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Perfect Wives
Three identical murder confessions. Three perfect liars…
On a sunny Saturday morning, three women from the exclusive gated community of Magnolia Close walk into their local police station.
One by one, they all confess to the murder of their neighbour.
The officer takes statements from Tasha, the overwhelmed mother also struggling under the weight of caring for her parents. Beth, the quiet one, desperate for another baby but unable to fall pregnant. Georgie, the one whose life seems so dazzlingly glamorous… on the surface.
Each woman has a life – a family – that they don’t want to lose.
Each woman has a reason for wanting Johnny dead.
Each woman claims she killed him.
All of them are lying.
Three motives. Three confessions. Three liars. But what would make these women destroy their perfect lives?
An absolutely gripping, addictive, close-knit community psychological thriller that will have you breathlessly flipping the pages! Perfect for fans of Big Little Lies , The Couple Next Door and The Family Upstairs .
Readers are LOVING Perfect Wives :
‘Shut the front door!!… Wowed me… Head-spinning… Fast-paced, twisty… Had me frantically flipping the pages well into the night. I absolutely could not stop reading… The ending was a gasp-out-loud, what did I just read moment… A must-read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow – Lauren North has done it again!… Hooked from the very first page… I absolutely did not see the final twist coming… Gripping… Clever… Compelling… Brilliant.’ read_with_sophie, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow!… Sensational… Simmering tension that never lets up… Delicious… I couldn't put it down.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A cracker of a story… One you won’t be able to put down... I loved… I was hooked to the end and I wasn’t expecting the final reveal! If you want to be gripped, this one’s for you.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Perfectly executed… So clever with its twists and reveals… Hooked the whole way through.’ roxyrecommends, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Strong… The ending twist is huge – I literally did not see it coming at all… Excellent.
On a sunny Saturday morning, three women from the exclusive gated community of Magnolia Close walk into their local police station.
One by one, they all confess to the murder of their neighbour.
The officer takes statements from Tasha, the overwhelmed mother also struggling under the weight of caring for her parents. Beth, the quiet one, desperate for another baby but unable to fall pregnant. Georgie, the one whose life seems so dazzlingly glamorous… on the surface.
Each woman has a life – a family – that they don’t want to lose.
Each woman has a reason for wanting Johnny dead.
Each woman claims she killed him.
All of them are lying.
Three motives. Three confessions. Three liars. But what would make these women destroy their perfect lives?
An absolutely gripping, addictive, close-knit community psychological thriller that will have you breathlessly flipping the pages! Perfect for fans of Big Little Lies , The Couple Next Door and The Family Upstairs .
Readers are LOVING Perfect Wives :
‘Shut the front door!!… Wowed me… Head-spinning… Fast-paced, twisty… Had me frantically flipping the pages well into the night. I absolutely could not stop reading… The ending was a gasp-out-loud, what did I just read moment… A must-read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow – Lauren North has done it again!… Hooked from the very first page… I absolutely did not see the final twist coming… Gripping… Clever… Compelling… Brilliant.’ read_with_sophie, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow!… Sensational… Simmering tension that never lets up… Delicious… I couldn't put it down.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A cracker of a story… One you won’t be able to put down... I loved… I was hooked to the end and I wasn’t expecting the final reveal! If you want to be gripped, this one’s for you.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Perfectly executed… So clever with its twists and reveals… Hooked the whole way through.’ roxyrecommends, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Strong… The ending twist is huge – I literally did not see it coming at all… Excellent.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2025
587 people are currently reading
637 people want to read
About the author
Lauren North
15 books517 followersLauren writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. She has a lifelong passion for writing, reading, and all things books. Lauren’s love of psychological suspense has grown since childhood and her dark imagination of always wondering what’s the worst thing that could happen in every situation.
Lauren studied psychology before moving to London where she lived and worked for many years. She now lives with her family in the Suffolk countryside. Readers can follow Lauren on Twitter @Lauren_C_North and Facebook @LaurenNorthAuthor
Lauren studied psychology before moving to London where she lived and worked for many years. She now lives with her family in the Suffolk countryside. Readers can follow Lauren on Twitter @Lauren_C_North and Facebook @LaurenNorthAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
December 21, 2025
Three Perfect Wives walk into a bar...
Three wives walk into a police station confessing to killing the neighborhood pest but are they telling the truth and what are they really hiding!?
What a twisty fun popcorn thriller. The issues was catty, the women and the husbands were insufferable but i enjoyed following their privileged drama!
The author set up a great plot and really steered me away from the real truth!
I did not see the twist coming! (Which i love)
So excited to see what she writes next!
Three wives walk into a police station confessing to killing the neighborhood pest but are they telling the truth and what are they really hiding!?
What a twisty fun popcorn thriller. The issues was catty, the women and the husbands were insufferable but i enjoyed following their privileged drama!
The author set up a great plot and really steered me away from the real truth!
I did not see the twist coming! (Which i love)
So excited to see what she writes next!
October 18, 2025
Three women from an exclusive gated community walk into a police station and confess to killing the same man.
All women claim single responsibility for the murder.
Who is telling the truth?
This tense, twisty, and highly atmospheric multiple-confession domestic thriller boasted a "Strangers on a Train" element and unfolded from the POVs of three deeply flawed female protagonists.
The book's beginning was very, very slow-burn.
Frequently, I had to urge myself to "Stick With It" and not push the stop button on my phone.
Fortunately, the book's final chapters picked up and elevated my star rating.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Genevieve Swallow.
Although Genevieve Swallow gave a superb performance, the book would have benefited from three narrators since it unfolded from three POVS.
Many times it was difficult to discern who was saying what.
I am a huge Lauren North fan and always enjoy her "Author's Note" at the end of her books.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars, rounded up.
October 14, 2025
Perfect Wives commit the perfect murder. Everyone has a motive, but is everyone guilty? Magnolia Close appears to be an idyllic community. It's a safe place where neighbors look out for each other. When a member of this caring group is murdered, the perfect facade is fractured, and suspicion spreads like wildfire. The author asks the question “Why would someone confess to a murder they didn't commit?” This addictive thriller explores this puzzling question. This is a tale of friendship, deception, and desperation. I was immediately pulled into the Magnolia Close mom group. The drama and deceit of the story were suspenseful, entertaining, and full of countless twists and turns. I highly recommend this twisted thriller. The conclusion was unexpected and wickedly satisfying. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.
November 11, 2025
Three women walk into a police station to confess to the murder of their neighbor. Which, if any, is telling the truth? Told from alternating viewpoints and dual timelines, I had no idea where the story was going. With plenty of suspects and motives, my suspicions kept changing as the story progressed. I was kept guessing until the end, when the culprit is finally revealed in the epilogue. An addictive, entertaining domestic thriller with a unique, though somewhat implausible, plotline.
October 12, 2025
I ate this up! Fast paced from the word go I was completely enthralled.
Three wives, three friends, three neighbours, three motives and one murder with three confessions that had I’m Spartacus ringing in my mind.
Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, and while I was utterly convinced early on that I had the story pinned down, the revelation of the truth nailed I was absolutely wrong.
Great narration by Genevieve Swallow 🎧
A perfect autumn afternoon listen.
Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
Three wives, three friends, three neighbours, three motives and one murder with three confessions that had I’m Spartacus ringing in my mind.
Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, and while I was utterly convinced early on that I had the story pinned down, the revelation of the truth nailed I was absolutely wrong.
Great narration by Genevieve Swallow 🎧
A perfect autumn afternoon listen.
Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
January 25, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ | Perfect Wives is an addictive domestic thriller that proves appearances are everything and often deadly. These so-called “perfect wives” were not about to have their carefully curated lives or neighborhood disrupted, and they were absolutely willing to do whatever it took to keep Magnolia Close exactly the way they wanted it. From the first page, the tension lingers beneath the manicured lawns and polite house wife smiles.
Told through alternating timelines, before “the murder” and during the investigation, the story keeps you constantly reassessing what you think you know. The added twist of hearing from everyone who confessed was brilliant, creating layers of suspicion and making this feel like a classic whodunnit where motives are everywhere and trust is out the window. The narrator in the audiobook absolutely brought the heat & did an amazing job narrating these characters.
And let’s talk about the Magnolia Close WhatsApp group, because whew lol. That group chat was the happening place! Gossip, manipulation, alliances, and indirect threats all wrapped in emojis and passive aggressive messages.
Lauren North did a great job delivering a dark, twisty tale about friendship, control, and the danger of perfection. If you love neighborhood dramas with messy secrets, unreliable narrators, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end, this story is it. Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture for an eARC & Bolinda Audio for an ALC.
Told through alternating timelines, before “the murder” and during the investigation, the story keeps you constantly reassessing what you think you know. The added twist of hearing from everyone who confessed was brilliant, creating layers of suspicion and making this feel like a classic whodunnit where motives are everywhere and trust is out the window. The narrator in the audiobook absolutely brought the heat & did an amazing job narrating these characters.
And let’s talk about the Magnolia Close WhatsApp group, because whew lol. That group chat was the happening place! Gossip, manipulation, alliances, and indirect threats all wrapped in emojis and passive aggressive messages.
Lauren North did a great job delivering a dark, twisty tale about friendship, control, and the danger of perfection. If you love neighborhood dramas with messy secrets, unreliable narrators, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end, this story is it. Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture for an eARC & Bolinda Audio for an ALC.
October 24, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyable audiobook!
I have loved Lauren North's books for so long so couldn't wait for this one when I read the blurb! It sounded fabulous, but I was wary how well it would be executed as it sounded like it could be rather complex to pull off. Nonetheless, North did a superb job. I was utterly gripped, thinking through the story and how it could end.
The audiobook was narrated by Genevieve Swallow. I'd never listened to any of her narrations before, but she was fantastic. She was engaging, easy to listen to and did emotion and voices amazingly. I'm off to look up her other performances!
I have loved Lauren North's books for so long so couldn't wait for this one when I read the blurb! It sounded fabulous, but I was wary how well it would be executed as it sounded like it could be rather complex to pull off. Nonetheless, North did a superb job. I was utterly gripped, thinking through the story and how it could end.
The audiobook was narrated by Genevieve Swallow. I'd never listened to any of her narrations before, but she was fantastic. She was engaging, easy to listen to and did emotion and voices amazingly. I'm off to look up her other performances!
October 11, 2025
Fast paced and engaging from the opening confession, Perfect Wives grips you straight away. Three women. One dead neighbour. And three confessions that can’t all be true.
Told through the perspectives of Tasha, Beth and Georgie, this domestic thriller peels back the polished façades of a gated community to expose the secrets, lies and quiet resentments simmering beneath the surface. Each woman has her own motive, her own version of the truth — and I loved how Lauren North slowly blurred the lines between guilt and self-preservation until I wasn’t sure who to trust anymore.
I listened to the audiobook edition via @bolindaaudio, and the narration was consistently strong. The voices were distinct enough to easily follow the shifting POVs, and the emotion in each performance elevated the tension throughout. The pacing of the narration matched the writing beautifully — sharp, controlled, and perfectly timed to the unfolding drama.
A clever, character-driven thriller that kept me guessing until the end and left me thinking about how easily “perfect” can unravel.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, Lauren North, and @bolindaaudio for the opportunity to listen to this early copy.
Told through the perspectives of Tasha, Beth and Georgie, this domestic thriller peels back the polished façades of a gated community to expose the secrets, lies and quiet resentments simmering beneath the surface. Each woman has her own motive, her own version of the truth — and I loved how Lauren North slowly blurred the lines between guilt and self-preservation until I wasn’t sure who to trust anymore.
I listened to the audiobook edition via @bolindaaudio, and the narration was consistently strong. The voices were distinct enough to easily follow the shifting POVs, and the emotion in each performance elevated the tension throughout. The pacing of the narration matched the writing beautifully — sharp, controlled, and perfectly timed to the unfolding drama.
A clever, character-driven thriller that kept me guessing until the end and left me thinking about how easily “perfect” can unravel.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, Lauren North, and @bolindaaudio for the opportunity to listen to this early copy.
October 15, 2025
I devoured this book, and it made me feel very thick at times for not anticipating the next twist. Right up until the epilogue, it was still a mystery for me 😅
This was my first Lauren North novel, and I listened to the audio version, which has a great narrator! I will definitely read more by Lauren, her style reminds me a lot of Liane Moriarty.
The book focuses on three female main characters, middle class wives and mothers in a quaint English gated community, who've just found out their neighbour is dead. To be honest, I don't want to say more and give anything away.
Just know it's worth your time to read/listen.
Many thanks to Lauren, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC!
This was my first Lauren North novel, and I listened to the audio version, which has a great narrator! I will definitely read more by Lauren, her style reminds me a lot of Liane Moriarty.
The book focuses on three female main characters, middle class wives and mothers in a quaint English gated community, who've just found out their neighbour is dead. To be honest, I don't want to say more and give anything away.
Just know it's worth your time to read/listen.
Many thanks to Lauren, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC!
October 22, 2025
Perfect Wives
By: Lauren North
Love the cover of this book. The caption “Three identical confessions. Three perfect liars”, drew me in right away. I had a nice rainy day with a storm brewing as I flew the pages.
Why would three women confess to the same murder? They each have their reason. Do they go in willing? Have they covered their tracks? They each have something to lose. What is their motive?
Obviously, they are FAR from PERFECT!!
Get ready for one roller-coaster of a ride.
By: Lauren North
Love the cover of this book. The caption “Three identical confessions. Three perfect liars”, drew me in right away. I had a nice rainy day with a storm brewing as I flew the pages.
Why would three women confess to the same murder? They each have their reason. Do they go in willing? Have they covered their tracks? They each have something to lose. What is their motive?
Obviously, they are FAR from PERFECT!!
Get ready for one roller-coaster of a ride.
October 14, 2025
Perfect Wives by Lauren North, I have rewritten this review multiple times but there is so much in it I keep getting caught up in the details so I will just say there are three friends Beth, Tasha and Georgia they all live in Magnolia Close a gated community where everyone gets along including the husbands and the kids. They recently gained a new neighbor Johnny who all the wives dislike immensely for varying reasons. They’re also suspicious of a new mom named Kyra, who somehow got her daughter in their school. One night out at the pub Kyra interlopes on their night out and here’s them making jokes about different ways they would kill The ever hated Johnny. so when Johnny is found murdered all the women are nervous and soon they find out they have reason to be but did they do it or did someone else? They soon are being blackmailed and there is betrayal a foot but is it from the ever elusive Kyra or is someone else playing a much longer and much more dangerous game. The one thing I like about Lauren North books is that she doesn’t go down a list of tropes and write a story around that but rather create a story and perhaps it’s similar to popular tropes but more than likely it isn’t. she is one of those authors that blows off the thought that every story has been written because I find her books original entertaining and there’s always a mic drop moment at the end and the ending of this book was so good I was not expecting it and I just absolutely loved it. I hope this review gives you an idea of what the story is about because this is the one I’m posting it was a great book written by a great author. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #LaurenNorth, #PerfectWives,
September 23, 2025
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Neighbors Tasha, Beth and Georgie from a glossy, gated community all walk into the police station and confess to killing the same man.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This thriller is less about the murder and more about what simmers underneath the surface of a “perfect” street.
The vibe is pure suburban suspense - lots of domestic drama, and secrets. It’s character-driven, and I liked how each woman had her own pressures, even if I did have to keep checking which POV I was in. Their voices were sometimes similar, but a quick reminder and I was back in.
I did find myself suspending disbelief towards the end - would these women really make the choices they did? Probably not. But not gonna lie, it was too addictive to care.
The ending was a total mind-twist. Clever, unexpected, and made me grin and go back over earlier chapters!
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This probably won’t work if you can’t suspend disbelief, but well worth adding to your TBR if you’re a big fan of domestic thrillers.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this #gifted ARC.
Neighbors Tasha, Beth and Georgie from a glossy, gated community all walk into the police station and confess to killing the same man.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This thriller is less about the murder and more about what simmers underneath the surface of a “perfect” street.
The vibe is pure suburban suspense - lots of domestic drama, and secrets. It’s character-driven, and I liked how each woman had her own pressures, even if I did have to keep checking which POV I was in. Their voices were sometimes similar, but a quick reminder and I was back in.
I did find myself suspending disbelief towards the end - would these women really make the choices they did? Probably not. But not gonna lie, it was too addictive to care.
The ending was a total mind-twist. Clever, unexpected, and made me grin and go back over earlier chapters!
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This probably won’t work if you can’t suspend disbelief, but well worth adding to your TBR if you’re a big fan of domestic thrillers.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this #gifted ARC.
October 9, 2025
PERFECT WIVES by @lauren_c_north
📖 book review • pub date 10.22.25
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is my third book by this author and possibly my new favorite! Three different women show up to the police station confessing to murdering the same man, but they all said they acted alone. Who’s telling the truth?? A tight knit community is rocked after a man is found dead on their road. Except these three perfect wives who are secretly thrilled because they each hated him for their own reason.
I loved the multiple pov- getting to know each woman and their stories, and why they hated their neighbor. Cleverly written and had me turning the pages. Add to your domestic/neighborhood thriller TBR immediately. 🔪
Thanks to @bookouture for my ARC!
📖 book review • pub date 10.22.25
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is my third book by this author and possibly my new favorite! Three different women show up to the police station confessing to murdering the same man, but they all said they acted alone. Who’s telling the truth?? A tight knit community is rocked after a man is found dead on their road. Except these three perfect wives who are secretly thrilled because they each hated him for their own reason.
I loved the multiple pov- getting to know each woman and their stories, and why they hated their neighbor. Cleverly written and had me turning the pages. Add to your domestic/neighborhood thriller TBR immediately. 🔪
Thanks to @bookouture for my ARC!
November 30, 2025
A thriller where nothing is as it seems. Central to this story is 3 housewives all with a motive for murder, all with a confession. The book is told via multiple timelines and points of view! I loved the twists, and the style makes it easy to read. I have enjoyed several books by this author!
August 31, 2025
Book Review: Perfect Wives by Lauren North
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow—Lauren North has done it again! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of her latest novel Perfect Wives(publishing 22nd October), and I was hooked from the very first page. Three women walk into a police station and confess to the same crime—but can any of them be trusted? And why would they all confess?
I absolutely did not see the final twist coming. I suspected that not everything was as it seemed, but I never could have predicted how it would all unfold. The story is set on a picture-perfect street in a charming English town, yet beneath the polished exterior lurks something much darker. It’s a sharp reminder that no matter how perfect someone’s life looks on the outside, you never really know what’s happening behind closed doors.
With its gripping pace, clever twists, and compelling cast of characters, Perfect Wives is a brilliant thriller from one of my favourite authors. Be sure to grab a copy when it’s released later this year!
Wow—Lauren North has done it again! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of her latest novel Perfect Wives(publishing 22nd October), and I was hooked from the very first page. Three women walk into a police station and confess to the same crime—but can any of them be trusted? And why would they all confess?
I absolutely did not see the final twist coming. I suspected that not everything was as it seemed, but I never could have predicted how it would all unfold. The story is set on a picture-perfect street in a charming English town, yet beneath the polished exterior lurks something much darker. It’s a sharp reminder that no matter how perfect someone’s life looks on the outside, you never really know what’s happening behind closed doors.
With its gripping pace, clever twists, and compelling cast of characters, Perfect Wives is a brilliant thriller from one of my favourite authors. Be sure to grab a copy when it’s released later this year!
September 8, 2025
Three women. Three secrets. One neighborhood of lies. Those are the kinds of tangled dramas I can’t get enough of! Perfect Wives by Lauren North was a domestic thriller that peeled back the glossy layers of suburban perfection to reveal the messy truths underneath.
This story was set in the exclusive gated community of Magnolia Close, Perfect Wives follows three women—Tasha, Beth, and Georgie—whose seemingly perfect lives unraveled when their neighbor Johnny was found dead. In a shocking twist, all three confessed to killing him, forcing buried secrets, lies, and betrayals to surface as the truth slowly came to light.
To date I’ve read three of North’s novels. All of which I have devoured and highly recommend. I love how North’s writing style is crisp and engaging, with a strong focus on character psychology and interpersonal tension. She captures the glossy, competitive world of suburban life while slowly building suspense, and her multiple perspectives keep the story layered and absorbing.
In Perfect Wives, North seamlessly blended character-driven drama with sharp psychological suspense, she kept me constantly guessing about the motives and alliances right up until the truth was revealed. I also really enjoyed how North gave each woman—Gracie, Juliette, and Cassandra—a distinct voice, and I liked the way their stories intertwined with plenty of tension, drama, and that voyeuristic “behind closed doors” feel that makes domestic thrillers so addictive. At the same time, some of the twists felt a little predictable and a few sections dragged, which dulled the impact in places. Still, the mix of secrets, shifting loyalties, and simmering suspense kept me hooked, making this a compelling and entertaining read overall. I definitely recommend this book to readers who love juicy suburban secrets and twisty domestic suspense.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture for this engaging ARC in exchange for my review.
This story was set in the exclusive gated community of Magnolia Close, Perfect Wives follows three women—Tasha, Beth, and Georgie—whose seemingly perfect lives unraveled when their neighbor Johnny was found dead. In a shocking twist, all three confessed to killing him, forcing buried secrets, lies, and betrayals to surface as the truth slowly came to light.
To date I’ve read three of North’s novels. All of which I have devoured and highly recommend. I love how North’s writing style is crisp and engaging, with a strong focus on character psychology and interpersonal tension. She captures the glossy, competitive world of suburban life while slowly building suspense, and her multiple perspectives keep the story layered and absorbing.
In Perfect Wives, North seamlessly blended character-driven drama with sharp psychological suspense, she kept me constantly guessing about the motives and alliances right up until the truth was revealed. I also really enjoyed how North gave each woman—Gracie, Juliette, and Cassandra—a distinct voice, and I liked the way their stories intertwined with plenty of tension, drama, and that voyeuristic “behind closed doors” feel that makes domestic thrillers so addictive. At the same time, some of the twists felt a little predictable and a few sections dragged, which dulled the impact in places. Still, the mix of secrets, shifting loyalties, and simmering suspense kept me hooked, making this a compelling and entertaining read overall. I definitely recommend this book to readers who love juicy suburban secrets and twisty domestic suspense.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture for this engaging ARC in exchange for my review.
October 31, 2025
Perfect Wives was, as the title suggests, the story of three perfect wives, living in their picture perfect community of Magnolia Close.
Georgie, Beth, and Tasha has ideal lives with loving husbands and beautiful children. Nothing could go wrong in their lives right? Not until their neighbour, Jonny falls dead. And unexpectedly all three confess to his murder, separately.
Who among the three did the murder and why? This question forms the premise of the story.
The story was one with so much potential and I enjoyed it. The story was discussed in alternating glimpses of both past and present. It led me to have a perspective on the lives led by these women.
Although the premise was great, I was disheartened by the comparatively slow pace. Nothing seems to happen for some time and this thing irked me the most.
That said, the ending was unexpected and unpredictable and I enjoyed it.
Georgie, Beth, and Tasha has ideal lives with loving husbands and beautiful children. Nothing could go wrong in their lives right? Not until their neighbour, Jonny falls dead. And unexpectedly all three confess to his murder, separately.
Who among the three did the murder and why? This question forms the premise of the story.
The story was one with so much potential and I enjoyed it. The story was discussed in alternating glimpses of both past and present. It led me to have a perspective on the lives led by these women.
Although the premise was great, I was disheartened by the comparatively slow pace. Nothing seems to happen for some time and this thing irked me the most.
That said, the ending was unexpected and unpredictable and I enjoyed it.
September 19, 2025
As usual, I want to thank NetGalley, Bookouture, and Lauren North for allowing me to read Perfect Wives, publishing on October 22, 2025, in exchange for an honest review.
The plot of the book is what made me request it in the first place: one man dead, three confessions, three women with seemingly perfect lives—all with motives, but also all seeming to be lying. Or are they?
In my opinion, this was the perfect foundation for secrets, gasp-worthy moments, and plenty of plot twists.
And don’t let the three stars confuse you—this was all delivered, just not as strongly as I would have preferred. North sets the right atmosphere and uses the right words and methods to build both sympathy and suspense.
Why then, you wonder, only three stars? Pretty simple: because frankly, there’s nothing wrong with three stars. It’s still a very good book that entertained me, but there were a few things that lowered the rating.
For example, some of the twists were fairly easy to guess. But my biggest issue was the lack of emotional depth. My sympathy for all three characters was somewhat shallow, and the big reveal at the end had me furrow my brows rather than shocking me.
That said, this might just be me. Perfect Wives could be the perfect psychological thriller for you—especially if you enjoy the vibes of Desperate Housewives.
The plot of the book is what made me request it in the first place: one man dead, three confessions, three women with seemingly perfect lives—all with motives, but also all seeming to be lying. Or are they?
In my opinion, this was the perfect foundation for secrets, gasp-worthy moments, and plenty of plot twists.
And don’t let the three stars confuse you—this was all delivered, just not as strongly as I would have preferred. North sets the right atmosphere and uses the right words and methods to build both sympathy and suspense.
Why then, you wonder, only three stars? Pretty simple: because frankly, there’s nothing wrong with three stars. It’s still a very good book that entertained me, but there were a few things that lowered the rating.
For example, some of the twists were fairly easy to guess. But my biggest issue was the lack of emotional depth. My sympathy for all three characters was somewhat shallow, and the big reveal at the end had me furrow my brows rather than shocking me.
That said, this might just be me. Perfect Wives could be the perfect psychological thriller for you—especially if you enjoy the vibes of Desperate Housewives.
October 11, 2025
I’ve previously listened to books by this author on audio, this is the first one I’ve read. I read the synopsis and knew this would be right up my street and I wasn’t left disappointed!
The story revolves around 3 friends - Georgie, Tasha and Beth and is told through their perspectives. It alternates between before the murder and after the murder with their individual confessions to the crime.
This was a gripping story with lots of twists and suspense, leaving me open mouthed at the end… I never saw it coming!!
I really enjoyed getting to know the three friends by reading their chapters. All three women appear to have the perfect life and family, but each one has personal battles they’re facing, secrets they want to keep and a motive for murder!!
I found this a decent read, that kept me engaged throughout. I look forward to reading my next Lauren North thriller!
This gave off Desperate Housewives vibes, which I absolutely loved to watch! Would definitely recommend this to my thriller reading community.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story revolves around 3 friends - Georgie, Tasha and Beth and is told through their perspectives. It alternates between before the murder and after the murder with their individual confessions to the crime.
This was a gripping story with lots of twists and suspense, leaving me open mouthed at the end… I never saw it coming!!
I really enjoyed getting to know the three friends by reading their chapters. All three women appear to have the perfect life and family, but each one has personal battles they’re facing, secrets they want to keep and a motive for murder!!
I found this a decent read, that kept me engaged throughout. I look forward to reading my next Lauren North thriller!
This gave off Desperate Housewives vibes, which I absolutely loved to watch! Would definitely recommend this to my thriller reading community.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, Bolinda Audio, and Lauren North for the advanced copy of the audiobook.
This book taught me that “mom friends” aren’t always true friends, and that some women will go to great lengths to get pregnant. The first half of the book felt slow and dragged on, but I really enjoyed the ending, I did not expect the twist involving who killed Johnny.
This book taught me that “mom friends” aren’t always true friends, and that some women will go to great lengths to get pregnant. The first half of the book felt slow and dragged on, but I really enjoyed the ending, I did not expect the twist involving who killed Johnny.
December 5, 2025
Big thanks to Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Perfect Wives is a gripping suspenseful suburban read.
This was so so good.
I’m been a fan of Lauren’s thrillers for a while now.
Welcome to Magnolia Close.
On a warm sunny day, three wives walk in to the local police station.
They each confess to the murder of their neighbour, Johnny.
He is not a nice person and all have a reason for wanting him dead.
Each have a perfect family and all of them are lying.
Why……
This one delivered on many occasions.
The plot, the characters, the atmosphere, perfectly paced and the twist.
The build up of tension is excellent and I was completely on edge wanting to know the outcome.
Overall it’s a psychological domestic drama that totally gripped me.
A page turner you don’t want to miss.
Perfect Wives is a gripping suspenseful suburban read.
This was so so good.
I’m been a fan of Lauren’s thrillers for a while now.
Welcome to Magnolia Close.
On a warm sunny day, three wives walk in to the local police station.
They each confess to the murder of their neighbour, Johnny.
He is not a nice person and all have a reason for wanting him dead.
Each have a perfect family and all of them are lying.
Why……
This one delivered on many occasions.
The plot, the characters, the atmosphere, perfectly paced and the twist.
The build up of tension is excellent and I was completely on edge wanting to know the outcome.
Overall it’s a psychological domestic drama that totally gripped me.
A page turner you don’t want to miss.
September 5, 2025
This is one of those books which you pick up and then devour, you just can’t seem to put it down. I was reading this as my eyes were completely shutting at 1am but I still wanted to keep going. An emotionally charged, psychologically intense tale of secrets and betrayals.
Georgie, Beth and Tasha live in a gated community are the best of friends. All of them immensely dislike Johnny who lives a couple of doors down, and I mean completely and utterly loath and despise him. His presence makes their skin crawl – not just because of his suggestive comments, but because he holds something over each of them. Trapped and uneasy, they’re forced to decide: do they confront him or is there another way out?
One of them will commit murder, but which one? The book is told in different timelines and by different POV’s. As the story progresses, we’re drawn deeper into the lives of these women, their fears, secrets and vulnerabilities gradually surfacing, building a quiet but powerful emotional tension just beneath the surface.
Overall, the book was brilliant however the conclusion didn’t deliver the payoff I was hoping for, and I wondered why the author decide on this
ending, I felt it seemed rushed and unsatisfying. This is just my opinion; I will be interested to read what others think. 4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
Georgie, Beth and Tasha live in a gated community are the best of friends. All of them immensely dislike Johnny who lives a couple of doors down, and I mean completely and utterly loath and despise him. His presence makes their skin crawl – not just because of his suggestive comments, but because he holds something over each of them. Trapped and uneasy, they’re forced to decide: do they confront him or is there another way out?
One of them will commit murder, but which one? The book is told in different timelines and by different POV’s. As the story progresses, we’re drawn deeper into the lives of these women, their fears, secrets and vulnerabilities gradually surfacing, building a quiet but powerful emotional tension just beneath the surface.
Overall, the book was brilliant however the conclusion didn’t deliver the payoff I was hoping for, and I wondered why the author decide on this
ending, I felt it seemed rushed and unsatisfying. This is just my opinion; I will be interested to read what others think. 4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
September 17, 2025
How far would you go to keep your life as it is? Would you even commit murder?
Beth, Georgie, and Tasha have different backgrounds, though they all live in the same exclusive gated community. One thing they have in common, however, is their dislike of neighbor Johnny. What starts as an innocent outing quickly turns into the beginning of their nightmare…
I really enjoyed the relationships between the women and their husbands. They all get along well, which makes the neighborhood atmosphere pleasant. But once you scrape away the top layer of glitter, other things start to surface.
It seems obvious who is behind all the manipulation, but experience has taught me that “obvious” often equals wrong. ;) If multiple people think a certain person is orchestrating everything, you’d think it must be true — but after a while, I had to step back and put my gray cells to work.
Unfortunately, without result, because when the plot was fully unraveled, I have to admit I did not expect it at all — and that makes it for me a particularly good story.
Still, I can give myself a pat on the back because I did see one secret coming. Everything else left me completely surprised.
Fantastic characters, a very strong plot, and suspense made for a very enjoyable few hours of reading. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you.
Beth, Georgie, and Tasha have different backgrounds, though they all live in the same exclusive gated community. One thing they have in common, however, is their dislike of neighbor Johnny. What starts as an innocent outing quickly turns into the beginning of their nightmare…
I really enjoyed the relationships between the women and their husbands. They all get along well, which makes the neighborhood atmosphere pleasant. But once you scrape away the top layer of glitter, other things start to surface.
It seems obvious who is behind all the manipulation, but experience has taught me that “obvious” often equals wrong. ;) If multiple people think a certain person is orchestrating everything, you’d think it must be true — but after a while, I had to step back and put my gray cells to work.
Unfortunately, without result, because when the plot was fully unraveled, I have to admit I did not expect it at all — and that makes it for me a particularly good story.
Still, I can give myself a pat on the back because I did see one secret coming. Everything else left me completely surprised.
Fantastic characters, a very strong plot, and suspense made for a very enjoyable few hours of reading. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you.
September 10, 2025
Title: Perfect Wives
Author: Lauren North
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Hate for their neighbor, Jonny, fueled by a night drinking red wine gives Tasha, Beth, and Georgie time to come up with how they’d murder him if the opportunity presents. Then Jonny is found dead. The local detective is stunned when each woman turns up to confess that they are the one who did it. Why would three mothers who live in a sought after neighborhood come forward to say it was them?
Takeaways:
1. Interesting premise on how to get away with murder, or at least try to. Complex storytelling but not difficult to follow. When it all clicks in place, North does a great job of explaining from the murderer’s perspective how it all came together.
2. I found myself having mental conversations with the three women about screen shots to hold onto evidence of disappearing messages and such.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on October 22, 2025.
#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #bookouture #perfectwives @lauren_c_north
Author: Lauren North
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Hate for their neighbor, Jonny, fueled by a night drinking red wine gives Tasha, Beth, and Georgie time to come up with how they’d murder him if the opportunity presents. Then Jonny is found dead. The local detective is stunned when each woman turns up to confess that they are the one who did it. Why would three mothers who live in a sought after neighborhood come forward to say it was them?
Takeaways:
1. Interesting premise on how to get away with murder, or at least try to. Complex storytelling but not difficult to follow. When it all clicks in place, North does a great job of explaining from the murderer’s perspective how it all came together.
2. I found myself having mental conversations with the three women about screen shots to hold onto evidence of disappearing messages and such.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on October 22, 2025.
#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #bookouture #perfectwives @lauren_c_north
October 24, 2025
This week I’ve been listening to Lauren North’s latest novel, Perfect Wives, while doing housework and admin.
If, like me, you love Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train and can’t believe it could get even twistier, put this novel on the top of your reading list now!
Three friends have the perfect life in their perfect gated community - or they believe they would were it not for creepy boorish neighbour Johnny. They love to talk about what they would like to do to do away with him … until they meet a stranger in the pub who calls their bluff.
As always with Lauren North’s books, you’ll think you know what is going to happen only for her to pull the rug from under you. That’s what happened to me, in any case!
I also really liked the narration on this audio - there’s a lot of dialogue and it’s told from several points of view and I appreciated the way Genevieve Swallow differentiated the speakers without lapsing into faux accents - just enough of an intonation to keep us orientated without distracting us.
An easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me. Highly recommend.
If, like me, you love Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train and can’t believe it could get even twistier, put this novel on the top of your reading list now!
Three friends have the perfect life in their perfect gated community - or they believe they would were it not for creepy boorish neighbour Johnny. They love to talk about what they would like to do to do away with him … until they meet a stranger in the pub who calls their bluff.
As always with Lauren North’s books, you’ll think you know what is going to happen only for her to pull the rug from under you. That’s what happened to me, in any case!
I also really liked the narration on this audio - there’s a lot of dialogue and it’s told from several points of view and I appreciated the way Genevieve Swallow differentiated the speakers without lapsing into faux accents - just enough of an intonation to keep us orientated without distracting us.
An easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me. Highly recommend.
September 11, 2025
ARC review - thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
I loved this book!
I was hooked on the premise, and the characters were all clearly defined voices. It's so hard to pick a favourite character; every time I think about their individual challenges, my allegiance changes. I felt for Tasha and Beth, I loved Alistair, I felt outwardly like I identified with G. They're all wonderful in their own ways.
The plot kept me guessing, and while I had an inkling of the outcome, I couldn't be completely sure. There were times when I tried to read faster and faster because I just wanted to find out why things were happening, or what happened with Lily (disatisfying), but I didn't want to miss a single detail.
A great read, definitely one to recommend.
I loved this book!
I was hooked on the premise, and the characters were all clearly defined voices. It's so hard to pick a favourite character; every time I think about their individual challenges, my allegiance changes. I felt for Tasha and Beth, I loved Alistair, I felt outwardly like I identified with G. They're all wonderful in their own ways.
The plot kept me guessing, and while I had an inkling of the outcome, I couldn't be completely sure. There were times when I tried to read faster and faster because I just wanted to find out why things were happening, or what happened with Lily (disatisfying), but I didn't want to miss a single detail.
A great read, definitely one to recommend.
September 7, 2025
Perfect Wives by Lauren North
Three women walk into a police station, all 3 of them confess to the murder of their neighbour … is one of them telling the truth?
Told from the perspective of each of the 3 women’s past and present, each one had a reason for wanting their neighbour Jonny dead. I found that it was a little tricky to keep track of which perspective I was reading, because of this it took a little while to get into the story.
It was a really good storyline and once it got going it was hard not to sit there and finish it in one sitting. It really had you guessing the whole time, there was a huge twist at the end that I did not see coming!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Three women walk into a police station, all 3 of them confess to the murder of their neighbour … is one of them telling the truth?
Told from the perspective of each of the 3 women’s past and present, each one had a reason for wanting their neighbour Jonny dead. I found that it was a little tricky to keep track of which perspective I was reading, because of this it took a little while to get into the story.
It was a really good storyline and once it got going it was hard not to sit there and finish it in one sitting. It really had you guessing the whole time, there was a huge twist at the end that I did not see coming!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this early copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2025
Wow! Desperate Housewives on heat! I loved the story. Bad guy Johnny tormenting the three School mums but did Georgie, Beth or Tasha bump him off? Or was it the mysterious hard as nails Irish mum Kiera? Or one of their husbands who actually are so one-dimensional it’s funny. I loved the twist and the dark humour throughout. I didn’t expect the ending. I lay on the sofa devouring this so it’s a big thumbs up from me. An entertaining beach read or rainy day read. Well done! Thanks so much to NetGalley, the author and Bookouture for the eARC. Definitely recommend this book! Denise x
October 11, 2025
Three women who all have secrets, all have motive, and all of them confess. The storyline alternates POVs between the three friends, as well as timelines; the days before the confessions and the day of. The author's use of cliff hanger chapters definitely worked to keep me on the hook. I had to get back to the character to see what happened. The plot twists were clever and well placed, and the ending was not what I expected. If you're a fan of domestic/neighborhood thrillers, add this one to your TBR.
Thank you, Netgalley and Bookouture, for the ARC!
Thank you, Netgalley and Bookouture, for the ARC!
October 23, 2025
First I would like to say thank you to netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this arc!
Who doesn't love a good psychological with so many twists? Cue three suburban type wives that have all three confessed to un-aliving a man that not a single one of them liked.
To me this was a fast paced thriller that completely caught my attention. It is told in multiple POV's but don't let that stop you from reading it as it is easy to distinguish each one. The author's writing honestly flows so well and it is easy to imagine everything as it plays out throughout the book.
This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be reading more!!
Who doesn't love a good psychological with so many twists? Cue three suburban type wives that have all three confessed to un-aliving a man that not a single one of them liked.
To me this was a fast paced thriller that completely caught my attention. It is told in multiple POV's but don't let that stop you from reading it as it is easy to distinguish each one. The author's writing honestly flows so well and it is easy to imagine everything as it plays out throughout the book.
This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be reading more!!
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