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My Son's Girlfriend
‘Is that you, darling?’ A second of silence before her son replies. ‘It wasn’t me’. Her heart breaks at the pain in his voice – he sounds like a little boy again. Thirty minutes later, the police knock at the door. ‘Your son’s girlfriend is dead.’ And Dan has disappeared.
It’s almost midnight when Jennifer sees her son’s name flash up on her phone. Away at university, she’s normally so happy when he calls. But something is terribly wrong…
Jennifer is devastated for poor Ella’s family – losing their precious girl, so young. She knows her sweet son, just twenty years old, would never, ever harm anyone. But the police are looking for him. And if Dan is innocent, why has he run?
When Jennifer hears how Ella died, her blood runs cold. Because Jennifer’s best friend was murdered twenty years ago the same way. In the same place. Jennifer hasn’t been back since… but now, she has no choice.
She would do anything for her son. Any mother would. But how far will she have to go – what secrets in her own past will she have to confront – to prove Dan is innocent?
And what if the truth is worse than she ever imagined?
An absolutely gripping thriller you won’t be able to put down! Fans of John Marrs, The Perfect Marriage and T.M. Logan will be totally addicted.
It’s almost midnight when Jennifer sees her son’s name flash up on her phone. Away at university, she’s normally so happy when he calls. But something is terribly wrong…
Jennifer is devastated for poor Ella’s family – losing their precious girl, so young. She knows her sweet son, just twenty years old, would never, ever harm anyone. But the police are looking for him. And if Dan is innocent, why has he run?
When Jennifer hears how Ella died, her blood runs cold. Because Jennifer’s best friend was murdered twenty years ago the same way. In the same place. Jennifer hasn’t been back since… but now, she has no choice.
She would do anything for her son. Any mother would. But how far will she have to go – what secrets in her own past will she have to confront – to prove Dan is innocent?
And what if the truth is worse than she ever imagined?
An absolutely gripping thriller you won’t be able to put down! Fans of John Marrs, The Perfect Marriage and T.M. Logan will be totally addicted.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2025
825 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Wilkinson
70 books1,069 followersRecent and upcoming UK releases:
24 October 2023: The Night Of The Sleepover
15 December 2023: After The Sleepover
2024: The Girl On The Side Of The Road
2024: The Missing Body
Kerry Wilkinson has sold more than two million books - and had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.
As well as his Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written a trilogy featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, the Whitecliff series, the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.
Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.
When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.
Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com or http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks
Find out more at: his website or Facebook
24 October 2023: The Night Of The Sleepover
15 December 2023: After The Sleepover
2024: The Girl On The Side Of The Road
2024: The Missing Body
Kerry Wilkinson has sold more than two million books - and had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.
As well as his Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written a trilogy featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, the Whitecliff series, the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.
Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.
When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.
Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com or http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks
Find out more at: his website or Facebook
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
January 26, 2025
*4.5 stars*
It’s nearly midnight when Jennifer gets a phone call, and sees that it’s her son Daniel calling. Daniel is away at University, and never calls so late, which immediately makes her nervous. She eagerly answers “ Is that you darling “? After a beat Daniel replies “ It wasn’t me” and hangs up. Jennifer is frantic and keeps calling him but he doesn’t reply. What on earth did he mean?
Jennifer doesn’t have to wait long for an answer, as the police arrive at her door 30 minutes later and explain that Daniel’s girlfriend Ella has been found dead and Daniel has gone missing.
From there on in, Jennifer is determined to find her son because she knows without question that Daniel isn’t capable of hurting anyone. So she takes it upon herself to travel back to a place where something terrible happened when she herself was a student at the very same University some 24 years ago.
Phew, My giddy aunt!, in her quest to find Daniel’s whereabouts, and prove his innocence, Jennifer gets herself mixed up with some extremely dangerous people, but it makes for a terrific read. Fast paced, well written, and completely gripping, (fingernails bitten to the quick), it comes highly recommended!
*Thank you to Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
It’s nearly midnight when Jennifer gets a phone call, and sees that it’s her son Daniel calling. Daniel is away at University, and never calls so late, which immediately makes her nervous. She eagerly answers “ Is that you darling “? After a beat Daniel replies “ It wasn’t me” and hangs up. Jennifer is frantic and keeps calling him but he doesn’t reply. What on earth did he mean?
Jennifer doesn’t have to wait long for an answer, as the police arrive at her door 30 minutes later and explain that Daniel’s girlfriend Ella has been found dead and Daniel has gone missing.
From there on in, Jennifer is determined to find her son because she knows without question that Daniel isn’t capable of hurting anyone. So she takes it upon herself to travel back to a place where something terrible happened when she herself was a student at the very same University some 24 years ago.
Phew, My giddy aunt!, in her quest to find Daniel’s whereabouts, and prove his innocence, Jennifer gets herself mixed up with some extremely dangerous people, but it makes for a terrific read. Fast paced, well written, and completely gripping, (fingernails bitten to the quick), it comes highly recommended!
*Thank you to Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
February 21, 2025
Whew! Gripping, tense, shocking, and full of twists, My Son's Girlfriend shows one mother's determination to find her son and prove his innocence! My Son's Girlfriend had me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages as Kerry Wilkinson threw in twist after twist in this tense and addictive book!
Jennifer receives a midnight call from her son, Dan, who is away at college. The call is brief and to the point. He informs her that it wasn't him. Jennifer then learns from the police that Dan's girlfriend, Ella, is dead and they are looking for her son. Desperate to locate her son and clear his name, Jennifer goes on a quest to get to the bottom of things. This is very personal to her not only because she needs to clear her son's name but also because Ella's murder is just like her Jennifer’s best friend’s murder twenty years ago. Holy Moly!
This book is a tense, suspenseful thriller full of dread, danger, twists, revelations, and suspense. I enjoyed how this book showed how far a parent is willing to go for their child. The pacing was spot on and added to the tense vibe that flowed throughout the book. As Jennifer searches for the truth, readers get glimpses into the past and what unfolded during that timeline. This book had a great mystery, and I had to know what was going to happen next! Just when I thought I had a handle on things, Kerry Wilkinson added another element to the story which intensified my interest and desire to know if Jennifer would be able to clear her son's name.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Jennifer receives a midnight call from her son, Dan, who is away at college. The call is brief and to the point. He informs her that it wasn't him. Jennifer then learns from the police that Dan's girlfriend, Ella, is dead and they are looking for her son. Desperate to locate her son and clear his name, Jennifer goes on a quest to get to the bottom of things. This is very personal to her not only because she needs to clear her son's name but also because Ella's murder is just like her Jennifer’s best friend’s murder twenty years ago. Holy Moly!
This book is a tense, suspenseful thriller full of dread, danger, twists, revelations, and suspense. I enjoyed how this book showed how far a parent is willing to go for their child. The pacing was spot on and added to the tense vibe that flowed throughout the book. As Jennifer searches for the truth, readers get glimpses into the past and what unfolded during that timeline. This book had a great mystery, and I had to know what was going to happen next! Just when I thought I had a handle on things, Kerry Wilkinson added another element to the story which intensified my interest and desire to know if Jennifer would be able to clear her son's name.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
February 23, 2025
(Reseña en español debajo)
2.5 - Thank you so much to Netgalley, Kerry Wilkinson and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
Jennifer receives a distressing late-night call from her son: “Mom, I didn’t do it.” Just hours later, the police show up at her door looking for him, delivering tragic news—he's the prime suspect in his girlfriend’s murder.
A gripping story packed with tension, which throws the reader straight into the plot with a powerful opening and a mystery full of twists and shifting narratives. The dual timeline, where we see Jennifer’s past trauma interwoven with the present-day murder investigation involving her son Daniel, makes it impossible to put the book down for at least the first half.
I have to admit that, from the midpoint onward, some scenes pulled me out of the story due to their rushed execution and lack of emotional depth or relevance to the investigation. The involvement of secondary characters and their gradual introduction is a strong point, helping maintain the story’s pace. However, at times, I felt like these characters weren’t fully developed, appearing and disappearing too quickly. In some scenes, I even felt the same detachment toward Jennifer herself.
The final twist was quite good, though not as impactful as I had hoped. The resolution felt too easy, and I was expecting a final punch of action to leave a stronger impression.
Overall, it's an engaging story—perfect for a one-sitting read, getting through a reading slump, or simply enjoying an entertaining mystery.
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2.5 - Mil gracias a Netgalley, Kerry Wilkinson y Bookontour por la copia avanzada a cambio de una reseña honesta.
Jennifer recibe una alarmante llamada de su hijo a altas horas de la noche: “Mamá, yo no lo hice”. Horas más tarde, la policía aparece en su puerta preguntando por él y con una trágica noticia, es sospechoso del asesinato de su novia.
Una historia cargada de tensión, con un inicio que adentra de golpe al lector en la trama y un misterio cargado de giros y nuevas versiones. El factor de tener doble línea temporal donde vemos el trauma pasado de Jennifer (la madre) con la actualidad del misterioso asesinato relacionado con Daniel (su hijo) provoca que no puedas soltar la novela durante el primer 50%.
Reconozco que a partir de la mitad han habido escenas que me han sacado de la historia por la rapidez y sencillez que las envuelve, sin tener mucho impacto emocional o relevancia en la investigación en sí. La implicación de los personajes secundarios y cómo van apareciendo es un punto muy bueno para mantener el ritmo y la tensión, pero en ciertos momentos sentía que la historia caía en picado por lo poco conectada que llegaba a estar a ellos, únicamente a causa de la rapidez con la que vienen y van. No he sentido que estuvieran bien desarrollados y en según qué escena, me ha pasado lo mismo con la propia Jennifer.
El giro final ha sido bastante bueno, aunque no tanto como esperaba. Siento que se ha resuelto muy fácilmente y esperaba un último toque de acción final impactante.
Es una buena historia para leer en una tarde, salir de un bloqueo lector o pasar un rato entretenido.
2.5 - Thank you so much to Netgalley, Kerry Wilkinson and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
Jennifer receives a distressing late-night call from her son: “Mom, I didn’t do it.” Just hours later, the police show up at her door looking for him, delivering tragic news—he's the prime suspect in his girlfriend’s murder.
A gripping story packed with tension, which throws the reader straight into the plot with a powerful opening and a mystery full of twists and shifting narratives. The dual timeline, where we see Jennifer’s past trauma interwoven with the present-day murder investigation involving her son Daniel, makes it impossible to put the book down for at least the first half.
I have to admit that, from the midpoint onward, some scenes pulled me out of the story due to their rushed execution and lack of emotional depth or relevance to the investigation. The involvement of secondary characters and their gradual introduction is a strong point, helping maintain the story’s pace. However, at times, I felt like these characters weren’t fully developed, appearing and disappearing too quickly. In some scenes, I even felt the same detachment toward Jennifer herself.
The final twist was quite good, though not as impactful as I had hoped. The resolution felt too easy, and I was expecting a final punch of action to leave a stronger impression.
Overall, it's an engaging story—perfect for a one-sitting read, getting through a reading slump, or simply enjoying an entertaining mystery.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.5 - Mil gracias a Netgalley, Kerry Wilkinson y Bookontour por la copia avanzada a cambio de una reseña honesta.
Jennifer recibe una alarmante llamada de su hijo a altas horas de la noche: “Mamá, yo no lo hice”. Horas más tarde, la policía aparece en su puerta preguntando por él y con una trágica noticia, es sospechoso del asesinato de su novia.
Una historia cargada de tensión, con un inicio que adentra de golpe al lector en la trama y un misterio cargado de giros y nuevas versiones. El factor de tener doble línea temporal donde vemos el trauma pasado de Jennifer (la madre) con la actualidad del misterioso asesinato relacionado con Daniel (su hijo) provoca que no puedas soltar la novela durante el primer 50%.
Reconozco que a partir de la mitad han habido escenas que me han sacado de la historia por la rapidez y sencillez que las envuelve, sin tener mucho impacto emocional o relevancia en la investigación en sí. La implicación de los personajes secundarios y cómo van apareciendo es un punto muy bueno para mantener el ritmo y la tensión, pero en ciertos momentos sentía que la historia caía en picado por lo poco conectada que llegaba a estar a ellos, únicamente a causa de la rapidez con la que vienen y van. No he sentido que estuvieran bien desarrollados y en según qué escena, me ha pasado lo mismo con la propia Jennifer.
El giro final ha sido bastante bueno, aunque no tanto como esperaba. Siento que se ha resuelto muy fácilmente y esperaba un último toque de acción final impactante.
Es una buena historia para leer en una tarde, salir de un bloqueo lector o pasar un rato entretenido.
February 25, 2025
I really enjoy this authors books, and while this probably isn’t my favorite of theirs, it was still a good mystery! Jennifer’s son Dan is away at school, and one morning she gets a call from him. All he says is “it wasn’t me” and then the line goes dead. While Jennifer is trying to figure out what that meant, the police show up at her house with devastating news: Dan’s girlfriend Ella is dead, and they believe he did it.
Why do they believe he did it? Over twenty years prior, Jennifer’s friend Hayley was killed in the exact same manner. Ella was found dead on Dan’s bed, having been strangled with an electrical cord, just as Hayley was many years prior. Jennifer decides to head to the college town to try to find Dan and figure out what is going on.
The rest is your basic murder mystery, with many characters from both the past and present. It deals largely with drug dealing, theft, and all kinds of nefarious things that Dan had somehow fallen into. The ending is tied up neatly as the truth comes out and the killer is revealed, and while it didn’t have as many twists and shocks as it could have, this was a solid mystery/thriller. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book’s tour. “My Son’s Girlfriend” is slated to be released on February 24, 2025.)
Why do they believe he did it? Over twenty years prior, Jennifer’s friend Hayley was killed in the exact same manner. Ella was found dead on Dan’s bed, having been strangled with an electrical cord, just as Hayley was many years prior. Jennifer decides to head to the college town to try to find Dan and figure out what is going on.
The rest is your basic murder mystery, with many characters from both the past and present. It deals largely with drug dealing, theft, and all kinds of nefarious things that Dan had somehow fallen into. The ending is tied up neatly as the truth comes out and the killer is revealed, and while it didn’t have as many twists and shocks as it could have, this was a solid mystery/thriller. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book’s tour. “My Son’s Girlfriend” is slated to be released on February 24, 2025.)
March 1, 2025
Reading in Between the Wines book review #19/125 for 2025:
Rating: 3 🍷🍷🍷
Book: My Son’s Girlfriend
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
AVAILABLE NOW!!!
BOOK TOUR
Sipping thoughts: A mother’s love for her son can be so strong. Jennifer did not relent when her son went missing after being accused of killing his girlfriend. The only solace Jennifer has is the ominous, “I didn’t do it.” The story was based on her journey to find her son and prove his innocence. I do not know why I did not expect that last twist. In Wilkinson fashion, the story isn’t over until it is over. I should have known the story was tied up too neatly with a bow. Those last few pages definitely unraveled that bow. I really enjoy Wilkinson’s books and can’t wait for the next one!
Cheers and thank you to @Netgalley and @Bookouture for an advanced copy of @MySonsGirlfriend.
#MySonsGirlfriend #KerryWilkinson #Bookouture #NetGalley #ARC #advancedreader #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bokreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult #BookTour
Rating: 3 🍷🍷🍷
Book: My Son’s Girlfriend
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
AVAILABLE NOW!!!
BOOK TOUR
Sipping thoughts: A mother’s love for her son can be so strong. Jennifer did not relent when her son went missing after being accused of killing his girlfriend. The only solace Jennifer has is the ominous, “I didn’t do it.” The story was based on her journey to find her son and prove his innocence. I do not know why I did not expect that last twist. In Wilkinson fashion, the story isn’t over until it is over. I should have known the story was tied up too neatly with a bow. Those last few pages definitely unraveled that bow. I really enjoy Wilkinson’s books and can’t wait for the next one!
Cheers and thank you to @Netgalley and @Bookouture for an advanced copy of @MySonsGirlfriend.
#MySonsGirlfriend #KerryWilkinson #Bookouture #NetGalley #ARC #advancedreader #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bokreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult #BookTour
February 19, 2025
This is a great thriller.
Jennifer’s son Dan is away at university and when she gets a call from him saying, ‘it wasn’t me’ she has no idea what he means as he hangs up straight away.
She then gets a visit from the Police asking if she’s seen him as his girlfriend has been found dead.
Jennifer heads up to try and find Dan but as it’s the same place she went to university and where sonething bad happened to her close friend, it brings back some bad memories.
Jennifer speaks to a few people who knew Dan and Ella and is led down a few wrong turns and meets a few dark characters.
This is a great thriller that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.
Jennifer’s son Dan is away at university and when she gets a call from him saying, ‘it wasn’t me’ she has no idea what he means as he hangs up straight away.
She then gets a visit from the Police asking if she’s seen him as his girlfriend has been found dead.
Jennifer heads up to try and find Dan but as it’s the same place she went to university and where sonething bad happened to her close friend, it brings back some bad memories.
Jennifer speaks to a few people who knew Dan and Ella and is led down a few wrong turns and meets a few dark characters.
This is a great thriller that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.
March 18, 2025
1 star
HOW is this rated as 4 stars? HOW? Do people understand that is 4 out of 5 not 20?
So the synopsis where we are told Jennifer receives a call from his son saying it wasn't me and then finding out that he is accused of the murder of his girlfriend it's all that happens till the end. I kid you not! And in the end...she finds her son and he explains her everything. There is literally no mystery, no investigation just Jennifer repeating the same things oooooveeeerrr and oovvveeer again.
HOW is this rated as 4 stars? HOW? Do people understand that is 4 out of 5 not 20?
So the synopsis where we are told Jennifer receives a call from his son saying it wasn't me and then finding out that he is accused of the murder of his girlfriend it's all that happens till the end. I kid you not! And in the end...she finds her son and he explains her everything. There is literally no mystery, no investigation just Jennifer repeating the same things oooooveeeerrr and oovvveeer again.
January 24, 2025
In stories like this one, where mothers and their children are concerned I often compare these to the feeling I would have when something similar would happen to me.
First of all this must me one of the worst nightmares when you receive a call like Jennifer does. Of course you instantly believe in your son's innocence, but not everybody feels the same way. So, a mum has got to do, what a mum has got to do, which is helping her child in need.
I would also jump in my car and go to the rescue, but I would be too afraid to do everything Jennifer does. But maybe when the going gets tough, the tough get going?
If I have to pick a favourite person, I would pick Ella's mum. She is such a gentle soul.
Sometimes, what you see, is what you get. Sometimes what you see and what you get are two totally different things...
Money is often the base for things going wrong and ending in disaster.
I utterly enjoyed this book and was startled by the outcome. Loved it though. 5 stars.
Thank you
First of all this must me one of the worst nightmares when you receive a call like Jennifer does. Of course you instantly believe in your son's innocence, but not everybody feels the same way. So, a mum has got to do, what a mum has got to do, which is helping her child in need.
I would also jump in my car and go to the rescue, but I would be too afraid to do everything Jennifer does. But maybe when the going gets tough, the tough get going?
If I have to pick a favourite person, I would pick Ella's mum. She is such a gentle soul.
Sometimes, what you see, is what you get. Sometimes what you see and what you get are two totally different things...
Money is often the base for things going wrong and ending in disaster.
I utterly enjoyed this book and was startled by the outcome. Loved it though. 5 stars.
Thank you
February 17, 2025
Imagine the police showing up at your door during the middle of the night informing you that your son’s girlfriend has been killed. More shockingly, just a few moments before, you receive a call from your son saying, “It wasn’t me.”
That’s what’s going on with Jennifer and her son Daniel. His girlfriend Ella is dead, and the police are looking for him. Jen is determined to find him first. She would do anything for him, even if she has to face something from her past along the way. How far would Jennifer go for Dan? And where is he? Nothing is going to stop her search for her son, while determinedly proving his innocence.
Come along for the ride while Jen goes to the college town where Dan should be. This is all while facing something from her past just might cause her to take some questionable risks. In this fast-paced book, following Jen was indeed a wild ride, and I couldn’t tap my Kindle screen fast enough.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
That’s what’s going on with Jennifer and her son Daniel. His girlfriend Ella is dead, and the police are looking for him. Jen is determined to find him first. She would do anything for him, even if she has to face something from her past along the way. How far would Jennifer go for Dan? And where is he? Nothing is going to stop her search for her son, while determinedly proving his innocence.
Come along for the ride while Jen goes to the college town where Dan should be. This is all while facing something from her past just might cause her to take some questionable risks. In this fast-paced book, following Jen was indeed a wild ride, and I couldn’t tap my Kindle screen fast enough.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
February 16, 2025
“Is that you, darling?' A second of silence before her son replies. 'It wasn't me.’”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Pub Date: 2/24/2025
It’s almost midnight when Jennifer sees her son’s name flash up on her phone. He off at college, at her Alma mater, and usually she’s happy when he calls, but this time she knows something is wrong…. And 30 minutes later the police are at her door letting her know her sons girlfriend is dead, and her son is missing.
When Jennifer hears how Ella died, her blood runs cold. Because Jennifer’s best friend was murdered twenty years ago the same way. In the same place. Jennifer hasn’t been back since… but now, she has no choice.
This was such a fast read, and my first Kerry Wilkinson book. It alternated POVs, with a special one at the end, also going between timelines, which are two of my favorite things for a book. It kept me on my toes and I genuinely didn’t know how anything would play out.
I loved how Jennifer and Daniel had their own communication style, as only they knew clues when they were talking to each other. I also appreciated how Ella’s family was open with Jennifer and didn’t just outcast her with her son as a suspect.
I wouldve loved to have a chapter or so from Jennifer’s husband to get his perspective of the events and also some other individuals, but overall happy with the main 2 and the last chapter!
Thank you to Kerry Wilkinson, NetGalley, and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Pub Date: 2/24/2025
It’s almost midnight when Jennifer sees her son’s name flash up on her phone. He off at college, at her Alma mater, and usually she’s happy when he calls, but this time she knows something is wrong…. And 30 minutes later the police are at her door letting her know her sons girlfriend is dead, and her son is missing.
When Jennifer hears how Ella died, her blood runs cold. Because Jennifer’s best friend was murdered twenty years ago the same way. In the same place. Jennifer hasn’t been back since… but now, she has no choice.
This was such a fast read, and my first Kerry Wilkinson book. It alternated POVs, with a special one at the end, also going between timelines, which are two of my favorite things for a book. It kept me on my toes and I genuinely didn’t know how anything would play out.
I loved how Jennifer and Daniel had their own communication style, as only they knew clues when they were talking to each other. I also appreciated how Ella’s family was open with Jennifer and didn’t just outcast her with her son as a suspect.
I wouldve loved to have a chapter or so from Jennifer’s husband to get his perspective of the events and also some other individuals, but overall happy with the main 2 and the last chapter!
Thank you to Kerry Wilkinson, NetGalley, and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 1, 2025
My Son's girlfriend by Kerry Wilkinson is a suspenseful story about a son accused of murdering his girlfriend. His mom believes he is innocent, but no one else seems to think the same.
So Daniel's mom goes to the town where her son was at college when this whole ordeal went down. She's been there before, years before. She also went to college there, and someone else had died. The story focus's on the mom trying to find her son while also getting memory flashes of the last time she was there.
I was interested in the premise of this story but found it to be a bit slow and dragged on. Moments caught my attention but I struggled to get through it.
Thank you Kerry Wilkinson for working with NetGalley. I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
So Daniel's mom goes to the town where her son was at college when this whole ordeal went down. She's been there before, years before. She also went to college there, and someone else had died. The story focus's on the mom trying to find her son while also getting memory flashes of the last time she was there.
I was interested in the premise of this story but found it to be a bit slow and dragged on. Moments caught my attention but I struggled to get through it.
Thank you Kerry Wilkinson for working with NetGalley. I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
February 7, 2025
My Son‘s Girlfriend by Kerry Wilkinson, in the book we meet Jen, she is sitting home, getting ready for bed when she gets a phone call from her son who usually only sends text messages. When she answers all he says is “mom, I didn’t do it.” After sitting stunned for 20 minutes police knock on her door and tell her what her son couldn’t. His girlfriend. Ella was found murdered and now he is wanted for the Crime. Due to Jennifer’s own past and Ashford she hasn’t been back since her son started university there, but in hearing her son’s voice, she immediately packed a bag and heads to the university town. Unbeknownst to Jen, her past and Daniel’s present will collide in ways. She cannot fathom, but this is her son. She is his mother and she’s going to do everything come hell or Highwater to make certain the truth comes out. Whatever you do do not mistake this for your rent and repeat domestic thriller sometimes instead of grand gestures, it’ll take tiny movements to move a mountain, and that is exactly what Jennifer does and the twisty thriller. I loved that I think my brain is trained for big dramatic endings, but I have never been satisfied by one of those like I was with this little whisper of an ending. This was an awesome awesome book and I absolutely loved it! I love this author’s books and can’t wait for the next White Cliff Bay mystery, but until then I will read every domestic thriller she puts out. I absolutely recommend this to those who love a great intelligently done thriller. I am most certain you will love this one I certainly did. #NetGalley, #Bookouture,#TheBlindReviewer, #KerryWilkinson, #MySon‘sGirlfriend,,
January 22, 2025
MY SONS GIRLFRIEND BY KERRY WILKINSON.
Release date set for the 24th of February 2025.
My first ever book by Kerry was Home Is Where The Lies Live and this one is my second book and this one is another 5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨rating from me.
There's something very special about how this author writes. The style, the storyline and how everything comes together is just brilliant. I will eventually get through all of his books and read all the others that are yet to be released.
Release date set for the 24th of February 2025.
My first ever book by Kerry was Home Is Where The Lies Live and this one is my second book and this one is another 5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨rating from me.
There's something very special about how this author writes. The style, the storyline and how everything comes together is just brilliant. I will eventually get through all of his books and read all the others that are yet to be released.
February 1, 2025
Title: My Son’s Girl friend
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: February 24, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 347
Story is told from the POV of Jennifer Farley - Present day and Twenty-four years ago.
Start starts when Jennifer’s son Daniel calls her and states – I didn’t do it!
Daniel is away at Ashington attending the University and never calls. He communicates via a text. She tries to call him back with no luck and then sends a text. Soon the police are at her front door. They inquire if she knows her son’s whereabouts. She said at school and hasn’t been home since September. They tell her they are making the visit on behalf of their colleagues as he isn’t in Ashington - “he is wanted to questioning as your son’s girlfriend is dead. “
Jennifer cannot believe Ella is dead. Then she remembers Daniel’s phone message.
Jennifer and her husband Andrew met twenty-four years ago in Ashington. Jennifer’s experience there wasn’t the best. Things started one afternoon at the university cafe when she and best friends Hayley and Natasha watched Jo a classmate being harassed by her boyfriend Craig. Jennifer stood up to Craig and took Jo’s side. Craig didn’t forget this and seem to be out to get Jennifer. A few weeks later her roommate is murdered. Jennifer never recovered from this and vowed never to go back.
However, now that Daniel is hiding and Ella’s death was caused in the same manner as the murder of her roommate and best friend Hayley’s, Jennifer knows she has to return to Ashington to uncover the truth.
Hmmm are the two murders linked? What are Jennifer’s secrets and are they putting Daniel in danger.
Wow! This got so involved. I felt I needed to draw a venn-diagram as to who was connected to whom!
I was way off on whodunit.
I am a big psychological thriller fan and this is my seventh Kerry Wilkinson novel – Party at No. 12 was my first – which was great- and is still at the top of my favorites
A comment I made in my reviews after my first story was ~ I have a new fav author and am now looking forward to another of his stories!
Kerry Wilkinson doesn’t disappoint. I know to expect a great ride- and he delivered! 😘
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for granting me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 24, 2025.
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: February 24, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 347
Story is told from the POV of Jennifer Farley - Present day and Twenty-four years ago.
Start starts when Jennifer’s son Daniel calls her and states – I didn’t do it!
Daniel is away at Ashington attending the University and never calls. He communicates via a text. She tries to call him back with no luck and then sends a text. Soon the police are at her front door. They inquire if she knows her son’s whereabouts. She said at school and hasn’t been home since September. They tell her they are making the visit on behalf of their colleagues as he isn’t in Ashington - “he is wanted to questioning as your son’s girlfriend is dead. “
Jennifer cannot believe Ella is dead. Then she remembers Daniel’s phone message.
Jennifer and her husband Andrew met twenty-four years ago in Ashington. Jennifer’s experience there wasn’t the best. Things started one afternoon at the university cafe when she and best friends Hayley and Natasha watched Jo a classmate being harassed by her boyfriend Craig. Jennifer stood up to Craig and took Jo’s side. Craig didn’t forget this and seem to be out to get Jennifer. A few weeks later her roommate is murdered. Jennifer never recovered from this and vowed never to go back.
However, now that Daniel is hiding and Ella’s death was caused in the same manner as the murder of her roommate and best friend Hayley’s, Jennifer knows she has to return to Ashington to uncover the truth.
Hmmm are the two murders linked? What are Jennifer’s secrets and are they putting Daniel in danger.
Wow! This got so involved. I felt I needed to draw a venn-diagram as to who was connected to whom!
I was way off on whodunit.
I am a big psychological thriller fan and this is my seventh Kerry Wilkinson novel – Party at No. 12 was my first – which was great- and is still at the top of my favorites
A comment I made in my reviews after my first story was ~ I have a new fav author and am now looking forward to another of his stories!
Kerry Wilkinson doesn’t disappoint. I know to expect a great ride- and he delivered! 😘
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for granting me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 24, 2025.
February 21, 2025
"It wasn't me..."
It's nearly midnight when Jennifer receives a phone call from her son Daniel, who normally only sends text messages so she knew something was up. Then he whispers those three words before the line goes dead. It wasn't him, what? What wasn't him?
Half an hour later there's a knock on the door as she's climbing the stairs to bed. Who is knocking at this late hour? Jennifer opens the door with the chain on to see two uniformed police officers there. This can't be good. And then they tell her what Daniel didn't. His girlfriend Ella was found dead and now they are searching for Daniel who is wanted for the crime.
Almost as soon as the police have gone, Jennifer wakes her sleeping husband and tells him what's just happened. And then makes a snap decision. She's driving up to see if she can locate their son. But Jennifer hasn't set foot in the place for over two decades, her own past buried deep up there. But little did Jennifer know that Ella was murdered in the exact same manner as her best friend all those years ago. But the killer was caught and sent to prison. So how can this be?
What ensues is basically Jennifer trying to locate Daniel in a town that has changed somewhat but largely stayed the same in the years since she left. She has no idea where he would go or where to start looking. And some of her decisions were questionable to say the least. Jennifer has no idea of the can of worms she is opening or what she is dealing with - largely drug dealing, stolen cars and all kinds of nefarious things. What on earth had Daniel gotten himself mixed up in?
The reveal wasn't too much of a surprise to me though it may well be to the rest of the characters in the book but for me it made perfect sense. No one else just seemed to join the dots.
The story unfolds in the past and present through Jennifer's third person narrative. None of the characters are very likeable. The pace is somewhat slow and I felt bogged down in a lot of wordiness. I have read and enjoyed many of the author's thrillers but this one was lacking his usual dry humour and wit that has become something of a trademark.
I would like to thank #KerryWilkinson, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #MySonsGirlfriend in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
It's nearly midnight when Jennifer receives a phone call from her son Daniel, who normally only sends text messages so she knew something was up. Then he whispers those three words before the line goes dead. It wasn't him, what? What wasn't him?
Half an hour later there's a knock on the door as she's climbing the stairs to bed. Who is knocking at this late hour? Jennifer opens the door with the chain on to see two uniformed police officers there. This can't be good. And then they tell her what Daniel didn't. His girlfriend Ella was found dead and now they are searching for Daniel who is wanted for the crime.
Almost as soon as the police have gone, Jennifer wakes her sleeping husband and tells him what's just happened. And then makes a snap decision. She's driving up to see if she can locate their son. But Jennifer hasn't set foot in the place for over two decades, her own past buried deep up there. But little did Jennifer know that Ella was murdered in the exact same manner as her best friend all those years ago. But the killer was caught and sent to prison. So how can this be?
What ensues is basically Jennifer trying to locate Daniel in a town that has changed somewhat but largely stayed the same in the years since she left. She has no idea where he would go or where to start looking. And some of her decisions were questionable to say the least. Jennifer has no idea of the can of worms she is opening or what she is dealing with - largely drug dealing, stolen cars and all kinds of nefarious things. What on earth had Daniel gotten himself mixed up in?
The reveal wasn't too much of a surprise to me though it may well be to the rest of the characters in the book but for me it made perfect sense. No one else just seemed to join the dots.
The story unfolds in the past and present through Jennifer's third person narrative. None of the characters are very likeable. The pace is somewhat slow and I felt bogged down in a lot of wordiness. I have read and enjoyed many of the author's thrillers but this one was lacking his usual dry humour and wit that has become something of a trademark.
I would like to thank #KerryWilkinson, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #MySonsGirlfriend in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
March 10, 2025
Let's see, where do I even begin with this one? To start, Jennifer has got to be one of the stupidest main characters that I have read in quite some time. First, she rushes into town to "save her son" despite having absolutely no idea where he is or what he could be caught up in. Then once she gets there, she sets off to begin her own investigation (although to be honest its not much of one, merely her speaking to people who knew her son and hiding things from the police).
From the moment she steps foot into town, it's like she has lost all sense of self-preservation, repeatedly running into situations that most sane people would avoid at all costs. And I get it (to a point), she can't go to the police with certain pieces of the puzzle as then she would have to explain how she came across them, why she held onto them for so long, and admit to the fact that it makes her son look suspicious of something at least. However, she could have (and should have) gone to the police about the tracker that was placed on her car. She could have, and should have, given them an abbreviated version of being kidnapped (she was a clever woman, I'm sure she could have come up with a plausible reason for being in that area without divulging the second cell phone). Although to be fair, considering the police hadn't been able to make the connection themselves to the fact that she was the Jennifer whose friend and roommate had been killed twenty-five years ago, nor did they know they man convicted on that crime had a son who was now grown, I can see why Jennifer would be hesitant to trust them. However, Jennifer didn't know that they hadn't until near the end of the book.
As for the "twists", I had most of them figured out fairly early on so I didn't find anything surprising about who was all involved and what their parts in the overall story was. I also copped to Daniel's hiding spot pretty quickly (in fact, it was so obvious to me that I'm not sure how neither the police department, his mother, nor the people looking for him didn't figure it out almost immediately).
On the plus side, it only took me a few hours to finish so it wasn't like I spent days trying to get through it.
From the moment she steps foot into town, it's like she has lost all sense of self-preservation, repeatedly running into situations that most sane people would avoid at all costs. And I get it (to a point), she can't go to the police with certain pieces of the puzzle as then she would have to explain how she came across them, why she held onto them for so long, and admit to the fact that it makes her son look suspicious of something at least. However, she could have (and should have) gone to the police about the tracker that was placed on her car. She could have, and should have, given them an abbreviated version of being kidnapped (she was a clever woman, I'm sure she could have come up with a plausible reason for being in that area without divulging the second cell phone). Although to be fair, considering the police hadn't been able to make the connection themselves to the fact that she was the Jennifer whose friend and roommate had been killed twenty-five years ago, nor did they know they man convicted on that crime had a son who was now grown, I can see why Jennifer would be hesitant to trust them. However, Jennifer didn't know that they hadn't until near the end of the book.
As for the "twists", I had most of them figured out fairly early on so I didn't find anything surprising about who was all involved and what their parts in the overall story was. I also copped to Daniel's hiding spot pretty quickly (in fact, it was so obvious to me that I'm not sure how neither the police department, his mother, nor the people looking for him didn't figure it out almost immediately).
On the plus side, it only took me a few hours to finish so it wasn't like I spent days trying to get through it.
February 24, 2025
Well this book hit the ground running, held me captive throughout, spitting me out at the end, exhausted but wholly satisfied. It also marks a welcome return to this author's best. His previous few books having not quite reached the heady heights of his earlier works...
So... we start with Jennifer receiving a midnight call from her son Dan who is away at uni. After her greeting, he speaks only one short sentence - "It wasn't me" - and then hangs up. Not long after, she is further disturbed by a knock at the door. The police. They are looking for Dan. It transpires that his girlfriend Ella is dead and Dan is missing... but is he another victim to them, or a suspect?
If this isn't shocking enough, and worrying, Jennifer's world is rocked further when she finds out exactly how Ella was killed. Some 20 years ago, Jennifer's best friend was also murdered, in exactly the same way, and since Dan is stying in the same city as Jennifer once lived, in the same place. A place that Jennifer hasn't returned to since. A place she now needs to go to to to try and work out what is happening and, more importantly, find Dan and clear his name...
I blooming loved this book. I whizzed through it, needing to know what in the heck was happening. Desperate for resolution. Hungry to discover the truth!
Told in the present day as Jennifer chases down the clues, reconnects with her past, with that past injected in the format of flashbacks to add colour and progress the present day narrative.
Characterisation has always been one of this author's strengths, especially his female ones and this book is no exception to that. I took to Jen from the off and felt for what she was going through.
Pacing is good and matches the narrative all the way through, and with absolutely no superfluous waffle or padding, the story gets on with itself very well indeed.
And when the truth all came out... well... phew, that's all I'm saying.
All in all, a return to first class form and a worthy addition to an already impressive back catalogue. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So... we start with Jennifer receiving a midnight call from her son Dan who is away at uni. After her greeting, he speaks only one short sentence - "It wasn't me" - and then hangs up. Not long after, she is further disturbed by a knock at the door. The police. They are looking for Dan. It transpires that his girlfriend Ella is dead and Dan is missing... but is he another victim to them, or a suspect?
If this isn't shocking enough, and worrying, Jennifer's world is rocked further when she finds out exactly how Ella was killed. Some 20 years ago, Jennifer's best friend was also murdered, in exactly the same way, and since Dan is stying in the same city as Jennifer once lived, in the same place. A place that Jennifer hasn't returned to since. A place she now needs to go to to to try and work out what is happening and, more importantly, find Dan and clear his name...
I blooming loved this book. I whizzed through it, needing to know what in the heck was happening. Desperate for resolution. Hungry to discover the truth!
Told in the present day as Jennifer chases down the clues, reconnects with her past, with that past injected in the format of flashbacks to add colour and progress the present day narrative.
Characterisation has always been one of this author's strengths, especially his female ones and this book is no exception to that. I took to Jen from the off and felt for what she was going through.
Pacing is good and matches the narrative all the way through, and with absolutely no superfluous waffle or padding, the story gets on with itself very well indeed.
And when the truth all came out... well... phew, that's all I'm saying.
All in all, a return to first class form and a worthy addition to an already impressive back catalogue. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
February 24, 2025
I’ve been a long-term fan of Kerry Wilkinson since Locked In, and he never disappoints. He’s become prolific over the years, and I like his short cliffhangers—page-turners. His wit is entertaining, and he has a keen sense for the ridiculous. His plots are neat and always enthralling. His characters are well-defined.
Jennifer is in a declining marriage with Andrew. Either the love has swept out the door, or they’re bored with each other. Nonetheless, they stay together, and there seems to be no hostility between them – only a low-key indifference.
Without warning and to her horror, Jennifer receives a panicked, cryptic message from her son, Daniel, claiming, “It wasn’t me.” At this point, the past and the present collide, and there’s a dual timeline. History appears to repeat itself. Jennifer attended Ashington University when younger, and a girl was murdered. Craig - a renowned obsessive stalker, was charged and put behind bars. Daniel is now studying music at the same university and is madly in love with his girlfriend, Ella. When she is murdered and dumped on his bed, Daniel, as the chief suspect, has vanished.
Desperate to find the truth and Daniel, Jennifer sets off to Ashington alone, fretting about how to deal with everything while the media howls for her son’s blood. She’s vague on facts and details and often forgetful but demonstrates tremendous courage. She finds nuggets of confusing information from old friends who give her a tepid welcome. Don’t hold your breath too long. It’s now becoming tense and dangerous. Then, she tumbles from one scrape into another. A typical mother, her loyalty never slips, as she doesn’t believe he could commit such an atrocity. At first, I thought he might have got into bad company and gone off the rails. But why has he absconded? Where is he hiding? Is he the killer? What a blistering ending and a twist I didn’t see coming. A satire on justice?
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
Jennifer is in a declining marriage with Andrew. Either the love has swept out the door, or they’re bored with each other. Nonetheless, they stay together, and there seems to be no hostility between them – only a low-key indifference.
Without warning and to her horror, Jennifer receives a panicked, cryptic message from her son, Daniel, claiming, “It wasn’t me.” At this point, the past and the present collide, and there’s a dual timeline. History appears to repeat itself. Jennifer attended Ashington University when younger, and a girl was murdered. Craig - a renowned obsessive stalker, was charged and put behind bars. Daniel is now studying music at the same university and is madly in love with his girlfriend, Ella. When she is murdered and dumped on his bed, Daniel, as the chief suspect, has vanished.
Desperate to find the truth and Daniel, Jennifer sets off to Ashington alone, fretting about how to deal with everything while the media howls for her son’s blood. She’s vague on facts and details and often forgetful but demonstrates tremendous courage. She finds nuggets of confusing information from old friends who give her a tepid welcome. Don’t hold your breath too long. It’s now becoming tense and dangerous. Then, she tumbles from one scrape into another. A typical mother, her loyalty never slips, as she doesn’t believe he could commit such an atrocity. At first, I thought he might have got into bad company and gone off the rails. But why has he absconded? Where is he hiding? Is he the killer? What a blistering ending and a twist I didn’t see coming. A satire on justice?
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
February 26, 2025
Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
This is my first experience reading a book by Kerry Wilkinson, and it won’t be my last! From the get go, I felt like I was thrown right into conflict, when Jennifer receives a late night call from her son Daniel who has been away at college. From her perspective, he hasn’t been as communicative with her as he used to be in his younger years, when she felt like they were a lot more connected. There is a definite feeling that Jennifer struggles a bit with empty nest syndrome, and it doesn’t help that her marriage is on the rocks. All of this really lends into how powerful it is when Daniel makes his out of character phone call, telling her one thing: “It wasn’t me.”
She soon discovers that her son is at the center of a murder investigation, with him being the number one suspect. And he’s missing, and no one knows where he is. This propels Jennifer into dropping everything and going back to the college town she herself had been a part of decades ago, where one of her friends had been murdered in cold blood. Somehow, Daniel’s girlfriend suffered the same exact fate and in the exact same way.
Jennifer is on a quest to discover what really happened to the girlfriend and find her son, before it’s too late. In the midst of it all are haphazard clues and risk and terror at every turn, not only to her son but to herself, as well. She doesn’t know who to trust or who to turn to. It was all portrayed in a realistic manner, with internal thoughts and feelings from Jennifer which highlighted how novice she is when it comes to investigating the truth, yet at the same time, running on pure adrenaline and a deep seeded intuition, all in an effort to bring Daniel to justice.
Given the facts, it’s hard to believe he’s innocent, and at times I wondered that myself. Considering Jennifer doesn’t have as good of a relationship with her son as she used to, it made me question if her path was worth it or not. Once the truth was revealed, especially at the end, it was eye-opening and satisfying. I thoroughly enjoyed My Son’s Girlfriend, a definite five-star experience!
This is my first experience reading a book by Kerry Wilkinson, and it won’t be my last! From the get go, I felt like I was thrown right into conflict, when Jennifer receives a late night call from her son Daniel who has been away at college. From her perspective, he hasn’t been as communicative with her as he used to be in his younger years, when she felt like they were a lot more connected. There is a definite feeling that Jennifer struggles a bit with empty nest syndrome, and it doesn’t help that her marriage is on the rocks. All of this really lends into how powerful it is when Daniel makes his out of character phone call, telling her one thing: “It wasn’t me.”
She soon discovers that her son is at the center of a murder investigation, with him being the number one suspect. And he’s missing, and no one knows where he is. This propels Jennifer into dropping everything and going back to the college town she herself had been a part of decades ago, where one of her friends had been murdered in cold blood. Somehow, Daniel’s girlfriend suffered the same exact fate and in the exact same way.
Jennifer is on a quest to discover what really happened to the girlfriend and find her son, before it’s too late. In the midst of it all are haphazard clues and risk and terror at every turn, not only to her son but to herself, as well. She doesn’t know who to trust or who to turn to. It was all portrayed in a realistic manner, with internal thoughts and feelings from Jennifer which highlighted how novice she is when it comes to investigating the truth, yet at the same time, running on pure adrenaline and a deep seeded intuition, all in an effort to bring Daniel to justice.
Given the facts, it’s hard to believe he’s innocent, and at times I wondered that myself. Considering Jennifer doesn’t have as good of a relationship with her son as she used to, it made me question if her path was worth it or not. Once the truth was revealed, especially at the end, it was eye-opening and satisfying. I thoroughly enjoyed My Son’s Girlfriend, a definite five-star experience!
March 7, 2025
3,5 ⭐
"it wasn't me" - these are the last words jennifer hears after receiving a late night call from her son before the line suddenly goes dead. when she tries to call him back, he's unreachable. soon after, the police arrive at her home with shocking news - dan's girlfriend, ella, has been murdered, and dan is their prime suspect and is on the run.
convinced that her son is incapable of such a horrific crime, jennifer sets out for his university city, determined to uncover the truth about his life, the events leading up to ella's death, and the real killer.
this was my first kerry wilkinson book, and I've got to say that it was an alright read. the storyline is filled with secrets, drama and tension. it's a fast paced and engaging book, even though it lacked suspense at times. i liked the writing style - straight to the point without too many unnecessary descriptions, which kept the story interesting enough. however, i found some twists predictable, and many parts of the story felt a bit far fetched.
as for the characters - the main protagonist is jennifer - dan's mom. she tries to find her son and make sure he's safe. of course, she instantly believes he's innocent and the book showcases the lengths a mother will go to in order to protect her child.
while i don't have children of my own, i could still understand her.
jennifer's unconditional love for dan adds emotional depth to the story.
some characters felt slightly undeveloped, and some of them seemed unnecessary and i often questioned their presence in the story.
overall, it was an engaging but not the most thrilling book. the ending was quite good, but not as impactful as I had hoped. i'd probably recommend it, though.
*thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author - Kerry Wilkinson for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
"it wasn't me" - these are the last words jennifer hears after receiving a late night call from her son before the line suddenly goes dead. when she tries to call him back, he's unreachable. soon after, the police arrive at her home with shocking news - dan's girlfriend, ella, has been murdered, and dan is their prime suspect and is on the run.
convinced that her son is incapable of such a horrific crime, jennifer sets out for his university city, determined to uncover the truth about his life, the events leading up to ella's death, and the real killer.
this was my first kerry wilkinson book, and I've got to say that it was an alright read. the storyline is filled with secrets, drama and tension. it's a fast paced and engaging book, even though it lacked suspense at times. i liked the writing style - straight to the point without too many unnecessary descriptions, which kept the story interesting enough. however, i found some twists predictable, and many parts of the story felt a bit far fetched.
as for the characters - the main protagonist is jennifer - dan's mom. she tries to find her son and make sure he's safe. of course, she instantly believes he's innocent and the book showcases the lengths a mother will go to in order to protect her child.
while i don't have children of my own, i could still understand her.
jennifer's unconditional love for dan adds emotional depth to the story.
some characters felt slightly undeveloped, and some of them seemed unnecessary and i often questioned their presence in the story.
overall, it was an engaging but not the most thrilling book. the ending was quite good, but not as impactful as I had hoped. i'd probably recommend it, though.
*thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author - Kerry Wilkinson for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
January 26, 2025
Kerry Wilkinson’s “My Son’s Girlfriend” is a gripping psychological thriller with a mother desperately searching for her son while uncovering secrets from both her son and her own past.
Jennifer receives a phone call late at night from the police, her son, Dan, a university student, has vanished, and the police suspect him in the murder of his girlfriend, Ella. Jennifer cannot believe what she is hearing and feels she needs to find her son to hear is side of the story. Just thirty minutes before the police rang Jennifer received a strange phone call from Dan pleading his innocence.
Jennifer learns that Ella’s murder is a virtual copy of the death of her own best friend from twenty years ago. She feels the need to return the place she left behind to try and uncover the truth. The story twists and turns and the question of whether the two murders are linked keeps you guessing. It is also apparent that Jennifer herself has secrets that could put her son at risk.
The story alternates between present day and flashbacks to Jennifer’s teenage years. Throughout the novel the reader learns of secrets which adds to the suspense and intrigue.
Jennifer is determined to find her son but struggles with the memory of guilt and grief over her friend’s death. She feels sure her son wouldn’t kill his girlfriend but is it the case. The book is filled with strong characters from Jennifer’s past and each add depth to the story.
“My Son’s Girlfriend” is a very good thriller, lots of suspense with an intriguing plot making it a very enjoyable read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Jennifer receives a phone call late at night from the police, her son, Dan, a university student, has vanished, and the police suspect him in the murder of his girlfriend, Ella. Jennifer cannot believe what she is hearing and feels she needs to find her son to hear is side of the story. Just thirty minutes before the police rang Jennifer received a strange phone call from Dan pleading his innocence.
Jennifer learns that Ella’s murder is a virtual copy of the death of her own best friend from twenty years ago. She feels the need to return the place she left behind to try and uncover the truth. The story twists and turns and the question of whether the two murders are linked keeps you guessing. It is also apparent that Jennifer herself has secrets that could put her son at risk.
The story alternates between present day and flashbacks to Jennifer’s teenage years. Throughout the novel the reader learns of secrets which adds to the suspense and intrigue.
Jennifer is determined to find her son but struggles with the memory of guilt and grief over her friend’s death. She feels sure her son wouldn’t kill his girlfriend but is it the case. The book is filled with strong characters from Jennifer’s past and each add depth to the story.
“My Son’s Girlfriend” is a very good thriller, lots of suspense with an intriguing plot making it a very enjoyable read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2025
Kerry Wilkinson has once again delivered a deep psychological thriller with My Son's Girlfriend. Gripping from the start, it explores some deep, dark places and is peppered with some evil goings on.
Everyone says they will do anything to protect or save their children. But none of us knows how far we truly will go until we are put in that exact situation. That is the situation Jennifer finds herself in. Following a late night call from her son Daniel, she is left shaken after his ominous few words "It wasn't me" and an immediate disconnect of the call. Moments later the police are knocking on her door looking for Daniel. They tell her his girlfriend Ella was found dead, and Daniel is missing. This kicks off her mission to do whatever it takes to prove Daniel innocent, including going back to a place she vowed never to return to after another murder that occurred there in her past. During her journey she discovers secrets about Daniel and also from her own past. Is the murder of Ella and the murder from her past connected or a mere coincidence.
The story is told mostly in the present with a few chapters from the past mixed in. There are many suspenseful twists and surprises throughout the whole story. It is a gripping psychological tale that keeps the reader entertained all the way to the ending. The ending ties all the little questions up nicely.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy
Everyone says they will do anything to protect or save their children. But none of us knows how far we truly will go until we are put in that exact situation. That is the situation Jennifer finds herself in. Following a late night call from her son Daniel, she is left shaken after his ominous few words "It wasn't me" and an immediate disconnect of the call. Moments later the police are knocking on her door looking for Daniel. They tell her his girlfriend Ella was found dead, and Daniel is missing. This kicks off her mission to do whatever it takes to prove Daniel innocent, including going back to a place she vowed never to return to after another murder that occurred there in her past. During her journey she discovers secrets about Daniel and also from her own past. Is the murder of Ella and the murder from her past connected or a mere coincidence.
The story is told mostly in the present with a few chapters from the past mixed in. There are many suspenseful twists and surprises throughout the whole story. It is a gripping psychological tale that keeps the reader entertained all the way to the ending. The ending ties all the little questions up nicely.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy
February 22, 2025
This book starts out with every mother's nightmare - a telephone call from a child. This one is especially disturbing when her son simply states, "I didn't do it." Then there is a dial tone. She is thinking didn't do what. She will soon learn that Dan's girlfriend, Ella, has been murdered. Her body was found on his bed. To make this tale even more disturbing for Jennifer, the memories of what happened 20 years ago are coming to the forefront of her mind. One of her best friends was murdered with a lamp cord around her neck, just like Ella. So, Jennifer does what any good mother would do, she hops in the car. This is not an easy trip for her because she has not been back to this college or this town since her friend died.
From there the mystery gets even more complex and Jennifer gets herself in some scary situations. But the mother in her will not allow her to quit looking for her son. There are some shady characters and shady dealings going on, which makes this even more dangerous for her and her son.
This was a great mystery which provided little clues all along, just enough to tickle your brain a little more. The story would switch from the present to past when Jennifer's friend was killed, so you could more fully understand everything. The ending was shocking, to the say the least. I must confess that I did not see that one coming.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
From there the mystery gets even more complex and Jennifer gets herself in some scary situations. But the mother in her will not allow her to quit looking for her son. There are some shady characters and shady dealings going on, which makes this even more dangerous for her and her son.
This was a great mystery which provided little clues all along, just enough to tickle your brain a little more. The story would switch from the present to past when Jennifer's friend was killed, so you could more fully understand everything. The ending was shocking, to the say the least. I must confess that I did not see that one coming.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 19, 2025
The story revolves around Jennifer, a mother whose world is turned upside down when her son Dan’s girlfriend, Ella, is found dead, and Dan disappears. Wilkinson masterfully weaves together maternal love and past secrets and human greed. The worst nightmare for a parent involves receiving a frantic phone call from their kid in the middle of the night. Jennifer’s nightmare is worse since the call is cryptic and all her son says is ‘I didn’t do it’. As Jennifer tries to decipher the meaning of the call, police knocks on her door looking for her son and reveal that he is the prime suspect in his girlfriend’s murder. The reader is taken through the journey of Jennifer as she tries to process the meaning of the call and ends up at a place which she never wanted to visit to prove her son’s innocence.
Wilkinson’s character development is noteworthy, particularly in his portrayal of Jennifer. Her internal struggle between believing in her son’s innocence and confronting the possibility of his guilt is both heart-wrenching and relatable. The author delves deep into the psyche of a mother faced with an unthinkable situation, exploring the limits of parental love and loyalty. The novel’s twists and turns keep readers guessing until the very end, with a shocking conclusion that leaves a lasting impact.
This is a good read for lovers of thrillers.
Wilkinson’s character development is noteworthy, particularly in his portrayal of Jennifer. Her internal struggle between believing in her son’s innocence and confronting the possibility of his guilt is both heart-wrenching and relatable. The author delves deep into the psyche of a mother faced with an unthinkable situation, exploring the limits of parental love and loyalty. The novel’s twists and turns keep readers guessing until the very end, with a shocking conclusion that leaves a lasting impact.
This is a good read for lovers of thrillers.
February 19, 2025
Jennifer receives a phone call from her son saying "It wasn't me"before he hangs up again. Not long after that, the police arrived at her door looking for her son. The police inform her that Daniel's girlfriend, Ella, is dead. But Jen is determined to find him first. Daniel is at University in Ashington. Jen drives all night to get there while her husband, Andrew, stays at home in case Daniel turns up. Jen and Andrew met twenty-four years ago in Ashington. Jen didn't have the best experience there, She had vowed never to return,
The story has a dual timeline - twenty-four years ago, and the present day. A mother's love is unconditional, and Jen goes above and beyond trying to find her son and prove his innocence. I enjoyed trying to work out if Daniel was guilty, or if it was one of the other characters we met along the way. This is a steady paced, well-written book with characters that are relatable. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded, revealing what had happened to Jen while she was at Uni, and how the story ended. I would have liked a little more on what the dad was doing while Jen was away.
Published 24th February 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #KerryWilkinson for my ARC of #MySonsGirlfriend in exchange for an honest review.
The story has a dual timeline - twenty-four years ago, and the present day. A mother's love is unconditional, and Jen goes above and beyond trying to find her son and prove his innocence. I enjoyed trying to work out if Daniel was guilty, or if it was one of the other characters we met along the way. This is a steady paced, well-written book with characters that are relatable. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded, revealing what had happened to Jen while she was at Uni, and how the story ended. I would have liked a little more on what the dad was doing while Jen was away.
Published 24th February 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #KerryWilkinson for my ARC of #MySonsGirlfriend in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2025
This book is full of suspense and action from start to finish. A lot of books describe themselves as gripping, and this one that is actually gripping from start to finish. Jennifer acted as any mother would act in her position. She wanted to try to find her son and make sure he was safe. I think that was the perfect way to describe her motivation for her actions. It made everything she did make sense.
I loved that I got a real sense of who Daniel was through the other characters, especially Ella’s mother. It was through these other characters that I started to question whether he should be the real suspect or whether he really pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes!
The book also weaves in Jennifer’s past and what happened to her when she attended that University; it explains why she hasn’t been back to the area since. Those chapters are quick but engaging. In fact, the whole be is a quick and engaging read. This is a book that can easily be read in one sitting. I promise, you’ll be so into it you won’t even realize that you’ve read it so quickly! So what are you waiting for, go get this book!
I loved that I got a real sense of who Daniel was through the other characters, especially Ella’s mother. It was through these other characters that I started to question whether he should be the real suspect or whether he really pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes!
The book also weaves in Jennifer’s past and what happened to her when she attended that University; it explains why she hasn’t been back to the area since. Those chapters are quick but engaging. In fact, the whole be is a quick and engaging read. This is a book that can easily be read in one sitting. I promise, you’ll be so into it you won’t even realize that you’ve read it so quickly! So what are you waiting for, go get this book!
March 6, 2025
A thriller which starts when Jennifer's son, who is at university, gets in touch to tell her that his girlfriend has been killed and he didn't do it. After a visit from the police, Jennifer rushes off to the town where her son lives, without much idea about what she is going to do there. She looks into people that he is involved with there, is interviewed by police and makes a discovery in her son's book locker. The pace is fairly quick, Jennifer's actions sometimes are a little too ill considered and the police investigation doesn't really follow a lofgical course. The book is told in two different timeperiods, when Jenn was at university in the town and the present day. Descriptions of places are atmospheric and well done, some of the characterizations need a little more depth (Daniel's father, among others)
On the whole I did enjoy the book, suspense is built up well and there are a couple of twists in the plot . In some ways the crimes are solved towards the end, but I have been left with a feeling that not all loose ends are sewn up which has left me feeling unsatisfied.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC
On the whole I did enjoy the book, suspense is built up well and there are a couple of twists in the plot . In some ways the crimes are solved towards the end, but I have been left with a feeling that not all loose ends are sewn up which has left me feeling unsatisfied.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC
February 26, 2025
It wasn’t me” are the words spoken in a late night call to Jennifer from her son, Dan. The call is disconnected and Dan is no longer contactable. The police arrive and inform Jennifer and her husband that Ella, Dan’s girlfriend has been found murdered and Dan is the prime suspect and has now gone on the run.
Jennifer doesn’t believe her son is capable of such violence and travels to his university city to delve into his life and find out what has happened and who is the culprit if not Dan.
The storyline is fast paced and jumps straight into the situation that Dan has got caught up in. There are plenty of twists and turns and Jennifer’s own history with the university that Dan now attends features heavily throughout the storyline. The style of writing is to the point without unnecessary descriptions which keeps the story interesting and not boring. I’ve read books by this author before and have always enjoyed them. I would highly recommend this current offering.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Jennifer doesn’t believe her son is capable of such violence and travels to his university city to delve into his life and find out what has happened and who is the culprit if not Dan.
The storyline is fast paced and jumps straight into the situation that Dan has got caught up in. There are plenty of twists and turns and Jennifer’s own history with the university that Dan now attends features heavily throughout the storyline. The style of writing is to the point without unnecessary descriptions which keeps the story interesting and not boring. I’ve read books by this author before and have always enjoyed them. I would highly recommend this current offering.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2025
Jennifer receives an ominous phone call from her son, Daniel, late at night. "It wasn't me," was all he said before the line went dead. Not long after, the police show up at Jennifer's house with some bad news. The details of the tragedy sound eerily familiar to Jennifer, and Daniel is now missing.
The storyline takes place during two different time periods, 24 years ago and the present. Twenty-four years ago, Jennifer was a college student in the same town where Daniel is currently attending college.
Jennifer will do whatever it takes to find her son and prove his innocence. There was an interesting cast of characters that she suspected, each looking guiltier than the other. Trying to figure out who the guilty party was may seem obvious to the reader, but are things ever really that obvious?
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
The storyline takes place during two different time periods, 24 years ago and the present. Twenty-four years ago, Jennifer was a college student in the same town where Daniel is currently attending college.
Jennifer will do whatever it takes to find her son and prove his innocence. There was an interesting cast of characters that she suspected, each looking guiltier than the other. Trying to figure out who the guilty party was may seem obvious to the reader, but are things ever really that obvious?
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
February 26, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for the chance to read this book.
Thank you for bringing me back to an author I already knew and loved but kind of lost along on my reading journey!
This was a very fast paced, easy read for me, perfect for a one-sitting read, getting through a reading slump, or simply enjoying an entertaining mystery. I loved reading about the mother's tale to find her son, the mystery and secrets behind every other corner really kept me interested. Although, this is not very surprising for me, I have read 6 books of Kerry's Jessica Daniel Series and even from the very start his books were very captivating. This was my review on a couple of his books "I Strongly VERY VERY VERY STRONGLY Recommend This Book. Love this book, ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SERIES & Kerry is one of the best authors I have ever read. This series has kept me hooked from the very beginning!" & with every book it's just grounded that opinion, and every book has a surprising twist!
Thank you for bringing me back to an author I already knew and loved but kind of lost along on my reading journey!
This was a very fast paced, easy read for me, perfect for a one-sitting read, getting through a reading slump, or simply enjoying an entertaining mystery. I loved reading about the mother's tale to find her son, the mystery and secrets behind every other corner really kept me interested. Although, this is not very surprising for me, I have read 6 books of Kerry's Jessica Daniel Series and even from the very start his books were very captivating. This was my review on a couple of his books "I Strongly VERY VERY VERY STRONGLY Recommend This Book. Love this book, ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SERIES & Kerry is one of the best authors I have ever read. This series has kept me hooked from the very beginning!" & with every book it's just grounded that opinion, and every book has a surprising twist!
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