Firstly, to Netgalley, the author and publisher, thank you for gifting me an advanced copy of the book, it was greatly appreciated.
Shalini Boland is one of the top authors whom I follow automatically, and she has written another excellent book that I devoured in one sitting. Austin and Stella have been dating for four years when they marry in the beautiful city of Venice, it seems that all of Stella’s dreams have come true. A handsome new husband and the excitement of how her new life is going to unfold. The book alternates in chapters from the present to the past.
On the first night of their honeymoon Austin leaves their suite at 11.30pm after leaving his credit card behind in the restaurant where they had just spent a wonderful evening dining. But as the night progresses Austin does not return and Stella becomes increasingly worried as the hours move forward. Soon Stella discovers that Austin has been lying to her, shady business operations seem to have taken place and the presence of his ex-girlfriend in their lives leaves her unsettled and worried that her new dream life may not be as amazing as she thought. Then throw in the fact that she feels she is being followed by more than one person in the coming days as she searches the streets looking for Austin which adds another excellent dynamic to the book.
This all sets the scene for a fabulous book that once I started, I could not put down. The ending is spectacular, and I did not see this major twist coming, it was incredibly clever of the author to end the story in this way. You are literally on the edge of your seat until the last pages.
I highly recommend you read this book and encourage you then to try her others, I do not think you will be disappointed, I have to say I think it is my favorite book so far by Shalini Boland.

Ugh, this book just wasn’t my cup of tea!

This is a slow-burn peppered with a lot of unnecessary details and chatter.

I found it challenging to connect to the characters and I did not like the twists nor the ending. I mean, there is suspending disbelief, which I am absolutely fine with ‘to a certain extent’ and then, there is this.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of the Honeymoon by Shalini Boland due to be published June 13, 2024.
Stella is on her honeymoon in beautiful Venice, Italy, when her husband, Austin, vanishes without a trace. Stella searches for him and finds out her husband has been less than truthful. Not to mention, she is being followed by two different people. Austin’s business partner said he is lying about everything. Who is telling the truth? What happened to Austin?
The Honeymoon had me hooked from the beginning. It alternates chapters from then – a year before their marriage, and now – their honeymoon in Italy. You will get a lot of backstory on their relationship as well as Stella’s with her parents and Austin’s parents.
The ending will surprise you – both of them! This one is not to be missed!
#NetGalley #ShaliniBoland #Thomas&Mercer #TheHoneymoon

The new Shalini Boland book is clever and fast moving. Stella’s new husband Austin disappears on the first night of their Venice honeymoon. Stella is bewildered and terrified as she attempts to navigate the Venice police procedures and the Venice streets to look for him. She considers him the love of her life and can’t imagine what could have happened. Of course, Austin does have an obsessive ex girlfriend and an angry business partner. The characters in this engrossing and layered thriller are believable and likable. Hang on as you read this complex story. What an ending! With thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. My opinions are my own. @shaboland

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this one! Shalini Boland is an auto buy author for me! As soon as I got my hands on the ARC, I didn't even read the synopsis, I just jumped right to it and abandoned the book I was reading at the time. I finished this in less than 12 hours. I loved the writing style and the back and forth on the present and the past, it have the story a nice pace. I wish there were some lesser description sections and that is a minor thing. I enjoyed the Venice atmosphere and the general anxiety in the air. I though I knew how the story was going to progress but as always I was wrong! I loved the twist and even more than that - omg that epilogue!!! Outstanding!! Highly recommend this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Shalini Boland for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!