I feel like this story had potential but the character development needs work and the dialogue was a little emotionless and just not fully developed. It does say some was AI generated which could be the issue. There's several typos in it too that didn't make or break the story but didn't really help it either. There were some exciting parts that made you want to keep reading but most of the story kind of dragged along and then just kind of ended abruptly. Again I think the ideas were there they just needed to be executed a little better.

To Have and To Hold was indeed a thriller that I couldn’t put down. There were so many twists and turns that were woven through the story but I couldn’t help but feel frustrated at the complacency Emma showed. Her view was she was being patient, and had she first acted on her instincts I feel like she would’ve had a more favorable outcome. All in all I seriously couldn’t put the book down—even wanting to skip ahead to parts. Remember not everyone gets the happy ending they feel they deserve.

Overall, this book offers a decent read, though it falls short in making its characters truly memorable. Luke’s struggles with mental health are depicted in a nuanced way, but unfortunately, he never quite emerges as a relatable or engaging character. Emma, our protagonist, is startlingly dull, lacking the complexity needed to drive the story forward in a meaningful way. The tangled web of deception promised throughout the novel ultimately didn’t deliver the emotional payoff I was hoping for, leaving much of the suspense feeling flat. The ending, while a neat way to tie up loose ends, lacked the impact necessary to leave a lasting impression. That said, the tension and thriller elements were executed well, keeping the narrative moving with a steady sense of unease. Ultimately, while it’s an enjoyable enough read, it fails to elevate itself beyond mediocrity, especially when it comes to its characters and emotional depth.

To Have and To Hold by Lilly French is an emotionally charged and deeply engaging romance novel that explores the complexities of love, commitment, and the challenges that come with relationships. French creates a world where the dynamics between the characters are both tender and tumultuous, drawing readers into a heartfelt story of passion and personal growth.

The story follows two main characters as they navigate their evolving relationship. At its core, To Have and To Hold is a love story, but it is also about self-discovery, healing from past wounds, and the sacrifices that sometimes come with being in a committed partnership. The central couple’s chemistry is palpable, and their emotional connection is what propels the story forward. However, their relationship is tested by outside forces and personal struggles, creating a realistic and relatable narrative about the ups and downs of being in a relationship.

French’s writing is fluid and immersive, allowing readers to become invested in the characters’ journey from the very first chapter. The pacing of the book is well-balanced, offering a mix of tender moments, emotional confrontations, and moments of lightheartedness that keep the reader engaged. The romantic tension between the protagonists builds naturally, and the character development is one of the novel’s strongest points, as both characters face their own fears and vulnerabilities.

What stands out in To Have and To Hold is the emotional depth French brings to her characters. Both protagonists are well-rounded and complex, with rich backstories that inform their actions and decisions throughout the book. Their relationship is not without its challenges, and the novel takes an honest approach to the struggles couples often face, making their journey toward understanding each other all the more rewarding.

The themes of trust, loyalty, and the importance of communication in relationships are explored in a way that feels genuine and relatable. French also touches on the idea of personal growth within a partnership and how love can be a transformative force for both individuals involved. The balance of romance with deeper emotional undertones adds richness to the story, making it more than just a typical romance novel.

Conclusion: To Have and To Hold is a heartfelt and emotional romance that explores the intricacies of love, trust, and commitment. Lilly French delivers a beautifully written story with compelling characters and a plot that will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the complexities of a relationship. This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy romance with emotional depth and a focus on personal growth within relationships.

This book was difficult to get into, and difficult to finish. For me it didn't flow well, it seemed choppy and thrown together. It felt hurried and like the same things were being spent time on. I really didn't like the content of it either, I was hoping for more of a thriller and this was just kind of a weird book. I do think that now knowing it was partially created AI makes sense to the flow of the book and the inauthenticity of the characters. This was the closest I've come to a DNF. Thank you net galley for the ARC. #tohaveandtohold #netgalley

Eeeeeeehhhh...this is going to sound so mean. I have to give my honest review. I'm sorry, this book is NOT it. There are alot of mistakes and sentences that I had to read a few times because they made no sense. I'm trying to put that aside.. because it IS an arc..I'm assuming they will be fixed before publish? I'm HOPING so anyway. I finished the book, because I don't want to mess up my percentage on netgalley, but it was torture for me. 😭 the end was.. there wasn't really an end. It's just reading reading reading...THE END. I had high hopes for this book, the premise sounded absolutely amazing. In the end, the author failed...miserably on this book. I woukd honestly be weary to pick up anything else from her. 😭

The concept of the book is brilliant, the story lines, twist.

But the ending no, I wanted more not just THE END.

There as so many mistakes in the book, sentences not making sense so you have to rewrite/reword them to make it make sense, spelling mistakes, at one point the stuff was found in the van but then in the boot of a car.

A very different sort of read for me but I did enjoy reading from the beginning until the end.

Not sure what all this AI stuff is about but I feel it is unfair to criticise the typos, yes there are quite a lot. We have to remember this is an ARC and I am sure they will all be corrected in time for the publication date.

Thank you to Netgalley and BooksgoSocial for this ARC.

I was disappointed with this book as the author stated she used AI.

If this is the way 'authors' are going to be writing their books then the vook industry is going to sink..

Even though she must have thought using AI would help, I did not enjoy this read and did not finish it.

Not a successful effort by Lilly French..

Is this ARC a social experiment?

There's a whole world of books co-authored by AI listed on Amazon for those who want to read this type of content. If I wanted to read something without much sense, I'd pick up my shampoo bottle and check the list of ingredients. Suffice to say, I'd rather be eaten alive by wolves than willingly read, let alone give my support to, a book written using AI. I didn't read the reviews to avoid spoilers, so here I am, giving my opinion because I don't want my review ratio to suffer.

This was a great thriller. It really brings up the question of do you really know the person you are married to ? It brings up a lot of questions and worries between the couple when the wife starts noticing things about her husband she hadn’t before

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

thank you net galley for this arc. so this story as a little disappointing. our main charachter joc was just so annoying to me. emma starts off happy in her relationship.,but then she starts to feel as though luke has changed, this begins her desecnt in to trying to fighure out what is going on and he is hidding. the story to me just felt like at the last 40 percent the author had to compleate a word count and it just drag.

I am reviewing this book because I received an ARC through NetGalley and don’t want to mess up my record with them. This was terrible. First, there were grammar mistakes galore…spelling, punctuation, the list goes one. There were multiple discrepancies on the story details and timeline. In the afterword, the “author” admits she used AI which makes so much sense. It was a fiasco.

I wasn’t a fan of this book at all extremely repetitive and then to see at the end that the author used AI was extremely disappointing unfortunately I wouldn’t recommend this book!

Could not give feedback unable to finisk book
. Could not get into it, i noticed from the begining that some passages felt a bit repetitive, particularly in how the future of the kids was described. This made it challenging for me to fully engage with the story.

I believe tightening those sections could enhance the flow and overall readability. I really appreciate the effort

Intense and emotional - betrayals, broken trust, lies, and foremost ignoring serious depression. Obsession rears its dangerous head in a few different ways, coloring everything. Dark and angsty, secrets unfold in ways you won't ever expect. Not a happy read, but a strong one.

I hate to give a bad review. But seriously, this book is BAD.
It is supposed to be a thriller - a psychological thriller, but it is repetitive and downright boring.
Emma keeps asking Luke the same questions and gets the same answers.
The 'twists' are predictable.
Luke is careless with his hotel receipts. Once caught, surely you will be more careful and dispose of the evidence?

I had to skim through the last 40-50 percent of the book to get to the end, to find that the author used AI.

Let me tell you, AI does not comprehend human feelings or emotions.
This is why this book's characters are wooden and insipid. Nothing sounds true to life. Nothing sounds natural. The characters and dialogue are very stiff.

There is no easy flow to the writing, it is almost clumsy.

The fact that this is partly AI generated should have been noted at the beginning of the book.

To compare this with greats like KL Slater, BA Paris and TM Logan is an insult to those authors.

The grammar is terrible as well. If one wants to become an author, please, rather take a creative writing class. Or write children's books. Heavy editing is required.

1/5 stars because I can't give a minus star rating.

Opinions are my own

This book was an average read for me. It's a short book and enjoyable for one time read. The ending was unexpected however I did not enjoy the flow of the writing. Overall it was a nice read. Thank you for the opportunity.

I only finished this yesterday and yet i barely remember what its about.
I do remember skimming through.
Not for me sorry.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the e-ARC.

In the author’s Afterword, Lilly French acknowledges parts of this novel was AI Generated and AI Assisted. I like full transparency from authors. So here is my honest review.

Emma is a mother, wife and businesswoman. She runs everything smoothly and tries her best to maintain order and the harmony of her family and business.

This book starts off with Emma being content in her life but soon realises that something doesn’t feel quite right. She begins to uncover a string of secrets that threaten to destroy the life she’s built, the family and business she’s created. Who can Emma trust? Something is wrong. Join Emma on her journey as she uncovers the truth.

Fast paced so this book was a quick read.