Being someone who has experienced (not to this extent) and investigated domestic abuse allegations, and knowing the psychology involved in returning to your abuser, this book was a hard read.

I found myself pleading, “don’t go back, don’t go back”, knowing she would until she could make the decision to finally walk away for good.

I give it ★ ★ ★ ★

From Amazon:

To the outside world, they seem to have it all. Cassie Barrett, a renowned anthropologist, and Alex Rivers, one of Hollywood’s hottest actors, met on the set of a motion picture in Africa. They shared childhood tales, toasted the future, and declared their love in a fairy-tale wedding. But when they return to California, something alters the picture of their perfect marriage. A frightening pattern is taking shape—a cycle of hurt, denial, and promises, thinly veiled by glamour. Torn between fear and something that resembles love, Cassie wrestles with questions she never dreamed she would face: How can she leave? Then again, how can she stay?

Incidentally, there is another book with the same name, Picture Perfect: The Jodi Arias Story. Although I haven’t read this book, I know this story from having seen several documentaries about the heinous murder of Travis Alexander by Jodi Arias in 2008. I’m sure it would be a good read too, if you like true crime.