Don't Trust Her: A gripping psychological thriller

by Rowen Chambers

When I first met Molly, my heart went out to her. Nine months pregnant and homeless, I couldn’t turn her away.

But the moment my husband walked in and saw the woman he’d had an affair with standing in our living room—pregnant—my whole world shattered.

Drew swears it’s over and that he never knew she was carrying his child.

Molly tells a different story. One that makes me question everything I thought I knew about my husband.

Drew calls her a liar, a scam artist—dangerous. But Molly knows things about him... things that make me wonder if I really know the man I’ve been living with all these years.

I’m trapped between doubt and fear, unsure if Molly is the threat—or if the real danger lies much closer to home.

Everything I believed about Drew—and our marriage—is unraveling.

And now, I don’t know who to fear the woman living with us—or the man I married.

A chilling and suspenseful domestic thriller, perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, Theo Baxter and Kiersten Mogdlin.

Genres: Thriller

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 8, 2026

Reviews

[Mike Shockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes dirt bags get what they deserve

[Mithuna J · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

A fast-paced popcorn thriller that jumps straight into action from the very first chapter. This is the kind of book you can easily binge in one sitting, even if it didn’t completely wow me.

Struggling with her own fertility issues, Sara develops a soft spot for a pregnant homeless woman in need of help and invites her to stay in her home. From the start, something feels very off. Things quickly unravel when it’s revealed that the baby’s absent father is actually Sara’s husband, the result of an affair.

Chambers keeps you constantly doubting yourself on who to believe. You’ll find yourself empathizing with certain characters one moment and then completely questioning them the next.

While this back-and-forth does build suspense, it happens a bit too often for my taste, making some situations unbelievable or confusing. There were also some moments where the characters’ behaviours didn’t quite align or felt inconsistent with how they were depicted.

There’s not too much depth and complexity to this novel. So it’s best read as an easy, low-effort binge when you’re in the mood for a quick domestic thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[lorena · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first book from this author that I didn’t like. It was such an unbelievable story. I kept reading hoping it got better but it never did. Sara was annoying with her rules and schedules. Then she kept trying to please Drew even when he cheated on her. Even the ending when she has finally decided to stay at her boss’s house he calls her and right away she agrees to go back home. Then Molly deciding to kill Andrew and just sacrifice herself so that she goes to jail so Sara can raise the baby. Why wouldn’t she just kill them both claim self defense anthem give the baby up
If she didn’t want to raise it? Why would wage voluntary set herself up to go to jail. The whole story just didn’t make sense

[Thundyr Myah · Rating 1 out of 5]

predictable

The book was very predictable and the woman was just a total pain in the butt. Nobody is as nice as she is and allows. The things that she allowed. She let the two other people in the book walk all over and it was just very annoying.

[Christina Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, addicting but predictable read.

[Pheadra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a somewhat implausible story of three main characters - Drew, who is married to Sara and Molly, the woman he has an affair with, who has inserted herself into their marriage and lives. A page-turner, the reader keeps wondering who is lying and who's insane?
It's enjoyable if somewhat bizarre. 4 stars

[Lyndsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

my only criticism is that there was a lot of unnecessary back and forth throughout the book. a lot of it could have been cut down and ripped out the spine. it did have me going back and forth like hmm is it him? is it her? who’s the bad guy here not sure

[Melanie Tatham · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a slow burn. I found myself frustrated at the main character, her actions just seemed unbelievable. I didn’t really feel a connection with any of them. This book did have a twist at the end, it just took to long to get there.

[End of story · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love thrillers of this kind with such a good psychological suspense, where you don't know who is good and who is lying and is playing a nasty game. And a lot of that happens in this book. I was immediately hooked and devoured it in a day. Anyone who likes thrillers where people infiltrate the lives of others will love this book.

Sara seems to have the perfect life with her husband Drew. Good jobs, a beautiful apartment, and a loving relationship. The only thing missing for complete happiness would be a baby. Unfortunately, Sara struggles with fertility issues. When she buys food for a homeless and heavily pregnant young woman, her life begins to turn into a nightmare. Out of pure helpfulness, she lets Molly live with her and Drew. As luck would have it, Molly and Drew share a secret, and Molly is not going to leave anytime soon. Sara feels increasingly unsafe in her own home. On the one hand, Molly's manipulation makes her seem malicious, and on the other hand, she has to ask herself whether her marriage to Drew can continue, because she no longer recognizes him due to his lies and actions. All the lies... who can Sara still trust?

This book is told from Sara's point of view 99% of the time, and you can't help but empathize with her and suffer along with her. I have to say that if I had been in her shoes, I would have run away at a certain point (but then the book would have been very short). I often found myself shaking my head in disbelief at her decisions, even though she always showed good character and empathy. That is precisely what proves to be her undoing. At some point, I was able to guess the ending, but I found the way everything was resolved to be more than exciting and entertaining. The ending leaves you speechless. I definitely want to read more from this author. The writing style is gripping and the plots are it.

I was kindly provided with a review copy from Xpresso Book Tours via NetGalley. Thank you so much! The opinion expressed is my own.

[Akku · Rating 5 out of 5]

• 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 5✨

• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- psychological thriller
- pregnancy secret
- unreliable characters
- domestic suspense
- twisted relationships
- betrayal & lies
- shocking twists

• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Sara has always dreamed of becoming a mother, but her life turns upside down when she brings a pregnant woman named Molly into her home. What starts as an act of kindness soon becomes a nightmare filled with secrets, lies, betrayal, and dangerous truths. As more secrets come to light, Sara realizes that nothing is what it seems and trusting the wrong person could cost her everything.
This book completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. Every time I thought I had figured things out, another twist came along and proved me wrong. The tension kept building and I was constantly waiting to see what would happen next.
I loved how suspicious every character felt. Nobody seemed completely innocent, which made the story even more addictive. The drama, manipulation, and secrets had me hooked the entire time. The short chapters made it so easy to keep reading "just one more chapter" until suddenly half the book was gone.
One thing I absolutely loved was that until the very end, I kept guessing who the real villain and manipulator was. Every character felt suspicious at some point, and I was constantly changing my mind about who could actually be trusted. That uncertainty made the twists even more enjoyable and kept me hooked until the final pages.
The ending was intense, emotional, and honestly one of the best parts of the book. I flew through the pages because I simply could not stop reading.
A fast-paced thriller packed with betrayal, shocking revelations, and twists that kept me entertained from beginning to end.

[kathleen r. · Rating 1 out of 5]

OMG, this is just such nonsense. In a world where no one can or should be trusted, naive little housewife Sara meets cunning Molly, who is apparently just one of the many mistresses her husband, Drew, has in his busy accounting life.
What we have to suffer to find out though, is that no one is actually the person they seem to be. Sara is an obsessive-compulsive idiot, Molly is a serial mistress and Drew is a serial philanderer.
Things plod along as these stories usually do, with no one interacting or behaving in an attractive manner, until the wife, the mistress and the gun all collide with one another, over the worthless man.
I might normally say this is the kind of fluffy stuff almost all rom/com issues are about, but in this, geeze, the writing is so bad, I think it has to be some sort of joke.
Dialogue is stilted and generic. Everyone either sneers, gasps or looks on in horrified silence as events unfold. If you can't see the ending before the first three chapters are finished, put it back on the shelf and keep searching for something worthwhile to read. Because, trust me, THIS is fluffy bunnies at their worst, just enough word count for publishing.
Avoid at all costs. You will never get back the 2 hours it will take you to plow through this garbage.
*sigh*. Another KU "author to scratch off my list of hopefuls.

[A Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy smokes!! Don't Trust Her is the very definition of a psychological suspense drama. The three main characters are all emotionally disturbed, making it hard to figure out who's lying and who's not.

When Sara discovers her husband Drew had an affair and got the woman, Molly, pregnant, she lets her stay in their guest room. It's what any wronged wife would do right? Drew, however, wants her out of their home by any possible means. Both Molly and Drew are giving different versions of what happened, and what is currently happening. Who should Sara trust, and who is willing to go to extremes to get their way.

Once again, Rowen Chambers has told a brilliant, twisty tale filled with lies and deception. The writing flows rapidly and is easy to follow, making this a bingeable read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy

[Kaitlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn’t my favorite but there’s something to be said about the fact that I finished it in one day. It’s not the most realistic or interesting but I was invested. All of the characters pissed me off and I feel like that’s a sign that I was invested in the storyline and I didn’t dnf it even though I contemplated it. I really wanted to know who was crazy and what was truth and what was lies. Probably like a 2.5 but rounded to 2.

[Patti Ann Sherrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t Trust Who?

This was the first time reading this author. I enjoy reading psychological thrillers, so I thought I’d give this a try. Boy, am I glad I did! I wasn’t sure what the ending was going to be, but rest assured, it was hard to tell who was lying and who was telling the truth! Read it for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've loved every other book of Rowen's.

This is a shorter read and it took me forever to finish it. I had to push myself to make it through it. The characters were unrealistic, annoying and it was like reading the same thing over and over every chapter.

There's a twist in the end but I found it to be obvious. I do not have a sense of satisfaction in finishing it. I'm instead wishing I DNF.

[Katie The Book Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS. 5 STARS. 5 STARS. I have found a new favorite author to add to my list! This book was written so similar to a lot of the Freida books I have read, which only made me love it that much more! Short, quick chapters, with twists and turns you don’t see coming! This has brought me out of a reading slump that I’ve been in for a while!

[Sandra S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Really good read

This is exactly what it says, a real psychological thriller. You try to figure out the person with the very devious mind. You might figure it out, but maybe not! The heroine does like things her way. There is one who almost seems so innocent, but is she? Another who plans killings; does he get do them. You’ll have to read and see! Engrossing read!

[Christina Ghiotto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most definitely 5 OUT OF 5 STARS!!

I throughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. What excellent writing!! This storyline was so intriguing and thrilling and I did not see that end coming my jar was on the floor
I absolutely recommend!!

[Barbora Erben · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I’ve read several books by this author now, and I can officially say he never disappoints. This one was incredibly gripping and kept me hooked the entire time. If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that actually delivers, this is it. Easy 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kim Simmons]

Decent Idea; Too Redundant

This was a decent story, but it was repetitive and scenes were redundant, as if the author was required to hit 300 words for this book and did not have enough material to do so.

For this reason, it is an exhausting read.

[Jonna Sherock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Hooked from the beginning. Such a different storyline. What a good movie this would be. I will read more books by this author.

[Kim Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not read this one fast enough!!! Finished it in one sitting!

[Kim Leger · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Brandi French · Rating 5 out of 5]

tsk tsk tsk

This book is messsssssssy messy messy!! Look at the cover and the title and then start reading. Prepare to be gobsmacked!!

[bri todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book easily could’ve been 100 pages less.
The continuous back and forth and he said she said was such a drag.
Then the big plot twist in 20%.

[Rita A. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast reading and a great plot

I totally enjoyed reading this book. It kept me guessing who was guilty! Was this a plot or just one person with a warped sick mind?

[Louise Binning · Rating 3 out of 5]

2/3 stars - easy reading thriller

[Caitlin Hall · Rating 1 out of 5]

literally awful. slowest most stupid book ever where the protagonist is the most weak willed pushover and it’s just stupid. all that build up for 1 chapter of actual action and it’s predictable

[Jolovesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this author but sadly this wasn’t one of my favs, it just felt like not a lot happened, predictable too.

[Chapters_with_VDKeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y’ALL When Molly shows up nine months pregnant and homeless, sympathy comes first—until it’s revealed she’s the husband’s former mistress. From there, the tension never lets go. Molly feels fragile but unsettling, Drew is charming yet defensive, and the marriage at the center of it all starts cracking fast. Every conversation feels loaded. Every silence screams.

Chambers leans into gaslighting and psychological manipulation, turning ordinary domestic moments into nerve-wracking scenes. The writing is sharp, fast, and bingeable, with a slow-burn unraveling that keeps you guessing about who’s lying and who’s dangerous.

A few beats are slightly predictable, but the atmosphere, messy relationships, and constant dread make this one hard to put down.

If you love marriage drama, morally gray characters, and quiet, creeping suspense, this is a solid add to your TBR 🔥📖

Thanks to Xpresso Book Tours for the advance copy via #NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review #DontTrustHer #DomesticThriller #BookReview #RowenChambers