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Such a Perfect Family
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Expected 27 Jan 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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20 copies available
U.S. only
A man with a deadly past marries into the perfect, respectable family in this riveting thriller from New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh . . .
A woman buried.
A woman broken.
A woman crashed.
A woman burned.
And the man who knew them all.
Love at first sight, a whirlwind Vegas wedding, a fairy-tale romance.
For seventy-nine days, Tavish Advani has been the happiest man in the world—until his new life turns to ash, his wealthy in-laws’ house going up in a fiery explosion. His badly injured wife lies in a coma, her family all but annihilated.
Tavish thought he left the sins of his Los Angeles life behind, but it’s not so easy to leave behind an investigation into the deaths of several high-profile women—all of whom he professed to love. Tragedy and death follow him no matter where he goes . . . but this time, he knows he’s innocent.
Desperately trying to clear his name as the authorities zero in, he begins his own investigation into the fire—and learns that his wife’s picture-perfect family may have been nothing but a meticulously constructed mirage. The truth is much darker than anything Tavish could’ve imagined . . .
A woman buried.
A woman broken.
A woman crashed.
A woman burned.
And the man who knew them all.
Love at first sight, a whirlwind Vegas wedding, a fairy-tale romance.
For seventy-nine days, Tavish Advani has been the happiest man in the world—until his new life turns to ash, his wealthy in-laws’ house going up in a fiery explosion. His badly injured wife lies in a coma, her family all but annihilated.
Tavish thought he left the sins of his Los Angeles life behind, but it’s not so easy to leave behind an investigation into the deaths of several high-profile women—all of whom he professed to love. Tragedy and death follow him no matter where he goes . . . but this time, he knows he’s innocent.
Desperately trying to clear his name as the authorities zero in, he begins his own investigation into the fire—and learns that his wife’s picture-perfect family may have been nothing but a meticulously constructed mirage. The truth is much darker than anything Tavish could’ve imagined . . .
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 27, 2026
11114 people want to read
About the author
Nalini Singh
248 books26.8k followersI've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I went from not trusting our first-person narrator, to not trusting the cops, to not trusting his brother-in-law, to not trusting his wife. And then the big reveal happened and my jaw was on the floor.
I've read and loved another of Nalini's thrillers, and liked a few from the GUILD HUNTER series. May re-read and continue those. I hear PSY-CHANGELING is great?
🥃 Take a shot every time I enjoy a non-white domestic thriller
rep: Indian American, Indo Fijian
tw: attempted murder, domestic violence, murder, obsession, stalking
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
I've read and loved another of Nalini's thrillers, and liked a few from the GUILD HUNTER series. May re-read and continue those. I hear PSY-CHANGELING is great?
🥃 Take a shot every time I enjoy a non-white domestic thriller
rep: Indian American, Indo Fijian
tw: attempted murder, domestic violence, murder, obsession, stalking
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
this was my first nalini singh book ever! i liked the prose, but the mystery was mid.
if vou're someone who doesn't read or watch a lot of thriller/mvstery you might be blown away by this story. i, however, am a south asian girl who grew up on all kinds of asian drama serials so i can see a plot twist from across state lines. the one in this book would be the minor reveal in season 3 of a 45 season indian drama serial so I sat there like "yeah, ok sure, go to jail already".
the set up is great but the development and payoff was diminished.
i will be pivoting and giving nalini singh's fantasy works a try!
if vou're someone who doesn't read or watch a lot of thriller/mvstery you might be blown away by this story. i, however, am a south asian girl who grew up on all kinds of asian drama serials so i can see a plot twist from across state lines. the one in this book would be the minor reveal in season 3 of a 45 season indian drama serial so I sat there like "yeah, ok sure, go to jail already".
the set up is great but the development and payoff was diminished.
i will be pivoting and giving nalini singh's fantasy works a try!
July 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this book, with my honest review below.
Well that was unexpected. Such a Perfect Family opens with a literal explosion when Tavish, newly married to Diya and moved to New Zealand from a dark past in LA, returns to his new wife’s family home to see it on fire, his wife stabbed, and his in laws presumed still inside when the home explodes. With the only survivors as wife Diya and sister in law Shumi, both in comas due to attacks vs the fire, Tavish is on the hunt to figure out what happened and what his wife’s last sentence before she went under means.
The book is highly fraught as detectives look closely at Tavish due to his history as a bit of a kept man, with his lovers dying while in relationships with him. But the southeastern Asian family he married into had their own set of secrets as well, and the mystery to figure out who did the crime, and if Tavish was up to no good in his past relationships, is hard to tear yourself away from. All in all this is a more action filled mystery than I expected with a lot of ideas laid out but somewhat unnnecessary or unexplored, but with plenty of bright red herrings and surprising turns it stands out in the genre.
Well that was unexpected. Such a Perfect Family opens with a literal explosion when Tavish, newly married to Diya and moved to New Zealand from a dark past in LA, returns to his new wife’s family home to see it on fire, his wife stabbed, and his in laws presumed still inside when the home explodes. With the only survivors as wife Diya and sister in law Shumi, both in comas due to attacks vs the fire, Tavish is on the hunt to figure out what happened and what his wife’s last sentence before she went under means.
The book is highly fraught as detectives look closely at Tavish due to his history as a bit of a kept man, with his lovers dying while in relationships with him. But the southeastern Asian family he married into had their own set of secrets as well, and the mystery to figure out who did the crime, and if Tavish was up to no good in his past relationships, is hard to tear yourself away from. All in all this is a more action filled mystery than I expected with a lot of ideas laid out but somewhat unnnecessary or unexplored, but with plenty of bright red herrings and surprising turns it stands out in the genre.
December 14, 2025
Such a Perfect Family by Nalini Singh is a dark, emotionally charged domestic mystery that peels back the illusion of a fairy-tale life to reveal something far more disturbing underneath. What begins with love at first sight, a whirlwind Vegas wedding, and a picture-perfect future quickly spirals into tragedy when a devastating house fire leaves Tavish Advani’s wife in a coma and her wealthy family nearly wiped out. From there, the story becomes less about what was lost—and more about what was never real to begin with.
As suspicion tightens around Tavish, the narrative smartly leans into themes of identity, perception, and the weight of past sins that refuse to stay buried. His desperate attempt to prove his innocence while uncovering the truth about his wife’s seemingly flawless family creates a constant undercurrent of unease. The mystery unfolds slowly and deliberately, favoring psychological tension and buried secrets over flashy twists, which makes the revelations feel earned—even when they’re unsettling.
While a few stretches felt slightly drawn out, the atmosphere, emotional depth, and creeping sense that everyone is hiding something kept me invested. Nalini Singh does an excellent job exploring how love, guilt, and obsession can blur reality, making this a gripping, character-driven mystery. A solid four-star read for fans of dark domestic suspense and stories where perfection is always a lie.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC!
As suspicion tightens around Tavish, the narrative smartly leans into themes of identity, perception, and the weight of past sins that refuse to stay buried. His desperate attempt to prove his innocence while uncovering the truth about his wife’s seemingly flawless family creates a constant undercurrent of unease. The mystery unfolds slowly and deliberately, favoring psychological tension and buried secrets over flashy twists, which makes the revelations feel earned—even when they’re unsettling.
While a few stretches felt slightly drawn out, the atmosphere, emotional depth, and creeping sense that everyone is hiding something kept me invested. Nalini Singh does an excellent job exploring how love, guilt, and obsession can blur reality, making this a gripping, character-driven mystery. A solid four-star read for fans of dark domestic suspense and stories where perfection is always a lie.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The first chapter had me on the edge of my seat for more. Unfortunately, I didn't stay there.
There were some decent twists. I just felt a little let down that I was able to guess the conclusion so early and felt a lack of connection to the characters.
There were some decent twists. I just felt a little let down that I was able to guess the conclusion so early and felt a lack of connection to the characters.
December 5, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Nalini Singh and Berkeley Publishong group for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really twisty read with so many surprisingly sketchy characters that I did not expect. It was a quick and easy read that was quite unique. I enjoyed the setting of the novel and the characters even though they were all guilty of something.
This was a really twisty read with so many surprisingly sketchy characters that I did not expect. It was a quick and easy read that was quite unique. I enjoyed the setting of the novel and the characters even though they were all guilty of something.
January 8, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.
📖 Book Review 📖 At some point in our life, the glimmers surrounding our notion of a perfect family fade; it’s just a matter of how far our perception falls from that pedestal. Nalini Singh is here with the perfect atmospheric read where the destructive flames are only the beginning that uncover a web of lies waiting to be uncovered. Tavish Advani is no stranger to mayhem and investigations into suspicious deaths - he just wanted a clean slate when he married Diya and left the States. But can our past ever really stay buried? Such a Perfect Family unpacks a haunting tale that leaves you on the edge of your seat.
📖 Book Review 📖 At some point in our life, the glimmers surrounding our notion of a perfect family fade; it’s just a matter of how far our perception falls from that pedestal. Nalini Singh is here with the perfect atmospheric read where the destructive flames are only the beginning that uncover a web of lies waiting to be uncovered. Tavish Advani is no stranger to mayhem and investigations into suspicious deaths - he just wanted a clean slate when he married Diya and left the States. But can our past ever really stay buried? Such a Perfect Family unpacks a haunting tale that leaves you on the edge of your seat.
October 18, 2025
WHAT THE HELLLL. I did not see this coming! What an incredibly written thriller!
This was a fun twist on a domestic psychological thriller and I loved it. I found some parts dragged on which is why it lost a star but overall.. WOW. I didn’t see the twists coming.
Absolutely loved the interwoven stories that take place in this book. I also appreciated how complicated our main character was, he really lived through a lot.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
This was a fun twist on a domestic psychological thriller and I loved it. I found some parts dragged on which is why it lost a star but overall.. WOW. I didn’t see the twists coming.
Absolutely loved the interwoven stories that take place in this book. I also appreciated how complicated our main character was, he really lived through a lot.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
November 22, 2025
Tavish Advani had a thing for money and older women-especially older women with money. He had three such relationships, all resulting in a woman's death after each bestowed him money, condos, and other lucrative tidbits. He was extremely good-looking and knew how to make his own money, but he could lose it at the gambling table just as fast. A very flawed character. He had raised suspicion with the LA police, and even when the cases closed without any evidence pointing in his direction, one of the cops wasn't resting until he nailed him. That's how his life was going until he saw Diya at a crowded party. Her name means "light" in Hindi and she absolutely glowed that night-he was smitten with her and she with him, they married in Vegas five weeks later. Diya couldn't wait to introduce Tavish to her family so they flew to New Zealand to start a new life there. This suited Tavish very well as he could escape his American reputation, which Diya knew nothing about.
Her family was extremely wealthy, both were doctors and pillars of their community. Unfortunately, they had their golden son Bobby who could do no wrong, and Diya wasn't allowed to grow into her own person, which was why she stayed in California when she was given a chance to leave her traditional Hindu house. Her parents insisted on the pair not telling anyone that they had already married and were going to throw them a lavish Indian wedding which was fine with the couple. Tavish was sent out to pick up some tasting morsels to choose their wedding cake and when he returned to her parent's house, he found it on fire. He entered the house through broken glass, fire and smoke, and located Diya, who seemed to be wearing a flowered dress, but when he pulled her out he saw that she had been stabbed multiple times. Shumi, Diya's sister-in-law, had always loved Bobby and had grown up with Diya and her brother in Fiji. She was also out of the house with stab wounds, but Diya's parents and their son Bobby were not so lucky-no one else escaped. Then the house exploded.
Diya and Shumi were brought to the hospital, both unconscious and in the ICU. While Tavish stayed at his wife's bedside, a detective was assigned to get to the bottom of the attacks, and Tavish was the prime suspect. He knew his reputation was tarnished but he also knew that he didn't set the fire. His task was to find out who set the fire, and why before he was hauled away by the police. If Diya or Shumi woke up, he was sure that they could clear him. Unless they had lost their memories.
Nalini Singh is the author of many books, including thrillers, paranormal romance, and series novels. This is the first that I've read by this wildly popular writer and it was a real treat. As readers follow Tavish as he tries to unearth the truth, they will also experience the beauty of New Zealand and Fiji, places where Singh grew up and knows well. A perfect escapist novel.
Her family was extremely wealthy, both were doctors and pillars of their community. Unfortunately, they had their golden son Bobby who could do no wrong, and Diya wasn't allowed to grow into her own person, which was why she stayed in California when she was given a chance to leave her traditional Hindu house. Her parents insisted on the pair not telling anyone that they had already married and were going to throw them a lavish Indian wedding which was fine with the couple. Tavish was sent out to pick up some tasting morsels to choose their wedding cake and when he returned to her parent's house, he found it on fire. He entered the house through broken glass, fire and smoke, and located Diya, who seemed to be wearing a flowered dress, but when he pulled her out he saw that she had been stabbed multiple times. Shumi, Diya's sister-in-law, had always loved Bobby and had grown up with Diya and her brother in Fiji. She was also out of the house with stab wounds, but Diya's parents and their son Bobby were not so lucky-no one else escaped. Then the house exploded.
Diya and Shumi were brought to the hospital, both unconscious and in the ICU. While Tavish stayed at his wife's bedside, a detective was assigned to get to the bottom of the attacks, and Tavish was the prime suspect. He knew his reputation was tarnished but he also knew that he didn't set the fire. His task was to find out who set the fire, and why before he was hauled away by the police. If Diya or Shumi woke up, he was sure that they could clear him. Unless they had lost their memories.
Nalini Singh is the author of many books, including thrillers, paranormal romance, and series novels. This is the first that I've read by this wildly popular writer and it was a real treat. As readers follow Tavish as he tries to unearth the truth, they will also experience the beauty of New Zealand and Fiji, places where Singh grew up and knows well. A perfect escapist novel.
November 17, 2025
🔥 A perfect family. A perfect romance. A perfect lie—until it all explodes.
Read if you like: domestic thrillers · morally gray heroes · messy family secrets · twisty investigations
📚 Tavish Advani thinks he’s finally escaped the shadows of his past—until the night his new in-laws’ home erupts in flames. His wife lies stabbed and comatose, her family presumed dead, and every detail of the tragedy points straight back to him. With detectives circling and whispers about the women in his past resurfacing, Tavish races to uncover what really happened—and discovers that the “perfect” family he married into was hiding darker secrets than he ever imagined.
👨👧 Tavish is a fascinating main character: flawed, complicated, and constantly balancing guilt with survival. His past makes him both suspicious and sympathetic, and watching him untangle the lies around him is one of the most compelling parts of this story.
💞 While this isn’t a romance, the emotional threads—love, obsession, loyalty, betrayal—pull you in.
👧 Diya’s family adds tension and intrigue, especially as the truth about their polished exterior starts to unravel.
✍️ Nalini Singh delivers a sharp, fast-moving thriller with plenty of twists, high drama, and emotional complexity. Some threads feel underexplored and certain sections drag a bit—but the red herrings, reveals, and tense atmosphere absolutely deliver. The interwoven timelines and background stories deepen the mystery and keep you hooked.
🌟 Such a Perfect Family is an explosive domestic thriller with a morally tangled heart. Dark secrets, messy pasts, and twist after twist—this one kept me turning pages late into the night. It’s gripping, bold, and full of unexpected turns. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📲 QOTD: Do you prefer thrillers where you trust the main character—or where you’re doubting them the entire time?
Alternate QOTD (for non-thriller readers): What’s the best twist you’ve ever read (in any genre)?
👇 #BookReview #SuchAPerfectFamily #NaliniSingh #ThrillerBooks #DomesticThriller #MysteryReads #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #PlotTwist #UnreliableNarrator #PsychologicalThriller #BookRecs #PageTurner #BookTok #ReadingCommunity
Read if you like: domestic thrillers · morally gray heroes · messy family secrets · twisty investigations
📚 Tavish Advani thinks he’s finally escaped the shadows of his past—until the night his new in-laws’ home erupts in flames. His wife lies stabbed and comatose, her family presumed dead, and every detail of the tragedy points straight back to him. With detectives circling and whispers about the women in his past resurfacing, Tavish races to uncover what really happened—and discovers that the “perfect” family he married into was hiding darker secrets than he ever imagined.
👨👧 Tavish is a fascinating main character: flawed, complicated, and constantly balancing guilt with survival. His past makes him both suspicious and sympathetic, and watching him untangle the lies around him is one of the most compelling parts of this story.
💞 While this isn’t a romance, the emotional threads—love, obsession, loyalty, betrayal—pull you in.
👧 Diya’s family adds tension and intrigue, especially as the truth about their polished exterior starts to unravel.
✍️ Nalini Singh delivers a sharp, fast-moving thriller with plenty of twists, high drama, and emotional complexity. Some threads feel underexplored and certain sections drag a bit—but the red herrings, reveals, and tense atmosphere absolutely deliver. The interwoven timelines and background stories deepen the mystery and keep you hooked.
🌟 Such a Perfect Family is an explosive domestic thriller with a morally tangled heart. Dark secrets, messy pasts, and twist after twist—this one kept me turning pages late into the night. It’s gripping, bold, and full of unexpected turns. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📲 QOTD: Do you prefer thrillers where you trust the main character—or where you’re doubting them the entire time?
Alternate QOTD (for non-thriller readers): What’s the best twist you’ve ever read (in any genre)?
👇 #BookReview #SuchAPerfectFamily #NaliniSingh #ThrillerBooks #DomesticThriller #MysteryReads #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #PlotTwist #UnreliableNarrator #PsychologicalThriller #BookRecs #PageTurner #BookTok #ReadingCommunity
January 14, 2026
📚 Book Review 📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gifted Copy 💌 thank you to Berkley Publishing for the free copy !!
Wow! what a ride this was.
We’re introduced to Tavish and Diya, who have just had a whirlwind shotgun wedding in Vegas. Almost immediately, tragedy strikes within the first few pages, and from that moment on, you’re thrown into a gripping mystery trying to figure out who’s behind this horrific crime.
My suspicions changed constantly. Every chapter had me pointing fingers at someone new, only to completely rethink everything a few pages later. The twists kept coming, and the tension never let up. And that ending? Definitely not what I expected. You truly don’t know who to trust.
I really enjoyed the writing style, it keeps you fully invested and desperate to know what actually happened.
The story moves back and forth between Tavish’s past and his present, slowly revealing the complicated life he’s lived. Tavish has found himself in more than a few interesting predicaments and is very much a ladies’ man. I liked that we got perspectives from the women in his life, along with glimpses into their pasts. It added depth to the story and made their roles feel meaningful rather than secondary. Really liked the Susie W perspective.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the South Asian representation. From Diya’s mehndi to mentions of eating sugarcane, and even the subtle (but very real) way some mothers favor their sons…it all felt authentic. As a South Asian reader, these details made me feel more connected to the story, especially since we don’t often see this kind of representation in thrillers.
At first, I did find it a bit strange how much Tavish thought about the women from his past despite being newly married. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clearer why those relationships stayed with him, given the unusual and intense circumstances surrounding each one.
Overall, this was an engaging, fast-paced thriller that kept me guessing until the end. I would’ve easily finished it in one sitting if life hadn’t gotten in the way. I’d definitely recommend this to thriller lovers looking for twists, suspense, and strong cultural representation.
Gifted Copy 💌 thank you to Berkley Publishing for the free copy !!
Wow! what a ride this was.
We’re introduced to Tavish and Diya, who have just had a whirlwind shotgun wedding in Vegas. Almost immediately, tragedy strikes within the first few pages, and from that moment on, you’re thrown into a gripping mystery trying to figure out who’s behind this horrific crime.
My suspicions changed constantly. Every chapter had me pointing fingers at someone new, only to completely rethink everything a few pages later. The twists kept coming, and the tension never let up. And that ending? Definitely not what I expected. You truly don’t know who to trust.
I really enjoyed the writing style, it keeps you fully invested and desperate to know what actually happened.
The story moves back and forth between Tavish’s past and his present, slowly revealing the complicated life he’s lived. Tavish has found himself in more than a few interesting predicaments and is very much a ladies’ man. I liked that we got perspectives from the women in his life, along with glimpses into their pasts. It added depth to the story and made their roles feel meaningful rather than secondary. Really liked the Susie W perspective.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the South Asian representation. From Diya’s mehndi to mentions of eating sugarcane, and even the subtle (but very real) way some mothers favor their sons…it all felt authentic. As a South Asian reader, these details made me feel more connected to the story, especially since we don’t often see this kind of representation in thrillers.
At first, I did find it a bit strange how much Tavish thought about the women from his past despite being newly married. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clearer why those relationships stayed with him, given the unusual and intense circumstances surrounding each one.
Overall, this was an engaging, fast-paced thriller that kept me guessing until the end. I would’ve easily finished it in one sitting if life hadn’t gotten in the way. I’d definitely recommend this to thriller lovers looking for twists, suspense, and strong cultural representation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
SUCH A PERFECT FAMILY was an engaging and twisty psychological thriller. Told by Tavish Advani, it is the story of love in all its variations. Tavish is the son of a noted Hollywood actress and a famed Hollywood lawyer. He is the second son and is unwanted. He was raised by a woman who not only didn't love him but didn't like him either. He was often protected by his father but only when his father felt it wouldn't go against his mother whom he loved.
Falling in love with a young woman named Diya. Their whirlwind romance led to a Vegas wedding and then a move to her family home in New Zealand. There he encounters a lifestyle that is different than his own and parents who want to maintain face as Indian parents. He and Diya pretend not to be married so that they can be married again in a blow-out Indian wedding.
Before that event can happen, there is a fire at Diya's parent's home that kills them and probably kills her older brother Bobby. The only survivors are Diya and her sister-in-law Shumi. both were gravely injured are in intensive care at the hospital.
Tavish wants to find out about a cryptic comment Diya speaks as he is rescuing her. His investigation leads to finding out an awful lot about what is behind the image of a perfect family and how it shaped his wife. He needs to find out fast, because the local police aren't convinced that he didn't set the fire and attempt to murder his wife.
Tavish had a troubled past in Los Angeles. He was a suspect in the deaths of three other older women that he was involved with. There are notes from a police officer in LA who is certain that Tavish killed the women and is working to prove it to the point of obsession.
I enjoyed this thriller and had trouble putting it down even to sleep.
Falling in love with a young woman named Diya. Their whirlwind romance led to a Vegas wedding and then a move to her family home in New Zealand. There he encounters a lifestyle that is different than his own and parents who want to maintain face as Indian parents. He and Diya pretend not to be married so that they can be married again in a blow-out Indian wedding.
Before that event can happen, there is a fire at Diya's parent's home that kills them and probably kills her older brother Bobby. The only survivors are Diya and her sister-in-law Shumi. both were gravely injured are in intensive care at the hospital.
Tavish wants to find out about a cryptic comment Diya speaks as he is rescuing her. His investigation leads to finding out an awful lot about what is behind the image of a perfect family and how it shaped his wife. He needs to find out fast, because the local police aren't convinced that he didn't set the fire and attempt to murder his wife.
Tavish had a troubled past in Los Angeles. He was a suspect in the deaths of three other older women that he was involved with. There are notes from a police officer in LA who is certain that Tavish killed the women and is working to prove it to the point of obsession.
I enjoyed this thriller and had trouble putting it down even to sleep.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is about a guy who marries into what looks like a flawless, wealthy family after a whirlwind romance, only for everything to implode when a deadly fire leaves his wife in a coma and her family nearly wiped out. As suspicion closes in on him because of his past and other women who died around him, he starts digging into what really happened and realizes his wife’s “perfect” family was hiding something far darker than it appeared.
I’ll be honest, I never knew who to trust in this book, and that includes our narrator. Everyone felt suspicious at some point, and there were plenty of moments where I was convinced he was hiding something. Then I’d change my mind and decide they were all up to no good. It kept me mentally flipping theories back and forth, fully invested in trying to piece everything together, even though I could never quite land on the answer.
What I really appreciated is that I only figured things out once the author clearly wanted me to. The clues were there, but they came together in a way that felt intentional, like she was finally handing the reader enough to have that small “aha” moment. That made the mystery feel earned rather than predictable.
This is definitely a slower burn, heavy on tension and atmosphere, and it kept me engaged because I genuinely wanted to see how everything would play out. I do think it could have been about fifty pages shorter and a bit tighter in places, but overall I found it very entertaining. I’m landing at three and a half stars, rounding up to four, because the writing itself was strong and well executed.
I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley from the publisher, Berkeley. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.
I’ll be honest, I never knew who to trust in this book, and that includes our narrator. Everyone felt suspicious at some point, and there were plenty of moments where I was convinced he was hiding something. Then I’d change my mind and decide they were all up to no good. It kept me mentally flipping theories back and forth, fully invested in trying to piece everything together, even though I could never quite land on the answer.
What I really appreciated is that I only figured things out once the author clearly wanted me to. The clues were there, but they came together in a way that felt intentional, like she was finally handing the reader enough to have that small “aha” moment. That made the mystery feel earned rather than predictable.
This is definitely a slower burn, heavy on tension and atmosphere, and it kept me engaged because I genuinely wanted to see how everything would play out. I do think it could have been about fifty pages shorter and a bit tighter in places, but overall I found it very entertaining. I’m landing at three and a half stars, rounding up to four, because the writing itself was strong and well executed.
I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley from the publisher, Berkeley. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.
December 20, 2025
4 dark mystery stars
This is my first read by this prolific, highly rated New Zealand writer, Nalini Singh. Expertly plotted and paced, this one kept me on my toes. I tried to be a good sleuth on this one, and I did correctly guess a few things, but I was wildly off in other areas. Isn’t that the best?
Tavish Advani is our main character here, and I kept wondering if he was an unreliable narrator or if I should trust everything. He’s very newly married into a respected family of doctors. Since Tavish and Diya had a quick Las Vegas wedding, her parents wanted to do another ceremony.
The book opens with a bang! While Tavish is out taking care of a wedding errand, his new family suffers a terrible tragedy, including death, attempted murder, and the burning of the family's house to the ground. Diya remains in a coma, and her sister-in-law is also in bad shape.
There are some chapters from a detective in Tavish’s past, too. This detective is investigating Tavish’s string of bad luck with the deaths of women (many wealthy and older) with whom he was involved. Has the same thing happened here with Diya? Is he after the family money?
As Tavish is pursued as a suspect, he investigates on his own to find out what happened to his new family. Could the golden child, Bobby, be behind everything?
This one was a bit darker than I expected, but I was totally invested in it and couldn’t wait to find out the truth. I would definitely read more from this author in the future.
My thanks to Berkley for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one. Scheduled to release on 1.27.2026.
This is my first read by this prolific, highly rated New Zealand writer, Nalini Singh. Expertly plotted and paced, this one kept me on my toes. I tried to be a good sleuth on this one, and I did correctly guess a few things, but I was wildly off in other areas. Isn’t that the best?
Tavish Advani is our main character here, and I kept wondering if he was an unreliable narrator or if I should trust everything. He’s very newly married into a respected family of doctors. Since Tavish and Diya had a quick Las Vegas wedding, her parents wanted to do another ceremony.
The book opens with a bang! While Tavish is out taking care of a wedding errand, his new family suffers a terrible tragedy, including death, attempted murder, and the burning of the family's house to the ground. Diya remains in a coma, and her sister-in-law is also in bad shape.
There are some chapters from a detective in Tavish’s past, too. This detective is investigating Tavish’s string of bad luck with the deaths of women (many wealthy and older) with whom he was involved. Has the same thing happened here with Diya? Is he after the family money?
As Tavish is pursued as a suspect, he investigates on his own to find out what happened to his new family. Could the golden child, Bobby, be behind everything?
This one was a bit darker than I expected, but I was totally invested in it and couldn’t wait to find out the truth. I would definitely read more from this author in the future.
My thanks to Berkley for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one. Scheduled to release on 1.27.2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An advance copy of this book was provided to me for free from the publisher.
A slow-burn thriller with the truth always just out of reach, Such a Perfect Family by Nalini Singh will keep you guessing until its final pages. After a whirlwind romance that ends in a spontaneous Vegas wedding, Tavish uproots his life in Los Angeles and moves to Rotorua, New Zealand to live with his wealthy new in-laws. The night after his engagement party, a devastating house fire leaves his wife, Diya, fighting for her life in the ICU and his past and the mysterious deaths of all of his rich, older exes places him as the prime suspect.
There are so many elements of this story I enjoyed from the slow burn tension of uncovering who Tavish is, the lush New Zealand setting, to the way that family dynamics and past trauma impact each character’s current relationships that I became completely immersed in the storytelling. I loved how Singh wove in various points of view to build in color and context to Tavish’s story and make you wary of his motives while I also hoping he’s innocent. The build to the final reveal was intentional and both clues and red herrings were peppered throughout to keep me invested and one step behind the twists in the story. I especially appreciated the inclusion of Indo-Fijian, Samoan, and Kiwi culture, which added nuance and richness to the relationships featured and heightened the emotional stakes as tensions escalated.
✨ If you enjoy slow-burn psychological thrillers with layered family secrets, Such a Perfect Family belongs on your reading list.
A slow-burn thriller with the truth always just out of reach, Such a Perfect Family by Nalini Singh will keep you guessing until its final pages. After a whirlwind romance that ends in a spontaneous Vegas wedding, Tavish uproots his life in Los Angeles and moves to Rotorua, New Zealand to live with his wealthy new in-laws. The night after his engagement party, a devastating house fire leaves his wife, Diya, fighting for her life in the ICU and his past and the mysterious deaths of all of his rich, older exes places him as the prime suspect.
There are so many elements of this story I enjoyed from the slow burn tension of uncovering who Tavish is, the lush New Zealand setting, to the way that family dynamics and past trauma impact each character’s current relationships that I became completely immersed in the storytelling. I loved how Singh wove in various points of view to build in color and context to Tavish’s story and make you wary of his motives while I also hoping he’s innocent. The build to the final reveal was intentional and both clues and red herrings were peppered throughout to keep me invested and one step behind the twists in the story. I especially appreciated the inclusion of Indo-Fijian, Samoan, and Kiwi culture, which added nuance and richness to the relationships featured and heightened the emotional stakes as tensions escalated.
✨ If you enjoy slow-burn psychological thrillers with layered family secrets, Such a Perfect Family belongs on your reading list.
January 5, 2026
Such a Perfect Family by Nalini Singh. Thanks to @berkleypub for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tavish is devastated when his new wife is injured and in a coma; her family gone. He thought he left drama behind when he moved from LA. He finds it’s hard to leave behind his past when he has a history of cozying up to wealthy women who wind up dead.
Give this one a try if you enjoy slow burn thrillers a mysteries. It starts very exciting with a fire and the suspense begins not knowing why it was started or why the residents were injured first. I found the past investigation notes interesting but also unrealistic, as they contained jokes and opinions; did not see like real detective notes. However, they were fun to read. While you’re reading this book, you won’t know who to trust. There are some slow moments while Tavish looks for info, but secrets and more will come out.
“There’s no such thing as justice. It’s all legal chess. First one to checkmate wins.”
Read this if you like:
-Indian-American families
-Wealthy families with secrets
-Characters with a past
Such a Perfect Family comes out 1/27.
Tavish is devastated when his new wife is injured and in a coma; her family gone. He thought he left drama behind when he moved from LA. He finds it’s hard to leave behind his past when he has a history of cozying up to wealthy women who wind up dead.
Give this one a try if you enjoy slow burn thrillers a mysteries. It starts very exciting with a fire and the suspense begins not knowing why it was started or why the residents were injured first. I found the past investigation notes interesting but also unrealistic, as they contained jokes and opinions; did not see like real detective notes. However, they were fun to read. While you’re reading this book, you won’t know who to trust. There are some slow moments while Tavish looks for info, but secrets and more will come out.
“There’s no such thing as justice. It’s all legal chess. First one to checkmate wins.”
Read this if you like:
-Indian-American families
-Wealthy families with secrets
-Characters with a past
Such a Perfect Family comes out 1/27.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
WOW!! Who do you trust? Tavish has just married his dream girl, Diya, and moved into the home of her wealthy family in New Zealand. He only gets to enjoy his perfect life for a few days when the family home catches on fire and kills or grievously injures almost everyone in Diya's family. Diya is comatose. Dealing with the aftermath causes all of the family skeletons and cracks to come falling out. Poor Tavish. Oh, wait! Back in LA, which Tavish just moved from, a detective is investigating the deaths of three older, wealthy women with ties to Tavish. Hmmmm.... maybe Tavish has secrets too. So, we don't trust Tavish. Then we learn more about someone else and don't trust that person, then someone else and so on. Pretty soon it becomes clear that everyone has secrets that they may or may not kill to keep. This was a well written suspense thriller. A few draggy parts toward the middle, but overall, very fast paced and I was on the edge of my seat throughout. I have enjoyed several other books from this author and look forward to more.
Thank you to #Netgalley, Nalini Singh and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to #Netgalley, Nalini Singh and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m very familiar with Nalini Singh’s work as a longtime fan of her Guild Hunter and Psy-Changeling series, along with her various stand-alone; but Such a Perfect Family still managed to completely pull me in. I was fully committed to the story and genuinely couldn’t figure out who was responsible until the very end, which made the experience even more satisfying.
The story is filled with twists, turns, and surprises, and while there are several narrative voices, it’s easy to follow what’s happening throughout. The characters are interesting, deeply flawed (which only makes them more compelling), and well developed. The plot itself is unexpected, tightly constructed, and well executed, keeping the tension high from start to finish.
I continue to look forward to Nalini Singh’s work in this suspense/mystery romance vein. I honestly think her stories in this genre keep getting better with each new release. I appreciated the opportunity to read and review this ARC and thank the publisher for providing it.
The story is filled with twists, turns, and surprises, and while there are several narrative voices, it’s easy to follow what’s happening throughout. The characters are interesting, deeply flawed (which only makes them more compelling), and well developed. The plot itself is unexpected, tightly constructed, and well executed, keeping the tension high from start to finish.
I continue to look forward to Nalini Singh’s work in this suspense/mystery romance vein. I honestly think her stories in this genre keep getting better with each new release. I appreciated the opportunity to read and review this ARC and thank the publisher for providing it.
January 12, 2026
3.75/5
Such a Perfect Family had a really interesting premise that drew me to it. A murder mystery investigation into a seemingly perfect family after a foreign husband with a trail of suspicious deaths to his name marries in creates an atmosphere of suspense from the start. As the story progresses, you follow along with Tavish as he investigates his new wife's family as a detective from LA investigates his previous relationships. The author keeps you on your toes with who you can trust, and it was interesting to learn more about Tavish's and the family's pasts as he explores their history. I was hoping for more integration between Tavish's past and the current events of the story, without a link between the two, the storylines felt very separate, like they did not really impact each other beyond placing further suspicion on Tavish. I did enjoy the story trajectory though; I appreciate that while some parts of the story felt predictable, there were many twists that I did not see coming. Overall this was an interesting thriller to read, and I loved the exploration into Indo-Fijian culture I saw through this read!
Thank you Berkley Publishing for the ARC!
Such a Perfect Family had a really interesting premise that drew me to it. A murder mystery investigation into a seemingly perfect family after a foreign husband with a trail of suspicious deaths to his name marries in creates an atmosphere of suspense from the start. As the story progresses, you follow along with Tavish as he investigates his new wife's family as a detective from LA investigates his previous relationships. The author keeps you on your toes with who you can trust, and it was interesting to learn more about Tavish's and the family's pasts as he explores their history. I was hoping for more integration between Tavish's past and the current events of the story, without a link between the two, the storylines felt very separate, like they did not really impact each other beyond placing further suspicion on Tavish. I did enjoy the story trajectory though; I appreciate that while some parts of the story felt predictable, there were many twists that I did not see coming. Overall this was an interesting thriller to read, and I loved the exploration into Indo-Fijian culture I saw through this read!
Thank you Berkley Publishing for the ARC!
October 10, 2025
Let’s start by saying I have loved reading books by Nalini Singh for years and years. I’ve followed her across genres and mostly enjoyed everything I’ve read all. I struggled to stay interested with this one. I didn’t find the main character sympathetic and didn’t get any really strong feelings for any of the characters. I realize that the main character was supposed to be a suspect, but maybe if she had started with them as a couple and we got to develop feelings for them before the big explosion I would’ve cared more. I put the book down several times and forced myself to finish it. I guessed the killer pretty early too. So for me, this was a fail. I do appreciate receiving the advanced reader copy from NetGalley . All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book gripped me right away and didn’t let go until the last page. I loved that we dropped right into the action and didn’t need a whole buildup. I actually enjoyed learning about Tavish and Diya’s histories as the story unfolded because it made everything a lot more mysterious. It was really interesting that Tavish is an outsider who has newly entered this family so he doesn’t really know anything about their histories, so he’s learning things at the same time as the reader.
I did guess the ending before it happend but it honestly didn’t take away from the story. If anything Singh was still able to throw some twists in there that I didn’t see coming.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fast-paced thriller with lots of emotional family dysfunction.
I did guess the ending before it happend but it honestly didn’t take away from the story. If anything Singh was still able to throw some twists in there that I didn’t see coming.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fast-paced thriller with lots of emotional family dysfunction.
January 5, 2026
4 stars
Entertaining suspense novel — mislabeled as a romance on Fable!
I was entertained the whole time, though some parts did drag towards the middle. My suspicions were all over the place, drifting from one character to the next, and I was pretty shocked by the ending!
Tavish was a fun main character to follow around — you really have no clue how reliable he is and that makes for a fun story full of twists and turns.
I loved the time / POV jumps in between present chapters! These added so much intrigue and suspense to the story, and really added to my uncertainty about who to trust.
All of that good, though I did hate the way mental health was talked about in this book. Diya was on anti-depressants and suddenly she’s crazy? How many times are they going to call a mental health provider a “shrink?” The demeaning way mental illness was talked about for old quickly.
Otherwise, this book was entertaining and surprising! I’d check out this author again.
Entertaining suspense novel — mislabeled as a romance on Fable!
I was entertained the whole time, though some parts did drag towards the middle. My suspicions were all over the place, drifting from one character to the next, and I was pretty shocked by the ending!
Tavish was a fun main character to follow around — you really have no clue how reliable he is and that makes for a fun story full of twists and turns.
I loved the time / POV jumps in between present chapters! These added so much intrigue and suspense to the story, and really added to my uncertainty about who to trust.
All of that good, though I did hate the way mental health was talked about in this book. Diya was on anti-depressants and suddenly she’s crazy? How many times are they going to call a mental health provider a “shrink?” The demeaning way mental illness was talked about for old quickly.
Otherwise, this book was entertaining and surprising! I’d check out this author again.
November 28, 2025
This book should be called “not such a perfect family” because secrets and lies abound in this seemingly close families lives.
When Tavish went visit his new wife’s family, he couldn’t have imagined the deadly accident that leaves his wife clinging to life and other members presumed dead. Naturally, as the husband, he is the prime suspect (and for good reason). In order to prove his innocence he must investigate the secrets his wife tried to keep from him about her family and in the process keep some of his own from exploding out into the world.
This thriller keeps you engaged with drama and intrigue while still feeling somewhat believable.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
When Tavish went visit his new wife’s family, he couldn’t have imagined the deadly accident that leaves his wife clinging to life and other members presumed dead. Naturally, as the husband, he is the prime suspect (and for good reason). In order to prove his innocence he must investigate the secrets his wife tried to keep from him about her family and in the process keep some of his own from exploding out into the world.
This thriller keeps you engaged with drama and intrigue while still feeling somewhat believable.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
December 7, 2025
Tavish and his wife Diya have left California to introduce him to her family in New Zealand. When
Tavish returns to his wife's family home, he discovers the property on fire and instantly tries to locate
Diya. Diya is found, bleeding from stab wounds. Her sister-in-law is also found and also bleeding
from stab wounds. They appear to be the only two survivors. As the police investigate, Tavish's past
comes into play. In addition, more is revealed about his in-laws' private lives. Twists and turns as
more information is revealed and the real killer unmasked. Story of love, obsession, loyalty and betrayal.
#SuchaPerfectFamily #BerkleyPuyblishingGroup #NetGalley
Tavish returns to his wife's family home, he discovers the property on fire and instantly tries to locate
Diya. Diya is found, bleeding from stab wounds. Her sister-in-law is also found and also bleeding
from stab wounds. They appear to be the only two survivors. As the police investigate, Tavish's past
comes into play. In addition, more is revealed about his in-laws' private lives. Twists and turns as
more information is revealed and the real killer unmasked. Story of love, obsession, loyalty and betrayal.
#SuchaPerfectFamily #BerkleyPuyblishingGroup #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Trust no one. Everyone has a story to tell. Some of them are true, some aren't. In a book where everyone lies, they all have secrets, and you can trust no one, it's hard to tell who the good guys are or if there even are any.
I absolutely loved this story. It kept me on my toes, turning the pages, and eagerly devouring each new chapter. I just couldn't get enough of it. And just when I thought I had it all figured out, a new twist, a new lead, a new deception threw it all into question again. This was hard to put down and one I will be thinking about for days after.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I absolutely loved this story. It kept me on my toes, turning the pages, and eagerly devouring each new chapter. I just couldn't get enough of it. And just when I thought I had it all figured out, a new twist, a new lead, a new deception threw it all into question again. This was hard to put down and one I will be thinking about for days after.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Tavish is recently married and is so happy. He returns to find his in-laws house on fire and his wife and sister in law barely alive. Tavish is the number one suspect because of his past. He thought he left his past behind when he moved. He has been under suspicion since three of his previous relationships ended in death. He is charming but is he a killer?
He knows he is innocent but he must uncover the families secrets to clear his name. This is a dark thriller with plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. A story of obsession that went to far.
Thank you Berkley Publishing for gifted copy.
He knows he is innocent but he must uncover the families secrets to clear his name. This is a dark thriller with plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. A story of obsession that went to far.
Thank you Berkley Publishing for gifted copy.
August 24, 2025
Such a Perfect Family pulled me in from chapter 1. I could not put the book down. Following Tavish through his past relationships and navigate a tragedy in a new relationship, had me wanting to read more to see if they were connected and what goes going to happen. Nalini Singh does romantic suspense well.
Thank you Berkley for a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Thank you Berkley for a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
January 9, 2026
I received an ARC from the publisher -- thank you Berkley!
I loved this story. A domestic thriller with a lot of drama, twists, and turns! I love how the MMC's past was woven through this storyline, making it seem like he was the perfect serial killer. The final twist really threw me, but I loved the story!
I loved this story. A domestic thriller with a lot of drama, twists, and turns! I love how the MMC's past was woven through this storyline, making it seem like he was the perfect serial killer. The final twist really threw me, but I loved the story!
January 4, 2026
Wow this was insanely good. Addicting plot. Plus that twist really, really had me. Honestly a very good thriller and not predictable at all. I enjoyed this read. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this read!
November 17, 2025
intense and interesting thriller with a unique and intense main character and an incredibly dramatic twist at the end. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
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