"The Perfect Husband" is one of those quick-read how-to-get-out-of-an-abusive-relationship books, reminiscent of "Behind Closed Doors." As Laura realizes the truth about her marriage and husband, she knows she must take drastic measures to secure her safety and that of her unborn child. Recommended for those who enjoy about retribution toward a nightmare husband, you will enjoy this. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

An edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller by the awesome author Iain Maitland. His ability to write a story that draws you in and not let you go until the final page is brilliant. An extraordinary story, expertly crafted, combined with the psychological aspects lead to a spectacular finale. More than worthy of five stars.

I didn’t enjoy this book from the start. It took me a while. But enjoy it I most definitely did.
When I tell you I devoured it, I’m not kidding. I leapt through the pages like some sort of a deranged squirrel, wanting to know what happens to poor Laura and her baby next.

First things first though, some notes to the official book description:

1) Laura didn’t marry a total stranger. ‘Cause they’re not married. Rob’s not her husband. He’s just an abusive dickhead who took advantage of her trusting nature and invaded her life.
2) Robert’s mask didn’t slip the moment Laura fell pregnant. He’d been a controlling, disgusting and abusive dickhead all along, except for a brief honeymoon period when he was “wooing” her. Laura falling pregnant was merely what persuaded the poor woman to “give him another change” because “fatherhood might change him”. Which, I hear, is kind of the norm for people in abusive relationships.

I'm not sure why the book description claims these things, they are not accurate, and they sound kind of cliche?

Now, onto my thoughts and feelings about the book:

Just like with the story, I didn’t fall in love with Laura Curtis at first sight. In fact, I found her too much of a pitiful wet-blanket. I thought the author was writing a pathetic, too-precious-for-this-world, battered-woman poster child. But then Part I ended, I found just “how far Laura is willing to go to protect her baby” and I was invested.

Laura is not the most dynamic of protagonists, she’s not the sort to go running through a meadow, belting out “there must be more than this provincial life”. She wants this provincial life. She’s a kind woman who yearns for love, affection and a happy family life. She seeks to recreate the simple family harmony that she grew up with and that was lost to her once her parents passed away. And just when she thought any chance of that has long since passed her by, Robert appears.

And he’s just what a man of Laura's dreams should be.

Until he isn’t and by that time, Laura is too bewildered, ashamed and afraid that she doesn’t know how to extricate herself from the relationship. And then she finds out she’s pregnant.

I suspect that most people will guess just how far Laura is willing to go to protect her baby.

All of this is pretty textbook, isn’t it.

And that’s just what’s so absolutely terrifying. Because it is textbook, it could easily happen to you or me. As much as we’d all like to scoff at Laura in the first part because she’s too much this or not enough that, in our deepest heart of hearts, we can see ourselves in her. That's what makes the book work.

The panic, the anxiety, the delusions, that deep bone-shaking fear. You’ll experience all that vicariously and more. Guaranteed. This is a psychological thriller and it does exactly what’s on the box.

Great read, I was pleasantly surprised at how fast paced it iwas. I ended up staying up most of the night of finish it. This is a fast, easy, read, that is very intense. Anyone looking for something new to read, this is the book for them.

Laura thought Robert was too good to be true, she got it right.
A small town barbecue in summer’s dying days. There gentle bookish Laura meets a man who makes her laugh, hangs on her every word.
He’s the one isn’t he?
But once Laura falls pregnant, Robert mask slips. She can never quite keep him happy. He is cold and judgmental with a temper that can flare up at any moment. He goes out for hours and won’t tell her where he’s been, he even locks her own door against her.
Laura realises she has married a total stranger, a man governed by dark impulses and darker secrets who seems determined to gain control of every part of her life. Who is this man she’s living with and what terrible things has he done?
As Laura slowly discovers the truth about Robert, she begins to realise that she and her unborn child are in terrible danger. And finally she understands she will have to answer one terrifying question how far am I willing to go to protect my baby?
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Inkubator Books
I just reviewed The Perfect Husband by Iain Maitland. #ThePerfectHusband #NetGalley

As a previous reviewer has said the death of cat is a no no,I cant stand reading about it and wish authors didn’t include this and other animal abuse/death but that aside this is a chilling,dark and at times terrifying book
The way his mask drops almost immediately stops you in your tracks,he is one evil man
A well written psychological thriller

A fantastic thriller which will keep you flipping through those pages as fast as you can to see what happens. Loved the twist at the end, which made it more credible. Well written with excellent dialogue and wonderful character development. I highly recommend this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the eARC.
I don't quite know how to review this book. It was at once impossible to put down, but also quite disturbing. I felt terribly sorry for Laura and also worried about the baby. Her partner, Robert, is a monster and I kept waiting for her to kick him out of her house instead of keeping her outside cool, while terrified inside waiting for his reactions. I don't want to give away the ending, but can only say I was surprised.
The writing is beautiful, you feel you're in Laura's shoes and you're freaking out! But it was a tough read for me, therefore the 3 stars rather than 5.

The Perfect Husband by Iain Maitland is a fast-paced read that kept me turning the pages. This is a new to me author, and I will be adding his work to my TBR imminently.

Laura is a shy and unassuming nursery teacher who continues to grieve the loss of her beloved parents. Believing that she is destined to spend her life alone, an introduction to the charming Robert comes as a happy surprise, and the two are soon living together in the house that Laura purchased with her inheritance. But Robert's perfect mask almost immediately begins to slip, and Laura has serious doubts about this stranger she has invited into her life. When she becomes pregnant, Robert's abusive behaviour begins to escalate, and Laura knows that she must do whatever it takes to protect not only herself, but the life of her unborn child.

This one ticked all of the boxes for me. The mounting tension between Robert and Laura is almost tangible, and I was fully invested in the latter's plight from the very start.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for an ARC.