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My Husband’s Lies
‘I was gripped immediately – perfect for fans of Into the Water by Paula Hawkins’ KATERINA DIAMOND, author of THE TEACHER
Known since school as ‘The A Team,’ Nick, Dan, Jen and Will have been best friends for years. But now they’re older, and their bond is stretched by partners, children, and the tightening net of secrets that are threatening to emerge.
On the morning of Nick and Lisa’s wedding, their friend Penny is found poised on the hotel window ledge, soaking wet and ready to jump. As the A Team rally around her, they soon realise that none of them are being as honest with themselves – or with each other – as they think they are…
Why does Will look at Jen’s daughter so strangely? What is Dan really doing on his long lunch breaks? And what is the real reason that Penny was found on that ledge?
Tense, disturbing and clever, My Husband’s Lies is the second domestic noir from Caroline England, perfect for fans of C. L . Taylor and Apple Tree Yard.
Known since school as ‘The A Team,’ Nick, Dan, Jen and Will have been best friends for years. But now they’re older, and their bond is stretched by partners, children, and the tightening net of secrets that are threatening to emerge.
On the morning of Nick and Lisa’s wedding, their friend Penny is found poised on the hotel window ledge, soaking wet and ready to jump. As the A Team rally around her, they soon realise that none of them are being as honest with themselves – or with each other – as they think they are…
Why does Will look at Jen’s daughter so strangely? What is Dan really doing on his long lunch breaks? And what is the real reason that Penny was found on that ledge?
Tense, disturbing and clever, My Husband’s Lies is the second domestic noir from Caroline England, perfect for fans of C. L . Taylor and Apple Tree Yard.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2018
1639 people are currently reading
1808 people want to read
About the author
Caroline England
21 books198 followersCWA Dagger shortlisted Caroline England is known as the ‘Duchess of dark domestic noir’. Her psychological suspense thrillers are BENEATH THE SKIN, the top ten ebook bestseller MY HUSBAND'S LIES, BETRAY HER, TRUTH GAMES, THE SINNER, THE STRANGER BESIDE ME and THE RETURN OF FRANKIE WHITTLE. BEHIND HER SMILE hits the shelves on 27 Novembery 2025.
Caroline also pens gothic-tinged psychological thrillers as CE Rose. Stand alone THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETS was followed by THE HOUSE ON THE WATER'S EDGE, THE SHADOWS OF RUTHERFORD HOUSE and THE ATTIC AT WILTON PLACE.
Both CE and Caroline write multi-layered, dark and edgy ‘domestic suspense’ stories that delve into complicated relationships, secrets and the moral grey area.
Drawing on her days as a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer, she loves to create ordinary, relatable characters who get caught up in extraordinary situations, pressures, dilemmas or crime. She admits to a slight obsession with the human psyche, what goes on behind closed doors and beneath people’s façades. She also enjoys performing a literary sleight of hand in her novels and hopefully surprising her readers!
Website: https://carolineenglandauthor.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CazEngland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CazEngland1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cazengland1/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cazengland1
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-...
AmazonUK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B009UQC1YS
Caroline also pens gothic-tinged psychological thrillers as CE Rose. Stand alone THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETS was followed by THE HOUSE ON THE WATER'S EDGE, THE SHADOWS OF RUTHERFORD HOUSE and THE ATTIC AT WILTON PLACE.
Both CE and Caroline write multi-layered, dark and edgy ‘domestic suspense’ stories that delve into complicated relationships, secrets and the moral grey area.
Drawing on her days as a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer, she loves to create ordinary, relatable characters who get caught up in extraordinary situations, pressures, dilemmas or crime. She admits to a slight obsession with the human psyche, what goes on behind closed doors and beneath people’s façades. She also enjoys performing a literary sleight of hand in her novels and hopefully surprising her readers!
Website: https://carolineenglandauthor.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CazEngland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CazEngland1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cazengland1/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cazengland1
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-...
AmazonUK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B009UQC1YS
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 289 reviews
May 17, 2018
4☆ Full of Secrets, Lies and Deceit!
My Husband's Lies is a book about secrets, betrayal, friendship, lies, relationships and affairs.
I had mixed feelings when I was reading My Husband's Lies.
Firstly the amount of characters that was introduced at the start was slightly overwhelming.
I have to admit it got me very confused and I had to keep skipping back to try to get my head round who was who.
There are several main characters.
The main ones are 'The A Team' ... best friends since school.... Dan, Nick, Jen and Will.
There partners Geri, Lisa, Ian, Penny and Will's brother Seb.
Ok so each of the couple's have their issues.
They are all so desperately flawed.
To be honest there wasn't one character I particularly liked or related to as most of them was self conceited and only out for themselves.
But that was the point I wasn't meant to like them.
Each character had their own agenda.
However Caroline did create characters that knew just how to manipulate and taunt perfectly. Keeping the reader hooked into the drama.
It was like watching a soap opera.
So much so the opening scene we see Wills wife Penny attempting to jump off a window ledge at Nick and Lisa's wedding..... But Why you ask?.... you will need to read it to find out.
For me the title didn't really fit with the story as it wasn't one husband that was lying. They all was lying. From Affairs, sexuality confusion, mental health the whole book was based on lies and deceit.
What I loved about this book was how the best friends and their partners/ families related to each other.
How their relationships weaved together. From over protective parent's, stroppy teenager/ kids, A Mum to Be, a protective brother, to parent's that favoured one child over another it was interesting to see how they coped.
How they went about there day to day life not truly knowing what was going on behind the scenes.
Do you truly ever really know your best friends?
Or what happens behind closed doors?
How long can a secret stay buried before it comes crashing down?
These are all the questions Caroline had me thinking about whilst reading My Husband's Lies.
Each chapter is told by one of the four members of the 'A Team ' including Penny's liaisons with her therapist. I enjoyed this because each of the stories told weaved perfectly together.
Despite the fact there was a lot of characters. I did really enjoy reading My Husband's Lies.
Caroline created an engrossing storyline with a cast of multi-layered, Flawed yet challenging characters, that weaved deceit, secrets and lies into the mix perfectly.
If you enjoy Dramas with a thriller feel, with a fairly large cast of characters, then you will really enjoy My Husband's Lies.
Thank you to Avon Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
My Husband's Lies is a book about secrets, betrayal, friendship, lies, relationships and affairs.
I had mixed feelings when I was reading My Husband's Lies.
Firstly the amount of characters that was introduced at the start was slightly overwhelming.
I have to admit it got me very confused and I had to keep skipping back to try to get my head round who was who.
There are several main characters.
The main ones are 'The A Team' ... best friends since school.... Dan, Nick, Jen and Will.
There partners Geri, Lisa, Ian, Penny and Will's brother Seb.
Ok so each of the couple's have their issues.
They are all so desperately flawed.
To be honest there wasn't one character I particularly liked or related to as most of them was self conceited and only out for themselves.
But that was the point I wasn't meant to like them.
Each character had their own agenda.
However Caroline did create characters that knew just how to manipulate and taunt perfectly. Keeping the reader hooked into the drama.
It was like watching a soap opera.
So much so the opening scene we see Wills wife Penny attempting to jump off a window ledge at Nick and Lisa's wedding..... But Why you ask?.... you will need to read it to find out.
For me the title didn't really fit with the story as it wasn't one husband that was lying. They all was lying. From Affairs, sexuality confusion, mental health the whole book was based on lies and deceit.
What I loved about this book was how the best friends and their partners/ families related to each other.
How their relationships weaved together. From over protective parent's, stroppy teenager/ kids, A Mum to Be, a protective brother, to parent's that favoured one child over another it was interesting to see how they coped.
How they went about there day to day life not truly knowing what was going on behind the scenes.
Do you truly ever really know your best friends?
Or what happens behind closed doors?
How long can a secret stay buried before it comes crashing down?
These are all the questions Caroline had me thinking about whilst reading My Husband's Lies.
Each chapter is told by one of the four members of the 'A Team ' including Penny's liaisons with her therapist. I enjoyed this because each of the stories told weaved perfectly together.
Despite the fact there was a lot of characters. I did really enjoy reading My Husband's Lies.
Caroline created an engrossing storyline with a cast of multi-layered, Flawed yet challenging characters, that weaved deceit, secrets and lies into the mix perfectly.
If you enjoy Dramas with a thriller feel, with a fairly large cast of characters, then you will really enjoy My Husband's Lies.
Thank you to Avon Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
June 19, 2018
MY HUSBAND’S LIES by Caroline England is a noir thriller, rich on drama exploring many issues such as adultery, lies and deceit and sexuality and “husband lies".
Be prepared to pay close attention at the beginning of the novel, as there are a vast number of characters, that can seem overwhelming at times. I found myself taking notes and jotting down the names of the different characters and their relationship to each other. It took me a little bit to get a handle on who was who.
The central characters and school best friends are Dan, Nick, Jen and Will.
Dan and Geri (pregnant)
Nick and Lisa (currently getting married)
Jen and Ian
Will and Penny and Will’s brother Seb
Each chapter is devoted to one of the central characters, and each of the couples are flawed and have their problems. And I didn’t like any of the characters, as they were all stuck-up, but maybe the author did this on purpose.
Do you really know your friends? How long can a secret be kept buried?
On the afternoon of Nick and Lisa’s wedding, their close friend is found poised on a hotel window ledge, ready to jump.
As the shock hits their friendship group, they soon realize that none of them are being as honest with themselves – or with each other – as they think.
And there are secrets lurking that could destroy everything.
My Husband’s Lies is an all absorbing drama, much like watching a soap opera or novella, but with a surprise ending. It is a book about secrets and lies, friendships and affairs…walking the fine line.
A very enjoyable read.
Many thanks to the author, Avon Books UK via Netgalley and TBC Reviewer Request Group for my copy.
Be prepared to pay close attention at the beginning of the novel, as there are a vast number of characters, that can seem overwhelming at times. I found myself taking notes and jotting down the names of the different characters and their relationship to each other. It took me a little bit to get a handle on who was who.
The central characters and school best friends are Dan, Nick, Jen and Will.
Dan and Geri (pregnant)
Nick and Lisa (currently getting married)
Jen and Ian
Will and Penny and Will’s brother Seb
Each chapter is devoted to one of the central characters, and each of the couples are flawed and have their problems. And I didn’t like any of the characters, as they were all stuck-up, but maybe the author did this on purpose.
Do you really know your friends? How long can a secret be kept buried?
On the afternoon of Nick and Lisa’s wedding, their close friend is found poised on a hotel window ledge, ready to jump.
As the shock hits their friendship group, they soon realize that none of them are being as honest with themselves – or with each other – as they think.
And there are secrets lurking that could destroy everything.
My Husband’s Lies is an all absorbing drama, much like watching a soap opera or novella, but with a surprise ending. It is a book about secrets and lies, friendships and affairs…walking the fine line.
A very enjoyable read.
Many thanks to the author, Avon Books UK via Netgalley and TBC Reviewer Request Group for my copy.
May 29, 2018
EXCERPT: Ah, there's the voice again, soft and reassuring.
'Pitter, patter, pitter, patter.'
She leans forward to listen.
'Listen to the. . .'
But a shriek spoils the moment, too loud in her ears. She looks down and teeters.
'Oh my God, look! There's someone at that window. Oh my God, quick, someone help! I think she's going to jump!'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Do you really know your friends?
On the afternoon of Nick and Lisa’s wedding, their close friend is found poised on a hotel window ledge, ready to jump.
As the shock hits their friendship group, they soon realise that none of them are being as honest with themselves – or with each other – as they think.
And there are secrets lurking that could destroy everything.
MY THOUGHTS: How well do you know your spouse? Your friends? Can you really tell when they are lying?... or do you just think you can? Or maybe you trust them. Implicitly.
The A-Team - Nick, Dan, Will and the 'honorary fella' Jen - their friendship has survived the teenage years and young adulthood, and now there is marriage and children. Still thick as thieves, they are each other's best friends, each other's rocks. They know each other inside out. But do they? And what of their spouses? How do they fit in to this tight little group? And then there are the siblings who existed on the fringes of this group, and the wider families, parents, uncles and aunts, godparents. . . All with their own secrets. All fiercely guarding those secrets. All lying. So it wasn't just 'My Husband’s Lies'. . .
Caroline England does a great job of depicting her characters, all so very human, so very fallible. There did seem to be a lot of characters initially, confusingly so, and I had a bit of trouble keeping who was who straight. At that point the whole 'alternating point of view narration' only made it more confusing, but that wore off as the book progressed, and My Husband’s Lies became intriguing. Right to the end, I had no idea where it was going to go.
This is a delicious read. It is not suspenseful. It is twisty. Unexpected. Dramatic. And this won't be the last book by Caroline England that I read.
Thank you to Avon via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of My Husband’s Lies by Caroline England for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com. https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'Pitter, patter, pitter, patter.'
She leans forward to listen.
'Listen to the. . .'
But a shriek spoils the moment, too loud in her ears. She looks down and teeters.
'Oh my God, look! There's someone at that window. Oh my God, quick, someone help! I think she's going to jump!'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Do you really know your friends?
On the afternoon of Nick and Lisa’s wedding, their close friend is found poised on a hotel window ledge, ready to jump.
As the shock hits their friendship group, they soon realise that none of them are being as honest with themselves – or with each other – as they think.
And there are secrets lurking that could destroy everything.
MY THOUGHTS: How well do you know your spouse? Your friends? Can you really tell when they are lying?... or do you just think you can? Or maybe you trust them. Implicitly.
The A-Team - Nick, Dan, Will and the 'honorary fella' Jen - their friendship has survived the teenage years and young adulthood, and now there is marriage and children. Still thick as thieves, they are each other's best friends, each other's rocks. They know each other inside out. But do they? And what of their spouses? How do they fit in to this tight little group? And then there are the siblings who existed on the fringes of this group, and the wider families, parents, uncles and aunts, godparents. . . All with their own secrets. All fiercely guarding those secrets. All lying. So it wasn't just 'My Husband’s Lies'. . .
Caroline England does a great job of depicting her characters, all so very human, so very fallible. There did seem to be a lot of characters initially, confusingly so, and I had a bit of trouble keeping who was who straight. At that point the whole 'alternating point of view narration' only made it more confusing, but that wore off as the book progressed, and My Husband’s Lies became intriguing. Right to the end, I had no idea where it was going to go.
This is a delicious read. It is not suspenseful. It is twisty. Unexpected. Dramatic. And this won't be the last book by Caroline England that I read.
Thank you to Avon via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of My Husband’s Lies by Caroline England for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com. https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
May 13, 2018
I really did struggle with this one.. I really liked the sound of the story but it just didn't work for me.
There were so many characters and I was confused as to who was who and how they all related to each other. It just wasn't for me.
Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions
There were so many characters and I was confused as to who was who and how they all related to each other. It just wasn't for me.
Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions
June 1, 2020
Arc Book Review
Release Date
This one for me wasn't really my bag at all.
It was also filled with some truly awful individuals that I had great trouble feeling any sympathy for whatsoever.
I mean there were some normal ones as well but I have never seen so many selfish peeps all in one book.
I was frankly for the most part quite bored throughout and I only actually kept reading here because I was waiting for the other shoe to drop; newsflash it didn't.
I also found it quite hard going keeping the whole cast here straight in my head, it got quite confusing separating the characters as there were just so many of them to contend with.
This had actually quite a lot going on here hence me hoping there was going to be an upward tilt at some point.
At Its heart "My Husbands Lies" was for me a book about relationships and the tangled threads they can weave.
We deal here with the repercussions of these secrets, hidden attractions and downright deceitfulness, throw in some mental illness and its really just a cauldron of catastrophe waiting to explode dramatically.
And it does; though got to say when things finally reached their momentum here I was actually passed caring.
That shocking finale for me actually felt slightly anti-climatic in nature and I could see it coming a mile off.
On a side-note, I do think more could have been made with the Mother/Not my mother storyline I was disappointed that this was not expanded on and explored more fully.
So on reflection, as much as I wish otherwise this one wasn't quite to my taste; maybe it will be more to yours.
Thank you to the Publisher, Author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of "My Husbands Lies" of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm.
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
July 3, 2018
My thoughts...
This is going to be a review that is hard to write without including spoilers. There was just so much going on and so many twists, that it will be hard not to reveal secrets hidden in the book's plot. I hate when I read a review just to get an idea if I am going to like a book and the reviewer reveals half of the twists. So bear with me and I will do my best not to spoil it for you.
Most people have that group of friends in high school that they share everything with. Usually upon entering adulthood they end up going their own ways, saying they will meet for drinks or coffee but never do. They slowly drift apart as adult responsibilities take precedence. This doesn't apply to this group. They have stayed in touch and are much a part of each others lives. This group of friends playfully referred to themselves as the A Team, which consisted of Dan, Nick, Will and Jenn.
The book opens at a wedding being held for Nick and Lisa. During the wedding, Will's wife Penny displayed bizarre behavior, climbed onto a window ledge and appeared to be contemplating jumping. The book takes you through each characters relationship with each other. As with any group of people that have known each other this long there are many secrets lying beneath the surface. Nobody can deny that as a teenager you bond more with your peers while you work your way through life, not always making the right decisions. So it may seem shocking that this group knows so many things about each other, but not if you consider they have been through so much together.
The ONLY reason I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is because it was a slow burn for me. I really struggled the first part of the book to follow along. There were so many characters introduced in the first couple of chapters that I had to restart the book and take notes. Now this might not be the case for you. I personally just like to get pulled into a book and not have to concentrate on that many relationships at one time. It did open at the wedding and to be fair, all the people in the book were present at the wedding so they needed to be introduced. It just got confusing when there was brothers, aunts, uncles, parents and then the A team and their wives all at once. I just feel like I need to explain why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, because it really was a great read.
In summary, if you like a really scandalous read, this is the book for you! There a ton of surprises and scandals that for sure! It has a little bit of everything in it. Some of the issues addressed were -infidelity, mental health, drug use, infertility, paternity and sexual preference. That may sound like alot but isn't that true to life? Everything in this book is very realistic. So scandalous yes, but true to life also yes. This is what you get when you have a group of friends that have been through so much together and you know all their secrets....their many, many secrets. Very entertaining book.
4 stars from me!
This is going to be a review that is hard to write without including spoilers. There was just so much going on and so many twists, that it will be hard not to reveal secrets hidden in the book's plot. I hate when I read a review just to get an idea if I am going to like a book and the reviewer reveals half of the twists. So bear with me and I will do my best not to spoil it for you.
Most people have that group of friends in high school that they share everything with. Usually upon entering adulthood they end up going their own ways, saying they will meet for drinks or coffee but never do. They slowly drift apart as adult responsibilities take precedence. This doesn't apply to this group. They have stayed in touch and are much a part of each others lives. This group of friends playfully referred to themselves as the A Team, which consisted of Dan, Nick, Will and Jenn.
The book opens at a wedding being held for Nick and Lisa. During the wedding, Will's wife Penny displayed bizarre behavior, climbed onto a window ledge and appeared to be contemplating jumping. The book takes you through each characters relationship with each other. As with any group of people that have known each other this long there are many secrets lying beneath the surface. Nobody can deny that as a teenager you bond more with your peers while you work your way through life, not always making the right decisions. So it may seem shocking that this group knows so many things about each other, but not if you consider they have been through so much together.
The ONLY reason I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is because it was a slow burn for me. I really struggled the first part of the book to follow along. There were so many characters introduced in the first couple of chapters that I had to restart the book and take notes. Now this might not be the case for you. I personally just like to get pulled into a book and not have to concentrate on that many relationships at one time. It did open at the wedding and to be fair, all the people in the book were present at the wedding so they needed to be introduced. It just got confusing when there was brothers, aunts, uncles, parents and then the A team and their wives all at once. I just feel like I need to explain why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, because it really was a great read.
In summary, if you like a really scandalous read, this is the book for you! There a ton of surprises and scandals that for sure! It has a little bit of everything in it. Some of the issues addressed were -infidelity, mental health, drug use, infertility, paternity and sexual preference. That may sound like alot but isn't that true to life? Everything in this book is very realistic. So scandalous yes, but true to life also yes. This is what you get when you have a group of friends that have been through so much together and you know all their secrets....their many, many secrets. Very entertaining book.
4 stars from me!
May 17, 2018
After reading the synopsis, I couldn't help but pick up the book..
But as the learned have said, do not judge a book by its cover, I say do not judge a story by its blurb. Thus book took me 15 days to finish. It was shocking to me, I have read only 1 book this month. Gawd! This news was far worse than the story of the novel.
There were a lot of characters, a-lot, so keeping track of them was seriously confusing in the beginning. Then came the secrets, so convoluted are they that I got confused about who, what, and why. And then there were the affairs, some ongoing since many years with the characters being married to others, and there was a budding discovery of a secret leading to affair while having a pregnant girlfriend, and there are parents who are actually the grandparents, and some past secrets, some children of those secrets. Have I confused you enough? Good! Now you know what I went through for 15 days!!
I didn't enjoy the book as I was too busy trying to keep track of all the characters and their secrets and unbelievable reveals. Author Caroline England's concept was good, shocking us with the dark side of humans, but the delivery failed with just too many characters, secrets, yet not enough of a plot or a story.
Twisted and turned were the humans in the story, yet called themselves the best of friends while cheating each other. My husband's lies became everybody lies!!! Yet we don't enjoy!! I didn't.. Duhh 15 days 1 book!!
But as the learned have said, do not judge a book by its cover, I say do not judge a story by its blurb. Thus book took me 15 days to finish. It was shocking to me, I have read only 1 book this month. Gawd! This news was far worse than the story of the novel.
There were a lot of characters, a-lot, so keeping track of them was seriously confusing in the beginning. Then came the secrets, so convoluted are they that I got confused about who, what, and why. And then there were the affairs, some ongoing since many years with the characters being married to others, and there was a budding discovery of a secret leading to affair while having a pregnant girlfriend, and there are parents who are actually the grandparents, and some past secrets, some children of those secrets. Have I confused you enough? Good! Now you know what I went through for 15 days!!
I didn't enjoy the book as I was too busy trying to keep track of all the characters and their secrets and unbelievable reveals. Author Caroline England's concept was good, shocking us with the dark side of humans, but the delivery failed with just too many characters, secrets, yet not enough of a plot or a story.
Twisted and turned were the humans in the story, yet called themselves the best of friends while cheating each other. My husband's lies became everybody lies!!! Yet we don't enjoy!! I didn't.. Duhh 15 days 1 book!!
May 31, 2018
3.5 Stars
This is a book about lies, secrets, friendship, relationships, mental illness, affairs, and fighting sexual attraction.
There are quite a few characters to get familiar with. Some are married. Some have children. Some are trying for a baby. Some have issues with their parents. The one thing they all have in common ... they all harbor at least one secret and will lie and lie and lie to keep those secrets from being exposed to the light of day.
These people have known each other for many years .. some since childhood, some since college days. They all think they really know each other .. but they have no idea.
I can't say I like any of them. They all are so flawed, so disturbing, but then, I'm sure that's what the author was hoping for ... and it worked. I got so wrapped up in all the angst and uncertainty and anger and wondering who was going to break and admit to something horrendous, that it was impossible to put this book down for any reason. The unexpected ending was my favorite part.
The author has created characters that get in your head and refuse to let go.
Many thanks to the author / Avon Books UK / Netgalley / TBC Reviewer Request Group. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
This is a book about lies, secrets, friendship, relationships, mental illness, affairs, and fighting sexual attraction.
There are quite a few characters to get familiar with. Some are married. Some have children. Some are trying for a baby. Some have issues with their parents. The one thing they all have in common ... they all harbor at least one secret and will lie and lie and lie to keep those secrets from being exposed to the light of day.
These people have known each other for many years .. some since childhood, some since college days. They all think they really know each other .. but they have no idea.
I can't say I like any of them. They all are so flawed, so disturbing, but then, I'm sure that's what the author was hoping for ... and it worked. I got so wrapped up in all the angst and uncertainty and anger and wondering who was going to break and admit to something horrendous, that it was impossible to put this book down for any reason. The unexpected ending was my favorite part.
The author has created characters that get in your head and refuse to let go.
Many thanks to the author / Avon Books UK / Netgalley / TBC Reviewer Request Group. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 15, 2018
I found this book quite confusing at times due to the amount of characters introduced in the first chapter. I noticed another reviewer even had to take notes to keep track of who was who!
The book is about a close knit group of people, and most of them are lying about something.
The ‘A Team’ are a group of school friends, Dan, WIll, Nick and Jen, who have moved on in their lives, but have all remained friends.
The chapters are written from the perspective of different characters and it can get confusing.
I wasn’t really gripped by the story and must admit I kept expecting something groundbreaking to happen but it seems the story is just about the secrets that are kept in some relationships, and the lies that are told.
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The book is about a close knit group of people, and most of them are lying about something.
The ‘A Team’ are a group of school friends, Dan, WIll, Nick and Jen, who have moved on in their lives, but have all remained friends.
The chapters are written from the perspective of different characters and it can get confusing.
I wasn’t really gripped by the story and must admit I kept expecting something groundbreaking to happen but it seems the story is just about the secrets that are kept in some relationships, and the lies that are told.
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
June 6, 2018
It’s wonderful when a local author “does good” so I’m overjoyed that Manchester ex-lawyer Caroline England continues her successful writing career with another best selling domestic noir. After the wonderful Beneath The Skin, here is another slice of deliciously dark and intensely voyeuristic look into the lives of a group of friends. If you’re one of those people who looks at their neighbours and acquaintances wondering if their rosy life is as perfect behind closed doors then this is the book for you!
At the very start of My Husband’s Lies, there is a rather shocking turn of events when a woman is discovered on the ledge of a hotel window on Nick and Lisa’s wedding day. Why is she there and what were her true intentions? We soon get to dig deeper into the true feelings of these supposedly happy couples to see that beneath the surface there are many secrets and lies, some of which are about to be uncovered. And no one will be able to escape unscathed.
What Caroline England does so well in her books is to really bring her characters to life. This is definitely a slow burner of a plot but it’s the characterisation that keeps you pushing through the narrative, desperate to uncover the life stories of her protagonists. The characters aren’t always very likeable and sometimes you will be despairing of the choices that they are making, but in the end you just want to be able to see them happy. Dan especially was a favourite of mine and the relationships he had were painfully breathtaking to go through with him.
Although this is a much darker book than Beneath The Surface, it isn’t depressing due to an unexpected humour and a real depth of feeling for the characters from the authors writing skills. The ending completely blindsided me as I wasn’t expecting the turns that the last few pages took. And once I did see where it was going, I wanted to desperately backtrack so that it didn’t!!
It did take me a while to get into My Husband’s Lies and work out in my mind who was who and who was with whom, as there were a lot of characters to remember within the first few chapters, but if you’re also struggling then do be aware that it does get easier to distinguish the relationships the more you read. This is a compelling insight into married life that will have you comparing notes with your girlfriends! Caroline England has a great future ahead of her!
At the very start of My Husband’s Lies, there is a rather shocking turn of events when a woman is discovered on the ledge of a hotel window on Nick and Lisa’s wedding day. Why is she there and what were her true intentions? We soon get to dig deeper into the true feelings of these supposedly happy couples to see that beneath the surface there are many secrets and lies, some of which are about to be uncovered. And no one will be able to escape unscathed.
What Caroline England does so well in her books is to really bring her characters to life. This is definitely a slow burner of a plot but it’s the characterisation that keeps you pushing through the narrative, desperate to uncover the life stories of her protagonists. The characters aren’t always very likeable and sometimes you will be despairing of the choices that they are making, but in the end you just want to be able to see them happy. Dan especially was a favourite of mine and the relationships he had were painfully breathtaking to go through with him.
Although this is a much darker book than Beneath The Surface, it isn’t depressing due to an unexpected humour and a real depth of feeling for the characters from the authors writing skills. The ending completely blindsided me as I wasn’t expecting the turns that the last few pages took. And once I did see where it was going, I wanted to desperately backtrack so that it didn’t!!
It did take me a while to get into My Husband’s Lies and work out in my mind who was who and who was with whom, as there were a lot of characters to remember within the first few chapters, but if you’re also struggling then do be aware that it does get easier to distinguish the relationships the more you read. This is a compelling insight into married life that will have you comparing notes with your girlfriends! Caroline England has a great future ahead of her!
February 8, 2018
I received this book free in return for an honest review. I really had high hopes for this one based on the description. Unfortunately a huge chunk of the book drags. A lot. For that reason I occasionally had to force myself to continue. But I digress.
This will contain spoilers so only continue if you have already read the book.
Let's start with the only female member of the A Team. Explain to me how she cheats on her husband on the regular, in their home with no worries? She is never concerned he could come home in the middle of the day? Content to just lounge around with this man, even making snacks to enjoy in bed.
Then I'm sorry but for most of the book I just could not stand Dan. If he wanted to be with someone else, a man at that - why the hell did he agree to have a baby with his girlfriend?? It's not like they got pregnant on accident, they discussed it first. The fact that he was cheating on her with a man through the pregnancy just got me. Now that the kid is here you finally decide you want to be honest about what you feel?! Really??
Will is just a waste of explanation. If you really loved someone else why did you get married in the first place? Then you want her to just what leave her husband and kids because you say you love her? I do find it interesting how that ending leaves you for a loop. I can only assume his crazy wife killed him based on everything leading up to that cliffhanger.
There was so much that could have been explained with Nick's storyline. Instead I feel like we only got bits and pieces and left a lot unsaid. He never confronts his parents who he now knows are his grandparents. He never goes to his godfather who raped his mother as a child! But at least he is the only one whose marriage seems to be surviving by the end! Not really sure if I will read anything else by the author or not right now. But we'll see.
This will contain spoilers so only continue if you have already read the book.
Let's start with the only female member of the A Team. Explain to me how she cheats on her husband on the regular, in their home with no worries? She is never concerned he could come home in the middle of the day? Content to just lounge around with this man, even making snacks to enjoy in bed.
Then I'm sorry but for most of the book I just could not stand Dan. If he wanted to be with someone else, a man at that - why the hell did he agree to have a baby with his girlfriend?? It's not like they got pregnant on accident, they discussed it first. The fact that he was cheating on her with a man through the pregnancy just got me. Now that the kid is here you finally decide you want to be honest about what you feel?! Really??
Will is just a waste of explanation. If you really loved someone else why did you get married in the first place? Then you want her to just what leave her husband and kids because you say you love her? I do find it interesting how that ending leaves you for a loop. I can only assume his crazy wife killed him based on everything leading up to that cliffhanger.
There was so much that could have been explained with Nick's storyline. Instead I feel like we only got bits and pieces and left a lot unsaid. He never confronts his parents who he now knows are his grandparents. He never goes to his godfather who raped his mother as a child! But at least he is the only one whose marriage seems to be surviving by the end! Not really sure if I will read anything else by the author or not right now. But we'll see.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2018
My Husband's Lies is the story of seemingly 'normal' people on the outside, but scratch below the surface and we have some problem relationships, flaky marriages and unhinged individuals.
The book's opening chapters introduce each of the 'cast' at Nick and Lisa's wedding. There are quite a lot of characters introduced at once and you do have to remember them as couples as well as individuals, so attention is required from the beginning.
Caroline England has a lovely writing style and has woven interesting and topical plots for each of her characters. Very quickly this becomes a book which is difficult to put down as the ends of several chapters have cliff hangers. Many issues are explored – adultery, deceit, sexuality and, of course, the husband's lies – but seeing both sides of the story seems to help negate blame, probably because the characters are so likeable.
From the start, when a guest at the wedding is about to jump from a hotel window, there is a feeling of doom, 'this can't possibly end well' throughout the book but I certainly didn't expect the explosive and shocking ending served to us. On finishing I felt bereft, I needed to know more, but 'more' doesn't matter in the context of this whopping finale.
The book's opening chapters introduce each of the 'cast' at Nick and Lisa's wedding. There are quite a lot of characters introduced at once and you do have to remember them as couples as well as individuals, so attention is required from the beginning.
Caroline England has a lovely writing style and has woven interesting and topical plots for each of her characters. Very quickly this becomes a book which is difficult to put down as the ends of several chapters have cliff hangers. Many issues are explored – adultery, deceit, sexuality and, of course, the husband's lies – but seeing both sides of the story seems to help negate blame, probably because the characters are so likeable.
From the start, when a guest at the wedding is about to jump from a hotel window, there is a feeling of doom, 'this can't possibly end well' throughout the book but I certainly didn't expect the explosive and shocking ending served to us. On finishing I felt bereft, I needed to know more, but 'more' doesn't matter in the context of this whopping finale.
June 17, 2018
Review can be found on my blog here: www.booksonthebookshelf.wordpress.com
This book follows the life of 4 friends, known since their childhood as the “A team”. They have been friends since they were younger, and are now adults. The story is told in different POV’s. The 4 friends are Jen, Nick, Will and Dan. Jen is now married and they have 3 daughters together. Nick has just recently gotten married. Will is married with no children. And Dan is expecting a baby with his girlfriend. The story is a bit confusing at first as it jumps around from narrator to narrator and it takes some time to figure out who they all are and how they tie in together.
They are all keeping secrets, not only from each other but from the other important people in their lives. As you read through the story those secrets are revealed and the story begins to unfold.
The story begins with the night of Nick’s wedding to his wife Lisa. Something shocking is about to happen at their wedding – one of their friends is about to do something life-threatening…or is she? Someone they know well (or do they?) is found at the window ledge of the hotel they are at. Is she going to jump? What is going on? So much deception and lies, and they are all involved.
Overall I enjoyed this book, and you learn so much about the characters in the book. It had me wanting to know what would happen next, and had a few twists and turns to keep you guessing and wanting more. Great read for anyone who loves suspense and thriller type books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher Avon Books UK for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
This book follows the life of 4 friends, known since their childhood as the “A team”. They have been friends since they were younger, and are now adults. The story is told in different POV’s. The 4 friends are Jen, Nick, Will and Dan. Jen is now married and they have 3 daughters together. Nick has just recently gotten married. Will is married with no children. And Dan is expecting a baby with his girlfriend. The story is a bit confusing at first as it jumps around from narrator to narrator and it takes some time to figure out who they all are and how they tie in together.
They are all keeping secrets, not only from each other but from the other important people in their lives. As you read through the story those secrets are revealed and the story begins to unfold.
The story begins with the night of Nick’s wedding to his wife Lisa. Something shocking is about to happen at their wedding – one of their friends is about to do something life-threatening…or is she? Someone they know well (or do they?) is found at the window ledge of the hotel they are at. Is she going to jump? What is going on? So much deception and lies, and they are all involved.
Overall I enjoyed this book, and you learn so much about the characters in the book. It had me wanting to know what would happen next, and had a few twists and turns to keep you guessing and wanting more. Great read for anyone who loves suspense and thriller type books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher Avon Books UK for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
March 19, 2018
This book sorely dragged on and on, but did have the potential to be very intriguing. Lots of betrayal and I daresay the book should actually be called 'EVERYONE'S' lies rather than just the husbands. Jeez, the crap these people get away with and do behind their significant others backs is appalling, scary really. I mean do people's partners actually do this type of thing and live a secretive double life? Anyways getting right back on track - this was okay, not great but just dragged on too long!
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2019
1.5 stars
I was so disappointed at this book. Was it a psychological thriller? No, it was a truly family, couple drama. It focused heavily on the relationships and identities without any suspense or mysteries. The ending was just so lacking and abrupt that it seemed like the main problem that this book pointed out was not thoroughly solved. Somehow it sounded like the author was very hesitant that she didn't know how to end this book, so she had to take that measure just for the sake of ending the story quickly without actually solving it.
Okay, we had these following couples: Nick (the man-child who always depended on his parents to do his chores) and Lisa (the perfect active wife), Will (the cheating husband) and Penny (the vulnerable wife who always prioritized her husband), Ian (the mild, not very remarkable husband) and Jen (the guardian angel), Dan (the man who just discovered he might be gay) and Geri (the pregnant girlfriend). And one more character in the equation: Sebastian, Will's brother, who was bisexual and obviously attracted Dan a lot.
You might think, a cast full of complicated characters, the plot must have been suspenseful, full of mysteries and intrigues and secrets. Well, NO NO NO. It did have a lot of secrets, but the secrets were so shallow and just concerned this person loving the other person and so on, and how those relationships (remember, that "loving" aspect was not between husband and wife) affect the marital relationships. Purely dramas. I should say that we got into these characters' minds a lot, so we could understand why they behaved that way and fathom the meaning behind their responses to certain actions. I think it is true to say that this book was very character driven. The story, not so much. There was no motivation, no definite goal for each character. What they did to each other simply stemmed from passion and no rational thinking or decisions were made. It was madness to read this book. Boring, even. All these characters did no good to each other, and they lied, and they didn't do anything about it. They took it for granted that everything would be fine as long as there was no reveal. Of course, there was no reveal, just doubts and suspicion twirling, but still, none of these characters cared! They were motionless, did nothing! And what they did was keeping doing those cheating and lying.
As I had mentioned, there was no point in analyzing the plot. Because there was no plot. I didn't know why Penny behaved like that in Nick and Lisa's wedding, because her responses originated from that action was very dull and didn't change the story at all. And when Dan come forward about his problems, nothing changed! Why??
Sorry, I just hated this book. So much.
I was so disappointed at this book. Was it a psychological thriller? No, it was a truly family, couple drama. It focused heavily on the relationships and identities without any suspense or mysteries. The ending was just so lacking and abrupt that it seemed like the main problem that this book pointed out was not thoroughly solved. Somehow it sounded like the author was very hesitant that she didn't know how to end this book, so she had to take that measure just for the sake of ending the story quickly without actually solving it.
Okay, we had these following couples: Nick (the man-child who always depended on his parents to do his chores) and Lisa (the perfect active wife), Will (the cheating husband) and Penny (the vulnerable wife who always prioritized her husband), Ian (the mild, not very remarkable husband) and Jen (the guardian angel), Dan (the man who just discovered he might be gay) and Geri (the pregnant girlfriend). And one more character in the equation: Sebastian, Will's brother, who was bisexual and obviously attracted Dan a lot.
You might think, a cast full of complicated characters, the plot must have been suspenseful, full of mysteries and intrigues and secrets. Well, NO NO NO. It did have a lot of secrets, but the secrets were so shallow and just concerned this person loving the other person and so on, and how those relationships (remember, that "loving" aspect was not between husband and wife) affect the marital relationships. Purely dramas. I should say that we got into these characters' minds a lot, so we could understand why they behaved that way and fathom the meaning behind their responses to certain actions. I think it is true to say that this book was very character driven. The story, not so much. There was no motivation, no definite goal for each character. What they did to each other simply stemmed from passion and no rational thinking or decisions were made. It was madness to read this book. Boring, even. All these characters did no good to each other, and they lied, and they didn't do anything about it. They took it for granted that everything would be fine as long as there was no reveal. Of course, there was no reveal, just doubts and suspicion twirling, but still, none of these characters cared! They were motionless, did nothing! And what they did was keeping doing those cheating and lying.
As I had mentioned, there was no point in analyzing the plot. Because there was no plot. I didn't know why Penny behaved like that in Nick and Lisa's wedding, because her responses originated from that action was very dull and didn't change the story at all. And when Dan come forward about his problems, nothing changed! Why??
Sorry, I just hated this book. So much.
June 1, 2018
This is a story based round a group of friends that have been in each others pockets since school days. They were and still are the A Team, Will, Dan, Nick and Jen with each of them having partners, wives and family which makes it quite a long list of players in this story. To be honest I really don’t think that the number of characters could have been trimmed but the further you read into the book the more you really get to know who is who. This is all made easier because the chapters are under the headings of each of the main characters in the story.
Everything has chugged along nicely for years, well on the surface anyway, until the day of the wedding where one event sort of kicks the next event off and so on. So many cover ups and lies ranging in 50 shades of white to a pretty shady grey! The thing is in order to be truthful with other people first you have to be truthful to yourself no matter if you are the last man standing. Yep there is some pretty heavy soul cleansing going on and you know that it is going to go from a sort of Adam and Eve opening of everything in the garden is rosy, to really seeing the true nature of each other by the end of the book. Talk about having your eyes opened, I mean who slipped the apple in there!
Caroline England is a cracking writer that really opens up her characters souls and make them face situations that just knock all of their worlds off-balance. It is impossible just to read a couple of chapters because it isn’t the lies that are the worst it is the effect they have on others which becomes the issue. So after each chapter ends I needed to know what happened next.
I had loved Caroline England’s first novel but this one just has the edge on it. What had begun as a seemingly complicated large amount of people were all neatly organised in my mind when I finished because of the way the book was written. A super read but one that continued to play with my mind afterwards too. Loved it!
Everything has chugged along nicely for years, well on the surface anyway, until the day of the wedding where one event sort of kicks the next event off and so on. So many cover ups and lies ranging in 50 shades of white to a pretty shady grey! The thing is in order to be truthful with other people first you have to be truthful to yourself no matter if you are the last man standing. Yep there is some pretty heavy soul cleansing going on and you know that it is going to go from a sort of Adam and Eve opening of everything in the garden is rosy, to really seeing the true nature of each other by the end of the book. Talk about having your eyes opened, I mean who slipped the apple in there!
Caroline England is a cracking writer that really opens up her characters souls and make them face situations that just knock all of their worlds off-balance. It is impossible just to read a couple of chapters because it isn’t the lies that are the worst it is the effect they have on others which becomes the issue. So after each chapter ends I needed to know what happened next.
I had loved Caroline England’s first novel but this one just has the edge on it. What had begun as a seemingly complicated large amount of people were all neatly organised in my mind when I finished because of the way the book was written. A super read but one that continued to play with my mind afterwards too. Loved it!
January 25, 2026
Book Title: My Husband’s Lies
Author: Caroline England
Publishers: One More Chapter & Random House Audio
Pub Date: June 23, 2020
Dates Read/Listened: November 14, 2025 – November 17, 2025
🗣️ 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎: I’m not going to lie, there is a lot going on in this book and I have a feeling between that and the unlikeable characters, it probably turned some readers off. Being the person I am, I loved the drama as well as the pretty despicable characters and I ate that ish up. This is a very dark read that deserves a trigger check prior to starting, and it definitely won’t be for everyone. We get a look into each of the characters’ minds in ‘The A Team’ and things get pretty wild. Lots of characters to keep track of, but if you don’t mind that and love your characters most when they are flawed and detestable, this could be the book for you!
🎧 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘕𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: This is one of those books that was desperately calling for a full cast. Due to there being so may viewpoints (especially women), I thought it was rather odd that Steve West was the sole narrator for all of them. Be that as it may, he did a really great job IMO and still helped immerse me into the story and these shady characters.
T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🤥🤐💋👀
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Author: Caroline England
Publishers: One More Chapter & Random House Audio
Pub Date: June 23, 2020
Dates Read/Listened: November 14, 2025 – November 17, 2025
🗣️ 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎: I’m not going to lie, there is a lot going on in this book and I have a feeling between that and the unlikeable characters, it probably turned some readers off. Being the person I am, I loved the drama as well as the pretty despicable characters and I ate that ish up. This is a very dark read that deserves a trigger check prior to starting, and it definitely won’t be for everyone. We get a look into each of the characters’ minds in ‘The A Team’ and things get pretty wild. Lots of characters to keep track of, but if you don’t mind that and love your characters most when they are flawed and detestable, this could be the book for you!
🎧 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘕𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: This is one of those books that was desperately calling for a full cast. Due to there being so may viewpoints (especially women), I thought it was rather odd that Steve West was the sole narrator for all of them. Be that as it may, he did a really great job IMO and still helped immerse me into the story and these shady characters.
T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🤥🤐💋👀
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 20, 2018
Wow! This book is SO good. It's my first Caroline England book but I did buy a copy of her debut, Beneath the Skin, a little while ago; I just haven't had the chance to read it yet. I will be remedying that shortly if My Husband's Lies is anything to go by. One thing I would say before reading it is to write down the names of the characters as the four couples are introduced in quick succession so it would be easy to forget who was who.
There is a 'blip' on Nick and Lisa's wedding day in the form of one of their guests balanced precariously on a window ledge. I felt like I was in a cartoon as my eyes popped out of my head - what a cracking start. As we find out more about this group of friends, we can perhaps make sense of the window ledge scene but there is more to this story than first meets the eye.
Dan, Will, Nick and Jen are friends from school who have stuck together through the years as part of the renowned A Team. Boy, do they have some secrets between them and we get to examine their lives through a microscope thanks to the fantastic story created by Caroline England. Jen was always the honorary boy of the group but as they grew up and each of the boys fell in love with her, one of them captured her heart. That's all over now that Jen is happily married, isn't it? Dan is about to become a father but he feels an attraction that he can't resist and it isn't his partner, Geri, who is causing his heart to race. After a throw away comment at his wedding, Nick uncovers a family secret that could become an obsession and destroy his marriage to Lisa before it even begins. Will, in my opinion, is the linchpin of the group but a job offer could see him jetting off to the Caribbean and fracturing the A-Team as we know and love it...or is there a threat to the group from another source? This is the point where you would hear the dramatic drum beats of the Eastenders theme tune.
My Husband's Lies is a soap opera in a book. At first I thought it was like Friends but then it became apparent that so much drama likened it to Cold Feet with the almost 'who shot JR' tension of Dallas. I was surprisingly emotional towards the end as I had come to think of the group as my own friends and I was quite tearful at the thought of the group being split by the Atlantic Ocean. Then BOOM! Caroline England played her ace and I gasped out loud and sat open mouthed as I read the final scenes. If this had been a play, I would have stood and applauded whilst exclaiming 'bravo'!
Dark, gripping and utterly, utterly compelling you will struggle to tear your eyes away from the pages of My Husband's Lies. With a few husbands to choose from, which one is lying? Or is it all of them? An absolutely brilliant book; I was captivated from first page to last.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
There is a 'blip' on Nick and Lisa's wedding day in the form of one of their guests balanced precariously on a window ledge. I felt like I was in a cartoon as my eyes popped out of my head - what a cracking start. As we find out more about this group of friends, we can perhaps make sense of the window ledge scene but there is more to this story than first meets the eye.
Dan, Will, Nick and Jen are friends from school who have stuck together through the years as part of the renowned A Team. Boy, do they have some secrets between them and we get to examine their lives through a microscope thanks to the fantastic story created by Caroline England. Jen was always the honorary boy of the group but as they grew up and each of the boys fell in love with her, one of them captured her heart. That's all over now that Jen is happily married, isn't it? Dan is about to become a father but he feels an attraction that he can't resist and it isn't his partner, Geri, who is causing his heart to race. After a throw away comment at his wedding, Nick uncovers a family secret that could become an obsession and destroy his marriage to Lisa before it even begins. Will, in my opinion, is the linchpin of the group but a job offer could see him jetting off to the Caribbean and fracturing the A-Team as we know and love it...or is there a threat to the group from another source? This is the point where you would hear the dramatic drum beats of the Eastenders theme tune.
My Husband's Lies is a soap opera in a book. At first I thought it was like Friends but then it became apparent that so much drama likened it to Cold Feet with the almost 'who shot JR' tension of Dallas. I was surprisingly emotional towards the end as I had come to think of the group as my own friends and I was quite tearful at the thought of the group being split by the Atlantic Ocean. Then BOOM! Caroline England played her ace and I gasped out loud and sat open mouthed as I read the final scenes. If this had been a play, I would have stood and applauded whilst exclaiming 'bravo'!
Dark, gripping and utterly, utterly compelling you will struggle to tear your eyes away from the pages of My Husband's Lies. With a few husbands to choose from, which one is lying? Or is it all of them? An absolutely brilliant book; I was captivated from first page to last.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
April 11, 2018
I couldn't finish this. I'm at 30% and just can't go on.
I feel like the title has not much to do with what happened up until now, and it's very disappointing. With a title like "My Husband's Lies" i expected an intimate perspective of a wife and some horrible secrets of her husband. I think in this book that husband is the least of our issue to be honest.
I'm not able to connect with any of the characters, and each chapter seem to tell a different story. This far in the book they should have had some sort of a connection, other than the fact that most of these characters were friends from school / uni.
I just found it extremely boring. The synopsis mentioned suspense, but I didn't feel it.
I feel like the title has not much to do with what happened up until now, and it's very disappointing. With a title like "My Husband's Lies" i expected an intimate perspective of a wife and some horrible secrets of her husband. I think in this book that husband is the least of our issue to be honest.
I'm not able to connect with any of the characters, and each chapter seem to tell a different story. This far in the book they should have had some sort of a connection, other than the fact that most of these characters were friends from school / uni.
I just found it extremely boring. The synopsis mentioned suspense, but I didn't feel it.
May 21, 2018
Nick and Lisa's wedding day should be a joyous occasion for all but especially for Nick's childhood friends - 'The A Team'. Things don't quite go as expected however, when a guest appears to threaten to jump off a window ledge. The group of friends try to move on from the incident and refer to it as 'the blip' but it gradually transpires that there are deep secrets in each of their lives which will test the bonds of their friendship to its very limits. Chapters follow the friends - and Will's wife, Penny - in turn, which means each of their stories are intimately told. Newlyweds Nick and Lisa may be able to put that blip behind them but a throwaway comment from an old family friend engenders an obsessive search for the truth which threatens to drive the couple apart before their married life truly begins. Jen and Ian have been married for years and together with their three daughters tackle the ups and downs of family life as a team but are they both as committed as it seems? Meanwhile Dan and Geri are excitedly looking forward to the birth of their baby but an unexpected offer leads to emotional turmoil and difficult choices to make. Will and Penny make a striking couple but they are both keeping secrets from one another and are arguably the catalyst for the events which have a shattering effect on their marriage and the relationships between the friends.
I have to admit that I took a little while to remember which character was which but I was enjoying Caroline England's writing and so trusted her to make everything clear, which she did soon enough and the strong characterisation within the novel was a real highlight for me. My Husband's Lies actually reminded me of a soap opera at the top of its game - the excellent character development meant I became invested in these people's lives and the compelling drama ensured I kept turning the pages desperate to find out what would happen next. And just as any soap opera has its cliffhanger moments at the end of episodes, so My Husband's Lies has some stunning surprises in store for readers. All the ingredients of a gripping drama are here - births, deaths and marriages, illicit affairs, long-hidden secrets, shocking reveals and emotional and moral dilemmas that will have readers wondering just what they would do under the same circumstances. This A Team's plan most certainly does not come together and by the end none of them will be quite the same again as they learn life-changing truths about themselves and one another.
The various narrative threads of My Husband's Lies are intricately woven with an excellent balance of light and shade between the poignant scenes and the darker, more disturbing incidents. The characters aren't always easy to like, they are complicated and flawed human beings who make terrible decisions which have a devastating impact on others but I couldn't help but want things to work out for them. I really don't want to spoil any surprises as this is such a fun book to read with its twists and turns and it would be a shame to give anything away. What I can say however, is that though there are many 'duff duff' moments, the best is saved to last - the conclusion is jaw dropping and a fabulous way to end the novel. This is the first book I have read by Caroline England but with writing this engrossing, it definitely won't be the last!
I have to admit that I took a little while to remember which character was which but I was enjoying Caroline England's writing and so trusted her to make everything clear, which she did soon enough and the strong characterisation within the novel was a real highlight for me. My Husband's Lies actually reminded me of a soap opera at the top of its game - the excellent character development meant I became invested in these people's lives and the compelling drama ensured I kept turning the pages desperate to find out what would happen next. And just as any soap opera has its cliffhanger moments at the end of episodes, so My Husband's Lies has some stunning surprises in store for readers. All the ingredients of a gripping drama are here - births, deaths and marriages, illicit affairs, long-hidden secrets, shocking reveals and emotional and moral dilemmas that will have readers wondering just what they would do under the same circumstances. This A Team's plan most certainly does not come together and by the end none of them will be quite the same again as they learn life-changing truths about themselves and one another.
The various narrative threads of My Husband's Lies are intricately woven with an excellent balance of light and shade between the poignant scenes and the darker, more disturbing incidents. The characters aren't always easy to like, they are complicated and flawed human beings who make terrible decisions which have a devastating impact on others but I couldn't help but want things to work out for them. I really don't want to spoil any surprises as this is such a fun book to read with its twists and turns and it would be a shame to give anything away. What I can say however, is that though there are many 'duff duff' moments, the best is saved to last - the conclusion is jaw dropping and a fabulous way to end the novel. This is the first book I have read by Caroline England but with writing this engrossing, it definitely won't be the last!
May 22, 2018
Jaysus, this book is absolutely crazy and messed up - in an utterly compelling and gripping way but messed up all the same!!
At a wedding reception a group of old friends and their respective partners gather to celebrate and reminisce but when one of them steps out on a window ledge it will set off a chain reaction among the group where long-buried secrets, lies, and betrayals will come bubbling up to the surface with unimaginable consequences.
This book follows a group of friends - Dan, Nick, Will, and Jen and their loved ones - and each chapter lets us see into a particular character and what is happening in their life (both past and present). I really enjoyed the wide sweep of characters and found it easy to keep up with all of the drama.
Cheating, damaged childhoods, first love, lies, mental health, sexual attraction, friendship, and love are just some of the issues that MY HUSBAND'S LIES by Caroline England dives into and I could not put this book down until the very end - and what an ending!! There are characters that I felt compassion for and characters that irritated me no end with their selfishness, but at all times I was hooked into the story and needed to know more and that is always a sign of a good novel.
MY HUSBAND'S LIES by Caroline England is not a fast-paced thriller but more of a slow unfolding where this group of friends lives comes apart piece by piece in ways that will shock and astound you. Definitely well worth reading!!
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley
At a wedding reception a group of old friends and their respective partners gather to celebrate and reminisce but when one of them steps out on a window ledge it will set off a chain reaction among the group where long-buried secrets, lies, and betrayals will come bubbling up to the surface with unimaginable consequences.
This book follows a group of friends - Dan, Nick, Will, and Jen and their loved ones - and each chapter lets us see into a particular character and what is happening in their life (both past and present). I really enjoyed the wide sweep of characters and found it easy to keep up with all of the drama.
Cheating, damaged childhoods, first love, lies, mental health, sexual attraction, friendship, and love are just some of the issues that MY HUSBAND'S LIES by Caroline England dives into and I could not put this book down until the very end - and what an ending!! There are characters that I felt compassion for and characters that irritated me no end with their selfishness, but at all times I was hooked into the story and needed to know more and that is always a sign of a good novel.
MY HUSBAND'S LIES by Caroline England is not a fast-paced thriller but more of a slow unfolding where this group of friends lives comes apart piece by piece in ways that will shock and astound you. Definitely well worth reading!!
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley
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October 27, 2018DNF. I tried. I really did. But it's time to accept I won't be coming back to this one. I was vaguely intrigued by the Dan/Seb storyline, but not enough to drag through the rest of it.
May 14, 2018
I feel a bit grubby after reading this - sort of how I would expect a peeping tom to feel. I've been a fly on the wall among this group of friends and I know all their innermost secrets . . .
I'm pleased that the blurb doesn't give much away on this one; I'm not really keen on waiting for something to happen which I know is coming in a book. No such worries here - it's a cracking read. As you would expect, there are secrets and lies and boy, are they whoppers! I have been glued to this one, almost afraid to let it out of my sight! Each time I laid it aside, I found myself pondering on what I had learned so far and, trust me, you don't have to wait long for the skeletons to pop out of the cupboard. What an amazing read!!
Like most of us, Caroline England's beautifully created characters would like to think they are honest and straightforward people. But how well do we really know about our friends? Enough to trust them with all our secrets - and to keep theirs? This is one of the most thought-provoking novels of recent times and it will make you look at almost everyone you know with suspicion in your soul. Very few relationships are completely and totally honest but this bunch really take the biscuit!
This is my first experience of this author's work - and I'm quite surprised to find out it's only her second novel. This is a really accomplished piece of writing, and not one to be forgotten easily. I have found myself rooting for just about everyone at sometime or another. This is an eye-popping and breathtaking read, and one I'm so glad to have added to my list. As soon as I can fit it in, the first novel will be on my kindle too! In my opinion, this is quite a masterpiece and as such I completely recommend it.
My grateful thanks to publishers Avon Books UK for approving my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
I'm pleased that the blurb doesn't give much away on this one; I'm not really keen on waiting for something to happen which I know is coming in a book. No such worries here - it's a cracking read. As you would expect, there are secrets and lies and boy, are they whoppers! I have been glued to this one, almost afraid to let it out of my sight! Each time I laid it aside, I found myself pondering on what I had learned so far and, trust me, you don't have to wait long for the skeletons to pop out of the cupboard. What an amazing read!!
Like most of us, Caroline England's beautifully created characters would like to think they are honest and straightforward people. But how well do we really know about our friends? Enough to trust them with all our secrets - and to keep theirs? This is one of the most thought-provoking novels of recent times and it will make you look at almost everyone you know with suspicion in your soul. Very few relationships are completely and totally honest but this bunch really take the biscuit!
This is my first experience of this author's work - and I'm quite surprised to find out it's only her second novel. This is a really accomplished piece of writing, and not one to be forgotten easily. I have found myself rooting for just about everyone at sometime or another. This is an eye-popping and breathtaking read, and one I'm so glad to have added to my list. As soon as I can fit it in, the first novel will be on my kindle too! In my opinion, this is quite a masterpiece and as such I completely recommend it.
My grateful thanks to publishers Avon Books UK for approving my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
March 25, 2019
You know that saying " Why need enemies when you have such friends ? ", this book made me feel that. The story is about childhoods friends, how are now married or in a relationship. The story starts with one of the women attempting suicide. From there it keeps spiraling out of control, spewing off conceited friendships, hidden agenda, selfish actions and psychotic episodes as well.
I do not want to like this story because I did not like any of the characters. All are malignant and cancerous pulling down everyone around them. I mean what happened to good ol' friendships !! And the worst part are the clueless partners. I mean surely they can't get away with all this disloyalty ! The first half was like a huge mess and towards the second half, the mess kind of filtered the extra mess and we were left with absolute disaster in the end, and I say it with a good intention. I did not expect that end though !
Nice cover BTW
I do not want to like this story because I did not like any of the characters. All are malignant and cancerous pulling down everyone around them. I mean what happened to good ol' friendships !! And the worst part are the clueless partners. I mean surely they can't get away with all this disloyalty ! The first half was like a huge mess and towards the second half, the mess kind of filtered the extra mess and we were left with absolute disaster in the end, and I say it with a good intention. I did not expect that end though !
Nice cover BTW
May 4, 2018
I absolutely loved this. The characters were all likeable and relatable and the threads woven between them all were intriguing and felt real and well developed. I love this type of novel where it’s “family drama” and relationships and what makes people tick. Very Liane Moriarty so if you like that sort of thing this is the book for you. I would have liked a bit more closure - didn’t like the abrupt ending. Thanks to Net Galley and Avon for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2018
4 Stars ★★★★
My Husband's Lies is a noir thriller written by Caroline England. It is also the first book I have read written by this author. If my enjoyment of this novel is anything to go by then I would be definitely interested in reading her other work.
The story itself focuses on the lives of the main characters who go by the name 'The A Team' and their families. Whereas My Husband's Lies is a good title for the book, it only really touches the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the amount of lies told and the amount of secrets kept. From secret lovers, sexual tension, the questioning of sexuality and mental health issues, this book covers so many ups and downs which really could happen in every day life.
One thing I must advise other readers before attempting this book is to really pay attention, it really takes a lot of focus to stay on top of things with its many many characters and the switching between them. A single scene could last over numerous chapters but is retold using the point of view of each character.
I did lose focus slightly at the beginning which lead me to having to draw out a 'family tree' of all the characters and their relationships to eachother. I ended up using that A4 sheet of paper A LOT.
The pace of the whole story was very good but I thought the ending let it down a bit. It was sort of left open to your own interpretation. I think I know what happened but would very much like it to be confirmed.
Overall, it was a well paced novel filled with interesting, if somewhat self-centered, characters and even more interesting and self-centered situations. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy reading family dramas with a dark edge.
My Husband's Lies is a noir thriller written by Caroline England. It is also the first book I have read written by this author. If my enjoyment of this novel is anything to go by then I would be definitely interested in reading her other work.
The story itself focuses on the lives of the main characters who go by the name 'The A Team' and their families. Whereas My Husband's Lies is a good title for the book, it only really touches the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the amount of lies told and the amount of secrets kept. From secret lovers, sexual tension, the questioning of sexuality and mental health issues, this book covers so many ups and downs which really could happen in every day life.
One thing I must advise other readers before attempting this book is to really pay attention, it really takes a lot of focus to stay on top of things with its many many characters and the switching between them. A single scene could last over numerous chapters but is retold using the point of view of each character.
I did lose focus slightly at the beginning which lead me to having to draw out a 'family tree' of all the characters and their relationships to eachother. I ended up using that A4 sheet of paper A LOT.
The pace of the whole story was very good but I thought the ending let it down a bit. It was sort of left open to your own interpretation. I think I know what happened but would very much like it to be confirmed.
Overall, it was a well paced novel filled with interesting, if somewhat self-centered, characters and even more interesting and self-centered situations. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy reading family dramas with a dark edge.
August 3, 2018
I really liked this. Read it in one sitting on a hot night when I couldn't sleep. I see from a number of reviews that readers had issues with the large number of characters. Usually, that's an off putting aspect for me but in this book I wasn't confused. Maybe because I read it all at one go, I don't know but I was trawled up into the secrets and lies and desperate to know how it was all going to turn out. It was well written, pacy, had interesting characters - not necessarily ones you are intended to love - but ones that had lots of facets. The story deals with such a lot of topics - and to mention them would be a little spoilerish so I won't. If you start to get confused with the characters it is well worth persevering. The end - ack - broke my heart but to end it otherwise would have been a little too neat perhaps.
May 29, 2018
It’s the first book I’ve read by this author, but I’ll be seeking out more for sure.
I met Caroline at an author/blogger meet up in Stoke-on-Trent. I had a promo postcard from her and the book sounded just my cup of tea. What a lovely lady she is, and she had a good natter with everyone. She had some fab trousers on, if only I had the legs to carry them off!
It revolves around four school friends known as The A Team…. Nick, Dan, Will and Jen. And their respective partners and family. The cast was rather large, but I soon got to know everyone. It’s a bit like a dark soap opera and I could easily imagine it being on the telly.
Each chapter is told by one of The A Team, some chapters tell the same thing but from the perspective of a different character.
I loved the way the friends and their family knew each other, interacted together. Even though they’ve known each other all these years there are things they certainly don’t know about each other. Little things, and big, massive, huge things!
It starts with the incident at Nick and Lisa’s wedding, but looking into the lives (past and present) of everyone things start to be revealed to the reader.
I thoroughly recommend this book. It’s darkly compelling.
I loved the ending. Wham. ‘Av’it. No messing around!
steflozbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/05...
I met Caroline at an author/blogger meet up in Stoke-on-Trent. I had a promo postcard from her and the book sounded just my cup of tea. What a lovely lady she is, and she had a good natter with everyone. She had some fab trousers on, if only I had the legs to carry them off!
It revolves around four school friends known as The A Team…. Nick, Dan, Will and Jen. And their respective partners and family. The cast was rather large, but I soon got to know everyone. It’s a bit like a dark soap opera and I could easily imagine it being on the telly.
Each chapter is told by one of The A Team, some chapters tell the same thing but from the perspective of a different character.
I loved the way the friends and their family knew each other, interacted together. Even though they’ve known each other all these years there are things they certainly don’t know about each other. Little things, and big, massive, huge things!
It starts with the incident at Nick and Lisa’s wedding, but looking into the lives (past and present) of everyone things start to be revealed to the reader.
I thoroughly recommend this book. It’s darkly compelling.
I loved the ending. Wham. ‘Av’it. No messing around!
steflozbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/05...
February 19, 2025
Katrai personai, lai kādās vien attiecībās tas nebūtu pamanījies iepīties, būtu tas laulāts biedrs, vecāku un bērnu attiecības vai tuvākie draugi, ir tiesības uz privātumu un saviem noslēpumiem, kuri citiem nav jāzina. Bet My Husband’s Lies romāna ietvaros vairāk kā viena tēla gadījumā robeža, kur noslēpums attiecas vairāk vai mazāk tikai uz noslēpuma turētāju un/vai neietekmē būtiski citus, tiek pārkāpta, kas rada būtisku spriedzi starp tēliem un ir gana dramatisks, lai no tā varētu izvērsties intriģējošs sižets.
https://poseidons99.com/2025/02/19/ca...
https://poseidons99.com/2025/02/19/ca...
May 16, 2018
I received this book via Netgalley thanks to the publisher; Avon Books UK in exchange for an honest opinion.
Truly rated 2.5 stars but rounded up to 3 as it was closer to a 3 star book than a 2 star book.
The first few chapters seemed to be slightly dull and dragged on a bit. However, after this the book did get more interesting but also confusion was starting to build as it jumps around quite a bit between each person's personal story the many lies contained within which makes it hard to keep track of whose story is whose. The title of the book is slightly wrong as even though the husbands do tell the lies and hide secrets from their loved ones, there are a least two of the main female characters which do exactly the same so maybe would have benefited from a better title such as 'My Partner's Lies'.
I do wish that the book concentrated more on Nick's story as it was the most interesting with all the small twists and you do find yourself connecting and feeling sorry for him as he finds out about a big lie in his family which keeps on unraveling the more he digs to find information. Nick's storyline could have easily been developed to work alongside Will and Penny's story and the two would have been enough as a doubt a group of four friends and their partners would have has many big lies as this group did.
Sadly the book does end slightly on a cliffhanger but it is very well hinted at what does happen, it's just never confirmed.
Overall this book is worth reading and wouldn't say no to reading others books from Caroline England.
Truly rated 2.5 stars but rounded up to 3 as it was closer to a 3 star book than a 2 star book.
The first few chapters seemed to be slightly dull and dragged on a bit. However, after this the book did get more interesting but also confusion was starting to build as it jumps around quite a bit between each person's personal story the many lies contained within which makes it hard to keep track of whose story is whose. The title of the book is slightly wrong as even though the husbands do tell the lies and hide secrets from their loved ones, there are a least two of the main female characters which do exactly the same so maybe would have benefited from a better title such as 'My Partner's Lies'.
I do wish that the book concentrated more on Nick's story as it was the most interesting with all the small twists and you do find yourself connecting and feeling sorry for him as he finds out about a big lie in his family which keeps on unraveling the more he digs to find information. Nick's storyline could have easily been developed to work alongside Will and Penny's story and the two would have been enough as a doubt a group of four friends and their partners would have has many big lies as this group did.
Sadly the book does end slightly on a cliffhanger but it is very well hinted at what does happen, it's just never confirmed.
Overall this book is worth reading and wouldn't say no to reading others books from Caroline England.
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