Book Review: The Stranger in My Bed, by Karen King

The Stranger in My Bed, 

by Karen King

Publication: Bookouture; November 23, 2020

About:

When Freya first met Phil, she thought he was the man of her dreams. He bought her roses every week, booked surprise trips to sun-soaked destinations, and showed her affection like she’d never experienced before. But over time the dream had become a violent nightmare. And now Freya is packing her bags, knowing it’s time she escaped their increasingly broken marriage.

But then Freya gets a visit from the police. Phil’s been in a horrific car crash and – as he comes around – it becomes clear that he remembers nothing since their blissful honeymoon two years before, back when their relationship was perfect. All he wants is to be happily married again.

Freya knows giving him another chance could be dangerous. But now he’s the one who needs her, it’s a chance to turn the tables, and to change the outcome of their relationship once and for all. After all, he will only know what she chooses to tell him…

But what really happened during those two years of marriage? And as they start over again, who is safe? And whose life is in danger?

**My Review**

Imagine you have an overall unhappy marriage and you are planning to leave your husband. Then the husband is in a car accident and has forgotten the past two years when things became abusive and violent. Do you give him another chance and hope he stays the sweet, loving man he was in the beginning? No! You do not! But, Freya does.

This novel is told primarily from Freya’s POV but also includes chapters told from Phil and Daisy’s (Freya’s sister) POV. An unknown narrator sneaks in between chapters giving italicized accounts regarding Phil’s history, which is as unreliable as all of the other narrators in the novel. I quickly realized that no one in the book is trustworthy and everyone puts their own spin on things, except for maybe Phil directly after the accident. The last thing he remembers is returning from their honeymoon, so he does seem quite sincere for a while. 

This is an entertaining novel that I read in just a few hours. I enjoyed it, however, what you read in the blurb is basically what you get. With the exception of one main point, the book reads just like the blurb with few surprises. But even that one main surprise comes along so early that everything after that falls sort of flat. I will say that I was surprised about another player as far as “whodunnit,” but otherwise, this was very predictable. I don’t mean that I didn’t like it, but don’t expect a big “aha” moment.

For those looking for a quick and enjoyable read that enjoy psychological fiction, The Stranger in My Bed Could be just right for you. If you are craving a suspense/thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat, then this isn’t the right book for you. 

*Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

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