"My husband saved other people's marriages.
But his secrets will destroy ours."

With a quote like that, I immediately had to dive in, but I was ultimately disappointed. The characters, though well-developed, were far from likable. The story was so slow. It felt like it was never going to get to the point of it all. I found myself just not caring to the point of almost DNF'ing the book. It wasn't terrible as far as a thriller goes, just kind of boring. I hoped for creepy, eerie, can't trust anyone type of vibes, but the story didn't give any of that. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC opportunity!

Thank you Bookoutre and Netgalley.
I enjoyed this, but it was very slow at times. I couldn't connect with the main character but didn't give up as the storyline was compelling.
I love the twist at the end and now want more.
I wanted to give 4 but due to it being slow couldn't so my real score is 3.5

I really enjoyed this book it was a slow start but it was definitely a fun read. I look forward to reading more books from 5his author

**Book Review: *The Marriage Retreat* by Laura Elliott**

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

*The Marriage Retreat* by Laura Elliott is a tense, emotionally charged thriller that masterfully blends relationship drama with a sinister undercurrent. Set against the seemingly idyllic backdrop of a remote couples' retreat, Elliott unravels a suspenseful story filled with secrets, betrayal, and shocking revelations.

The plot follows married couple Grace and Tom, whose relationship is on the rocks. They attend a luxurious marriage retreat in a last-ditch effort to save their marriage. However, as the retreat’s picture-perfect facade begins to crack, dark truths emerge—not just about their relationship but about the retreat itself. Elliott expertly builds an atmosphere of isolation and distrust, using the setting to enhance the sense of impending doom.

Grace is a well-developed protagonist, with her internal struggles about whether to fight for her marriage or let go serving as a driving force throughout the story. Tom’s character, on the other hand, is layered with ambiguity, making readers question his true intentions. The supporting characters—the other couples at the retreat and the mysterious staff—add to the growing tension, as everyone seems to have something to hide.

The pacing of *The Marriage Retreat* is perfectly measured, with each chapter peeling back layers of deception and secrets. Elliott’s writing is immersive, drawing readers into the psychological tension between the characters while creating a sense of claustrophobia within the retreat’s isolated setting. As the story progresses, the retreat becomes less of a healing space and more of a trap, and the tension builds as Grace uncovers disturbing truths.

Elliott doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexities of marriage, infidelity, and the emotional weight of unresolved issues. She skillfully balances the domestic drama with the thriller elements, making this book as much about personal conflict as it is about survival.

The twists in the latter half of the book are shocking and well-executed, turning what could have been a simple marital drama into a full-blown psychological thriller. The conclusion is both satisfying and surprising, tying together the emotional and suspenseful threads in a way that leaves you thinking about the characters long after the final page.

Overall, *The Marriage Retreat* is a compelling and haunting read, perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with a domestic twist. Laura Elliott has crafted a story that is as much about the darker side of relationships as it is about the secrets people keep—and the lengths they will go to protect them. Highly recommended for those who love character-driven thrillers with unexpected turns.

The Marriage Retreat is a domestic thriller that revolves around Lorraine, who is the devoted wife of a very famous and powerful marriage counsellor who dies in a car accident. But as she unravels the mystery of the young women found in the car with Victor she becomes wrapped up in his deceit.

I thought the character development of Lorraine was the most interesting part of this novel. It illustrates the lengths a person is willing to go to protect their illusion of a perfect marriage.

The women with no name in the coma and how her story develops I thought were a bit slow and her experiences and how are they told I felt was a bit choppy.

Overall I enjoyed the unique premise of the book and how it illustrated the pain and deceit of those who knew and loved Victor.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The pace was slow & I found it difficult to connect with the characters.

Thank you Net Galley & to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this juicy, edge-of-your-seat thriller! Love a classic domestic thriller. Keep them coming! First by this author

This was a great premise although very slow at times. I didn't connect well with the main character but found the story compelling enough to keep reading. I do love a good end twist and think the author did a great job with it!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



✨ slow paced
✨ domestic thriller
✨ mystery


✨ a story about grief and pain.
A perfect marriage that turn out to be something hiding with a sinister past.
All revealed when victor was dead .
A unknown lady was on there side .
Quite mysterious and where did she came from?

✨ I get that the story was revealing and knowing the past. But I find it very slow .
It was written really good and enjoy the chapter so much but I have to skip a few because of the slow dragging story .


✨ anyway, it was a great read .
Thankyou bookouture for the opportunity to read this book for a honest review.




🫶🏼shaye.reads

A good read that really picks up pace and keeps you hooked. I couldn't put it down and was hooked from early on. So much mystery and tension.

This book was absolutely mind blowing. From the first pages I was hooked, and stuck to the edge of my couch the entire time! Not even exaggerating when I say that this book was amazing. Death, lies, betrayal, scandal, and prestige? I could not put this book down. A wild ride that kept me captive all the way to the very end!!

"The Marriage Retreat" by Laura Elliot is a compelling psychological thriller that masterfully delves into the intricacies of relationships, trust, and deception. Elliot's skillful storytelling and keen understanding of human nature make this novel a captivating read from start to finish.

The story centers around a seemingly idyllic marriage retreat designed to help couples mend their fractured relationships. However, as secrets unravel and tensions rise, it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems. Elliot’s ability to build suspense is impressive, with each chapter peeling back layers of the characters' facades to reveal their true natures and hidden motives.

The characters are well-developed, particularly the protagonist, who navigates a labyrinth of emotions and revelations. Elliot's portrayal of the psychological turmoil experienced by the participants adds depth and realism to the narrative. The interplay between the characters is intricate and believable, creating a web of suspicion and intrigue that keeps the reader guessing.

Elliot's writing is crisp and evocative, effectively capturing the eerie and claustrophobic atmosphere of the retreat. Her attention to detail enhances the overall tension, making the setting almost a character in its own right. The pacing is generally well-maintained, with a steady build-up to a series of climactic twists that are both surprising and satisfying.

While the plot is engaging, there are moments where the story veers into predictability, and some of the twists can be anticipated. Additionally, a few secondary characters could have been fleshed out more to add further depth to the narrative. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise well-crafted thriller.

Overall, "The Marriage Retreat" is a thoroughly enjoyable psychological thriller that explores the dark side of relationships and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. Laura Elliot has delivered a taut, suspenseful, and emotionally charged novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. With its compelling plot and well-drawn characters, "The Marriage Retreat" earns a solid 4 stars and is a must-read for fans of the genre.

This book was a little slow to get in to, but I persevered & kept reading! I'm glad I did as the second half had me gripped, so many twists!

this book was eery and I felt myself looking over my shoulder a few times while I was reading it. GOod plot, good characters, disturbing subject matter.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This was an ok thriller. Not one of my favorites but it had a few surprises and things I did not expect.
Writing was not bad. Main character was ok.

I found this one thought to get into and hard to stay engaged. Sadly I didn’t really love any of the characters including the main character Lorraine.

I enjoy Laura Elliot’s books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. Lorraine and Victor have run a well known marriage retreat for over twenty years. Laura is devastated when Victor dies in a road accident where he shouldn’t have been but is even more devastated when she learns that he had an unknown female passenger in the car who is in hospital and in a coma. When going through Victor’s belongings Lorraine finds a letter stating that he had recently changed his will and soon realises that there are a lot of secrets that Victor has been keeping from her. She decides she must visit the woman and try to discover her identity. Lorraine is desperate to keep the family home and has to resort to desperate measures to save everything she possesses. The story unfolds with each chapter after drawing me in with the prologue and kept me gripped until the end. A recommended read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

It was just okay. I didn't have any parts that stood out as jaw dropping or awe inspiring. I didn't feel super connected to the characters, but the story line was good. Solid 3 stars.

It is a fantastic story, exhilarating plot, well developed characters, and a well executed shocking ending. I read in one day, unputdownable and very addictive. Recommend to every thriller reader.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.