The wedding is a twisty, chilling, keep you guessing psychological thriller!
Childhood sweethearts Adam and Lauren are engaged to be married, in the run up to the wedding strange, disturbing things start to happen to Lauren, but who is responsible for them? A scorned lover, an old acquaintance, a family member, everyone is a suspect snd as the wedding draws ever closer the intensity and depth of the disturbances get more Chilling as Lauren and Adam discover,their wedding and reception have been cancelled! What follows is a mad dash to reorganise the wedding and relocate it to Thailand where Lauren’s sisters has a hotel however Lauren and her sister have a fractured relationship and Thailand holds many memories for Lauren particularly losing her parents!
A great read that will make you question everyone’s motives and keep you guessing!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

When I browse Netgalley, I always get itchy fingers and request way too many books.
I've never heard about Ruth Heald before but got attracted to the pretty cover so I had to get it. My request got approved very quickly and I lost myself in the book even quicker.
I hate long intros but "The Wedding" starts right in the middle of the action and doesn't slow down until the end. It can easily be read in one day, provided you have a steady supply of snacks and your drink of choice. In my case, it's usually wine and nuts.

Lauren and her long-time partner are about to get married. The story starts when the bride-to-be gets a card with a picture of a doll dressed in a torn wedding dress. The doll looks exactly like Lauren. The sender is unknown, there's only a short note saying "he doesn't love you".

It doesn't end there. Clearly, someone is trying to sabotage their marriage plans. "The Wedding" is full of lies and family secrets. There's plenty of possible suspects, as everybody seems to have a motive. I loved the fact that the book is set in London and Thailand (I got that holiday feeling again!). Some of the characters were really likable but I absolutely hated Lauren, the main character. Her foolishness and naivety had no end. Even though she was in her 30's, still behaved like a teenager.

I loved the book and hated it just as much. Why? I kind of guess the ending, when I was halfway through the book. I blame it on the fact, that I’m a massive over-thinker. I over-think on daily basis: in real life, books or movies.

So, even though there were plenty of twists, somehow the author was always dropping so many hints, making it easy to predict what will happen next and why. Just like at the end (I won't spoil it for you, but those who had read it will know what I mean) when Jasmine finds the documents. I could clearly see the mistake that happened here. Or... rather guess it. That's the only reason I've rated this book 4 stars, rather than 5.

I know some of you would rate it even lower, based on the fact that you were able to guess the ending but I've enjoyed reading it so much, that it wouldn't be fair.
If you've read it, let me know if you have managed to uncover some of the secrets.

Thank you @netgalley @bookouture for an ARC.
@ruthheald Congratulations on a great book!

Lauren has been looking forward to marrying the love of her life, Adam, for years and everything is planned. But with only a few weeks to go, Lauren receives a message in the post, along with a photograph of a doll wearing a wedding dress. The dress has been ripped to shreds and the doll's neck has been slashed. When other incidents occur, it seems that someone doesn't want Adam and Lauren to live happily ever after.

Ruth Heald has written a fascinating, compelling and dark tale that drew me in right from the very first pages. There were some dubious characters in this engrossing psychological thriller, though some likeable ones, too. The fabulous plot and rapid pacing by the author also contributed to my enjoyment of the story. I suspected many of the characters in this disturbing, riveting and creepy novel. A very good, chilling read with some great twists and tension building. I recommend The Wedding without any hesitation.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Lauren is about to marry the man of her dreams when suddenly she starts receiving terrifying gifts.
Who is this person and why are they trying to ruin her marriage before it even begins?
So much suspense and "what ifs", all perfectly laid out.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller!
Thanks NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this book and it wasn't what I expected it to be.

It centers around Lauren who is finally getting married to the man of her dreams Adam but strange things start happening weeks before the wedding.

It had me hooked from start to finish. When I thought I guessed who it was a curveball got thrown and I kept on guessing.

Loved it!

Lauren is all ready and excited to begin the preparations of her wedding to Adam. When she sees a card addressed to her in the post, she is expecting a congratulatory message. But just four words were printed in the card, forming a vicious message "He doesn’t love you"

Soon things begun to turn into a nightmare. All her excitement turns into fear and she begins to have doubts.

And finally when the truth comes out, shocking everyone, is a happily ever after possible?

A quick read! The premise was intriguing and I was also attracted to the book because of its cover.

The plot starts off very well, there is a suspense in the air as to what is happening and who is responsible for trying to scare Lauren. Every character comes across as unreliable and as a suspect with a ulterior motive, the most unlikable of all being Adam.

But as the plot progresses, even though there are constant events and twists to keep up the suspense, there was a lack of a surprise element. I found it too predictable and easy to figure out who was the culprit.

Nevertheless, it's a good book to choose for a quick and fun weekend read!

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

The Wedding is a thriller with a few characters that I was constantly questioning who was guilty.

It is finally Lauren and Adam’s wedding day but things do not go as planned. After Lauren receives a card that says “He doesn’t love you,” she is left wondering who it is from. Strange things start to happen which leads Lauren to believe someone is after her. All of this is while Lauren is planning her wedding to the man of her dreams. Is Lauren being paranoid? Who is the card from? Does Adam love Lauren?

The Wedding is a quick and entertaining read. There are only a few characters which mean there are few options of who can be after Lauren. I constantly thought I figured it out and then was thrown another curveball. There was suspense throughout the book that lead me to constantly question who was in charge of all these weird events. The Wedding includes domestic suspense, family drama, jealousy and wedding planning. The book is comprised of short chapters which make it an easy read that keeps the reader wanting more. Lauren blinding loves her fiancé and now has to question whether he is hiding something. She becomes suspicious of everything and only confides to a few people. All of the characters are interesting with their own secrets which is exactly what I look for in a thriller. The Wedding is an enjoyable thriller with twists and turns to keep the reader invested.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for The Wedding.

I couldn’t put this book down, I read it in 1 day!! I was hooked from the very first page. Full of twists and turns and red herrings, this is a book you must read if you like thrillers! I had never read a book by this author but she’s on my to read list now!

Lauren is about to marry the man of her dreams when suddenly she starts receiving terrifying "gifts" and notes in the mail that bring his fidelity into question. Who is this person and why are they trying to ruin her marriage before it even begins?

This was a finish it in one go read for me. I was hooked from the first page, wondering what was going to happen next. There were so many suspects on who could have sent the notes and it was hard to figure out who might have done it. So much suspense and "what ifs", all perfectly laid out. Lauren was likable and I wanted everything to be ok for her.

Thank you to BookOuture and NetGalley for the eGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

It was supposed to be the perfect wedding. Invitations are sent out, venues are rented and paid for. The cake is stunning. The food would be delicious.
Now, she sends out messages. The wedding is cancelled!
A great read. Grabs you by the lapels and drags you down the rabbit hole!
I was given this book to read and review. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It kept my attention. I definitely wanted to know what happens.
Outstanding!

Another first time author for me and what a fantastic read! I’ve read a lot of great books this year but this one definitely is one of my top 3 so far of the year!

I thought I had the book figured out quite early on, I won’t lie, this annoyed me as I thought just too obvious. How wrong was I! Thrilled to say I didn’t see that ending coming and I loved it!

The characters were well written and most quite likeable. I enjoyed the characters of Adam and Lauren and thought they were very suited to each other. Our author showed how easily we can affect others if we set our minds to it - quite a scary thought!

Happily recommend to anyone who enjoys a twisty thriller - an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." - Sir Walter Scott

A perfect wedding.... or a perfect nightmare.

Lauren has been waiting for her wedding day to arrive. She has been looking forward to marrying Adam. The plans are all set, friends and family are invited. What could go wrong?

Lauren receives a card, innocent enough right? Except this card says: "He doesn't love you." Who would do such a thing? But that is not all, soon other things begin to happen, more troubling than the last. Someone wants to hinder their wedding plans. Who does not want Lauren and Adam to live happily ever after? As things go from bad to worse, multiple suspects are presented. Each is plausible. This for me is where the fun begins. I love mulling over who could it be? Will you guess who is behind the attempts to wreak havoc?

This was a fun straightforward read. It gets to the point without a lot of extra baggage (i.e., long, detailed descriptions, long winded narrative, etc.). The plot is engaging and they storyline is interesting. There are quite a few twists along the way which make this a fast fun read. Nothing is dull or slow in this book. You may roll your eyes once or twice toward then end. I do not usually mind this if I am having fun with the book. This read like a tv movie for me. It was dramatic, had some danger, some suspense, some over the top moments, and was enjoyable and entertaining.

I enjoyed this fast delightful read that I did not want to put down. Highly entertaining escapism reading which did not disappoint.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lauren and Adam are due to be married. They have known each other since childhood and shared many family holidays. Tragically during one such holiday in Thailand, Laurens parents both drowned in a freak accident. Her sister Tracey has never forgiven her and continues to live her life in Thailand.
However as the days draw closer to the wedding it appears that somebody is very intent on stopping. Lauren receives some nasty surprise through the post alongside somebody entering her flat and leaving a frightening token behind.
Lauren begins to wonder about Adams past and whether he has an estranged girlfriend who is desperate to stop the wedding.
Things come to a point of no return when Lauren discovers somebody has cancelled both the church booking and the reception venue.
Unexpectedly out of the blue, Tracey invites them to get married in her hotel in Thailand. The couple make the trip but find themselves on immense danger as their wedding plans are yet again foiled.
A brilliant book with twists and turns throughout and the ending which I didn't guess.
Highly recommend.

Some books are like a leisurely stroll where you take your time admiring the scenery and getting to know the people you meet. This book is not that! This book is more like challenging Usain Bolt to a sprint and you are desperately trying to catch up. I was hooked right from the creepy prologue and I don’t know how Ruth Heald does it but she manages to write characters who you like but distrust in equal measure.

She’s also the queen of misdirection, a couple of times I thought I had it all sussed only to be proven wrong yet again.

With dual timelines of 2001 and the present and the setting switching between London and Thailand we meet A&E doctor Lauren preparing to marry GP Adam her childhood sweetheart. The narrative alternates between Lauren and Adam as we learn that someone is out to sabotage their happy day. So many suspects I thought my head would explode and the pace didn’t let up for a second. The short snappy chapters made this a very fast and easy read.

Poor Lauren having watched both her parents drown on a joint family holiday to Thailand eighteen years ago, has only her sister Tracey and she hasn’t seen her since their funeral as she runs a hotel back in Thailand. So when the wedding moves to Thailand I knew another tragedy would unfold there.

There is so much going on and a vast cast of characters that it felt like a gripping television drama series that you binge watch in a day and can’t wait to discuss with your friends to see who they think did it.

Thrilling. Tense. Pacy. Clever and twisted. I couldn't put it down. Packed with suspense this was a jaw-droppingly intense read. Highly recommended.

Lauren and Adam are getting married and things are starting to happen. First is a card that Lauren receives saying "Adam doesn't love you". The card has a photo of a doll that looks like Lauren wearing wedding dress all cut up and her neck cut. Who would do this?
I liked a lot about this book. It was hard to put down and I read it in 1 sitting. The story flowed well and it was easy to keep up with and to know all the characters. Adam's best friend is a woman that he has been friends with for many years. Adam's and Lauren's family had been close along time ago and tragedy struck when they were all on vacation together , while Lauren was a teenager. When things start going wrong, Lauren wonders if it is Adam's best friend, who just happened to move in with them. Then there is strange woman in Adam's life who also makes things look suspicious. Plus Lauren's sister and niece are back in her life after many years of not being in it.
So many twists and turns and just when I think I know what is going on then the author puts another twist in.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC to review.

Foi uma boa leitura para passar o tempo, mas acredito que a capa possa desinteressar alguns leitores por não ser atrativa

4 stars
The Wedding
by Ruth Heald

Holy buckets, this is an intense book. I was so sure I had everything all figured out and I was completely wrong! I love it when a book manages to surprise me. I love the locales featured in this book along with the characters. The whole premise of secrets spiraling out of control was brilliantly plotted and written.
This is the first book I have read by Heald but it will not be the last! She writes rich, deeply flawed and human characters that are very relatable.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

Thank you to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a quick read, interesting premise but unfortunately on the whole it does not live up to the blurb. The characters are one-dimensional, the main female character seems much younger than mid-thirties and impossibly naive, and the plot twist after plot twist after plot twist too melodramatic and foreseeable.

"And then it hits me. I'm going to die here... On my wedding day. All because of her."

Husband and wife-to-be Adam and Lauren narrate this story that takes place in the months and weeks leading up to their wedding day. The childhood sweethearts have been anticipating this moment for years. Eighteen years to be exact; ever since those first sparks flew between on a holiday to Thailand that we see in flashbacks from Adam’s perspective.

But someone doesn’t want the couple to get their happily-ever-after and begins to try to sabotage both their wedding and their life together. Could till death do us part come sooner than they expect?

This is another first rate thriller from Ruth Heald, who has now secured a place on my must-read authors list. I devoured this book in just a few hours, the author holding me in the palm of her hands as she took me on one hell of a wild ride. I loved the darkly atmospheric world she crafted; the whisper of menace that hovered in the shadows sending shivers down my spine and making it impossible to stop reading. As the author slowly unveiled jaw-dropping twists that turn everything you thought you knew on its head, the story shifts to a much more nuanced and intricate thriller than it first appeared to be. I found this utterly addictive and it ensured I kept reading until ridiculous o’clock. I was totally invested and there was no way I could sleep without knowing who was behind all of this and what would happen to Lauren and Adam.

Enthralling, taut, twisty and suspenseful, this packs a punch from the first pages and doesn't let go. A spectacular and electrifying thriller that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre.