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The Girlfriend
My husband’s dead. She’s at my door. She owns my home…
When the doorbell rings, just days after my beloved husband’s sudden death, I don’t recognise the woman on our doorstep, with buttery blonde highlights and a diamond bracelet identical to my own.
My world implodes when she tells me that she is my husband’s girlfriend, that the baby in her arms is his son, and that she owns our cherished family home.
But she doesn’t want to throw me and my children out on the street. She says she’s no monster, that she wants her baby to grow up with brothers and sisters. With no family, no money and no home, I have no choice but to accept her offer.
Now her food is in my fridge and her beautiful clothes are in the wardrobe in our master bedroom, yet as she helps me with chores and plays games with my little daughter, there’s a part of me that’s glad I’m not on my own. And as we sip wine at the kitchen table, I wonder if we could even become friends…
But when I find a phone hidden in her underwear drawer, I discover her terrible secret. Could she have had a hand in my husband’s death? And what exactly does she want from me?
When the doorbell rings, just days after my beloved husband’s sudden death, I don’t recognise the woman on our doorstep, with buttery blonde highlights and a diamond bracelet identical to my own.
My world implodes when she tells me that she is my husband’s girlfriend, that the baby in her arms is his son, and that she owns our cherished family home.
But she doesn’t want to throw me and my children out on the street. She says she’s no monster, that she wants her baby to grow up with brothers and sisters. With no family, no money and no home, I have no choice but to accept her offer.
Now her food is in my fridge and her beautiful clothes are in the wardrobe in our master bedroom, yet as she helps me with chores and plays games with my little daughter, there’s a part of me that’s glad I’m not on my own. And as we sip wine at the kitchen table, I wonder if we could even become friends…
But when I find a phone hidden in her underwear drawer, I discover her terrible secret. Could she have had a hand in my husband’s death? And what exactly does she want from me?
318 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2022
5073 people are currently reading
8035 people want to read
About the author
K.L. Slater
45 books4,704 followersKim is the number one bestselling author of sixteen psychological crime thrillers. She has sold over two million copies of her books worldwide. She has also written four Carnegie-nominated Young Adult novels as Kim Slater for Macmillan Children’s Books. Kim has an MA in Creative Writing and lives with her husband in a small Nottinghamshire village.
Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson
Author website: www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Instagram: KLSlaterAuthor
Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson
Author website: www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Instagram: KLSlaterAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,325 reviews
October 23, 2022
You think you’re having a bad day?
Jennifer is planning a huge Halloween/birthday bash! A monster event she throws with her husband Cole. But not this time. He just stormed off leaving her to put the final touches on the party alone.
A knock on the door and Jennifer’s world is about to change.
Two police officers are there to share the horrible news. Cole died on the side of the road after rolling his car. Jennifer of course is devastated. How does she tell her kids? How will she possibly move on?
But that’s not the worst part….
Another knock on the door and a young woman is standing there, baby in tow, ready to move into ‘HER’ home! Wait…what?
A fun, speedy thriller I flew threw in only a few sittings. A typical K.L. Slater book that will keep you guessing throughout with enough red herrings to throw you off track! (At least for me).
I’m a bit hit or miss with K.L. Slater’s books, but I really enjoyed this one. Made for a perfect weekend read! And now I’m ready for her next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
Jennifer is planning a huge Halloween/birthday bash! A monster event she throws with her husband Cole. But not this time. He just stormed off leaving her to put the final touches on the party alone.
A knock on the door and Jennifer’s world is about to change.
Two police officers are there to share the horrible news. Cole died on the side of the road after rolling his car. Jennifer of course is devastated. How does she tell her kids? How will she possibly move on?
But that’s not the worst part….
Another knock on the door and a young woman is standing there, baby in tow, ready to move into ‘HER’ home! Wait…what?
A fun, speedy thriller I flew threw in only a few sittings. A typical K.L. Slater book that will keep you guessing throughout with enough red herrings to throw you off track! (At least for me).
I’m a bit hit or miss with K.L. Slater’s books, but I really enjoyed this one. Made for a perfect weekend read! And now I’m ready for her next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
November 3, 2022
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and K.L. Slater for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 10.27!!**
You've lost your spouse...your other half...your whole world.
And now there's a knock at the door...and a stranger informs you that you're about to lose something else...your beautiful home. It doesn't actually belong to you or your husband and never has...because it's ALL HERS.
The baby in the stranger's arms? Well, it's HIS home too...because this child is your husband's child...and this stranger wasn't quite a stranger to your husband: she was his girlfriend.
Jennifer finds herself in this undeniably unique predicament, and after losing husband Cole, she's desperate to keep it together for her two kids Miller and Sylvie. When Sara (the Girlfriend) shows up claiming ownership of said dream home, Jennifer is horrified. How can she turn away a woman and her baby...a baby who is now fatherless after Cole's demise? Sara has the perfect solution in mind: she will "allow" Jennifer and her kids to stay put...as long as Sara and Rory can move in.
After they do, Jennifer begins to notice some strange coincidences. An identical bracelet to hers on Sara's wrist. An all-too-willing attitude to step in and parent Jennifer's children...as if they were her own. A mysterious silver cell phone hidden in Sara's underwear drawer, holding secrets that lead Jennifer to question whether Cole's accident was even an accident at all...and what exactly does The Girlfriend who just can't let go have in store?
K.L. Slater's books are an easy draw for many reasons: they're fast-paced, oh-so-readable, have well-developed characters, and always have twists and turns in store. What takes her up a notch from other suspense authors in the genre (and even those who write stylistically similar books) is her CREATIVITY. Honestly, I can't think of another thriller writer who comes up with such unique scenarios, and reading her author's note is always a treat. I love that despite their implausibility, in Slater's world, they always just WORK. You never have to think too hard or drive over too many pot holes...er, plot holes 😉 to get from A to B.
Slater's trademark adorable child characters were back also (well, just one child character technically...Miller the secretive and somewhat surly teen is another story!) and Sylvie was a doll. I love her multi-faceted adult characters too, and like them or not, they were certainly intriguing in this story! I don't know that the ending was a complete shocker, but there was just enough obscured and enough mystery throughout to keep me happily turning the pages and I found myself saying "...already?" when the book was over!
So bust out the candy corn (or Reese's, if you prefer) and perhaps your CARAMEL popcorn for Halloween and buckle in for a quick and exciting read on a chilly October night! 🎃
4 stars
You've lost your spouse...your other half...your whole world.
And now there's a knock at the door...and a stranger informs you that you're about to lose something else...your beautiful home. It doesn't actually belong to you or your husband and never has...because it's ALL HERS.
The baby in the stranger's arms? Well, it's HIS home too...because this child is your husband's child...and this stranger wasn't quite a stranger to your husband: she was his girlfriend.
Jennifer finds herself in this undeniably unique predicament, and after losing husband Cole, she's desperate to keep it together for her two kids Miller and Sylvie. When Sara (the Girlfriend) shows up claiming ownership of said dream home, Jennifer is horrified. How can she turn away a woman and her baby...a baby who is now fatherless after Cole's demise? Sara has the perfect solution in mind: she will "allow" Jennifer and her kids to stay put...as long as Sara and Rory can move in.
After they do, Jennifer begins to notice some strange coincidences. An identical bracelet to hers on Sara's wrist. An all-too-willing attitude to step in and parent Jennifer's children...as if they were her own. A mysterious silver cell phone hidden in Sara's underwear drawer, holding secrets that lead Jennifer to question whether Cole's accident was even an accident at all...and what exactly does The Girlfriend who just can't let go have in store?
K.L. Slater's books are an easy draw for many reasons: they're fast-paced, oh-so-readable, have well-developed characters, and always have twists and turns in store. What takes her up a notch from other suspense authors in the genre (and even those who write stylistically similar books) is her CREATIVITY. Honestly, I can't think of another thriller writer who comes up with such unique scenarios, and reading her author's note is always a treat. I love that despite their implausibility, in Slater's world, they always just WORK. You never have to think too hard or drive over too many pot holes...er, plot holes 😉 to get from A to B.
Slater's trademark adorable child characters were back also (well, just one child character technically...Miller the secretive and somewhat surly teen is another story!) and Sylvie was a doll. I love her multi-faceted adult characters too, and like them or not, they were certainly intriguing in this story! I don't know that the ending was a complete shocker, but there was just enough obscured and enough mystery throughout to keep me happily turning the pages and I found myself saying "...already?" when the book was over!
So bust out the candy corn (or Reese's, if you prefer) and perhaps your CARAMEL popcorn for Halloween and buckle in for a quick and exciting read on a chilly October night! 🎃
4 stars
October 30, 2022
This would be classified as a psychological thriller and domestic drama with plenty of suspense and surprises. It should appeal to many readers. I found it a quick, straightforward, easy read filled with human tension and difficult to put down. I was entertained by an original plot but thought it far-fetched and defied belief, and I did not care for the adult characters, even Jennifer, who should engage my sympathy. The central theme was the concern of two mothers to provide a better life for their children by any means necessary.
It is a story of betrayal, infidelity, manipulation, drugs, madness, greed, revenge, denial, coercion and control, and possible murders.
Cole has died in a car accident. Jennifer and her family are overcome by grief. While they are mourning the death of her husband, Cole, the father of their two children, a stranger shows up at their door. She is Sara, an attractive woman who says she was Cole's long-time Girlfriend and is carrying a baby boy she says is Cole's child. If this shock was not enough to shatter Jennifer's impressive and comfortable life and beliefs, she is told that Sara loaned Cole a large sum of money for his failing business. Their expensively remodelled and modernized home, cars, bank accounts and possessions now legally belong to Sara as collateral. Jennifer realizes she also signed some documents without reading them fully, trusting her husband.
Although Cole had been unfaithful several years ago, moving out of their home for a younger woman, all was forgotten and forgiven. She had no suspicion that he was leading a double life, and she was in denial about the many hours he spent away from the family home.
Sara is desperate to have her baby grow up surrounded by a family. To avoid further upsetting and disrupting the lives of her two children, grieving their father's death, Jennifer agrees to stay in the house with Sara and her infant child. Jennifer's relatives warn her this is a bizarre arrangement, but she has no funds to move elsewhere.
Sara demands the master bedroom, throws out groceries, manipulates Jennifer's 5-year-old daughter to prefer herself to her mother, and claims her designer wardrobe and jewellery were gifts from Cole. Jennifer feels increasingly ill at ease in the home, and her sullen 13-year-old son, Miller, hates Sara and avoids her. Sara retaliates, blaming Miller for things not his fault and threatens him with the police and child welfare services.
The police now believe that Cole was murdered. Cole's previous Girlfriend committed suicide after he returned to his family home, but he never mentioned it. Cole's lawyer has been trying to find a loophole in the legal papers that would enable Jennifer to recover some property but to no avail.
I thought I had figured out what was happening, but I was wrong. The entire plot and the
characters lacked plausibility, but it kept me entertained.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The Girlfriend is due to be published on October 27.
It is a story of betrayal, infidelity, manipulation, drugs, madness, greed, revenge, denial, coercion and control, and possible murders.
Cole has died in a car accident. Jennifer and her family are overcome by grief. While they are mourning the death of her husband, Cole, the father of their two children, a stranger shows up at their door. She is Sara, an attractive woman who says she was Cole's long-time Girlfriend and is carrying a baby boy she says is Cole's child. If this shock was not enough to shatter Jennifer's impressive and comfortable life and beliefs, she is told that Sara loaned Cole a large sum of money for his failing business. Their expensively remodelled and modernized home, cars, bank accounts and possessions now legally belong to Sara as collateral. Jennifer realizes she also signed some documents without reading them fully, trusting her husband.
Although Cole had been unfaithful several years ago, moving out of their home for a younger woman, all was forgotten and forgiven. She had no suspicion that he was leading a double life, and she was in denial about the many hours he spent away from the family home.
Sara is desperate to have her baby grow up surrounded by a family. To avoid further upsetting and disrupting the lives of her two children, grieving their father's death, Jennifer agrees to stay in the house with Sara and her infant child. Jennifer's relatives warn her this is a bizarre arrangement, but she has no funds to move elsewhere.
Sara demands the master bedroom, throws out groceries, manipulates Jennifer's 5-year-old daughter to prefer herself to her mother, and claims her designer wardrobe and jewellery were gifts from Cole. Jennifer feels increasingly ill at ease in the home, and her sullen 13-year-old son, Miller, hates Sara and avoids her. Sara retaliates, blaming Miller for things not his fault and threatens him with the police and child welfare services.
The police now believe that Cole was murdered. Cole's previous Girlfriend committed suicide after he returned to his family home, but he never mentioned it. Cole's lawyer has been trying to find a loophole in the legal papers that would enable Jennifer to recover some property but to no avail.
I thought I had figured out what was happening, but I was wrong. The entire plot and the
characters lacked plausibility, but it kept me entertained.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The Girlfriend is due to be published on October 27.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2022
Hmmm - outlier alert!
What can I say?? I found the plot overly dramatic accompanied by poor dialogue which had my eyes rolling for all the wrong reasons. I did not like the characters either though that’s not necessarily important. I can’t say I found it exciting, thrilling or containing much tension. In fact, in places I was bored. Sorry. You usually like KLS’s books, though wasn’t enamoured of the last one. Check out other peoples reviews as there are many positive ones.
What can I say?? I found the plot overly dramatic accompanied by poor dialogue which had my eyes rolling for all the wrong reasons. I did not like the characters either though that’s not necessarily important. I can’t say I found it exciting, thrilling or containing much tension. In fact, in places I was bored. Sorry. You usually like KLS’s books, though wasn’t enamoured of the last one. Check out other peoples reviews as there are many positive ones.
October 28, 2022
Another outstanding read by KL Slater! Like me, you will have a hard time putting this book down!
Just when you think things could not get worse....
K.L. Slater never disappoints and in The Girlfriend, Jennifer receives the dreaded knock on the door which changes her life. Two police officers are there to inform her that her husband, Cole, is dead. She is heartbroken, shocked, and reeling. Why did her husband leave their party?
Telling your children their father is dead is hard enough, how do you explain the woman who shows up at your door to inform you that she is your husband's girlfriend and the baby in her arms is his child???
Things are about to get messy!
This was a wild and twisty ride! Slater pulls out all the stops in this gripping page turner! I had to hold onto my hat when the twists and reveals were coming at me full blast. Like a roller coaster ride, this book was thrilling, fast paced, and left me breathless. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, I was shocked yet again!
WOWZA!
The characters are fantastic and interesting. There were the ones I liked, some I had issue with and some I wasn't sure about. This kept me on my toes and invested in the plot. This book also had me questioning what I would do in this situation. This book kept me on my toes!
Such a fun, riveting and hard to put down read!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Just when you think things could not get worse....
K.L. Slater never disappoints and in The Girlfriend, Jennifer receives the dreaded knock on the door which changes her life. Two police officers are there to inform her that her husband, Cole, is dead. She is heartbroken, shocked, and reeling. Why did her husband leave their party?
Telling your children their father is dead is hard enough, how do you explain the woman who shows up at your door to inform you that she is your husband's girlfriend and the baby in her arms is his child???
Things are about to get messy!
This was a wild and twisty ride! Slater pulls out all the stops in this gripping page turner! I had to hold onto my hat when the twists and reveals were coming at me full blast. Like a roller coaster ride, this book was thrilling, fast paced, and left me breathless. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, I was shocked yet again!
WOWZA!
The characters are fantastic and interesting. There were the ones I liked, some I had issue with and some I wasn't sure about. This kept me on my toes and invested in the plot. This book also had me questioning what I would do in this situation. This book kept me on my toes!
Such a fun, riveting and hard to put down read!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
July 8, 2025
4⭐️
FINALLY AN AUDIOBOOK THAT I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED! 😭
No but seriously this was so good?? It was eerie and creepy and it definitely delivered on the thriller aspect.
I really enjoyed this book and had such a good time! Normally I'm not a huge fan of several POV's as I think it can get a bit confusing, but this was written so well and the author did such a good job of making each of the characters have their own unique personality. Sara, one of the MC's, made me want to rip my hair out with her lies and manipulative behavior; I wanted to jump through my phone and slap her across the face fr. I found Jennifer, another MC, to be a bit of a pushover and had little backbone which I wasn't a fan of. However, based on the how the story goes it makes sense so I'm not docking points for that. It just wasn't a personal favorite of mine.
The entire plot of this book was really good for like 90% of the time. I find it very hard to enjoy some thrillers because sometimes they can be so predictable and not so unique. This on the other-hand had so much going on all the time MOSTLY. I thought that once I got to the midway point it slowed down and I wasn't as engaged. But that was short-lived! This delivered on several levels, the main one being this was a classic, engaging, shocking, and fun thriller. As I got towards the end I felt myself losing my mind at points yelling out loud: WHAT? and OH??? If a thriller doesn't make you feel like that, well.
This is one of those thrillers that would be perfect to sit down and read/listen to for hours as you just get lost in the story. The writing is very simple and easy to digest and I think many people would find this at least a bit enjoyable. I'd definitely recommend!!
Side note: The narrator for this story also did a really good job! The audio is very engaging and she did a wonderful job of playing the part of these characters. Not only would I recommend the book in general, I'd highly recommend the audiobook!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭:
This will be my first thriller audiobook so maybe I'll enjoy it more than the romances I've been listening to..? Hopefully? 😭😭
FINALLY AN AUDIOBOOK THAT I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED! 😭
No but seriously this was so good?? It was eerie and creepy and it definitely delivered on the thriller aspect.
I really enjoyed this book and had such a good time! Normally I'm not a huge fan of several POV's as I think it can get a bit confusing, but this was written so well and the author did such a good job of making each of the characters have their own unique personality. Sara, one of the MC's, made me want to rip my hair out with her lies and manipulative behavior; I wanted to jump through my phone and slap her across the face fr. I found Jennifer, another MC, to be a bit of a pushover and had little backbone which I wasn't a fan of. However, based on the how the story goes it makes sense so I'm not docking points for that. It just wasn't a personal favorite of mine.
The entire plot of this book was really good for like 90% of the time. I find it very hard to enjoy some thrillers because sometimes they can be so predictable and not so unique. This on the other-hand had so much going on all the time MOSTLY. I thought that once I got to the midway point it slowed down and I wasn't as engaged. But that was short-lived! This delivered on several levels, the main one being this was a classic, engaging, shocking, and fun thriller. As I got towards the end I felt myself losing my mind at points yelling out loud: WHAT? and OH??? If a thriller doesn't make you feel like that, well.
This is one of those thrillers that would be perfect to sit down and read/listen to for hours as you just get lost in the story. The writing is very simple and easy to digest and I think many people would find this at least a bit enjoyable. I'd definitely recommend!!
Side note: The narrator for this story also did a really good job! The audio is very engaging and she did a wonderful job of playing the part of these characters. Not only would I recommend the book in general, I'd highly recommend the audiobook!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭:
This will be my first thriller audiobook so maybe I'll enjoy it more than the romances I've been listening to..? Hopefully? 😭😭
October 5, 2022
Beware ‘The Girlfriend’
Especially if you are a wife who has recently lost her hubby and she turns up at your door, bringing with her the son she says is his
Oh and then telling you she owns your house, cars and everything….right down to your last penny 🙃
Superbly intriguing psychological thriller that puts wife and family against girlfriend but as with all this authors books there is way more to it than that…not just a few twists and turns but a whole book full of them makes this a well told and exciting read and takes the theme of ‘cuckoo in the nest’ to a new level
This author constantly writes great books and this the 17th I have read is just as good as the 16 read previously
Loved it
5 Stars
10/10
Especially if you are a wife who has recently lost her hubby and she turns up at your door, bringing with her the son she says is his
Oh and then telling you she owns your house, cars and everything….right down to your last penny 🙃
Superbly intriguing psychological thriller that puts wife and family against girlfriend but as with all this authors books there is way more to it than that…not just a few twists and turns but a whole book full of them makes this a well told and exciting read and takes the theme of ‘cuckoo in the nest’ to a new level
This author constantly writes great books and this the 17th I have read is just as good as the 16 read previously
Loved it
5 Stars
10/10
December 21, 2024
I liked how fast the story moved, and although it all was a bit unbelievable it was still convincing.
December 13, 2022
"The Girlfriend" introduces readers to the
girlfriend from hell.
Jennifer, the book's recently widowed female protagonist, quickly learns that her deceased husband had a girlfriend who recently gave birth to his child.
Jennifer also discovers that she will soon be penniless and homeless unless she complies with her deceased husband's girlfriend's wishes.
Although the book was fast-paced and twisty with strong characterizations, it was also predictable.
I listened to the audiobook and the audio quality was poor.
Even though the story unfolded from multiple POVs, there was only one narrator and the recording of the narrator's voice was frequently muffled.
This audiobook was an "Audible Original" and I will be reporting this to Audible.
I am a KL Slater fan and even though this was not one of my favorite KL Slater titles, I will certainly be looking forward to listening to future titles by this author.
3.5 stars.
girlfriend from hell.
Jennifer, the book's recently widowed female protagonist, quickly learns that her deceased husband had a girlfriend who recently gave birth to his child.
Jennifer also discovers that she will soon be penniless and homeless unless she complies with her deceased husband's girlfriend's wishes.
Although the book was fast-paced and twisty with strong characterizations, it was also predictable.
I listened to the audiobook and the audio quality was poor.
Even though the story unfolded from multiple POVs, there was only one narrator and the recording of the narrator's voice was frequently muffled.
This audiobook was an "Audible Original" and I will be reporting this to Audible.
I am a KL Slater fan and even though this was not one of my favorite KL Slater titles, I will certainly be looking forward to listening to future titles by this author.
3.5 stars.
October 1, 2022
The Girlfriend by K. L. Slater *Book Review* (5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
K. L. Slater hits the mark with The Girlfriend. With jaw-dropping plot twists, the novel is a remarkable read.
Synopsis:
Jennifer Fincham is grieving the sudden loss of her husband Cole. A striking young woman arrives at Jennifer's front door with a baby. The mysterious woman claims to be Cole's girlfriend and says the baby belongs to him. Additionally, she tells Jennifer that Cole had borrowed money from her and that she owns the family home.
My Thoughts:
The plot of The Girlfriend sounds crazy, but it works brilliantly. As I read the book my mind was constantly trying to figure out the next twist. Imagine being recently widowed, discovering your partner was cheating and there is a child involved you didn't know about. Also, the other woman is taking over your house. What?😲
I am still processing the possibility that something like this could happen in real life, even though this book is fiction. That's a bitter pill to swallow AND that's just the beginning of the book!
Read The Girlfriend available on October 27th to find out what happens next in the story. You don't want to miss the mind-bending thriller!
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for sharing this outstanding book with me. Way to go K. L. Slater! I love every page of this amazing story!
#TheGirlfriend
K. L. Slater hits the mark with The Girlfriend. With jaw-dropping plot twists, the novel is a remarkable read.
Synopsis:
Jennifer Fincham is grieving the sudden loss of her husband Cole. A striking young woman arrives at Jennifer's front door with a baby. The mysterious woman claims to be Cole's girlfriend and says the baby belongs to him. Additionally, she tells Jennifer that Cole had borrowed money from her and that she owns the family home.
My Thoughts:
The plot of The Girlfriend sounds crazy, but it works brilliantly. As I read the book my mind was constantly trying to figure out the next twist. Imagine being recently widowed, discovering your partner was cheating and there is a child involved you didn't know about. Also, the other woman is taking over your house. What?😲
I am still processing the possibility that something like this could happen in real life, even though this book is fiction. That's a bitter pill to swallow AND that's just the beginning of the book!
Read The Girlfriend available on October 27th to find out what happens next in the story. You don't want to miss the mind-bending thriller!
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for sharing this outstanding book with me. Way to go K. L. Slater! I love every page of this amazing story!
#TheGirlfriend
Read
March 12, 2024Review later....
October 15, 2022
This is a typical K.L. Slater novel, fast paced, exciting and a page turner.
My husband’s dead. She’s at my door. She owns my home…
Jennifer’s husband Cole dies suddenly and she thinks her world has hit rock bottom. But it is about to get worse when her husbands girlfriend turns up at the front door. The woman informs Jennifer that the baby she is holding is Cole’s son and the family home now belongs to her.
Jennifer needs to protect her family and chooses to accept the girlfriends offer of living in the family home. With no money and nowhere else to go she feels she cannot refuse this unusual offer.
There is obviously a lot more to the plot and many twists and turns along the way. Good fast read as expected from this author.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
My husband’s dead. She’s at my door. She owns my home…
Jennifer’s husband Cole dies suddenly and she thinks her world has hit rock bottom. But it is about to get worse when her husbands girlfriend turns up at the front door. The woman informs Jennifer that the baby she is holding is Cole’s son and the family home now belongs to her.
Jennifer needs to protect her family and chooses to accept the girlfriends offer of living in the family home. With no money and nowhere else to go she feels she cannot refuse this unusual offer.
There is obviously a lot more to the plot and many twists and turns along the way. Good fast read as expected from this author.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2023
THE GIRLFRIEND is the eighteenth psychological crime thrillers by bestselling author K.L. Slater, a gripping psychological thriller from the author of the number one bestseller The Marriage. This novel ticked all the boxes for me: a gripping plot, well-developed characters, and a fast-paced gripping read. Another winner!
Novels
Safe With Me (2016)
Blink (2017)
Liar (2017)
The Mistake (2017)
The Visitor (2018)
The Secret (2018)
Closer (2018)
Finding Grace (2019)
The Silent Ones (2019)
Single (2019)
The Apartment (2020)
Little Whispers (2020)
The Girl She Wanted (2020)
The Marriage (2021)
The Evidence (2021)
The Widow (2021)
Missing (2022)
The Girlfriend (2022)
The Narrator (2023)
This is my review of The Girlfriend.
Cole Fincham and wife Jennifer and their two children, their thirteen-year-old son, Miller and their five-year-old daughter, Sylvie have the perfect life…or do they?
The story opens with Cole and Jennifer currently hosting a Halloween bash, to show off their newly renovated house to business associates. If Cole manages to be successful with a tender deal, this will end his financial worries.
Then that night, a tragic event unfolds. Cole is killed in a car accident. Jennifer and her kids are devastated!
Soon after, a woman comes knocking at their door with an infant in her arms. She tells Jennifer that her name is Sara and that she is Cole’s girlfriend, that the baby in her arms is his son, Rory, and that she owns their family home and all their assets.
Sara, tells Jennifer that she doesn’t want to throw them out on the street, but says she and Rory will be moving into the house to allow her baby to grow up with brothers and sisters. With no family, no money and no home, Jennifer had no choice but to accept her offer.
But Jennifer is determined to find out the truth of the cause of her husband’s death, and find out what Sara role has been in all this. What exactly does Sara want from Jennifer?
This was a well-written, fast-paced psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns to satisfy the reader. Very enjoyable read!
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
Novels
Safe With Me (2016)
Blink (2017)
Liar (2017)
The Mistake (2017)
The Visitor (2018)
The Secret (2018)
Closer (2018)
Finding Grace (2019)
The Silent Ones (2019)
Single (2019)
The Apartment (2020)
Little Whispers (2020)
The Girl She Wanted (2020)
The Marriage (2021)
The Evidence (2021)
The Widow (2021)
Missing (2022)
The Girlfriend (2022)
The Narrator (2023)
This is my review of The Girlfriend.
Cole Fincham and wife Jennifer and their two children, their thirteen-year-old son, Miller and their five-year-old daughter, Sylvie have the perfect life…or do they?
The story opens with Cole and Jennifer currently hosting a Halloween bash, to show off their newly renovated house to business associates. If Cole manages to be successful with a tender deal, this will end his financial worries.
Then that night, a tragic event unfolds. Cole is killed in a car accident. Jennifer and her kids are devastated!
Soon after, a woman comes knocking at their door with an infant in her arms. She tells Jennifer that her name is Sara and that she is Cole’s girlfriend, that the baby in her arms is his son, Rory, and that she owns their family home and all their assets.
Sara, tells Jennifer that she doesn’t want to throw them out on the street, but says she and Rory will be moving into the house to allow her baby to grow up with brothers and sisters. With no family, no money and no home, Jennifer had no choice but to accept her offer.
But Jennifer is determined to find out the truth of the cause of her husband’s death, and find out what Sara role has been in all this. What exactly does Sara want from Jennifer?
This was a well-written, fast-paced psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns to satisfy the reader. Very enjoyable read!
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
October 17, 2022
Jennifer and Cole Fincham have the perfect life. They have two beautiful children and a newly big, renovated house. Jennifer is overseeing the last-minute details of the Halloween Party she is about to throw. When there is a knock on the door and the police are on the doorstep.
Jennifer’s world falls apart when she hears that her husband Cole has died in a Car accident. But a few days later her life is going to get worse when there is a woman at the front door claiming to Cole’s girlfriend with a baby in tow, who is the spitting image of Cole. The woman Sarah also claims that has saved their business buy buying into it which means the house and everything in it is hers. At first Jennifer thinks she is going to be evicted. When instead of evicting her, she wants to move in.
So, when she moves in Jennifer finds out that her marriage wasn’t as perfect as she thought it was and most of it was a lie and can’t understand why Sarah wants to move in. But Jennifer senses something is not right with Sarah and does her own investigation to find out what it is.
Thank you Bookoutre for a copy of The Girlfriend by K. L. Slater. I have read most of the authors work and she has outdone herself with this one. This is another unputdownable fast read from the author and I basically read it in one sitting until the early hours of the morning. This is not your typical domestic thriller when you find out your man is cheating. I found this to be a unique twisty thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 5 stars from me.
Jennifer’s world falls apart when she hears that her husband Cole has died in a Car accident. But a few days later her life is going to get worse when there is a woman at the front door claiming to Cole’s girlfriend with a baby in tow, who is the spitting image of Cole. The woman Sarah also claims that has saved their business buy buying into it which means the house and everything in it is hers. At first Jennifer thinks she is going to be evicted. When instead of evicting her, she wants to move in.
So, when she moves in Jennifer finds out that her marriage wasn’t as perfect as she thought it was and most of it was a lie and can’t understand why Sarah wants to move in. But Jennifer senses something is not right with Sarah and does her own investigation to find out what it is.
Thank you Bookoutre for a copy of The Girlfriend by K. L. Slater. I have read most of the authors work and she has outdone herself with this one. This is another unputdownable fast read from the author and I basically read it in one sitting until the early hours of the morning. This is not your typical domestic thriller when you find out your man is cheating. I found this to be a unique twisty thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 5 stars from me.
October 15, 2022
Special thanks to NetGalley and the author for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: October 27, 2022
K.L. Slater is the U.K writer of psychological suspense novels, some of my favourites being “Liar”, “The Mistake” and “The Apartment” and as such, I never turn down a chance to read her next release. “The Girlfriend” is a creative, addicting, page-turning delight and it is hands-down my favourite Slater novel so far!
Jennifer Fincham is destroyed when her husband, Cole, is killed in an auto accident. After stressful years of building their dream home together, and raising two children, Jennifer finally thought they had their life on track. Just as she is in the midst of her grief, a young woman comes to her door with an infant, claiming to be Cole’s girlfriend, and the child his son. Jennifer, of course, doesn’t believe the woman at first until the evidence piles up- Sara is the mother of Cole’s child and not only that but due to substantial financial investments she made to Cole, Sara is now is the sole owner of Jennifer’s house. Facing homelessness with her children, Jennifer is forced to make a terrible choice, one she instantly regrets but cannot back out of.
“The Girlfriend” is told from Jennifer’s perspective, primarily, but also highlights Sara (including snippets from the time she met Cole, which unveils how their relationship started), and immediately the reader takes sides. Sara is the conniving “other woman”, and the fact that she is rich and beautiful does not help. Although Jennifer seems to be on the losing side from the start, it is evident that Sara is hiding something, and I desperately read page after page in hopes that Jennifer would uncover it before it was too late.
Slater’s novel is creative, with a unique plot that had me feeling all the emotions right along with Jennifer. Betrayal, hurt and anger of course, but also desperation and revenge. Slater keeps it no secret that something else is going on underneath it all and when it is revealed in one heck of a twist (which I loved!) The ending delivers the exact amount of sweet revenge and even when a secret of Jennifer’s is revealed, it was trivial in the grand scheme of things and it did not change my opinion on Slater’s relatable protagonist.
“The Girlfriend” is a breath of fresh air in psychological, domestic suspense and I thoroughly enjoyed each and every gripping page!
Expected publication date: October 27, 2022
K.L. Slater is the U.K writer of psychological suspense novels, some of my favourites being “Liar”, “The Mistake” and “The Apartment” and as such, I never turn down a chance to read her next release. “The Girlfriend” is a creative, addicting, page-turning delight and it is hands-down my favourite Slater novel so far!
Jennifer Fincham is destroyed when her husband, Cole, is killed in an auto accident. After stressful years of building their dream home together, and raising two children, Jennifer finally thought they had their life on track. Just as she is in the midst of her grief, a young woman comes to her door with an infant, claiming to be Cole’s girlfriend, and the child his son. Jennifer, of course, doesn’t believe the woman at first until the evidence piles up- Sara is the mother of Cole’s child and not only that but due to substantial financial investments she made to Cole, Sara is now is the sole owner of Jennifer’s house. Facing homelessness with her children, Jennifer is forced to make a terrible choice, one she instantly regrets but cannot back out of.
“The Girlfriend” is told from Jennifer’s perspective, primarily, but also highlights Sara (including snippets from the time she met Cole, which unveils how their relationship started), and immediately the reader takes sides. Sara is the conniving “other woman”, and the fact that she is rich and beautiful does not help. Although Jennifer seems to be on the losing side from the start, it is evident that Sara is hiding something, and I desperately read page after page in hopes that Jennifer would uncover it before it was too late.
Slater’s novel is creative, with a unique plot that had me feeling all the emotions right along with Jennifer. Betrayal, hurt and anger of course, but also desperation and revenge. Slater keeps it no secret that something else is going on underneath it all and when it is revealed in one heck of a twist (which I loved!) The ending delivers the exact amount of sweet revenge and even when a secret of Jennifer’s is revealed, it was trivial in the grand scheme of things and it did not change my opinion on Slater’s relatable protagonist.
“The Girlfriend” is a breath of fresh air in psychological, domestic suspense and I thoroughly enjoyed each and every gripping page!
October 1, 2022
“There’s a solution for every problem. You just have to be creative enough to find it.”
They say revenge is a dish best served cold, but Slater doesn’t even let it cool down. She serves it piping hot.
I loved the opportunity to put myself in Jennifer Fincham’s shoes! O.k., I was freaked out at the mind-blowing predicament she found herself in, but I really wanted to know how she was going to get herself out. Isn’t that why we enjoy psychological thrillers? I love to read/experience OTT situations from the safety of my home and see how characters deal with them. Slater played on the conflict of emotions in this one and readers are along for the ride. After the shock of his death and watching the Fincham family grieve, I was exasperated and furious with Cole and the position he put his wife in. I felt the hairs go up on my arms at the thought of what Jennifer faced losing and how manipulated she must have felt. One of my greatest fears is losing control and with Slater ramping up the tension with loss of control, I was on the edge of my seat and constantly checking my pulse on my Fitbit! What would you do if you found out that your significant other was living a separate life and you were completely unaware of it?! What if his deceit cost you EVERYTHING?
As much as I hated what Sara was doing to the family, I really loved her character. She was so wickedly manipulative, and I found myself grinning like a Cheshire cat when she spoke. Is that bad? Likewise, I thought Sylvie was a great character! I could almost feel her mom’s spirit deflate each time Sylvie gave Sara unmerited attention. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t approve of it. I just loved how innocently and accurately Slater portrayed a child. Ok, ok. I loved all the characters. They were so fantastically crafted.
I don’t normally enjoy a plot that is hacked to pieces and presented at different time intervals, but this is the second one I’ve read this week that was expertly done and was ESSENTIAL to the success of the book.
Reading a Slater book is like popping a Thornton’s or Hotel Chocolate delicacy in your mouth to enjoy with a glass of wine. Sure, a Reece’s peanut butter cup will do, but, why, when you can have superior chocolate? If you haven’t read a Slater thriller yet, why not? It’s a class above.
I was gifted this advance copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
They say revenge is a dish best served cold, but Slater doesn’t even let it cool down. She serves it piping hot.
I loved the opportunity to put myself in Jennifer Fincham’s shoes! O.k., I was freaked out at the mind-blowing predicament she found herself in, but I really wanted to know how she was going to get herself out. Isn’t that why we enjoy psychological thrillers? I love to read/experience OTT situations from the safety of my home and see how characters deal with them. Slater played on the conflict of emotions in this one and readers are along for the ride. After the shock of his death and watching the Fincham family grieve, I was exasperated and furious with Cole and the position he put his wife in. I felt the hairs go up on my arms at the thought of what Jennifer faced losing and how manipulated she must have felt. One of my greatest fears is losing control and with Slater ramping up the tension with loss of control, I was on the edge of my seat and constantly checking my pulse on my Fitbit! What would you do if you found out that your significant other was living a separate life and you were completely unaware of it?! What if his deceit cost you EVERYTHING?
As much as I hated what Sara was doing to the family, I really loved her character. She was so wickedly manipulative, and I found myself grinning like a Cheshire cat when she spoke. Is that bad? Likewise, I thought Sylvie was a great character! I could almost feel her mom’s spirit deflate each time Sylvie gave Sara unmerited attention. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t approve of it. I just loved how innocently and accurately Slater portrayed a child. Ok, ok. I loved all the characters. They were so fantastically crafted.
I don’t normally enjoy a plot that is hacked to pieces and presented at different time intervals, but this is the second one I’ve read this week that was expertly done and was ESSENTIAL to the success of the book.
Reading a Slater book is like popping a Thornton’s or Hotel Chocolate delicacy in your mouth to enjoy with a glass of wine. Sure, a Reece’s peanut butter cup will do, but, why, when you can have superior chocolate? If you haven’t read a Slater thriller yet, why not? It’s a class above.
I was gifted this advance copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
November 2, 2022
You can always count on K.L. Slater to give you a jaw dropping read! After Jennifer receives the shocking news that her husband Cole is dead she is then blindsided by the news that not only did her husband have a girlfriend but they had a baby together and everything Jennifer thought was hers has actually been signed over to the girlfriend. And that’s no even the half of it! A must read! I thank Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 11, 2023
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 4 Stars
Story - 4 Stars
March 8, 2024
I don’t know what it is about K L Slater books but the blurb sounds right up my street but the book just doesn’t hit the mark.
I will try their other books in the future if I stumble across them but I won’t actively look for them!
I will try their other books in the future if I stumble across them but I won’t actively look for them!
October 10, 2022
Oh, I don’t know… it was quite a twisty read, but it didn’t excite me much!
The husband is a serial cheater, family ties are quite unhealthy, add a mix of children and a good bit of lies and voilà!
I felt like the book was quite repetitive and I got a tad bored with the co-habiting part being described and how it was just so easily accepted by everyone without much change… not sure it’s believable to me!
Overall, it’s an ok ride to embark on!
Nothing too extraordinary, but I did finish the book within a day, so why not :)
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
The husband is a serial cheater, family ties are quite unhealthy, add a mix of children and a good bit of lies and voilà!
I felt like the book was quite repetitive and I got a tad bored with the co-habiting part being described and how it was just so easily accepted by everyone without much change… not sure it’s believable to me!
Overall, it’s an ok ride to embark on!
Nothing too extraordinary, but I did finish the book within a day, so why not :)
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
January 22, 2024
I'm so bored of thrillers where the 'twist' is just a mentally ill woman
October 21, 2022
This has to ge my favourite K.L. Slater book to date!
Whilst it took a couple of chapters to get going, once it did, I raced through it! I couldn't put it down. The sense of intrigue and confusion keeps the pages turning, and is extremely well paced.
I liked the characters and felt the protagonist's heartache whilst she grieved for her husband and dealt with the aftermath and fallout of his death. She thinks she knew him, but she was wrong. Slater has a great balance here of character development and plot, and I think it is difficult for authors to accomplish both equally well.
A great addition to the thriller genre and one I would definitely recommend.
Whilst it took a couple of chapters to get going, once it did, I raced through it! I couldn't put it down. The sense of intrigue and confusion keeps the pages turning, and is extremely well paced.
I liked the characters and felt the protagonist's heartache whilst she grieved for her husband and dealt with the aftermath and fallout of his death. She thinks she knew him, but she was wrong. Slater has a great balance here of character development and plot, and I think it is difficult for authors to accomplish both equally well.
A great addition to the thriller genre and one I would definitely recommend.
August 2, 2025
Entertaining, twisty thriller which kept me pointing the finger at different characters all the way through. 🎧
February 29, 2024
A very entertaining and fast read, but nothing remarkable.
The storyline started very strong and it was very promising, but too soon things started getting unrealistic.
The writing was not bad.
The characters were unlikeable but that did not bother me.
I just wished that development was more believable.
I also wished for a more original twist and conclusion.
Overall it works as an entertaining and it may please lots of readers.
The storyline started very strong and it was very promising, but too soon things started getting unrealistic.
The writing was not bad.
The characters were unlikeable but that did not bother me.
I just wished that development was more believable.
I also wished for a more original twist and conclusion.
Overall it works as an entertaining and it may please lots of readers.
October 12, 2022
Jennifer is devastated when her husband Cole is killed in a car accident.
A few days later a young woman with a baby turns up at her door saying that she is Cole’s girlfriend and the baby is his. She also informs Jennifer that the house she lives in belongs to her and Jennifer and her children are now homeless.
A good story with some twist and turns that kept me entertained.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
A few days later a young woman with a baby turns up at her door saying that she is Cole’s girlfriend and the baby is his. She also informs Jennifer that the house she lives in belongs to her and Jennifer and her children are now homeless.
A good story with some twist and turns that kept me entertained.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2022
Omg what a read!!!
I love this author and for me this is her best book so far. I loved everything about this book, great characters, full of tension and suspense and a storyline that had me gripped from the first to last page. Cancel everything and read this book. I promise that you will not be disappointed. Another thrill ride from one of my favourite and very talented authors. Loved it.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.
I love this author and for me this is her best book so far. I loved everything about this book, great characters, full of tension and suspense and a storyline that had me gripped from the first to last page. Cancel everything and read this book. I promise that you will not be disappointed. Another thrill ride from one of my favourite and very talented authors. Loved it.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.
October 11, 2022
The girlfriend is K.L. Slater’s latest book. I love all her books and she is one of my fave authors. She knows how to write a psychological thriller!! Jennifer has recently lost her husband and a beautiful young woman arrives on her doorstep with a baby. Hmmm, who is she? Without giving too much away, let’s just say she plays a very important role and there’s lots of twists and turns throughout the book. I couldn’t put it down and stayed up way too late wanting to go finish it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published October 2022.
March 18, 2025
4.5 stars
December 28, 2022
I wrote another review earlier in the year calling a different character the world’s stupidest protagonist. I was wrong, THIS is the world’s stupidest protagonist.
Your husband not only has an affair, but he MOVES OUT to live with his new girlfriend and leaves you with your child alone. And you take him back? And have another child with him?? And let him be responsible for ALL your finances even after he tells you he doesn’t want you ever returning to work??? Hello?????? Then you’re surprised that he cheated on you again and hid that you were about to go bankrupt, and that his mistress owns all of your assets… sis. This is one of the most avoidable plots in literature history.
Your husband not only has an affair, but he MOVES OUT to live with his new girlfriend and leaves you with your child alone. And you take him back? And have another child with him?? And let him be responsible for ALL your finances even after he tells you he doesn’t want you ever returning to work??? Hello?????? Then you’re surprised that he cheated on you again and hid that you were about to go bankrupt, and that his mistress owns all of your assets… sis. This is one of the most avoidable plots in literature history.
December 15, 2023
When it was good it was very good, when it was bad it was awful.
Despite the many four and five star reviews, I’m not quite there in mine.
The plot is intriguing and the first third of the read was captivating. The good aspects were really good. But, it started unraveling for me when the illogical set in. I’m not a fan of weak women and I’m not a fan of those who flounder without ‘the stability of a man’.
So when the read deteriorated it really fell off a cliff. The last part with the baby and the son - really?
Plenty of readers really enjoyed this one but it didn’t quite work for me.
Despite the many four and five star reviews, I’m not quite there in mine.
The plot is intriguing and the first third of the read was captivating. The good aspects were really good. But, it started unraveling for me when the illogical set in. I’m not a fan of weak women and I’m not a fan of those who flounder without ‘the stability of a man’.
So when the read deteriorated it really fell off a cliff. The last part with the baby and the son - really?
Plenty of readers really enjoyed this one but it didn’t quite work for me.
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