolen Twins, The Bookseller of Dachau, The Doctor’s Daughter, and The Last Words Series—gripping stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

A lifelong Boston girl, Shari now lives in a small town in the suburbs with her adored husband and two incredible sons, who make her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
Profile Image for Sherri Thacker.
1,698 reviews382 followers
August 21, 2024
This is only my 2nd book I’ve read by Shari J. Ryan but I must look for more of her books. This riveting book starts out with a shocking admission and it just escalates from there! Makes me think what would I do in her situation? Then the ending …. Holy cow!!!!! What a shocking ending!!!!! I could not put this one down and I found myself racing to the end! I thought I had it figured out and nope I had it all wrong! Highly recommend!!! A fave for 2024! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published September 23, 2024.
Profile Image for Kate Cedras.
197 reviews14 followers
August 23, 2024
Wow. This story takes you on a WILD ride! Not at all what I was expecting to happen and a shocking twist/end but I loved it!

Jessica’s best friend Izzy disappeared 20+ years ago after a bonfire their senior year of high school. She had recently been dating a guy she kept separate from her friends… but did mention that she was being stalked.

20 years later Jessica gets an email from Izzy- she’s alive and warns Jessica that the stalker.. is her husband of 2 years, Griffin.

What follows is literally one of the best thriller stories I’ve read in 2024. I would’ve given 5 stars but I really wanted more at the ending. I understand cliffhangers but dang!

Regardless- a great story and worth the recommendation and read! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Curt Dunnam.
183 reviews10 followers
October 13, 2024
"My Husband's Past" by Shari J. Ryan was a twisty, 4-star read. Jessica receives a mysterious email from her friend Izzy, but there's a problem—Izzy disappeared 22 years earlier. The email warns Jessica that her husband, Griffin, is not who she thinks he is, and to keep herself and her kids safe, she needs to get away from him immediately.

The story is well-written, with twist after twist that kept me on the edge of my seat. It unfolds through two timelines: the present day, focusing on Jessica with some flashbacks to deepen the understanding of her childhood, and Izzy’s perspective from 22 years earlier. I felt the ending was drawn out too long, only to end abruptly with no real resolution.

Thanks to Bookouture, Shari J. Ryan, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
Profile Image for Diane Merritt.
971 reviews200 followers
August 24, 2024
Definitely a lot of twists and turns in this book. Was a crazy read at one point to me nearer to tge and tge story was getting to be too much. I finished it and was glad at the ending. Was a good read.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
Profile Image for Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50).
2,047 reviews269 followers
September 28, 2024
My Husband’s Past
By: Shari J. Ryan
Pub Date: September 23, 2024
Publisher: Bookouture
OH WHAT A WICKED TALE WE WEAVE!

Jess and Griffin are happily married, BUT they both are sharing secrets.
Jess’s best friend, Izzy disappeared twenty years ago, so everyone assumed she was dead. No one ever heard from her again. She gets an email from Izzy that Jess’s husband Griffin once stalked her. Jess was under the impression they did not even know each other.
Jess knew Izzy was in a toxic relationship before she disappeared but his name was not Griffin, but whomever the boyfriend was he kept her away from her friends.
Nothing is as it appears, as the twists keep coming. Get ready for a bumpy thriller. This was RIVETING for me.
Thank you Bookouture for this gifted eARC.
Profile Image for  Alice Olea  Hatch.
313 reviews6 followers
December 1, 2024
This was another book that had a good premise that didn’t deliver. Jessica is recently married to a man she adores, whose is a good step dad to her children and who makes her feel happy that she has a second chance at love later in life… until Jessica gets an email from her high school best friend Izzy, who has been missing for 20 years saying that Jessica’s husband is not to be trusted and is the stalker that Izzy was dealing with when she disappeared…

I thought the premise was juicy and it’s why I decided to read this. I almost DNF’d this one… it was a frustrating read, I also listened to some of the audiobook and the woman who read it wasn’t my favorite… overall, this was a disappointment that turned into a mess.
Profile Image for Nadene  (Totally Addicted to Reading).
1,522 reviews218 followers
October 9, 2024
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Shari J. Ryan's "In My Husband's Past" is a riveting tale filled with secrets, lies, and betrayal, all wrapped up in one suspenseful package. It delves into the dark side of relationships and the destructive power of secrets. With its unexpected plot twists and tension-filled atmosphere, this story keeps readers captivated, eager to untangle the web of mystery and discover the truth.

Meet Jessica and Griffin, a married couple at the heart of the story. It opens with Jessica fondly recalling her first meeting with Griffin, their romantic dates, and his heartfelt proposal. She's enveloped in the warm glow of love. However, her joy is abruptly cut short when she receives an email that morning. It claims to be from her best friend, Izzy, who disappeared 22 years earlier. Brace yourself for a riveting journey filled with secrets, deceit, and peril at every turn.

There was a lot happening on this wild ride. This was not one of those thrillers where the answers are clear. The twists, the turns sure had me flipping the pages while attempting to crack the mystery.

The author weaves together elements from both the past and the present, creating a mesmerizing story that holds the reader's attention. Through Izzy's eyes, readers explore her mysterious disappearance, while Jessica's perspective anchored them in the present. Izzy's chapters deliver a breadcrumb trail of clues, heightening one's suspicions about the characters in the current timeline. The unfolding drama in the present delivers a series of shocking revelations.

While the story's development was engaging, the conclusion left me feeling let down. True to the nature of psychological thrillers, "My Husband's Past" concluded with a staggering cliffhanger, with no hope of a sequel. The conclusion wasn't what I desired but that's just a matter of personal taste.

For those seeking a story that promises a rollercoaster of emotions and unexpected twists, "My Husband's Past" is the book to grab. It will ensnare you with its intricate plot, leaving you tangled in the web of its thrilling tale.
This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
316 reviews4 followers
September 9, 2024
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC.

Jessica is happily remarried to Griffin, a beloved elementary teacher, living the typical busy life with her 2 kids from her previous marriage until she receives a startling email. Her childhood best friend who disappeared from a bonfire their senior year and has never been found e-mails her that she was kidnapped and held by her boyfriend and is hiding and warns her that she is in danger too and it is her husband, Griifin!! There are so many questions as to is it really Izzy and why is she reaching out now, what happened and do Jess and Griffin really know each other. This one made me buckle up for the ride fast and incorporated lots of twists. Although I was unable to predict the ending I was left hoping for a different resolution in the plot but also with the character development. I still couldn’t put it down!
Profile Image for Robin Loves Reading.
2,909 reviews425 followers
November 17, 2024

Izzy has been gone for 20 years. Disappeared. Fell off the map. Izzy’s best friend was Jess and it has taken Jess years to get over Izzy’s disappearance. Jess is now happily married to Griffin and the couple share two beautiful children. But, full stop! Jess receives a shocking email. Something tells her it is not spam.

The email’s sender is Izzy, and she says that she had been held captive for years, and has had a stalker. Izzy is afraid for her life, and tells Jess in the email that her stalker was none other than Jess’s husband, Griffin. Izzy also warns Jess. Tells her that she is in danger and needs to take flight. To get her children to safety.

Jess’s past is explored. In fact, she often reflects often on her tragic past and even wished that she left her hometown when she was done with school. But no, she stayed, married and divorced. Married again to Griffin, she thought her life was going well. Getting that email changed everything!

Can Jess trust her husband Griffin? She was certain she could. He was nothing like her ex-husband. But, when she gets an email from someone claiming to be her former best friend and doubts begin to seep in. With an often-changing point of view and timeline, this story moves very fast. Breakneck speed in fact. If you want to be kept guessing, look no further than this book.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,349 reviews265 followers
September 29, 2024
Jessica Peterson had a difficult time growing up. Her mother abandoned her and her father. Her best friend Izzy disappeared, presumed dead. Her first husband cheated on her, but she had two beautiful children with him. Now, she’s married to a wonderful man and they are a happy, perfect family.

Then, Jessica starts receiving strange emails. What makes them really strange is that they are from Izzy, but that can’t be. She’s dead. Plus, these emails are accusing my new, loving husband of stalking her twenty years ago. This can’t be happening. It has to be an evil joke.

Jessica begins to have doubts. Could this really be her best friend? If not, then who is it? She even starts to question her new husband. She’s scared he really might be a stalker, but he’s so devoted to her and their family. Jessica fears for her safety as well as her children’s. Somehow, she must find out the truth.

This book made my head spin. There is so much going on and so much for me to try to figure out. I love books like this. I thought I knew what was happening, but I didn’t. There were so many twists and turns, I was completely engrossed in this story. It even interfered with my sleeping. I just had to know how it would all turn out. The author did an excellent job of keeping me guessing until the very end. I didn’t want this one to end.

I never read anything by this author before, but I'm a new fan now. I have to work on her backlist. This one is a smart, fascinating, clever, spine-tingling tale that left me absolutely floored. It’s edge-of-your-seat reading at its finest.








FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Angelica Casanova.
11 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2024
A truly addictive read that you’re not gonna want to put down! Jess is happily remarried to Griffin, a caring & loving man who’s given her a second chance at love when she starts to receive emails from her best-friend Izzy. The only thing is Izzy disappeared 20 years ago and has been presumed dead.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Heather Flaherty.
1,054 reviews4 followers
September 19, 2024
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the book #MyHusbandsPast by #ShariJRyan. This book has me turning all around and shocked. Such an amazing read! Jess just received an email from her best friend Izzy, who has been missing for 22 years. It states that Jess’s now husband, Griffin, was her stalker all those years ago and that she and her children beed to run and get away from him. Is Griffin really responsible for Izzy disappearing?
Profile Image for Ana.
199 reviews2 followers
January 21, 2025
My jaw was DROPPED at the freaking twists and turns in this one! I am OBSESSED. I could not get enough of this book honestly. The characters, the flashbacks…the storytelling. Incredible. I only wish it didn’t end on such a cliff hanger and I hope we get a follow up to close up tie up the loose ends!

Highly recommend for a fast paced thriller!
Profile Image for Suzi.
Author 20 books11 followers
September 5, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for my copy.

I enjoyed this book, it was right up my street. I liked the twists although I did see alot of them coming. I liked the characterisation. The dual timeline with the diary entries worked well.

Looking forward to reading more by Ryan.
Profile Image for Sharon Valler:  Live Love Read Review.
1,042 reviews17 followers
September 26, 2024
Wow! Just... WOW! I know that I'll love anything that Shari J. Ryan writes, but this is on another level!

Jess' best friend, Izzy, went missing 22 years ago. So how has she just sent Jess an email and, even worse, warned her that her husband was the person responsible for Izzy's disappearance? I was completely invested in this story from the very start, drawn in by the brilliant writing and characters.

Around halfway through the book, there were a couple of big twists and I thought that was it, the book will wrap up and then we'll have an epilogue. But then I realised I had only read 50% and that in itself got my pulse racing because, what else can happen? It turns out, LOADS!

As the story continued to unfold, I just couldn't believe what I was reading; every twist, every reveal, had my jaw on the floor! The plot is intense, dramatic and executed to absolute perfection. The ending just made me take a huge gulp and wonder if there will be a sequel?

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Shari J. Ryan and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Lisa.
677 reviews20 followers
January 17, 2025
This book takes off immediately and has you invested pretty quickly. As the story progresses it has you on the edge of your seat...then it takes a turn that made me want to toss the book out the window like Bradley Cooper did in Silver Linings Playbook. That ending. Really? Now, if there's a sequel coming that I don't know about—I'll chalk the ending up as a huge cliffhanger and give it a solid 4 stars. If this, is in-fact a standalone, 2.25 stars.
Profile Image for Stacey Crampton.
298 reviews
September 17, 2024
2.5 ⭐️ This review WILL contain spoilers.

Plot:
Jessica is spooked by an email that claims her missing best friend was being stalked by her new husband and that he had something to do with her disappearance, over twenty years ago. Jessica must unveil what her new husband is hiding and who is sending these mysterious emails.

Review:
What unfolds in this book, is a series of events that has the real potential to be a great story, however it does fall short in some very important areas. To make my review fair and constructive I’m going to start with the areas where I think the author missed the mark and then finalise with the areas in which I think the author got it right.

Where the author missed the mark:

1) The narrators are unreliable - This isn’t always a bad thing; I love an unreliable narrator if done correctly. However; this falls short. Quite early on, I found myself to frustrated with Jessica because it was extremely obvious she had something to hide. She constantly thought about going to the police or asking the right questions of Griffin but she always found a way to completely skate over logic and move onto the next bizarre choice she made. Her character was unlikeable and erratic from the get-go. I understand Jessica was quite deranged, but this was way too obvious.
2) Character choices - why did Jack just go along with a murder? Why did he choose to marry someone so unhinged? Why would he cheat on a clearly unstable woman? None of this makes any sense. Just like everything that Jessica did, their choices made no sense.
3) The pacing was off - the short chapters are clearly a stylistic reading tool and usually I’m here for it, as it makes books more digestible. However, they often felt unfinished, stopping randomly. Most of the chapters felt unfinished or like I was missing something. In fact the whole book often felt that way, I kept having to re-read chapters because I felt for sure I was missing important elements. I often wondered if there were paragraphs missing in the middle of chapters too because the writing was a little too sporadic for my liking.
4) The language - quite often I found myself reading certain lines and thinking the author was writing for a school assignment and they had to get specific language elements into the work. The use of this was a bit excessive and I felt took away from a great plot. I don’t need all the flowery description to connect with a story and the book’s characters.

What the author did well:

1) It was a mystery - I found myself desperate to know what exactly happened to Izzy and what the connection was between Griffin, Jessica and Izzy. I kept turning the pages to understand and that is always a plus.
2) The characters were quite well rounded - despite what I’ve mentioned above, for the most part the characters were well rounded and had some real depth to them. I wish at times some of the lesser characters had more time spent on them to fully flesh them out. In particular, Jack and Natalie.
3) The plot - what a great premise! The overall story, mystery and the then/now elements really worked. It added a sense of longing in me that kept me interested and wanting to know more.

Overall this wasn’t a bad book. I actually quite liked giving a new style a chance and I’d certainly pick up another book by this author to compare notes, this just needed a bit more refining for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published 24th September 2024.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Els .
2,289 reviews53 followers
August 11, 2024
This is another incredibly good book by this amazing storyteller.

From the very beginning she the faucets labelled suspense and intrigue and I was completed lost under the spell of her talent.

She makes me root for Jess and hope she can stay safe and hope the mystery can finally be unraveled. 

Is, what she has been fearing for all these years true and will she finally find out what happened to her best friend and who is the one behind all the grieve and heartbreak?

I really hope the author is thinking about writing a sequel, because I want to know more. 

This is a finger licking book that keeps you entertained until the last page and then you still want more because you don't want it to end. 

A perfect book. 5 stars

Thank you
Profile Image for Emily Martens.
53 reviews
November 20, 2024
Idk about this one!!!!

60% of the book was so suspenseful and enjoying. But the ending just felt like a cop-out.

Decent detail for a mystery/thriller.
Profile Image for Barbara Schultz.
4,219 reviews305 followers
August 19, 2024
Book Title: My Husband’s Past
Author: Shari J. Ryan
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: September 23, 2024
My Rating: 4.5 rounded up
Pages: 322

Story alternates between now and approximately twenty-one years ago when Jess, Izzy and Natalie were friends in high school. Izzy was dating a guy she called Romeo but she kept him a mystery and never revealed his real name. Additionally Izzy never told him the names of her friends.
Izzy went missing the night of the senior class bonfire.

Present day Jess receives an email from her still missing friend Izzy. Jess’s immediately reaction is that this must be a prank as no one has seen Izzy since the night of the bonfire. –
The email message states – “Remember I was being stalked? My stalker is your husband.
You're in danger. Run. ”

Jess has been married to Griffin for a year; she was married to Jack for many years; they have two children- Abby and JJ. Things didn’t work out and they divorced. He is still in her life and is close to their children. Jess knows Griffin is a kind and caring person; a good husband a great dad additionally, he is highly respected as the school’s head master.

Jess also starts to thinks about the way he always asks about her childhood friends.

Story has me curious and then a lot was going on.
I don’t want to give anything away – if you like thrillers- trust me you will like this one.

The blurb about Author Shari J Ryan states ~ She is known for her captivating World War Two Historical Fiction, Women’s Romance Fiction, and gripping Psychological Thriller novels. Each series and standalone contains a wide range of dark suspense and heartbreaking emotions.

I am embarrassed to said that this in only my third story. I read and love The Homemaker and The Perfect Nanny was outstanding!

She did not disappoint with this thriller! Yikes! What an ending.

Yes! this was ~
A jaw-dropping psychological thriller that will have your mind spinning as you race towards the final twist.

BTW: Goodreads readers note Ms. Ryan’s comment in Goodreads where she tells reader of how she got the idea for this book. Visit: Behind the Scenes
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for granting me this early eGalley!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 23, 2023.
Profile Image for MJLovestoRead.
2,283 reviews58 followers
September 20, 2024
What starts as a quest for a woman to figure out if the emails from a long-lost friend are truly legit turns into one twisted tale. Shari Ryan once again had me on the edge of my seat as My Husband's Past unfolded, offering up subtle surprises and omg moments along the way. Jess Alder gained plenty of sympathy not only from me but those closest to her since her mother abandoned her when she was a child and was then left to fend for herself since her father worked long hours in order to take care of her. Now as a twice-married woman with two kids of her own, her seemingly settled life with husband Griffin begins to spiral out of control as those emails take over every waking moment and her determination to find out the truth of Izzy's disappearance brings up long-forgotten emotions and fears.

My amateur detective skills were no match for what unravels as Jess begins to feel as if she is being gaslighted by whoever could be sending these emails. Her eyes start to play tricks on her as well and her faith in the stalwart Griffin also begins to falter with each new email and subsequent texts, appear. Ryan and Jess had me convinced Griffin is the true bad guy here as his love for Izzy all those years ago may have prompted him to cause her to leave everything she knew and loved behind while a high school senior.

With a few well-timed chapters not in Jess's POV, the story truly takes a turn I did not see coming. Ryan kept me off the scent, so to speak, as Jess's daughter, in particular, seemed convinced that her mother was on the right track. However, when the proverbial smoking gun comes to light, all bets are off and in the last 25% or so, the true villain is unmasked and let's just say I was beyond shocked as the revelations keep coming.

The pace of the story is good and Ryan keeps the reader in the dark quite well. However, my one issue is how the book ended. Sure, we now know exactly what transpired 20+ years ago with Izzy's sudden departure but whether or not justice will be served is anyone's guess. Although I'm happy for those who deserved closure and somewhat saddened for those who the raw end of the stick, I still would have wanted a bit more to make sure the guilty party did not remain free. But with this open-ended conclusion, I guess for now I'll have to assume the best but perhaps expect the worst.

But either way, Shari J. Ryan created one heck of a wicked good thriller and I happily give My Husband's Past a solid 4 stars.
Profile Image for Laura R.
100 reviews4 followers
September 13, 2024
Oh my goodness! This book is a solid 4.5 ⭐️

This book had me up until 3:15 am unable to put it down. It was fast paced and an overall fun read. I was hooked from the first email Jess received from her presumed dead best friend. I was left guessing who was truly behind the emails, was Izzy dead or alive, and if actually dead who did it.

Jack? Griffin? Natalie? Jess' employees? I even suspected Jess' daughter at times. Like why was Abby really leaving the school? Why were her stories changing? Why did JJ have suspicions and fears from the immediate start of the book that Abby added to? The unreliable narrative of the children had my mind trying to piece it all together like a fun little puzzle.

Then just when I thought I had it all figured out another twist entered the plot. I never saw Jess' confession coming or Jack's involvement. Honestly, my heart broke for both Jack and Griffin. Both men wanted to be loved back and deserved better. Meanwhile both men ended up stuck in loveless marriages with this woman. Also, those poor kids were so scared of Griffin when he was indeed innocent behind it all. I was so sad for all of them.

That said, I really wish there was more from Hannah's point of view and showing her getting payback for her sister and Griffin. I would have liked to see Jess taken down by Hannah and Jess finally doing something right by keeping Jacks involvement out of her going down so her kids could move on with their life with their father. Maybe leaving the book open-ended allows me to believe that eventually happened. I haven't been this bamboozled by a plot in a long time, and I enjoyed every moment of it. This book will stay with me for a long time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm).
671 reviews24 followers
October 7, 2024
A woman receives a message from her long-lost best friend, Izzy, blaming her new husband for her disappearance. She thought Izzy was dead, but now doubts her husband's true intentions and fears for the safety of her family. Unable to determine if the message is genuine, she struggles with the possibility that her husband may be a threat to her and her children.

This book was incredibly well-written, and the plot took me completely by surprise. I typically dive into a book without reading a synopsis, so I had no idea what to expect. However, this book completely blew my mind. The twists and turns were so unexpected, I couldn't have predicted them even if they were right in front of me.

The characters were developed gradually, making them seem perfect in their own unique ways. As the story progressed, their true colors began to show, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. The ending was completely unexpected, leaving me shocked by what actually transpired.

The vividly described environment added to the story's eerie atmosphere, creating a setting that was both haunting and captivating. The author's ability to craft such a compelling world is truly remarkable.

Overall, this book is must-read. The unexpected twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the shocking ending will leave you speechless. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read. Well done!

Thank you, Bookouture for a digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Vanessa.
3,232 reviews27 followers
October 22, 2024
My Husband's Past by Shari J. Ryan was an excellent Psychological Thriller with a jaw dropping ending! I did not see that coming which made it one of the best thrillers I have read this year. This was so good I ended up reading it all day, I found it hard to put down then, I did not want it to finish, it was so good!

Jess' best friend, Izzy, went missing 22 years ago, Jess thought she was dead. No one had seen or heard from her. Until today when Jess received an email from her that makes her heart stop! This email says it's from Izzy and she is blaming her new husband, for her disappearance…..........WoW......

Jess's stares at the email in horror., especially as she has only just managed to accept Izzy is gone behind her. .

Why Now???

The email tells Jess “I couldn’t just say nothing. You remember I was being stalked? My stalker is your husband. You're in danger. Run.”

But, Jess's life is so different now. she is married to an perfect man and has two perfect children,

Jess's blood turns to ice as she looks up at her charming, caring husband. Is this some kind of joke? Griffin is kind, he's safe. He is perfect, as he smiles at Jess with so much love in his eye's, he is so caring and always asks me about my childhood, my friends etc................It can't be true!? Can it?

Now, If the email isn’t really from Izzy, then who sent it—and what do they want from Jess and my family?
But if it is, Is Jess living with the man she has feared for twenty years?

WoW this book was excellent I highly recommend this book 5 Star read.
Profile Image for Jen Altman.
493 reviews67 followers
September 11, 2024
To say this book takes you on a wild ride is a vast understatement. It’s the first thriller in a while that’s had me completely engrossed in the action, not wanting to put it down. My brain went crazy trying to figure out how it was all going to play out.

For the first half of the book, I was like “wow, this is absolutely a 5-star read!”. I was hooked. As the action really picks up and some of the twists are revealed, there is a suspension of belief required. I’m not against some level of far-fetched storylines though and was still completely engaged in the plot.

What unfortunately dropped a star off was the ending. Even after reading the last page, I flipped a couple more pages and thought “that’s it?”. I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger per say, but there’s definitely loose ends with no sequel in sight, which as a reader is frustrating. I get that sometimes the author wants to leave what happens up to the reader’s imagination, but there were too many gaps to do that with this one IMO.

I can’t overlook the absolute roller coaster of a story this was though. It had me hanging on for dear life, and I truly enjoyed it. If you’re looking for an easy-to-read, fast-paced domestic thriller filled with heart-pounding anxiety/tension and crazy twists, this is absolutely the book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
262 reviews10 followers
August 17, 2024
Wow. This is a twisty compulsive thriller from Shari Ryan. I was in a book slump until I read this book. Jess, Izzy and Natalie all were best friends from kindergarten. During their senior year bonfire, Izzy disappears never to be found or heard from again. Izzy was dating a mystery man at the time who she kept separate from her friends.

Fast forward 22 years. Jess has married Griffin. She has 2 kids from a previous marriage to Jack. All is well in Jess's world until she receives a mysterious email from Izzy. Jess is terrified and cannot believe Izzy is still alive. The email came from Izzy's very old AOL address. In the email, Izzy says that the person who kept her prisoner is none other than Griffin, Jess's current husband. Then the game of Jess falling apart begins.

This book is so well written and so immersive. I liked all the characters and everything was so believable. You must read Shari's explanation of where the idea for this book came from. The twists are frequent and just enough to keep you reading on and on. I couldn't wait til the end to see what was what. I found the ending satisfying and it tied up all the loose ends. Wonderful job Ms. Ryan.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it and highly recommend this book.
1,731 reviews
August 18, 2024
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“My Husband’s Past” is a thriller by Shari J. Ryan. This book is mostly told in two timelines - the past (2001) and present. We follow Jess, divorced from Jack but now married to Griffin, with two children. Her best friend, Izzy, disappeared 22 years ago. In the past timeline, we follow Izzy - sometimes through her diary. One day Jess receives an email from Izzy, warning her about Griffin not being the person he claims to be. This sets Jess’s anxiety through the roof - what does her husband have to do with Izzy’s disappearance. While I found the concept of this book really interesting, after things were presented to the reader (and things picked up really quickly in the story), I found myself asking questions and taking a few leaps of faith as things lined up nicely - both in the past and present. I think, overall, the book was an interesting one, but it wasn’t my favorite by this author. However, I seem to be in the minority - so if you’ve read Ms. Ryan’s books in the past and liked them and/or enjoy interesting storylines about unsolved disappearances (without a lot of police procedures in the story), this might be a book that you enjoy.
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87 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2024
In this book, I am thrust into a psychological thriller that grips from the very first page. The novel centers around a woman who receives a shocking email from her long-lost best friend, Izzy, who has been presumed dead for twenty years. The email accuses the protagonist's new husband of being her stalker, thrusting her into a whirlwind of fear and doubt.

The strength of this book lies in its fast-paced narrative and engaging plot twists. The storyline is intense and keeps you guessing until the end, with every chapter unveiling new secrets and raising the stakes. Despite the dark subject matter, the book remains easy to read, making it an engrossing page-turner.

There are minor issues worth noting. The ARC contains a few typographical errors, though they do not significantly detract from the overall experience. Additionally, some points of view are not clearly labeled, which may initially cause confusion but becomes manageable as the story progresses. The ending is a cliffhanger, which might leave some readers craving more, but it was satisfying enough to wrap up the book’s main conflicts.

Overall, this is a compelling thriller that effectively blends suspense with emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

Thank you NetGalley for this awesome book!
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