The Perfect Marriage

This book was riveting and kept you wanting more. I couldn't put it down and did not guess the ending! I love this author. She has done a really great job with her easy to read and captivating thrillers.

So good and surprising even till the end. I don’t always enjoy multiple narrators but this one kept you pulled.

Wowee wow wow! What a great book! Could not put it down, and the twist st the end was just genius!!!!

The story kept me engaged but there were many plot holes and the writing made it hard to suspend my disbelief. The author couldn’t have researched any legal advice whatsoever... a defense lawyer working WITH the police detectives on the investigation? Or the defense atty telling the detectives that the she is requesting a handwriting analysis on a piece of evidence? It had too many glitches like this and I rolled my eyes many times as these piled up. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you want a quick, brainless read.

I'm waivering on my 5 stars. I really liked the main characters, but they betrayed me. Yes, Adam cheated, but I was actually ready to forgive him. I was proud of the strong, forceful attorney wife. But, the end of the book cast them both in a different light. Or maybe my reaction cast me in a different light.It was a great way to take my COVID-ravaged self away from symptoms. In fact, I completely forgot the cough and headache. So, was the book worth five stars? Did I miss something? I'm sure I missed some motivation along the way. I was ready to take away a star because I was looking for a bit of missing motivation. But can I blame a book that took me away from the anguish of COVID because I found characters behaving immorally? So I told myself there would rarely be a suspenseful book if the characters were morally perfect.So, hey if it got my mind off the COVID, it was worth the 5 stars. No other book did that.Read it, it's engaging.

—— Edit: In addition to all I say below, & despite it… After writing my review I had the sudden realization that The Perfect Marriage would make …..** A FABULOUS BOOK CLUB TITLE! **There’s A LOT which can be discussed, picked apart, have differing opinions regarding, etc., etc.My sort of slight “negatives,” gone over in detail below, would be perfect talking/debate points.—— Ok! Now on to my review! :) …..I think The Perfect Marriage was a fairly enjoyable read, start to finish - the beginning & very end being the best parts.The middle, well- there were many times I asked myself if I really wanted to keep reading? If this story was truly entertaining me enough?I realized after completing the book that you can have too many ongoing (& continually cropping up, new) questions & mysteries in a story - without ANY resolution going on whatsoever.It gets a bit mentally/emotionally tiring … chapter after a chapter. And tiring leads to a feeling that’s akin to boredom. No matter how invested you are in the storyline or characters. Or how exciting the mystery started out being, or where it looks like it all may go in the end.Like, perhaps, throw in a couple resolutions here & there. A few solutions to mini-mysteries would be a relief & refresher (even if they wind up being red herrings in the end lol!).Having to hang in there throughout an entire twisty-turny type murder mystery - from beginning all the way until the end, with zero relief in between, begins to feel like a too long clothesline. How it begins to droop from the weight of all the clothes (or “story details/loose ends”) toward the center. In a heavy, distinct shape & color blurring, pace slowing, manner.And just like looking at that over-burdened clothesline, when a story is feeling like that, your motivation to read dips & comes into question.No matter how great the overall plot is.I’m not often, & I mean hardly EVER, taken out of the story to then have to consciously, forcibly suspend disbelief.This happened more than a few times when reading this book.(And my primary genre(s) include a lot of SciFi, apocalyptic topics, etc. And I hang in there just fine. Happily 100% immersed, disbelief easily & naturally suspended for the duration….)But here, within The Perfect Marriage, I encountered THE MOST unrealistic situations & occurrences. Which yanked me firmly from the immersion I had been enjoying, to question the author’s decision to include such a turn of events.There are also a couple of “implied situations” in the story, which are fairly significant events. I guess we are supposed to be able to read between the lines, or ~in some other manner~ know what the heck she meant in those occurrences. (Jeneva Rose truly offers no hints for us, her readers.)In truth, nothing would have been lost- & the story would have been improved actually, from a bit more detail in these situations.I’ve since completed the book & I now *think* I understand what happened. ….Maybe? But I’ll never truly know if what I’m supposing matches up with what the author meant for those scenes.So, overall, it’s an ok book.This is my 1st experience with Jeneva Rose’s work. I MIGHT read something by her again, but with so many greats out there, unfortunately Rose’s stories won’t be the ones I immediately gravitate toward in the future when I swing over to this genre for a read. (Give Freida McFadden or Susi Holliday a try! Amazing!!)Anyway…. The Perfect Marriage might be a perfect book for diehard fans of this author, Jeneva Rose.For the rest of us … It may be worth a read.But if you find that part way through you’re really not feeling it — & are asking yourself if the end is worth hanging in there?Well. This is my experience….I’m glad I did finish the book, despite my middle of the story self-reflection, as I know I would wonder what happened, how it all turned out eventually. And it would drive me a little crazy! LolBut with that said, the conclusion feels sort of rushed. Isn’t really satisfying (to me). And is a bit of a stretch; or contrived.Perhaps lengthening the ending just a bit would have helped? I don’t know.It just doesn’t ~connect~ well to the whole of the rest of the story in general. Like, there were many private moments between the characters throughout the entirety of the story.Yet between then … & the end … the relationships are 1000% different, & the author is asking us to believe it. Sure. Maybe. If we the readers hadn’t been fly’s on the walls / privy to so many PRIVATE moments throughout.Anyway - more I could say on that, but I don’t believe in spoilers! No one likes a spoiler! LolSo, it’s up to you, my fellow reading lover!To give this one a whirl … or a pass!? …..

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was guessing and guessing right through the day as I read this book. Anyway that is the beauty of a well penned book. It gets you in and has you guessing. Have to give it five stars. I read it all day.

This book was simply amazing!! Way to go Jeneva!!There were so many twists and turns!! I absolutely loved it!!!

The book has a suspenseful storytelling and well crafted characters. When I thought I had this book figured out, there was an unexpected twist I never thought of. If you enjoy thrilling, character driven stories with a touch of romance, I would 100% recommend this book.

unexpected end

The story hooks you till the end and no one could guess the ending. However, it does leave a bad taste in your mouth...as the innocent didn't get what he deserved (spoiler).It's easy to read without beating around the bush. If you enjoy Frieda stories (like me), this is a must read.

Unpredictable from the first page. The author did an amazing job with the characters and the plot, it kept my attention completely and I simply couldn’t stop reading it. When you think you are getting into the right direction of the story, everything changes and you are led to an incredible end.

Let's delve into the characters of "The Perfect Marriage." Meet Sarah and Adam Morgan, the epitome of a successful power couple. Sarah, an accomplished criminal attorney, and Adam, a writer. However, beneath the surface, their seemingly perfect life conceals layers of complexity, proving that perfection is often illusory.A notable aspect is the narrative perspective, particularly Adam's portrayal. He transcends the role of a mere observer, evolving into a fully fleshed-out character with his own thoughts, emotions, and hidden truths. Rose masterfully crafts Adam, intricately weaving him into the web of secrets and lies that define the story. This nuanced character development is a distinctive strength, especially for readers who appreciate multi-dimensional protagonists."The Perfect Marriage" emerges as a genuine page-turner. Just when you believe you have deciphered the plot, Rose introduces unexpected twists that send your assumptions into a tailspin. This unpredictability adds an exhilarating dimension, transforming the story into a thrilling ride that keeps you eagerly turning the pages.A minor critique pertains to pacing, with moments where the narrative feels hurried, akin to a movie in fast-forward. A more balanced pace, allowing the plot to marinate and unfold gradually, could have enhanced the overall experience. While not diminishing the book's enjoyment but a touch more refinement could elevate it.On a deeper level, it prompts contemplation of societal perspectives. The recurring theme of women portrayed as villains, echoed in works like 'Gone Girl' and 'The Girl on the Train,' raises thought-provoking questions. While empowering to witness strong, intelligent women, the trend of depicting them as manipulative raises concerns. The narrative landscape seems to spotlight cunning and deceit as primary facets of female empowerment. While it doesn't diminish Rose's thriller, it sparks a crucial conversation about the portrayal of women in contemporary literature.The conclusion of "The Perfect Marriage" is nothing short of a whirlwind. Like a rollercoaster hurtling at full speed, it leaves readers breathless and astonished. Rose's adeptness at sustaining suspense while concluding the narrative deserves commendation. Also, the ending shocked me most of all.