Thank you Penguin Australia for this book in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:

Every marriage has secrets. Everyone has flaws. Your wife isn’t perfect – you know that – but then again nor are you.

But now a serial killer is on the loose in your small town, preying on young women. Fear is driving your well-behaved young daughter off the rails, and you find yourself in bed late at night, looking at the woman who lies asleep beside you.

Because you thought you knew the worst about her. The truth is you know nothing at all.

Review:

Holy burnt Dorito this was brilliant.

Straight of the bat I am going to say that I am not going to go into much detail about My Lovely Wife’s plot. A – because it was unique. B – because it was brilliant. C – I am not spoiling this for you. This is honestly one of those books where you need to go in blind and feel your way around to get to the light switch. If that worries you – I’ll say it again. DAMN that was a good book!

From what I can tell you about the plot Millicent and her husband of 15 years live a normal suburban life with two young kids. They live in a standard house in the neighbourhood and appear to be a normal family. They work normal jobs, raise their children with love and kindness. Every aspect of their life seems normal. But it ain’t. And they are not normal. I mean after 15 years what would you do to spice up your love life? Carrying around a dark secret that is the hidden spice to keep their marriage alive.

For those of you that are normal and not a crazy weirdo like me, probably won’t guess the ending of this thriller. I did, which isn’t unusual, I tend to call it my secret party trick but I just can’t help myself okay? It’s a bad habit I cannot break. ANYWAY, for the normal readers out there this ending will have you shock, it will blow your mind and leave you sitting there flabbergasted in awe. There is nothing about this ending that is (generally) predictable, so prepare yourselves. Though I knew what was coming I questioned the delivery that the author would provide> to be blunt, it was something that could have been pulled off with sheer amazement or it would be delivered with a side of smelly older cheese and make you question your life choices. To clarify, you don’t get the cheese. Instead you find yourself getting drawn to the story, you come across the twist which has gripped you and shaken you to your core. You will find yourself on the edge of the seat, heart pounding in your ears as you sit there and go ‘what the actual fuck.’ Standing ovation to Downing, you pulled off one hell of an ending like a cherry pie straight from the oven, just ace!!

FYI – I am not being over dramatic. Downing is a debut author and her first book is a thriller lover’s dream come true. Clean your afternoon, clear your morning and cancel that awesome brunch that you thought you were going to go to. This is a book you read in one sitting, cover to cover. There is no way you can put this beauty down, not even for a break.

You will also find that most of this book is dark, sensual, twisted and utterly delightful. All the thriller must haves are definitely ticked in this book. I loved it and cannot flaw it and wish I could rave about it more, but this is one of those books that the more I tell you, the more I will just ruin it and I honestly cannot do that. I can’t even talk about the wonderful, intriguing and unique characters because I think that would ruin it. I can’t okay. Stop pressuring me and buy the damn book already. You won’t regret it.

Rating: 5/5

Publisher: Penguin

ISBN: 9780241368497