The New Husband is a riveting thriller about the lies we tell ourselves from D. J. Palmer, the author of Saving Meghan. What makes Simon Fitch so perfect?-He knows all her favorite foods, music, and movies. -Her son adores him. He was there when she needed him most. -He anticipates her every need. -He would never betray her like her first husband.The perfect husband. He checks all the boxes.… like her first husband.
The perfect husband. He checks all the boxes.
The question is, why?
Nina Garrity learned the hard way that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But with Glen gone—presumably drowned while fishing on his boat—she couldn’t confront him about the affair or find closure to the life he blew apart.
Now, a year and a half later, Nina has found love again and hopes she can put her shattered world back together. Simon, a widower still grieving the death of his first wife, thinks he has found his dream girl in Nina, and his charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina’s teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, while her friends see a different side to him, and they aren’t afraid to use the word obsession.
Nina works hard to bridge the divide that’s come between her daughter and Simon. She wants so badly to believe her life is finally getting back on track, but she’ll soon discover that the greatest danger to herself and her children are the lies people tell themselves.
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Another great read by this newer author!! From the first chapter, readers are deep into this story as events quickly unfold. Chapters go by fast and keeps readers on their toes wondering what will happen next. The characters are very real and readers will connect with their experiences as this nerve wracking story deepens, page by page. One aspect of this story I enjoyed, was the point of view changes chapter by chapter, of each of the characters. Each character has a different experience based on their background and suspicions. This will be one of the great reads in the coming year, no doubt!
This book starts out slow. It took me a while to really get into it (and I took more breaks than I usually do while reading.) Once the story finally gets going (about 50% in,) though, it is hard to put down. It has that ‘sitting on the edge of your seat’ thing going for it. The characters felt real. They had real emotions and thoughts that anyone in the same situation would have. I did get frustrated with Nina (the mom) often. She would finally have some doubts about certain things (rightly so,) but then in the next breath she dropped those thoughts. She never believed anything her young daughter would tell her, blaming it all on the daughters dislike of the new man of the house, or her fragility after losing her father. Nina was meant to be a smart woman, but you’d think a former social worker would at least give some consideration to what all her friends and family were saying about a new man she was bringing into her families lives. I mean if pretty much everyone in your life has bad things/feelings about a person, you’d think it’d make you pause. (I’m not saying she should have seen the signs or anything like that, but just take it all into consideration.) That was basically the only negative feelings I had towards the story (or more accurately towards that one character. (Aside from starting out slow.) There are several suspenseful moments. Some real nail biters. It’s fascinating to see how far the villain actually took things. How much thought and preparation went into their plans. There are a few questions that were left unanswered. Nothing in the grand scheme of things, but things that will leave you wondering. There is some violence. No sexual content. There are a couple of sensitive subject matters mentioned that may be considered triggers (but all those things were mentioned but not played out in the pages.) Including abuse, drug addiction & suicide.) It alternates between several POVs. (Primarily the mom’s.) The plot is well developed and complex.
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
I have to say that I ultimately enjoyed “The New Husband” although I was a bit distracted by the numerous errors in editing. I’m trusting these will be taken care of before actual publication and this will be a fine story. Within the plot itself I found myself getting upset over one of the main characters so the author certainly did a good job of getting my attention and pulling me into the story. I could imagine the action taking place throughout as though I was watching a movie and I could not wait to see how it would be resolved. Wound up staying up way past my bedtime to finish this one! A good book that I would definitely recommend!
Wow! This was an amazing book! I was hooked almost from the first page.
Beautifully written suspense story that kept me turning pages. I stayed up until 3am reading the last 150 pages of this book, because I simply couldn’t put it down.
I really connected to the characters in this story and felt so sorry Maggie because no one would believe her, and everyone bought into a psychopaths lies and manipulation.
I didn’t see the twist coming, I really thought Simon got his information about Nina a different way.
This is a MUST read for anyone who likes suspense.
Okay, that was so good! Psychological thrillers are my new obsession and when I saw D.J. Palmer announce this book, I couldn’t wait to read it. I had previously read Saving Meghan and loved it, so I was very excited when I got an advanced paperback copy of The New Husband in the mail.
Nina and her family’s life has been upended with the disappearance of her husband after his empty fishing boat is found. Quickly Nina learns her husband was not at all who she thought he was. How can she have lived with someone for the past fifteen years and not know who they truly are? Very soon after Nina’s husband’s disappearance, she runs into Simon Fitch, a teacher at her daughter’s middle school. He is like the perfect man, attuned to Nina’s every need and doing and saying all the right things. Before she knows it, he is completely ingrained in her and her children’s lives. How did it all happen so quickly? Is it too soon for her to be with another man when her husband’s body has never been found? And is she wrong to place her trust in this new man that she barely knows? After all, she thought she knew her husband, but all signs point to him leading a life she knew nothing about.
D.J. spins a twisted tale that I couldn’t put down. I was totally immersed in this story, trying to figure out early on what was really going on. And then as chapters were revealed and the reader gets to see behind the curtain, I was so invested in how this storyline was going to play out. I felt like a fly on the wall, observing all that was going on and wanting to help this family, but having no voice to get their attention.
The story was a tad slow for me in the beginning but gradually gains momentum until the heart stopping conclusion. I absolutely loved the character of Maggie, her chapters were my favorite. If Mr. Palmer wants to write more about her in the future, I would not mind one bit.
If you’re looking for a page-turning psychological thriller, this story fits the bill perfectly! I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Even when my allergies were in full force and I couldn’t see through blurry eyes and constant sneezes, I still powered through because I HAD to know what happened!
Bravo, Mr. Palmer!! Another amazing read!
Many thanks to St. Martin’s press for providing me with an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
What a book!!! You will keep guessing until the end. Edge of your seat kind of book. I also yelled at them for not doing what I wanted them to do..lol
A must read!!!!!
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for choosing me to read “The New Husband” in exchange for my honest opinion.
It’s an exciting psychological thriller that teaches you to trust your gut feelings and to remind yourself that there is no such thing as a “perfect” person!
It may feel like this horrifying thriller starts out slow but the information gained in those pages are must-know. “You’re not safe…”, “Protect her”, “Are you okay”… We should all listen to our inner voices, these characters more than any. This story takes a deep dive into an unhealthy compulsive familial obsession.
Very good and captivating story.
#TheNewHusband
While I was a little surprised at the “twist”, it happened too soon in the book and I felt the whole thing was a little too far fetched. I also thought it red more like a YA book.
4.5 Stars
“I guess when you shine light into the dark, you see it for what it really is, and it loses all power over you.”
Nina Garriety has it all. A loving husband, two beautiful children and a loyal dog. But in an instant, Nina’s world comes crashing down around her. Her husband, presumed dead, has hidden a double life, and she now finds herself in dire need of a way to pick up the pieces and rebuild. Enter Simon Fitch…a local history teacher that is perfectly perfect in every way. Perhaps too easily he enters into the Garriety household, and as each day passes, more and more light is shown on Simon’s true nature as well as the secrets behind Nina’s missing husband…
Show of hands, how many remember the old 1987 slasher/horror movie The Stepfather staring Terry O’Quinn? If not, go use Google and get caught up. Fun fact, it’s based loosely on a true story. Are you ready? Now, grab your popcorn, because DJ Palmer has woven a dark tale of second chances that makes for a very twisted yet fun read! Highly recommend!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
Quote I loved:
“If you closed yourself off to people different from yourself, you might be missing out on something great.”
D.J. Palmer has written a book to entertain, but it also scared me, kept me reading much later than I should have been awake, and had me cheering for a thirteen-year old and hissing whenever Simon appeared on the scene. The synopsis, briefly, is that Nina Garrity’s husband Glen disappeared seven months ago. Now, she has re-located herself and her two children into a smaller home and is living with Simon Fitch, a teacher at the middle school who seems to be the answer to her needs. Connor, her son, is as enamored with Simon as Nina because Simon plays ball with him and is teaching him to use power tools and build a robot. Maggie, the aforementioned thirteen year old, is not fooled by Simon and is determined to show her family the dark side that only she seems to be able to see. This book started slowly, but like a train, it quickly picked up speed and was hard to put down and a thrilling read. Nina does not see Simon’s dark side until she returns to work and then she is really in for a surprise as she works to protect her family from the evil that is all around them. I think my favorite character was Maggie’s new friend Ben. When all of her regular friends desert her, Ben sees her dilemma and sits with her at lunch. Ben is also the only character in the book willing to give Maggie the benefit of the doubt and listen to her qualms about Simon. I liked his calming presence and his attitude of attacking a problem with logic and thoughtfulness. All in all, this book was amazing! There were some really surprising twists that I had me dropping my jaw in absolute awe at how well the author tricked me. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers that will chill you through and through.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and also a hard copy from St. Martin’s Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
I love books like this that are fast-paced, suspenseful and sometimes creepy with good strong characters and a great plot. Nina’s husband Glen goes out fishing with the family dog Daisy and the boat is found with only Daisy in it. Nearly two years later, Nina decides to move on with her life and Simon Fitch, junior high social studies teacher and robotics coach, enters the picture. Nina has two children, Connor and Maggie. Connor likes Simon but Maggie does not which causes a lot of conflict after Nina and Simon buy a home together and move in. This book was hard to put down and was good from the first page to the very end. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this fantastic book in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a very suspenseful, twisty story.
“The New Husband” written by D.J. Palmer is an intensely addictive over the top psychological thriller. This is the second book I have read by this author and I enjoyed this book just as much. I was instantly hooked, I could not put it down. I devoured it in one sitting. It kept me turning pages late into the night, eager for more. It was a little slow moving in the beginning but the further I got into the story, the more hooked I became. There were so many twists and turns, I just had to know what was going to happen next the how and when the truth would come out. As I kept reading the suspense mounts and the intensity increases keeping me on the edge of my seat. The ending was surprising and not what I expected. Great Read!!! I will definitely continue to read books by D.J. Palmer.
“Just because you love someone doesn’t mean you know them”
The New Husband is paced and plotted pretty well. The beginning was laid out well. When I got to about the halfway mark of the book, the story really got moving. I couldn’t stop reading. It got twisted, the danger level rose, it was intense. All the characters were well defined but the character of the 13 year old daughter Maggie and her friend Ben really shined.
I think anybody who likes mystery books about twisted stories should give this one a try. The New Husband is one of those page turners that keeps you thinking that you know what’s going to happen next, but you really don’t. I was shocked about some of the story characters in this book which kept me entertained all the way through. The author, D.J. Palmer did a fabulous job of writing a thriller story which kept reading well through the night!#The New Husband#NetGalley
*Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an e-copy for free in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
Starts Slow Then Gets Explosive. This is one of those that is a very slow burn at first – things maybe feel a bit off, and there is more of a sense that a particular character is pretty dark without any real evidence at first. Then just before the 50% mark, the game changes completely and we spend the rest of the book waiting for various characters to catch up to what the readers now know. Strong use of an Autistic character in that he is shown to be perfectly “normal”, just Autistic. The one jarring part in at least the ARC copy I read (which could very easily be fixed before publication, so if it is fixed in your version, just ignore this comment) is that the perspective shifts at random chapter beginnings can be a bit jarring and perhaps a label could be used to better identify what is happening. (Note that the chapter is from whatever singular perspective, but the character that may be narrating a given chapter can and does change.) Ultimately everything builds to an explosive yet satisfying ending. Very much recommended.
This was such a mind-blowing story! So. Much. Evil! And ultimately disguised as love. So evil!
The New Husband starts off with people just trying to become a new family, trying to get past the death of a loved one. But something just feels off. Perhaps someone is not who they seem to be? Perhaps the truth is not really the truth?
This story is an amazing page-turner that grabbed me for the very start and kept me enthralled to the very end. D. J. Palmer is the master of suspense, and creepiness. This book will knock your socks off!
Nina’s husband goes missing under very questionable circumstances. She finds a friend and then boyfriend in Simon, a teacher at her daughter’s school. Nina’s son is ok with Simon but her daughter absolutely hates Simon and doesn’t trust him. When Nina and Simon move in together, things go from bad to worse for Maggie. Maggie still feels her dad is alive and doesn’t want them to give up on him. As strange things start happening, it is quite a wild ride! The secrets, twists, and turns make this a book you can’t put down! Who is lying and who is telling the truth? That is what you have to figure out. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
I love a good thriller, so when I found out about The New Husband by D.J. Palmer, I was all over it! This was a book that I knew I had to read. Luckily, I was not disappointed at all.
Nina’s husband Glen disappeared after going out on his boat. No one was ever able to locate Glen’s body although Nina presumes him to be dead. About two years later, Nina finds love with Simon Fitch, a teacher at her daughter’s middle school. Simon is absolutely perfect for Nina, but Maggie, Nina’s daughter, knows something is very wrong with Simon. Is Simon actually who he says he is or is Nina over her head?
I found the plot for The New Husband to be entertaining even though I also found it fairly predictable. While the plot is similar to other books, Palmer does a fantastic job at adding his own voice to the story. There were a couple of little plot twist I didn’t predict to be fair, and the pacing was done brilliantly. I felt like every loose end was tied up by the end of the book and was explained very well. The descriptive use of text has me transported right into the middle of the setting for every scene in The New Husband.
The characters in The New Husband all had plenty of depth and were very fleshed out. I loved Nina, but so many times I wanted her to really pry more into Simon’s background instead of taking him at face value. It was easy to see why she wanted to trust him since she was in love with him though. I loved how Nina’s curiosity eventually got the better of her, and she did start digging up info on Simon. Simon seemed like a complete psychopath to me. I loved how well he was written, but I was constantly second guessing everything Simon said. I wanted to be wrong about him. I loved how Maggie was willing to investigate Simon from the get go. Something about him didn’t sit right with her, and she acted on it. Whenever everyone else was jaded when it came to Simon, Maggie saw right through him. I did feel that Maggie sometimes acted younger than her actual age though based on how her thoughts were written.
Trigger warnings include profanity, gas-lighting, mentions of sex (although not graphic), gun use, alcohol use, violence, attempted murder, and murder.
The New Husband will definitely leave you on your toes as well as turning the page wanting to know more. Although the plot is fairly predictable, it has a great cast of characters who hold their own. I would definitely recommend The New Husband by D.J. Palmer to those who love a story that sucks them right in!
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(A special thank you to the publisher for sending me a paperback ARC of The New Husband by D.J. Palmer. I was not required to write a review.)
The New Husband by D.J. Palmer is an excellent, fast-paced (despite the slow burn of a beginning) thrill ride.
There was plenty of suspense and twists and turns to keep me at the edge of my seat throughout. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the author threw in a surprise to throw me for a loop. I love being surprised!
The prose and pace were smooth and easy to read. I enjoyed the characters and that nothing about the cast was “cookie cutter”. This was a joy to experience, and I really enjoyed the ride.
This book is great for anyone that loves a nice suspenseful mystery and thriller.
Excellent.
5/5 stars
Thank you St Martin’s Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.