The Challenge Factory discussion

The Perfect Marriage
Jeneva Rose
342 pgs

$9.99 kindle
KU - membership required
Hoopla (audio & ebook) - membership required
Scribd (audio & ebook) - membership required

Synopsis
Would you defend your husband if he was accused of killing his mistress?

Sarah Morgan is a successful and powerful defense attorney in Washington D.C. At 33 years old, she is a named partner at her firm and life is going exactly how she planned.

The same cannot be said for her husband, Adam. He is a struggling writer who has had little success in his career. He begins to tire of his and Sarah’s relationship as she is constantly working.

Out in the secluded woods, at Adam and Sarah’s second home, Adam engages in a passionate affair with Kelly Summers.

Then, one morning everything changes. Adam is arrested for Kelly’s murder. She had been found stabbed to death in Adam and Sarah’s second home.

Sarah soon finds herself playing the defender for her own husband, a man accused of murdering his mistress.

But is Adam guilty or is he innocent?

Reading Schedule

Week 1 (June 1-7): Beginning - Chapter 16
Week 2 (June 8-14): Chapter 17 - Chapter 32
Week 3 (June 15-21): Chapter 33 - Chapter 48
Week 4 (June 22-30): Chapter 49 - End

Discussion

The discussion will be an open forum this month. Please share your thoughts and feelings with us. Ask each other questions if you want. Let's have an open discussion of this book.

Psyched to read this with y'all.

Amazon Prime has this book to borrow for free if you're a member. I picked it up that way. Looking forward to the discussion :)

Picked up at the library this week. Looking forward to the group read ❤️

Looking forward to reading this with you guys!

I think i may join on this one as well

This one looks interesting. I’ll join. 🙂

Don't forget to stop by this thread and give your mods some feedback on our group. Your input is really important to us and the growth of the group.

How are you guys doing on the chapters for week 1? Any initial thoughts? Who do you think did it? Adam? Scott?

If I was a lawyer and my husband cheated on me, I am not sure that I could reasonably represent him. First, I would be way too angry to think straight. Seeing through that anger and representing him might be a bit too much if I was in that position.

My thoughts on Adam are that I am not particularly sure that he killed his mistress. However, I think he knows more. I know he saw those texts before he left but he is adamant that her husband is abusive so he knows something else. His response when the police ask him to come to the station was a bit over the top as well.

As for Scott, the husband, he seems really violent. This could be because he is angry that this man slept with his wife but I don't know. The whole text series he sent his wife seemed abusive and unhinged. However, it is one exchange and I can't base predictions off of that.

On a side note, not sure that I am a fan of Matthew.

Sarah is a waaay better person than me. I'd let him rot if he not only cheated on me, but then convinced me to try for a child with him.

Scott seems like a violent guy who probably shouldn't be a cop but, and I know I'm going out on a limb here, I'm wondering about the deputy, Marcus. He seems... off in the way he reacts to Sarah. Antagonistic. I read slightly further so trying not to spoil anything.

I don't think I like Matthew much either, and Eleanor seems like a monster-in-law.

What is everyone's thoughts on the interactions between Sarah and Sheriff Ryan?

You know, I meant to mention those two. Sheriff Ryan didn't seem interested in looking at other suspects at all until Sarah showed up. This is odd because the husband is ALWAYS a suspect in these things. Then she shows up and he is all thoughtful and offers to show her the crime scene. Even goes to the hospital to check on her husband and talks to him like he is actually investigating other suspects all of a sudden. Seems off.

I read slightly further also. I have trouble stopping when I get interested so I went too far before I realized that I needed to stop. I have thoughts about Marcus but I will wait because I don't want to spoil anything since I read ahead.

Chapter 1-16

Ugh. I really don’t like Adam. He seems like such a jerk from the beginning. He’s having an affair because his wife is busy with her job. But he’s supposedly still so in love and lust with his wife? And he is delusional if he thinks he will be a great dad. He has sex with his wife, to get her pregnant, right after being with Kelly. Ick! LOL

And how the heck can Sarah defend her own husband??? Isn’t that a conflict of interest? I know this is fiction. But that is just too unbelievable to me.

I don’t think Adam killed Kelly. Not sure if it’s Scott. This is a mystery. So there will likely be twists. I could see a sheriff or deputy doing this. Or maybe even Sarah’s Matthew? We need to learn more about Kelly’s life. Anyone could have done it…

I have no self control. I finished it already. I'll pop in for the discussions though.

Bobbi wrote: "I have no self control. I finished it already. I'll pop in for the discussions though."

LOL! I usually don't. I am trying really hard not to finish this book. It helps that I have 3 really large challenges to work on. Got a lot of work to finish so you guys can enjoy them ; )

I don’t think Adam killed the mistress, I also believe she was lying dead in the bed when he left that morning. He put no lights on she felt wet upon his leaving. Undeserving of his wife Sarah.

I think husband Scott is a hot headed cop. I think he would have killed Adam not his wife Kelly.

Sarah and her assistant went out that night she was unsure of events and assistant had been to the lake house in the past. Would not surprise me if she did it and framing husband.

Week 2

(view spoiler)[

I still think Adam is not the killer. I am irritated how he is mad with Sarah or suspects her of having a fling with the Sherriff. None of this should be his business after what he did.

I still think the assistant Anne has something to do with this. Got flustered and dropped her bag around the sheriff's comment.

Sherriff Ryan seems a bit shady. I think he is involved...could he be the 3rd DNA. I think the entire police force within this town is covering things up and framing Adam.

I think Sarah still loves him after what Adam did...would not surprise me if she forgives over time and they are reunited. She might even fancy the sheriff so she can have an affair just like Adam...then restart.

Kelly has a mysterious past...she was not angel and was lying to Adam about her past life. I think she has more enemies which I assume will be revealed the following chapters. (hide spoiler)]

Week 2

A lot happened here.

I still find the sheriff's behavior toward Sarah a bit off. He is too helpful if you ask me.

Deputy Hudson shows up uninvited while they are touring the crime scene. He seems a bit odd AND he is the victim's husband's alibi.

The photo and accompanying threat are important. I think they will eventually be key to solving this. Especially now that we know there was a 3rd DNA present on the victim. Kelly's past is hiding important information.

I do think the rohypnol being found in the decanter and in Kelly's system but not Adam's is odd. Evidence was tampered with when her first husband was killed (probably by her husband) so what would stop a cop from tampering with it now when so many of them are acting odd.

Still too many suspects and too many people acting off. I am hoping that the next chapters clarify more for me.

Week 3

There are sooo many suspects in this book. So let's start there.

Adam: I don't think he did it. I think he is an idiot who cheated on his wife who obviously still cares about him. She should tell him to get a new lawyer and get a divorce.

Scott: He's hot-headed but I am on the fence about him. Mainly because the Rohypnol evidence is off. I feel like someone tampered with it.

Sheriff Stevens: The sheriff has me a bit suspicious also. His behavior is all over the place. One minute he is all cozy with Sarah and the next he doesn't want to even talk to her.

Marcus Hudson: This guy is always showing up when there is no need for him to be there. He may be a cop but he has other things to be doing and probably his own work to be tending to. He just seems a bit too nosy.

Anne: Yes, she sent the photo and threat but I don't see this as her doing. At least not on her own.

Bob: Now there was a surprise reveal. You don't change your name for no reason at all. He has ties to the victim and has a really BIG MOTIVE.

If you asked me after reading the week 2 section, I would have hands down said there was a police coverup happening. I am not entirely convinced that isn't what happened BUT now there's BOB.

On a separate note, Sarah needs to get divorced and be done with both her husband & monster-in-law. That lady is a real pain.

Donna wrote: "Week 3

There are sooo many suspects in this book. So let's start there.

Adam: I don't think he did it. I think he is an idiot who cheated on his wife who obviously still cares about him. She shou..."

I totally agree with you on all your points!

Week 3

I agree with Donna on all her points.

Adam: did not do this he is being stupid; only confusing part is why did he not have the drug in him from the scotch like Kelly, unless the Sherriff is tampering with evidence.

Scott: another idiot; just a hot head could he be the alibi for Hudson his buddy?

Anne: as I said in week 1 she was somehow involved, not sure if she killed her but I think she might not who did and is helping cover up for him or working together.

Boss Bob: that was a game changer that I did not expect but he and Anne could have been working together. He wants to get this case wrapped up quickly...has motive.

Sheriff Stevens & Hudson: both are suspicious. Both could tamper and withhold evidence and Jesse Hook said he saw Kelly with cops all the time. Those 2 fit the bill.

I feel bad for Sarah she can trust anyone, except maybe Matthew. She lost her husband to an affair, the assistant/friend to blackmailing husband, lost her mom and has to deal with a monster in-law.

Wondering who came to see Sarah in the middle of the night to satisfy her needs or was it a dream?

Does anyone else feel it's a little unfair for Sarah to be as mad as she is at Anne for not telling her about Adam and Kelly right away?

Probably but is Sarah thinking straight? She felt betrayed by her husband and now her friend.

That's a very good point.

I think she has every right to be mad at Anne. She thought that was her friend...how long did Anne know Adam was having an affair? If she couldn't tell her, she might have left some clues of the affair. Instead of sending picture to Adam maybe she should have sent it to Sarah instead.

I do feel bad for Sarah, she is left to deal with this alone. However, there is Matthew but what is his story other than a good friend from college...can he be trusted?

Week 4

(view spoiler)[

OMG, that ending! Yeah, I never suspected Sarah. I did suspect Bob and he played a part in it but Sarah actually did the deed. That really was the perfect crime. I spent the whole book feeling sorry for her. Not only did she get her husband executed for a murder he didn't commit but Kelly also paid for murdering her first husband. Scott ran off for fear that he would pay for covering up Kelly's crimes. It was masterful. The author did a great job with this one. All the signs were there, I just didn't see them. (hide spoiler)]

WOW!

(view spoiler)[ Did not see that coming at all!!

I was correct in saying Adam nor Scott killed Kelly.

Also correct in stating Anne and Bob knew more and had some involvement in Kelly's murder.

I suspected Sherriff was also involved with Kelly thought he was going to be the 3rd DNA and the possible killer!

Feeling sorry for Sarah--not only did she kill Kelly but killed her own mother too!! She seemed so kind, caring person BUT turned out she was evil with a vindictive streak in her. I was wondering who came to her that night was Bob...the murder was already committed, and they were probably already in a relationship. They were working together to get back at both Kelly and Adam.

One thing I did not like was the trial...she did opening argument and then jumps to the verdict. I would have liked to read how she represented Adam at the trial.

(hide spoiler)]

Donna wrote: "Week 4



(view spoiler)[OMG, that ending! Yeah, I never suspected Sarah. I did suspect Bob and he played a part in it but Sarah actually did the deed. That really was the perfect crime. I spent the whole book fe..." (hide spoiler)]


I know right. When she started squeezing his hand I was trying to figure that out. When she whispered in his ear I started to wonder...could she have done it. I was still thinking it was the Sheriff and she was now involved with him.