The Perfect Boyfriend may not be the worst novel I have ever read, but its author, S.E Lynes is definitely an author I never want to read again. Although the novel is titles The Perfect Boyfriend, it is not about any such thing. It's a sick tale of a woman who befriends someone she thinks is a peer at school until he cruelly abandons her. What follows in this long book are developments in her life, a marriage, a pregnancy. Author Lynes brings back the character who cruelly left and he involves himself in her life in new and even crueler ways. Lynes has done a good job of creating an evil, disgusting, unlikable character, which is fine, but she doesn't know when to stop. The story goes on and on with sick activities. When you think it has finally ended, Lynes starts it up again by telling us that the bad character was not whom she said it was and we are now in for even more sick stuff. That's when I gave up. Even when the story does finally end, Lynes keeps talking. I have never come across an author whom I want to avoid as much as S.E. Lynes.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Kirsty is pregnant and just about ready to pop. She’s in love with her partner, Dougie. And has a lovely friendship with her elderly neighbor Joan. She has only a few shifts left in her Labor and Delivery position before she goes on maternity leave. She’s walking through the hospital on one of these final shifts when she spots a face from the past. Her ex boyfriend from high school, Hughie, is working in the same hospital as an anesthesiologist. Only when she shouts his name he doesn’t react. She catches up with him only to be told she is mistaken, but she knows she isn’t. Things ended poorly between them all those years ago but it’s no reason to pretend he doesn’t know her.

This encounter is all Kirsty can think about until her elderly neighbor, Joan, goes missing. Everyone brushes it off and blames Kirsty’s hormones on her concern over Joan’s whereabouts. Kirsty also starts to uncover lies about Hughie’s troubled past which only exacerbates her anxiety. She starts receiving texts from Joan’s phone that she doesn’t believe Joan is writing. When a body is found in the sea, Kirsty fears the worst - is it Joan? What happened to her? Was Hughie involved?

The ending of this story is truly unpredictable. The last few chapters are twist after twist until the whole story is tied in knots.

I had high hopes for this book based on the tag line and description but it just didn’t do it for me. Kirsty’s self doubt was exhausting. Especially when she knew she should be following her gut. Her support system was also very disappointing. They were supposed to be likeable and Kirsty’s concerns about Joan were very valid but the way they doubted her made me dislike them. The first 3/4 of the story felt slow and repetitive. The last 1/4 was like whiplash - rushed twist after twist until I wasn’t sure what actually happened. It would’ve been more powerful to spread out some of the plot twists.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

My first book from this author and I going to read her other books! It's a real page-turner. Loved the unexpected twists and turns!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Perfect Boyfriend is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The dual POV, written in the first person, works exceptionally well in building both the characters and the suspenseful plot. The author has a real talent for creating believable, everyday people—none of the characters feel exaggerated or unrealistic, making their experiences all the more compelling.

The tension builds steadily, with twists and turns that kept me invested throughout. However, the only aspect that stretched credibility was the ease with which professional medical qualifications and experience were faked. This felt somewhat implausible and pulled me out of the story at times. That said, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.

A fast-paced, well-crafted thriller with strong characterisation—definitely worth a read!

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it didn't capture my interest the way S.E. Lynes' The Baby Shower did. It felt a bit drawn out and repetitive at times, with a slow-moving timeline that didn’t quite keep up the pace I was hoping for. The concept was interesting up until the ending, but I felt as if I had to suspend my disbelief too much, and it just didn’t land for me. There were moments that kept me curious, so I pushed through, but overall, it wasn’t my favorite of her work. That said, I loved the other book I read by S.E. Lynes, so I’ll definitely continue reading her future releases. I just wish this one had a bit more excitement and a bigger twist at the end.

I really enjoyed The Perfect Boyfriend by S.E. Lynes.

So many twists to keep you guessing though the whole books, even though deep down you know the answers. Or do you?

I think this story is well written and the characters well thought out.

However, to me, this book might be longer than it needs to be. But overall a good read.

I’ve read a few books by this author in the past, and have found her to be a good solid author.
This isn’t my favourite one I’ve got to be honest, but it’s still an excellent read. It’s a steady pace from start to finish, a bit repetitive at times, not as many twists as I’d have expected.
Still, a good addition to the authors catalogue of works.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

Rating: 3.8/4

The Perfect Boyfriend is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the unsettling truths hidden beneath seemingly ordinary relationships. This was my first book by S.E. Lynes, and I was captivated by her ability to build suspense and keep me engaged throughout.

Kirsty, a dedicated midwife, is leaving the hospital after a long shift when she notices a familiar face—Hughie Reynolds, her former high school sweetheart. Years ago, he vanished from her life without a word, but now, standing in front of her, he claims to have no idea who she is. As she tries to make sense of the situation, a series of eerie events unfold, drawing her into a mystery she never expected.

At first, it’s easy to question whether Kirsty’s exhaustion and pregnancy are making her imagine things. However, as the story unfolds through alternating perspectives, it becomes clear that there’s more to the situation than meets the eye. The uncertainty surrounding Hughie’s identity keeps the tension high, and when Kirsty’s elderly neighbour disappears, the puzzle deepens. The more she investigates, the more she unknowingly puts herself and her unborn child at risk.

I flew through this book in just a few hours—the fast-paced narrative and short chapters made it impossible to put down. S.E. Lynes masterfully kept me on edge until the final pages, and this definitely won’t be my last book by her. Though it took me a few chapters to fully connect with the story, once I did, I was completely hooked. I love books that make you need to keep reading late into the night, and this was one of them.

If you’re looking for a psychological thriller filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and a sense of unease that lingers long after the final chapter, The Perfect Boyfriend is a fantastic choice.

This was a rollercoaster of a psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns and shock moments. It has been a while since I have read a book by this author and this one reminded me of how this author has the ability to keep the reader on their toes and to expect the unexpected.

The blurb had me interested but I found this one a little dull and repetitive. It’s told from the point of view of Kristy and ‘Him’. It felt like it just went through the motions. It lacked twists and turns and the outcome was underwhelming. The storyline was extremely drawn out and felt a little far fetched. I didn’t really care for any of the characters. This one just didn’t work for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to read and review #ThePerfectBoyfriend

2.5 stars. DNF at 80%. The Perfect Boyfriend turned out to be disappointing after an intriguing premise. The plot felt predictable, far-fetched and repetitive and the characters had no depth, which made it increasingly difficult to stay engaged. Although I was curious about the outcome, finishing the book became more of a task than a pleasure. I enjoyed some of the author’s other books but this one wasn’t for me.

All of that changes one day, when she sees Hughie Reynolds at the hospital. He’s a new anesthesiologist there, but Kirsty has known him for a long time. They were friends, then dated for awhile when they were in school, but Hughie wanted to have sex and Kirsty wasn’t ready. After she declined his advances, he vanished, just leaving her with a cruel note telling her that he never loved her.

Eleven years later, when she sees him, Kirsty’s first reaction is to hide. Her shock gave her the courage to go up to him and say hello, but Hughie seems confused. He has an English accent, his name is Barry, and he has no idea who Kirsty is. She KNOWS it is him, but everyone ignores her as being hormonal, even when things start happening that don’t seem right


I love this kind of thriller that will make you think harder

The story started off strong and managed to hold my interest enough to make me want to keep reading. However, some elements felt too far-fetched, and there were many moments where the plot seemed implausible, especially with certain things being too obvious for Kirsty to overlook. I also found her supposedly loving partner to be unsupportive and often came across as gaslighting her throughout the story. Unfortunately, the ending fell flat and left me feeling underwhelmed.

The Perfect Boyfriend is definitely a book that messes with your head. Psychological Thriller is the perfect way to describe this. It’s my first book by S.E. Lynes and I was not disappointed. It has twists and turns that made you think and I have to admit that I did not see the very end coming! Fantastic twisted ending!! I highly recommend this one.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

This book was absolutely riveting from beginning to end.

Our heroine, Kirsty, is a midwife and also pregnant. When she sees an ex-boyfriend at the hospital where she works, she thought her eyes were deceiving her. He was her first love, but he had broken her heart the day he just disappeared from her life.

I was really invested in Kirsty, but OMG, my poor heart nearly gave out a couple of times when she put herself and her unborn baby at risk.

All the unexpected twists, the simmering dark secrets, the way the tension is built up and up, kept me turning the pages well into the night. And, even when I thought there could not possibly be any more surprises, this author managed to write the biggest twist of all!

It may only be January, but I know this will be still in my top five at the end of 2025.

S. E. Lynes, you deserve every accolade going for your superb storytelling.

S.E. Lynes’ “The Perfect Boyfriend” is a good psychological thriller dealing with obsession, memory, and the darker sides of seemingly perfect relationships. This gripping novel intertwines the perspectives of Kirsty and Hughie, creating a narrative filled with suspense and emotional intensity.

I always know what I am going to get when I read an SE Lynes novel, a fast paced psychological thriller, well plotted with interesting characters that is impossible to put down.

Kirsty is living a quiet life, looking forward to a peaceful evening when she encounters someone she thought she’d never see again, her high-school boyfriend who vanished without a trace years ago. The shock of seeing those pale blue eyes leaves her shaken. Yet, when she approaches him, he denies knowing her, leaving Kirsty with more questions than answers.

The story pivots between Kirsty’s desperate need for clarity and Hughie’s internal conflict. While Kirsty is certain he is lying and sets out to prove it, Hughie is equally unsettled. He knows Kirsty has recognized him, and it’s clear that their meeting was not part of his plans. Hughie’s return to their hometown is shrouded in secrecy, and the tension builds as his hidden motives slowly unravel.

“The Perfect Boyfriend” is a compelling psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. S.E. Lynes has crafted a story where past and present intertwine in a way that is both heart-wrenching and chilling. The novel’s twists and turns are expertly timed, making it a page-turner that will leave readers pondering the nature of relationships and the secrets we keep.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely adore this author and will read anything they have written or will write. New favorite! Will purchase for libraries.

The Perfect Boyfriend by S.E. Lynes and narrated by Tamsin Kennard was another superb book especially as I am a big fan of this author. Every book I have read or listened to have been excellent from start to finish and this one was No different. It was full of twists and turns throughout with brilliant characters and a great story line.

The narratorTamsin Kennard was excellent and I enjoyed listening to The Perfect Boyfriend especially as she used used different accents for every character, she made this audiobook come alive! Superb! she out did herself.

I highly recommend the audiobook, it was brilliant.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture audio/Bookouture for my ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I loved this book. It grabbed my attention from start to finish, and the ending was crazy and unexpected. It's a must-read.

SPOLIERS IN REVIEW 2.5 stars. This book was maddening. Kirsty is heavily pregnant and has very real concerns about her elderly friend. Her spouse acts like she is insane for being worried. She is totally gaslighted by her spouse the entire book. Why is it crazy to be concerned for an elderly friend!? The house was clearly in a state of complete disarray at one point and that’s not cause for concern? It seemed so unrealistic that Kirsty’s spouse would just make her feel and seem crazy for being concerned. Kirsty also bothered me a lot because for a lover of crime shows, she was unable to make a calm clear statement to the cops so they would take her seriously. She let other people’s doubts make her second guess herself and make her look unreliable.
I did really like getting the two points of view. It was interesting to have both sides of the story right away. I didn’t like how dragged out it was and really the only twists of the story was Dougie and Huey’s age. Everything else was pretty obvious. This just wasn’t the book for me.