Though I enjoyed the premise of this book, I just could not get into the story at all. I found myself speeding up the audio because I just wanted to ge through it. i was really looking forward to this one but it just wasn’t for me. I have seen many who loved this book though, so I’m sure I am just not the right reader.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the ALC.

I thought that this one might have been an easier read if I hadn't listened to the audio. It was tough to follow the timeline and the switch in characters with the single narrator.

I enjoyed the idea of this one and the plot twist at the end. I didn't see the plot twist coming. However, it may have been because I struggled to follow the story.

A fairly interesting story, though it could have done with a bit more streamlining. The characters aren't very likable, but sometimes we don't like people in life. That's okay.
The multiples POVs were fine, but Mark was never one of them, so it was hard to know what he thought/felt about anything and for him to develop as a character. The nonlinear timeline wasn't as clear as to when it was taking place so I had to listen carefully and sometimes go back because I was lost.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance copy of this audiobook

Unhinged, slow-burn, and twisted describe this thriller. It was slow initially but eventually pulled me in. The ending was shocking and somewhat abrupt. The narration added intensity and emotion to this unpredictable story. The dual timelines could be a bit confusing and the narration added clarity. Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my audiobook.

This thriller was okay, it's not one I would reread but i did enjoy the plot twists. I liked that it was dual timeline it was just confusing at times on who was narrating, or if it was before or after the wedding. The back and forth was a little confusing. I also wasn't a huge fan of the Greek Mythology info at times it felt like too much. The audiobook was good, I enjoyed the narrator.

I've not read any of this author's work before but was very intrigued with this one. I'm very glad I decided to read it.
I absolutely loved the narrator. I think she did a great job of holding my interest and keeping me turning the pages.

This is a very good and intense story. It's a bit of a love story and also a family story. With family drama and several deaths. Though none in great detail. In this book you meet Annie. Annie who has fallen deeply in love with Mark. Mark was married before and his wife Hope had gone missing presumed dead. That is the only part of this book that had me scratching my head. How Mark was able to remarry in about a year when his wife's body was not found. How can he do that? Do they not make you wait for a period before declaring a person truly deceased? But that is neither here or there with how the story moves forward.

I enjoyed reading this book. There are a few twists and turns. Annie has a few secrets. She is determined in what she wants and stops at nothing to get it. You learn about her and her sister's childhood. About them as young adults and interaction with their mother and dad. Their grandmother also. You get to know Annie quite well. But not completely. She's something else. Maybe a bit misunderstood. Perhaps underestimated.

Did Mark and Hope really have a great life. Were they honestly madly in love and trying hard to have a child. Or was that just what he wanted you to believe... Or was someone else pulling the strings. Did someone else do something and possibly put the blame on Mark. I have to admit that I didn't see it coming. I missed the twist completely.

While I was hoping for a few loose ends to be covered I did like the ending. I thought it was appropriate. Sometimes in life you get exactly what you deserve. In this case I believe someone did.

Thank you #NetGalley, #AEGauntlett, #HenryHolt&Company, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

Four stars.

A suspenseful story full of twists and turns. This is about how a tragedy at a young age can shape you for better or worse. Full of stories of Greek mythology that can be paralleled with today’s times. So much back and forth that it kept me guessing throughout. A cleverly written book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was gifted with the audio version of this book. I thought the narrator did an excellent job.Thank you to NetGalley for the free advanced copy, I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

Reading Between the Wines book review #73/130 for 2024:
Rating: 4 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Book: The Stranger at the Wedding
Author: A.E. Gauntlett
RELEASES August 13, 2024! Get your copy NOW!!!

Sipping thoughts: Oh my!! I was not expecting that to happen! I couldn’t wait to see why there was a stranger at the wedding and if he had ill will against Annie, Mark, or both. I would have never guessed what the stranger’s master plan was and why he was there. The last 20% of the book just blew my mind.

Cheers and thank you to @MacmillanAudio and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @TheStrangerAtTheWedding.

#TheStrangerAtTheWedding #AEGauntlett #MacmillanAudio #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

Twisty and enticing. I had no idea what was really going on until the big reveal. And it will leave you shocked.
Annie is so excited to be marrying Mark. Surrounded by family and friends, it promises to be a beautiful day. However, as she stands at the alter, gazing adoringly into Mark's blue eyes, she notices that there is a person attending that was not invited. A person who will bring the whole love story crashing down.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio e-arc.*

This novel has a promising start, and there’s some emotionally powerful phrasing in the chapters that examine the psychologically complex relationships that Annie, a most unreliable narrator, has with her family and new husband. Greek mythology is repeatedly used in allegorical ways throughout the novel. Unfortunately, the book as a whole feels choppy. The rapid changes of character perspective feel like suspense, but the pacing and depth change in the middle section of the book and feel more like literary fiction or a psychological novel (this section isn’t bad in itself, as the writing has emotional power; the relationship with Annie’s father is beautifully rendered in short scenes). The “stranger” of the title is a likable, compelling character with whom the reader gets to spend far too little time. --- SPOILER: -- it would have been enjoyable to follow his investigation, because the way he thinks and approaches people is so interesting! The ending provides the kind of twist many readers seek, but I found it too quick and out of step with the author’s demonstrated ability to craft scenes with complex interpersonal relationships. Caution to readers: brief description of domestic violence (not between main characters) that some will find unsettling.

This was a psychological thriller for sure and had so much going on in it that I am still recovering. I do think at times the back and forth can be confusing though I see why it was needed. I also gotta say the author did great getting us to like the main character right from the start and all the cutesy things we read at the beginning had me double checking if I was reading a thriller or romance book.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacMillianAudio for the book #TheStrangerAtTheWedding by #AEGauntlett. Annie and Mark meet on a train and then again at a grieving group. Soon after they are married and should be happy. But something is not right. Is it something to do with a stranger that was at their wedding? Or could it have to do with Marks first wife? Something is definitely wrong.

1 ⭐️ This is my first one star review, I really hate to do it but this book just wasn’t for me but I wanted to finish and not DNF since I was graciously gifted a copy by MacMillan Audio and Netgalley. For starters I had no idea what was happening most of the time, it is told in multiple POVs and multiple timelines with NO indication as to when timelines and narratives shift. I had to really listen to what was happening to figure out who was narrating, it was so so confusing! Also, the voice narrator never changes her inflection for character changes (men or women) so it made it 10x worse. I did not like the writing style or the plot of this book. No characters were relatable or even interesting to really dive into the story… it was 100% predictable with no twists I didn’t see coming. The random greek mythology inserted into the book was even more perplexing, I wasn’t a fan. I cannot recommend this book at all in any format given the problems with the writing style, plot and narration.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and Netgalley for the advanced audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, A.E. Gauntlett & MacMillan Audio for an audio ARC of The Stranger at the Wedding in exchange for an honest review.

This one sounded extremely interesting, however, after attempting to listen to this audiobook FOUR separate times, I finally gave up and marked it as DNF. I got 60% before I finally called it quits.

The beginning was VERY confusing. I thought maybe it would be one of those things that was meant to be confusing and then get quickly explained. It didn't. I felt lost the entire time, not ever really 100% sure of what what happening & with whom. The transitions from past to present were not at all separated. They just flowed together & that made it super hard to follow & what caused the confusion. I am definitely not a fan of this.

I really don't know what else to say because my entire focus was on trying to figure it out enough to at least follow the story. I don't like to DNF a book, but after four attempts & no closer to understanding what was happening in the story, I was done.

I'm sorry - I tried.

This is a slow burn but a quick read. The action doesn't really start until halfway through, but then the pace is not bad.

None of the characters were likeable. You couldn't really trust anyone. At ever turn there was a new secret or lie. I thought it had great potential to be an amazing book. The story was decent, but it just didn't grip me the way I want a thriller too. It lacked true tension for me between the characters.

I did really enjoy the use of mythology referenced throughout to help drive a point home!

This book was decent and a quick read, but not a favourite of mine.

I’m so confused!
And believe me, that’s NOT a good way to start a book review…

Once again, although the premise of the book sounded good, I feel like it did not live up to the hype. Especially when I had such a hard time trying to figure out what the heck was going on!! 😮

The book literally jumps back and forth with no insight as to where we are on the timeline…

It basically revolves around Annie and Mark, the two main characters. Annie seems to fall for Mark immediately, but Mark is still grieving the loss of his first wife…and the big plot hole is that no one seems to know exactly what happened to her (Hope).

We go back and forth to when Annie was a child, growing up on a farm with her parents and sisters. But there’s a tragedy mixed into the fold here, and we revisit that timeline a lot!

And then there’s Mark. Outwardly he seems like a great guy…but the picture of him changes as well…

I didn’t particularly care for ANY of the characters, so that did not add to my scoring either.

#TheStrangerAtTheWedding by A. E. Gauntlet and narrated nicely by #SophieRundle.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. And sorry, this time, imo, it was not great…

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.

It is due to be released on 8/13/24, so if it sounds good to you, please look for it then!

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I was really rooting for Annie…. I will admit I did not see this story going this way! Although it was an amazing twist, I couldn’t help but feel a little upset about Annie!!

There is a lot going on in this book, you really dive into the history of the main character. Once I started this book it stayed on my mind until I was able to listen to it all.

Will be recommending this book.

The narrator was really good, very easy to listen to.

Did I mention how mad I am at Annie!!! We were rooting for you Annie.

I enjoyed this twisty thriller. Even though it was a little bit predictable, I still enjoyed the writing. I love an unreliable narrator, so I really liked the main character. This story is not a super unique story at its base, but I still liked the narrative.

What a Cluster f. I didnt know what the point of the book was until about 85% into it and even then I was lost. There was no separation of POVs/timelines so it took awhile to figure out what was going on. It would have been better if it was a duel narration. The narrator didn't have much emotion behind her voice. Hell, the writing didn't have much emotion either. Each character sounded the same. My recommendation was to at least format it differently (add characters names for the chapter pov changes) I probably wont purposely read this author again.

I snatched this title based on its cover alone without reading the description beforehand. I wanted to go in completely blind. At 288 pages I figured it would be a fast thriller and even quicker with audio. Its narrator and setting is British which meets my expectations and bonus points for mentions of Greek mythology and a favorite children’s classic, The Velveteen Rabbit.

The chapters alternate timelines switching up POVs quite frequently and this can get confusing as to who is speaking over time. A large chunk of this book deals with Annie’s grief and memories of her father. Mythology also takes another chunk of the read and the references to that and Annie's childhood can altogether become redundant. The suspense/build up is gradual which can make this a slow-burning thriller as it’s story-heavy than action. And lastly, the ending is surprisingly abrupt. It will leave readers either to wonder or with a mixed bag of feelings.