I had a struggle getting through this one just because I couldn’t feel a connection to Lorraine at all so I didn’t care much for her story.

Thank you so much @Bookouture for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 17 August 2023)

SYNOPSIS | Victor & Lorraine have been married for 26 years and they jointly run a marriage retreat called 'Rekindle Connections' which aims to give couples the opportunity to salvage their marriages & rekindle their love for each other. Victor dies suddenly in a car crash close to home except he is supposed to be at a conference in London & he was travelling with an unidentified young woman who survived the crash but is in a coma.

WHAT I LIKED:
- the concept of a marriage retreat

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- the story felt drawn out to the point where the narrative lost its momentum
- I simply wasn't invested in solving the mystery of 'No Name Girl'
- the characters backstories didn't feel flushed out enough & seemed to randomly appear whenever it was convenient to drive the story forward
- it is rare for me to say that I didn't enjoy the writing style, but I struggled with it here

I was given this as an ARC by NetGalley to kindly review. The book was released August 17th! So if you’d like a copy it’s out now!

(I was late in this review as I’ve been ill)

This book follows Lorraine and Victor, they run the Rekindle programme at their marriage retreat, serenity falls.

Victor is in a fatal car crash, which astounds his wife as he was supposed to be in a totally different country at the time - even more astounding, he had a female in the car with him.. she is now in a coma and unidentified.

The book follows Lorraine’s story to try uncover who “No name girl” is. Surely her husband hadn’t been unfaithful? It would go against the whole ethos of their (very successful!) livelihood. As Lorraine gets deeper in and closer to the truth a lot is revealed, about Victor, his past, Lorraine.. how far would she go to secure her future, that’s now been threatened.

I enjoyed this book SO much. I liked that we seen from no name girls point of view too, how everything was revealed piece by piece. The twists! Didn’t see them coming!

It was a bit slow in parts.

The story line of “The Marriage Retreat” by Laura Elliot is strong. I felt that the middle 50-75 pages were a bit slow. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives but would have also enjoyed chapters from Aidens point of view!

I also enjoyed that as a reader, you are thrown right into the plot and there is just enough going on for you to try to put together the the difference story lines.

This book is well written and will engage you with the inner thoughts of many characters and their motives. You will continuously wonder what happens next if you can get through the slow beginning/middle. Thanks NetGalley!

The Marriage Retreat is a slow burn domestic thriller. There are lies, betrayals, twists and turns. This book left me question my own relationships. How well do we really know the ones closest to us?

Thank you, Laura Elliot, and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

* Thank you for this ARC! *

I really wanted to love this book. The idea is great, and it's well-written. It does a great job at making you love and subsequently hate the characters.
But it drags for too long.
There is substance in the first third, then it's just... too long, and then it picks up again towards the end.

It's still a good read, but not fast-paced at all.

Lorraine and Victor run the Rekindling Connection programme at Serenity Falls. Their aim is to save failing marriages.

The Gardai turn up to inform her that Victor was killed instantly in a car crash, also in the car was a young woman in her twenties who is in a coma. Victor was supposed to be at a conference in London. Who was the young woman and why did he lie to her about his whereabouts? They had been married for twenty six years and had vowed to never lie to one another.

Lorraine begins to uncover the secrets of her husband's past and the shocking truth of the woman with no name and no memory. To protect her family she has to make a choice, a choice that will turn her into a liar like Victor!!

A great read, an interesting plot but for me the pace was a little slow to begin with but it did pick up.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

This one was a little long and dull for me.
There is a lot of back story into Lorraine’s life and although it adds to her and victors story, it does become a little much. The twists and turns finding out who the mystery woman was wasn’t enough for me in this case

I read a few reviews on goodreads claiming that the beginning was tough to get through however I felt exactly the opposite. I started reading this while on an airplane flying from California to Florida and could NOT put it down!!! I love the authors writing style and the thrilling aspect of the “mystery girl.” I found myself wanting to know all about the lies and secrets and found this a very enjoyable domestic-type thriller. I can’t wait to read another by this author! (Also I really loved the more classic names like Lucy and Eloise for characters!)

Being relatively new to the thriller genre, receiving an ARC of this book from NetGalley got me really excited to dive into it immediately.

On the whole, the book is solid, although it takes a bit of time to gain momentum (which is a mix of anticipation and impatience on my part; I want the story to progress quickly, yet I also want it to last). The revelation of the plot twist is what truly engaged me and kept me invested as the story eventually gained pace. Somehow, there's a certain element that I can't quite pinpoint that feels missing from the book. Additionally, the twist, while intriguing, didn't deliver the jaw-dropping impact I had expected.

For someone who's uncertain about their affinity for thriller and mystery genres, this book would serve as an excellent choice. It gently introduces you to the elements while also acting as a stepping stone towards more intense narratives.

Filled with lies, drama, deceit and questionable morals..

This read was a hard start for me but quickly turned into an interesting read that made me question what I'd do in Lorraine's shoes. When the twists started, they didn't stop until the very end turning it into an enjoyable read! What a way to live when you question those closest to you every step of the way. Though it was hard to relate to the main character at first, it easily makes you wonder who you could trust be it you.

I juggled between 3 and 4 stars, and met in the middle with 3.5. Overall, a good read with a slow start and heightened end. #themarriageretreat #netgalley #goodreads #bookstagram #review

I was really exited to read this book, but unfortunately it was too slow burn for me and I just couldn't get into it. I DNF'd at 50%

I changed my mind more than once about how many stars to give this book. Ultimately, I've settled for a 3.5 rounded up to 4. But what was it about this read that left me so conflicted? As is often the way it's not one single thing.
The book itself is gripping, in the early stages it was interesting to think about how I might deal with the things that our main character Lorraine deals with what happens to her. With everything that she thought that she had suddenly under question its understandable that some of her decisions might be a little questionable.
One of the areas that I struggled with in this book, is that I found it harder and harder to relate to Lorraine. While I don't have to like the main character, it does help if I can understand what they are facing and going through even if I don't agree with their actions, but I struggled here.
There's a lot going on in this book and the girl with no name that we meet in the opening chapter is really key to everything. There were a few twists and turns, but nothing too unexpected. I find it hard to believe that people didn't recognise people from photos, which happened on more than one occasion.
It was a good read and one that kept me gripped, but just didn't quite make it to a great read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this book. It definitely kept me on my toes as I read. I thought it was going one way several times only to be surprised by the ending. I would highly recommend.

Lions, Tigers and Bears, oh my!

What if what you really needed to fear shared a bed with you at night?

The Marriage Retreat, is jam packed with secrets, lies, and deceit. I was never once bored, or looking to close my book for a break. When the twists started to reveal themselves, my head nearly twisted right off my neck.

This book is going to be a hit and I am beyond honored to have been given the opportunity to read and review prior to the big release!


Teaser :

‘Welcome to Serenity Falls,’ I say, forcing a smile as I guide our new guests across the courtyard and through the doors of the old house. This should be a fresh new start for the couple, but how can I help them when my own life is being torn apart?

My husband Victor and I have been together for twenty-five years and we’ve created a successful marriage retreat business. The tranquil hotel, with its cherry blossom trees and the sound of the waterfall in the backdrop, is the perfect setting for couples to repair their fractured relationships. My own marriage has been a shining example of honesty and trust. Or at least that’s what I believed…

When a police officer knocks on my door to tell me the man I loved has been killed in a tragic accident, I’m left trembling with shock. But that isn’t all. An unnamed woman was by his side when Victor died, and she now lies in a coma. As my husband’s secrets unravel, I discover that my whole life has been a lie.

Now my future is at stake and my life is in danger. And I have to make a choice to protect myself and my family.

A choice that will turn me into a liar, just like Victor.
And will end in murder…

Definitely a slow burn. This book took me a while to get into. I liked the multiple points of view as I enjoy understanding the book from different perspectives. I did feel that the book was a bit confusing and drawn out in certain areas. I also wish that certain areas had more of a build up and development rather than just being glossed over. Overall a good read.

✨ I'd like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley for providing an early copy of this book. ✨

Lorraine and Victor Gordon's enduring twenty-five-year marriage was the foundation upon which they built a thriving marriage retreat business. Their tranquil hotel, enveloped by the soothing melody of a nearby waterfall, provided couples with an idyllic backdrop to mend their fractured relationships. Tragedy strikes when Victor is killed in a car accident, leaving Lorraine to grapple not only with her own grief but also with a mysterious and enigmatic figure. A nameless girl, discovered at Victor's side, fights for her life in a coma, shrouded in an air of mystery that Lorraine is anxious to unravel.

As Lorraine delves deeper into the intricate layers of her shared past with Victor, she becomes entangled in a web of secrets and uncertainties that cast a new light on the life she had long believed she understood. Readers, hold onto your seats, for the story is about to unveil some unexpected truths about Lorraine as well…

Overall, "The Marriage Retreat" is an enthralling literary journey that leaves readers with a lot to ponder. Laura Elliott deserves a round of applause for skillfully crafting well-designed characters that drew me in and ensured that the story's nuances were felt deeply. While the pacing may have been a tad slow for my taste, the intricate characters added a layer of richness to the narrative that kept me engaged throughout.

I was pleasantly surprised by the abundance of plot twists in the book. Author skillfully weaves a tapestry of suspense and emotion, continually subverting my expectations and leading the story in unforeseen directions. However, it's worth noting that some storylines ended quite abruptly, leaving me with more questions than answers.

But, even after finishing the book, the themes of love, sacrifice, choices, and consequences stayed with me. It's not often that stories have such a lasting impact, lingering in one's thoughts and sparking contemplation long after the reading experience.

In my opinion, Laura Elliott's storytelling prowess certainly deserves commendation.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Marriage Retreat' by Laura Elliot.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Laura Elliot, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 17th August 2023.

This is the second book I have read by this author. i have previously read 'After The Wedding' which I would highly recommend.


This novel consists of 69 chapters. The chapters are short in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!


This book started off slowly but like with a rollercoaster that takes its time to get to the peak it was worth it when you hit that point at the top and your taken on a ride of deception, love, revelations, betrayal, heartbreak, secrets, twists, drama and suspense that will have you hooked on until the very end page!! I kept questioning the storyline, myself and the characters throughout the book as you try and work out who the 'no name girl' is, why they are in the car and what secret/s were hidden in Lorraine's marriage. I was completely invested in the storyline and there were countless of times I promised myself one more chapter before bed just to continue reading another and another and before I knew it I had read the whole book in one sitting. Laura's fantastic descriptions and writing skills brought the storyline and the characters to life and i was biting my nails several times wondering what was going to happen next. I absolutely loved the twists and turns and was not expecting the surprises at all so a huge well done to Laura. It gets harder and harder to surprise me after reading so many thrillers but you managed to do just that!! Laura manages to weave the changes in timelines and characters perfectly giving you just the right amount of the picture to keep you hooked without giving too much away too soon! If you love domestic suspense books then you will absolutely love this one!! Another great read from this fantastic author and I'm looking forward to reading her next book!


It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.


Laura has created a very complex character in our main protagonist Lorraine whose character comes across as strong and realistic. Her character development throughout the book, in both the present and past timelines, was intriguing and I enjoyed getting to learn more about her. She is definitely a complicated character which made me all the more interested in her. I cannot say I was a huge fan of her character but she definitely intrigued me and I enjoyed getting to know more about her. The other main characters we have are Gail and 'No Name Girl', who is the survivor of the car crash. I don't want to say too much about the characters as it is one of those books where you are not sure who you can trust, who can be believed and what is really going on and I don't want to risk giving anything away. I enjoyed reading the perspective of 'No Name Girl' the most as I found it fascinating in regards to the fact that she could not remember her past and I could not wait to find out more. Gail wasn't particularly likeable but regardless of how i felt about them each of the protagonists worked together to make this a fascinating and dark psychological drama where each of their stories weaved together at the perfect times to drip feed the reader just the right amount of information without giving too much away.


Congratulations Laura on yet another great suspense and I look forward to reading more of your books both past and future. Here's to reading more page turner's you make 🥂

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue and the first chapter of Laura's 'The Wife Before Me' which promises to be just as good as this book and I cannot wait to get stuck into it!!!


Overall an unputdownable page turning and dark psychological thriller that will fill you with suspense with an ending that will shock you!!


441 pages.

This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon, free with kindle unlimited and £10.99 in paperback (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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This one took a while to get going and to be honest, I am not sure if I am glad I continued with it.

The multiple points of view added unneeded repetition that didn't add value to the story and I found my mind straying at times when reading.
However, the bones of a good story was there and there were elements of surprise and twists and I liked the writing, overall it as just a bit unevenly paced and unnecessarily repetitive.

In such a competitive genre unfortunately this missed that spark to make it stand out or memorable.

2.5 stars.

I enjoyed the multiple povs and the chapters aren’t too long, which makes a book easier to read in my opinion!

Definitely a slow burn thriller, but there are some twists and turns to keep you guessing! If you like a psychological thriller where you can play detective, then give this one a go.