Not My Husband

by Cathryn Grant

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.

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 16, 2026

About the author

Cathryn 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.

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Robynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Faye Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Jade aka MrsTosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

So when I saw this book advertised and read the blurb, I was really intrigued and was excited to get my hands on a copy.

The concept and set-up of this book are brilliant, and the writing style is good and easy to read. so much so that I managed to read the book in one sitting. Chelsea wakes up the morning after her wedding in a blissful state until she turns over and sees the man next to her in the bed and realises that it isn't her husband, Jay. Between questioning her sanity and wondering if she is really awake, the very awkward honeymoon begins.

Sadly, there were so many things wrong with this book for me, mainly our female lead character, that it had me shaking my head and shouting at my Kindle. So you wake up in bed with a strange man, what's the first thing you do? Run out screaming, try to get help? No, Chelsea goes and takes a shower. Then proceeds to stay in the same apartment with him, sleeping in the next room. And did I mention that every time she goes off to bed, she undresses first?! I am sorry, but no. She also goes on to say that she can't ring her husband as she doesnt remember his mobile number. Had this not been an ARC, I would have probably added it to my DNF pile.

This book could have been really good with a few tweaks. Unfortunately, Chelsea just came across as a complete idiot. And her behaviour just became unbelievable. And whilst I already had suspicion early on in the book about who the stalker might be, the ending just felt very rushed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Expected publication date: January 16, 2026

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d like to start by saying something about the cover. It immediately made me want to start reading. It transported me straight to paradise beaches, and I could almost feel the sun on my face. That feeling is always wonderful, but at this time of year it’s even more comforting to escape to warmer places—even if only in my mind.

The story starts with a truly joyful event, but those happy thoughts and feelings soon turn into a nightmare. When you have someone who takes you seriously, everything is much easier to cope with. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, and Chels experiences this firsthand.

As it should in a good thriller, things go from bad to worse, and our main character becomes increasingly entangled in a web of confusion and lies. Is it all really happening, or is it all in her head, as the people around her seem to believe?

Did I have a suspicion about who the mastermind behind it all was? Yes, I did—there was, for me, a huge red flag. Did that bother me? Not at all, because as long as the author hasn’t revealed everything, doubt remains. Was it truly a red flag, or did I imagine it? And while I may have formed an idea about who the culprit was, I never could have figured out the why on my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, set on a sun-drenched island, while dark clouds slowly gathered over the life of the main character—clouds that crept into what had started as a perfectly clear sky.

A smooth writing style, interesting characters, and a solid dose of suspense ensure that the storyline comes full circle, with everything fitting perfectly into place.
A very satisfied reader here. 5 stars.

Thabk you

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast-paced read that held my interest, though I did not think the characters made realistic decisions and I figured out one of the major twists pretty much from the very beginning. The story centers primarily on Chelsea, who has the wedding of her dreams at a Hawaiian resort, only to wake up the next morning next to a man who is NOT her husband but says that he is. You also get some chapters from Chelsea's mom, Rachel, and from an anonymous perpetrator.

It was hard to relate to Chelsea, as I felt that she made terrible decisions and didn't stand up for herself at all. There were also times where her inner monologue was repetitive. While the storyline was unique and interesting, the things she did took me out of the story a bit. I also thought her family and best friend acted odd- why would they not immediately fly out to be with her when she explained what she was going through? Also, there is no way that the police would have treated her the way they did in real life. There were what I would consider 2 big twists at the end and though I figured out one early, the 2nd one was a nice surprise. The ending (purposely) left some questions unanswered but Chelsea is such an unpredictable character that I was OK with that because I have no idea what she might do later.

Overall. I thought this was an enjoyable read that had a unique storyline in a crowded psychological thriller, but certainly requires you to suspend your disbelief. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Brooklynn Tobin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel opens with Chelsea joyfully celebrating her wedding to Jay. Everything seems idyllic—until Jay steps away to take a phone call. Nothing to worry about. But the next morning, Chelsea wakes up beside a man she doesn’t recognize—who insists he’s her husband.

Chelsea turns to the resort staff and local authorities for help, but they dismiss her concerns, suggesting she’s imagining things. In a panic, she contacts her family, who urge her to come home. Still, Chelsea refuses to leave until she uncovers the truth about Jay’s disappearance.
The narrative cleverly manipulates the reader’s expectations, prompting you to question Chelsea’s grip on reality. Interspersed throughout are chapters from an unnamed character’s point of view, written to keep you guessing about their identity. This adds to the unsettling atmosphere of manipulation and mystery surrounding Jay and the stranger claiming to be him.

However, one aspect that proved frustrating was Chelsea herself. The story repeatedly emphasizes her intelligence, yet her decisions often contradict that portrayal. Her actions become predictable and simplistic, making it harder to stay emotionally invested in her journey.

That said, I managed to piece together the mystery about three-quarters of the way through. Even so, the reveal didn’t spoil the experience—it was still satisfying to watch the plot threads come together in the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book sounded so interesting. A woman gets married, wakes up the next day and a man who she says it’s not her husband is laying in bed with her. This man insists that he’s her husband and she can’t convince anyone that her actual husband is missing.

This book had so many twists and turns and overall I thought it was a decent read.

For the pros, I thought the writing was good. I was engaged from pretty much the first few pages and I really wanted to know what was going on. I also thought that the premise wasn’t one that I really read before so that caught my attention.

For the cons, I don’t think I’ve ever been so frustrated with a character as much as I was with this one. To me the decisions and choices she made did not make any sense. One example ,without giving a spoiler , is that after she discovers this man in her bed that she does not know who is claiming to be her husband who she says is not her husband she leaves him in the room and she goes to take a shower. That was baffling to me. If I found a strange man in my hotel room, there’s no way I would ever go and take a shower with this man in my room. It made zero sense to me.
That’s just one example of the many things that she did that were extremely frustrating to me

With that being said if this character had not been so frustrating and made such dumb decisions, I probably would’ve rated this book higher but in good conscience with this character, I just am not able to do so.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[The Chapter Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not My Husband by Cathryn Grant delivers a high-concept domestic thriller with an instantly gripping premise.

Chelsea should be living her happily-ever-after — a stunning Hawaiian wedding, a handsome new husband, and a dream honeymoon. But when she wakes up the morning after her wedding to find a strange man in her bed and her actual husband missing, the fantasy shatters instantly.

Things only spiral from there. Everyone she turns to — police, hotel staff, everyone — insists the man beside her is her husband. He even has identification to prove it. With a past brain injury complicating matters, Chelsea is forced to question her own sanity: is she losing her mind, or is something far more disturbing unfolding around her?

The gaslighting elements and escalating unease are the strongest parts of this story and firmly place it in domestic-thriller territory. That said, I often found myself frustrated with the main character’s decisions — there were multiple moments where I was internally yelling at my Kindle because some choices felt wildly unrealistic given the situation.

While the premise was excellent and had the potential to go much darker and deeper, I felt the execution didn’t fully capitalize on it. Still, the fast pace and easy readability make this an enjoyable, low-commitment thriller.

If you’re a fan of quick, bingeable domestic thrillers — especially for a beach or vacation read — this one may be right up your alley.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not My Husband by Cathryn Grant is a psychological thriller that feels like wandering through a foggy maze—every turn a surprise, every shadow hiding a secret. Set against the stunning backdrop of a Hawaiian resort, the story contrasts paradise with paranoia in a way that’s both beautiful and unsettling. Newlywed Chelsey wakes up beside a man who insists he’s her husband, yet she’s certain he isn’t. His perfect knowledge of their life together makes everyone doubt her, and soon even she begins questioning her own sanity. That tension kept me turning pages late into the night.
I loved the unique premise and the way the book explores deeper themes, especially how easily charm can silence a woman’s voice. The setting is lush and atmospheric, and the twist adds an extra layer of intrigue. At times, I began to wonder if the main characters was an unreliable narrator, which made the experience more compelling.
That said, some character decisions felt unrealistic, and there were moments where I wanted to scream at the page. A few sections could have been tighter, but overall, the unpredictability and psychological tension made this a memorable read. If you enjoy thrillers that mix sunlit beaches with dark undertones and tackle themes of trust and vulnerability, this one is worth picking up. It’s haunting, bingeable, and will leave you questioning everything—even the narrator herself.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cathryn Grant takes the idyllic setting of a honeymoon in paradise and twists it into a chilling nightmare. Not My Husband begins with a moment of bliss—newlywed joy, ocean breezes, tropical flowers—only to unravel in an instant when the man beside the heroine is not the husband she married. What follows is a psychological thriller that grips from the very first scream.

Grant masterfully plays with perception and doubt, blurring the line between reality and imagination. The unsettling question—who is this man, and what has he done with Jay?—drives the story forward with relentless tension. Every detail, from the hotel staff’s wary glances to the stranger’s whispered threats, heightens the sense of isolation and dread.

What makes this novel so compelling is the way it balances atmosphere with psychological suspense. The lush, sunlit setting contrasts beautifully with the claustrophobic fear of not being believed, creating a story that feels both glamorous and terrifying. It’s a thriller that doesn’t just keep you turning pages—it makes you question trust, identity, and the fragility of certainty itself.

Fans of The White Lotus, The Housemaid, and The Perfect Marriage will find themselves utterly captivated. This is a story that lingers, its unease curling around you long after the final page.

With thanks to Cathryn Grant, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read the synopsis for this novel, I was immediately intrigued and requested the ARC and couldn’t wait to read it. I found this book to be engaging from the beginning and a quick read. The storyline was a fresh take for the psychological thriller market. However, there were some frustrating areas of this book. Number One, our main character Chelsea. She was supposed to be so intelligent but the decisions she made time and time again in the book were ridiculous. Also, her inner monologues became quite repetitive from chapter to chapter, I found myself skimming while reading because I had read the same ideas over and over before. Not only did she make unwise decisions, but the actions of her family and friends were a little shocking. Someone they supposedly cared so deeply for wakes up to a strange man calling himself her husband and none of them fly back to Hawaii to help her sort out what is happening?

Even with the repetitive nature of the book and our questionable main character, I enjoyed the storyline. I did figure out the identity of the stalker and some other facts related to the missing husband early on, but still enjoyed reading to see how it all wrapped up. The ending, although a little open ended, works perfectly for this cast of characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Chelsea just married her dream man in Hawaii and wakes up on the first day of her honeymoon to find a different man in bed with her who is claiming to be her husband. She notifies the hotel that this man is a fraud but this man has ID in her husband’s name and no one believes her.

This was a really interesting premise which is why I requested the book. That was about the extent of the positives. This is one of those books where the female main character does dumb stuff from start to finish including letting the strange man stay in the room with her for several days. Then no one in her well to do family or friend network flies back to Hawaii to help her navigate her husband’s disappearance. The motive of the person carrying out this deception out was so farfetched and unbelievable that it led to an unsatisfying conclusion. I wanted to DNF at points because Chelsea was just spinning her wheels but I wanted to know how it ended since the premise was great. The explanation was a let down and the perpetrator was pretty obvious for a chunk of the book.

[Catharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snared by a strong start.

The book description had me immediately — a quirky premise with the potential for something dark, twisty, and genuinely gripping. On paper, it’s exactly the sort of idea that should work, and credit to Cathryn Grant for coming up with a hook that absolutely does its job.

There’s also nothing technically wrong with the writing. The novel is competently put together, clearly plotted, and includes a twist I genuinely didn’t see coming.

Unfortunately, the problem for me was the heroine. Despite the narrative repeatedly reminding us of her intelligence (often), her thoughts, decisions, and behaviour felt oddly repetitive — and, frankly, rather simple. Being told a character is clever only goes so far when their actions stubbornly suggest otherwise, and I found myself growing more irritated than invested as the story went on.

A promising concept and a strong opening, but one let down by a central character I never quite believed in — or warmed to.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of “Not My Husband” by Cathryn Grant.

[Kimberly Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chelsea has overcome the devastating effects of an accident that left her bedridden and fighting for a normal life, making the celebration of her exotic destination wedding that much sweeter. When she wakes up the morning after her wedding in her hotel room in Hawaii with her new husband, she’s excited to begin her new life.

Chelsea is in for a rude awakening when she discovers the man in her bed is not the man she married a day earlier. And she quickly learns no one is willing to listen to her. Chelsea needs to ignore the naysayers and dedicate her honeymoon to discovering who the man in her Honeymoon Suite is, and what has happened to her husband.

The novel set-up was excellent, as was the twisty end. What fell flat for me was the middle of the novel. A novel of this type allows us to be fully invested in the plight of the protagonist, and I didn’t feel we scratched far beneath the surface in understanding who she is and why we should be rooting for her. I was also pressed to suspend disbelief about how this story unfolded.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.

[BookTokReads 📚✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC!
📝💭 My Review: 2.75 ⭐️ for this book. The premise hooked me right away: a newly married couple goes on their honeymoon, and the wife wakes up to find a man in her bed. He insists he is her husband, while everyone around her, including the police, treats her like she’s losing her grip on reality. So… is she losing her grip? Or is something more sinister at play?
That said, the story felt predictable at times, with some repetitive conversations and interactions that made it easy to guess where things were headed. The protagonists personality and actions were tough to connect with, and a few plot gaps pulled me out of the moment.
But the short chapters make it incredibly quick to get through, and readers who enjoy “is-she-crazy-or-is-something-wrong?” domestic suspense may still find this one intriguing.
It’s a strong concept that could definitely earn 4 stars with a few changes.

[Tenaya Welts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of Not My Husband really drew my attention however it didn't really live up to the hype. Chelsea just got married and is in Hawaii with her husband. She wakes up only to find someone in her bed who isn't her husband yet has everything he needs to support that he is her husband. Chelsea tries to everything she can to prove that this man is not her husband but she is just sounding crazy.

The pace of the book started strong but as we went on things just didn't make sense and I was like why didn't you do this or why don't you try this. So it was unrealistic in my opinion. The story did move along and everything wrapped up well however I would of liked a little more suspense. Over a good read. I am interested to read more by this author because the book was not bad.

Pub date: 1/16/26
rating: 3 stars

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Went into this book with such high hopes, only to find that it is extremely repetitive. The entire book could have been cut by half because of that.
Chelsea is totally annoying, and can someone so educated be so stupid? I certainly wouldn't practically live with a stranger. Why she never legged it immediately after finding a stranger in her bed, I don't know.
Unrealistic and unbelievable.
I did, however, have my suspicions on the culprit in the book, and was correct. That was also unrealistic and unbelievable.... to show two faces for that many years.
Can you imagine disturbing someone having an intimate moment, and not taking a hint to get lost? ugh!! Read the book to see what I mean.

I am giving this an extra star for the conclusion. That was unexpected.

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD! Imagine that you have your dream wedding day on an island in Hawaii and then wake up the following morning to find your husband gone and another man in bed with you, who is claiming to be him?

I absolutely love Cathryn Grant's writing; she has a skill of drawing the reader straight in with her captivating characters and scene setting. Once I was hooked, I really struggled to put this one down as I needed to know! There are plenty of twists and red herrings and I honestly had no idea of who the mystery man in Chelsea's bed could be. As her confusion and desperation built, so did her determination and the tension was palpable, with the suspense building right up the shocking ending. Brilliant!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Cathryn Grant and Bookouture, for an ARC of this book.

[Ms C · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise and opening of this book appealed to me and I found this a quick and easy read. The main character wakes up in bed after her wedding with someone who she says isn't her husband. From this point I felt that that main character did not act in a realistic way and it made it hard to really relate to her. I would have liked more depth to all the characters - there was a lot of repetitive inner monologue, all those words could have been used more to develop the characters in the book better.

Unlike other reviewers I didn't predict all of what was coming which is probably what kept me reading. No spoilers but I thought the character redeemed herself for me slightly at the end!

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Lindzanne1_bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

POV: You just got married and you’re in paradise with your new husband. You wake up in the morning and there’s a stranger laying in bed next to you.

If you’re looking for a thriller that will have your mind spinning with questions and endless possibilities this book is for you! It was so thought provoking and absolutely addicting. Everything feels so unreal and with the book told from Chelsea’s perspective you feel every emotion and fear she has. I find myself questioning her reliability so many times, but also had so much sympathy for her as well. So many cliffhangers and I was so invested in the story! It’s so fast paced and the short chapters make it easy to binge!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the arc!

[iana · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Holly McDonald · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of Not My Husband immediately hooked me! A woman wakes up on her honeymoon to discover the man in her bed is not her husband, even though he’s claiming to be. From there, the story follows Chelsea as she tries to uncover what really happened to her husband, which should have been gripping. Unfortunately, the execution fell flat for me. Much of the book felt incredibly repetitive, with the FMC spinning her wheels and making little real progress for the majority of the story. I also found it very obvious early on who was behind everything, which removed most of the suspense. Ultimately, I’m giving it 2 stars mainly because it was a quick, easy read, but it didn’t live up to its intriguing premise.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a chilling tale of gaslighting and betrayal, Cathryn Grant delivers the ultimate in domestic suspense with a premise that grabs you from page one.
We meet Chelsea and Jay, a happily newly married couple ready for their honeymoon—until Chelsea wakes up to a stranger in her bed. ​
The story is a race against time as Chelsea battles a world that refuses to believe her. While she occasionally makes questionable decisions, you simply have to suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride.
Grant beautifully illustrates Chelsea’s mounting terror and declining mental health as her support system crumbles, leaving her trusting no one.
With relentless twists and a shocking ending that is crafted like a perfectly executed Bloody Mary with an umbrella on top, this is an addictive, one-sitting read.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
This plot had so much potential but it was unfortunately pretty underwhelming. I was so invested in the premise however I was expecting twists and turns and more suspense but instead the main character was extremely repetitive and annoying. I kept waiting thinking something would be revealed that would make all the repetitive chapters worthwhile, but it never did. I guessed who the culprit was but the actual explanation of what was going on was unsatisfying. This had all the pieces to be something great, but missed the mark.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.