2.5 stars.

While I found the story amusing, I predicted the resolution halfway through. There were several issues throughout the narrative. Sylvia's character was portrayed as overly dramatic and almost villainous, so her sudden change in behaviour felt jarring. Given that the story is told entirely from Lizzie's perspective, it's puzzling how her perception of her mother shifted so suddenly, especially after believing her to be a villain for four decades.

The blurb hints at Lizzie finding her mother's corsage near a dead body, leading readers to assume she's the murderer. Consequently, Lizzie hides the corsage to protect her family. However, there are numerous irrational elements in the plot. It's hard to believe that Lizzie never questioned her mother about it and rather forgot it in a place easily discoverable. Further, Lizzie never wondered about her mother's past job loss, and the reasoning being that she never asked seems implausible.

Despite these flaws, I still found myself enjoying the story. The most surprising aspect for me was the incident at the sister's wedding, which added a shocking twist to the narrative. However, while the epilogue provided explanation, I couldn't help but feel slightly unsatisfied. Overall, while the story had its moments, it fell short of my expectations.

I used the audiobook for this story, which was narrated by Tamsin. It was a delightful experience which actually ended up making the story more interesting than it actually was.

Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced audio copy.

I couldn’t put this down. I listened to it all in one day. It was great to be able to have to the audio and ebook versions. I did not expect the ending, or the epilogue. Lizzie can’t trust her mother, especially after her sister’s almost wedding the year before. She’s afraid to have Owen even meet her. She wants to know exactly what her mother has done, but the more she learns the less she wishes she knew. I devoured all the details and had just as many questions as Lizzie did.
I enjoyed the narrator of this one. Her voice made it very easy to immerse myself in the story.
This is my first book by Samantha Hayes and it won’t be my last.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I read another book with a VERY similar plot line literally this month. However, this was a great listen. Towards the end I did not want to stop listening. The end totally shocked me!!

Thank you to Net Galley and publisher for the ARC for this book. It was a psychological thriller that fell flat. Kept me engaged, wondering but then just ok.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This was my first book from Samantha Hayes. It was intriguing to some degree but also super predictable. The main "twist" was easy to figure out.

Lizzie and her mother's relationship is complicated, to say the least, but when Lizzie is back home from abroad with her soon-to-be husband Owen, they are somehow forced to stay with her due to their financial problems. 

Lizzie suspects her mother has something to do with the death of her sister's fiance because she found her corsage beside his dead body. With her mother taking over their wedding preparations, Lizzie is worried about Owen's safety.

As soon as I read that it was a domestic thriller, I knew I would love it. Though some of the twists were predictable, I totally didn't see the ending coming. As soon as it was finished, I was like, "What the hell did I just read?". It was cosy and tense at the same time, and it kept me on my toes. 

The only thing that I didn't like was that it was a bit repetitive at times, like the constant mention of her mother's "corsage."
Other than that, I loved the characters; they were so well written. The audiobook was also an absolute gem, and despite being slow-paced, the ending made the wait worth it.

This was my first Samantha Hayes read, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books. I would recommend everyone do the same. 

I'm sincerely thankful to NetGalley, Samantha Hayes and Bookouture Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version of “Mother of the Bride” by Samantha Hayes. The narrator did an excellent job and was pleasant to listen to. Although many of the characters in the book were unlikable, they were developed well, the plot was fast-paced and I found myself wanting to listen at any chance I got. I often pride myself on being able to guess the twists in thrillers, but this one got me and I was shocked in the end. Overall, it was a good listen, and I think worth your time if you enjoy domestic thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me locked in. I really enjoyed the distant mother/daughter relationship and all the twists and turns that came with it. From her sisters husband winding up dead on his wedding and now how everything has happened on hers I did NOT expect the book to end the way it did! It was a welcomed twist!

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

The narration on this book really brought the story to life and was engaging and easy to listen to! This book felt a little predictable at times but then would hit me with little twists that I didn’t see coming! The characters were well built and I liked all the detective work the main female character put in to not repeat her sisters wedding tragedy. I would recommend to anyone who likes psychological thrillers and mysteries.

"Mother of the Bride" by Samantha Hayes is a slow burn twisty thriller. The twist at the end is quite good. I had figured it out it a few chapters earlier, but so many red herrings did their job, and I was surprised. Thriller lovers will likely enjoy this.

Characters - 5/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 4/5
Pacing - 3/5
Unputdownability - 4/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Narration - 5/5 great job, especially during the climax
Cover - 4/5

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture Audio, and author Samantha Hayes for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

3.5⭐️s rounded up.

You go into this thinking you know what’s going to happen, yet this book takes you through so many twists and turns that you don’t know which was is up.

Sylvia is your stereotypical narcissistic mother of the bride who is easy to hate and not trust, with the added element of childhood trauma bleeding into the storyline so well.

There are red herrings galore throughout that keep you gripped and guessing, and the epilogue was *chefs kiss*!

Loved this one! I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator very much. The storyline was intriguing and the characters were just flat out crazy! Fun book with the best twists and turns and the ending was even better!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was crazy! I was shocked by the mother’s behavior and was so sure she was guilty of so much. This was a great thriller that was full of twists that I did not see coming at first. This was a great and quick read and it was perfectly paced.

"Mother of Bride" by Samantha Hayes is an absolute rollercoaster of a thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. From the very beginning, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease as Lizzy's mother seemed to exert control over every aspect of her wedding. The tension built steadily as I found myself questioning every character's motives and intentions.

As the story unfolded, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread lurking beneath the surface. With each twist and turn, I found myself drawn deeper into the mystery surrounding Lizzy's family and the events leading up to her wedding day. Samantha Hayes expertly weaves together a tale of suspense and intrigue, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

But it was the unexpected reveal that truly left me reeling. Without giving too much away, the truth behind Lizzy's mother's actions took me completely by surprise. It's rare to find a thriller that can keep me guessing until the final page, but "Mother of Bride" did just that.

Overall, I highly recommend "Mother of Bride" to anyone looking for a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. With its complex characters, atmospheric setting, and twisty plot, this is a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

Mother of the Bride is a domestic thriller keeping the reader wondering which character is truly the villain. Although a bit drawn out, the story kept my interest.

The narrator was the highlight of this audiobook.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this domestic thriller

Lizzie and Owen haven’t know each other for a long time, but they’re madly in love and soon-to-be-married. Lizzie is excited to finally wed the man of her life, move into a fresh apartment and get a grip on her life. The only downside is their financial situation which forces them to stay with her mother. She’s always had a complicated relationship with her strict and slightly maniac mother, but everything got worse a year ago. On her sister’s wedding day the groom is found dead and hoovering over the body is Lizzie’s mother with a bloody corsage.

Now strange things is happening and her mother seems to have a burning hate forwards her fiancé. She’s afraid Owen might be in great danger. Additionally her father has been sent to a mental hospital and her dead-brother-in-law’s murder has yet to be solved. Can all these incidents have a connection?

The book starts with a boom at the wedding, before we move backwards in time to when Lizzie and Owen first move back with her mother. The characters are unlikable and the Lizzie herself is unreliable. This might be a turn off for someone, but I really enjoyed it. As a MC Lizzie struggles with the guilt of not turning in her own mother and the fear of her hurting Owen. This dynamic was interesting to follow. Otherwise there’s some repetition which made the book feel longer. As the story moved along I started to doubt the information presented and clue together everything. Therefore the ending was a bit predictable, but it didn’t matter because the journey was fun.

⭐️ 3,5

Nice little twist in the story line! Although the mother of the bride WAS crazy, I wasn't expecting the extra twist! I did enjoy the narration of the audiobook. I would recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lizzy and her new fiance, Owen, are currently in a tight spot after being abroad for work and attempting to get settled once again in London. Lizzy is also newly pregnant and cannot wait for their new life to begin. Lizzy is somewhat estranged from her family because her mother has always been a bit unstable and her father is currently residing in a care facility. Her sister Shelley is wonderful but her soon-to-be husband was found dead on their wedding day by Lizzy herself almost a year ago exactly. Lizzy and Owen make a weekend trip to visit Lizzy's family as Owen has no living family members anymore. It is not the most ideal situation, but Lizzy has convinced herself that she get through a few days. Except a few days turn into living with her mother because of a strange situation with her friend in London that Owen tells her about. Lizzy has always been convinced that her mother was responsible for Shelley's husband dying and is terrified that she will end up in the same position.

I loved how twisty this story was! I thought I most definitely had it all figured out and I was absolutely wrong. This book was so exciting and intentionally frustrating. I loved the way the story was revealed.

Lizzie and Owen are happily engaged and expecting a baby, but Lizzie hesitates to tell her mother the good news. It's been just one year since her sister's wedding ended in tragedy: the groom was murdered, and the killer could potentially be someone close to them.

The beginning is slow but gains momentum halfway through, and the unexpected ending is enjoyable.
The audio narration was fantastic, Tamsin Kennard delivered once again.

Thanks, NetGalley, Bookouture, and Bookouture Audio for the free copies of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Lizzie Holmes wants as little contact with her mother, Sylvia, as possible. On a visit to introduce her new fiance circumstances conspire to make Lizzie have to rely on her mother's hospitality until she can find somewhere to live. Sylvia's overbearing nature is the reason Lizzie left home as soon as she could. It becomes clear very quickly that Sylvia hasn't changed.

Although the author Samantha Hayes seems familiar to me, looking at her back catalogue I don't think I've read anything by her. Mother Of The Bride is a good introduction and worked perfectly as an audiobook, I'll certainly look out for more by the author.

You are into the action almost immediately. Having recently returned from Dubai, Lizzie and her fiance, Owen, are living in a friend's flat. Knowing that she has to bite the bullet and introduce Owen to her family she plans a weekend visit. As soon as we meet Sylvia we discover how nasty she is. Sylvia is intelligent and well-off but comes across as bitter, resentful and controlling. She wants to control every aspect of her children's lives and she doesn't hide the fact. This is one of those characters that you immediately hate.

During the visit, Lizzie receives the unexpected news that their friend wants them out of his flat immediately. Since they are waiting on payment for Owen's last piece of contract work to come through they are forced to accept Sylvia's hospitality. A battle of wills ensues as Sylvia tries to force the couple to have their wedding almost immediately.

Returning home brings back a lot of unpleasant memories for Lizzie so you can understand her reluctance to acquiesce. It also raises lots of questions for the reader/listener. Where is Lizzie's father? What was the scandal that forced Sylvia to quit her job as a teacher? What happened at her sister's wedding a year ago? All these unanswered questions, and more, keep you gripped. There is not a moment in the book where the pace of the story drops. With every new revelation, you despise Sylvia more and more.

There are times when you begin to question the motives of some of the support characters, simply because you doubt that someone can be as spiteful and manipulative as Sylvia and get away with it unchallenged. All of this leads to a conclusion that is shocking and twisty.