Matcha & Motifs’ Rating 4/5 

A highly successful defense attorney learns that her husband has been accused of murdering his mistress. 

The storytelling is impeccable! I think this may be my favorite mystery of the year (2025). Maybe it’s a curse to proclaim it so, but this was truly an adventure. This book was captivating. It was fast-paced and engaging. The Perfect Marriage has a hands-on investigative plotline with Sarah, the defense attorney, being one of our narrators. It feels a bit like an episode of Psych or CSI; like an investigative crime show. This is my first procedural drama type book and I have been thoroughly enjoying it. 

The writing is detailed and clear. It adds to the mystique of the story without being too bland or overly flowery, especially for this genre. Per usual, I like the use of a dual narrative. In this book specifically, it adds so much to the story because it gives us an impression of both Sarah and Adam, as well as their thoughts and opinions of each other. We learn who they think they are and who they think their spouse is. When the narrators flip, I’m in a constant battle of whose perspective is misleading and wondering “what is the truth”?

This was the type of book I found myself thinking about all day. I was considering possibilities of plot twists, assessing each character and their significance, and predicting the ending.  

Characters 

I loved how each character was so well thought-out and easily describable. Sarah is very type A, someone who has clearly taken the time to perfect her craft. She has a tight circle of supporters and haters, which makes for such a paintable picture. Whereas, Adam feels unseen and emasculated in his marriage, but feels new love and appreciation elsewhere. His mind begins to deteriorate when no one believes him. The author explores just enough from their past to bring forth their traumas and possible explanations to their motives and actions. All of the characters in this book are relevant and play a role in the unraveling and reveal.

 A grappling, unpredictable read that makes me so excited to read its sequel, The Perfect Divorce, published this year (2025). 

Please read this book if you are a lover of mystery, this one won’t disappoint. 

***A portion of spoilers***

I am sheep. 

I was even played by Sarah. I had a slight inclination that maybe she could’ve done it, but it was not a real guess with tangible dots connecting together. It was more of a passing thought. But wow, talk about unreliable narrator and this whole time I thought it was Adam since he was so jumpy and… unreliable. 

Ah yes, the third set of DNA being Sheriff Stevens is insane. Like it’s believable but also, I really thought it would be Deputy Marcus since he was acting so shifty. Rose pointing us exactly where she wants us. 

I was wondering about the significance of Adam’s mother, Eleanor. Now I see that it’s to create this image of Adam’s helplessness and lack of accountability due to his upbringing. While simultaneously, casting our sympathy to Sarah who is a strong, independent woman, who is constantly degraded and disrespected by a misogynistic boy-mom. It’s another subtle point for trusting Sarah and disliking Adam but played off in a “ugh, mother-in-laws” way. 

Actually a note on mother-in-laws, when Sarah said, “Your son is a liar, a cheater, and possibly a murderer. Your coddling and over-the-top mothering has gotten Adam into this mess. The best thing you could do as a mother is to take note from mine and kill yourself.” Sheeshhhhh, what a protagonist. Even this moment (although probably hinting at the ruthlessness of Sarah’s character) felt like a point towards Sarah because she stood up for herself. 

Additionally, the dialogue was so natural! I hate when dialogues are overly slangy, but this felt like a timeless movie! Another part that felt like a movie was when the plot had these gradual build-ups that led to crazy climatic scenes, like when Adam escaped jail. This was the peak moment of when he lost his mind, his breaking point. The breaking point. Wow, what a ride.