From the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese's Book Club Pick The Other Woman and The Guilt Trip comes a twisty and suspenseful new novel about love turned deadly.
Charlie and Freya used to be the picture-perfect couple everyone in their idyllic village in the Cotswolds envied—and if you couldn’t be them, you wanted to be with them. Happy, healthy, forging successful careers, and with a beautiful son in tow, they had it all . . . until one night a tragedy tears their lives apart.
Unable to live with themselves, let alone each other, they’re looking for someone to blame and who they land on is each other.
Told from both Freya and Charlie’s perspectives, a cat and mouse game ensues, as each of them become determined to win-out against the other, both battling to emerge victorious and guilty-conscience-free. But can Freya stay one step ahead of the man who knows her best? Or will Charlie’s stoic conviction to get what he wants, be the death of her?
Sandie Jones’s latest addictive novel is a wickedly twisty tale of obsession and the deadly consequences of loving someone too much.
Sandie Jones has worked as a freelance journalist for over twenty years, and has written for publications including the Sunday Times, Woman’s Weekly and the Daily Mail. She lives in London with her husband and three children. The Other Woman is her debut novel.
Sandie Jones is back!! I say this because I have enjoyed every book that I have read by this author, except this year’s “I Would Die for You”. With that being said, I’m glad that I gave this author another chance, because I highly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! I also love the title of this book, because it reminds me of the song with the same title 🎶
In this story, we have a very happily married couple of Charlie and Freya. One night Charlie and Freya go to a friend’s dinner party, and after too much wine 🍷, a fight between them occurs. They both leave the dinner party, only to wake up the next morning to realize that a tragedy has occurred. How did this terrible tragedy happen, and who is responsible?
After the awful dinner party, and the horrible tragedy that occurred, Freya and Charlie start to realize that maybe they weren’t that happy after all. Maybe they didn’t have the picture perfect marriage they thought they did. A game of cat and mouse ensues between the two of them, and you will constantly question who you can trust in this book. Is it Charlie? Or is it Freya?
Some of the twists were a bit predictable, but overall it was very entertaining and I highly recommend it!
“Killing me softly with his song Telling my whole life with his words Killing me softly with his song” 🎶 ~ by the Fugees
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and the author for an ARC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading, in exchange for an honest review. Publication date: March 31, 2026 Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers
I received a free copy of, Killing Me Softly, by Sandie Jones, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Freya and Charlie are the perfect couple, until they are not. These are both unlikable characters, I did not care for either of the, they are far from perfect.
It started off okay—I wasn't a fan of the constant mysteriousness, but I understand the author did that to keep us guessing. But until about 85% in, it was a 3-star book.
Then, it picked up. 3.5 stars, then finally 4! The ending was well done. Overall, a decent thriller that keeps you guessing throughout.
Whew, this book was a almost a DNF so many times. The only reason I powered through was because I wanted to be able to write a fair review for this advanced copy. But, honestly, this book was rough. It was boring, chaotic, nonsensical and just plain silly. The whole unreliable narrator trope was taken way too far and it left me more tired than entertained. I know a lot of people seem to enjoy this author's work but after reading this I won't be picking her up again.
NetGalley ARC: Charlie and Freya's relationship is a ticking time bomb. Toxic, but they can't stay away from each other and the secrets they're hiding from each other pile up.
I loved getting the two different POVs and the very different versions of the story they were experiencing (or trying to convince the reader was true). This is a great fast paced, popcorn thriller read and the ending really took me by surprise.
Sandie Jones delivers again! I was so hooked on this book. The pacing and back and forth chapters had me flying through the pages. Watch out for crazy women.
This novel started out interesting but quickly spiraled into a very convoluted marriage/family drama. I didn't like either of the main characters and the many deliberate misguiding leads just made the story confusing. This was almost a DNF, but I'm stubborn. Thank you to NetGalley for this digital advanced readers copy.
3 1/2 stars…. I absolutely loved her last book and I was so excited to read this one but it definitely fell short for me. I liked the different points of view, but found the storyline at times confusing and long winded. This will not stop me from reading any of her other books because I do love her writing style. This one just wasn’t for me.
Killing Me Softly Publication date: March 31, 2026
The book initially hooks you in with a dinner party gone wrong into the main characters’ (Freya and Charlie) car being involved in a hit and run. These events cause ripples in the couple’s marriage and begin to reveal other secrets within their partnership. I really enjoyed this book. I found the writing to be engaging and fast paced. Short chapters kept me turning pages, overall a thrilling and fast read. I think the characters are meant to be kept a little more ambiguous for the sake of the plot, but I think slight more character development would be preferred. I think a more distinct voice between the 2 POVs would be nice also. I guessed several potential endings to the book and was kept guessing until the very end. The twist at the end was unexpected but not unbelievable. The book definitely left me with a sense of creeped out paranoia. Not quite 5 stars, but a very enjoyable and easy read. I would recommend, especially to those who enjoy a fast-paced thriller! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!
WHAT did i just read?!?! Amazing 🤩 Immediately starts off with a bang with married couple Charlie & Freya, who are not even remotely what I thought or what they seem on the outside if you were to know them. Like they say you never know what happens behind closed doors, but the beginning of the book they opened those doors wide open & let out all the crazy & mess. BUT! What is SO lovely is it’s just a taste of what’s in store for the reader throughout the rest of the book! Kind of a cat & mouse but more of an even scale that’s a fair fight .. maybe cat & cat … like two mean cats & we get to find out which one is more feral. I loved the entire book & everything that happened & intertwined with Charlie, Freya, her mother & the other people caught in their messy web of fuc$ery. I didn’t even remotely expect anything, what direction the author was going to take us & who was actually ‘good’ or which bad person was better than the latter. Some characters were definitely not as they seemed. Also love how Jones included some little sub plot in there, which I was fully surprised on that (nice job!). Can’t say much more without spoiling but this was quite the ride & had an exceptional ending!!
Oh, super random but the title is actually very fitting (often I question how some book titles are chosen), but I also think it could’ve been Killing Me Slowly (if you’ve read this maybe you agree?)🤷♀️😜
I have a lot of Sandie Jones books on my tbr but somehow never actually read one..I’ve been missing out to say the least! This is a must read 🖤
Many many thanks to both NetGalley & the publisher (St. Martin’s Press you seem to never steer me wrong😍) for this ARC, always appreciative of the opportunity!
Freya & Charlie thought they had the perfect marriage, until one night at a dinner party when too much wine was consumed, and a huge fight ensues. They leave the party in quite an uproar and wake up the next morning to a tragedy. But who is responsible for the tragedy? And here begins the cat and mouse game between the two of them where they start to realize maybe their marriage wasn’t so perfect after all. Before it’s all over, you don’t know who is telling the truth or who you can side with. I found the story to be entertaining and fast-paced.
Many thanks to NetGalley & Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
I've loved every book by Jones and this one was fabulous too! Charlie is a chef married to Freya who has a troubled past and is insecure about everything! When Charlie realizes he's in debt as his new upscale restaurant isn't doing as well as he'd hoped, things fall apart for him as he's unable to borrow more money. But both Charlie and Freya have their own secrets from each other and when they collide, everything is bound to fall apart. There are so many themes in this book that they kept me reading long into the night! Brqvo! Another winner! Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
3.5 stars rounded up. The book had some mystery but not enough suspense. while the characters were likeable and the book was easy to read it needed more tension and a bigger twist.
I did not enjoy this book. The first couple chapters drew me in and then it just became a toxic marriage full of drama and both of them doing shady stuff.
The ending was just one major eyeroll… just another “crazy” woman.
I typically enjoy SJ’s books, but this one was disappointing.
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this eARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This thriller is a fast paced, twisty, and dramatic roller coaster. Split POV between spouses, Freya and Charlie, had me constantly guessing which of the two was telling the truth (if either of them was). After the inciting event, things take a drastic turn with each spouse out to best the other in a game of trust and betrayal. I really enjoyed the way that Sandie Jones chose to structure the story in a way that lined up chronologically, but differed in motive and perspective from person to person. This book was an extremely entertaining read, with short chapters, and lots of action throughout. Highly recommend if you enjoy twisty thrillers!
Killing Me Softly releases on March 31, 2026.
Thank you Minotaur Books/ St. Martin’s Press (via Netgalley) for gifting me with an eARC. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Killing Me Softly is a twisty marriage thriller featuring unreliable narrators that keeps you guessing throughout. While I enjoyed the book overall, I personally struggled with the pacing, as it was clear something was off from the beginning and the final reveal didn’t come until the very end. That said, it’s an engaging read and one I would still recommend to fans of domestic and psychological thrillers.
ARC I struggled a bit with the first half of this book, as I found it somewhat confusing and difficult to follow at times. The chapters felt a bit too short, which made it challenging to really connect with the characters since the POVs changed so frequently. However, as the story progressed, it became very clear why the author chose that structure! Around the halfway point, the pacing improved and the plot started to come together, making it much easier to follow and enjoy. The twist at the end completely caught me off guaro in the best way! Overall, I'd rate this book 3 stars
This was my first time reading a book from Sandie Jones and I very much enjoyed it. The author does a great job of pulling the reader in and keeping that momentum. Overall, a fast paced and fairly quick read with surprising twists. The epilogue left a bit to be desired but I feel that was intentional and a personal preference on my part.
Title: Killing Me Softly Author: Sandie Jones Rating: ⭐️⭐️
A man is injured in a late night hit and run car accident, ending up in a coma. Somehow, Freya and Charlie are linked to the accident but police don’t know that since the victim can’t tell what happened. The accident lead Freya and Charlie to move from London to the Cotswold where they struggle to start over and out the past behind them.
Takeaways: 1. Honestly, this one was a struggle for me. I felt there were so many subplots that seemed thrown in for one reason or another, but instead of being easily connected, they were a bit dodgy. Did they all come together at the end? Yes, but it wasn’t satisfying 2. It was almost like from the beginning, I woke up in the middle of the plot and spent the rest of the book trying to catch up and grasp what was happening and how we had gotten to that point. Some fine details were lacking. For example, there is a point where Freya has a phone conversation with her mother about 2/3 of the way through the book. Yet at the same time there are things and dialogue happening with her husband and there is a disconnect in how it’s laid out.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on March 31, 2026.
Another winner! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. Despite Halloween I finished it in one and one half days because I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. Sandie Jones is a master crafter for her plotting and twists. The twists just kept coming and provided a great thriller. #Netgalley
This book follows Freya and Charlie, a young, successful couple living in London. Charlie, a successful sous chef in one of the city’s hottest restaurants, has everything going for him — a supportive boss, a promising career and a lovely wife, when a traumatic evening and subsequent accident rattle their lives forever. Desperate to run away from that night, they start their lives over in a new city, determined to get back on track. But they realize that you truly cannot escape your past, and while suspicious events follow them, will they ever be truly free from that night and their guilt?
I’m not going to lie — this book is confusing. Both characters are all over the place and pretty unlikable, making it hard to know whose side to take as their lives begin to fall apart. The alternating POV’s helps understand each person’s angle in the story, but there are more questions than answers as they both begin to lie, go behind each others’ backs and run from their own demons. The timing also cuts back and forth, which makes it more confusing than it needs to be. It also makes a little bit of a mockery of alcoholism, which I don’t love as a general premise.
I loved Sandie Jones’ other books, but I just couldn’t get into this one. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my review.
📚Killing Me Softly ✍🏻Sandie Jones Blurb: From the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese's Book Club Pick The Other Woman and The Guilt Trip comes a twisty and suspenseful new novel about love turned deadly.
Charlie and Freya used to be the picture-perfect couple everyone in their idyllic village in the Cotswolds envied—and if you couldn’t be them, you wanted to be with them. Happy, healthy, forging successful careers, and with a beautiful son in tow, they had it all . . . until one night a tragedy tears their lives apart.
Unable to live with themselves, let alone each other, they’re looking for someone to blame and who they land on is each other.
Told from both Freya and Charlie’s perspectives, a cat and mouse game ensues, as each of them become determined to win-out against the other, both battling to emerge victorious and guilty-conscience-free. But can Freya stay one step ahead of the man who knows her best? Or will Charlie’s stoic conviction to get what he wants, be the death of her?
Sandie Jones’s latest addictive novel is a wickedly twisty tale of obsession and the deadly consequences of loving someone too much. My Thoughts: What begins as what feels like a marital drama between a couple struggling to recover from a night of drunken mistakes quickly morphs into something far more sinister. For a moment, I even questioned whether this could truly be labeled a “thriller.” Spoiler free promise: I was so, so wrong.
Once the pacing shifts, it explodes into a pulse-pounding, twist-heavy ride that completely redefines the entire first half of the book. Jones uses the beginning as a deliberate setup, quiet tension, emotional unraveling, and subtle cracks in the relationship, to pull everything together in one explosive, unforgettable ending. And that ending? It was everything I didn’t even realize I needed.
The alternating perspectives between Freya and Charlie add layers of distrust, manipulation, and second-guessing that kept me hooked. Their once perfect life shatters after a devastating hit and run, and what follows is a tense, cat and mouse unraveling of guilt, blame, and obsession. By the final chapters, the intensity ramps up and firmly plants this book in true thriller territory.
If you enjoy domestic suspense with emotional depth, rising tension, and a finale that leaves your heart racing, Killing Me Softly absolutely delivers. Sandie Jones proves once again that she knows exactly how to lure readers in, before pulling the rug out from beneath them. Thanks NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Author Sandie Jones for the advanced copy of "Killing Me Softly" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation. #NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #SandieJones #KillingMeSoftly ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Killing Me Softly By Sandie Jones Publication Date: March 31, 2026 Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books
📚MY RATING: 4.25/5⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press #partner, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and the #SMPEarlyReaders program for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!
📚MY REVIEW:
Early Buzz Alert! Sandie Jones is one of my favorite authors of domestic thrillers, and with Killing Me Softly, she reminds me of why she's a queen! In this book, she gives us a domestic thriller of epic proportions. This is a twisty cat-and-mouse read that's a wild ride and left me shocked. And that ending though...😳😳
This story is told from the dual POVs of husband and wife, Charlie and Freya, who clearly have zero trust for one another. What seems like a perfect marriage starts to unravel when the couple appears to cover for one another after a traumatic event. From there, they just keep hiding secrets from each other, one lie on top of another. The story is told in alternating chapters from each of their perspectives, with loads of distrust and scheming. As I read, I tried to figure out what was going to happen - and as always, I didn't see it coming. But, the tension between husband and wife continued to escalate throughout the book and it was definitely a wild ride.
This was a really fast read, which I finished in one sitting. It was a whirlwind of secrets and lies, and definitely was NOT the picture of domestic bliss. The middle of the story dragged a little bit for me, as it seemed like every chapter was just another lie and another secret, and it got a little wash, rinse, repeat. But I really enjoyed the first third and last third of the book!
Overall, this was a fun read and will be enjoyed by anyone who loves a good cat-and-mouse thriller. Just a heads up - the synopsis for this one includes information that actually wasn't in the book (there's no son in tow). 🤷 Kinda weird, but another reason to go in blind on this one and just enjoy the ride.
A cat and mouse type thriller that really wasn't much of a thriller...
I don't know what I was expecting from this book, but alcoholism, possible affairs, and confusion were not at the top of my list of expectations. If I'm being honest, I probably would have DNFed this book several times if it weren't an arc with the expectation of a review. So, I finished it and here we are.
What I liked: alternating timelines and narratives between Charlie and Freya short chapters that (luckily) helped the book go by faster unreliable narrators that had me guessing what was true and what was not
What I didn't like: the plot, like, all of it. the characters. I hated every single one of them. the ending. It didn't seem like a resolution, it felt rushed and like the author didn't know where to go with it anymore. most of the details that were supposed to help build the story seemed confusing or irrelevant when it came down to it. I spent most of the time trying to decipher what this or that had to do with the story over all.
I feel like this story had a lot of potential to be good, but it got lost somewhere between all the details and character flaws and unreliability that it was more confusing than anything. I felt the over-reliance on alcohol and alcoholism was kind of an easy way out in making the narrators unreliable. I don't think the characters were well developed, and they were all so entitled and detestable that I didn't really care what happened to them.
I've read other books by Sandie Jones and liked them, but this one just wasn't it for me. 3 stars.
(ARC - out 03/31/26 via St. Martin's Press) This was not for me in most aspects. It’s a domestic thriller, told from the perspective of a wife, Freya and husband, Charlie (her parts in first person, his in third). Something goes wrong at a dinner party being held by Charlie’s mentor/boss and it alters the course of both of their lives. Both Freya and Charlie are frustrating characters, unlikable in a way that didn’t work for me. There are twists in this and it does exactly what a suspense novel is supposed to do, but I just didn’t vibe with the story or the characters. One piece of this that I did like is seeing the alternating perspectives of Charlie and Freya. It’s always interesting to see how two people view the same events, particularly when you, as the reader, are not sure who’s telling the truth or whose reality is authentic. Biases exist everywhere, within every person, and I like when an author plays with the concept as part of telling a mystery. I did find the ending and some of the characterizations troublesome and kind of offensive, but this is a popcorn thriller. You're not coming to this for a realized take on living with mental illness or the internalized misogyny so many women seemingly still have to work through. But as someone who likes to spend my reading time with authors and books that speak delicately and with nuance to all of the ways our world still grapples with sexism and outdated portrayals of mentally ill women, this one bummed me out a bit!
I recently read Killing Me Softly by Sandie Jones. I've read several of her books and enjoyed them all. It took me forever to read this story. For some reason, I just couldn't settle into this book. I have long been a fan of Sandie Jones' style and find her to be an easy to read and very dependable author. To be fair, I think the issue was actually me, not the book. Do yourself a huge favor, don't be like I was, read on and quickly, as you will be richly rewarded with thrillery goodness!
This is the story of a married couple, Charlie and Freya. Charlie is a talented chef and Freya works for a children's charity. They seem to have a wonderful life, until something is overheard at a party. That sets a chain of events into play that will change everything and bring doubt and questions into every area of their lives. As the world tilts back and forth and we struggle to decide what is really going on, the pacing becomes ever faster. This leads to a calamitous and satisfying ending.
Sandie Jones and Killing Me Softly got me out of my "reading funk" with this great thriller. The construction is so careful, along with the increasing pacing making the reveals perfectly timed. Rich with twists, this is typical Sandie Jones, making her a favorite for many, including me! Do not miss.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the early copy. It was a pleasure.
Killing Me Softly starts out with a bang. A dinner party gone horribly wrong. What should've been the start of something new and exciting (not to mention profitable), turns on its head when secrets are revealed. From there, things only get worse. High tensions, alcohol, and a live-wire of emotions ends in a devasted hit and run that crumbles apart the happy facade that Freya and Charlie have tried to build together. Fast forward to years later, and they're still trying to make it work. However, resentments are still simmering under the surface from both sides. Add to that, even more secrets, and their marriage is a powder keg getting ready to blowup.
What I liked: There were multiple POVs: One from Freya's perspective and one from Charlie's. It added that much more tension and suspense to the story. Who is telling the truth? Or are both untrustworthy? It left me guessing until the very end. And the ending was so thrilling and unexpected. I really enjoyed it.
What I didn't like: I was most invested in the disastrous dinner party. That happened at the very beginning of the story, and the rest was the fallout from those events. I wish there was more buildup to the party. The middle lulled a bit, and I wasn't as invested. However, the beginning and ending really saved it for me and makes this a thriller I would recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve always loved Sandie Jones’s twisty domestic thrillers—the sharp writing, the tight pacing, the way she makes you second-guess everyone. Killing Me Softly starts off with that same signature tension. The setup is compelling, the relationships feel authentic, and the pacing is spot-on. Jones knows exactly how to pull a reader into ordinary domestic life and then slowly tighten the screws until you start to question every smile and silence.
For much of the book, I was completely absorbed. The shifting perspectives add a great sense of unease, and the writing flows effortlessly, as always. But when the big reveal came, I found myself a little taken aback—not by what happened, but by how suddenly it did. I wanted more build-up, more small tells along the way to make that final turn feel fully earned.
It’s still a solid psychological thriller—fast-paced, addictive, and well-written—but it didn’t leave me quite as satisfied as Jones’s previous books. I think it’s because her best twists usually feel both shocking and inevitable, and here the balance leaned more toward shock.
That said, if you’re in the mood for a tense, emotionally charged read with plenty of doubt and danger simmering under the surface, this one will absolutely keep you guessing (and reading late into the night).
Thanks to NetGalley and the published for the advanced copy. 3.5 rounded up.
In a genre often crowded with predictable plots and lackluster prose, this thriller rises as a refreshing standout. From the very first page, I was hooked by the author's compelling writing style, which made the intricate story flow effortlessly. The suspense was palpable, each chapter ratcheting up the tension to almost unbearable levels—exactly what I needed from a thriller!
The narrative skillfully weaves together the perspectives of both husband and wife, adding layers of complexity and intrigue. The use of dual points of view allows the reader to delve deep into the psyche of each character, exposing their vulnerabilities and hidden agendas. It's a masterful exploration of how secrets and lies can fester beneath the surface of even the most intimate relationships.
For fans of authors like Freida McFadden, this book delivers that same addictive blend of domestic suspense and unexpected twists. It's the kind of story that stays with you long after you've turned the final page, prompting a reevaluation of everything you thought you knew. So much so, that I need to add a physical copy to my bookshelf!
This book is set to be published March 31, 2026 Be sure to add to your TBR today- you HAVE to read this!
I received this arc from the publisher & Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.