Cover Image: A Perfect Stranger

A Perfect Stranger

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This book was fantastic, so many twists and turns as usual. And as usual there was a ending that I couldn't predict 5*****

Was this review helpful?

This was another hit from the author. An enjoyable page turner filled with mystery and suspense. Additionally, as usual the author throws in some good twists in the end.

Was this review helpful?

#APerfectStranger #NetGalley
BOLAND is OUTSTANDING.
This book really deserve to be a bestseller. It should be on everyone's TBR list. This is a story revolving around two couples, Danielle ( Dani ) and Marcus, owner of luxurious cars dealership who have everything and their life is picture perfect...or is it?
Second couple is Aidan and Emily, they've a toddler named Josh and they're expecting one. Money is tight because Aidan is just a car salesman in Marcus showroom. And he's a terrible habit of gambling and he has lost 80000 and now in a debt trying his way out of all this.
But soon things get sinister and Dani learns that her husband is a liar too.
How these stories are connected is the main story of this book.
There is one other mystery characters POV who is revealed slowly towards the ending of this book. Although it didn't surprise mrle that much because I've read her The Best Friend and was prepared for something like that.
My final verdict is this book is a Goodread.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

Immersive Domestic Noir…
Marriages, lies and secrets. Sooner or later, for better or for worse, those secrets and lies will implode with, perhaps, devastating results. Immersive domestic noir effectively relayed in a multi narrative giving this suspenseful tale a credible bent. Characters are well crafted and the plot is compelling keeping the reader gripped until the final, perhaps shocking, denouement.

Was this review helpful?

A perfect stranger by shalini boland should be on everyone's to be read list this summer! Shalini Boland seems to never disappoint. She always adds the perfect amount of family domestic drama and a never expected spine tingling twist at the end of each novel.

A perfect stranger begins by giving us three different points of view Danielle, Emily and a mystery character that you learn more about towards the end of the book. Danielle and her husband marcus are very well off as her husband owns his own car lot. Marcus and Danielle have been trying for a baby for the past three years with no luck. Emily and her husband Aiden have a 4 year old son named Josh and Emily and Aiden are expecting another child very soon. Aiden works for Danielle's husband marcus as a car salesman. Unfortunately that doesn't bring in a whole Lotta cash. Both husband's marcus and Aiden have been acting out of the ordinary. Then Aiden confesses to Emily he's gotten himself and his family into some trouble that might not be fixable. Aiden has been gambling thousands of dollars online and he is now over 80,000 in debt to a loan shark. What Aiden doesn't know is that his wife is carrying a huge life changing secret of her own.

What exactly is marcus's secret that he's been keeping from his wife? Who is really endangering who? when you think you have everything figured out....boom! Boland's big bombshell! Be sure to check out A Perfect Stranger by shalini Boland this summer July 2022...it's a story that will keep you guessing even after you've read the book! We need a perfect stranger 2 ASAP!

Was this review helpful?

I've read several books by this author, and they are always a thrill ride! The violent prologue drops the reader into a dismal setting with the front door of an isolated cottage banging back and forth in a rain storm. When someone attempts to open the door, there is something...someone...blocking the door.

Told from alternating points of view from two very different women, Emily and Dani. Emily is married to Aidan, who sells expensive luxury cars, His boss Marcus owns the dealership and is married to Dani. Finances are tight with one child and a baby on the way. but Emily decides to throw Aidan a surprise party. She can't understand why Aidan is furious because she doesn't know that her husband has been keeping a big secret. Eventually, his hand is forced, and he comes clean. What the family does to run from this secret is mind-blowing.

Meanwhile, Dani finds out that Marcus has been keeping secrets too. Suddenly her luxurious life all feels like one big lie, and her life will intersect with Emily's in ways you just won't think possible!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this early read. A PERFECT STRANGER, once an Audible original, will release in print form on July 11, 2022.

Was this review helpful?

A Perfect Stranger (Shalini Boland) was a good story that threw in several surprises. A Perfect Stranger has some likable and interesting characters and also a few it's easy to dislike. I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an early copy to review.

Was this review helpful?

This is my second book by this author, I definitely liked this one better. I give it a solid 3 1/2 stars. In the beginning I was confused about the Prologue but as the book developed it made more sense to me. The character development was great as I loved the descriptions of them. The final twist of the book was great and I didn’t see it coming.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 Rounded Up. Told from two different perspectives we get to know Emily's family and also Dani's family. While Emily has a little boy and another baby on the way, Dani is struggling to get pregnant.

This book has such a great pace that you can easily devour it in one sitting. I do wish it was just a little bit longer. Great character development and a good plot line.

You have no idea going into this story of how it will unfold. We receive a pretty good drama that throws in that little suspense factor. Overall a really good read.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Publishers for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

It started on a rainy day in a dark cottage with the front door banging against the wall. From this point moving forward the story fills in the gaps until it reaches this pivotal moment.

Aidan’s a luxury car salesman. His boss Marcus owns the dealership. Aidan’s got a secret he’s keeping from his wife. Eventually, she finds out and what takes place next will blow reader’s minds.
To add to there worry Emily is pregnant. The finances are already tight as it is, but with a baby on the way it’s been a struggle.
Dani is married to Marcus. Her life has been immersed in luxury and privilege. Except it all feels empty without children. Dani has been trying to have a baby for years.

Audible had this book available as an Audiobook Original before the ebook was released. I usually prefer reading a book before delving into the audible but I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to listen to a Shalini Boland original. Now I’m reading the book and wishing I still had access to that audiobook. I like listening and following along.
The story’s told from three points of view: Emily, Dani, and an unknown character.
My one disadvantage is being unfamiliar with the places in the UK. I wish I could visualize the places mentioned in this story it would be a great advantage.
Shalini Boland writes using her British verbiage which usually isn’t an issue, however there’s a few words that I’m unfamiliar with. I’ve had to look up a few words in order to better understand what was being said.
This was a great read that kept me interested from beginning to end. The twists and turns were an unexpected surprise.

Was this review helpful?

Woo-wee! This book snatches your attention from the start and that ending?!! I never saw that coming!

A Perfect Stranger is a very fast paced thriller with all the wild twists. The end really sucker punched me.....then the last chapter left my jaw on the floor. I definitely enjoyed this book and can not wait to see what Shalini has next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to review this book!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the copy of A Perfect Stranger. I’m not sure why this book didn’t appeal to me. I have read books by Ms. Boland before and really liked them, but this one was hard to get through. Maybe because I didn’t ever connect with or like any of the characters so I couldn’t care about their problems. And they all had problems, some of which were ridiculous. The ending took me by surprise though, so if you love twists in your stories you might love this one. I prefer good characters and stories so this book was not really for me, even though I enjoyed the writing.

Was this review helpful?

I love mysteries and thrillers and this book was an amazing read! The story grabbed my attention and kept me hooked! Read the book in a day!

Was this review helpful?

Book: A Perfect Stranger
Author: Shalini Boland
Publisher: Bookouture
Pub Date: July 11, 2022

I didn’t really enjoy the book that much. It was very boring. I also don’t really feel like the title goes with the book at all. I really enjoyed the writing style and after the first few chapters I thought this is going to be a good book. But sadly no. It seemed unrealistic and the shock of the gambling debt wasn’t really a shock. This book just fell flat for me.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is July 11, 2022.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed reading this book. The plot was interesting and the writing style was pleasant to read.

For me, the prologue ruined the book slightly as it kind of spoils the ending, and I found the story predictable as a result. It I hadn't read the prologue, I would have found the later events shocking and they would have had much more of an impact.

I did like this book and had a good time reading it, but will I remember much about it in 6 months? Probably not.

Was this review helpful?

I really, really liked this book! It hooked me from the first chapter and kept me hooked the entire time!

Was this review helpful?

Another absolutely gripping read from Shalini.

Emily and Aidan are happily married and parents to their toddler son, Josh, with their second baby on their way. Whilst happy, they aren’t exactly well off money wise and things are brought to a head when Aidan reveals his deep secret to Emily. A secret that has got way out of hand. A secret that will have dark repercussions for all 3 of them….and others as well.
Dani, the wife of Aidan’s boss Marcus, came from nothing and is now living beyond her wildest dreams in a beautiful home with her loving husband. All is well, apart from the longing Dani has to start a family. And whilst she is desperate for a baby, Marcus doesn’t seem as keen as her and he is spending time with a new group of friends. Dani is fearful that Marcus is hiding something from her, and if so, what?

I read this book in a day, could not put it down. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review.

Was this review helpful?

Wow Shalini Boland knocks it out of the park again! This book captured me at the beginning and just did not let go. Non stop action with twists that left my eyes bulging. Perfect characters that added another layer of perfection.
Highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

Was this review helpful?

I love this authors books and as always put everything on one side when I have a new book of hers to read. This one was no exception and had me hooked from the very beginning and read it in practically one sitting. As usual this was a gripping psychological domestic drama with lots of twists and turns which keeps the reader guessing and on their toes.

Was this review helpful?

I'm so glad I discovered Shalini Boland and her books recently! This one is like the others I've read, easy to binge and quite a page turner. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs, and also an unknown POV of a bad guy that is uncovered towards the end. Just when you think you've figured it all out, Shalini does a great job of giving a final twist that leaves your jaw dropping!

Was this review helpful?