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Perfect Ten
An explosive debut thriller about one woman's search for revenge - and the dangerous chain of events she sets in motion...
Caroline Atkinson is powerless and angry. She has lost more than most - her marriage, her reputation, even her children. Then one day, she receives an unusual delivery: lost luggage belonging to the very man who is responsible, her estranged husband Jack.
In a leather holdall, Caroline unearths a dark secret, one that finally confirms her worst suspicions. Jack has kept a detailed diary of all his affairs; every name, every meeting, every lie is recorded. He even marks the women out of ten.
Caroline decides it's time to even the score. She will make this man pay, even if it means risking everything...
Caroline Atkinson is powerless and angry. She has lost more than most - her marriage, her reputation, even her children. Then one day, she receives an unusual delivery: lost luggage belonging to the very man who is responsible, her estranged husband Jack.
In a leather holdall, Caroline unearths a dark secret, one that finally confirms her worst suspicions. Jack has kept a detailed diary of all his affairs; every name, every meeting, every lie is recorded. He even marks the women out of ten.
Caroline decides it's time to even the score. She will make this man pay, even if it means risking everything...
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2018
47 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Ward
25 books87 followersJacqueline Ward MBE is a UK-based author and narrative psychologist. She writes emotionally driven, psychologically rich fiction about women’s lives, identity, and the stories families tell themselves. Her work spans psychological suspense and contemporary book-club fiction, always with a keen eye on power, secrets, and the quiet revolutions that happen behind closed doors.
Jacqueline holds a PhD in narrative and storytelling, where her research produced a new model of identity construction. She has worked with victims of domestic violence and the families of missing people, and received an MBE for services to vulnerable people in 2013.
Jacqueline is represented by Danielle Marshall at Jane Rotrosen Agency, New York
Jacqueline holds a PhD in narrative and storytelling, where her research produced a new model of identity construction. She has worked with victims of domestic violence and the families of missing people, and received an MBE for services to vulnerable people in 2013.
Jacqueline is represented by Danielle Marshall at Jane Rotrosen Agency, New York
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
August 18, 2018
Rage before beauty....."Perfect Ten" is Jacqueline Ward's debut thriller about a woman's obsessive search for revenge and the effects of her social media retaliations against her cheating husband after a bitter and intense divorce.
I was just in the mood for some lighter reading having read some recent dark thrillers and as I started reading I thought 'this book is perfect' just like the title suggests -engrossing, intriguing and totally realistic - hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and all that! However. It got very soon, very repetitive to a point I was struggling to continue. I did persevere and to be honest nothing was gained by my dedication, I lost a few hours of decent reading time, going over the same storyline time and time again.
The plot did have potential and I was very keen to read at the start, I just found it lacked depth and repeated itself too often.
To be fair, this isn't my normal genre, it's so much more women's fiction than a thriller in my opinion and although it will be liked by many a reader, it just wasn't for me. Jacqueline Ward's writing style is excellent and very easy to follow, she's known for her stories about strong women and their loves and lives and I can see her writing many further novels along these lines and I do wish her well with her first 'thriller'.
3 stars
I was just in the mood for some lighter reading having read some recent dark thrillers and as I started reading I thought 'this book is perfect' just like the title suggests -engrossing, intriguing and totally realistic - hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and all that! However. It got very soon, very repetitive to a point I was struggling to continue. I did persevere and to be honest nothing was gained by my dedication, I lost a few hours of decent reading time, going over the same storyline time and time again.
The plot did have potential and I was very keen to read at the start, I just found it lacked depth and repeated itself too often.
To be fair, this isn't my normal genre, it's so much more women's fiction than a thriller in my opinion and although it will be liked by many a reader, it just wasn't for me. Jacqueline Ward's writing style is excellent and very easy to follow, she's known for her stories about strong women and their loves and lives and I can see her writing many further novels along these lines and I do wish her well with her first 'thriller'.
3 stars
January 27, 2019
3.5 stars!
Our protagonist, Caroline, has just had a windfall: a black briefcase chuck full with documents and photographs that finally supports her claim that her ex, Jack, had always been and still is a lying cheating scum.
What follows is a story that not only proves revenge is a dish best served cold, but also that hell hath no fury as a mother separated from her kids. Hehehe...
August 21, 2018
Marketed as a revenge thriller, Perfect Ten, is the story of one woman’s quest to even up the score after an acrimonious divorce has reduced her to a shadow of her former self with her reputation in tatters, her sanity questioned and her two children removed from her care. Convinced of her ex-husband’s serial philandering throughout their marriage, Caroline, was driven mad by his constant denials and accusations of jealousy and paranoia. Now living alone in the former family home and self-medicating with online shopping channel purchases and empty alcohol bottles in an effort to alleviate her pain, the trigger for all that to change is the unexpected delivery of Jack’s luggage and a priceless journal that serves as testament to his sexual conquests. Contained within is a detailed profile of every one of his transgressions from his nine long-term affairs through to his thirty-seven one night stands with graphic photos and each ‘lucky’ lady marked out of ten on her performance! As Caroline sets about publicly shaming Jack and showing the world the man he really is as a means to an end to ensuring the return of her precious children, Charlie and Laura, she is, however, unprepared for where it might lead... Soon the police are on her trail and Caroline is going to extravagant and dangerous lengths to expose Jack’s lovers online only for a forthcoming meeting with family services to finally signal a deadline to her retaliation.
Written in a confessional style which reads as an open letter to scheming ex, Jack, the writing has an appealing and conversational style which encourages the reader to invest in Caroline’s story. As a result everything that the reader learns about Jack, his sneering mother, Missy, and his array of chosen women is skewed through the biased lens of Caroline’s bitterness and the narrative does not allow for any objective input. There is a pitiful lack of colour on Caroline’s marriage to Jack given the reader is led to believe they met at nineteen at university and spent fourteen years married to each other which I also found frustrating. Lacking in substance, the plot is a series of far-fetched antics as Caroline exposes Jack and each of his mistresses in turn and I found this all increasingly juvenile and more akin to the behaviour of a naive teenager thinking that social media is the answer to their problems and lacking in foresight. The whole idea of Caroline and Jack’s marital discord turning into a hotbed of discussion and dividing the nation with a Twitter campaign was completely overwritten and the idea that the police would become so involved and devote so many resources to investigating is ridiculous.
As a lead protagonist, Caroline is undoubtedly an interesting character because on the surface she has the qualifications and working knowledge to see through her manipulative ex-husband’s conditioning and lies. Highly educated with a doctorate in psychology she works as a university researcher and is known for her pioneering studies into designing tests to highlight psychopathy. Although the story leads the reader to believe that throughout the divorce and current situation that Caroline has performed well in her job I found this difficult to reconcile with her chaotic approach to life. In truth any empathy with Caroline quickly dried up as yet another chapter ends with what becomes a familiar refrain as she claims her main aim is to get her children back over and above revenge and then she does the exact opposite with another outlandish scheme that targets one of Jack’s conquests and puts the supposed objective in jeopardy. One minute Caroline is convincing herself that Jack’s mistresses knew he was married and are therefore fair game for revenge only to retract that statement and claim in the next paragraph they were similarly duped and I found her portrayal hard to equate to the smart, mature woman that the author was obviously keen to present.
I barely made it through the first third of the novel before my interest waned as Caroline’s narrative became increasingly circuitous and fails to stimulate. There is so little substance and depth to the plot that reading the entirety of the book proved a real struggle and there is little tension or suspense with the final outcome never is real doubt. Some chick-lit readers might find Perfect Ten vicarious entertainment but sadly I found it dreary, drawn out and immature.
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Written in a confessional style which reads as an open letter to scheming ex, Jack, the writing has an appealing and conversational style which encourages the reader to invest in Caroline’s story. As a result everything that the reader learns about Jack, his sneering mother, Missy, and his array of chosen women is skewed through the biased lens of Caroline’s bitterness and the narrative does not allow for any objective input. There is a pitiful lack of colour on Caroline’s marriage to Jack given the reader is led to believe they met at nineteen at university and spent fourteen years married to each other which I also found frustrating. Lacking in substance, the plot is a series of far-fetched antics as Caroline exposes Jack and each of his mistresses in turn and I found this all increasingly juvenile and more akin to the behaviour of a naive teenager thinking that social media is the answer to their problems and lacking in foresight. The whole idea of Caroline and Jack’s marital discord turning into a hotbed of discussion and dividing the nation with a Twitter campaign was completely overwritten and the idea that the police would become so involved and devote so many resources to investigating is ridiculous.
As a lead protagonist, Caroline is undoubtedly an interesting character because on the surface she has the qualifications and working knowledge to see through her manipulative ex-husband’s conditioning and lies. Highly educated with a doctorate in psychology she works as a university researcher and is known for her pioneering studies into designing tests to highlight psychopathy. Although the story leads the reader to believe that throughout the divorce and current situation that Caroline has performed well in her job I found this difficult to reconcile with her chaotic approach to life. In truth any empathy with Caroline quickly dried up as yet another chapter ends with what becomes a familiar refrain as she claims her main aim is to get her children back over and above revenge and then she does the exact opposite with another outlandish scheme that targets one of Jack’s conquests and puts the supposed objective in jeopardy. One minute Caroline is convincing herself that Jack’s mistresses knew he was married and are therefore fair game for revenge only to retract that statement and claim in the next paragraph they were similarly duped and I found her portrayal hard to equate to the smart, mature woman that the author was obviously keen to present.
I barely made it through the first third of the novel before my interest waned as Caroline’s narrative became increasingly circuitous and fails to stimulate. There is so little substance and depth to the plot that reading the entirety of the book proved a real struggle and there is little tension or suspense with the final outcome never is real doubt. Some chick-lit readers might find Perfect Ten vicarious entertainment but sadly I found it dreary, drawn out and immature.
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
September 7, 2018
Getting revenge on that special someone certainly seems to be featuring in many crime fiction novels of late, and this book runs with that as its central theme too. It skirts the periphery between being women's fiction/chick lit and thriller, and will be enjoyed by fans of both genres.
The story has lots of quirky features and a distinctive feminist overtone to it, that sets it apart in a crowded marketplace. The two mian characters, Caroline and Jack, are both deeply flawed individuals with a knack for setting fire to the relationships that mean the most to them. Ward impressively plays on the notion that you can never judge a book, or a family, by its cover. What is perceived, is not always the reality of the situation. Although this theme is ubiquitous in the genre and often makes for compelling reading, I find a lot of the stories far-fetched. This is due to the fact that I would never waste my energy trying to avenge something in particular. This is another one of those tales where I cannot help but ask why on earth would Caroline pump everything into her desire for revenge? Why not move on, and be the better person!? And there we go, I reckon i've just answered my own question! It quite simply makes for a thrilling story!
A well written book that plays on stereotypical behaviour, and a short, sharp and easy readable narrative, 'Perfect Ten' delivered a fun, outrageous storyline exactly when I needed just that. This is Jacqueline Ward's debut psychological thriller, and boy what an excellent debut it is. Jacqueline writes stories about strong women and their lives and loves, exploring the real life emotions of revenge, obsession, rage, trust, guilt and joy. Each of these emotions play a substantial role in this story and perfectly illustrate how strong feelings can make us do things we later regret. I look forward to seeing what work Ms. Ward publishes in the future.
Many thanks to Corvus for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The story has lots of quirky features and a distinctive feminist overtone to it, that sets it apart in a crowded marketplace. The two mian characters, Caroline and Jack, are both deeply flawed individuals with a knack for setting fire to the relationships that mean the most to them. Ward impressively plays on the notion that you can never judge a book, or a family, by its cover. What is perceived, is not always the reality of the situation. Although this theme is ubiquitous in the genre and often makes for compelling reading, I find a lot of the stories far-fetched. This is due to the fact that I would never waste my energy trying to avenge something in particular. This is another one of those tales where I cannot help but ask why on earth would Caroline pump everything into her desire for revenge? Why not move on, and be the better person!? And there we go, I reckon i've just answered my own question! It quite simply makes for a thrilling story!
A well written book that plays on stereotypical behaviour, and a short, sharp and easy readable narrative, 'Perfect Ten' delivered a fun, outrageous storyline exactly when I needed just that. This is Jacqueline Ward's debut psychological thriller, and boy what an excellent debut it is. Jacqueline writes stories about strong women and their lives and loves, exploring the real life emotions of revenge, obsession, rage, trust, guilt and joy. Each of these emotions play a substantial role in this story and perfectly illustrate how strong feelings can make us do things we later regret. I look forward to seeing what work Ms. Ward publishes in the future.
Many thanks to Corvus for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
October 30, 2018
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Perfect Ten is a brilliant read packed full of betrayal, rage and good old fashioned revenge. I thought it was a lot of fun and I found myself staying up until the early hours, wanting to finish it.
Main character Caroline is definitely not the most level-headed woman you'll ever meet - but the more I read about what she'd been through with husband Jack, the more I understood why she felt the anger that she did, and by a quarter of the way in I'd have happily punched Jack in the face myself! Jacqueline Ward has created some truly powerful characters in Perfect Ten, in that they really provoked feelings in me - whether positive or negative - and made me root for Caroline. She was definitely unhinged and definitely extreme but I loved reading about her and was behind her all the way - I was definitely #TeamCaro!
This isn't all thriller, it has plenty of emotions wrapped up inside it as well, and I like that this novel is a mix of genres - women's fiction and thriller being two of them! It's firmly rooted in the 21st century with a lot of Caroline's revenge centering around Facebook and technology, but this doesn't cheapen the story like it has with other books I've read - it simply made me picture myself in Caroline's position today and helped me identify even more with her.
Perfect Ten is a lot of fun and addictive reading. Clear a few hours in your diary and enjoy!
Many thanks to Corvus Atlantic for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
Perfect Ten is a brilliant read packed full of betrayal, rage and good old fashioned revenge. I thought it was a lot of fun and I found myself staying up until the early hours, wanting to finish it.
Main character Caroline is definitely not the most level-headed woman you'll ever meet - but the more I read about what she'd been through with husband Jack, the more I understood why she felt the anger that she did, and by a quarter of the way in I'd have happily punched Jack in the face myself! Jacqueline Ward has created some truly powerful characters in Perfect Ten, in that they really provoked feelings in me - whether positive or negative - and made me root for Caroline. She was definitely unhinged and definitely extreme but I loved reading about her and was behind her all the way - I was definitely #TeamCaro!
This isn't all thriller, it has plenty of emotions wrapped up inside it as well, and I like that this novel is a mix of genres - women's fiction and thriller being two of them! It's firmly rooted in the 21st century with a lot of Caroline's revenge centering around Facebook and technology, but this doesn't cheapen the story like it has with other books I've read - it simply made me picture myself in Caroline's position today and helped me identify even more with her.
Perfect Ten is a lot of fun and addictive reading. Clear a few hours in your diary and enjoy!
Many thanks to Corvus Atlantic for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
January 19, 2025
3.5 stars 🌟 what a crazyyyy story 🤣 there were heaps of plot holes though which was frustrating. Idk if the confusing writing style was intentional to make you feel like you were in the main characters head but intentional or not it worked
September 11, 2018
Wow, I was so engrossed in this book. As I was reading Perfect Ten I kept thinking that Caroline Atkinson really wasn’t a person who you would want to get on the wrong side of. She is a character intent on getting revenge on her husband who has destroyed her life and taken her children from her. And Caroline is absolutely determined to get what she wants, whatever the cost. As the plot developed, I really couldn’t blame her for wanting to go down this path. This is a top notch psychological thriller. I’m going to be first in the queue for Jacqueline Ward’s next novel.
Jacqueline has created a really dislikeable character in Caroline’s ex-husband, Jack, I couldn’t believe some of the things I was reading about the things he did to Caroline while they were together and what he has subsequently put her through. He is a character who I think will anger many readers I wanted to see what means Caroline was going to use to bring him down and how she was going to succeed in getting her children back, or indeed if she ever would. This was part of the thrill in uncovering what was going to happen next to Jacqueline’s characters.
There isn’t a lot of dialogue in this book but that really didn’t bother me as I was reading as I found the main character’s voice to be so strong and I loved the style in which it was written. The writing pulls you into the story from the first page. The writing is intense, and it made me really focus on what was happening in each scene. Once I started reading, I found that I just wanted to forget about everything else and read as much as I could.
Perfect Ten is an utterly addictive psychological thriller. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. If you’re looking for a new writer with a really strong voice, then I highly recommend it. Thank you to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and to the publisher for sending me a copy of the book to review.
Jacqueline has created a really dislikeable character in Caroline’s ex-husband, Jack, I couldn’t believe some of the things I was reading about the things he did to Caroline while they were together and what he has subsequently put her through. He is a character who I think will anger many readers I wanted to see what means Caroline was going to use to bring him down and how she was going to succeed in getting her children back, or indeed if she ever would. This was part of the thrill in uncovering what was going to happen next to Jacqueline’s characters.
There isn’t a lot of dialogue in this book but that really didn’t bother me as I was reading as I found the main character’s voice to be so strong and I loved the style in which it was written. The writing pulls you into the story from the first page. The writing is intense, and it made me really focus on what was happening in each scene. Once I started reading, I found that I just wanted to forget about everything else and read as much as I could.
Perfect Ten is an utterly addictive psychological thriller. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. If you’re looking for a new writer with a really strong voice, then I highly recommend it. Thank you to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and to the publisher for sending me a copy of the book to review.
June 27, 2019
Our main character Caroline, is reeling after a messy break up with her husband. His controlling behaviour led to Caroline losing her herself and her kids and she's now alone with a drinking problem. One day a delivery to the door sparks an opportunity to get to the bottom of her ex husband's secretive behaviour and expose Jack for the type of man he really is.
Perfect Ten is a tense domestic noir novel exploring themes of revenge and retribution against a backdrop of danger and uncertainty. I haven't been this tense watching a female character obsess about a man since reading The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton.
Caroline uses the power of social media to bring down Jack and while I would have executed a different plan, I think that's the point. Caroline is a wrecking ball in her own life, and the reader is left to find out whether she can come out of it on top or not.
Perfect Ten by Jacqueline Ward is recommended for psychological thriller fans and readers who enjoy domestic noir. However I advise readers to ignore the tagline: rage before beauty. It had nothing to do with the plot in my opinion.
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *
Perfect Ten is a tense domestic noir novel exploring themes of revenge and retribution against a backdrop of danger and uncertainty. I haven't been this tense watching a female character obsess about a man since reading The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton.
Caroline uses the power of social media to bring down Jack and while I would have executed a different plan, I think that's the point. Caroline is a wrecking ball in her own life, and the reader is left to find out whether she can come out of it on top or not.
Perfect Ten by Jacqueline Ward is recommended for psychological thriller fans and readers who enjoy domestic noir. However I advise readers to ignore the tagline: rage before beauty. It had nothing to do with the plot in my opinion.
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *
July 7, 2019
It was just okay , worth 2.5 stars. A rambling story about a shunned wife who is not even allowed to meet up with her children while the philanderer husband goes Scot free to his own pursuits , putting up the kids with his mother , who is devoted to him.
So Caroline takes up to compulsive shopping , drinking and having sex with random men, till she lays her hands upon a very incriminating diary with photographs attached ( so convenient) of her philandering husband . A bizarre tale of cyber clue planting and fault finding starts.
I'd the story was more taut and less full of details , it would have been a 4 star material, at the least .
So Caroline takes up to compulsive shopping , drinking and having sex with random men, till she lays her hands upon a very incriminating diary with photographs attached ( so convenient) of her philandering husband . A bizarre tale of cyber clue planting and fault finding starts.
I'd the story was more taut and less full of details , it would have been a 4 star material, at the least .
September 8, 2018
I’ve got to say when I saw the cover to Perfect Ten, I thought I need to read this book. The striking contrast between the cerise pink and the black, it’s just so eye catching! It’s one of those covers for me! And boy am I glad I read it!!
I love an unreliable narrator and Caro fits the bill perfectly. Totally unhinged, I love her. Love everything about Caro! She has been hurt, hurt hard and deep. She’s struggling to find her feet and then from out of nowhere, she’s handed an ace. Her ex’s luggage. Not really that exciting until she finds Jack’s diary….I was gobsmacked as Caro read the contents. I wanted scream blue murder at the man. But what ensued for the rest of the novel was pure entertainment as Caro executed her revenge. Talk about a woman scorned!
Now Jack ….what an arse!!! From the start I hated him, psychologically abusing Caro using the children as the ammunition and it wasn’t just him. He had the backing of his mother, vile woman. But then the diary comes on the scene and my opinion of this disgusting excuse for a male dropped another skyscraper. All Jack cares about is Jack and his libido! Our two lead characters have been written brilliantly by this debut author.
As the story progresses, I was desperate to see how Caro would play her hand. Would she get her children back? Would she be found out? I feared everything would collapse around her as Jack got the police involved.
I found this a thoroughly addictive read and a wonderfully executed debut. Jacqueline Ward – your card is marked, I need to know what you’re going to give me next!! I can’t wait!!
I love an unreliable narrator and Caro fits the bill perfectly. Totally unhinged, I love her. Love everything about Caro! She has been hurt, hurt hard and deep. She’s struggling to find her feet and then from out of nowhere, she’s handed an ace. Her ex’s luggage. Not really that exciting until she finds Jack’s diary….I was gobsmacked as Caro read the contents. I wanted scream blue murder at the man. But what ensued for the rest of the novel was pure entertainment as Caro executed her revenge. Talk about a woman scorned!
Now Jack ….what an arse!!! From the start I hated him, psychologically abusing Caro using the children as the ammunition and it wasn’t just him. He had the backing of his mother, vile woman. But then the diary comes on the scene and my opinion of this disgusting excuse for a male dropped another skyscraper. All Jack cares about is Jack and his libido! Our two lead characters have been written brilliantly by this debut author.
As the story progresses, I was desperate to see how Caro would play her hand. Would she get her children back? Would she be found out? I feared everything would collapse around her as Jack got the police involved.
I found this a thoroughly addictive read and a wonderfully executed debut. Jacqueline Ward – your card is marked, I need to know what you’re going to give me next!! I can’t wait!!
August 20, 2018
I liked this book and the story. Caroline is a professional psychologist who has, thanks to her ex husband’s lies, lost her friends, social standing and children. Jack made Caroline out to be delusional as she thought he was having affairs.
Caroline is struggling to find her feet when her Jack’s luggage is accidentally delivered to her house. In it Caroline finds a journal detailing all of her ex husbands affairs complete with a rating out of ten. Caroline hits rock bottom but decides to get revenge on her husband and the women he cheated with.
This book really shows the perils of social media as she begins to out the women and everyone has an opinion. I liked this and the characters and the f@t that even as a professional sometimes emotions override everything. As Caroline follows her path of revenge she finds that she is finding herself again.
A great debut and I would read the author again.
Thanks to Atlantic books and NetGalley for an ARC.
Caroline is struggling to find her feet when her Jack’s luggage is accidentally delivered to her house. In it Caroline finds a journal detailing all of her ex husbands affairs complete with a rating out of ten. Caroline hits rock bottom but decides to get revenge on her husband and the women he cheated with.
This book really shows the perils of social media as she begins to out the women and everyone has an opinion. I liked this and the characters and the f@t that even as a professional sometimes emotions override everything. As Caroline follows her path of revenge she finds that she is finding herself again.
A great debut and I would read the author again.
Thanks to Atlantic books and NetGalley for an ARC.
October 1, 2020
A tale of a scorned ex-wife getting her revenge! Need I say more? Juicy!
This book was quite wild! I was constantly left shook at what dangerous and daring limits Caroline would go to in getting even. However certain elements of these events could become a little far fetched and unrealistic. That was probably one of the only downfalls I thought this book had.
By the early stages of this book I completely hated her bitter, manipulative ex-husband Jack and found myself easily sliding into the #teamcaro attitude.
This book was quite wild! I was constantly left shook at what dangerous and daring limits Caroline would go to in getting even. However certain elements of these events could become a little far fetched and unrealistic. That was probably one of the only downfalls I thought this book had.
By the early stages of this book I completely hated her bitter, manipulative ex-husband Jack and found myself easily sliding into the #teamcaro attitude.
August 25, 2018
Riveting, suspenseful tale of about one woman who had enough and decided to fight back. Excellent.
September 19, 2018
You know the saying “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”? Well, it perfectly applies to this novel. I was initially attracted to this novel by the intriguing blurb and I quickly found myself immersed in this story about revenge and psychological abuse.
The protagonist of the novel is Caroline Atkinson, an acclaimed researcher, good at her job and respected by her colleagues. However, on the personal side, things are not so good. Her husband, the man she thought she was going to spend the rest of her life with, has left her and he’s taken their children with him. Now, all Caroline has left is late-night shopping and wine. Until, one day, a mistake delivers to her door something that could change her life. She gets her hands on something that can destroy her husband and she sets in motion a plan that not only will destroy his reputation and his life, but she makes it so that he knows she is behind all of it but there is nothing he can do about it.
As the truth about her marriage slowly comes out, as the author describes in details the pain not only of a woman betrayed by her husband but also of a mother desperately missing her children, I couldn’t help but sympathize with Caroline and her plan of revenge. She could appear cold and emotionless, but she is humanized by her guilt and doubts as she continues with her plans, by her heartbreak over her children, and by her constant emotional dependence to her husband.
I loved that most of the novel is an internal dialogue that Caroline has with her ex-husband in which she explains to him all the ways she is going to make him pay. The multi-layered and complex characters and the gripping and twisty plot kept me completely hooked, from the first to the last page. PERFECT TEN is a dark and thrilling novel about domestic abuse, revenge, and privacy, it kept me glued to the page.
The protagonist of the novel is Caroline Atkinson, an acclaimed researcher, good at her job and respected by her colleagues. However, on the personal side, things are not so good. Her husband, the man she thought she was going to spend the rest of her life with, has left her and he’s taken their children with him. Now, all Caroline has left is late-night shopping and wine. Until, one day, a mistake delivers to her door something that could change her life. She gets her hands on something that can destroy her husband and she sets in motion a plan that not only will destroy his reputation and his life, but she makes it so that he knows she is behind all of it but there is nothing he can do about it.
As the truth about her marriage slowly comes out, as the author describes in details the pain not only of a woman betrayed by her husband but also of a mother desperately missing her children, I couldn’t help but sympathize with Caroline and her plan of revenge. She could appear cold and emotionless, but she is humanized by her guilt and doubts as she continues with her plans, by her heartbreak over her children, and by her constant emotional dependence to her husband.
I loved that most of the novel is an internal dialogue that Caroline has with her ex-husband in which she explains to him all the ways she is going to make him pay. The multi-layered and complex characters and the gripping and twisty plot kept me completely hooked, from the first to the last page. PERFECT TEN is a dark and thrilling novel about domestic abuse, revenge, and privacy, it kept me glued to the page.
August 30, 2018
The book cover was the thing that caught my eye about this book. It's so bright!
I read this book going in with an open mind not sure how it was going to turn out but suffice to say. I LOVED IT SO MUCH!
As soon as I started reading I just wanted more. Needed more. I'm sure a lot of women can agree that some men are PIGS and that's exactly what Jack was. A BIG NASTY PIG!!! The way he manipulates women and makes them feel super insecure is a big no no in my book. I loved how eventually most of the women came together and were there for each other. A leopard will never change it's spots, Emma!
I also love that this book has mental health issues. Something else that is close to home in which I can relate to. In all this book is definitely a 10/10 and I will be recommending it to anyone and everyone who will listen haha! Thank you so much for bringing this book into my life.
I read this book going in with an open mind not sure how it was going to turn out but suffice to say. I LOVED IT SO MUCH!
As soon as I started reading I just wanted more. Needed more. I'm sure a lot of women can agree that some men are PIGS and that's exactly what Jack was. A BIG NASTY PIG!!! The way he manipulates women and makes them feel super insecure is a big no no in my book. I loved how eventually most of the women came together and were there for each other. A leopard will never change it's spots, Emma!
I also love that this book has mental health issues. Something else that is close to home in which I can relate to. In all this book is definitely a 10/10 and I will be recommending it to anyone and everyone who will listen haha! Thank you so much for bringing this book into my life.
December 23, 2018
3.5 stars
I read this novel a while ago through a program called The Pigeonhole that delivers daily staves in your inbox. Even if it's been a month or two now I remember I was looking forward every day to continuing the story. The revenge was quite entertaining and although it wasn't high on tension for me it was fun to see how this would play out and where it would end. A quick and enjoyable read.
I read this novel a while ago through a program called The Pigeonhole that delivers daily staves in your inbox. Even if it's been a month or two now I remember I was looking forward every day to continuing the story. The revenge was quite entertaining and although it wasn't high on tension for me it was fun to see how this would play out and where it would end. A quick and enjoyable read.
did-not-finish
September 7, 2018I really wanted to love this book. I was reading along along with other readers on Pigeonhole books and just couldn't get excited about it like they were. The main character was irritating and it just felt completely unrealistic to me.
January 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this book, would really recommend it.
September 7, 2018
There was a lot about this book that annoyed me and I will be honest here and say that the only reason I have given this title 2 Stars is for the quality of the writing. I really appreciated Ms Ward's manipulation of language to build tension and then to dissipate it whilst leaving you interested to find out what is going to happen next. All this despite the characters being completely unlikable and the plot feeling somehow "fake" - I know that is a strange thing to say about a piece of fiction but I am sure regular readers will understand my meaning.
Alarm bells sounded for for me when I saw the cover splash "For Those Of Us Affected By #MeToo". This immediately made me uneasy and from reading the story I was right to feel so.
The basic premise is Caroline takes revenge on her cheating ex-husband Jack by setting out to harass and humiliate all the women that had relationships with him whilst he was married to her. What she fails to take in to account is that she is doing the same thing when she goes on a bender to her Premier Inn Men and sleeps with a married man - Caroline would have you that this is different as it is a one-night stand and not a relationship like the other women had. What then evolves is a distasteful story of manipulation, trial by Social Media and the spiralling out of control of a supposedly intelligent women. Even in it's seeming support of Caroline's viewpoint I felt there was something misogynistic about the whole thing.
I am waiting for the author to tell me I missed the point, that the point is Caroline was wrong to act as she did and that the book was intended as a satire. Unfortunately, I think it is meant to be taken at face value.
THIS IS AN HONEST AND UNBIASED REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED VIA THE PIGEONHOLE.
Alarm bells sounded for for me when I saw the cover splash "For Those Of Us Affected By #MeToo". This immediately made me uneasy and from reading the story I was right to feel so.
The basic premise is Caroline takes revenge on her cheating ex-husband Jack by setting out to harass and humiliate all the women that had relationships with him whilst he was married to her. What she fails to take in to account is that she is doing the same thing when she goes on a bender to her Premier Inn Men and sleeps with a married man - Caroline would have you that this is different as it is a one-night stand and not a relationship like the other women had. What then evolves is a distasteful story of manipulation, trial by Social Media and the spiralling out of control of a supposedly intelligent women. Even in it's seeming support of Caroline's viewpoint I felt there was something misogynistic about the whole thing.
I am waiting for the author to tell me I missed the point, that the point is Caroline was wrong to act as she did and that the book was intended as a satire. Unfortunately, I think it is meant to be taken at face value.
THIS IS AN HONEST AND UNBIASED REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED VIA THE PIGEONHOLE.
April 6, 2019
Fast paced, twists and turns and beautifully written
I don't think I've ever finished a book so quickly! I couldn't put it down. I will be reading more books by this author. Addictive reading.
I don't think I've ever finished a book so quickly! I couldn't put it down. I will be reading more books by this author. Addictive reading.
August 11, 2018
Excellent read.
A great book ,focusing on a woman's journey after a bitter divorce. Caroline is a victim of terrible psychological abuse,and wants revenge. The 4 stars are because O felt like it was a little long winded, but would highly recommend ☺
A great book ,focusing on a woman's journey after a bitter divorce. Caroline is a victim of terrible psychological abuse,and wants revenge. The 4 stars are because O felt like it was a little long winded, but would highly recommend ☺
September 4, 2018
Caroline is a compulsive hoarder, has a drinking problem and has lost her children to her ex due to her mental instability. At least that’s what he would like you to believe, but then again Caroline is willing to go to really crazy lengths to get revenge on Jack and his perfect partners.
Throughout the story the reader is never quite sure whether Caroline is a complete fruitcase and fits the criteria for her own psychopathy test or whether her ex is the actual threat. That in itself is the actual dilemma, especially in real life scenarios. In a he said, she said situation the more convincing liar is the one who is believed.
At a certain point in the story there is no clear distinction between Caroline and Jack, which is the whole point of or rather the moral of the story. Neither of them are doing what is best for their children, while they are consumed with hate and revenge for each other. Regardless of who started what and who was at fault first, they have both become right-fighters and fight to be right instead of fighting for what is right for their two children. A tale as old as time when it comes to divorce and separation.
From personal experience I can tell you that if the intelligent well-educated Caroline plays nice then she has no hope of keeping her children, because when you are dealing with a manipulative abuser with psychopathic tendencies, playing nice and being therapeutically correct just doesn’t cut it. If your ex is a two-faced individual, who has a charming side for the outside world and a ruthless abusive one for you, then the majority of people will want to believe he is mister nice guy, as opposed to the nightmare he really is.
Friends don’t want to be involved, and yet take sides anyway. People who know the truth brush it aside for a more convenient and pleasant narrative. Family members protect and enable the abuser. The only way to win against a person like that is to play dirty too. You have to leave your morals and good intentions at the front door.
You know what the best and most ironic thing about this book is? The title. Perfect Ten is the Holy Grail of imaginary perfection, and just so we are clear the grass isn’t greener on the other side – it’s still just plain old green.
Ward is an expert at keeping her readers on their toes in this potent tale of revenge, obsession, control and abuse. She makes it easy to comprehend how an abuse victim is unable to recognise the abuse and to fall into the trap of a self-fulfilling prophecy, especially when the victim is subjected to repeated messages about her supposed mental ill-health, her inability to be a good mother and her lack of self-worth.
It’s a tense and frustrating reminder of the injustice many victims experience in situations like this, and how many abusers can convince everyone around them that they are the victims instead. You have to be your own army, because trust me when the going gets tough you’ll find your so-called friends were never friends in the first place. I think the author wants us to think about that the next time we pass judgement too quickly or decide sitting on the bench is better than supporting someone in genuine need of a helping hand.
I enjoyed the read, because it rang a lot of bells for me and despite it seeming far-fetched, dramatic and wee bit like a television drama, I can assure you this is the unfortunate reality for many in abusive relationships. Kudos to Ward for highlighting the more manipulative, controlling and psychological side of abuse.
*I received a copy via NetGalley*
Throughout the story the reader is never quite sure whether Caroline is a complete fruitcase and fits the criteria for her own psychopathy test or whether her ex is the actual threat. That in itself is the actual dilemma, especially in real life scenarios. In a he said, she said situation the more convincing liar is the one who is believed.
At a certain point in the story there is no clear distinction between Caroline and Jack, which is the whole point of or rather the moral of the story. Neither of them are doing what is best for their children, while they are consumed with hate and revenge for each other. Regardless of who started what and who was at fault first, they have both become right-fighters and fight to be right instead of fighting for what is right for their two children. A tale as old as time when it comes to divorce and separation.
From personal experience I can tell you that if the intelligent well-educated Caroline plays nice then she has no hope of keeping her children, because when you are dealing with a manipulative abuser with psychopathic tendencies, playing nice and being therapeutically correct just doesn’t cut it. If your ex is a two-faced individual, who has a charming side for the outside world and a ruthless abusive one for you, then the majority of people will want to believe he is mister nice guy, as opposed to the nightmare he really is.
Friends don’t want to be involved, and yet take sides anyway. People who know the truth brush it aside for a more convenient and pleasant narrative. Family members protect and enable the abuser. The only way to win against a person like that is to play dirty too. You have to leave your morals and good intentions at the front door.
You know what the best and most ironic thing about this book is? The title. Perfect Ten is the Holy Grail of imaginary perfection, and just so we are clear the grass isn’t greener on the other side – it’s still just plain old green.
Ward is an expert at keeping her readers on their toes in this potent tale of revenge, obsession, control and abuse. She makes it easy to comprehend how an abuse victim is unable to recognise the abuse and to fall into the trap of a self-fulfilling prophecy, especially when the victim is subjected to repeated messages about her supposed mental ill-health, her inability to be a good mother and her lack of self-worth.
It’s a tense and frustrating reminder of the injustice many victims experience in situations like this, and how many abusers can convince everyone around them that they are the victims instead. You have to be your own army, because trust me when the going gets tough you’ll find your so-called friends were never friends in the first place. I think the author wants us to think about that the next time we pass judgement too quickly or decide sitting on the bench is better than supporting someone in genuine need of a helping hand.
I enjoyed the read, because it rang a lot of bells for me and despite it seeming far-fetched, dramatic and wee bit like a television drama, I can assure you this is the unfortunate reality for many in abusive relationships. Kudos to Ward for highlighting the more manipulative, controlling and psychological side of abuse.
*I received a copy via NetGalley*
August 24, 2018
More than just a good read!
Before I even began to read Perfect Ten I knew I was going to be #teamCaro. From the outset I was drawn in by the revenge on a cheating husband hook, however after the first 10 chapters, as I read about the alcoholic, shopaholic world of Caroline’s nights and the contrasting sober, carefully considered actions of her work days I was wondering if I was batting for the right team or had Caroline actually lost the plot, was she all the things Jack had convinced people she was?
After 33 chapters of the rollercoaster that is Caroline’s life & emotions, the narrative, which is written in the form of Caroline’s internal dialogue, had me questioning if every act of revenge was deserved or not. I ‘got’ the revenge on Jack but couldn’t always stomach the acts of revenge on everybody else, ‘the other women’ and the married men Caroline spent her drunken nights with now.
Although divorced from Jack on paper, Caroline is still tied to him in a twisted state of perpetual emotional dependence. Jack is still the reason for every act, decision, thought & interaction in Caroline's erratic life. I had ebbed back & forth in my support for Caroline, one minute I was ‘Go #teamCaro’ then OMG what is she thinking, but even though, at times, my support for Caroline may have waivered my allegiance never changed to #teamJack.
And then it came, the twist! I had anticipated one but not the one I got, the one Caroline got, the one that she had not expected. If it is the truth that sets you free, then the ‘real truth’ and not what Caroline believed to be truth, was the key to her freedom.
This book takes its reader on a carefully crafted journey through the psychological aftermath of Caroline & Jack’s toxic marriage and the emotional fall-out Caroline experienced. It concludes by confronting the reader with the question that we, as well as Caroline must grapple with, was what Caroline experienced domestic violence?
Perfect Ten is in and of itself a great read but I hope other readers will also get so much more from it as I have: A better understanding of the issue of domestic violence, a deeper empathy toward the victims (in all its forms & irrespective of gender) & I hope it will encourage more open conversations exploring the subject of domestic violence.
Before I even began to read Perfect Ten I knew I was going to be #teamCaro. From the outset I was drawn in by the revenge on a cheating husband hook, however after the first 10 chapters, as I read about the alcoholic, shopaholic world of Caroline’s nights and the contrasting sober, carefully considered actions of her work days I was wondering if I was batting for the right team or had Caroline actually lost the plot, was she all the things Jack had convinced people she was?
After 33 chapters of the rollercoaster that is Caroline’s life & emotions, the narrative, which is written in the form of Caroline’s internal dialogue, had me questioning if every act of revenge was deserved or not. I ‘got’ the revenge on Jack but couldn’t always stomach the acts of revenge on everybody else, ‘the other women’ and the married men Caroline spent her drunken nights with now.
Although divorced from Jack on paper, Caroline is still tied to him in a twisted state of perpetual emotional dependence. Jack is still the reason for every act, decision, thought & interaction in Caroline's erratic life. I had ebbed back & forth in my support for Caroline, one minute I was ‘Go #teamCaro’ then OMG what is she thinking, but even though, at times, my support for Caroline may have waivered my allegiance never changed to #teamJack.
And then it came, the twist! I had anticipated one but not the one I got, the one Caroline got, the one that she had not expected. If it is the truth that sets you free, then the ‘real truth’ and not what Caroline believed to be truth, was the key to her freedom.
This book takes its reader on a carefully crafted journey through the psychological aftermath of Caroline & Jack’s toxic marriage and the emotional fall-out Caroline experienced. It concludes by confronting the reader with the question that we, as well as Caroline must grapple with, was what Caroline experienced domestic violence?
Perfect Ten is in and of itself a great read but I hope other readers will also get so much more from it as I have: A better understanding of the issue of domestic violence, a deeper empathy toward the victims (in all its forms & irrespective of gender) & I hope it will encourage more open conversations exploring the subject of domestic violence.
August 19, 2018
What an incredibly addictive debut novel! I have read this in two days and just didn't want to put it down.
I loved the writing style, and being in the first person I really felt connected to Caroline! I still can't quite get over the sheer amount of lies and deceit from Jack, her ex-husband. We learn from the outset how he turned everyone against Caroline during their divorce, making them think she was mad, the one lying and unfit to look after their two children. They were therefore removed from her care, living instead with Jack and his mother.
However, Caroline discovers a journal in Jack's holdall, part of lost luggage wrongly delivered to her home and the house they once shared. This details all of his affairs; the women's names, photos and even the marks Jack gave them out of ten! This discovery sparks Caroline's road of revenge as she pledges to get her children back.
I really liked the twists along the way on Caroline's journey and seeing the lengths Caroline went to in order to try and prove to the world the truth about Jack! The change in Caroline's thought processes as the story progressed was interesting too.
This really was a clever premise; I can't wait for Jacqueline's next novel!
I loved the writing style, and being in the first person I really felt connected to Caroline! I still can't quite get over the sheer amount of lies and deceit from Jack, her ex-husband. We learn from the outset how he turned everyone against Caroline during their divorce, making them think she was mad, the one lying and unfit to look after their two children. They were therefore removed from her care, living instead with Jack and his mother.
However, Caroline discovers a journal in Jack's holdall, part of lost luggage wrongly delivered to her home and the house they once shared. This details all of his affairs; the women's names, photos and even the marks Jack gave them out of ten! This discovery sparks Caroline's road of revenge as she pledges to get her children back.
I really liked the twists along the way on Caroline's journey and seeing the lengths Caroline went to in order to try and prove to the world the truth about Jack! The change in Caroline's thought processes as the story progressed was interesting too.
This really was a clever premise; I can't wait for Jacqueline's next novel!
September 6, 2018
4.5 stars.
This was a quick read and it kept me gripped. I love the plot, a woman out for revenge on her ex-husband, using his infedelity to expose him and try to get her children back. I think it was done well.
It was fun and I loved how Caroline was so devious, but still so vulnerable. What she did was clever and it was understandable. Of course other characters will guess it was her (she has the biggest motive) but they sympathise, and as long as everyone gets that they want out of this situation all seems to be good.
Looking forward to seeing what the author writes next!
Thanks to ReadersFirst for my copy.
This was a quick read and it kept me gripped. I love the plot, a woman out for revenge on her ex-husband, using his infedelity to expose him and try to get her children back. I think it was done well.
It was fun and I loved how Caroline was so devious, but still so vulnerable. What she did was clever and it was understandable. Of course other characters will guess it was her (she has the biggest motive) but they sympathise, and as long as everyone gets that they want out of this situation all seems to be good.
Looking forward to seeing what the author writes next!
Thanks to ReadersFirst for my copy.
March 30, 2024
Surprised I finished it. No twists, not gripping. The main character Caroline seems mentally ill. I don’t see how her hoarding, compulsive obsession with revenge, consistent lying to the police and drinking problems automatically evaporate just because she gets her children back in the end…?
Jack wasn’t as sinister, dark and abusive as he’s painted to be besides infidelity. The Paula aspect was just weird and pointless. I don’t know, fell so flat.
Jack wasn’t as sinister, dark and abusive as he’s painted to be besides infidelity. The Paula aspect was just weird and pointless. I don’t know, fell so flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2019
This was an OK read - a woman taking revenge on her ex-husband after she finds out how bad his cheating was. It got a bit repetitive & predictable, but the last couple of chapters were good. The thing that I hated was that it was written in the first person.
April 3, 2021
Loved this one
September 8, 2018
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
Quick question - are you sure that this is a debut novel? Seriously?
Wow...I had no idea that this was a debut!
I knew straight away that I had to read this book after taking one look at the cover! Such a simplistic cover yet extremely effective. Pretty much proves that things aren't always as they seem on the outside, eh?
I wasn't too sure on the narrative of the book to begin with as it felt like I was reading continuous diary entries. However, it didn't take me too long to get used to it. In fact, I actually found it quite clever as it made the entire storyline feel more cryptic. That sounds daft, I know, especially as we always want answers in books, but I just mean that the way in which the book was written made me compelled to read more as the intensity was off the radar.
Caroline is on the warpath. Wait. She's more than on the warpath, but I'll let you see that for yourself! She's lost her lifelines. Her reason to live. Her everything. And it's all down to one person. A person who she trusted with her life. A person who she vowed 'til death us do part'. A person who couldn't give a monkeys about anyone except himself. A person who rates the notches on his bedposts more often than a reviewer rates books. Can you tell that I didn't like him? Well, that's pretty tame if I'm honest. My reaction to this character results in language that Amazon would find deeply unsuitable. I may have even thought it was a c-bomb....if you catch my drift. I know that there is two sides to every story and all that jazz, but come on, he would have needed to be extremely convincing for people to carry on believing his story. I don't get how he thought he could get away with it all, I really don't. I was with someone like him. Thankfully, after long enough, I was able to see clearly and find my way out, but it's heartbreaking that other women (and even men) aren't as lucky.
'Perfect Ten' is definitely a book about revenge and making people pay. Okay, Caroline's actions aren't entirely excusable, yet who are we to judge how someone reacts to a situation like hers? We can't. We didn't live it. Can we honestly sit there and say that we would have acted differently? No, I don't think I could say that. I was in awe that Caroline had the guts to go through with what she did though!
Jacqueline Ward deserves to be treated like royalty after writing this book. Why? Because not only does it take a lot of guts to write about such a misunderstood and 'taboo' subject in societies eyes, it also takes a lot of belief, strength, research, and determination from the person writing about it to do the subject justice whilst also approaching it sensitively. Jacqueline Wards ticks all of those boxes and more - I was so close to screaming 'FINALLY!!!!' when I realised that someone was being the voice of reason for so many women (and men) who no longer have the strength to use their voice, or are too afraid to.
This is a one of a kind read. A dark, twisted, and psychologically brilliant novel which will have everyone reaching for the #teamcaro and #teamjack wristbands. I am amazed that this is just a debut novel, but if this is the standard of other books to come by Jacqueline Ward, us readers are in for an absolute treat. 'Perfect Ten' blew my mind and if the book rating system had a lot more stars, I would be giving it a PERFECT TEN without fault. Bloomin' brilliant.
Quick question - are you sure that this is a debut novel? Seriously?
Wow...I had no idea that this was a debut!
I knew straight away that I had to read this book after taking one look at the cover! Such a simplistic cover yet extremely effective. Pretty much proves that things aren't always as they seem on the outside, eh?
I wasn't too sure on the narrative of the book to begin with as it felt like I was reading continuous diary entries. However, it didn't take me too long to get used to it. In fact, I actually found it quite clever as it made the entire storyline feel more cryptic. That sounds daft, I know, especially as we always want answers in books, but I just mean that the way in which the book was written made me compelled to read more as the intensity was off the radar.
Caroline is on the warpath. Wait. She's more than on the warpath, but I'll let you see that for yourself! She's lost her lifelines. Her reason to live. Her everything. And it's all down to one person. A person who she trusted with her life. A person who she vowed 'til death us do part'. A person who couldn't give a monkeys about anyone except himself. A person who rates the notches on his bedposts more often than a reviewer rates books. Can you tell that I didn't like him? Well, that's pretty tame if I'm honest. My reaction to this character results in language that Amazon would find deeply unsuitable. I may have even thought it was a c-bomb....if you catch my drift. I know that there is two sides to every story and all that jazz, but come on, he would have needed to be extremely convincing for people to carry on believing his story. I don't get how he thought he could get away with it all, I really don't. I was with someone like him. Thankfully, after long enough, I was able to see clearly and find my way out, but it's heartbreaking that other women (and even men) aren't as lucky.
'Perfect Ten' is definitely a book about revenge and making people pay. Okay, Caroline's actions aren't entirely excusable, yet who are we to judge how someone reacts to a situation like hers? We can't. We didn't live it. Can we honestly sit there and say that we would have acted differently? No, I don't think I could say that. I was in awe that Caroline had the guts to go through with what she did though!
Jacqueline Ward deserves to be treated like royalty after writing this book. Why? Because not only does it take a lot of guts to write about such a misunderstood and 'taboo' subject in societies eyes, it also takes a lot of belief, strength, research, and determination from the person writing about it to do the subject justice whilst also approaching it sensitively. Jacqueline Wards ticks all of those boxes and more - I was so close to screaming 'FINALLY!!!!' when I realised that someone was being the voice of reason for so many women (and men) who no longer have the strength to use their voice, or are too afraid to.
This is a one of a kind read. A dark, twisted, and psychologically brilliant novel which will have everyone reaching for the #teamcaro and #teamjack wristbands. I am amazed that this is just a debut novel, but if this is the standard of other books to come by Jacqueline Ward, us readers are in for an absolute treat. 'Perfect Ten' blew my mind and if the book rating system had a lot more stars, I would be giving it a PERFECT TEN without fault. Bloomin' brilliant.
January 31, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed how 'grey' (in the sense of not black or white) things were at times, for example, regarding where the ethical lines should be, how far I liked or sided with the characters and their actions, questions about what is mental health and how far should we think of illness, damage and distress as different things. Great insights into domestic abuse and the way gaslighting and emotional manipulation can keep abused people trapped and confused in ways that can seem incomprehensible from the outside. A gripping story, much appreciated. Thank you, Jacqueline. :-)
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