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Not My Husband
Today is the first day of my honeymoon, and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. But as I roll over to face my new husband, Jay, my scream breaks the silence… The man in bed with me is not the man I married.
I beg him to get out, but he laughs and says I’ve always had an overactive imagination. He tells me that I’ve been under a lot of stress lately, so my mind must be playing tricks on me. I don’t believe him, but as he begins to describe me walking down the aisle, and other details from the wedding that only Jay could know, it has my head spinning. I’m certain this isn’t my husband, so how does he know so much?
I rush out of the beautiful suite, ignoring the warm ocean breeze and scent of tropical flowers in the air. When I reach hotel reception, I beg for help, but instead of calling the police, the busy staff exchange worried looks. They think I’ve lost it.
Then the strange man who is not my husband, walks up behind me and drapes his arm around my shoulders. ‘Don’t make a fuss,’ he whispers in my ear. My heart races. I’m in paradise, but I’m trapped in a nightmare.
Why won’t anybody believe me when I say this isn’t the man I married? Who is he, and what has he done with my husband?
If you loved the TV show The White Lotus and books The Housemaid and The Perfect Marriage, then you will adore reading this truly nail-biting thriller from bestselling author, Cathryn Grant. It’s sure to keep you up all night!
What readers are saying about Cathryn
“Wow… Plot twists completely blindsided me… Addictive… Phenomenal… On edge from the start to the finish… Jaw-dropping!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Holy heck!!! I loved, loved, loved this!… Perfection!!!… I couldn’t stop turning the pages.” Travel_thru_books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Addictive… Had me gasping… Impossible to put down… Big WTF moments that completely sealed the deal… I was left staring at my e-reader thinking, ‘Wait, WHAT just happened?… Absolutely blindsided me… My heart was racing and my brain was still trying to process the tangled web of lies.” The_blonde_chapter, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“10 stars… From the very first page, you’re hooked… I was fist bumping because YAAAAASSSSSS… This book was PHENOMENAL.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wooooooh there a minute. Let’s take a breath. Gather ourselves and then do some applauding because what brilliant kind of read was that!?… This goes to top, top, top, top to a top list of mine… I loved this book.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“You ever have that tiny voice in the back of your head whisper, “Run, girl,” when things seem a little too perfect? Yeah, that voice was SCREAMING the minute I opened this book.
I beg him to get out, but he laughs and says I’ve always had an overactive imagination. He tells me that I’ve been under a lot of stress lately, so my mind must be playing tricks on me. I don’t believe him, but as he begins to describe me walking down the aisle, and other details from the wedding that only Jay could know, it has my head spinning. I’m certain this isn’t my husband, so how does he know so much?
I rush out of the beautiful suite, ignoring the warm ocean breeze and scent of tropical flowers in the air. When I reach hotel reception, I beg for help, but instead of calling the police, the busy staff exchange worried looks. They think I’ve lost it.
Then the strange man who is not my husband, walks up behind me and drapes his arm around my shoulders. ‘Don’t make a fuss,’ he whispers in my ear. My heart races. I’m in paradise, but I’m trapped in a nightmare.
Why won’t anybody believe me when I say this isn’t the man I married? Who is he, and what has he done with my husband?
If you loved the TV show The White Lotus and books The Housemaid and The Perfect Marriage, then you will adore reading this truly nail-biting thriller from bestselling author, Cathryn Grant. It’s sure to keep you up all night!
What readers are saying about Cathryn
“Wow… Plot twists completely blindsided me… Addictive… Phenomenal… On edge from the start to the finish… Jaw-dropping!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Holy heck!!! I loved, loved, loved this!… Perfection!!!… I couldn’t stop turning the pages.” Travel_thru_books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Addictive… Had me gasping… Impossible to put down… Big WTF moments that completely sealed the deal… I was left staring at my e-reader thinking, ‘Wait, WHAT just happened?… Absolutely blindsided me… My heart was racing and my brain was still trying to process the tangled web of lies.” The_blonde_chapter, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“10 stars… From the very first page, you’re hooked… I was fist bumping because YAAAAASSSSSS… This book was PHENOMENAL.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wooooooh there a minute. Let’s take a breath. Gather ourselves and then do some applauding because what brilliant kind of read was that!?… This goes to top, top, top, top to a top list of mine… I loved this book.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“You ever have that tiny voice in the back of your head whisper, “Run, girl,” when things seem a little too perfect? Yeah, that voice was SCREAMING the minute I opened this book.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2026
618 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Cathryn Grant
82 books412 followersCathryn is the author of over forty novels. She writes psychological thrillers, psychological suspense, and the ALEXANDRA MALLORY series which features a sociopath you can’t help but love. Readers say they're “absolutely addicted” to the series.
The things that cause torment in real life—obsession and revenge, guilt and envy and longing—are endlessly fascinating in fiction and she never grows tired of writing stories about characters struggling to overcome the worst.
Cathryn also writes ghost stories because who knows what lies beyond our senses—The Haunted Ship Trilogy and the Madison Keith series of novellas.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, walking on the beach, or playing golf, going way out of her way to avoid hitting her ball in the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California Coast with her husband and her cat, Cleopatra.
You can get in touch with her by email, find her social media links, or sign up for her monthly newsletter at cathryngrant.com/contact. As a thank you for signing up, you’ll receive a free short story about Alexandra Mallory.
The things that cause torment in real life—obsession and revenge, guilt and envy and longing—are endlessly fascinating in fiction and she never grows tired of writing stories about characters struggling to overcome the worst.
Cathryn also writes ghost stories because who knows what lies beyond our senses—The Haunted Ship Trilogy and the Madison Keith series of novellas.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, walking on the beach, or playing golf, going way out of her way to avoid hitting her ball in the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California Coast with her husband and her cat, Cleopatra.
You can get in touch with her by email, find her social media links, or sign up for her monthly newsletter at cathryngrant.com/contact. As a thank you for signing up, you’ll receive a free short story about Alexandra Mallory.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️ | NOW AVAILABLE AND ON KU
Not My Husband by Cathryn Grant
Publication date: 16th January 2026
Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed my first reading experience with this author. The premise caught my eye and I was definitely hooked from the beginning but there were a few things that were just bizarre 😅 ( which in no way makes the book bad) -- in my opinion it was just a huh? moment for me, especially for someone who’s waking up next to a naked man who isn't her husband...Regarding the plot twists they were a bit predictable for me ( I won't say where and why ) but a certain scene made me have doubts about and I was right, did that ruin the book for me? Not at all, the chapters are well paced that the more the story unfolds the more I was intrigued to get to the end. I will definitely be coming back to this author in the future
Plot Summary
What should be the perfect start to a honeymoon turns terrifying when Chelsea, the newlywed wakes up beside a man she’s certain isn’t her husband. Though he insists he is—and knows intimate details only her real husband should—no one believes her pleas for help. As the hotel staff question her sanity and the stranger tightens his control, she realises she’s stranded in a beautiful paradise with no escape, trapped in a nightmare where the truth may be the most dangerous thing of all
Many thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ALC
My Bookstagram
Not My Husband by Cathryn Grant
Publication date: 16th January 2026
Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed my first reading experience with this author. The premise caught my eye and I was definitely hooked from the beginning but there were a few things that were just bizarre 😅 ( which in no way makes the book bad) -- in my opinion it was just a huh? moment for me, especially for someone who’s waking up next to a naked man who isn't her husband...Regarding the plot twists they were a bit predictable for me ( I won't say where and why ) but a certain scene made me have doubts about and I was right, did that ruin the book for me? Not at all, the chapters are well paced that the more the story unfolds the more I was intrigued to get to the end. I will definitely be coming back to this author in the future
Plot Summary
What should be the perfect start to a honeymoon turns terrifying when Chelsea, the newlywed wakes up beside a man she’s certain isn’t her husband. Though he insists he is—and knows intimate details only her real husband should—no one believes her pleas for help. As the hotel staff question her sanity and the stranger tightens his control, she realises she’s stranded in a beautiful paradise with no escape, trapped in a nightmare where the truth may be the most dangerous thing of all
Many thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ALC
My Bookstagram
December 10, 2025
Cathryn Grant once again delivers an unputdownable, addictive thriller. Chelsea wakes up on the first morning of her honeymoon to a stranger. Who is he and what is happening? Is her mind playing tricks on her or is something more sinister at play? “What dark secrets lay inside every human heart?” I was instantly pulled into Chelsea’s world of confusion and desperation. The story kept me on the edge of my seat. Unpredictable twists and turns saturate this cleverly plotted thriller. The conclusion was shocking and gratifying. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not My Husband has a truly creepy premise, and is basically the ultimate gaslighting experience! The story itself is inventive and twisty, but the actions of the main character, Chelsea, just weren't realistic and that really affected my enjoyment of the story.
For example, my first instinct on discovering a naked man in my bed pretending to be my new husband would not be to take a shower in the hotel room with him still there in the suite. Why is she not screaming, immediately running to reception to call the police (as she doesn't have a phone with her)? She uses the business centre to use the internet to check for any news of Jay locally, but doesn't log in to her socials to get photos of Jay or the details of his accounts that she could use to prove to the police that the person pretending to be Jay isn't really him. She doesn't fly home to get away from this man or get someone from her wedding party to come back and stay with her. And what sort of awful friends and family would hear her explain what's happening to her, and just stay at home?So she just stays in the hotel room with the imposter and goes out to meals with him. The police are really useless - one call to her wedding photographer or anyone in the wedding party for photos taken of Jay at the wedding, or just looking Chelsea or Jay up on social media, would have shown the police that Chelsea was right. I know that with some psychological thrillers you need to suspend your disbelief a bit, but this one was just too much.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
For example, my first instinct on discovering a naked man in my bed pretending to be my new husband would not be to take a shower in the hotel room with him still there in the suite. Why is she not screaming, immediately running to reception to call the police (as she doesn't have a phone with her)? She uses the business centre to use the internet to check for any news of Jay locally, but doesn't log in to her socials to get photos of Jay or the details of his accounts that she could use to prove to the police that the person pretending to be Jay isn't really him. She doesn't fly home to get away from this man or get someone from her wedding party to come back and stay with her. And what sort of awful friends and family would hear her explain what's happening to her, and just stay at home?So she just stays in the hotel room with the imposter and goes out to meals with him. The police are really useless - one call to her wedding photographer or anyone in the wedding party for photos taken of Jay at the wedding, or just looking Chelsea or Jay up on social media, would have shown the police that Chelsea was right. I know that with some psychological thrillers you need to suspend your disbelief a bit, but this one was just too much.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 4, 2026Review and rating to come.
January 11, 2026
DNF at 18%
I am not dumb enough for this book.
Before I get into the required level of stupidity I need to complain. Every other sentence is a reference about how she is in law school. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄.
The premise of this story is interesting: a woman on day 2 of her honeymoon wakes up and realizes the man beside her is not her husband. She screams and freaks out, calls hotel security. The man shows an ID saying who he says he is and the police and hotel are satisfied and think she’s high on drugs.
Let’s count the problems: no one looks at the copy of ID that would have been provided at check in. Okay, maybe the hotel doesn’t do that. Weird. Next, no one asked her or him to pull up their Instagram or Facebook (she frequently talks about her accounts so she has them). The author tries to sidestep this by saying they broke their phones. Okay, but you can still look at people’s Facebook and Instagram FROM A COMPUTER. But okay, maybe she didn’t know her password either to login.
How about we ask the wedding photographer who took photos just two days ago to text or email some of the photos? Or look at guests Instagram? Or ask a friend to email a photo? Or look at security footage from check in? I really can’t. I am not dumb enough for this.
Thanks netgalley
I am not dumb enough for this book.
Before I get into the required level of stupidity I need to complain. Every other sentence is a reference about how she is in law school. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄.
The premise of this story is interesting: a woman on day 2 of her honeymoon wakes up and realizes the man beside her is not her husband. She screams and freaks out, calls hotel security. The man shows an ID saying who he says he is and the police and hotel are satisfied and think she’s high on drugs.
Let’s count the problems: no one looks at the copy of ID that would have been provided at check in. Okay, maybe the hotel doesn’t do that. Weird. Next, no one asked her or him to pull up their Instagram or Facebook (she frequently talks about her accounts so she has them). The author tries to sidestep this by saying they broke their phones. Okay, but you can still look at people’s Facebook and Instagram FROM A COMPUTER. But okay, maybe she didn’t know her password either to login.
How about we ask the wedding photographer who took photos just two days ago to text or email some of the photos? Or look at guests Instagram? Or ask a friend to email a photo? Or look at security footage from check in? I really can’t. I am not dumb enough for this.
Thanks netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Right away I was pulled in by the setting of Hawaii, the lush greenery and sounds of crashing waves... Cathryn has a way of painting the perfect images within your mind as you read her stories!
This twisty psychological thriller hooks you early and delivers plenty of tension and unease. Waking up on your honeymoon next to a man who insists he’s your husband, knowing that he most certainly isn't but no one believes you? Instant chills.
The short chapters make it easy to binge, and the constant question of what’s real keeps the suspense high. I for one, believed that Chelsea wasn't insane, even though the book made me feel like I myself might be going a little mad. That said, the pace slows a bit in the middle and felt a bit repetitive at times. Still, the clever premise and my need for answers kept me reading.
The audio was excellent, I did a read and listen and feel that the story was definitely enhanced by the narrator and her intensity throughout the book.
Narrated by Lisa Rost-Welling
Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley and Cathryn for the opportunity to read this one ahead of it's release on 1/16/26!
Highly recommend if you're looking for an atmospheric popcorn thriller! It was also the perfect vacation read!
This twisty psychological thriller hooks you early and delivers plenty of tension and unease. Waking up on your honeymoon next to a man who insists he’s your husband, knowing that he most certainly isn't but no one believes you? Instant chills.
The short chapters make it easy to binge, and the constant question of what’s real keeps the suspense high. I for one, believed that Chelsea wasn't insane, even though the book made me feel like I myself might be going a little mad. That said, the pace slows a bit in the middle and felt a bit repetitive at times. Still, the clever premise and my need for answers kept me reading.
The audio was excellent, I did a read and listen and feel that the story was definitely enhanced by the narrator and her intensity throughout the book.
Narrated by Lisa Rost-Welling
Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley and Cathryn for the opportunity to read this one ahead of it's release on 1/16/26!
Highly recommend if you're looking for an atmospheric popcorn thriller! It was also the perfect vacation read!
January 12, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Not My Husband is a psychological thriller with strong, engaging writing that keeps the story moving at a steady pace.
That said, the main character’s actions often felt unrealistic. If I woke up next to a man I didn’t recognize, my reaction would be to run and not to stay in a resort with him.
Overall, this was a decent read with a surprising ending that helped redeem some of the earlier frustrations. While it didn’t fully hit the mark for me, fans of thrillers may still enjoy this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Not My Husband is a psychological thriller with strong, engaging writing that keeps the story moving at a steady pace.
That said, the main character’s actions often felt unrealistic. If I woke up next to a man I didn’t recognize, my reaction would be to run and not to stay in a resort with him.
Overall, this was a decent read with a surprising ending that helped redeem some of the earlier frustrations. While it didn’t fully hit the mark for me, fans of thrillers may still enjoy this one.
January 14, 2026
How frightening to be on your honeymoon in Hawaii yet wake up to a man who was not whom you had married.
I felt bad for Chelsea because no one would believe her and I wondered if she was slipping.
The further I read the more things began to slide into place and I had figured out who was behind some of the things but not some of the other nuances.
This one is a mind game for readers because it also involves a lot of mind games.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the early copy.
I felt bad for Chelsea because no one would believe her and I wondered if she was slipping.
The further I read the more things began to slide into place and I had figured out who was behind some of the things but not some of the other nuances.
This one is a mind game for readers because it also involves a lot of mind games.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the early copy.
January 28, 2026
I really wanted this one to work for me.
The premise of Not My Husband is genuinely gripping — waking up on your honeymoon next to a man who insists he’s your husband, while you’re convinced he’s a stranger, is a fantastic hook. And for a while, it had me. The opening chapters are tense, unsettling, and full of promise.
Unfortunately, the further the story went, the more it unravelled for me. The plot quickly veered into territory that felt far too far-fetched, relying on character decisions that simply didn’t ring true. I’m usually happy to suspend disbelief in a thriller, but this asked for more than I could give — especially given how grounded in the “real world” the story is meant to be.
I also struggled to connect with the characters at all, which made it hard to stay invested once the cracks started to show. When believability is already stretched, that emotional distance really hurts the overall impact.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and while the narration itself was fine, it wasn’t enough to elevate the story or pull me back in once I started losing interest.
Strong premise, but ultimately too implausible and underdeveloped for me. A disappointing listen overall.
The premise of Not My Husband is genuinely gripping — waking up on your honeymoon next to a man who insists he’s your husband, while you’re convinced he’s a stranger, is a fantastic hook. And for a while, it had me. The opening chapters are tense, unsettling, and full of promise.
Unfortunately, the further the story went, the more it unravelled for me. The plot quickly veered into territory that felt far too far-fetched, relying on character decisions that simply didn’t ring true. I’m usually happy to suspend disbelief in a thriller, but this asked for more than I could give — especially given how grounded in the “real world” the story is meant to be.
I also struggled to connect with the characters at all, which made it hard to stay invested once the cracks started to show. When believability is already stretched, that emotional distance really hurts the overall impact.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and while the narration itself was fine, it wasn’t enough to elevate the story or pull me back in once I started losing interest.
Strong premise, but ultimately too implausible and underdeveloped for me. A disappointing listen overall.
January 22, 2026
This was so unrealistic!!!
December 10, 2025
“Not My Husband” is the kind of thriller that grabs you by the throat from the first few pages and refuses to let go. I was hooked immediately—my chest felt tight the entire time, but in the best way possible. It was that hurry up, I need to know what is happening kind of tension that keeps you reading long past when you meant to stop.
The middle section does slow down slightly, but instead of losing my interest, it actually intensified the suspense. Every page had me questioning reality right along with the main character. One of my biggest fears is the idea of losing my mind and having no one believe me, and this book taps into that psychological nightmare perfectly. Watching her struggle, isolated and doubted, was stressful in the most addictive way.
Thank goodness for her family—because the people I can only describe as her “fake friends” absolutely infuriated me. No real friend would ever act the way they did. Their choices added another layer of frustration and suspense that kept me emotionally invested.
I genuinely enjoyed the character dynamics throughout the book, and I felt for every person caught in the storm. Jay’s fate at the end shocked me; I absolutely did not see that coming, and it added a sharp emotional punch to the final chapters.
And those last few lines? Completely unexpected. They left me with so many questions—in the best way. Will they stay in touch? Will any kind of friendship survive after everything that happened? And most intriguing of all… could revenge come back around again?
Also, I would love to learn more about Drake. His role was fascinating, and there’s definitely room to explore his story even further.
Overall, this was a gripping, twist-loaded thriller that delivered tension, emotion, and a final act that stays with you long after the last page. Perfect for anyone who loves psychological suspense with sharp character twists.
The middle section does slow down slightly, but instead of losing my interest, it actually intensified the suspense. Every page had me questioning reality right along with the main character. One of my biggest fears is the idea of losing my mind and having no one believe me, and this book taps into that psychological nightmare perfectly. Watching her struggle, isolated and doubted, was stressful in the most addictive way.
Thank goodness for her family—because the people I can only describe as her “fake friends” absolutely infuriated me. No real friend would ever act the way they did. Their choices added another layer of frustration and suspense that kept me emotionally invested.
I genuinely enjoyed the character dynamics throughout the book, and I felt for every person caught in the storm. Jay’s fate at the end shocked me; I absolutely did not see that coming, and it added a sharp emotional punch to the final chapters.
And those last few lines? Completely unexpected. They left me with so many questions—in the best way. Will they stay in touch? Will any kind of friendship survive after everything that happened? And most intriguing of all… could revenge come back around again?
Also, I would love to learn more about Drake. His role was fascinating, and there’s definitely room to explore his story even further.
Overall, this was a gripping, twist-loaded thriller that delivered tension, emotion, and a final act that stays with you long after the last page. Perfect for anyone who loves psychological suspense with sharp character twists.
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January 20, 2026Okay, so listen. This book had me stressed in the beginning. The premise is wild...waking up on your honeymoon next to a man who swears he���s your husband but you know he’s not? Immediately unsettling. I was locked in, heart racing, side eye fully activated.
The gaslighting was strong. Like, am I losing it or is she losing it strong. I genuinely went back and forth for a while, and I think that tension is what carried me through most of the story. I needed answers, and I needed them fast.
That said…this book tested my patience a bit. Chelsea made some choices that had me talking to the book like, “girl PLEASE.” I wanted her to slow down, think things through, and stop walking straight into chaos with no backup plan. I get panic and fear, but at some point I needed a little more logic to balance out the emotion.
The middle dragged for me, and some of the repetition took the edge off the suspense. I did enjoy trying to piece things together though, and I’ll admit, I didn’t fully have everything figured out, which I always appreciate in a thriller. The setting helped too, because the contrast between paradise and paranoia was actually really effective.
By the end, I was satisfied enough, but not blown away. It wrapped up in a way that made sense, even if I wanted a bit more punch and tighter execution. Overall, it’s a solid, entertaining thriller with a great hook, just one that needed a little refining to really hit hard. I'm all for suspending belief in my thrillers, but this was outlandish. There were many easy ways that Chelsea could've back up what she was saying. Also, the fact that she started spending time with this stranger and stayed in the room with him was unbelievable, even after suspending belief with the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
The gaslighting was strong. Like, am I losing it or is she losing it strong. I genuinely went back and forth for a while, and I think that tension is what carried me through most of the story. I needed answers, and I needed them fast.
That said…this book tested my patience a bit. Chelsea made some choices that had me talking to the book like, “girl PLEASE.” I wanted her to slow down, think things through, and stop walking straight into chaos with no backup plan. I get panic and fear, but at some point I needed a little more logic to balance out the emotion.
The middle dragged for me, and some of the repetition took the edge off the suspense. I did enjoy trying to piece things together though, and I’ll admit, I didn’t fully have everything figured out, which I always appreciate in a thriller. The setting helped too, because the contrast between paradise and paranoia was actually really effective.
By the end, I was satisfied enough, but not blown away. It wrapped up in a way that made sense, even if I wanted a bit more punch and tighter execution. Overall, it’s a solid, entertaining thriller with a great hook, just one that needed a little refining to really hit hard. I'm all for suspending belief in my thrillers, but this was outlandish. There were many easy ways that Chelsea could've back up what she was saying. Also, the fact that she started spending time with this stranger and stayed in the room with him was unbelievable, even after suspending belief with the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
January 20, 2026
Chelsea is on her honeymoon with her new husband Jay. They go to bed and when Chelsea wakes up she discovers that the man in her bed is not her husband. Everyone around Chelsea, including the stranger-husband insist that the stranger is Jay. This is not my favorite style of mystery. I’m not a huge fan of the unreliable narrator trope. Mostly I felt confused and as the story continued a bit frustrated. The trick with this kinda theme is using the trope to interest the reader and this went on until I was more frustrated than intrigued. The reveals were decent but the impact was blunted by the pacing issues.
This audiobook is narrated by Lisa Rost-Welling. Lisa does an excellent job with this somewhat unique story. This story has a theme of the main character being presented as either unreliable or being the victim of an elaborate deception. Lisa does an excellent job selling this ambiguity. The narration enhances the story experience.
Thank you to Cathryn Grant, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
This audiobook is narrated by Lisa Rost-Welling. Lisa does an excellent job with this somewhat unique story. This story has a theme of the main character being presented as either unreliable or being the victim of an elaborate deception. Lisa does an excellent job selling this ambiguity. The narration enhances the story experience.
Thank you to Cathryn Grant, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
January 28, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me a copy before publication date, at my request!
Chelsea wakes up on day 2 of her honeymoon & her husband is not her husband! Could you even imagine how this would feel. I enjoyed this book, it was a page turner with lots of twists & turns. I suspected early on & I was right but it didn’t spoilt it at all. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. There were moments when I thought really! Or why do that, I’d do this but who really knows what we’d do in these situations!
Chelsea wakes up on day 2 of her honeymoon & her husband is not her husband! Could you even imagine how this would feel. I enjoyed this book, it was a page turner with lots of twists & turns. I suspected early on & I was right but it didn’t spoilt it at all. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. There were moments when I thought really! Or why do that, I’d do this but who really knows what we’d do in these situations!
January 25, 2026
This story dragged on and on...
Lots of twists, that gave me acid reflux...
The end left too much neglected details open...
Waste of time, but at least not a DNF - since I was optimistic (to no avail).
November 25, 2025
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of Not My Husband. The cover is FABULOUS, SO EYE CATCHING!! I did figure the culprit out very early almost from the beginning but that was ok. I’m not sure what happened to Chelsea because she became more and more annoying with each chapter, like going up to the couple kissing, it just made me cringe for her. The plot was a different one and would have been real good if each chapter wasn’t so repetitive, it took a long time to get to the point of why this was happening. Hang in there because at the end you will like how it wraps up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2025
From the premise of this book, I was completely lured in and it made a strong, promising start. However unfortunately for me, that didn’t last. The main character simply infuriated me. Making stupid decisions, not one of her friends or family seemingly that bothered about the predicament she was in. I’d worked out who was responsible quite early once book, but the book just seemed to up on and on. The motive of that person wasn’t particularly great and I found with the slow pace it was a struggle to keep engaged. Sorry this wasn’t for me, 2.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There's mystery, deceit, lies, betrayal, and a past coming back to haunt the present. This book is well written, and kept me guessing and intrigued throughout. I was lucky to receive an ALC from NetGalley and really enjoyed the narration.
November 26, 2025
Well… boomer.
I went into this one with very high expectations because I adored Welcome to the Family (one of my fave reads of 2025). But Not My Husband? Unfortunately … this didn’t hit the same way.
Let’s just say the setup is… wild. Like, girl wakes up on her honeymoon next to a man who is not her husband and somehow, no one believes her. And I do mean no one. Not the hotel staff, not the police, not even when she literally has proof. It was giving: gaslight, gatekeep, tropical getaway from hell.
And still… she stays in the room?? I’m sorry but personally, I’d be curled up in a bush or hiding in a bathroom somewhere, not chilling in a suite with a stranger pretending to be my man. 🙃
Also the motive for this entire plot? It just didn’t fully land for me. Yes, the backstory is dark and messed up, but why wait so many years? Why go through such a dramatic, overly complicated plan now, especially when money and resources aren’t an issue? The logic felt like it was there just enough to pass a thriller checklist, but not enough to actually make sense.
Chelsea, our FMC, also made a lot of questionable decisions. Like constantly. I get that stress does wild things to your brain, but she was out here making choices that had me talking to my Kindle.
And the ending? Felt rushed and honestly... kinda empty. No real justice, I didn't feel I got much closure either. I did like the little Uno reverse at the end and unexpected, but I don't think it was strong enough to make hype this book.
So yeah. Didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it either.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ — three stars because the premise was bold, even if the execution wasn’t quite it.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC!
I went into this one with very high expectations because I adored Welcome to the Family (one of my fave reads of 2025). But Not My Husband? Unfortunately … this didn’t hit the same way.
Let’s just say the setup is… wild. Like, girl wakes up on her honeymoon next to a man who is not her husband and somehow, no one believes her. And I do mean no one. Not the hotel staff, not the police, not even when she literally has proof. It was giving: gaslight, gatekeep, tropical getaway from hell.
And still… she stays in the room?? I’m sorry but personally, I’d be curled up in a bush or hiding in a bathroom somewhere, not chilling in a suite with a stranger pretending to be my man. 🙃
Also the motive for this entire plot? It just didn’t fully land for me. Yes, the backstory is dark and messed up, but why wait so many years? Why go through such a dramatic, overly complicated plan now, especially when money and resources aren’t an issue? The logic felt like it was there just enough to pass a thriller checklist, but not enough to actually make sense.
Chelsea, our FMC, also made a lot of questionable decisions. Like constantly. I get that stress does wild things to your brain, but she was out here making choices that had me talking to my Kindle.
And the ending? Felt rushed and honestly... kinda empty. No real justice, I didn't feel I got much closure either. I did like the little Uno reverse at the end and unexpected, but I don't think it was strong enough to make hype this book.
So yeah. Didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it either.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ — three stars because the premise was bold, even if the execution wasn’t quite it.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC!
November 22, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
I’ve read Cathryn Grant before, so I knew I was in for a quick, twisty domestic suspense, and this one definitely starts with an eerie hook.
Not My Husband centers on a woman whose life is thrown off balance when she starts noticing unsettling changes in her husband-little things at first, then bigger cracks that make her question who she’s really living with. As the tension builds, she’s forced to figure out what’s real, what’s imagined, and what secrets have been hiding in plain sight. It has that classic “something is wrong at home” vibe that immediately pulls you in.
This was my second book by Grant, and her writing style once again makes her books so easy to read. I liked the steady rise in tension and the way the mystery tightens as you start noticing those off-kilter moments right alongside the main character. The premise is fun and eerie, and the domestic suspense elements kept me engaged. On the other hand, I found myself wanting the stakes to push a little further. A few character motivations could’ve hit with more emotional weight as well. Even so, it’s a quick, engaging read that hits the domestic-thriller spot.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I’ve read Cathryn Grant before, so I knew I was in for a quick, twisty domestic suspense, and this one definitely starts with an eerie hook.
Not My Husband centers on a woman whose life is thrown off balance when she starts noticing unsettling changes in her husband-little things at first, then bigger cracks that make her question who she’s really living with. As the tension builds, she’s forced to figure out what’s real, what’s imagined, and what secrets have been hiding in plain sight. It has that classic “something is wrong at home” vibe that immediately pulls you in.
This was my second book by Grant, and her writing style once again makes her books so easy to read. I liked the steady rise in tension and the way the mystery tightens as you start noticing those off-kilter moments right alongside the main character. The premise is fun and eerie, and the domestic suspense elements kept me engaged. On the other hand, I found myself wanting the stakes to push a little further. A few character motivations could’ve hit with more emotional weight as well. Even so, it’s a quick, engaging read that hits the domestic-thriller spot.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.75⭐️
The premise of this thriller was genuinely compelling, but it completely fell flat in execution for one major reason: it’s utterly unbelievable. On top of that, the mechanics of the storyline simply don’t work. I don’t want to get specific and risk spoilers for would-be readers, so I’ll just say I haven’t been this frustrated by a popcorn thriller in a very long time.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Lisa Rost-Welling, who did a serviceable job with the prose overall. That said, I wasn’t a fan of her male character voices, which became distracting—though thankfully they weren’t used often.
As for the unbelievability… yes, it’s fiction, and some degree of suspension of disbelief is expected. But not this much. Nearly every decision the FMC makes defies realistic human behavior. This isn’t a fantasy—it’s set firmly in the real world—and people simply do not react the way she does. Nor would even the most incompetent police department behave (or fail to behave) as they do here.
In the end, I’m sad to say this one is a no-recommend from me.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Bookouture Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
The premise of this thriller was genuinely compelling, but it completely fell flat in execution for one major reason: it’s utterly unbelievable. On top of that, the mechanics of the storyline simply don’t work. I don’t want to get specific and risk spoilers for would-be readers, so I’ll just say I haven’t been this frustrated by a popcorn thriller in a very long time.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Lisa Rost-Welling, who did a serviceable job with the prose overall. That said, I wasn’t a fan of her male character voices, which became distracting—though thankfully they weren’t used often.
As for the unbelievability… yes, it’s fiction, and some degree of suspension of disbelief is expected. But not this much. Nearly every decision the FMC makes defies realistic human behavior. This isn’t a fantasy—it’s set firmly in the real world—and people simply do not react the way she does. Nor would even the most incompetent police department behave (or fail to behave) as they do here.
In the end, I’m sad to say this one is a no-recommend from me.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Bookouture Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
December 28, 2025
I read Not My Husband by Cathryn Grant in one sitting. The premise is intriguing, but the repetitive nature and pacing made this book easy to skim without missing any details.
The idea of waking up on your honeymoon next to a man who insists he’s your husband is immediately gripping, and it kept me turning pages. However, as the story unfolded, I struggled with the characters, particularly the main character, whose decisions often felt frustrating and hard to relate to. This made it difficult for me to fully engage with the tension the story was trying to build.
While the plot had moments of suspense, the reliance on questionable choices lessened the impact for me, and the conclusion ultimately didn’t land as strongly as I’d hoped.
This may appeal to readers who enjoy quick psychological thrillers and can overlook some implausible decision-making, but it wasn’t quite the right fit for my taste.
The idea of waking up on your honeymoon next to a man who insists he’s your husband is immediately gripping, and it kept me turning pages. However, as the story unfolded, I struggled with the characters, particularly the main character, whose decisions often felt frustrating and hard to relate to. This made it difficult for me to fully engage with the tension the story was trying to build.
While the plot had moments of suspense, the reliance on questionable choices lessened the impact for me, and the conclusion ultimately didn’t land as strongly as I’d hoped.
This may appeal to readers who enjoy quick psychological thrillers and can overlook some implausible decision-making, but it wasn’t quite the right fit for my taste.
January 21, 2026
I'm guessing what Im going to say counts as spoilers, and as I've been deleted for something like that before, if you're a baby about such things, don't read on.
Oh no! I love a destination thriller but omg, this drove me batty.
I expect to be frustrated in these type where the woman is never believed.
I expect one or two poor decisions for the story to progress.
But this woman was as close to Brian dead someone can be without being a corpse.
All she had to do, when she awoke was grab her phone, go home. She would be away from the crazy man, if he followed her or already knew where she lived, there would be people who knew her and what he looked like to a) corroborate her story that he's not J and b) keep her safely away from him.
But no. She made all of the worst decisions and in the end, I was rooting for the murderer to just shut her up.
Oh well.
I saw another review that said "I'm not stupid enough for this book," and I feel this sums up my entire opinion.
Oh no! I love a destination thriller but omg, this drove me batty.
I expect to be frustrated in these type where the woman is never believed.
I expect one or two poor decisions for the story to progress.
But this woman was as close to Brian dead someone can be without being a corpse.
All she had to do, when she awoke was grab her phone, go home. She would be away from the crazy man, if he followed her or already knew where she lived, there would be people who knew her and what he looked like to a) corroborate her story that he's not J and b) keep her safely away from him.
But no. She made all of the worst decisions and in the end, I was rooting for the murderer to just shut her up.
Oh well.
I saw another review that said "I'm not stupid enough for this book," and I feel this sums up my entire opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2026
Hooks you early on but also makes you waver a bit in the middle. Just when I thought maybe the book was going to end as a dud it wraps up perfectly! Characters are not likable but almost as it should be.
Would recommend. 3.5/4 ⭐️
Audiobook performance was okay. Voice was clear while mostly easy to listen to and enjoy. Unfortunately the attempted character tone adjustments were not as fluid and smooth making it a tad awkward and odd at times.
Would recommend. 3.5/4 ⭐️
Audiobook performance was okay. Voice was clear while mostly easy to listen to and enjoy. Unfortunately the attempted character tone adjustments were not as fluid and smooth making it a tad awkward and odd at times.
January 16, 2026
This was absolutely fantastic. Chelsea wakes up one morning on her honeymoon and the man next to her isn’t the man she married?!!! Are you joking?! What a plot to start off!! After many many thriller books, I did predict the main suspect but only from the 65% mark so I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Cathryn Grants writing is one of my absolute favourites and to see how the characters act throughout the book, it felt very real and I could picture a person per character. I cannot recommend enough, I stayed up until 12:30am to finish as I HAD to know how it ended!! This ended a very long 6 week slump and I will recommend this book forever!!
January 25, 2026
This is my third read from this author and having loved both Don't Trust Her and Welcome To The Family already, I knew that I was going to be hooked with this read too.
I'm always drawn to books initially by the front cover images and this one really gave me classic thriller vibes or given the title and tags, maybe a honeymoon gone wrong?
I was intrigued to find out.
Chelsea had been looking forward to her wedding for so long and now waking up on the first morning of their honeymoon, she turns to look at her new husband and finds a stranger looking back at her.
My mind instantly went to some sort of gaslighting or a mental episode that caused this confusion - but whatever it was, I felt so sorry for Chelsea - stuck away from home and friends with nobody to support her.
I could feel her fear from the outset.
I loved the writing which created this tension throughout that had me on edge and really not sure what to trust.
Was Chelsea a reliable narrator?
I had so many different theories bobbing around in my mind.
This was a great read and although I did work things out (slightly) before the reveal, this didn't take away from the enjoyment of reading it all.
I'm looking forward already to the next new release soon.
I'm always drawn to books initially by the front cover images and this one really gave me classic thriller vibes or given the title and tags, maybe a honeymoon gone wrong?
I was intrigued to find out.
Chelsea had been looking forward to her wedding for so long and now waking up on the first morning of their honeymoon, she turns to look at her new husband and finds a stranger looking back at her.
My mind instantly went to some sort of gaslighting or a mental episode that caused this confusion - but whatever it was, I felt so sorry for Chelsea - stuck away from home and friends with nobody to support her.
I could feel her fear from the outset.
I loved the writing which created this tension throughout that had me on edge and really not sure what to trust.
Was Chelsea a reliable narrator?
I had so many different theories bobbing around in my mind.
This was a great read and although I did work things out (slightly) before the reveal, this didn't take away from the enjoyment of reading it all.
I'm looking forward already to the next new release soon.
January 20, 2026
ok
This is very quick read thriller. It is written in a way that makes you want to know the outcome.
However, I didn't like this one as much as other books i've read by this author. The actions of the FMC made zero sense and the final outcome was underwhelming.
Even though I had some issues with the story I definitely found that I did not want to stop reading. I needed to see how it was all tied together. If you like popcorn thrillers I think you will enjoy this one.
This is very quick read thriller. It is written in a way that makes you want to know the outcome.
However, I didn't like this one as much as other books i've read by this author. The actions of the FMC made zero sense and the final outcome was underwhelming.
Even though I had some issues with the story I definitely found that I did not want to stop reading. I needed to see how it was all tied together. If you like popcorn thrillers I think you will enjoy this one.
December 19, 2025
I really liked the premise of this book. A woman wakes up next to a complete stranger on her honeymoon, and he gaslights her into believing he’s her husband? I found it very interesting, and once I started reading, I couldn’t stop because I needed to know what was really going on.
Despite that, there were a few things I didn’t enjoy as much, mainly Chelsea as a character. I found her behavior a bit unrealistic for the situation she was in. Her husband was missing, a strange man was staying in her room, and most of the time she was just lounging by the pool.
I had high expectations because, like I said, the premise was very interesting, but it ended up feeling a bit underwhelming for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookoutoure for the ARC!
Despite that, there were a few things I didn’t enjoy as much, mainly Chelsea as a character. I found her behavior a bit unrealistic for the situation she was in. Her husband was missing, a strange man was staying in her room, and most of the time she was just lounging by the pool.
I had high expectations because, like I said, the premise was very interesting, but it ended up feeling a bit underwhelming for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookoutoure for the ARC!
December 10, 2025
Review of ‘Not My Husband’ by Cathryn Grant, due to be published on 16 January 2026 by Bookouture.
The book opens with Chelsea at her wedding reception with her new husband, Jay. All is well until Jay disappears to take a phone call, telling Chelsea that it’s just a disgruntled parent from the school he works at, and that there is nothing she needs to worry about. The next morning, Chelsea wakes to find a stranger in her bed, who claims to be her husband, and even has the ID to prove who he is.
With the resort and police refusing to help, all thinking she is delusional, Chelsea turns to her family via messages and calls who all urge her to come home immediately, but she refuses without first knowing what has happened to Jay.
The story is written in a way to lead you down a path of assumptions about Chelsea’s mental state - which may, or may not, be true. We have a few chapters from the point of view of ‘anonymous’ which are written in a way that it could be any number of characters in the story, adding to the gaslighting, delusions and mystery of what has happened to Jay and who the ‘man’ is.
I had guessed who was behind everything about three quarters of the way through, but it did not detract from the enjoyment of the storyline seeing how it would all tie up at the end.
The book opens with Chelsea at her wedding reception with her new husband, Jay. All is well until Jay disappears to take a phone call, telling Chelsea that it’s just a disgruntled parent from the school he works at, and that there is nothing she needs to worry about. The next morning, Chelsea wakes to find a stranger in her bed, who claims to be her husband, and even has the ID to prove who he is.
With the resort and police refusing to help, all thinking she is delusional, Chelsea turns to her family via messages and calls who all urge her to come home immediately, but she refuses without first knowing what has happened to Jay.
The story is written in a way to lead you down a path of assumptions about Chelsea’s mental state - which may, or may not, be true. We have a few chapters from the point of view of ‘anonymous’ which are written in a way that it could be any number of characters in the story, adding to the gaslighting, delusions and mystery of what has happened to Jay and who the ‘man’ is.
I had guessed who was behind everything about three quarters of the way through, but it did not detract from the enjoyment of the storyline seeing how it would all tie up at the end.
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