Overall, I enjoyed this book and felt it had an engaging storyline, and was a quick read. Part of this enjoyment came from the novels’ polarizing characters - some quite likeable while others were easy to root against. I felt that the beginning was very captivating, with a lag in the middle, but I appreciated the twist at the end.

I plan on reading other books by this author!

Catherine and Tom are celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary, but dinner is filled with tension. After dinner, as Tom is speeding home, Catherin begs him to slow down. They crash and Tom pulls Catherine into the driver’s seat and blames the accident on her and gaslights to by saying that she was driving too fast and had alcohol at dinner, although he told her not to.

That is just the tip of the iceberg in their abusive relationship. Tom is constantly controlling Catherine, but this accident is the last straw for her and she finally stands up for herself.

Some parts were a bit far-fetched, but I didn’t care. It sure made the five hour plane ride from LA to Honolulu pass quickly. Totally enjoyed this one!

Thank you #NetGalley for the complimentary copy of #TheAnnivesary in exchange for an honest review.

I took a break between finishing this book and writing the review because I wanted my review to be…kinder. It’s still a tough road.

This isn’t a good book.

I’m rarely this discouraging, but it’s not even an ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ thing. It’s just not well written.

Rather than a book, it reads like an extended plot description. It’s over 300 pages, yet feels weirdly anemic when it comes to anything that actually builds a book – characterization, plot development, anything at all.

The story is illogical. It literally makes no sense and the author occasionally throws in some unbelievable action movie scenes which, unfortunately, make you laugh rather than gasp. None of the characters behave with any believability. There’s also no suspense. The book is literally like: Here is our heroine. Here is our bad guy. Here are our bad guys minions. Bad guy is going to bad. Good girl is going to good. Let us have villain’s villainous moment where he gets to crow about being a villain. Okay, the end.

I mean…I hope you like it and I’m sure some people will. But, I kind of want the time I spent on this one returned to me.

• ARC via Publisher

Eeek. Where do I begin. The Anniversary centers around Catherine and Tom who are celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary. On their way home from dinner and with Tom driving at a very alarming speed, they get into a car accident where the driver of the other car dies. Tom attempts to place the blame on Catherine by moving her into the driver's seat while unconscious. From there the book spirals into Catherine trying to prove her innocence while Tom gaslights her into thinking she's crazy.

I'm very confused by the reviews highlighting all the 'twists and turns' in this book. Within the first 5 minutes of the book the entire plot was laid out right in front of us. I'm quite surprised the author didn't make more of an attempt to hide who was actually driving the car and let the readers try to figure out if Tom was trying to blame Catherine or if she really did have a drinking / mental health problem leading her to remember the events of the night incorrectly. Instead, we find out the entire plot right from the get-go and the remainder of the book is kind of dull and EXTREMELY unrealistic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

The Anniversary
by Cole Baxter
Pub Date: April 19, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I gaze across the candlelit table into the eyes of the man I love. It’s our anniversary dinner, a celebration of our marriage, of how far we’ve come. But within hours our romantic date has ended in murder… (Blurb from the publisher)
There were just too many red flags about the main character to earn my trust. I did not like him from the first page.
This was a 3 star for me but it could be a five star for you!! Give it a try!

The Anniversary is a walking red flag. Everything about Tom should scream “red flag”. I had a hard time getting into the book because so much of it was just unbelievable. I did finish it though even though I seen a lot of it coming. It’s harder to get into a thriller when you guess what’s going to happen.

But with that said the book does have…
Politics
Grooming
Cheating/Affair
Abuse

I hated Tom from the first chapter(Cole Baxter really makes a hatable character).
It wasn’t a book for me but it could be a five star for you!

Thanks NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of the book for a honest review.

I really enjoyed this book despite some parts being far fetched..

Many twists and turns made this an excellent domestic thriller. One I recommend

Thanks Bookouture and netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and isn't influenced by anyone else

I found this book a little far fetched. I must admit it kept my interest but I don’t think I will be reading another by this author. I can see that there a lot of 5* reviews but this was just not for me.
Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to give my unbiased opinion.

This was such a fast paced thriller which I really enjoyed. There was so much suspense I didn’t know what was going to happen next.

Catherine has a husband that adores her, and a life that most would love to have. At least, that’s how it appears from the outside. When Catherine and Tom are involved in a car accident, Catherine awakens to be told she was driving and someone has died but that can’t be right Catherine is sure Tom was driving. Catherine’s life then begins to fall apart. You never know what goes on behind closed doors.

This was an excellent thriller with so much tension I highly recommend this to everyone. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy.

This latest book by Cole Baxter kept me engaged from the very first page. A charming husband has a secret life that his wife has no idea he has. A great thriller for all. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published April 2024.

Absolutely loved everything about this book. The character building was strong and the storyline was one that I had not come across before. It left me hanging on each word right until the end. You will not be disappointed.

This fast paced thriller full of twists and action had me flying through the pages.

You actually never know what’s happening into a marriage behind closed doors. I was rooting for Catherine all along and I actually really liked Jessica’s character.

The suspense level was crazy, it kept me at the edge of my seat and made me read this book in one setting. I have to admit I had a little hard time getting into it at first but once the story started rolling I couldn’t put it down.

Rounded up to 3.75 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC copy.

#TheAnniversary #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Anniversary sets the reader up to think they are going to read a domestic thriller but it turns into something so much more! While I didn’t love meek and somewhat simpering Catherine, when she and Tom get into a wreck and Tom suddenly blames her for it - along with the death of another innocent person involved- she knows something isn’t right in her marriage. It turns out something isn’t right in the town she is in and Catherine quickly toughens up to try to get to the bottom of things. But will she? That question had me sucked in though I didn’t anticipate this thriller becoming something more. While I loved some pieces and Catherine’s evolution, I did think it went a little too unbelievable. Even so, if you want to be kept on your toes this one is for you.

I have loved every single book I have read by Cole Baxter and The Anniversary was no different. it had me hooked with its twists.

"The Anniversary" by Cole Baxter - A Riveting Tale of Love and Loss

In "The Anniversary," Cole Baxter crafts a compelling narrative that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the passage of time. Set against the backdrop of a significant anniversary, the story follows protagonist Sarah as she navigates through the intricacies of her past and present relationships.

Baxter's prose is both poignant and evocative, drawing readers into Sarah's world with vivid imagery and heartfelt emotions. Through skilful storytelling, the author explores themes of regret, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love.

Highly recommended, I could not put this down!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Anniversary by Cole Baxter due to be published April 19, 2024.
When Catherine wakes up in the hospital, she is not sure what happened. Everyone, including her husband Tom, says she was driving under the influence and killed someone. She knows it isn’t true since she doesn’t drink while taking her medications. Why is Tom, and everyone else, lying? What sinister things are happening in her little town of Eldon?
This Cole Baxter book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The suspense level is mind-blowing and will keep you guessing for the entire book. It was a hard one to put down – it was action-packed and exciting. I believe it was one of his best ones!
#NetGalley #Cole Baxter #Bookouture #TheAnniversary

This book is literally frightening honestly with every page you just dread whats coming and I found myself worried sick for the main character Catherine. So many twists you won't be able to predict what comes next. You will be hooked on this book.

I was so intrigued by the premise of this book and it honestly was so much better than I expected it to be it is an incredible read.
There wasn't anything I disliked about this book. the writing style and format was good and engaged me the whole way along, the storyline was absolutely riveting and thought provoking. I couldn't put it down and I can't stop thinking about it. I will never stop recommending this book.

Catherine has a husband that adores her, and a life that most would love to have. At least, that’s how it appears from the outside. When Catherine and Tom are involved in a car accident, Catherine’s life begins to unravel. Life as she knows it changes forever. Affairs, small town politics, and a quest for the truth propel this novel. Cole Baxter has the reader yearning for answers and rooting for Catherine.

Publication date: April 19th, 2024
Page count: 229
Genre: domestic thriller
Setting: small town- Eldon
POV: multiple

Catherine was groomed, then married Tom, a man twice her age. On their 5th anniversary, they go out to dinner and on the way home Tom crashes into another car and kills a woman. While Catherine is unconscious, Tom moved her into the driver’s seat.

Will Catherine be held responsible for everything she accused of? Will she survive?

Gaslighting, lied, abuse, attempted murder. Tom seems to have power over the entire town.

Fast paced, twists and turns.

Character development, realism, convoluted nature, contributed to the rating.

Thank you to author, publisher, NetGalley for advanced copy. This is an honest voluntary review.