A slow paced but suspenseful psychological thriller. I read this in two days as I was gripped!

Following a bad car accident, Beth wakes up with retrograde amnesia. In her mind, it's 2019 and she's a single, 24 year old barista who lives in Australia with her family. However, its 2024 and Beth now lives in England with her husband - and is estranged from her family.

She cannot remember the past five years or the life she has built for herself - including her husband and her home. To help her regain her memory and recover, Beth heads home with Rob.

However, her instincts and flashes of memory say Rob isn't all that he seems. Is she paranoid and he's just trying to protect her? Merely uncomfortable living with a man she doesn't remember and therefore doesn't know? Or is her gut trying to tell her something? Does her body remember trauma that her mind doesn't?

Isolated and with no money, no phone and no memory, Beth sets out to find the truth.

This had me questioning which reality was true and I was intrigued until the end.

I will say, it felt like there was a fair bit of repetition (in sentiment) of internal dialogue which is very believe but made it a little slow paced.

Trigger warning at the end (although may indicate spoilers).

Also, if I never hear the nickname Pooky again - I'll be happy!

Thanks to NetGalley and BoldWood for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Trigger warning: This includes domestic violence and coercive control. I will say from my experience I thought it was accurately portrayed and well handled.

I loved this fantastic read from Alison Stockham, another great book where you're reeled in from the outset.

Beth wakes up in a hospital after an accident, barely knowing who she is, only to discover a man called Rob who is supposedly her husband by her bedside. With memory loss from head trauma she reluctantly goes home with Rob where she struggles to connect to him and her past life. She can remember nothing from her time in the UK, only knowing she travelled over from Australia. Unable to contact her parents and with Rob seemingly happy having her all to himself she finds herself with lots of questions, troubled by how unsettled she feels with this man who tells her she's his soulmate.

As Beth uncovers more truths about life before the accident she begins to realise her life might be in danger and Rob has spun her a web of lies.

Really great read that kept the pages turning and the suspense was absolutely addictive.

Trigger warning on this book: it’s a perfect example of coercive control and living with a narcissist. It’s one of those books that’s really good at tackling a hard subject, so much so that it makes you uncomfortable.

I really enjoyed this book! To me, it was reminiscent of the movie Enough which I've seen many times. As a twin, I found referring to the children in the book as "the twins" a bit annoying but that is literally just personal taste. Don't let that dissuade you from reading this book. I loved that it wasn't riddled with language and unnecessary spicy scenes. It was a good book with a clear story line and a wrapped up ending. What more can you ask for in a book? I would definitely recommend this book to friends and family.

3.5 stars.

This is the first book of Alison Stockham for me and I must say that it was well worth a read.

The book delves into physical and verbal domestic abuse and details how such trauma is ingrained in the victim. Beth meets with an accident and she suffers from retrograde amnesia however her instincts of the situation always keeps her on alert.

The story takes an interesting turn when Beth goes home with her husband. The passive aggressive behaviour, the gaslighting, the reticence of the woman is well detailed. At every turn, the FMC doubts herself whether she is imagining a particular situation or not.

I feel like the length of the book and too in depth description of the climax sort of took away from the plot. The book shows how a controlling obsessive person can change your entire personality without one realising it.

Overall a good read and I would definitely recommend.

I thank NetGalley and Boldwood books for this E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

WOW! What a page turner. I loved this book from start to finish and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good psychological thriller. I love how the author developed each character and kept me going back and forth in my thoughts of whether they were trustworthy or not. It was amazing hands down!

I started and finished this book in one day, it really was THAT good. I was intrigued from the first page and can honestly say the author kept my attention the entire way through. There were little twists turns, that had me second guessing every character involved and I couldn't put the book down until I was finished and had all the answers! It was an easy read, written well and easy to follow. Would reccommend for sure, 10 out of 10 for me!!

The Man She Married by Alison Stockham was a suspenseful read that put Beth in scary circumstances. She wakes up in the hospital after an awful car accident - she has a husband she can't remember nor the last five years of her life. The police and hospital staff assure her this man Rob is her husband, he loves her, he wants to take her home and take care of her, but she has no idea who he is.

Beth's recovery plunges her into scary circumstances, doubt, and fear - is she overreacting? Is Rob an ideal husband who she can't remember or was her life before the accident spiraling out of control? Very suspenseful reading and sometimes scary. Readers will be ready to help Beth dig into her memories and unlock the secrets that live in her home.

raced through this pacy thriller in two days and it was a wild ride. I had no idea where the author was taking me, but I knew I wanted to follow…..⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ok thank you net galley for the arc. this book has a plot that grip you from the start,this is about Beth and Rob. Beth was an a horriable car accident and lost her memory. when she wakes up she find its not 2019 it's 2024 and she not in Australia but in England.and that her husband Rob is waiting for her.but she has no recollection of the man claiming to be her husband. as you keep reading you try to figure out if Rob is the good guy or bad guy. the ending kinda fell flat for me but still a good read. first book by this author but want to read more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy of this novel.
I found the writing of the novel to be engaging and creative. The novel was a quick read and the storyline was interesting but I found the resolution to be more obvious than the author may have intended. With recent domestic violence news stories I think readers should have a content warning for this story.

Alison Stockham’s The Man She Married is a gripping and emotionally charged story that masterfully blends suspense, intrigue, and personal empowerment. From the first page to the last, this novel keeps readers hooked, delivering a narrative that is both realistic and deeply relatable.

The story’s strength lies in its protagonist—a wife who immediately senses that something is amiss in her marriage. Stockham expertly captures the internal conflict of self-doubt and determination as she second-guesses everything she thought she knew. This realism in her reaction adds authenticity to the story, allowing readers to empathize and imagine themselves in her shoes.

The writing is sharp and immersive, pulling readers into the protagonist’s perspective as she navigates uncertainty, mistrust, and the search for clarity. Stockham doesn’t just focus on the mystery; she also weaves in themes of self-discovery and empowerment. Watching the protagonist reclaim her sense of self amid the chaos is one of the most rewarding aspects of the novel.

The Man She Married is a testament to Alison Stockham’s talent for creating suspenseful and emotionally resonant stories. With its compelling plot, relatable characters, and empowering message, this is a book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Stockham is undoubtedly an author to follow, and this novel is a must-read for fans of domestic thrillers and stories of personal resilience.

I enjoyed The Man She Married. The story pulled me in with its gripping narrative and emotionally charged atmosphere. The book follows Beth, a woman who is recovering from a traumatic brain injury and trying to piece together her life and her relationship with her husband, Rob. As Beth begins to regain her memories, she starts to question not only her past but also the true nature of her marriage. What unfolds is a suspenseful and poignant exploration of love, trust, and the power of memory.

One of the aspects I found particularly intriguing was the way Beth’s memories were presented. At times, I found myself questioning whether her recollections were genuine or if they were altered by her imagination, which kept me deeply invested in her journey. The portrayal of Rob was maddening in the best way—Alison Stockham managed to capture his complexity so well that I found myself both drawn to and wary of him.

That said, I did feel like some of the supporting characters could have benefited from a bit more backstory. Their motivations and roles in the narrative were compelling, but I was left wanting more depth to truly understand their place in Beth’s life.

Overall, The Man She Married was a good read. I definitely think it’s worth the read!

What would you do if you woke up in the hospital with a strange man, Rob, next to you claiming to be your husband. Our leading lady, Beth, wakes up after a terrible car crash living a life she has no memory of. Missing five years of memories, Beth tries to piece her life back together with Rob's help but she can't shake the uneasy feeling she gets when he's around. What is he hiding? Is Beth safe? Can she figure it all out before its too late?

I kind of struggled through this book. The premise was so intriguing to me but I felt like there was no thrill in the book. This book likely could have been shorter and ended in the same way. For a thriller, it was pretty tame.

I will say, the ending was satisfying. I could not stand Rob as a character and felt like Beth got the ending that she deserved as well.

I just finished reading 'The Man She Married' by Alison Stockham, and wow, what a ride! I was completely hooked from the very beginning. Kate, the main character, seemed to have it all – the perfect husband, the perfect life. But as the story unfolded, I started to feel this creeping sense of unease. The author does an amazing job of building suspense. You're constantly questioning everyone's motives, and there are so many twists and turns that I honestly didn't see coming.

The characters are really well-developed, and I found myself constantly trying to figure out what was really going on. I stayed up way too late reading because I just couldn't put it down. If you love a good psychological thriller, I highly recommend this book. It's definitely one of those that will stay with you for a while

Beth wakes up in hospital after a car accident. She thinks she's in Australia but, no she's in Cambridge in the UK. She thinks she's single,but apparently she is married. In other words the past few years have been wiped from her memory...

That is the story, briefly. It will only be brief because I cannot continue with this awful book. How the heck did it ever get published with it's clunky writing, and cheesy dialogue!

I know the word “sorest” is the superlative of “sore”, but it just sounds so awful -
“.....where her skin felt taut and sorest”, or is is just me?

“Her dad was always telling her that she needed a “proper” job, rather than stull being at the place that she got part-time work at, while she finished up her photography course at college”

“She was just wondering how long it would be before her parents arrived, assuming that they'd now been told she was awake, when a taller, older doctor, who had the definite look of a military man about him, appeared at the side of her bed”

I'm breathless reading these long, convoluted sentences!

And yet another:

“The juxtaposition of his stiff upper lip way of moving jarred with this overly friendly position, and Beth crinkled her brow in confusion only to wince at the pain this caused”

I'm still at 4% of this download. Perhaps someone can untangle this...

“....wincing at the pain she felt all over her body, trying to work which muscles did not want to do as the were told” Huh? I've read this at least three times and just can't understand it.

I got to 6% and the end of Chapter 2 before I admitted defeat.

This is arguably one of the worst books – possibly even the worst – I have attempted to read this year.

I couldn't care less what happens to Beth or the man whi claims to be her husband. I don't care if the Military-style doctor ever relaxes his stuff upper lip, or if Sister Carmichael ever finds true love, or manages to make perfect Yorkshire puddings, or whatever it is she does when not trying to push Beth back into her bed. I just don't care.

#TheManSheMarried #NetGalley
A fun read.
The Man She Married is a psychological thriller that masterfully explores themes of memory, trust, and identity. It plunges the reader into the unsettling perspective of a woman who wakes up in a hospital bed, five years of her life erased from her memory. The novel’s premise is gripping: how do you navigate a life you can’t remember, and how do you know who to trust when even your mind feels unreliable?
The protagonist’s disorientation and vulnerability pull you in immediately. Her husband, Rob, seems devoted and patient, yet there’s an unsettling undercurrent to his behavior that keeps both the protagonist and the reader questioning his motives. Stockham creates a palpable sense of unease, weaving a narrative that makes you second-guess every interaction and piece of information. The tension is heightened by the protagonist’s growing doubts. The unfamiliarity of her home, the absence of friends and family, and Rob’s evasiveness all contribute to a feeling of isolation and paranoia. These elements are skillfully balanced, keeping the reader engaged as they piece together the truth alongside the protagonist.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me an advance copy.

After an accident Beth has no memory of the past 5 years. No memory of moving to London, Covid, getting married, or losing touch with her family. Her husband Rob, wants to help her recover but little things make Beth think her and Rob did not have the picture perfect marriage Rob says they did. We hear the story from Beth and experience everything as she finds new things or memories. Beth is not sure who to trust and I was not either. A book that kept me guessing until the last page.

A super twisty story that had me on the edge of my seat. A definite recommend

Thank you publisher and netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and isn't influenced by anyone else

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Man She Married’ written by Alison Stockham in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Beth is driving home on a dark night in the Fens when she suddenly brakes and two cars collide with her. When she regains consciousness in hospital she’s lost all memory of the last five years and thinks she’s in Australia. A man approaches her who says he’s her husband Rob and that she’s fallen out with her family but she doesn’t know why and she certainly doesn’t trust Rob.

I’m sure that other readers have enjoyed ‘The Man She Married’ but I’ve found it difficult to get involved with the characters or the story.. I didn’t like the way it was written with the very short sentences that I presume are meant to build up the tension but I just found hard to read, and I may be nitpicking but why did Rob continually call her Pook, Pookie or Babe? I found this beyond irritating. By the time I reached halfway I’d lost all desire to continue reading and no interest in how it was going to end. But this is purely my opinion and readers shouldn’t be put off from reading it.