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Sydney Harbour Hospital #1

The Perfect Husband

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Isobel Donnelly has a perfect life. Married to a renowned orthopedic surgeon who’s employed at the illustrious Sydney Harbour Hospital, she also has a successful and satisfying career as a pediatric nurse. Life couldn’t get any better.
But then her babies arrive and the husband she adores turns into a cold and angry stranger. Her perfect world is shattered the first night he hits her.
Now, she’s trapped in a violent marriage with nowhere to turn. Her husband has threatened to kill her and the kids if she ever dares to leave. In public, they’re the perfect couple, but inside, she’s slowly but surely dying.
Mason Alexander has relocated to the city to take up his dream job as a pediatric doctor at the prestigious Sydney Harbour Hospital. Recovering from a failed marriage, he’s determined to put the change of scene to good use. The distractions and demands of his new job are just what he needs to get his life back on track.
Then he runs into Isobel Donnelly and his world is once again turned upside down. He’s loved her since they were children. She’s the reason his marriage failed. But Isobel’s still married to his the incomparable Nigel Donnelly. From all accounts, the two of them are still blissfully in love.
Vowing to steer clear of the woman who’s haunted his dreams for far too many years, Mason does his best to avoid her, but Isobel continues to seek him out and he can’t help but notice her assurances about her happy marriage appear a little forced.
When she arrives at work with a blackened eye, he’s immediately There’s no way she fell over toys left in the way.
The thought that Nigel might be abusing her is abhorrent, but the signs are there for all to see. Will Mason be able to convince her to leave her husband…or will they both die trying?

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2015

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687 people want to read

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Chris Taylor

58 books93 followers

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5 stars
95 (35%)
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67 (24%)
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61 (22%)
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29 (10%)
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17 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Brenda.
5,085 reviews3,017 followers
June 5, 2017
4.5s

Isobel Donnelly had been married to the love of her life for nine years – they had two beautiful children; five year old Ben and three year old Sophie. Nigel was an orthopaedic surgeon at the Sydney Harbour Hospital whom everyone loved; his manner was kind and caring – until he walked in the front door of his own home. Then Isobel feared for her life. The past five years had been horrendous; the abuse had escalated until she wasn’t sure if she would survive. But still she told no one – not her sister Kat, or her parents; not her colleagues – who would believe her after all?

When Mason Alexander started work in paediatrics at the Sydney Harbour Hospital he had no idea his life was about to change. The woman he’d loved since their school days was a nurse in paediatrics – what a shock he received when he first saw her. But she was no longer Isobel West; it seemed she had married his nemesis – and he could also see her deep sadness, though she covered it well. What was going on with Isobel? She was unhappy – he needed to find out why…

Slowly, gradually, Mason managed to get the truth from Isobel – he was angry and frustrated, but determined to help her. Could he persuade her to leave her husband? What would happen if she did? He knew Nigel was volatile but only Isobel knew him at his worst…

Wow! Action aplenty from the first page until the very last in Aussie author Chris Taylor’s The Perfect Husband (which he most certainly wasn’t!) I flew through the pages (though I must admit to having to stop now and then for a breather!) One of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in a while – it was intense, gripping and brutal. The scenes of abuse were horrific. Domestic violence is a horrendous blight on mostly women, and the author has brought it to the fore in an incredible manner. Highly recommended.With thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
Profile Image for Kim.
2 reviews
July 13, 2017
This book, set in Australia, is inexplicably populated by characters who have grown up wholly American. There is a mom rather than a mum, they went to college not university, and their high school experience included the classic American trope of idolising the captain of the school football team. This is even more ludicrous when you consider that Rugby League is the code of football played in the part of Australia where the book is set. Rather than being ‘hunky’, the captain would have been ‘chunky’. The ideal body shape for a League player is like a “ride-on lawn mower – massive with a low centre of gravity”. One famous NRL player (Glenn Lazarus) had the nickname, ‘brick with eyes’.

This is a wholly Americanised world where we have high school graduations (we don't), take a headache tablet of a brand that does not exist here (Tylenol), and talk on cells (we call them mobiles).

However, it was when the abusive husband berated his wife as being as “scrawny as a prairie dog” that the author totally lost me. Why would he compare her to a critter only found in North America?

At this point I stopped reading.

For purely pecuniary interests (given the much larger North American market) this author has written a book that is so wholly Americanised one has to wonder why she set it in Australia in the first place. Why not plonk the whole shebang down in Portland, Oregon? There is NOTHING Australian about this book.

This author treats US readers as too dumb to understand a slightly different English-speaking culture and alienates local Aussie readers. Perhaps American readers can complain of ‘cultural appropriation’?
Profile Image for Celia Buell (semi hiatus).
632 reviews31 followers
December 9, 2023
I never know what to expect with books about abuse. It's hard to tell how much is going to focus on the abuse itself and whether the victim is going to heal.

The Perfect Husband does a nice job of showing the healing process for a whole family. I really liked the character development, although I felt it was a bit rushed at times. Isobel's feelings toward Mason especially seem a bit rushed. I didn't love the turnaround of their relationship as Isobel still very much needed to heal from past traumas.

I realize that the ending in this one is a bit idealist in cases of abuse. I like that Isobel does mention the statistics that she knows and that this idealist nature is somewhat recognized in the story. However, I feel like all the acceptance and the good ending is just a piece of the puzzle in terms of abuse. Not having experienced any form of abuse, I'm not really in a position to pass judgment on any of it.But I did enjoy that this was a story of healing.

I'm looking forward to continuing with the Sydney Harbour Hospital series. I like the setting and am interested to know more characters. The other ones seem to have more of a mystery element to them, which I'm also looking forward to.

Disclaimer: I don't know why Goodreads and Amazon list the page count as 300+ when this omnibus edition I read was 191. Interesting, I wonder if I'm missing any part of the story..
Profile Image for Jenny.
2,335 reviews73 followers
November 17, 2016
The Perfect Husband first book in the new series by Chris Taylor Called the Sydney Harbour Hospital Series. I thought I would not like it because I loved the Munroe Family Series. However, after reading the first Chapter, I fell in love with the characters and the story. The theme of the book is how the characters handle social issues of domestic violence and how you can find love again. You will fall in love with Dr Mason Alexander and wish that he was your perfect husband. I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Jane.
1,267 reviews16 followers
July 4, 2020
Isobel Donnelly has been in an abusive relationship for nine years and has managed to keep this secret from everyone because she’s too ashamed to admit to anyone that her marriage is anything but perfect. Her husband, Nigel hits her whenever they have a fight and in front of their kids, three-year-old Sophie and Ben, who’s almost six.


She works three shifts a week at Sydney Harbour Hospital and even her colleagues have no idea what goes on in her life.


Isobel and Nigel were high school sweethearts and married two weeks after their graduation, though her parents expressed their concerns that the young couple was rushing into it. The first three years of their marriage were great until their first kid arrived. Nigel, who had just graduated med school at the time made it clear that he didn’t want to have anything to do with raising their son. So Isobel had to shoulder the responsibility of raising their son on her own, in addition to her hectic job schedule. Nigel also is an orthopedic surgeon and also works at Sydney Harbour Hospital.


Meanwhile, it’s Dr. Mason Alexander’s first day at work at the Sydney Harbour Hospital. He’s a pediatrician. During his on the children's ward, he runs into Isobel. 

Turns out they knew each other in high school but lost touch after their graduation. Apparently, he’s had feelings for her since high school and it appears he hasn’t gotten over her. He spent a decade trying to avoid her and has even considered resigning but that’s not an option. So he has to steer clear of Isobel especially now that she’s married to his former teammate.


But he can't help noticing that the once bubbly and cheerful Isobel now looked withdrawn. He's tried talking to her to find out what's going on. 


Then one day, following another fight at home—where Nigel threatens to kill Isobel and kids—with nobody to turn to for help, she has no choice but to confide in Mason. Mason decides thereon out to protect Isobel and her kids from her husband. But will she reciprocate his feelings this time?


The book is interspersed with diary entries from Isobel where she journals the abuse she suffers from her husband and shares her fears that things may take a turn for the worse.
Profile Image for Gail Gammell.
30 reviews
February 3, 2016
Omg!! What a terrible book. The story on the face of it might have been interesting had it not been for 1) the terrible writing, 2) the utter STUPIDITY of the main character and 3) the odd juxtaposition of filthy language and depraved behavior of the antagonist with the protagonist's shocked and fearful offense at it, combined with graphic descriptions of the sex she shared with the man trying to save her (all of which offended me).
I admit I skimmed most of it.
And the immaturity of all the characters... If I didn't know otherwise, I would guess this were penned by a teenager, who might have read some pop psychology but who has little to no understanding of how real people behave.
I know, you're waiting for me to tell you how I really feel!! If it weren't for the fact I have to know how a story ends, no matter how terribly it's told, I'd have deleted it unfinished from my ereader lest some poor unsuspecting person find it.
I think I need a shower just reliving this awful experience.
It's not as though I'm unsympathetic to a writer's hope everyone will love their book, but this is one writer I'll never read again!! I would have given this one star but the little boy was appealing, I'll give Ms Taylor that!
Profile Image for Sarina.
766 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2016
Jesus that was a hard book to get through. I'm not gonna lie, the subject matter was difficult at times, especially since I prefer less drama and more happiness in my reads usually and I've never even gone through anything like this myself. Honestly, I'm not sure if anyone who's ever been in Isobel's shoes would be able to pick this one up. I'm glad she got her happy ending but it wasn't without cost and I know I won't be able to read this one again because even with the happy ending I still kinda feel like shit. -.-
Profile Image for Lucinda Tolmie.
83 reviews
July 4, 2023
Love this book just as much the second time I read it. Definitely pulls at the heart strings and is very realistic.
1,216 reviews6 followers
September 21, 2022
My third book in a row which I thought wasn't worth reading, yet I still read it. I think I need help!
Isobel Donnelly is a paediatric nurse at Sydney Harbour Hospital. In Australia. Although if, like me, on reading this book you might be forgiven to thinking it was set elsewhere in the world however I digress.

Anyway back to Isobel, she is married to a renown orthopaedic surgeon Nick, slimeball sleazeball wife-beating no gooder, and has two young children. He is now into not only beating her up in front of their children but attempting to strangle her during sex. Why oh why has this woman not packed their bags and driven to the nearest relative, or failing that the nearest women's refuge? Ah well if she did that then this book wouldn't have been written, nor maybe the series, as it looks like there is a series and I seem to have bought into it. Grief. Anyway into this hospital one day walks her teenage sweetheart whom she left for her no-good husband. His name is Mason and I wonder if he crops up in all the next books in the series.

She tells Mason about the beatings, she is sporting a purple eye covered up by makeup, and he helps her to get an order whereby Nick gets arrested if he comes anywhere near her or the children, and then Isobel finally packs their things and decamps to Nick's. Needless some dickhead of a clerk in personnel who should be sacked, gives Nick the mobile number of Mason, whom he has found by following his wife around in his car.

To cut a long story short Nick forces Isabel to drive her car with the children in it into the back of a truck and the children are very seriously hurt. It all ends up happily where she sleeps with Mason and the children naturally love him and they all live happily together, presumably after the divorce, and she also ends up pregnant by Mason so the next book is probably all about that.

I didn't like anyone in the book although Mason has his saving graces, but what numpty sleeps straightaway with a very disturbed battered wife when he brings her into his flat to live? Also why did Isobel do that, straight after being terrified of her husband and all men now?

Sigh, shall I just delete the rest of the series now? Actually I think I might. I really hope the next book I read, not in this series, is at least a reasonable book.
370 reviews2 followers
April 16, 2022
I’m disappointed that this book is supposedly set in Australia, yet panders to the US market. Although I am an American, I can translate most Australian colloquialisms and feel a bit insulted that the author felt the need to translate for me. Why not just set this in the US then? Also, while I can understand the victims struggle and terror, I don’t understand why she would suddenly be so stupid to throw caution to the wind by opening the door to a strange man 10 minutes after seeing her husband. I also didn’t understand going back to the house… let alone not waiting for the police escort. I would think just returning would be traumatizing. There is no object worth returning for alone if at all. This just seemed unrealistic and for other victims, downright dangerous.
Profile Image for tonia marralle.
33 reviews
March 15, 2024
romantic and chilling exposure of an under exposed crime

This story reminds us that you never know what goes on behind closed doors. The hero in this story is a doctor. And the villain is also. The story exposes the seemingly idellic marriage of Peds nurse to doctor is marred by his abuse of her. When you read it your faith in the goodness of people in healing professions will restore your faih
9 reviews
March 16, 2024
Interesting

If the heroine of the story was not so stupid I would have enjoyed
It more. Going back to a violent mans home after you have been told to wait for the police and he has hurt you in the past? Opening the door to a messenger when you have see the violent man from your balcony? Then not letting the neighbors call the police when he breaks into the apartment when the neighbors intervene and can be witnesses? That being said the book kept my interest. No by
Profile Image for patti zapf.
82 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2019
Spot on Domestic Abuse

I loved the story which covers domestic abuse to the extreme. The more stories depicting this terrible thing the more aware people will be of not just it itself but the steps needed to get help and needed healing. Bravo
7,762 reviews50 followers
May 24, 2019
What turns a loving husband into a monster, and what to do, and who would believe her. For the sake of the children, the story unfolds, and how she lost herself, in protecting the children. Difficult to read, and an old friend, was staking his life to help her.
381 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2020
20/2020/415

The book was okay, but I don’t know why the author had to have Isobel get into the accident and have the children hurt so badly. They do recover and it does have a happy ending though.


7th Kindle
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for karin whitehead.
1,013 reviews8 followers
December 18, 2021
Never having read anything by this author, I was pleasantly surprised. A tough subject, domestic violence, portrayed here realistically. This story was well done, great character development, and a storyline that held me captive to the ending. Going to be reading more by this author!
259 reviews4 followers
August 29, 2023
Can't wait to read book2

I couldn't put it down. I was getting emotional when I read the ending of the book. This was my first book I have read by Mr. Taylor, after reading this book I am to add him to my author to be read list
Profile Image for Tracy Sargeant.
312 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2017
A great suspense romance about a woman who is in an abusive relationship and tries to find the strength to escape
Profile Image for Jamie.
22 reviews9 followers
October 18, 2017
This book was a fast read. A little predictable, but in the end such a happy ending!
1 review
November 16, 2017
Really enjoyed reading it

Don't usually read upsetting books and first time by Chris Taylor. Thoroughly enjoyed it sad to think it really happens
Profile Image for Stephanie.
173 reviews3 followers
July 16, 2020
A suspenseful romance that I read in one sitting.

I was able to relate to Isobel in so many ways which I feel is a testament to the author's ability to write from the point of view of someone who lives with domestic abuse. Well done and suspenseful story with a happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
896 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2020
Pretty dark. I do not care for stories with physically/emotionally abusive spouse, but I did finish it and glad she got a happy ending.
Profile Image for Pamela .
1,438 reviews77 followers
October 14, 2016


Let me start off by saying that I didn’t mind the book and I kind of liked the H/h. The subject matter here is domestic abuse, physical and mental (none of which needs to be discussed). the story was okay, it’s your typical story of husband abusing his wife for years and with the help of a man from her past she’s able to leave her abusive husband who then goes nuts because she left him. There was, however, one major thing that I did not appreciate and that was how the book ended, only to be quickly followed by the epilogue. The story is about a woman who takes her kids and leaves her abusive husband with the help and aid of her friend Mark (didn’t I just say that?), who's been in love with Isobel since high school and still is. The author has a great premise but doesn't fully develop the characters or the story as everything and anything that happens, all of it ends very quickly. Quickly, quickly, quickly…there seems to be a theme here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Andre Walter.
87 reviews
June 17, 2016
A very good moral around the story but a bit to drawn out for my liking
Profile Image for Linda.
85 reviews
October 21, 2016
Great book. Isobel is a courageous woman and so happy so took control and got out. Mason is such a great guy. So glad they have each other.
Profile Image for France.
68 reviews
April 28, 2017
I enjoyed this book so much. It was hard to stop reading.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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