Surviving Dirty John: My True Story of Love, Lies, and Murder by Debra Newell

I listened to the podcast, I saw the series and now I've read the book. If it wasn't for my addiction to True Crime podcasts I would have missed out on Debra's story of love, survival and heartbreak.

The book is much grittier and scarier than the portrayal in the TV series. Debra opens up her life story while others would have hid it potentially saving many other women from a similar or worse fate. 

John Meehan was a predator and he found his perfect prey. He did, what is typical of abusers. He isolated his prey, manipulated them and lied over and over again. John Meehan waved red flag after red flag but his master manipulation made it invisible. 

Debra's account will leave you frustrated until you realize that you can't and shouldn't victim blame. It's easier to look in from the outside and make judgments. She has a history of abuse making her the perfect target. 

The writing can be repetitive but it is a simple read especially if your a fan of the TV series. 

The Wife Between Us Greer Hendricks

Are you in need of a twist? An unreliable narrator? A book you can devour in hours? If so, this is the book for you!

This psychological thriller will have you turning the pages and making all the wrong assumptions. 

Vanessa is a divorced woman who is using alcohol in an attempt to heal herself. She's barely keeping it together and on the edge of being sacked from her job. 

Everyday is a struggle and when she finds out her ex-husband is getting married to the younger women he dumped her for she makes it her mission to make sure the marriage doesn't happen. 

The Hunting Wives by May Cobb

 Sophie and her husband Graham have left Chicago and returned to the small city in Texas that Shopie grew up in.  They have plans to relax, slow down and raise their son in a different lifestyle. 

Sophie quickly learns that the city she grew up in  has changed and is quite different from that of her childhood. She finds herself wanting to form a friendship with the "Queen" of the city Margot but once she enters the friendship circle she finds out that this friendship group hides under the facade of perfection. 

The friendship with Margot and the rest of the group comes at a cost and Sophie is on the road to losing everything unless she can uncover the truth. 

This is a witty read. It's like Mean Girls for adult women with some Heathers mixed in! This is a page turner with unlikable and unreliable characters! I wasn't sure if I was going to like it but I ended up loving it and I think you might too!