Cover Image: The Honeymoon

The Honeymoon

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I can always trust Shalini Boland for a good thriller. I requested this feeling that way. However, this storyline was just so unbelievable and lame to me. The whole missing husband thing and the business partner just had me rolling my eyes. I did not enjoy this one, sadly. 2.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

I found this book a little slow and hard to get into the first fe chapters. I am so glad that I continued as it was worth it. Did not see the end coming at all and loved the plot twists in it.

Was this review helpful?

I adore Boland's books for their tightly weaved plots, fast-paced action and astonishing twists. 'The Honeymoon' was no exception to this. Boland writes this between the present day and the recent past, this meant I knew something would not add up but could not ascertain what and it was great to see the two timelines collide and for me to start to work out what was going on. Of course, I never truly can with Boland and I was thrilled by a really spectacular twist that I did not see coming.
Stella is a fantastic central character, she is strong and yet fragile in a very human way. I enjoyed getting to know her and those around her and learn the many secrets of the characters involved. We see her at her happiest and her worst and Boland does a great job at capturing these raw emotions.
The setting of Venice is of course stunning and provides a maze for the search for Austin to take place in. Everything about this book just comes together to make for a truly fantastic read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

Shalini Boland never fails to deliver a 5 star jaw dropping plot twist filled book. I'm always blown away by the last paragraph and then blown away again by the epilogue. I loved every second of this book and read it in one sitting!

Was this review helpful?

I always enjoy Shalini’s books, and The Honeymoon is another great thriller. Stella is on her honeymoon with her perfect husband, Austin. She wakes on the first night and, still groggy, she finds him getting dressed and saying he needs to pop out... He should not have been gone for more than an hour or so, therefore when he does not return for several hours and Stella searches for him. What has happened to Austin? Will Stella find him? Is Austin really the perfect husband?
I absolutely inhaled this book, reading it in one sitting as I had to find out the truth of The Honeymoon. A great book which I would highly recommend to fans of Shalini, and those new to her works.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Stella and Austin marry and head off on their dream honeymoon until Austin disappears. Stella finds herself alone in Venice frantically searching for her husband. The secrets she uncovers make it unclear whether Austin abandoned her or is the victim of foul play. Stella begins to wonder who she married just as she realizes that she may be in danger herself.

Was this review helpful?

My jaw is currently sitting on the floor, where it has been since I finished “The Honeymoon”.
The emotions you run through while reading, will leave you with a bit of whiplash. In the BEST way possible. The author has successfully established a solid plot, with no holes, and an emotional attachment to figuring out where it all went wrong. The further you get into the book, the more scenarios you are introduced to which make you go “OH THATS WHAT HAPPENED” but you would be wrong. I must have guessed ten times what happened, and all turned out to be very wrong.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and give it 5 out of 5 stars. I will additionally be purchasing a copy to have on my bookshelf.

Was this review helpful?

Complex thriller with many twists and surprises. Multi faceted characters ,not particularly likeable or believable.

Was this review helpful?

Stella and Austin are on their honeymoon in Italy. On their first night, Austin realizes he left his credit card at the restaurant. Stella insists he wait till morning but he’s adamant to go get it. Austin never returns to their hotel room. Stella calls the police, searches for him and an investigation begins. There are a lot of questions and secrets.

The story is told from alternative times: THEN, when Stella and Austin meet to the wedding. NOW, when they are on their honeymoon and Austin is missing.

The story was a slow burn. Though it wasn’t a long book, it took me awhile to finish reading it because I feel like it dragged and wasn’t exciting. The story was more about secrets than suspense. The twists came at the end and were surprising.

Thank you #netgalley and Thomas and Mercer Publishing
Publishing: June 13,2024

Was this review helpful?

This was an excellent story with well thought out characters. I was engaged the entire time and would recommend this book to others.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley, Homas & Mercer and Shalini Boland for the eArc of The HoneyMoon.

I've read a few of Stalini's books and alway love the twisty turns and this didn't disappoint.

Stella is away on her honeymoon and Austin, her newly wed husband goes to pick up his credit card at a local restaurant. Never to be seen an again!

This narrative is split into 2 timelines, the now and the months leading from when Stella met Austin. Both timelines are very clear and merge into present day very well. The fear, dread and other emotions are very much invoked as you are reading and the writing is very well paced. It definitely leads you up some very plausible paths and ending, only to twist back on itself. Really enjoyed the ending.

4 stars

Was this review helpful?

Enjoyed this much more than I expected to. Thought it would be predictable but it wasn't. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Was this review helpful?

Intense and twisty! I always love the way Shalini Boland writes and she's back with another totally bingeworthy thriller. I felt like I had whiplash with all the twists and could NOT figure out which way the story was going. Fans of this author and this genre will enjoy!

Was this review helpful?

Thanks netgalley for this great thriller, and another wonderful book from Shalini Boland well done.
Stella and her handsome husband were in Venice for their honeymoon it was such a beautiful city and great hotel was amazing.
Everything was great on their first night they had dinner and went to bed. But later on Austin said he wanted to go out he thinks he lost his credit card and would not be long.
Stella wanted to go with him but the answer was I will not be long go back to sleep.
Stella woke up much later to find Austin had not gone back to bed, she got up and went looking for him to no avail.
In the morning Stella was getting worried and then called the police Austin’s parents and her parents to help to look for him but no success.
Where was he did Stella really know who she had married.

Was this review helpful?

This was an okay read. It did feel a bit like it dragged , I didn't love as much as her other books but did enjoy. I found it to be a bit all over the place with characters and parts of it didn't flow well.

Was this review helpful?

A romantic honeymoon in Italy slips into a shocking nightmare…

Stella and Austin are newlyweds and off to Italy to for their honeymoon. During the first night there Austin wakes in the middle of the night. He realizes he left his credit card where they dined earlier that evening. He’s adamant it can’t wait till morning and needs to immediately return to the restaurant and hopefully retrieve his card.

And Poof! Austin is never heard from again.

Stella is of course crazed with worry. Endless searches by her, the police and eventually both sets of parents prove futile. What happened to Austin?

Told from Stella’s perspective in both a now and then timelines. The storyline flows easily and quickly. And it will keep you guessing all the way to the end!

Nope! Did not see that coming! Well played!

A perfect weekend read!
I always enjoy books by Shalini Boland and this was no exception!
Looking forward to more!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer

Was this review helpful?

A great thriller with a shocking ending! I love Shalini’s books- they are always enjoyable and there is always a twist that I never expect! Story flowed great and I enjoyed the characters. Her books are always quick reads for me- I start it and can’t put it down. Definitely recommend! Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Shalini Boland for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Was this review helpful?

Now that I have lifted my jaw off the floor to The Honeymoon which is Shalini Boland’s latest thriller , I can proceed with my review. Wow!!!! What a book!!!! Stella and Austin get married and go on their honeymoon to Italy. This is told in different POV’s - before the marriage and during the honeymoon. All I can say is that Shalini knows how to tell an awesome story. The ending and the epilogue (EACH ONE IS A SHOCK!) have me literally speechless! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. This is Shalini’s best book yet. To be published June 13, 2024.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of The Honeymoon by Shalini Boland. I’m not sure why I keep reading Boland’s books, because they’re like potato chips - fun to consume but no real substance. This was another easy read, but for some reason I lost interest in the story about halfway through because Stella’s POV got tedious and the Then and Now transitions were clumsy. The reveal was good, so if you like surprises you might love this one.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you,NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this ARC.

I found this story interesting but it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat. I didn't feel it was suspenseful as I thought it was going to be. I wanted to know what happened to Stella's husband and there was a mystery surrounding his disappearance, I just felt this story was missing something but I can't put my finger on what it is.

The ending was interesting and not expected. I just felt like the epiligue was a letdown. I did enjoy the book but wish there was more to it.

Was this review helpful?