I loved this outstanding thriller about a woman whose husband disappears the first night of their honeymoon in Italy. I've said this before, but with the number of thrillers I read, I love it when an ending surprises me, and this one has more than one shocker. I really didn’t see the ending coming! Stella is a dance instructor who marries wealthy business-owner Austin Lewis. Their Venice honeymoon gets off to a wonderful start, but Stella becomes frantic when Austin goes back to the restaurant where they had dinner to get his forgotten credit card and doesn't return.

The story has two timelines, the present honeymoon trip and the aftermath of Austin's disappearance and the past beginning with their engagement. Sometimes the telling of the past events interrupts the building suspense in the current timeline, but it makes sense that the story is told this way. The search for Austin and what really happened to him kept me fully engaged. I really enjoyed Stella's parents in both timelines and could really relate to their love for their daughter. It is definitely a page-turner, and the surprising plot-twists make it a book I highly recommend. (4.5 stars)

I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

A new bride on her honeymoon wakes to find her husband missing and discovers many secrets in her quest to find him. This one sounded like a perfect summer read but the characters were one dimensional and prevented me from becoming invested in the story. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

It was supposed to be the happiest time of their lives. But for newlywed Stella, the dream honeymoon has turned into a nightmare overnight. Her perfect husband, Austin, has vanished without a trace. Alone in Venice, Stella frantically searches for him. But as fear turns into confusion, she finds herself questioning everything she knows about the man she married. Has Austin really abandoned her, or has someone from his past finally caught up with him—the business partner he threatened to sue? The obsessive ex-girlfriend who refuses to let go? When Stella becomes convinced someone is following her, panic sets in. As hours turn into days and clues start to unravel dark secrets, a terrified Stella can’t help but ask herself: is her husband who she thought he was at all? This was a good but not great thriller. It felt like a familiar plot that’s maybe been overdone a bit. I was hoping for a different spin but it was fairly predictable. Having said this it was well written and had believable characters and dialog.

I’d like to thank Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Honeymoon’ written by Shalini Boland in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Stella and Austin marry after being together for four years and are looking forward to their flight to Venice where they’re spending their honeymoon. But what should have been a romantic break turns into a nightmare when Austin leaves the hotel late at night and doesn’t return. Stella thinks she’s being followed and is convinced that the man following her is also involved in Austin’s disappearance.

I always enjoy reading novels by Shalini Boland who’s one of my favourite authors and ‘The Honeymoon’ is no exception. It has a straightforward but ingenious plot that’s partly based in my home town and includes an ample supply of drama, suspense and twists and turns. But just as I think the story is coming to a timely end there’s a firecracker of a final twist leading to the conclusion and an epilogue that’s both shocking and unexpected. I love this thriller that I’ve devoured in less than a day and have absolutely no hesitation in recommending it.

This was so cleverly written. The plot that introduces a newly wed couple that are so in love spending their honeymoon in Italy and then wham....., everything changes. The way the story unfolds with all the possible directions it could take and then the ending was completely unexpected.
Another great book from Shalini Boland.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, Netgalley and Shalini Boland for an ARC in return for an honest review.

It was supposed to be the happiest times of their lives. But for newly-wed Stella, the dream honeymoon has turned into a nightmare overnight. Her perfect husband, Austin, has vanished without trace. Alone in Venice, Stella frantically searches for him. But as fear turns into confusion, she finds herself questioning everything she knows about the man she married. Has Austin really abandoned her, or has someone from his past finally caught up with him - the business partner he threatened to sue? The obsessive ex-girlfriend who refuses to let go? When Stella becomes convinced someone is following her, panic sets in. As hours turn into days, and clues start to unravel dark secrets, a terrified Stella can't help but ask herself: is her husband who she thought she was at all.

Stella and Austin were in Venice for their honeymoon. Austin wakes in the middle of the night remembering that he had left his credit card in the restaurant where they had dined. Not wanting to wait until morning to get his credit card, he returns to the restaurant. And that's the last time Stella sees her new husband, he's vanished into thin air. Stella searches for Austin, but he just seems to have disappeared.

I love a good Shalini Boland book, and I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric read. This is mainly a character driven story, told mainly from Stella's perspective. It's a bit of a slow burn, but when a story is so well-written, the pace doesn't really matter. Both the ending and the epilogue came as a surprise and left my jaw dropping. It's told in the then - When Austin and Stella were arranging their wedding, and now - when they were on their honeymoon. This is an easy book to read.

Published 13th June

I would like to thank #NetGaalley #Thomas&Mercer and the author #ShaliniBoland for my ARC of #TheHoneymoon in exchange for an honest review.

This book is set in two times, before the engagement and wedding and now on the honeymoon of Stella and Austin. Shalini writes great books and every one is totally different and always page turning with lots of twists and turns. This latest one is just as exciting making you think you’ve solved it only to read the next chapter and realise you definitely haven’t. Stella can’t believe her new husband has disappeared on their honeymoon. With the help of Austin’s parents and the local police will Austin be found. Definitely a five star read.

I was hooked on "The Honeymoon" by Shalini Boland from the very first page. I ended up devouring 25% of it in one go until 2:30 in the morning because I simply couldn't put it down. Boland has a knack for crafting gripping narratives, and this one was no exception.
The story starts with an intriguing premise and immediately draws you in. The characters are well-developed, and the suspense builds steadily, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Stella's journey through Venice is beautifully described, and Boland does a fantastic job of making you feel as if you're right there with her, wandering the charming yet eerie streets.
However, I did find that the pace slowed a bit in the middle. Stella's repeated wanderings through Venice began to feel somewhat repetitive, which slightly dampened the initial thrill. Despite this minor lull, the narrative picked up again towards the end.
The final twists were brilliantly executed. I hadn't guessed a single one, which made the climax all the more satisfying. The epilogue was a delightful bonus, tying up loose ends and providing a satisfying conclusion to Stella's story.
Overall, "The Honeymoon" is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It has slower moments, but the engaging plot and unexpected ending make it well worth your time. Shalini Boland has delivered yet another captivating thriller that fans of the genre will surely appreciate.

Wow what did I just read! Another five star read from this oh so talented writer who never disappoints.
Told over two timelines the story of Austin and Stella before their wedding and their honeymoon in Venice.
A brilliantly a tense tale of mistrust.
A true rollercoaster atmospheric read, with so many twists, but none as excellent as the ending.

Holy moly! What a crazy, messed-up story, but I really enjoyed it! The Honeymoon is a super quick read. A romantic honeymoon in Venice turns into a nightmare when the husband, Austin, disappears. Stella, his new wife, is frantic and desperate to find him. However, throughout her search, she discovers confusing things she didn't know about Austin. The chapters switch back and forth between NOW (the honeymoon) and THEN (one year ago, right after the engagement, up until the present). The story goes at a good pace and kept me turning the pages as there were continuously new twists and revelations. And just when you think you know everything, there's another shocking surprise at the end. What a great book! Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the digital ARC.

Shalini Boland sure knows how to write a good story! THE HONEYMOON kept me entertained from start to finish. I was eagerly waiting to find out what happened to Austin, how could he just disappear on his honeymoon? Well, I thought I had it figured out and was not expecting more. However, when I got to the very end, there was a huge twist. I'm a huge fan of surprises, so this one was a winner for me!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared on Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub date.

Stella and Austin are on their honeymoon in Venice, a dream trip paid for by Austin’s parents as a wedding present. One night Stella awakes to find Austin dressing and on his way, out to buy a phone charger and collect his credit card that he mistakenly left at a restaurant. That’s the last that Stella sees of her new husband.

The next day, Stella reports her husbands’ disappearance to the local police and as days go by, she spends her time searching for him. Stella feels that she is slowly going crazy looking for Austin and thinks she is being followed, but isn’t sure if this is just a figment of her imagination brought on by the stress and anguish, she is feeling due to her husband’s disappearance.

Finally, Stella resigns herself to the fact that she needs to make Austin's’ parents aware of his disappearance. It’s a decision she has put off for as long as possible, knowing that as Austin is an only child, his parents will be grief-struck. The plot intensifies as we learn more about the main characters and snippets of their back story. The story seamlessly moves between the then and now, all told from Stella’s perspective. It culminates with a terrific twist that I didn’t see coming.

I have no doubt that when I pick up any Shalini Boland book it will be gripping from the start and I will thoroughly enjoy it. All of her books include plenty of unforeseen twists along the way. This is another fine example of why I love her books and Shalini is in my top five go-to authors.

The perfect honeymoon in Venice turns sour when Stella's husband Austin disappears. Where is he?
Shalini Boland's books are always great popcorn thrillers. This was a short read, at just over 250 pages but it sure did pack a punch. I should have seen the twist that came at the end but had no idea and was left stunned.

Wowser, this was an absolute corker of a story, loved it from start to finish.

The story was very well written, was captivated throughout, plus it had me guessing as the story progressed trying to figure out what was really going on, there were a few red herrings thrown in, not to mention sitting on edge of my seat at times in eager anticipation of what might happen next, it was intense, entertaining and pretty fast paced.

As for the finish, how the story came to its conclusion, just brilliant, was so not expecting it, very clever and nicely done indeed.

Stella can't believe how lucky she is. She in in Venice, on her honey, with the love of her life, Austin. Things couldn't be more perfect, until Austin disappears. Distraught and alone in another country, Stella is desperate to find Austin, but as the days go by, it seems like he's vanished. Could someone have done something to him? Austin's ex was obsessed with him, he also had a falling out with his business partner, and someone seems to be following Stella.
Shalini Boland does not disappoint, especially with the unexpected twists! I was definitely surprised by this one, although the very final twist was easy to figure out. This was a quick read and had me engrossed the whole time.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this book is pretty simple, a newly married couple is on their honeymoon when the husband has to go back to a restaurant to pick up his forgotten card only to never return back to the hotel.

Okay so we have some family drama. The FMC Stella’s father doesn’t approve of the new husband Austin. He thinks he’s arrogant based off one singular thing he said when they first met. Petty or does the hatred run deeper?

Then on the other hand we have a female best friend of Austin named Keri and she’s very much in love with him. Does he love her and they ran away together?

Finally we have a soured business relationship. Austin’s business partner/coworker has been stealing money from the business and Austin has outed him. Is this his revenge?

Throughout we’re following the inner monologue of the FMC Stella, the grieving wife. She alerts his family and they arrive to help. Standard police procedures are followed. It’s a pretty straightforward plot line and it’s all well and fine in terms of my enjoyment of it. Nothing mind boggling but entertaining enough.

My issues start with the twist. Now if you’re a reader who hasn’t picked this up, time to stop reading because spoilers ahead…

Again, spoilers ahead.

So we aren’t meant to believe that not only was Stella lying the entire time to police, Austin’s family and friends, but also to herself? She’s acting like a grieving woman within her own head knowing full well what happened to her husband? I’m sorry but that’s just plain silly. Of course no one will guess that the killer is the FMC of the FMC is lying even in her inner monologue.

The Honeymoon was my first book read by Shalini Boland. I enjoy a current day / flashback timeline and I thought that was executed well. I was actually shocked by the conclusion.

Love this authors books so was looking forward to reading. This was a fast paced psychological thriller told in the then and now and had me hooked from the first page and read in practically one sitting. It really kept me on my toes as was a roller coaster of a read with lots of twists and turns along the way that make you question can you trust anyone at all and is anyone who they really seem.

,As my go-to author for a really great psychological thriller Shalini Boland never disappoints. As Stella searches for her missing husband the tension was such that I could feel her desperation at being left alone in Venice without anyone to turn to. Her fear that she is being followed around the city, through deserted alleys had me almost afraid to breathe.. As always with this author there are several twists but I could not have envisaged the shocking end of this book. A real pageturner, it would probably not be a good idea to start this book if you have an early start the next morning because this is one book you won't be able to put down.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

Gripping thriller following a bride on her honeymoon who’s new husband has gone missing, also going back and forth between current and past perspectives. I absolutely did not see the ending coming! 👏 another amazing book by Shalini Boland!