Everyone Is Perfect Here

by Jane Haseldine

A woman's life is upended when her past comes back to mess with her mind in this psychological thriller full of twists and turns.

There’s no such thing as perfect.

It’s been fifteen years since Carly Bennett’s mother was brutally murdered during a home robbery. Since then, she’s worked hard to build a normal life with a stellar career as an English professor—far away from the picture-perfect stepfamily that abandoned her at boarding school.

When a male colleague is found dead in Carly’s office—her name scrawled next to his body—everything she’s strived for starts to fall apart. There are eerie similarities to her mother’s attack, and Carly determines to find the truth.

Yet things take a bizarre turn when she suddenly experiences lost time, waking up in strange places, and flashes of dormant memories . . . memories that can’t possibly be real. Because, if they are, then she was there the night her mother was killed.

Could Carly have been responsible? Or is something more sinister at play in her stepfamily’s perfect world . . .?

This eerie domestic suspense is perfect for fans of Frieda McFadden and Lisa Jewell.

Genres: Mystery

304 pages, Hardcover

Published April 7, 2026

About the author

Jane Haseldine is a journalist, former crime reporter, columnist, newspaper editor, and deputy director of communications for a governor. Jane is the author of EVERYONE IS PERFECT HERE from Severn House and the Julia Gooden mystery series. Jane lives in Southern California with her husband and two sons.

Reviews

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone is Perfect Here blends family drama with a touch of crime and a solid whodunit vibe. At the centre of it all is Carly who is a survivor trying to outrun a past that never really let her go. She once briefly lived what looked like a polished, put‑together life after her mother remarried, but everything changed when her world fell apart. Now, with a stable career and big ambitions, she’s still shadowed by old secrets and unanswered questions.

The story digs into how the past can cling to you no matter how far you think you’ve moved on. Carly’s journey shows strength, resilience, and the complicated ways family can shape and haunt someone.

What I Liked:
• Carly and Ava’s sisterly bond that's genuine, supportive, and one of the emotional anchors of the book
• Academia setting which adds tension and structure to the mystery
• Carly’s resilience, her backstory gives the plot real emotional weight

What Didn’t Work Out:
• Third‑person narration created a bit of distance
• Multiple POVs which was confusing at first until the story settled
• Heavy lies and betrayals might feel overwhelming for some readers

Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐️
• Characters: 2⭐️
• Writing: 3⭐️
• Message: 3⭐️
• Overall: 3⭐️

Final Thoughts:
This book made for a twisty, thriller‑filled weekend. Even though some reveals were predictable, the layers of manipulation still kept me turning the pages. The betrayals, the secrets, the shifting loyalties, all of it created a messy but engaging ride toward the truth. I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy multi‑narrative thrillers with plenty at stake and characters who aren’t always what they seem.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Severn House Publishing, and author Jane Haseldine for my advance copy. My thoughts are entirely my own. Coming out April 2026.

~ JaNnA ~

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5



Everyone Is Perfect Here by Jane Haseldine is an engaging, twisty domestic suspense that leans heavily into family drama, buried trauma, and the lingering impact of the past. Told across dual timelines, the story follows Carly Bennett as she’s pulled back into the mystery of her mother’s murder, an event that shattered her childhood and continues to echo into her present. The past and present structure keeps the narrative moving at a steady, compelling pace, gradually revealing secrets that reshape everything Carly thought she knew.

Carly herself is an intriguing and layered protagonist, especially as her grip on reality begins to blur with unsettling memory gaps and flashes of something darker beneath the surface. The story thrives on that eerie uncertainty—what really happened, what can be trusted, and how much of the past has been buried for a reason. The pacing is quick and the twists keep things entertaining, making it an easy book to fly through, especially for fans of family centered thrillers with psychological elements.

While this one didn’t fully land as a standout for me, it was still a solid and enjoyable read. The exploration of trauma and complicated family dynamics adds depth, even as the story leans into more dramatic, twist driven moments. Overall, it’s a fast paced, intriguing suspense that will appeal to readers who enjoy unraveling messy family secrets with a touch of unreliability and tension.

[Caitlin Bunting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read, fast paced and easy to follow. Will be checking more from this authors backlist when I am in the mood for a nice quick read.

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

EVERYONE IS PERFECT HERE BY JANE HASELDINE.
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
I do love a book that's gripping and keeps me guessing all the way through. And i also love an unreliable narrator.
This is my first book by this author and won't be my last ☺

[Janie Hickok Siess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Haseldine, author of the outstanding four-volume Julia Gooden mystery series, has, for the first time, published a stand-alone thriller, Everyone Is Perfect Here. And like her prior books, it is a fast-paced, inventive, and intricately plotted mystery that will keep readers guessing right up to the very end of the story.

Haseldine says that when she settles on an idea and begins writing a book, she knows the general direction the story will take. But it is critical for her to “follow the story.” Planning is helpful, but even though “you have the plan in place, . . . sometimes a story is going to take you in another direction and if you don’t follow it, it is not going to be as good” as if the writer had allowed him/herself to let inspiration lead. “Sometimes stories come to a writer. It’s like a gift. . . . When the story is guiding me, I know it is the best version of the story that I can write.”

After penning her Julia Gooden books, Haseldine wanted to write a psychological thriller. During the COVID lockdown, she binge-watched a lot of old movies and while watching “Gaslight,” inspiration struck. She wanted to explore the idea of someone “being so diabolical and having the ability to” convince another person that they are losing their sanity. She also re-read “The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Patricia Highsmith and enjoyed some of Liane Moriarty’s books. Several concepts began coalescing – “gaslighting, a psychopath, friendships, deceit” – and her main character, Carly Bennett, came to life.

Everyone Is Perfect Here features a large cast of fascinating and fully developed characters. But Carly Bennett is at the heart of the tale. Unlike Julie Gooden, who is competent, driven, and confident, Haseldine describes Carly as “a young, rising star, professional.” By all outward appearances, she is a success. Not only is she a professor of Creative Writing in the English Department at the University of Southern California, but she has also been included in the prestigious (fictional) “30 Under 30” list compiled by the Los Angeles Times. Even so, Haseldine notes, Carly lacks the confidence with which she imbued Julia and struggles with “imposter syndrome.”

Carly’s mother, Emily, married a prominent, wealthy physician fifteen years her senior when Carly was just twelve years. The two of them moved into the opulent Malibu home he shared with his two sons, Julien and Victor. His late wife, Lauren, had taken her own life about four years earlier. The arrangement did not last long. Soon Carly was banished to an exclusive all-girls’ boarding school in San Francisco that was known for its special program for students with behavioral problems. Problems Carly insisted she did not have. She vehemently denied engaging in the behavior she was accused of. She was utterly miserable at the school, missing her mother desperately, and longing to be back with her. She had only been away at school for two months when she learned that her mother was murdered during a break-in at her stepfamily’s home. Her mother’s killer was never brought to justice. And Carly was not completely forthcoming when interviewed by the detective investigating the case. She withheld information because she was afraid of the potential repercussions that might follow if she revealed the whole truth.

Now, fifteen years later, Carly has, as noted, established a flourishing career. But as the book opens, it is about to be derailed and Carly’s whole future hangs in the balance. She has a conflict with one of the campus janitors, Ed Russo. He is aware of a lapse in judgment by Carly and threatens to report the matter to the dean. Shortly thereafter, Carly discovers his body in her office. Her name is scrawled on the floor next to his corpse and the police presume that the writing is the decedent’s dying declaration — evidence of Carly’s guilt. The one person who can attest to her whereabouts when Russo was killed has vanished, but Carly’s good friend, Ava, operates Ava’s Bail Recovery and is skilled at finding people who don’t want to be found. She is determined to locate him so that he can supply Carly’s alibi.

Julien White, one of Carly’s stepbrothers, is now a thirty-three-year-old psychiatrist. They have had no contact since the death of Carly’s mother, but he suddenly materializes. He claims that his father has died and he wants to make amends for the way he treated Carly all those years ago. He also delivers surprising news about Carly’s mother. But is any of it true? Carly has to know so she seeks out her younger stepbrother, Victor, hoping to gather more information.

Before long, as a result of more calamities, Carly finds herself suspended by the university and she suspects that she should never have trusted her seemingly faithful assistant, Rebecca, a former student she hired because she was eager, ambitious, and desperately needed a job. Carly’s life is rapidly spinning out of control, and she is exhibiting physical symptoms as a result of her sudden downfall. Thankfully, Ava has been tirelessly investigating, following up on leads and uncovering critical evidence that will, hopefully, help Carly prove her innocence, as well as discover the truth about her mother’s death.

Haseldine has skillfully crafted a complex tale of deceit, betrayals, jealousy, malice, and psychopathy, told from the perspectives of five primary and a couple of minor characters through chapters that alternate between the present day and fifteen years ago. Each is a third-person narrative that advances the story through incremental revelations about not only the events that occurred in and around 2010, but also what is transpiring in the present as Carly searches for the answers she needs to get her life back on track.

Carly is likable and sympathetic. She was a bright child whose early life was marred by abandonment, lies, tragedy, and self-doubt. But she persevered, completed her education, and was enjoying her burgeoning career when forces beyond her control again disrupted her quiet life as a professor. The upheaval has brought memories of her traumatic and painful childhood back to the forefront, and she begins spiraling out of control, even to the point of wondering whether she could possibly have brought about her mother’s death. Readers will embrace and cheer for Carly to uncover the truth about the past, as well as the people she has recently welcomed into her life . . . and find peace, even though neither her life nor anyone else’s can ever truly be perfect.

Everyone Is Perfect Here is a riveting and entertaining mystery that proves once again what a skillful and creative writer Haseldine is. In her capable hands, the large cast of characters, numerous plot threads, and dual-timeline, multiple points-of-view narratives all meld seamlessly into a cohesive, engrossing tale. Indeed, Everyone Is Perfect Here is a nearly perfect psychological thriller.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance reader's copy of the book and to Severn House Publishing for a hardcover copy in conjunction with Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

[Zelda FeatzReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone is Perfect Here was my first experience reading Jane Haseldine, and I went in not quite knowing what to expect—but what I found was a clever, twist-filled thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish.
At its core, this is a story about family, deception, and betrayal by those closest to you. It explores how the past can shape—and sometimes shatter—the present, and how truth can be far more complicated than it first appears.
Carly Bennett is a fascinating protagonist. As a teenager, she was sent away to boarding school for behaviour she insists she had no part in, leaving her feeling abandoned and misunderstood—especially by the mother she had once been so close to. While she is away, her mother is brutally murdered during a home invasion, an event that casts a long shadow over Carly’s life.
Fifteen years later, Carly has worked hard to rebuild herself. She has established a successful career and created a sense of normality—but everything begins to unravel when a colleague is found murdered in her office, with her name written beside his body. As if that isn’t enough, her estranged stepbrothers suddenly reappear, and unsettling symptoms from her childhood—particularly her mysterious stomach pains—return.
As Carly’s world begins to spiral, she starts experiencing blackouts and lost time, waking up in unfamiliar places with no memory of how she got there. These episodes add a chilling psychological edge to the story, raising the question: Is Carly losing her mind, or is something far more sinister at play?
This is where the novel really shines. It is creative and cleverly plotted, with plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout. While I did find a few elements slightly predictable, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment—there were still enough surprises to keep me fully engaged.
The characterisation is another strong point. The cast is intriguing and layered, and I often found myself questioning their motives without being entirely sure why. That lingering sense of doubt adds to the tension and makes it difficult to know who to trust.
Carly herself is a compelling lead. Despite a troubled and unsettled childhood, she has managed to build a successful life, which makes her gradual unravelling all the more believable and impactful. Her vulnerability, especially when confronted with her past, adds an emotional depth that grounds the story.
Ava was a standout character for me. Strong, loyal, and fiercely protective, she is the kind of friend everyone needs. Her willingness to put her own life on hold to support Carly and uncover the truth speaks volumes about her character, and I really enjoyed her presence in the story.
I ended up racing through this book in a single day because I simply had to know how it would all come together—and I’m happy to say I was not disappointed. The ending delivered a satisfying conclusion while still maintaining the tension built throughout.
If you’re looking for a gripping psychological thriller filled with secrets, suspense, and plenty of twists, Everyone is Perfect Here is definitely one to add to your list. It will keep you second-guessing everyone—and everything—until the very end.
https://featzreviews.com/review-every...

[Melissa Ammons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book I like to read, one that has me wondering what is around the next bend.
Julien and Victor, brothers, and their father Christopher suffered a loss of Julien and Victor’s mother. Along comes Emily and Carly – Emily their stepmother, Carly their stepsister. Seemingly a content blended family, until they weren’t. For whatever reason, no one believed that Carly was sick and even all these years later, fifteen to be exact, Carly was still suffering the remnants of her childhood, not to mention the grief surrounding the loss of her mother. Carly had been estranged from her stepbrothers when suddenly they reappeared, but why?
Carly made a good friend in boarding school in the person of Ava Patel. It was interesting to me how they met in school, but I think all good friendships get off to a start they weren’t expecting. And, all these years later, they were still friends. Ava definitely had Carly’s back, no matter what. I appreciated the friendship between these two.
Rebecca. Poor Rebecca … she was what I would describe as an ugly duckling, and she certainly had a mean girl streak within her. I think it more stemmed from jealousy and having a low opinion of herself than anything else. Poor Ed as well; he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I enjoyed reading about this dysfunctional family and ‘hearing’ different sides of the story – the voices of Julien, Ava, Carly, and even Rebecca. It was interesting to me to read how each one of these characters ticked, but that final twist? Those final chapters that brought everything together … the truth of what was really going on and who was behind it, I wasn’t expecting that one, though I suppose I should have been. I got part of the whodunnit it right, but that final piece? Again, I wasn’t expecting that one.

[Andrea Hulme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone Is Perfect Here was a compelling and intriguing psychological thriller.

We follow the story of Carly Bennett, an English professor, who on the surface leads a perfect life. However things unravel in the book right from the start. We are into the heart of things pretty quickly and I enjoyed that. A past trauma resurfaces after a colleague's murder stirs up emotions as her mother was murdered 15 years ago.

The story is told over a dual time line, as Carly delves into her past memories. We discover that Carly was packed off to boarding school not long after her mother married her wealthy step father, who had two sons. We see how the new blended family had a huge impact on Carly. We learn about the events leading up to her mother's murder and the aftermath. Through Carly's investigations in the present we meet her wealthy, perfect family but there are dark and disturbing secrets hidden beneath the veneer.

As well as Carly's POV, we get to see the POVs of other characters, which I always like in a book. The characters were well written. I liked Carly but she was flawed and some of her decision making was questionable. i found myself constantly questioning how reliable the narrators were, which I loved as well. You are never quite sure who to trust. There is a sense of disorientation which I think worked well in the book and seemed to match Carly's state of mind. The flash back memories, creeping doubt and eerie tension worked well and sat at the back of my mind throughout the book creating unease and tension.

It was a fast, addictive read with plenty of twists. A really enjoyable domestic suspense thriller, full of family lies, secrets and betrayal. And I love books like that.

[Smitha Agy · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

Carly Bennett is introduced as a polished and successful English professor—respected, composed, and seemingly in control. However, her inner thoughts reveal anxiety, depression, and unresolved bad experiences from her past.

We get glimpses of her childhood: a sudden fall from her reputed state of being and when she was accused of making harsh allegations against her stepfamily. She was sent away to boarding school, rejected by the very people she trusted—especially her mother.

The emotional twists: Carly insists she never made those claims against her stepfamily.

The cold case reopens driven by the possibility that her mother didn’t abandon her, Carly begins investigating her mother’s death.

She starts reviewing old records, news reports, and faint memories. Inconsistencies emerge—details that were overlooked or dismissed.

For the first time, Carly considers that her mother’s death may not have been an incident that was merely to be forgotten.

My favorite part of the novel is that author trying to narrate her character's dual identity (successful vs. broken)
Reintroduces Julien as both ally and possible antagonist
Reframes the mother’s death as suspicious
Introduces psychological tension and creates a suspense environment for the reader guessing till the end: Is Carly a victim, untrustful narrator, or something else?
Overall, a buffet of suspenseful events and a kick for your senses that takes psychological thriller fans to an intriguing turn of pages.

Thanks to Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone Is Perfect Here is one of those psychological thrillers that pulls you in with a simple question — what really happened fifteen years ago? — and then keeps tugging at every loose thread until the whole façade unravels. Carly Bennett is a wonderfully layered protagonist: successful on the surface, but carrying the kind of trauma that never quite settles.

The story hits the ground running with the discovery of a colleague’s body in Carly’s office, and from there the tension only builds. The parallels to her mother’s murder are eerie, and the way the past begins bleeding into the present gives the book a deliciously disorienting edge. The lost time, the strange flashes of memory, the creeping doubt about her own role in that long‑ago night — it all creates a steady hum of unease that I really enjoyed.

What works especially well is the contrast between Carly’s fractured reality and her stepfamily’s glossy, curated perfection. The more she digs, the more you feel that something is deeply off beneath their polished exterior, and that sense of dread is handled with a light, confident touch.

It’s a fast, addictive read with plenty of twists, but it also has an emotional core that keeps the stakes grounded. Fans of domestic suspense — especially those who love a narrator you’re not entirely sure you can trust — will have a great time with this one.

A tense, twisty thriller that keeps you guessing right up to the final reveal.

with thanks to Jane Haseldine, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOAH! There are so many twists in this book! My head is spinning! I would figure something out and then would be blindsided by the next revelation. This feeling continued to the very end as the revelations in the last part took me by surprise. The story is full of mind games and manipulations for money and power and it had me wondering if anyone could be trusted. The chapters are from the different characters' points of view and provide windows into what is going on and the character’s feelings and motivations.

The characters are well written and I have very clear pictures of them. Carly, the main character, appears to have pulled her life together after her tragic past. When things began to happen I started to wonder if she really is as together as I think. Ava, Carly’s best friend, is the best friend I want. She is protective, caring, and always has Ava’s back. Plus she is no nonsense and can hold her own against almost anyone. Julien is the character I can’t stop thinking about and have a very clear image of. He looks and acts on the surface like a successful and caring brother/psychiatrist but the more I learn about him, the more he makes my skin crawl and I am terrified by his manipulative behavior and actions.

This story is one that pulled me in and kept me reading to the very end as the twists kept coming. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy psychological thrillers that keep you guessing to the very end.

Thanks to Partners In Crime VBT for the free, gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ashley Kanazawich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone Is Perfect Here had me hooked from the first chapter and suspicious of absolutely everyone until the last page, which is exactly what a psychological thriller should do.

Jane Haseldine made the bold choice to tell this story through multiple POVs, some of them unreliable, which is a genuinely difficult thing to execute well. When the twists come and you realize not everything was as it appeared, those perspectives all have to hold up, and for the most part, they do. She builds tension across multiple viewpoints without things getting muddy, and the clue-dropping throughout is smart and satisfying.

Carly, our main character, frustrated me regularly. She's too trusting, too easily led. But her flaws felt intentional and true to the story. Ava, her best friend, was the standout for me: sharp, perceptive, working to see what Carly couldn't. And Carly's stepbrothers kept me guessing throughout in very different ways.

What surprised me most was the thematic layer underneath all the suspense. This book is quietly about insecurity, how it makes people vulnerable, how it shapes the people who end up hurting others, and how finding a genuine sense of self is what allows anyone in this story to move forward at all. It gave the thriller real grounding.

Some twists I spotted early, some caught me completely off guard. Both kinds landed. A really solid, propulsive read.

[dianas_books_cars_coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

Wow! This was such a wild ride! I enjoyed it SO much and cannot wait to read more books by this author!

Carly Bennett is an English professor at USC and has worked hard to get there. Her mother was murdered 15 years ago in a home invasion, and her wealthy stepfamily turned their backs on her. When a janitor is found dead in her classroom with her name written near him, it dredges up painful memories. Carly becomes the primary suspect. Then, out of the blue, her stepbrother, the one who deceived her years ago, shows up. He wants to make amends and has information about her mother. Why is her stepbrother showing up now? Was Carly's mother really killed in a home invasion? Who killed the janitor?

Told in multiple POVs, this was an absolute page-turner! It was gripping, suspenseful, and extremely entertaining. There was lots of tension, deception, some cringey moments, and uncomfortable ones. The dysfunctional family drama kept me completely hooked. The twists were absolutely mind-blowing 🤯, especially the final one! I did not see that coming! I felt sorry for Carly, loved Ava(Carly's best friend), and hated Julien(Carly's stepbrother). He may very well be one of the most despicable characters I've ever encountered! This addictive, bingeable, unputdownable psychological thriller is seriously a must read and I highly recommend it🩷

[Simone (mysterypageturners) Ketchum · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Book: Everyone Is Perfect Here
Author: Jane Haseldine
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pages: 304
Coming April 7, 2026


📚My Book Review:

Everyone Is Perfect Here by Jane Haseldine is a psychological thriller about English professor Carly Bennett, whose seemingly perfect life unravels as her past trauma resurfaces after a colleague's murder mirrors her mother's death 15 years prior, forcing her to question her own memories and sanity as she investigates her wealthy, seemingly perfect stepfamily.

This was an easy, fast read. I liked how there were dual timelines and multiple POV’s. There was a seamless change from present to the past, which was easy to understand. I loved how the past timelines would explain the past; instead of characters explaining what happened in the past. The book built the suspense slowly and the twists were very twisty. And then, the biggest twist, which wasn’t predictable at all!! This book was evil, creepy and dark. For me, the book read like a Freida McFadden book. Some of the twists were predictable BUT I still really enjoyed the book. I rated it 4 stars!! If you like twisty psychological thrillers, I suggest going this one a read! Not my first Jane Haseldine book, and it won’t be my last!

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think your family secrets are messy, just wait until you meet the Bennetts! 🤫✨

If you love a psychological thriller that makes you question the narrator’s sanity and maybe your own, Everyone Is Perfect Here by Jane Haseldine needs to be on your spring TBR!

Carly Bennett has spent fifteen years running from a nightmare. After her mother’s brutal murder, she was shipped off to boarding school and basically ghosted by her perfect stepfamily. Now, she’s a successful English professor until a colleague is found dead in her office with her name scrawled next to his body. Talk about a bad day at work, right? 😱

The story takes a truly bizarre turn when Carly starts experiencing lost time, waking up in strange places with flashes of dormant memories. It makes you wonder: is she being framed, or is the truth about her mother's death far more personal than she ever imagined? Haseldine masterfully peels back the layers of a wealthy, polished family to reveal the rot underneath.

"There’s no such thing as perfect, only the secrets we hide to pretend we are."

Everything is falling apart for Carly, and I was here for every second of the chaos!🥂📖

✨️Thank you, Partners in Crime Tours and Jane Haseldine, for sharing Everyone is Perfect Here with me!

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was instantly drawn to this book as soon as I spotted the front cover.
It just screams psychological thriller and I loved that dusk setting and the cosy looking home with the lights on .....and everyone inside visible - from the outside - looking in!
I knew I was going to have a great time with this read.

This is a new author to me, so wasn't sure what to expect from the writing style - but I was hooked right from the beginning.

I loved the way the tension builds throughout the story as we learn more and more about Carly's past trauma and how things start to mirror this in the present day.

I was completely intrigued by Carly as a character and the way that I really wanted to trust everything that she was revealing, but I just felt that she was spiralling and for every new reveal, there came another twist.
With the added time lapses and new memories surfacing, this really keeps us guessing.

Having said that, I did work out who the murderer was, but I feel a little bit of a cheat, given that I suspected literally every character along the way!

I loved the final twist which just slammed in and I totally hadn't seen that coming.

A great read and definitely an author that I'll be reading again.

[Charlie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Carly Bennett, an English professor, has worked incredibly hard to build a better life for herself after her mum was violently murdered 15 years earlier, while Carly was away at boarding school. 👩🏼‍💼

She had already become estranged from her mum when her mother married her wealthy stepdad, who had two sons. 😩 This new blended family began to affect Carly deeply, especially due to the manipulation of one of her stepbrothers, Julian, who managed to turn her mum against her. Carly’s mum came to believe that Carly was the problem and decided to send her away to boarding school. 💔

Later, Carly realised that Julian was the real reason she had been sent away. She is far from pleased to have him back in her life and soon, strange things begin to happen all over again… 🫣

If you’re into family secrets and buried trauma, this will definitely appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn suspense with a psychological edge. It will absolutely be right up your street! 📖👀

A massive thank you to Jane and Random Things Tours for letting me take part in this tour. ♥️

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carly Bennett has worked hard to build a life for herself after her mother's brutal murder over a decade ago. After becoming somewhat estranged from her only parent when her mother married her wealthy stepfather, who had two sons of his own, Carly soon found herself packed off to boarding school soon after a series of things went wrong in her newly blended family.

And once Carly eventually realises that one of her stepbrothers was behind her banishment, she is less than delighted to have him re-emerge in her life unexpectedly. Even more so, when strange things start to happen all over again...

This is an entertaining story that does required some suspension of disbelief. Nevertheless, it has a few twists in store for the reader, and I particularly liked the character of Carly's best friend. It gets 3.5 stars, missing 4 because of the slightly far fetched excesses of the storytelling.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Karen Siddall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unsettling and twisty psychological domestic thriller.

Everyone Is Perfect Here is a new psychological domestic thriller by author Jane Haseldine, and features unsettling family drama and shocking plot twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. USC English professor Carly Bennett has finally gained hold on a satisfactory life after her tragic childhood that culminated with the murder of her mother and police suspicions that she was somehow involved. But when she discovers the body of a campus janitor in her office and the stepbrother who betrayed her all those years ago suddenly reconnects, it seems all her old nightmares are coming back to haunt her … or worse.

Carly Bennett was the victim of psychological manipulation as a child and is now facing similar circumstances as an adult, but who exactly is behind it all? Ava Patel is her strong, vibrant, and loyal best friend, doing her darndest to get to the bottom of what's going on, and she's such an exciting element in the story. I'd love to see her appear in another book.

The plot unfolds from multiple points of view, including Carly's flashbacks to her childhood, when she and her mother, Emily, first became part of the White family. I loved how the author sets readers up with clues pointing in one direction while sprinkling clever indicators that perhaps things weren't what they seemed throughout the tale. I was delightfully fooled.

I recommend EVERYONE IS PERFECT HERE to readers of psychological or domestic thrillers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carly was a young girl when her mother was violently murdered, and she really doesn't remember anything about it at the time.

She was sent to live with a family member who she came to call her mother UNTIL the mother got remarried and evil stepbrother Julian came into the picture. He manipulated his new stepmother a lot, even having Carly sent to boarding school.

Thus starting Carly's life in a downward spiral of twists and turns, questioning herself. During the next several years, Carly is somewhat involved in another murder, bringing up her mother's murder in her mind: is she evil? could she be a killer?

This domestic suspense novel is a good read. Its a little long in places, and somewhat predictable. but a decent thriller nonetheless.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Severin House in exchange for an honest review.

📖 Sandy

[Crystal Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love when we get a suspense thrilling book with multiple POVs. You get a chance to see the story through multiple characters lives and it’s what keeps you gripping the seat of your chair begging for more.

Carly is the MFC who had gone through childhood trauma and her life lately has been a bit off and strange. It appears as though she is losing her mind and the psychological mind blowing the author gives makes you want to get to the bottom of it.

No one is safe. You suspect every single character and the author has you changing your mind and every turn. It’s full of high suspense, crazy twists and turns and you want to root for Carly because you need answers. But let me tell you, when you get them… MIND BLOWN! My mouth hit the floor when it all came to light and everything was revealed. I just love when a book has me second guessing until the very end.

[Rita Batra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carly Bennett has spent fifteen years trying to move on from her mother’s murder. Then a colleague turns up dead with her name written next to the body, and everything she buried starts coming back up.
The story moves between past and present, slowly piecing together what really happened in that house and why Carly was sent away before it did. She starts blacking out, waking up in places she doesn’t remember going, and the people around her are hiding things. The question isn’t just who killed her mother. It’s whether Carly can trust her own memory.
The dual timeline works well, the twists keep coming, and the cast keeps you guessing about everyone’s motives.
Not every twist is a surprise, but it’s fast, layered, and hard to put down.
Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for the ARC .

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a psychological thriller steeped in deception. The tension of not knowing on my part built as the plot progressed. Carly had missing times in her life that made me wonder if she was committing the crimes. There was so much deceiving information from characters, I had no idea who the villain could otherwise be.

This is definitely a novel for readers who would like characters who are experts in lying and creating false narratives. Haseldine creates the plot with multiple points of view, an accomplishment with so much deception involved. There was a twist near the end that shocked me. I did not see it coming at all. I recommend this novel to readers who like a good writing style, a consistently moving plot and lots of suspense along the way.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent review.

[Zoe Costley · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

It hooked me right from the start. The storyline is tight, tense, and genuinely addictive.

I loved how the tension built throughout, and by the time we got to the reveal of the killer, I had that little moment of smugness thinking, ooooh, I guessed that. And Damn, because I like a book I can’t guess.

It’s one of those twists where you feel clever for spotting it…
And then I was hit with another twist right at the end that completely blindsided me. - I definitely wasn’t expecting that final turn, and it elevated the whole book for me.

Sharp pacing, great atmosphere, and a finale that lands exactly where it needs to — this was such an enjoyable read. I’ll absolutely be keeping an eye out for whatever Haseldine writes next.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love a debut standalone this book is something to check out. The author has written a series but this is the first standalone. Huge kudos to the art department and whoever had a hand at putting together this cover because it is fantastic! I read a lot of thrillers and this cover caught my eye immediately.

The book is told in multiple POV, which is one of my favorite ways to read a book. Carly is living the best life she can until a colleague is found dead in her office with her name written on his body. What happened? Why is her name written on him?

I found the premise spot on and intriguing but the book fell short for me. It just didn’t grab my attention and say Read Me like I like my books to do. I would encourage readers to try the book as it may be a perfect book for them!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story, but it could have been a lot better.
While reading this I thought to myself, this must be the authors first book. I later read it is indeed her debut novel. There are so many things in the story that kind of made me roll my eyes.
First of all, it made no sense to have the main character have a stutter. And then for adults to make fun of her for it was not realistic. Also, I hate when authors have their characters do things that no one in their right mind would do. Kind of like the cheesy horror stories when people walk right into danger. No one does that. I don't know there was just so much of this story I thought could have been written better. I would still recommend the book, I did like the story, even though it could have been told much better.

[Harriet Pasco · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a psychological thriller that leans heavily into memory, identity and the reliability of perspective. The premise is strong, and the parallels between past and present create an underlying sense of unease throughout.

The themes around family secrets and buried trauma will definitely appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn suspense with a psychological edge. The question of whether Carly can trust herself adds an intriguing layer, and the unraveling of long-held truths keeps you second-guessing what’s real.

If you enjoy domestic thrillers centred on fractured families, shifting timelines and creeping doubt, this one will likely be up your street.

[Danielle Sucich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

I had a really fun time with this one.

It kept me on my toes from start to finish, and I was genuinely invested in seeing where the story would go. The pacing worked well for me, and it had that addictive, “just one more chapter” feel that I always look for in a thriller.

I will say, I did end up predicting most of the major twists - but honestly, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. I was still fully along for the ride and curious to see how everything would play out.

Overall, this was an engaging, entertaining thriller that delivered on suspense and kept me hooked the whole way through.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carly is a teacher striving to excel unfortunately a colleague is found dead with her name scrawled next to him. The circumstances are similar to her mother's death. So what is going on? Is someone trying to frame Carly or did she have something to do with their deaths? Something sinister is certainly playing on this agenda. I was absorbed in the fast pace environment of the plot. It gave me goosebumps all over but I had to find out what happened and how it would play out. It did give me chills so I read with the lights on. A mystery worth sticking around for.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone is perfect, or are they?

Haseldine is a new-to-me author whose books I'm definitely looking to catch up on.

It was well paced with never a dull moment to be had. I found myself hooked pretty quickly. The plot flowed at a steady pace, not too fast and not too slow, allowing me to fully engage with the characters and their motives.

The reveals and twists were endless, as were my guesses who the murderer was. And then there was that final twist which it turns out I was completely blindsided to.

Compelling and clever.