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klpage's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Short thriller book about a couple who seem to have the perfect life on the outside but it isn’t as perfect behind the scenes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Murder
bethanya06's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
frannie_rose's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Good crime/ thriller but found it slightly slow in places. Picks up a lot towards the end and does take a few guesses to figure out the ending!
thelibraryofimagination's review against another edition
2.0
The perfect life does not exist for the deluded Molly Chatwell.
This book was interesting in some ways and annoying in others. I found it a challenge to read because the plot had inconsistencies; the continuity discrepancies drastically affected the pace. Character development was mediocre as the main character Molly was naive (annoyingly so) throughout the book and only had one moment of redeeming clarity (a minuscule one at that). The husband’s story was disjointed and an antagonist basically appeared out of nowhere and confused me at a very crucial point in the story. Molly’s friend was just a horrible person. It’s just a book of selfish and nasty people treating Molly poorly and the poor thing is too naive to notice.
I’m not one for criticizing a book this way but I honestly did not find anything I liked about it. I’m giving it 2 stars because it has a lot of promise but I think it needs to be revamped to make it a truly great story.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and @thepigeonhole for the ARC copy of this book.
This book was interesting in some ways and annoying in others. I found it a challenge to read because the plot had inconsistencies; the continuity discrepancies drastically affected the pace. Character development was mediocre as the main character Molly was naive (annoyingly so) throughout the book and only had one moment of redeeming clarity (a minuscule one at that). The husband’s story was disjointed and an antagonist basically appeared out of nowhere and confused me at a very crucial point in the story. Molly’s friend was just a horrible person. It’s just a book of selfish and nasty people treating Molly poorly and the poor thing is too naive to notice.
I’m not one for criticizing a book this way but I honestly did not find anything I liked about it. I’m giving it 2 stars because it has a lot of promise but I think it needs to be revamped to make it a truly great story.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and @thepigeonhole for the ARC copy of this book.
kellyreadsinnit's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
lakinloveslit's review
3.0
I enjoyed this but I found the ending a bit lacklustre...a good solid read though
melaniesreads's review against another edition
2.0
This review is going to be complicated as there were things I liked about it and a lot I didn’t. Judging by the comments on pigeonhole, while reading, a lot had the same issues I did.
Let me start with the characters. Molly is naive, delusional and vacuous. As somebody of a similar age I was shocked by her continued stupidity. Her husband is awful and I personally would have served him divorce papers after the first chapter. Then there are her friends, if you can call them that. More acquaintances than friends and just as shallow and insincere as Jack’s hideous work colleagues. As you can probably gather I didn’t like any of them and not really liking Molly didn’t really make me root for her. In fact if anything I just found myself shouting at her.
I can’t really go into the plot too much without getting into spoiler territory but part of the ending really came out of nowhere and left me annoyed. What would have worked well would have been a role reversal, I can’t be the only one fed up with women being written as silly victims. Even if they do have to be a victim at least give them some gumption.
My suspicions were pretty much spot on except for the ridiculous throw in that hadn’t been mentioned since the start of the book. So I could barely remember it and it felt like it had been plucked from thin air.
One major positive though was the pace, I flew through the staves really quickly, and if I had read this as a book I probably could have read it in 2 hours. It also kept my attention as I did want to know what was coming next.
Let me start with the characters. Molly is naive, delusional and vacuous. As somebody of a similar age I was shocked by her continued stupidity. Her husband is awful and I personally would have served him divorce papers after the first chapter. Then there are her friends, if you can call them that. More acquaintances than friends and just as shallow and insincere as Jack’s hideous work colleagues. As you can probably gather I didn’t like any of them and not really liking Molly didn’t really make me root for her. In fact if anything I just found myself shouting at her.
I can’t really go into the plot too much without getting into spoiler territory but part of the ending really came out of nowhere and left me annoyed. What would have worked well would have been a role reversal, I can’t be the only one fed up with women being written as silly victims. Even if they do have to be a victim at least give them some gumption.
My suspicions were pretty much spot on except for the ridiculous throw in that hadn’t been mentioned since the start of the book. So I could barely remember it and it felt like it had been plucked from thin air.
One major positive though was the pace, I flew through the staves really quickly, and if I had read this as a book I probably could have read it in 2 hours. It also kept my attention as I did want to know what was coming next.
ljwrites85's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoy Valerie Keogh’s psychological thrillers so I was looking forward to this one.
The Perfect Life is a domestic noir story focussing on Molly Chatwell whose life seems perfect. She has a nice house and job. A great husband and two kids off at university. It’s only when she starts to really look at her life that she begins to see the cracks. A chance meeting with a stranger leaves her perfect life under threat.
I always love the way that Valerie Keogh creates such realistic and flawed characters. I really felt for Molly, suffering from empty nest syndrome and her husband is less than sympathetic about it.
There’s plenty of peril for poor Molly along the way but I have to be honest I wasn’t entirely shocked by the ending.
The Perfect Life is a fast paced story with plenty of tension and intrigue, perfect for domestic noir fans.
The Perfect Life is a domestic noir story focussing on Molly Chatwell whose life seems perfect. She has a nice house and job. A great husband and two kids off at university. It’s only when she starts to really look at her life that she begins to see the cracks. A chance meeting with a stranger leaves her perfect life under threat.
I always love the way that Valerie Keogh creates such realistic and flawed characters. I really felt for Molly, suffering from empty nest syndrome and her husband is less than sympathetic about it.
There’s plenty of peril for poor Molly along the way but I have to be honest I wasn’t entirely shocked by the ending.
The Perfect Life is a fast paced story with plenty of tension and intrigue, perfect for domestic noir fans.
faysieh's review
5.0
Molly is finding life a bit quiet at home now that her two children are overseas attending different universities. Instead of a noisy active household there are just two adults living in the house with little more than work schedules to contemplate. She has even lost her much loved housekeeper and feels adrift, panicking as a party looms. It is at this party, hosted by Molly and Jack, where the intrigue really begins.
Up until now Molly has been fortunate enough to lead a cushioned and charmed existence but lately her relationship with husband Jack is causing her a lot of concern. Not just because of the party but a whole host of niggling questions about her husband’s behaviour.
Plagued by worry and doubts Molly does something very out of character whilst on a spa break with friend Amelia and has no idea of the trouble her actions will bring to her front door.
The story is fast paced and keeps you guessing. Just what on earth is going on and will Amelia find herself found guilty of a crime she didn’t commit?
The plot continues to bubble and thicken, and although Molly might escape being accused of something she hasn’t done, life becomes more uncomfortable and complicated. In fact it becomes downright dangerous and unpredictable.
Who can Molly trust? Anyone?
Her once seemingly golden and perfect life is unravelling dramatically as Molly finds herself swept up into a darkness that is confusing, bewildering and very far from domestic bliss. And the outcome will be deadly.
With engaging characters, credible events and a constant sense of foreboding this domestic thriller is an incredibly engaging read. I aim to read more of the author’s work, secure in the knowledge that I am going to enjoy the reading experience immensely. And for anyone who has already known the delights of Valerie Keogh’s novels, this latest offering is guaranteed to keep fans happy whilst appealing to many new readers.
Up until now Molly has been fortunate enough to lead a cushioned and charmed existence but lately her relationship with husband Jack is causing her a lot of concern. Not just because of the party but a whole host of niggling questions about her husband’s behaviour.
Plagued by worry and doubts Molly does something very out of character whilst on a spa break with friend Amelia and has no idea of the trouble her actions will bring to her front door.
The story is fast paced and keeps you guessing. Just what on earth is going on and will Amelia find herself found guilty of a crime she didn’t commit?
The plot continues to bubble and thicken, and although Molly might escape being accused of something she hasn’t done, life becomes more uncomfortable and complicated. In fact it becomes downright dangerous and unpredictable.
Who can Molly trust? Anyone?
Her once seemingly golden and perfect life is unravelling dramatically as Molly finds herself swept up into a darkness that is confusing, bewildering and very far from domestic bliss. And the outcome will be deadly.
With engaging characters, credible events and a constant sense of foreboding this domestic thriller is an incredibly engaging read. I aim to read more of the author’s work, secure in the knowledge that I am going to enjoy the reading experience immensely. And for anyone who has already known the delights of Valerie Keogh’s novels, this latest offering is guaranteed to keep fans happy whilst appealing to many new readers.