Turbulent Obsession Leads to Elaborate Plan to Get Her Man

The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton

Juliette knows that she and Nate are meant to be together, and she will stop at nothing to make it happen. The Perfect Girlfriend (Graydon House), Karen Hamilton’s debut novel, takes you along on all the twists and turns of a turbulent obsession. As the story is told from Juliette’s view, the reader is able to see right into the inner workings of the mind of a woman who lacks remorse, is a pathological liar and is at the same time captivating and has a superficial charm. Juliette seems to lead a normal life to those on the outside. However, when Nate breaks up with her after only six months because the relationship is moving too fast, she continues to be convinced that they are destined to get married and be together forever – no matter what it takes to get there. Juliette hatches an elaborate plan to reunite them while following Nate’s every move through social media. She becomes a flight attendant for the same airline where he is a pilot so that she can keep a closer eye on him and further follow his schedule. She installs a tracking app on his phone, and even enters his apartment when she knows he is away. There is no length Juliette will not go to, and she is able to validate every move to herself because she truly believes that Nate is hers. Nate is oblivious while Juliette is working through her plans. He is under the impression that their relationship is finished, and he has started seeing other people. When he and Juliette run into each other at work, he naively believes her when she claims it is just a coincidence. Simultaneously, Nate is not Juliette’s only obsession. She also tracks Bella, a girl she was bullied by in school who now leads a glamorous life. She believes that Bella is living the life that she herself is supposed to have, and she is going to make it happen one way or another. As all of these storylines overlap, you find yourself engrossed by Juliette despite her sociopathic nature. She is both volatile and unforgettable, and you want to know everything that she is thinking and planning. Through the many twists and turns laid out, all players in The Perfect Girlfriend undergo monumental character development that is undeniably compelling. Through the writing, the reader is able to visualize Juliette following all her horrific plans and put themselves in the shoes of the characters in the novel. The Perfect Girlfriend is a fascinating psychological experience, and fans of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and Behind Closed Doors  by B.A. Paris will not be able to put this one down. In the words of Juliette: “Every moment that we are apart is a waste of time, because the outcome is obvious – we will be together.” The Perfect Girlfriend will be available March 26.