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If you frequent BookTok or watch bestseller lists, you have likely seen the neon-bright cover of The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose. (Hannah, 2025) It promises scandal, betrayal, and fast-paced drama that keeps you turning pages past your bedtime. But does it deliver on suspense?
The domestic thriller genre is crowded with stories about crumbling relationships and secrets behind closed doors. (Domestic Psychological Thrillers, 2023) To stand out, a book needs an instant hook and twists you don't see coming. Jeneva Rose tries to do this by introducing a nightmare scenario: a top defense attorney forced to defend her husband, who is accused of murdering his mistress.
This premise is enough to pique any mystery lover's interest. It raises questions about duty, love, and self-preservation. However, a great concept is only half the battle. In this review, we break down the characters, pacing, and shocks that define The Perfect Marriage to help you decide if it deserves a spot on your TBR shelf.
The Premise: A Nightmare Scenario
The story centers on Sarah Morgan, a successful defense attorney who has spent years climbing the career ladder. On the surface, she has it all, but her home life tells a different story. Her husband, Adam Morgan, is a struggling author who relies on Sarah’s income.t—and excitement—in the arms of Kelly Summers. What starts as a fling at the couple's vacation Home turns into a catastrophe when Kelly is found stabbed to death in the bed Adam had just left. Adam is arrested for her murder, and in a move that blurs every ethical line imaginable, Sarah decides to take on his case.
The narrative hook is undeniably unique. It isn’t just a whodunit; it’s a psychological exploration of a wife fighting to save the man who betrayed her, all while wondering if he actually committed the crime.
Unpacking the Characters
The strength of a domestic thriller often relies on how compelling or untrustworthy the characters are. Rose fills this novel with figures who are difficult to like but easy to watch.
Sarah Morgan
Sarah is the driving force of the novel. She is depicted as bossy, career-oriented, and incredibly sharp. However, her decision to represent her husband immediately calls her judgment into question. While technically legal, representing a spouse in a murder trial involving their lover is a professional minefield. (Buried Bodies Case, n.d.) This choice sets the stage for the reader to question Sarah's reliability. Is she a devoted wife, or is there something else driving her need to control the case?
Adam Morgan
Adam is the character you love to hate. He is portrayed as a slacker who resents his wife’s success and uses it to justify his infidelity. His narrative is filled with excuses, and he often blames Sarah for his own poor decisions. With an enabling mother and a history of taking the easy way out, it is difficult for the reader and his wife to trust his claims of innocence.
The Victims and Bystanders
The supporting cast adds layers to the mystery. Kelly Summers is more than a victim; as the investigation unfolds, secrets in her past reveal she may have been a target for reasons unrelated to Adam. Anne, Sarah’s loyal assistant, helps peel back the layers of deceit surrounding the crime.
Pacing and Predictability
One standout feature of The Perfect Marriage is its pacing. The book is a roller coaster that rarely slows down after the initial crime is discovered. (The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose: My Biggest Issues with This Thriller, 2024) Alternating perspectives between Sarah and Adam keep the momentum high, letting the reader see the investigation from both the legal and accused sides.
For seasoned thriller readers, predictability is a mixed bag. The dynamic between Sarah and Adam is full of manipulation, and some plot points in their toxic relationship feel inevitable. Adam’s flaws make his actions foreseeable. However, the book hides its biggest secrets well. While you might guess some minor twists, the ultimate resolution is meant to catch you off guard.
The writing style is accessible and quick, though some scenes may feel like filler rather than driving the plot. Despite these minor lulls, the narrative succeeds in distracting you with red herrings, making you question if you really know these characters.
Spoiler Discussion: The Ending Explained
Warning: This section contains major spoilers for the ending of The Perfect Marriage. If you have not read the book and want to be surprised, please skip to the verdict below.
The conclusion of the novel completely flips the script on who the true villain is. Throughout the book, you are led to wonder if Adam is a murderer or just a fool. The twist reveals that Adam is indeed being framed—but the architect of his downfall is closer than he realized.
It turns out Sarah was not the stoic, betrayed wife she appeared to be. She was also having an affair with Bill, a partner at her law firm. But the connections run deeper. Bill had a personal vendetta against Kelly (whose real identity was concealed). Kelly had previously killed Bill’s brother and managed to evade justice by seducing a police officer to cover it up.
In a dark alignment of goals, Bill murdered Kelly for revenge, and Sarah used her legal prowess to ensure Adam took the fall. By defending him, she wasn't trying to save him; she was steering the case toward a conviction to remove him from her life permanently. It’s a cold, calculated ending that recontextualizes Sarah’s entire perspective, revealing her to be a mastermind of manipulation.
The Verdict
The Perfect Marriage earns its popularity through a high-concept premise and relentless pace. (US-Best-Sellers-Books-PW, 2025) While it requires some suspension of disbelief, especially regarding courtroom ethics, it succeeds as entertaining escapism.
We give this book an 8/10. It is a solid recommendation for readers who enjoy:
- Unreliable narrators
- Legal dramas mixed with domestic suspense
- Fast-paced storytelling
- Characters with questionable morals
If you are looking for a book where you can root for the "good guy," this might not be for you. But if you want a scandalous, messy, and engaging thriller that explores how little husbands and wives truly know about one another, Jeneva Rose delivers a story that is hard to put down.