This high quality audio is a fast paced physiological thriller. It leads you to become the character as the story is narrated and told mainly from chloe's point of view.
At times it felt like there was an underlying attempt to deal with complex issues such as coercion, , gaslighting and quick romance. It was written in such a way you were compelled to carry on listen. The twists and turns grabbed my attention and compelled me to continue. The ending was brilliant and was a fitting end to the character arc of chloe snd women in general.. it was a powerful listen
Highly recommended to all thrillers lovers. However be warned there were times in the middle when it appears to be lost and becoming predictable but it's worth sticking with it. Loved the narrator
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author for this cracking 5 star listen

Chloe gets married to Dan, a man she barely knows, then realizes she *gasp* barely knows anything about him. He changes their honeymoon location without telling her and tries to convince her to stay forever, leaving her life and family behind. When she doesn’t comply, he makes it nearly impossible for her to leave.

Every person in this book is insanely unlikeable. Chloe rationalizes all of the blatantly batshit crazy things Dan does for about half of the book and lets everyone treat her like a doormat. Dan is a controlling, manipulative walking red flag. Chloe’s entire family is God awful to her. I don’t get why everyone in this book sucks so badly. The story was interesting enough for me to want to keep reading, but the big reveal was anti-climactic and overall not much really happens. This is disappointing for a thriller. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Rona Halsall for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator. The storyline was interesting but the characters, especially Chloe, were unbearable. I DNF at 67%. I’m sure this will be a favorite for some but it was not the book for me.

“The Honeymoon” was a quick read with an interesting plot line. Chloe really did my head in as a character; she’s so wishy washy. Truly, there were no really like-able characters and I can see how that was the intention of the author once I finished the book. The ending was wrapped up quite unexpectedly, but I found it to be satisfying once the last twist was revealed.

I listened to this on audiobook.

Well I have to just say wow, this has been quite a corker of a story, lots of twists and turns and I mean like a rollercoaster. It literally had me waiting in eager anticipation as to what might happen next, not to mention who to trust. I went back and forwards with trusting one of the characters to then not trusting them and then trusting and not trusting them, you get the picture. I was 100% engaged captivated with this story, had me guessing a lot trying to figure it all out, some I did but a lot I didn’t.

My only gripe is the main character Chloe, I just didn’t like her very much, I didn’t agree with some of the decisions she made or her reactions to certain things, but then maybe that was the authors intention all along.

Anyway all in all, loved it and really enjoyed how it all ended, very clever and very well written. So another well done to author Rona, she sure does know how to tell a story.

The narrator Naomi Frederick did a super great job of narrating the story, very easy to follow and she gave each of the characters their own unique voice/personality for sure.

Chloe has had a series of bad relationships, and is in no rush to find another one. But when she met Dan that all changed. With a whirlwind romance that leads into a quick wedding Chloe has no doubts that she married the one. That is until they leave for their honeymoon. Finding out that Dan has not booked the honeymoon Chloe has so desperately wanted she soon discovers that Dan is lying about many things. However, Chloe has her own secret that has haunted her. She must deal with her demons before she can deal with Dan’s. This might be harder than she thought when she finds out that he has manipulated her and everyone around them. Can she find out the truth and get her life back before she loses it?
Overall rating 4/5
This is definitely fit for a Lifetime movie. I thought I had it all figured out in the beginning but was surprised by the many twists and turns. Makes one wonder what you would do in a situation if the person you are supposed to trust the most turns out to be the person you should protect yourself from.

*Thank you to Rona Halsall, Naomi Frederick, Bookouture Audio, and Netgalley for the audio copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I thought this book had a lot of potential, but didn't quite live up to it. Chloe's gullibility was a bit too much to take at times, but what I found most annoying was how painfully repetitive a lot of the book was. How many times did we have to hear the same inner thoughts, and sometimes there is a repetition of something that had just been established a sentence or two before--totally unnecessary and quite annoying. It starts to feel like the book has too much padding. The narrator was fantastic, so this did make the overall experience more enjoyable, but it was still not a favorite of mine. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an audio e-ARC of this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audio ARC.
The story was riveting and thrilling. Very fast paced and pretty crazy. There were lots of twists and turns and I really didn’t know where it was going for a while. Loved it.
When Chloe meets Dan she thinks she’s met her soul mate, until they arrive on their honeymoon. Did she just make a huge mistake or is it love?
This book seriously was so good. Give it a read or a listen.
Thanks netgalley for the AAC!

I fell asleep listening to this book and when I went back to listen again I realised sleeping through it was the best option for me.
Silly or nasty characters just take you pick. Over the top revelations at the end that could possibly have given the author more ideas for future books rather than slotted quickly into this one.

The Honeymoon
by Rona Halsall
⭐⭐
To be honest, this book was difficult for me to get through. First, the setting and atmosphere were good. I enjoyed getting to know Chloe and her and Dan's story. But things got bad really fast, Dan seeming to be the culprit for that. It was frustrating to read about chloes self doubts, Dan's gaslighting and her attempt to flee the scene. I don't like her grandma, Dan annoys me, Chloes is too weak to be a main character for me. It took a while for me to finish the audiobook because I was frustrated and slightly annoyed by everything. The last few chapters include several huge revelations, which in my opinion are way more important than how they are told. It's just a list of extremely life altering situations and none of them got to me on an emotional basis. So I would not recommend this book.

A L C • R E V I E W
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Title: The Honeymoon
Author: Rona Halsall
Rating: 4/5 Stars
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This was a great listen as far as psychological thrillers go. From start to finish The Honeymoon had my attention and was super suspenseful and had me questioning everything.
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Most of the story revolves around Dan and Chloe, the rest of the cast is pretty small, but also super easy to maintain who is who. I don't necessarily think that any of the characters were that likable, which made me constantly question who was the villain in this one. I wasn't sure exactly where this one was going to lead but I did enjoy the roller-coaster that this one took me on. The ending was satisfying enough for my liking, and it was one that i never would have figured out.
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This is told in the 3rd person and it held a pretty steady pace throughout the entire novel. The well placed twists and constant questioning of integrity will have you on the edge of your seat. This was such an easy read, I think it would make for the perfect beach read. I can easily say this is one honeymoon that I would definitely not want in my life.
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I listened to this one via audiobook and Naomi Frederick was awesome. I love everything she did with the narration and found this to be such a pleasure to listen to.
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Don't miss out on this one. Highly recommending this one to all of my psychological thriller fans and anyone looking for a good beach thriller. The honeymoon was released on 6/14. Huge thank you to NetGalley, Rona Halsall and Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. This was a pleasure to read.

This was an absolute rollercoaster! I read a lot of thriller/suspense novels, and I’ve gotten pretty good on picking up the line of the story to see where it’s ultimately headed; however, I truly stayed on the edge of my seat this entire book waiting to see what could possibly happen next. I mean, who was the actual villain? Was there one? It was so hard for me to decide at the end! I do think, ultimately, each character got a fitting ending (except, maybe, Gran). If you love a story that keeps you guessing, this is the one for you!

"The Honeymoon" by Rona Halsall is a suspenseful tale that follows the main character, Chloe, as her dream honeymoon swiftly turns into a nightmare. Chloe, who rapidly falls in love and marries Dan, finds her picture-perfect plans devolving into chaos. As her husband ominously insists that they aren't safe, Chloe is left to unravel the web of lies spun by Dan and discern the reality of her situation.

The novel starts slowly but picks up momentum towards the end, introducing new characters as it races towards its conclusion, which becomes a bit messy The story offers a mystery that keeps readers engaged, leading to an ending that manages to be both expected but also surprising.

This book is recommended for those new to the thriller/mystery genre, with its blend of suspense and intrigue providing a captivating introduction. However, more seasoned readers might find the plot development and character introduction towards the end somewhat messy.

Great book. Kept you wanting to know what's next. Quick paced, twists, and keeps you engaged. Narrator was great!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for providing me with an ARC.

I liked it. The story improves as it moves along. The idea of getting engaged and marrying within 2months of meeting is hard to grasp. Then, being surprised that your spouse isn’t necessarily who you thought they were also seems a little crazy. I did like how it was written- descriptive passages and enough intrigue to keep me engaged.
The narration by Naomi Frederick is clear, well paced and easy to listen to.
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Dan and Chloe have just gotten married after only knowing each other for a very short time. Now they are excited to start their honeymoon on a trip to the very romantic Maldives, a place that Chloe has been wanting to travel to forever. As they try and find their gate at the airport, Chloe notices that they are boarding a plane that is not travelling to the Maldives. She is frantically questioning Dan but he says he will explain on the plane. Chloe is livid and doesn't understand what is going on. Dan explains that he has always wanted to go to Spain and it is a very remote island where they can be alone together and have a fabulous honeymoon. Chloe goes along with it until Dan says that they are staying there forever and not returning back to England. WHAT??? Who is this stranger and why is he keeping her locked in the villa and making her stay on the island? Maybe Chloe should have learned more about her husband before saying "I do". Enjoy!!!

What did SHE do and what did HE do and why aren’t the newlyweds confiding in each other? A fast paced, psychological popcorn thriller featuring a just married couple embarking on their honeymoon, with a few flashbacks from the past. The main female character, Chloe, is insecure and very suspicious of why her (unlikable to me) husband, Dan, changed up their plans and is forcing her to stay at a destination not of her choice. There were many unbelievable moments due to Chloe’s nativity which had me rolling my eyes and wanting to have a stern talk with her, but overall that helped further along the plot and the ultimate twist. The narrator was great, made for an easy and quick listen in less than a day.
3.5 stars

I could use a honeymoon about now, don't ya say?

Rona Halsall, knocked this one out of the park. My only shame is not listening/reading to The Honeymoon, sooner.

Jam packed with twists and turns, don't blink, you might just miss something .

Highly suspenseful and engaging, I never lost focus.

The Honeymoon is a sure to be bestseller and I am honored to have been able to read and review early in exchange for an honest review.

Check out this teaser :

‘I’m your husband, Chloe. We’re a partnership now and we do what’s best for us as a couple.’

Chloe finally feels like she’s got her life together. After a difficult childhood and losing both parents, she worked hard for the life she loves in lively Brighton, helping people as a physiotherapist. And then she meets the perfect man.

It’s a whirlwind romance, but Dan is handsome, funny, and simply the kindest man she’s ever met. When she sees him standing by the altar, tears glistening in his eyes, she knows this will be for always.

As they sunbathe on their honeymoon island, laughing over drinks, planning their future with their feet in the sand, Dan jokes that he’d like them to stay there forever.

At first, Chloe couldn’t agree more. It’s tempting to imagine truly leaving her troubled past behind. But as the honeymoon goes on, he becomes increasingly adamant. They shouldn’t leave. In fact, he won’t let her…

This is a fast paced edge of you seat thriller that will keep you guessing right up until the last page. As always, Rona Halsall’s books keep me up all night. I just couldn't put it down!
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

When Chloe finds herself leaving for her honeymoon with her seemingly perfect husband, Dan, after a whirlwind romance, she's happier than she ever thought she could be. Unfortunately, they don't even get out of the airport before she realizes that Dan isn't at all who she thought he was.

The basic plot of this book is simple and brilliant. We have a seemingly smart young woman finding herself in way over her head in the name of love. There were so many ways this book could have gone that would have made it a tense, edge-of-your seat thriller...... and it aggressively avoided all of them. I have never DNF'ed a NetGalley, I sincerely believe you owe it to the author who is giving you their book for free to read the *entire* thing and provide feedback, so I did finish this one. That being said, if there wasn't a NetGalley, I'd have DNF'ed no more than 15% through and even if I managed to keep going, every page gave me a reason not to. I kept waiting for it to go somewhere that would make all the actions of these characters make sense, but it never did, it just kept getting more and more bizarre and unbelievable.

In the first few pages, you feel bad for Chloe as you learn that her whirlwind romance is going to cause her huge problems. I say this as a married person: if my husband had changed our honeymoon from my dream location to some other random place, I would be absolutely livid. Chloe gets mad for a hot second and then write it off, which would be a continuing pattern for her no matter how many times this man does crap thing after crap thing. The more backstory you get, the less bad you feel for Chloe. By the halfway point, you can't help but feel she deserves absolutely everything she gets. I'm sorry but if I saw one tenth of the red flags Chloe saw, I'd not only marry him I'd have a restraining order out. Chloe on the other hand just rolls with it. Literally dozens of times in this book she has the opportunity to get away and either chooses not to, or does get away and returns. It's like watching the moron character in a horror movie that chooses to hide in the rusty-saw filled basement instead of driving away in the running car...... for an entire book. It's absolutely maddening. More maddening is the fact that the more nasty things Dan does, the more Chloe acts surprised. "Oh my gosh how could you do.... xyz thing?! I can't believe you could do that!" How could he do that? Really?! Look at all the other things he's done, how could you expect him NOT to do that?! I don't know that I've ever read a book with a dumber FMC. I kept waiting for their to be some explanation for her insane behavior but there never was. In addition to my absolutely hatred of the main character, there were absolutely no redeemable secondary characters. Dan was awful, Chloe's gran was awful, her siblings are awful. I suppose her Gran's carer was okay but she was a very small part.

In addition to absolutely abysmal characters across the board, the pacing in this book was disaster. The first 75% is Dan doing bad things and Chloe freaking out for a minute and then totally letting it go and moving on to let him to the next crap thing. The last 25% was an insanely wild ride that was off the rails as far as unbelievable and just completely bizarre.

It was all just really unfortunate because somehow the writing itself is good. The wording, the settings, the mix of dialogue vs. internal thought it all really strong. I just wish the author would have chosen a much, much more grounded believable story. The basic plot had to much potential and this fell so far short. It kills me to write a bad review, I am 500+ books in and I almost always find something redeeming but this one just killed me.