Power. Passion. Murder.
On the surface, Lyla and Jack Peterson are the golden couple. He, the respected Virginia Beach Sheriff, and she, the formidable District Attorney. But behind closed doors, their marriage is built on dangerous secrets.
When Lyla’s lover, a charismatic defense attorney, turns up dead, suspicion slams down on her. She was the last to see him alive, and every shred of evidence points her way. Then, a darker secret erupts: the body of her stepfather resurfaces after fifteen years, threatening to destroy what’s left of her world.
As Detective Aiden Blackwood untangles a web of betrayal and buried grudges, Lyla and Jack are forced into a deadly game to prove her innocence. Every ally could be an enemy. Every lie could be a weapon. And the deeper they dig, the more one truth becomes terrifyingly clear— Someone is setting her up… and they won’t stop until she’s behind bars for good.
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I first discovered Shelly M. Patel’s writing with her previous novel, A Broken Reflection. It was such a unique and captivating story that I couldn’t help but give it a glowing review. To my delight, Patel herself reached out afterward and asked if I’d be interested in reading her next book. I jumped at the chance — though I’ll admit, I went into The Perfect One a little nervous. Could it live up to my first experience? Would it deliver that same kind of suspense and originality? I shouldn’t have worried. The Perfect One was every bit as gripping as I hoped it would be.
From the very first chapter, The Perfect One held my attention and built suspense that carried all the way through. The story unfolds from multiple perspectives, with nearly every chapter switching to a different character’s point of view. I loved this structure because it gave me a front-row seat to the mystery as it developed — walking alongside each character, seeing the same events from different angles, and never quite knowing who was telling the full truth.
This narrative style added an element of distrust. Nobody would admit to playing a part in the murder at the center of the story, so as a reader I constantly questioned: Is one of these characters lying? Am I being misled? Can I trust this version of events? Patel keeps you guessing, and just when I thought I had it figured out, there was a shocking twist that made me gasp out loud. It was a satisfying, jaw-dropping reveal — the kind of twist that makes you appreciate the careful layering of detail that came before it.
What impressed me most about the characters was how real they felt. A few didn’t get as much focus, but the central ones were developed in a way that made me care deeply about them. Even when I disagreed with their decisions, I still found myself sympathizing with their pain, their doubts, and their struggles.
The relationships, in particular, felt incredibly believable. They were messy, tumultuous, and often put the characters in impossible situations. More than once, someone was torn between doing what was best for themselves or standing by a person who had hurt or betrayed them. That moral conflict fascinated me — because it raises the question: What would I do? If someone I loved made a mistake or did something questionable, would I abandon them, or would I stand by their side anyway? Patel captures that tension beautifully, making the characters feel flawed yet profoundly human.
At its heart, The Perfect One explores themes of truth, loyalty, betrayal, and the messy complexities of human relationships. It asks hard questions about trust: who deserves it, how easily it can be broken, and whether it can ever be repaired. These themes resonated with me because they aren’t just plot devices — they mirror the choices and conflicts people face in real life.
Patel delivered another twisty, compelling story that lived up to my high expectations after A Broken Reflection. In fact, I don’t think I could choose between the two — both novels were strong, unique, and deeply enjoyable in their own ways.
The Perfect One is a book I would absolutely recommend to anyone who loves character-driven suspense, shifting perspectives, and mysteries that keep you second-guessing until the very end.
Author Bio:
Shelly M. Patel enjoys writing mystery books. Her first Children’s book, Jake has Dyslexia, entered the Reader’s Choice award in 2021. In 2023, she won second place in CloutBooks for the Reader’s Choice Award for her novel When Secrets Kill. She lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, three beautiful children, and their dog, Teddy.
Catch Up With Shelly M. Patel:
BooksByShelly.com
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BookBub – @shellymauthor
Instagram – @shellympatel
Facebook – @ShellyPatelauthor
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