Samantha Hayes' The Marriage Rules audiobook delivers a chilling and suspenseful tale of a seemingly idyllic family life built upon a foundation of unsettling regulations. From the outset, the description hints at a darkness lurking beneath Fiona's "perfect" existence, and Hayes masterfully builds tension as the reader, and eventually Fiona herself, begins to question the rigid rules that govern their household.

The premise is immediately gripping: a family bound by an extreme set of rules – early bedtimes, media blackout, locked doors, and a strict prohibition against discussing the past. The audiobook format enhances the sense of unease, allowing the listener to feel the claustrophobia of Fiona's controlled world. As the rules begin to be broken, the narration effectively conveys Fiona's growing anxiety and the creeping sense that something is deeply wrong.

Hayes skillfully peels back the layers of Fiona's seemingly contented life, hinting at a past trauma that the rules are designed to suppress. The mystery of who is breaking the rules and why becomes increasingly compelling, driving the narrative forward with a palpable sense of dread.

The Marriage Rules is a psychological thriller that explores the fragility of family and the dangerous consequences of secrets. It's a captivating and unsettling listen that will keep you on the edge of your seat, questioning the true cost of safety and the devastating impact of a past that refuses to stay buried.

Well, I’m not sure how to explain this one, lol!

So many ups and downs, twists and turns, highs and lows, suspicion and transparency.

If you enjoy stories about doctors and patients who cross lines, I’d recommend checking this out.

If you enjoy thinking you’ve got it all figured out, then telling yourself “oh okay, NOW I know what’s going on!” and to change your mind a couple more times, then you would definitely want to check this out.

I certainly did not expect the ending and I greatly enjoyed this because of it!

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Samantha Hayes for allowing me the opportunity to read this in exchange for a review.

Samantha Hayes is one of my favourite authors, I love her domestic thrillers. When I started reading this I found it very uncomfortable with the rules set by Jason for his wife FIona. I wondered why on earth she would agree to such a thing. But as the book goes on you realise things aren't quite as they seem.
I wasn't too keen on the theme of mental illness/psychosis and felt things became a bit too incredulous at times, but I did enjoy the book. If you can accept the theme then the story makes sense.

Fiona, a nurse falls in love with Jason, a doctor and they get married. Only Jason has a list of rules that they must live by or face the consequences.

The Marriage Rules is a psychological thriller with a difference. There are the mind games running between Fiona and Jason but also the author plays with the mind of the reader, big time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Marriage Rules and think it is an OUTSTANDING 5 star read.

The plot of The Marriage Rules is brilliant and this would make a great television drama/series. At the beginning of this book the reader learns the 13 rules that Jason gets Fiona to accept with his marriage proposal. Straight away you suspect Jason of committing the offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship (CCB). Then the reader wonders exactly what has happened to Erika, the mother of Jason’s two daughters who now live with Fiona and Jason.

Through this story the lead characters of Fiona and Jason bloom, with tonnes of back story added at a steady pace. This book does not have a linear time scale and alternates between before the wedding and the current day. Also each small chapter is from either Fiona’s or Jason’s point of view. Normally shifting time frames is one of my pet hates but with The Marriage Rules it is used as a vehicle to support character development and to make the readers’ mind buzz with trying to understand exactly what is going on. The plot is very good with so many twists and turns that when I take Frankie the Pug for his second walk of the day, my mind is in a swirl.

The ending of The Marriage Rules is very good and comes as a big surprise. All the little details are explained in full and everything adds up with no loose strings. It does leave a nagging doubt though when I walk Frankie the Pug past so many door bell cameras, that maybe there are many more Jason’s around married with their wives obeying the rules!

The Marriage Rules is a twisty psychological thriller that had me intrigued throughout.

I was drawn to this book initially because of the rules, I was so curious and wondered why there were in place.

At times I felt so frustrated with Fiona for obeying the rules and with Jason for insisting upon them, but I should have known that nothing is as it seems!

The twists in this book are so clever and the writing is intense. A really great read and one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys an addictive thriller that keeps you guessing up until the very end.

The Marriage Rules by Samantha Hayes was absolutely insane! This is the first thriller where I was confused from the first page and remained confused till the end. It follows Fiona and Jason in their new marriage, and they've got an interesting story to say the least. I truly had no idea what was going to happen during this story, and it made the last several chapters hit that much harder. I couldn't even come up with theories because it was crazy. I thought my opinions about the characters were accurate until the end. This is the first time where I've had a change in opinion for just about every character in a book. That was a pleasant surprise. Despite not being my first thriller, this book was full of firsts for me. I loved this book, and I plan to not only read the rest of Samantha's books but also do a reread with my new perspective into the characters.

I have read many books by Hayes,, I think The Marriage Rules is something like my 7th or 8th and is up there as one of my firm favourites.

Who lives their life by rules? Any man who tried to dictate his 'ideals' to me would be told in no uncertain terms to take himself out the front door, never to return!!

So that brings me to Fiona, Jason's wife...wake up woman!! Stop being such a doormat and stand up for yourself fgs!

There's a great cast of characters that are full of intrigue and are quite the 'marmitey' bunch.

The plot is great, full of mystery and intrigue. If you're like me you'll find once you start it's very hard to put down.

Totally enjoyed it and look forward to my next outing with Hayes.

The Marriage Rules by Samantha Hayes is my first read by this author, but definitely not my last. This psychological/domestic thriller had me turning the pages just as quickly as I could. Jason and Fiona are recently married and with his two daughters, they live a good life, right? There are rules that MUST be followed, but what happens if they are broken? This was full of surprises, twists and turns. Just as I thought I may have something figured out, everything changed. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time. Excited to read more from this author.

Happy reading!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A marriage is only as strong as it's trust. And with these rules supplied, Jason has little faith in his marriage. He also expressed the same possessive rules with his daughters. As you follow the path of the book you find the reason for these asinine rules and the secrets Jason is hiding. The really Main Character nere is the big bad, Jason. Would you stay. Could you if your husband imposed such rules while hiding the deepest of secrets? I thought it was believable, real, but also that the women characters were too naive. It frustrated me to no end with the justifications surrounding Jason's behavior. There was enough twists and turns and a surprising ending to keep me going!

First, I want to thank Samantha Hayes, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Samantha Hayes is back with what I found to be a very different psychological thriller than any other I had read in the past. This one I had mixed feelings with right from the start as Jason Fiona’s husband gave her a list of marriage rules she had to abide by and could not disobey them ever. Not only did Fiona not like these rules but her step daughters didn't either nor did I care for them!!

The two rules I didn't care for the most was you could only grieve for your loved one that passed for an hour on Sunday at 5pm. Why couldn't you grieve before or after then? My other rule I didn't care for was you couldn’t talk about the past. So you couldn't talk about what happened to that loved one to help you heal. I just lost my Dad in December and my heart broke for these two girls who were dealing with this. Not to mention the Step Mom who now has to deal with these rules and has to deal with this odd behavior.

What was he hiding that he didn’t want her or the kids watching the news, no social media, no phones, tablets or internet after 6pm?

How would you feel if your husband gave you strict rules to follow? That’s just what Fiona deals with. Her husband, Jason, has rules for her and their daughters. Are they to protect them or harm them? The twists that this book took at the end did blow my mind. I did not see them coming! This twisty psychological thriller will have you flipping the pages!

The Marriage Rules by Samantha Hayes

There is no alternative option for you, but stick to the rules.

Oh my...! It's the roller-coaster ride of the book in the dark. I promise you can't see the twists and turns. The author Samantha Hayes always gives us a good big shock. The beginning of the book already stated out all the rules you have you follow, like bed at 8 pm sharp, no phone, no loud music, locked all the doors etc. The various POVs, extremely fast-paced and the storyplot will keep you awake and finish the book in no time.

The ending was....a big wow. Highly recommend when you are ready for the stop of a heartbeating feeling.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my copy.

Pub date: Apr 9, 2025

Who is making the rules...and who is breaking them...?

Ok first up, this is one seriously twisted read! Where nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is as it seems. From start to finish you think you know what is happening...but you don't.

The basis of this twisted tale are the all important rules. Rules, rules, rules! You must obey the rules! So so many rules! So what are the rules?

Rule 1: No lying.

Rule 2: Never talk about you know who.

Rule 3: Family confessional every day at 6pm.

Rule 4: No leaving the house without good reason.

Rule 5: Bedtime confessional.

Rule 6: Never talk about the past.

Rule 7: No alcohol, apart from one drink at the weekend.

Rule 8: Grieving hour every Sunday at 5pm.

Rule 9: No phones/tablets/laptops/internet after 6pm.

Rule 10: No watching the news. No social media. No loud music.

Rule 11: Bedtime strictly 8pm.

Rule 12: No flaunting or flirting with the opposite sex.

Rule 13: No breaking of the marriage rules. Punishment severe.

From the outset, the rules seemed a little one-sided and I was left feeling a bit miffed at the attitude and the enforcement of the said rules - to the absolute letter. And the punishment? Well...that was a bit off the scale too.

But to Fiona and Jason it is normal. It keeps them safe. From what or who, isn't clear. At least not right away. Still, Jason has always lived by a set of strict rules which has served him well, even when his father abandoned him after the sudden death of his mother at 13 and shipping him off to boarding school. The rules helped keep him structured and disciplined; helped keep him safe. So when he met Fiona at the Radmoor Psychiatric Hospital where he recently gained the position of psychiatrist, the pair seemed to feel a chemistry almost at once. The only problem was, Jason was already married. To the head psychiatrist, Dr Erika Nordstrom. Despite this, the pair began to plan a future together.

And then, Erika is dead and the couple move away with Jason's two daughters Tilly (15) and Ivy (8) to begin a new life together. The girls miss their mum and Jason insists on them calling Fiona "mum" or "mummy" but neither girl is thrilled at the prospect, nor by their father's strict set of rules. But he only wants to keep them safe...if only they follow the rules.

But when Fiona befriends neighbour Sascha and her daughter Cora becomes friendly with Ivy, Jason begins to see cracks appear in the life he has carefully curated for them. Sascha won't take his nonsense and tries to encourage Fiona not to either but that won't do. So when Sascha disappears, her house resembling a crime scene, Fiona begins to question what really happened to her friend.

Now when I began this read, I was increasingly frustrated with Fiona and totally annoyed with Jason. Those rules bordered on abuse; especially given his punishment for breaking them. But then the story unfolded some more and I realised that nothing is at all what it seems.

This is not an entirely predictable read because I guarantee it will shock you. I doubt you will see some of the twists coming. I definitely didn't see that last one but pretty much worked out the rest. Even so, even a seasoned thriller reader such as myself will be surprised at the turn of events and that one clever final twist.

This is a dark, chilling and claustrophobic read and you will be kept on the edge of your seat as you race to the end to that final reveal. Did you work it out?

This is one of those books that is hard to review because to say too much will give the whole game away. And you don't want that happening, believe me. But bare with Fiona and her submissiveness. It will all be worth it in the end.

I would like to thank #SamanthaHayes, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheMarriageRules in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

The Marriage Rules by Samantha Hayes was another excellent psychological thriller, with excellent twists and turns from start to finish that will have you hooked from the beginning till the very end, This book was very tense and it may have you shouting out aloud like it did me. . . . .

WoW!

Fiona Fisher lives a quiet and contented existence. She is a former nurse who married Jason, who is the doctor of her dreams. Now, she is a mother to his two daughters and living in the sort of cosy village home she’d always dreamt. of

Life is pretty much perfect in every single way. As long as they stick to their rules…

So many Rules. . . . and You must obey the rules! All of them! and Never break them!

These rules are there to keep their family safe. But what happens when they get broken…?

Everyone in bed by eight o’clock sharp. and Not a minute later!

No loud music, No news on the TV, No social media. The house phone for emergency use only.

Locks on every door. No leaving the house.

And absolutely No talking about the past and I mean NEVER!!!

But one day, someone starts breaking the rules…

WoW! what an excellent ending this book was, I didn't see coming! Superb!

I highly recommend this book Superb!

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

My 3rd book by Samantha Hayes and crikey she knows how to write a psychological thriller with breakneck twists and turns!! Deserves nothing less than 5 stars!

Fiona and her husband Jason met at Radmoor Hospital where Jason was a Consultant Psychiatrist and Fiona was a nurse, but Jason was married so they had a clandestine affair. However, to be together in a proper relationship they had to leave the hospital and so they both left their respective jobs at Radmoor. Now Jason is in a new job, lecturing in psychiatry at his old university and Fiona has suddenly and unexpectedly become a full time step mum to Jason’s two daughters, as on the day that she married and moved in with Jason, the girls’ mother, Erika, died in a car accident. Fiona has been tasked with the job of blending their family together as well as helping Tilly who is 15 and Ivy who is 8 come to terms with their grief of losing their mother. However, both Fiona and the girls live under very severe rules from Jason made up to “keep them safe”. Fiona finds the role of stepmother demanding but adores the girls and is determined to make things work, even if Jason’s rules make their lives quite hard. But then strange notes begin to arrive from unknown people unbalancing Fiona and start to make her doubt her husband’s honesty. Instead of sharing these with Jason, Fiona hides them as she has secrets of her own that need protecting. Try as they might, will Jason and Fiona manage to keep their little family together or will the pasts’ secrets and lies tear it all apart?!

Well, this was one crazy but fun ride with plenty of twists and turns! The list of rules immediately drew me in, and I only got to page 2 of the book and was shocked!! It’s been a while since a book has had my mouth gaping as much as this one did. I have to admit I didn’t like either Jason or Fiona, but I really loved Tilly and thought she was very brave in her defiance and also when she was trying to stick up for Fiona against her dad. Chapter 7 left me amazed and the twist at the end of part 1 was simply outstanding. Then the later one in part 3 totally eclipsed the earlier one and simply and literally stunned me as it completely turned the story on its’ head, I can only describe it as stupendous! The writing was so clever that I never saw any of the twists coming which is awesome for a seasoned psychological thriller reader like me.

An absolutely engrossing, addictive and twisty psychological thriller that I loved every minute of reading and would highly recommend. I can’t wait to read what Samantha Hayes writes next as I am never disappointed by her books. Totally deserved 5 stars!

**I will say that I truly hope that this review gives this book the justice it deserves, it was just very very difficult to write it without giving away any spoilers and I never reveal spoilers in my reviews, so I apologise in advance if my review just seems quite cryptic**

Thank you to NetGalley, Samantha Hayes and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.

Samantha Hayes is one of my go to authors and one where I don’t even read the book blurb as I know it’s going to be a good read. Well to say that The Marriage Rules was a good read is a massive understatement as it was brilliant. It’s a difficult one to review without giving away any spoilers so I’m just giving my honest opinion . Oh my word I was hooked from the end of the prologue and never once during my reading of this book did I feel it was getting in any way slow or boring. Every chapter had me captivated and intrigued. This is a twisty and suspenseful domestic thriller with plenty of surprises . This book will be going into my top ten reads of 2025 without a doubt.

This is a quick read. Told from multiple POVs, the storyline evolves and twists until the very end. It starts out seemingly odd that rules -so many rules - had been introduced and enforced for this newly wed couple and their family. Once you discover the explanation for the many ‘marriage rules’, things start to fall into place. The ending caught me by surprise! Not my favourite by Samantha Hayes but I liked it.
Thank You to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Samantha Hayes for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Marriage Rules by Samantha Hayes is an amazing thriller that you won't be able to put down.
This is definitely a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Hayes has filled the pages with mystery, suspense and plot twists to make this impossible to predict.

A twisty domestic thriller that will keep you up late! So many twists. So many questions.

It always astounds me when intelligent people find themselves entrenched in a situation or relationship that clearly should be ringing their warning bells…

In this instance, a nurse and a psychiatrist meet at work and become a couple. Just months after their marriage, Fiona and Jason take custody of Jason’s two daughters after their birth mother dies tragically. (How is question number one).

Dr. Jason Hewitt has many strict rules that the entire family MUST adhere to. He maintains that the rules are there for their security, their stability as a family.

The family live in a quiet South Warwickshire village. Soon after moving in, Fiona, who has left her nursing job, starts earning extra money as a child-minder. She cares for her neighbour’s daughter who is the same age as Jason’s youngest. Shortly thereafter Fiona begins to receive threatening, anonymous notes. “I know what you did. You broke a rule” and “You’ve got it coming. Everything you deserve“.

Freaked out by these notes, Fiona does not tell Jason about them… And, it would seem that Fiona has left other jobs under a dark cloud. (Why is question number two).

In addition, Jason is no longer working as a psychiatrist at the hospital. He is now working at a university… (Why is question number three).

The story is told from Jason and Fiona’s perspectives. The reader wonders why Jason feels that these strict rules are necessary… Which narrator can you trust? Obviously Jason, who inflicts harsh punishments seems to be the villain here, but is he really?

As the novel progresses, the family become involved in a police investigation. Where this leads will keep the reader at the edge of their seat. You’ll have to suspend some disbelief to appreciate this twisty thriller, but the novel was entertaining to read. The plot’s rapid pace and short chapters create a frenzied reading experience.

One plot twist at the forty percent mark really astounded me and caused me to re-evaluate everything I’d read up to that point…

Themes of inherited behaviours, medical ethics, dysfunctional families, mental instability, and the long term effects of childhood trauma, are just a few of the topics touched upon.

Cleverly plotted, “The Marriage Rules” is a dark, slightly creepy, claustrophobic thriller that will be greatly appreciated by fans of domestic and psychological thrillers.

Fictionophile's rating is 4.5 stars (rounded up)

The Marriage Rules by Samantha Hayes is a tense thriller that will leave you wondering how far will people go to keep their secrets?

Fiona is a former nurse and she is married to Jason. They live in a cozy village house with Jason's two daughters from a previous relationship. But what seems like a perfect picture of a happy marriage and family also hides some dark secrets. Strict rules govern the house, from everyone in bed by 8:00 p.m., no social media, and absolutely no talking about what happened in the past. But what happens when someone starts to break those rules? And how far will they go to keep their secrets hidden?

This novel hooked me in the beginning and did not let go! I was questioning everybody's motives and I loved the general sense of unease throughout. I especially loved the dual timeline and the POVs of Fiona and Jason, I felt like I was able to put a few pieces together but that twist was unexpected for me! I will definitely recommend this novel to fans of tense, compelling thriller/domestic dramas!

Thank you to NetGalley, Samantha Hayes, and Bookouture for this ARC!! Publication date is April 9th 2025.