D.J. Palmer has a way of taking a very predictable plot and making you hang onto every word.

This was the last book I finished in 2019. The last book finished of the decade. The last book I was so totally engrossed in, I didn’t put it down until I had finished.

I said it was predictable and it was. What wasn’t predictable was how the story got to each turning point. This is my favorite genre and within the first two chapters, I can tell you who did it and why, sometimes even the how. This story had little nuances to keep me glued.

Definitely read this story!!

The first half of this novel is excruciatingly slow moving. I didn’t think the writing was fabulous. At the halfway mark, things get considerably more interesting. The ending is an absolute heart-wrenching page turner. If you can deal with that pacing, you might like this book.

WARNING, I’m about to give something away so stop reading now if you don’t want to know: because I have an aunt you was a victim of domestic violence (which ended in her gruesome murder), I volunteered at a shelter and learned the many different ways a man can be abusive. It’s not just bruises. If he doesn’t want you to earn your own money or associate with friends and family—RUN.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, which RELEASES APRIL 14, 2020.

If it's too good to be true, it usually is, is basically the plot of Palmer's book. The story started out beautifully and kept my interest entirely until it got a little too crazy for my taste. Had to put it down.

Nina’s husband disappears while on a fishing trip and soon she learns he had lost his job and was having an affair. Still reeling from these events, Nina finds comfort and support in the unlikely form of one of her kid’s teachers, Simon. As their relationship deepens, disturbing coincidences happen and Nina begins to wonder how well she really knows him. Everyone thinks they know how they will respond to an abusive, controlling situation, and some are even free to offer their advice. But until it happens to you....

Reading this deep, dark, disturbing story will make you feel like you’re watching a train going full speed toward that broken bridge.

One day., Glen Garrity disappeared. He was out fishing, and his boat is found, with a lot of blood on the deck and the family dog, Daisy, left alone on the boat. A search and rescue mission followed, but there were no leads. Is he dead? Missing? There are no clear answers, but ultimately, Nina, his wife, has to decide he is gone forever. HIs daughter Maggie disagrees... she can feel that he is still out there. Her brother Connor agrees with Mom. A family divided, and in crisis. They are left with very little money after Glen disappears, and Nina is considering moving them to live with her parents, with no other options out there. One day, Daisy goes missing. The front door wasn't latched property. Another search commences, but again, broken hearted, they return home without Daisy. In swoops Simon, the middle school social studies teacher, returning Daisy to her rightful home. He found her wondering in the woods, and had seen the signs and messages that went out. So begins a beautiful love story. Simon woos her and soon they are moving in together, so Nina does not have to move away. However, this is not where the story ends... it is just the beginning... and a Hollywood ride off into the sunset story, is not at all what you will find in the pages of D.J. Palmer's book. So fasten your seatbelts for the ride...

The New Husband is a book that psychological thriller aficionados will enjoy. The story is written in the voice of the characters -- Nina, Glen, and Maggie. The author does a good job of fleshing out all the characters through these three voices, which allows all the pieces to fall together eventually, but you are left guessing along the way. I am unsure if we are supposed to put those pieces together before they actually happen, but some things are more predictable than others, so this was not a page turner that will leave you gasping at hairpin turns, but none the less, you will want to know what happens to these likable characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Martin's publishing group, for giving me the opportunity to read this novel, in exchange for my honest review.

Here’s the thing: I kind of saw what was happening in The New Husband by D.J. Palmer yet I was compelled to keep reading because what unfolded along the pages as I kept reading was so freaking disturbing that I couldn’t look away. The tension and atmosphere made it really difficult to put down.

To begin with, Nina’s husband, Glen, disappears with no trace off a boat while fishing. Betrayals are then revealed, leaving Nina and her two children, Maggie and Connor, torn and hurt while also trying to properly grieve. Enter Simon, a beloved Middle School teacher who has an endless supply of ‘family’ money and is basically just what Nina and Connor need at that very time in their lives. Maggie, though, isn’t quite as easily fooled. She has a feeling about Simon and it isn’t a good one.

Maggie is my favorite character; she is instinctive in her need to protect her family and her awareness of the danger lurking beneath the surface. Nina is also a strong and admirable character; she is naïve at times but in the nature of the story it works well with what’s happened in the past. The secondary characters are as well-developed as the main, Ben, in particular is kind of my hero. The story-line flows quickly and surely through a multitude of twists and turns, thrills and suspense. The subject of domestic violence is explored showing the victims angst and suffering at the hands of her abuser. It’s a subject that I will never tire of seeing because it will always be a story that needs to be told.

"Sometimes we make poor choices on this journey. Instead of sitting in judgement of those choices, let's help each other get back on the right path.
That's what I've learned from the greatest challenge I've ever faced. That's how it changed me."

I highly recommend this to any fan of psychological thrillers, mystery, or suspense.

A big thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and D.J. Palmer for providing The New Husband in exchange for my honest review.

This book started a little slow for me. I thought it would be the typical he did her wrong kind of story so she moved on.

Nope by the third chapter, I was hooked. This book is twisted, intense, dark and well worth the investment in time reading.

Without giving too much away his book is filled with twists and turns that you don't see coming and by the end everything you thought you knew is completely wrong.

A definite must-read.

Started out strong but when i got to the 50% mark and realized I still had 50%more to go, I lost steam. By mid way point, I honestly was turning pages just to finish the book and my investment level went down.
The writing was strong and the character depiction was well built.
I wish the author much success.
Thank you for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I did enjoy this book, thanks to Net Galley and DJ Palmer for the opportunity to review.the story line kept me guessing for a while as to who was behind everything, there were some edge of the seat moments as well. Nina's husband Glen goes missing and after a time it is assumed that he is dead. Nina moves on to another relationship with Simon a year and a half later, she and her two children move in with him as she cannot afford to be on her own. Over time Simon slowly takes over her life, her daughter sees what is going on but can't seem to make herself heard until finally Nina finally starts to see Simon for what he is. The ending had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put the book down.

This book started a little slow but was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. Nina got on my nerves at times and seemed a bit selfish, she moved on rather quickly from her husband's disappearance and expected her kids to do the same.

It was a bit twisty and creepy, which I liked! Had to see how it ended. You do have to suspend disbelief a bit. This is my second book by this author and I have enjoyed both. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

A big thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy of this book! 4 stars!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After her husband Glenn’s mysterious and bloody disappearance from his fishing boat, Nina quickly moves on and moves in with a new man who seems perfect. Her son likes him and her daughter can’t stand him. Weird things start happening and the members of the family disagree as to the cause of these events.

This was a one day read for me. I have read and enjoyed other books from Daniel Palmer and this was no exception. It was fast moving and held my interest pretty much throughout. There was a reveal around the halfway point that briefly left me thinking that I knew all there was to know and where do we from here but there was much more to the story. As a dog lover I was happy to see Daisy the dog play such an important role. Enjoyed this one and look forward to his next one.

Definitely a page turner psychological thriller that kept me up late at night trying to finish. Nina loses her husband to a boating accident with no body found, trying to move on with her kids. In steps the perfect Simon who teaches at her daughter's middle school. Maggie, the angsty daughter makes life difficult for Simon and Nina as she thinks Simon is "off" and a creep. Is Maggie just being dramatic, or is there something to it? Then all out crazy town starts happening and the search for what is going on begins. Great story, great thriller, I recommend!

I did like this book, but it was not quite perfect... a bit too creepy for my tastes once the twist was revealed... though I will say I was very satisfied with the ending. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Oh My Goodness! I think my heart was in my throat for most of this book. I really wanted to tell the characters what to do next! Obsession to the extreme in this book. Simon is everything a woman can want in a man and yet everything she doesn't. It was a page turner but sometimes I didn't want to turn the page for fear of what would happen next.
This was an excellent thriller! Anyone that likes a psychological thriller should read this one for sure!

I am mainly a romance reader but there is one genre other than romance that intrigues me and it's psychological thrillers and this book was exactly what I needed.

A new to me author, DJ Palmer hit the nail on the head. The twists and turns were intriguing and had me hooked.

Maggie was a pivotal character that I knew had some insight on Simon but there is no "proof" to back up her concerns.  Her concerns that this new man in her mom's life is the good man that he says he is.  On the outside - Simon is perfect.  He's great to Nina and her children.  Helps Nina recover from the disappearance and betrayal of her husband.

From the first chapter to the last word written, I had no idea what to expect, a ride I won't soon forget.  DJ Palmer kept me on the edge of my seat with the story that kept changes lanes, going fast, slowing down and then BAM, DEER IN THE ROAD... an OMG moment that I didn't see coming.

One of my most "unputdownable" books of the year!

This book just didn't do it for me. Nothing against the book or author. I just have read so many of these lately that I am just on over load with this genre. There are a lot of rave reviews so please read through them and make your decision on those. I think if I would have read this at a different time, my review would be much different.

Good for fans of:
•domestic psychological thrillers
• thé podcast /show ‘Dirty John’

Upside:
•Maggie, the main characters 13 year old daughter, was really the star of the show. Could be good for YA as Maggie’s storyline made her the most likable character; dealing with bullying and social stresses of middle school on top this psycho her moms dating after her dad disappears

Downsides:
•not too many surprises/ it’s pretty clear Simon is a total creep from the start
•some points were a little too belabored- the author would drop multiple hints and then repeat what she was getting at multiple times to make connections about how creepy the bf is

Oh my! This book is a classic page turner. The character are all likeable except Simon. The guy you love to hate.It starts out with the character Nina, who has two children, Connor and Emily. Nina’s husband, Glen has disappeared. Nina discovers he had gotten fired from his bank job and was having an affair. Simon, a school teacher comes into her life and seems to be a perfect match. They buy a house together and Simon tries to get along with her children, but it's hard. Simon is not how he seems and as Nina starts to question his background, things begin to unravel. It's an exciting read, about a realistic as a Lifetime movie. I read his other book, Saving Meghan and it was good too.

This is not the typical genre of book I read, but Net Galley offered a free copy and I said why not. Boy was I glad I did. This book is really good. A bit disturbing and mind bending. As a single woman it is nightmarish, terrifying, unputdownable, sick, nasty and oh so good.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I definitely enjoyed this book. It was set up so the reader realizes Simon is bad news from about the first 5 pages. This bothered me for awhile, but then there were some other twists I did not anticipate. I think the author did an amazing job of writing about an abusive relationship both from the POV of the abuser and the abused. I also loved that the daughter was the strong, fearless character in the book. Teenage girls are often written as silly and whiny, so it was refreshing to see a tough one in a book like this.