The New Husband by D.J. Palmer
The New Husband
Author: D.J. Palmer
Published: April 14, 2020
384 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: May 19-27, 2020
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
What makes Simon Fitch so perfect?
-He knows all her favorite foods, music, and movies.
-Her son adores him. He was there when she needed him most.
-He anticipates her every need.
-He would never betray her like her first husband.
The perfect husband. He checks all the boxes.
The question is, why?
Nina Garrity learned the hard way that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But with Glen gone―presumably drowned while fishing on his boat―she couldn’t confront him about the affair or find closure to the life he blew apart.
Now, a year and a half later, Nina has found love again and hopes she can put her shattered world back together. Simon, a widower still grieving the death of his first wife, thinks he has found his dream girl in Nina, and his charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina’s teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, while her friends see a different side to him, and they aren’t afraid to use the word obsession.
Nina works hard to bridge the divide that’s come between her daughter and Simon. She wants so badly to believe her life is finally getting back on track, but she’ll soon discover that the greatest danger to herself and her children are the lies people tell themselves.
Jessica’s Review:
Wow, oh wow! This is D.J. Palmer’s second novel and I will be reading his first as soon as I can! I want to compare between his first and second novels: Sometimes the second novel falls under a ‘curse’ of not being as good and failing to meet high expectations that come from a best-selling first novel.
Nina’s husband Glen disappeared unexpectedly and after the fact she learns things she never ever expected: He wasn’t the man she thought he was. Fast forward not quite two years and Glen is still gone and presumed dead Nina has met someone else: Simon Finch and he is perfect. He is also recovering from the loss of his first wife, and Nina’s son Connor accepts Simon. But Nina’s friends and daughter Maggie don’t accept him. To them, something just isn’t right about him….
Nina and Maggie are our two narrators and the chapters alternate between the two of them. We see both sides of the opinions of Simon. At first, I was thinking Simon wasn’t so bad and that the ‘problem’ was Maggie’s attitude. Which I 100% understand: She is a teenager and misses her dad. She had no closure with his disappearance and mom ‘moved on’ too quickly for Maggie’s liking. SO… for a while I was on ‘Simon’s side’ until the novel progressed some and then my opinion changed! How did I not see what was coming!! OMG, it made me wonder if I would I have fallen under Simon’s trap like Nina did?
**Suggestion: ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOUR FRIENDS!**
This was a novel that never let go of my attention and kept me wondering what was going to ultimately happen. I did not see the big twist coming but looking back I should have! WOW, this really was a good one and I can’t wait to see what else D.J. Palmer has up his sleeve!
If you enjoy thrillers this will be one for you!
**Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for granting me a copy to read and review**
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK