White is a master of suspense and this is no exception. The storyline keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last chapter.
4.5 Stars

3 1/2 stars, a better than average thriller, & I actually didn't know who the murderer was. This was the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last. I very much enjoy her writing style and how she handles suspense.

I loved that everyone in this book was a suspect and I had no clue where it was going and kept me guessing until the very end. Check this one out if you enjoy locked room domestic thrillers.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Harper Paperbacks for providing a digital copy of this book.

Summer is looking forward to a break from the city with her husband Gabe and step son Henry as they go to Gabe’s parents estate out in the country for their annual vacation. However this year, Gabe’s younger brother Nick brings along his new girlfriend Hannah who Summer instantly recognizes from past theater work. Hannah oddly denies ever having met her when Summer knows for fact this is a lie. Rattled, Summer is forced to hide her suspicions once Nick reveals to the family that he has proposed to Hannah and she said yes. Summer can’t shake the feeling of something being off with her brother-in-law’s new Fiancée when suddenly a family member is found dead and Summer’s suspicions of Hannah rise to a whole new level once she realizes she may be capable of murder.

This was definitely a slow burn thriller that was a little too slow for me. However, the twist was very good, I did not see it coming and did come as a shock which is always a plus for me. The twist in this one again came near the very end and I wish their was more emphasis on it since it was a little out of left field. I love a good family drama, and this was just that, the author also does a good job of making you suspect everyone which did throw me off in trying to figure out who the murderer is. I also wasn’t really a fan of any of the characters in this story, especially Summer. This was an interesting thriller with a good twist it just hit a little too late into the story for me.

This was a fun, twisty, fast-paced thriller. Summer, an actress, is looking forward to her annual vacation with her husband's Martha Stewart Living/Kennedy-esque family at their fancy compound. Gourmet meals, long walks, a badminton tournament, and lounging by the pool... it's all perfect until someone unexpectedly dies and Summer suspects her new soon-to-be sister-in-law has something to do with it. Summer was a great character -- and she wasn't stupid, which was a pleasant change from many thriller protagonists. The final twist was a little goofy, but whatever. This book was entertaining and is a perfect beach read.

This book was a page turner! It took me in from the beginning to the very (totally unexpected) end.

Well written - great character development (except I didn't like Gabe through much of it).

One of those families we all wish we could have - till you glimpse the imperfections.

Totally recommend to any mystery reader.

Summer has joined the perfect family. All members get together annually at her i -laws, for a perfect weekend.. but this year, family member brings his latest fling, an actress that Summer has met before and everything rings wrong this year. Summer thinksthat Hannah is a bad person and goes out of her way to be suspicious of her. And nowto add to the drama, Claire, her mother-in-law has died a suspicious death. In trying to prove Hannah commited the crime, Summer is over her head. When a second deathoccours, things really get frightening. Is the murderer really Hannah or an outsider? Follow the clues with Summer to see if you can solve thiss psychological thriller.

I enjoyed the book and reading about the secrets and the mystery that surrounded this seemingly perfect family. I felt the ending was somewhat of a let down but couldn’t think of a better one. So i’d give it a solid thumbs up summer read.

Summer’s life changed when she met and married Gabe Keaton. He had been recently divorced and trying to figure out how to be a good coparent to his toddler son Henry. They met at a wine bar, and then when he showed up at a small play she had mentioned she was in, she knew he was a keeper. But it’s not just Gabe and Henry that she fell for. Summer fell in love with the whole family.

Every summer. the whole family gets together for a week at Gabe’s parents estate. Claire and Ash have done everything they can to create a beautiful and welcoming home. The main house has a number of guest rooms and a pool out back, but there is also the carriage house that they recently renovated and a small cottage. Summer and Gabe are staying at the cottage for the week, but Henry, now almost 10, asked to stay in the main house with his grandparents and their two dogs.

Gabe’s brothers Marcus and Blake and their wives are coming for the week, as well as his brother Nick and his new girlfriend. Summer is looking forward to spending time with her sisters-in-law again, Wendy and Keira, but as soon as she meets Nick’s new girlfriend, Summer realizes that she knows her. Hannah, also an actor, did a small off-Broadway showcase that Summer was in several years ago. But when Summer asks her about it, Hannah says she’d never done a showcase. But she does talk about the pilot she’d just been shooting with Netflix.

Summer can’t understand why Hannah would lie to her like that, but she tries to shrug it off and enjoy the time with her family. She’d always been close to Claire, and Summer is so happy to have some time with her to catch up. But then there’s more drama.

Summer finds out that Gabe and Marcus are having some challenges in their wine business, and Gabe hadn’t mentioned it. She watches as Hannah tries everything she can to become fast friends with everyone in the family. Then Nick and Hannah disrupt a family dinner to announce their engagement, despite being together only a couple of months. Summer is concerned, but then Claire tells her that she’s got Hannah’s number. But when Claire has a massive heart attack, Summer doesn’t know what to think.

She’d heard Claire giving Hannah a tour of the gardens, pointing out the foxglove and explaining that it’s poisonous. It’s not possible that Hannah poisoned Claire, is it? When Summer tries to talk to Gabe about her suspicions, he won’t listen. He thinks that Summer is envious of Hannah for the Netflix series and connecting dots that aren’t there.

But then Summer finds Hannah’s body, at the far edge of the estate, and she’s certain that there is a killer around. But will her snooping target her as the next victim?

Kate White’s latest is a domestic thriller that will make you question everyone in your family to figure out all their secrets. The Fiancée is a taut mystery of the family ties that bind us together and tear us apart. These are the relationships that make us and break us, and it can be the hardest to see the dark truths in those who share our holidays, our vacations, and our homes.

I had a hard time setting The Fiancée aside, drawn in by the characters, the lies, the secrets, and the need for all the answers. It’s beautifully written, and the setting of this gorgeous estate makes for a lovely place that I would love to visit any time of year. I was guessing until the end, trying to see how it would all come together. If you’re planning on reading this one on the beach or by the pool, use lots of sunscreen, because you won’t be coming up for air for a long time once you start it!

Egalleys for The Fiancée were provided by Harper Paperbacks through NetGalley and the Olive Influencers program, with many thanks.

This domestic thriller is about a woman who suspects that her future sister-in-law is hiding something--so when a family member turns up dead, she sets out to prove she is also a killer. Overall, a solid read with lots of twists and turns.

Family drama at it's pinnacle! A family vacation that sees love and murder. You can always depend on Kate White to deliver a stupendous story that you won't soon forget. Well written, flows easily, characters well developed........everything you want to see in an excellent book.

I received an ebook ARC from Netgalley and this is my voluntary, honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for gifting me a digital copy of the latest domestic thriller by Kate White - 4.5 stars!

A perfect family vacation is planned for Summer, her husband Gabe, and stepson at her in-law’s estate. But a newcomer to the closely-knit family threatens all their relationships and possibly their lives. Gabe’s brother brings a new girlfriend - Summer instantly recognizes her but Hannah denies ever knowing her. That’s just the first of many issues - unfortunately, Gabe doesn’t believe Summer and feels she’s acting jealous. Then someone dies.

This was a fast-paced thriller that kept you guessing until the end, with lots of mysterious happenings and characters. I’m a big fan of Kate White’s writing - her descriptions of this idyllic Pennsylvania estate were the perfect backdrop to this mystery.

I've not read a book by Kate White before and really enjoyed this one. I will read more now.

This book has a lot going on. A whole lot of characters. A family full of secrets. I liked some of the characters and some were just a bit hard to like. The main character, Summer, was one that I really didn't much like. Though she is the main one, the one telling this story, she was just not someone I could connect with. I found her to be a bit judgmental and somewhat jealous of her brother in laws fiancee.. I thought she should have given her a break. Hannah, the fiancee, was new to this family. Though they were both in the same business it just seemed to me that Summer judged Hannah and decided she was not good enough for this family without any real cause. Sure Hannah told a small lie but big whoop. Who could blame her. That is just my thoughts.

There are a couple of things going on here. A couple of murders and an attempted murder. Of course Summer thinks it's Hannah. Personally I never thought it was her. But also I never guessed who it was either. So that made this a great book. I usually figure out who did it.

This book is very well written and most of the characters are great. Though I didn't connect with any of them, maybe Henry, they were still likable. A bit privileged and snooty in a few ways. They were a family and seemed to come together when they needed too. Except when Summer tried to tell her own husband, Gabe, her suspicions. I would be upset if mine didn't believe me and of course she was too. But again I thought she was a bit petty. There was just something about her that I didn't like. I did appreciate that she was good and kind to her stepson, Henry. Her mother in law seemed to think she was very special.

This was an overall very good book. Well written. Great plot. Great summing up of events. I liked how it ended also. I felt bad for one of the women's husband. If you read it you will understand who and why.

Thank you to #netgalley, #katewhite, #harperperennials for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

4/5 stars. I recommend it for anyone that loves a good thriller.

This is a fun mystery with a big family full of secrets. I wanted a little more from the ending, but overall it was a good book! I enjoyed @katewhite_author’s writing style and I am really looking forward to reading more of her books in the future!

I really liked this one. It was a rollercoaster and though it felt like all of the thrillers I love, this one really stood out. The character development was great and you got just enough back story without feeling like you're being fed useless information.

Kate White always gets me, and this book is no different.

I love books where there's a group of people in a vacation area or away from their regular homes, and then the drama begins. This is no different. Summer and her family are at her husband's parent's summer home to spend a fun-filled week with their nearest and dearest. It's meant to be a way to reconnect, but when someone dies, Summer can't help but suspect her brother-in-law's new fiancée, Hannah. Summer has already caught Hannah in some lies, so why not assume she can be a murderer as well?

I loved the flow of this book. It starts off happy, and I couldn't help but want to be part of the family. As summer starts to suspect Hannah, I couldn't help but suspect her too, but I knew that there had to be more to it than both Summer and I could see. This book is an easy read and kept my attention till the very end. And although I felt the ending was a bit rushed, I really enjoyed this book. 

This is the perfect read if you're stuck at the DMV for awhile or on an airplane. It'll keep your attention until the very end.

3.5, rounded up. There are enough suspects, red herrings, and twists that the actual perpetrator was a bit of a surprise to me; the plot kept me on my toes. The characterization and family dynamics are intriguing but could use more depth, but if you're looking for something mildly entertaining to read and are a fan of thrillers, give this one a try.

It's the week that this family looks forward to every year. A time when all the brothers and their wives/significant others get together for a week of good times, laughter and good food. Summer is married to Gabe, and Gabe has a son Henry, who is 9 years old. Summer loves being a stepmom to Henry, and she loves Gabe's family. She especially gets along well with her mother in law, Claire.

Nick, the brother who isn't married, brings his current girlfriend, Hannah. Though it turns out that Hannah once dated Marcus, Nicks brother. Hannah also has another strike against her, she denies ever meeting Summer. Though Summer vividly remembers being in a play/workshop with her.

During the week together someone dies, and Summer thinks it is foul play, but she can't get anyone to believe her. But when someone else is found dead, Summer is convinced that Hannah is the guilty one, but no one believes her.

This book moves fast and is a great read! Lots of twists and turns and the right amount of characters to keep you guessing. 4⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Perennial and Kate White for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book could have been so much better. Characters were all surface no substance and remained undeveloped. The relationship between the main character and her husband was such that he was skeptical of everything she said. Frustrating read

I really enjoyed this book. The author used the setting, the plot, and the characters to create a feeling of tense and slightly eerie suspense that permeated the book.
Summer is very exciting about accompanying her husband and young step-son to her in-laws' idyllic rural and extensive property for their annual family vacation. Amazing meals and cozy accommodations, all over-seen by the family matriarch, Claire, create an atmosphere of relaxation at its best. Claire is also looking forward to spending time with her extended family, until one of her brother-in-laws brings his new girlfriend, Hannah. Summer is immediately suspicious of Hannah after she catches her in a lie. Hannah's strange behavior--apparently only obvious to Summer--only increases and Summer cannot shake the feeling that Hannah is not at all what she seems. When someone ends up dead, Summer knows Hannah must be involved somehow, and tries to find a way to root out exactly what Hannah's agenda could be. As another body appears and even more secrets and lies are exposed, Summer has to find a way to save the family she has some to love.
The first thing that I loved about this book was the setting. The author does a great job of transporting the reader to an intentionally casual yet lavish country retreat where the affluent Keaton family spends their vacations together. The descriptions of the food, the colorful gardens, the cozy cottages, and the al fresco meals with wine freely flowing and fireflies dancing really made me want to vacation with the Keatons, too! The setting really became a character in the story. Then when Hannah joins the group, the author is able to subtly introduce tension. Is the tension truly there, or is it only visible to Summer? The reader is not sure, but it is definitely there.
I also really enjoyed Summer. She is a character that is relatable and worth rooting for. While it seems to the reader that Summer might go a bit overboard when it comes to her distrust of Hannah, and there are a few times when Summer doesn't always make the best decision, Summer doesn't ever get annoying or stupid. And I really appreciated that. It seems I have read so many books lately in which the main character is either extremely naive (too-dumb-to-live!) or just so unlikable that there is no rooting value. Summer was someone I liked and enjoyed reading about. It was refreshing.
The mystery was well-done, too. While the initial crime might be a little obscure (I don't want to give away any spoilers), I liked it nonetheless. The way that the tension in the family ratcheted up every time Summer overheard a private conversation or stumbled upon a secret encounter worked to change the atmosphere from a bucolic country retreat to an isolated, insular tract of land cut off from the rest of the world.
I would absolutely recommend this book. It would be great to take on a summer vacation for anyone who enjoys mystery, domestic suspense, and thrillers.