Separate secrets. A shared secret. Hidden lies. Till death to us part. Ethan and Nicci just got married despite a dark cloud hanging over their heads. With a foundation like that, what are the chances that they have happiness and forever in their futures?

Well, no doubt from day one - actually, even before they tied the knot - Ethan and Nicci’s lives were wrought with troubles. In fact, if there is a measure of accountability, this thrilling read explores who has a conscience that supersedes the other. Of course, there is no shortage of dilemmas facing this newly married couple, especially as there are shocking twists and turns in this latest book by Rona Halsall. Then, when the reader considers the likability of the characters, they can expect a roller coaster of feelings.

It’s hard to believe that I have been reading these amazing books by the skilled and talented Rona Halsall since 2018! I have always found myself greatly entertained, and Bride and Groom is no exception.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Oh wow, absolutely triple wow. This was a truly magnificent read, loved it from start to finish. So if you are looking for a book that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat in eager anticipation as to what will happen next and be completely captivated throughout, then you really need to read this book.

Not an awful novel. The elements of a classic thriller certainly superseded the tension, but the premise and execution were both rather fascinating.

I must admit when I first started this book,I wasn't 100% sure whether I was going to like it or not. Not sure why but it didn't immediately have hold of me, but once its claws were in, and it didn't take long, I was fully caught in its grip.

Newlyweds Nicci & Ethan have everything they deem makes them successful and happy but they are hiding a dark secret, one that might just eat at them and their marriage.

Three days before the wedding they were involved in a hot and run, whilst drunk. Nicci was desperate to confess but Ethan was just as desperate to keep it secret, too much was riding on their impending wedding andfutureashusband and wife.

On a desertedroad, no-one saw what happened, no-one witnessed what they done... and then the threats and blackmail start. Who can Nicci trust, who can she talk to without spilling their secret, the secret written into thir vows 'till death do us part'

I loved the intrigue of the characters, never knowing who to trust and questioning everything.

Full to the brim of suspense, tension, red herrings and fantastic characterisation.

4⭐️ as I found the ending too far fetched and unrealistic.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

This is a fun read. I planned my own wedding not too long ago, so I enjoyed those aspects. This was fast paced, and I didn’t see most of the twists coming

3.5 stars, a well done thriller, although a little slow for me. Pshycological whodunnit family thriller. Recommended for anyone who doesn't mind a novel that doesn't heat up until the last 50%.

Rona Halsall’s “Bride and Groom” is as I have got to expect from this author, a well written, entertaining psychological thriller that keeps me glued to the last page. Intricate plotting, great characters and full of suspense with twists and turns. A true page turner.

The story begins with what should be the happiest day of Nicci’s life, her wedding day. As she walks down the aisle in her stunning ivory silk gown, the sunlight glinting off the fabric, there is a palpable sense of tension. The stage is set with plenty of atmosphere and unease. Nicci’s heart pounds not with joy, but with fear, and a sense of dread.

The relationship between Nicci and her groom Ethan is central to the novel, and the author expertly builds up their complex dynamic. Ethan’s gentle squeeze of Nicci’s hand as he slides the golden ring onto her finger is a moment filled with hidden meaning. Their promise to be together “until death us do part” takes on a sinister tone, as only they know the dark secret that binds them, they have already killed someone.

The past and present are gradually revealed and the events of the pitch-black, rainy night that haunts Nicci are disclosed. The flashbacks provide crucial pieces of the puzzle as we edge closer to revealing the truth and how it ties into the present-day wedding.

This is a page turner, well written and full of suspense building up to a dramatic climax.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun read. Loved it!
I read these wedding/marriage books with a wary smile as I am currently planning my own wedding... I have no idea how I'd manage if this situation was me!
It was brilliantly plotted, fast paced and full of surprises and twists. Could not put it down and read it in one sitting.

Bride and Groom is a psychological thriller that starts off well then slows and becomes quite repetitive before racing to a satisfying ending.

Told from two points of view, The Bride - Nicci and The Groom - Ethan, who are both unlikeable characters and harbour secrets and lies galore. There are enough red herrings and twists and turns to keep you guessing to the end and a few surprises thrown in as well.

4 stars.

IIt's Nicci and Ethan's wedding day. It should be the happiest day of Nicci's life. But she's consumed by a terrible secret: she and her soon-to-be husband have committed a crime. They've killed someone.

Nicci is unable to settle into married life and finds herself distrusting her husband more and more. Is he telling the truth about the accident? What else is he trying to keep secret?

A perfectly paced and perfectly plotted psychological thriller with a killer twist!

This was my first read from this author. I enjoyed her writing style and how the story progressed. The characters were easy to relate to. All in all it was a very good story and I was surprised by the ending

This is a full on psychological whodunnit family thriller drama where the twists keep coming and coming. I had to take a moment to catch my breath.

✨Overall, it is tough for me to finish this book and to write this review. I really have mixed feelings about this book. Maybe it is just me.
✨For me, this book is a character-driven novel, but I am unable to articulate my feelings for this married couple, especially the wife.
✨Manipulative husband, people-pleasing wife. This is a good combination for a thriller but it is still tough for me to finish this. I cannot pinpoint what the reasons are because the plot twist is nice, in my opinion.
✨Actually, I am satisfied with the ending, I’m glad it turned out well for Nicci. She deserved it.
✨I actually have some sympathy with Nicci. Her people-pleasing character along with manipulative Ethan make it harder for her to live after the accident. For me, her character and circumstances made it harder for her to make a sound decision. In this case, the combination is lethal.
✨For me, if you are interested in a domestic thriller especially about married couple characters, you may try reading this book.

This is a slow-paced thriller that picks up steam around 70% into the story. But once it does, there are some serious plot twists that hit hard. Even though it started slow, I couldn't put the book down by the end. and the tension keeps rising with every twist.

Bride and Groom by Rona Halsall was another excellent psychological thriller that will have you hooked from start to finish and I loved it. It's full of twists and turns which made it an excellent page turner.

Your wedding day Should be one of the best days of your life!!! People keep on telling you!
So walking down the aisle in the packed church, with the sunlight glinting off your ivory silk gown. . As Nicci carefully lift her veil and looks into her husband-to-be, Ethan's eyes her heart starts to beat faster with fear.

Does someone out there, know what we’ve done?

Ethan gently squeezes her hand as he slides the golden ring onto my finger. But she knows they aren’t worthy of happiness within this marriage and their future together.

As Nicci looks down at her wedding ring, and in a blistering flash, she suddenly remembers another piece of that pitch-black, rainy night….......... but as she tries to focus on Ethan’s gorgeous blue eyes. She know exactly what he’s thinking. We can never tell anyone ever!!!!

With all our family, friends and loved ones smile as they watch the happy couple take their vows to each other and to promise to be together until death us do part.
But only they know what that really means!…...........

Because they have already killed someone.

Nicci's handsome sweet new husband isn’t quite all he seems…..........But we all know secrets have a way of coming to the surface..........with everyday that passes Nicci and Ethan can not settle into their married life together.........Tick Tock the air is changing and something is about to be revealed!!! Their dark secret is coming to to the surface!

WoW!!! This book is so good. You can not go wrong with this authors books they have all been a 5 star read and this one was no different. I highly recommend it and a great holiday read.

Big Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

Review on Goodreads and Amazon UK.

I found parts of this book jumped a far bit within the scene and it made me have to go back over to hat I had already read. The storyline itself was enjoyable but just didn't flow as smoothly as I was hoping.

Bride and Groom is a bit of a slow burner to begin with but once it gets going with all its twists and turns it really had me hooked - Great read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

It takes a while for Bride and Groom to become more than just the same old story of lies and emotional blackmail—and some readers may give up before the real action begins. But while the setup may be a little too familiar, it does gradually grow into a tense and thrilling final battle of wills.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery.

Overall the story was good but I predicted every single “twist” that occurred. I didn’t have a single ‘my mouth dropped’ moment, which I look forward to when reading thrillers.

THRILLING story line about a spouse becoming an abusive partner with an underhanded goal in mind. Lots of suspense & great characterization leading up to a satisfying conclusion. RECOMMEND this & all of this author's previous psychological thrillers. Thanks to#NetGalley/#Bookouture for #Bride & Groom in return for my honest review.