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His Perfect Wife
A BRAND NEW psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist!
Every marriage has secrets ... mine just happen to be deadly.
I'm Mrs. Charles Hayward. Every night I make sure my husband comes home to a clean house and dinner on the table.
It's important that I please him. After all, Charles has provided me with a beautiful home, an assortment of dresses, and a sensible car to run his errands.
Our marriage isn't what I imagined when I was younger but Charles insists it's for the best.
My husband is a very smart man. He knows so many things.
Except for just a few...
He doesn't know that I hate him.
Or that I know what he's been doing.
Or that I have a plan for him.
But it's good for a wife to have secrets.
Especially when my husband has no idea what's coming.
A dark and chilling housewife thriller, perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, and Kiersten Mogdlin.
Every marriage has secrets ... mine just happen to be deadly.
I'm Mrs. Charles Hayward. Every night I make sure my husband comes home to a clean house and dinner on the table.
It's important that I please him. After all, Charles has provided me with a beautiful home, an assortment of dresses, and a sensible car to run his errands.
Our marriage isn't what I imagined when I was younger but Charles insists it's for the best.
My husband is a very smart man. He knows so many things.
Except for just a few...
He doesn't know that I hate him.
Or that I know what he's been doing.
Or that I have a plan for him.
But it's good for a wife to have secrets.
Especially when my husband has no idea what's coming.
A dark and chilling housewife thriller, perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, and Kiersten Mogdlin.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 23, 2026
This is a frightening look at what some of us remember as The Stepford Wives! Emily is married to surgeon, Charles and apparently she "did" something horrible she can't remember. Now she rarely leaves the house, cleans constantly, and basically cowers under her husband's control. Raced through this one in a few hours!
September 3, 2026
I would have killed the husband in the first chapter. Just saying! 🤣
August 25, 2026
First and foremost, thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the e-book in exchange for an honest review!
This book had me hooked from the beginning!
The premise is very interesting, the kind of stuff you binge entire seasons of if it were a show. It kept you on your toes throughout the entire read, and made you wonder if you truly knew what was going on, or whether or not you could tell where it was going.
I like the characters. Both the protagonist, Emily, and her neighbour, Heidi, have very distinct voices and it was never an issue telling them apart. They each had their personalities, their mannerisms, their way of speaking.
The neighbourhood was very vivid and it pissed me off so much - in the best way! Emily's neighbours are more than nosy; they treat her like a child, speak to her as if she were one and gossip and dismiss her. Kathy bothered me so much, I love how she was written. You could just feel the fake niceness all over her, the way her "compliments" were actually insults in disguise, how she spied on Emily and kept "a close watch" on the neighbourhood. Is this how HOAs are? I haven't read a single book in which they're good, lol.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was how Charles's manipulation was handled. He lies, threatens and gaslights Emily every single day, using her weak memory of her accident to shape her into the wife he wants her to be. And he does so very well. It got to a point where Chambers had me doubting my own memory of the book itself, there were chapters in which I had to pause and consider what I knew I'd read and compare it with the information that was being presented to me - I think that was really well done.
Unfortunately, I had a small problem with the characters.
In my opinion, they weren't really fleshed out.
We know what Charles wants Emily to be, but we don't know much about her as a person. What she likes, what her hobbies were, etc. I understand Charles keeps her trapped and she hasn't been able to have a life of her own for so many years, but it's like she doesn't think of it herself. We know she was an accountant and that she was nice - people liked her, she was the kind of person to help out anyone in need.
But we don't get it from Emily herself, she doesn't really tell us about her life before meeting Charles.
The same thing goes for everyone else. We know Heidi moved from Chicago after years of working as a prosecuter because she needed a break, but that's about it. Her personality is "being honest" and "dressing casually". There's not much more to her. We know she loves her father, who was also a cop, and that it was thanks to him that she became a prosecuter in the first place. But what about her likes? Her wants and needs?
We know Kathy is a nosy neighbour, a woman who's spent her entire life catering to her husband. We know her husband is a prick. We barely get to know the other women in the neighbourhood - all we get is that they're fond of gossiping.
I wish there was more to these characters than just their surface traits.
I was also not very fond of the ending. It is very rushed.
Other than that, it was an enjoyable read! I love thrillers and this was a very entertaining one.
This book had me hooked from the beginning!
The premise is very interesting, the kind of stuff you binge entire seasons of if it were a show. It kept you on your toes throughout the entire read, and made you wonder if you truly knew what was going on, or whether or not you could tell where it was going.
I like the characters. Both the protagonist, Emily, and her neighbour, Heidi, have very distinct voices and it was never an issue telling them apart. They each had their personalities, their mannerisms, their way of speaking.
The neighbourhood was very vivid and it pissed me off so much - in the best way! Emily's neighbours are more than nosy; they treat her like a child, speak to her as if she were one and gossip and dismiss her. Kathy bothered me so much, I love how she was written. You could just feel the fake niceness all over her, the way her "compliments" were actually insults in disguise, how she spied on Emily and kept "a close watch" on the neighbourhood. Is this how HOAs are? I haven't read a single book in which they're good, lol.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was how Charles's manipulation was handled. He lies, threatens and gaslights Emily every single day, using her weak memory of her accident to shape her into the wife he wants her to be. And he does so very well. It got to a point where Chambers had me doubting my own memory of the book itself, there were chapters in which I had to pause and consider what I knew I'd read and compare it with the information that was being presented to me - I think that was really well done.
Unfortunately, I had a small problem with the characters.
In my opinion, they weren't really fleshed out.
We know what Charles wants Emily to be, but we don't know much about her as a person. What she likes, what her hobbies were, etc. I understand Charles keeps her trapped and she hasn't been able to have a life of her own for so many years, but it's like she doesn't think of it herself. We know she was an accountant and that she was nice - people liked her, she was the kind of person to help out anyone in need.
But we don't get it from Emily herself, she doesn't really tell us about her life before meeting Charles.
The same thing goes for everyone else. We know Heidi moved from Chicago after years of working as a prosecuter because she needed a break, but that's about it. Her personality is "being honest" and "dressing casually". There's not much more to her. We know she loves her father, who was also a cop, and that it was thanks to him that she became a prosecuter in the first place. But what about her likes? Her wants and needs?
We know Kathy is a nosy neighbour, a woman who's spent her entire life catering to her husband. We know her husband is a prick. We barely get to know the other women in the neighbourhood - all we get is that they're fond of gossiping.
I wish there was more to these characters than just their surface traits.
I was also not very fond of the ending. It is very rushed.
Other than that, it was an enjoyable read! I love thrillers and this was a very entertaining one.
September 27, 2026
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had me hooked from the very beginning! 👀🔥 It was thrilling right out of the gate, and I genuinely wanted to know how everything was going to unfold.
BUT… whew. 😩 I absolutely hated the way her husband treated her. It became so frustrating and annoying to keep following their storyline. Like, sir… PLEASE. 🙄
And Heidi, the neighbor? Girl. 😭 Mind your business! Every time she popped up, I was like, “Oh, here we go again.” 😂
I’ll be honest—the whole book was pretty annoying to me. There were definitely moments that kept me turning the pages, but so much of the story frustrated me that it took away from the overall experience.
And then that ending… 😐 It felt way too rushed and flat for all the buildup. I was expecting more, and when I got to the end, I was basically like, “That’s it??” 🥴
Overall, the beginning had me hooked, but the characters and storyline eventually tested my patience. 😅 A thrilling start, but unfortunately, not a satisfying finish for me.
This book had me hooked from the very beginning! 👀🔥 It was thrilling right out of the gate, and I genuinely wanted to know how everything was going to unfold.
BUT… whew. 😩 I absolutely hated the way her husband treated her. It became so frustrating and annoying to keep following their storyline. Like, sir… PLEASE. 🙄
And Heidi, the neighbor? Girl. 😭 Mind your business! Every time she popped up, I was like, “Oh, here we go again.” 😂
I’ll be honest—the whole book was pretty annoying to me. There were definitely moments that kept me turning the pages, but so much of the story frustrated me that it took away from the overall experience.
And then that ending… 😐 It felt way too rushed and flat for all the buildup. I was expecting more, and when I got to the end, I was basically like, “That’s it??” 🥴
Overall, the beginning had me hooked, but the characters and storyline eventually tested my patience. 😅 A thrilling start, but unfortunately, not a satisfying finish for me.
October 10, 2026
I always thought that I was born a little bit late as I had always been drawn to the women of the 50s. I always wondered it would be like to be the kind of wife and mother that was portrayed back in the old black and white TV shows. When it seemed like the biggest problem of the day was what to make for dinner every night lol! Our main character, Emily, is that woman but it's modern times, against her will and a sad reason behind it. I felt sorry for her, as well as frustrated by her but understood her reasoning. I loved the very strong character of Heidi and all women should be as honest as she is. Charles is awful through and through. This book kept me reading non-stop with a satisfying ending. I will be reading more by this author.
October 26, 2026
I have never read a book that made me so angry YET I couldn’t put it down!! 😂 Fast and easy read. If I ever met a guy like Charles in real life, I don’t even know what I would do. He’s a horrible, HORRIBLE MAN. I’m happy with how it ended, but I have a few questions about Kathy?? She bothered me, and I feel like there wasn’t much closure with her character. That’s the only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars. BUT I would definitely recommend!! Just a trigger warning for a controlling, FRUSTRATING, TERRIBLE MAN. 😭
October 14, 2026
HIS PERFECT WIFE BY ROWEN CHAMBERS.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
This author never disappoints.
I love myself some Rowen Chambers.
Loved this book. It had me hooked from the very beginning
Love the cover 🔥
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
This author never disappoints.
I love myself some Rowen Chambers.
Loved this book. It had me hooked from the very beginning
Love the cover 🔥
August 30, 2026
This book was really good! I was hooked from the very beginning and had no idea where the story was going to take me. The psychological twists and turns kept me guessing, and I was honestly shocked by how the husband was able to keep this charade going for so many years. The dynamic between the wife and her abusive husband made the story intense and frustrating in the best way. There were definitely moments where I was sitting there thinking, How is he getting away with this?!
Overall, this was such a fun and suspenseful read. I definitely enjoyed the ride and would recommend it to anyone who loves psychological thrillers with plenty of secrets.
Thank you NetGalley for this awesome ARC!
Overall, this was such a fun and suspenseful read. I definitely enjoyed the ride and would recommend it to anyone who loves psychological thrillers with plenty of secrets.
Thank you NetGalley for this awesome ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Waltham Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
OMG!!! What have I just read?! 😱 I honestly don’t think I’ve encountered a character as utterly hateful as hubby dearest in this book! That is a testament to how brilliantly the whole story is written, but even so, I’ve never rooted for a character to be unalived quite as much as I did him! 😂
His Perfect Wife is a twisty, terrifying psychological thriller that had me experiencing some BIG feelings from beginning to end. There were moments when I was completely hooked, furious, horrified and desperate to see how everything would unfold.
The only reason this didn’t get more than 3 stars from me was a fairly significant plot hole towards the end however, I would still absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark, twisty psychological thrillers with seriously unlikable characters in the very best way.
OMG!!! What have I just read?! 😱 I honestly don’t think I’ve encountered a character as utterly hateful as hubby dearest in this book! That is a testament to how brilliantly the whole story is written, but even so, I’ve never rooted for a character to be unalived quite as much as I did him! 😂
His Perfect Wife is a twisty, terrifying psychological thriller that had me experiencing some BIG feelings from beginning to end. There were moments when I was completely hooked, furious, horrified and desperate to see how everything would unfold.
The only reason this didn’t get more than 3 stars from me was a fairly significant plot hole towards the end however, I would still absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark, twisty psychological thrillers with seriously unlikable characters in the very best way.
October 2, 2026
Such a good book!!!! Quick read!
A BRAND NEW fast-paced psychological thriller with a shocking twist!
I say I love my husband... but it's a lie.
I'm Mrs. Charles Hayward. Every night, I make sure my husband comes home to a clean house and dinner on the table.
Our marriage isn't what I imagined when I was younger, but Charles insists it's for the best.
My husband is a very smart man. He knows so many things.
Except for just a few...
He doesn't know that I hate him.
Or that I know what he's been doing.
Or that I have a plan for him.
But it's good for a wife to have secrets.
Especially when my husband has no idea what's coming.
A BRAND NEW fast-paced psychological thriller with a shocking twist!
I say I love my husband... but it's a lie.
I'm Mrs. Charles Hayward. Every night, I make sure my husband comes home to a clean house and dinner on the table.
Our marriage isn't what I imagined when I was younger, but Charles insists it's for the best.
My husband is a very smart man. He knows so many things.
Except for just a few...
He doesn't know that I hate him.
Or that I know what he's been doing.
Or that I have a plan for him.
But it's good for a wife to have secrets.
Especially when my husband has no idea what's coming.
October 28, 2026
I really enjoyed this book, however I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed and sometimes the story lacked depth.
While I was definitely hooked from the beginning, I think I would have liked a little more. Charles' chapter felt especially rushed and surface level. Also, personally I think adding a chapter from Kathy's POV would have been fun.
I think the final scene was really fast and I didn't even have time for anxiety to build. It felt like there was a lot of build-up and then it was just kind of over. I didn't really feel surprised throughout the book and could guess most of what would happen.
Overall, I really did love this book. It's a quick read and definitely freaky.
While I was definitely hooked from the beginning, I think I would have liked a little more. Charles' chapter felt especially rushed and surface level. Also, personally I think adding a chapter from Kathy's POV would have been fun.
I think the final scene was really fast and I didn't even have time for anxiety to build. It felt like there was a lot of build-up and then it was just kind of over. I didn't really feel surprised throughout the book and could guess most of what would happen.
Overall, I really did love this book. It's a quick read and definitely freaky.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I could honestly have reached into the pages of this book if I could, and given Emily a good shake!
Being controlled like she was, and believing Charles' every word, his gaslighting, I really could have given her a stern talking to.
Thank Heavens for Heidi, who wasn't taken in.
The book is good. but the characters infuriating. Especially Kathy and Charles.
I am a Rowen Chambers fan, and have enjoyed the books I have read. This book just incensed me.
The ending is concerning. Could there be another book?
If so, I would read it!!!!
4/5 stars.
Being controlled like she was, and believing Charles' every word, his gaslighting, I really could have given her a stern talking to.
Thank Heavens for Heidi, who wasn't taken in.
The book is good. but the characters infuriating. Especially Kathy and Charles.
I am a Rowen Chambers fan, and have enjoyed the books I have read. This book just incensed me.
The ending is concerning. Could there be another book?
If so, I would read it!!!!
4/5 stars.
August 31, 2026
3.5 ⭐
I really liked the start of this. I was properly hooked.
I do love a toxic relationship.
How Charles could completely get his wife to do everything he wished.
As it went on, I didn't love it so much, but I was still more than happy to pick it up and see where we were at.
The ending seemed very sudden. But definitely as I expected it to go.
An enjoyable read
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
I really liked the start of this. I was properly hooked.
I do love a toxic relationship.
How Charles could completely get his wife to do everything he wished.
As it went on, I didn't love it so much, but I was still more than happy to pick it up and see where we were at.
The ending seemed very sudden. But definitely as I expected it to go.
An enjoyable read
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
October 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 STARS
I went into this one COMPLETELY blind. I had never even heard of this author before, but I can definitely say I’d read more from her! 👏🏼📚
I loved the whole concept of this book, and the twists kept me guessing. I love when I go into a book not knowing what to expect, and this one definitely delivered on the twisty aspect!
Safe to say, Rowen Chambers is an author I’ll be keeping an eye on! 👀
I went into this one COMPLETELY blind. I had never even heard of this author before, but I can definitely say I’d read more from her! 👏🏼📚
I loved the whole concept of this book, and the twists kept me guessing. I love when I go into a book not knowing what to expect, and this one definitely delivered on the twisty aspect!
Safe to say, Rowen Chambers is an author I’ll be keeping an eye on! 👀
August 27, 2026
Net galley ARC
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning and kept the pace throughout. Some of the characters were absolutely frustrating, which tells me this was a slam dunk for a psychological thriller. I will definitely be looking into more books by this author.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning and kept the pace throughout. Some of the characters were absolutely frustrating, which tells me this was a slam dunk for a psychological thriller. I will definitely be looking into more books by this author.
August 29, 2026
The author did a great job of making you hate the MMC. I was ready to unalive him after their first interaction Ha! This book kept me guessing on what was real. I wasn’t sure if we had an unreliable narrator or not. I won’t be spoiling this one! There was much drama and mystery. I wasn’t sure where this ride would end. Thank you for the ARC!
September 1, 2026
I really enjoyed this story that revolves around three main characters - Charles, a controlling, abusive, delusional surgeon; his wife Emily a terrified, easily manipulated Stepford-type wife and the new awesome neighbour Heidi, a state prosecutor on a break, who takes no prisoners. 4 and a half stars.
October 4, 2026
Wow! I could relate to the book. Scary I know. There’s a reason for the metaphor: “If you put a frog into boiling water, it jumps out right away. But if you put it in cold water and heat it slowly, the frog stays put until it boils to death because it does not notice the change.“
Loved the book and the ending.
Loved the book and the ending.
August 24, 2026
HIS PERFECT WIFE - I thoroughly enjoyed this twisted thriller, a word I don't use much with this genre. Immersing story lines with interesting characters and plenty of mind games galore. Karma rules. Source: NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours/Waltham Publishing. 4*
August 30, 2026
Rowen has again wrote a stay up all night thriller
I did not want this book to end. I wanted to see what would continue to happen with the husband as he realizes his wife is on to him.
I did not want this book to end. I wanted to see what would continue to happen with the husband as he realizes his wife is on to him.
September 8, 2026
This was my first book by this author, and it did not disappoint! Fast paced, bringing many feelings about the characters and the plot. I have to say I would not have lasted a day with that husband, and I really liked Heidi. Great book! Thank you NetGalley!
September 8, 2026
I love a psychological thriller. This story had me swirling in twists and turns. I like when the author pulls me into the story as if I was one of the characters. This story did not disappoint me. You'll love it!
September 11, 2026
Crazy…yes, but brilliant plot!
Growing up in a family of DV and abuse and then marrying not one but two abusive men, I know for certain this kind of crazy is one of those that proves reality is worse than fiction!
Growing up in a family of DV and abuse and then marrying not one but two abusive men, I know for certain this kind of crazy is one of those that proves reality is worse than fiction!
September 13, 2026
Good book
I like how the story is written and easy to follow. It kept my interest never a dull moment. When I got to the end I was hoping there was going to be a second book, a continuation of the story with Kathy now being the controller. It left me wanting more.
I like how the story is written and easy to follow. It kept my interest never a dull moment. When I got to the end I was hoping there was going to be a second book, a continuation of the story with Kathy now being the controller. It left me wanting more.
September 22, 2026
His perfect wife is a riveting psychological thriller. It takes gaslighting to a whole new level. I could feel Emily’s life spiraling downward. The book is well written but I enjoyed My husband’s mistress more.
The book moves along at a predictable pace but the ending was a little convenient.
The book moves along at a predictable pace but the ending was a little convenient.
September 27, 2026
uncomfortable
Frustrating to believe the wife could be so clueless and gullible. I know it’s the premise of the whole story but it made me very uncomfortable. Really, none of the characters were believable.
Frustrating to believe the wife could be so clueless and gullible. I know it’s the premise of the whole story but it made me very uncomfortable. Really, none of the characters were believable.
September 28, 2026
Book Review:
I enjoyed this book it was a riveting story...All about manipulation and experimenting on your loved one ....The story had interesting main character's and it certainly had you wondering how it would all end ..Thank- you for an enjoyable read ...M.L.
I enjoyed this book it was a riveting story...All about manipulation and experimenting on your loved one ....The story had interesting main character's and it certainly had you wondering how it would all end ..Thank- you for an enjoyable read ...M.L.
October 4, 2026
Wow
Wow. Impressed. Nice twists and turns. Perfect, tight pacing kept me turning pages. No purple fluff. We'll done 👍👍👍👍👍
Loved the shorter chapters
I'll read more from this author, we'll done
Wow. Impressed. Nice twists and turns. Perfect, tight pacing kept me turning pages. No purple fluff. We'll done 👍👍👍👍👍
Loved the shorter chapters
I'll read more from this author, we'll done
October 6, 2026
It was fairly predictable, and though I didn’t know all of the details, I did figure out the twist. But, if I didn’t read psychological thrillers all the time, maybe I wouldn’t have. Still, very enjoyable.
October 16, 2026
The book was a bit predictable but had some new ideas on the “manipulative” husband drama. I liked the neighborhood aspect and the FMC I just wish the relationship with her neighbor and her mother were a bit more fleshed out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews