This book started out strong, and the middle became slow.. but the end was just not good. Not enough happened for there to be a cliffhanger in my opinion. Needed a bigger twist.

Just finished The Honeymoon by Gemma Rodgers, and wow, I am shook!
You think you know where this book is going and then it suddenly dips and changes.

The premise is two newly weds and a dream honeymoon. The slow building tension had me on the edge, and by the time the action kicked off I was hooked. Gemma Rodgers is amazing at making you feel like something’s wrong, even if you can’t quite put your finger on it.

The characters felt real, and while I didn’t love everyone (let’s be honest, some made me want to scream 🙈), their motives and actions were complex and relatable. There were moments where I was like, “Wait, what just happened?” 👀 and then I had to go back and read again to process.

And can we talk about the ending?

If you’re into thrillers with a dose of suspense and psychological mind games, you NEED this one in your life. It’s not a 5-star for me just because I wished some parts were a little more fleshed out, but honestly, it’s a solid 4 ⭐ and definitely worth picking up! 💫

Omg this book was fantastic it had me gripped from start to finish I could not put it down. It was one of those heart pounding thriller which had me on the edge of my seat throughout. I loved how fast paced and written it was the character development was amazing. I can’t wait to recommend this twisty thriller to everyone. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this great book.

This book is for readers that wish to suspend disbelief, hate a great deal of characters and wonder how on earth they got in to this situation!

This book isn’t all that slick, and is fantastical but if you can hang on you get an ending that wraps it all up.

Fun, silly, good.

What can I say about this book except that I loved it?

Every chapter left me wanting more, and I could not put this book down.

I felt every emotion going, and on more than one occasion, I could feel my heart rate going up as though I was actually living Kelly's life.

I was kept on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

If you like twists and turns aplenty, then The Honeymoon by Gemma Rogers is the book for you.


Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Honeymoon by Gemma Rogers

2.5 stars

In a split second, your whole world crashes around you…

Kelly’s wedding day should have been the happiest moment of her life, but when she discovers her new husband Ryan in a compromising situation with his best friend’s wife, Liza, everything unravels. Fleeing the scene, Kelly decides to take their planned honeymoon to Crete by herself, hoping the sunny days and tranquil beaches will help her make sense of her shattered world. But things are far from simple when Ryan shows up unexpectedly, full of denials and burdened with secrets that turn her world upside down once again.

While The Honeymoon was marketed as a thriller, it felt more like chick-lit or a light women’s fiction. There was little mystery beyond what’s revealed in the blurb, and despite the cover's suggestion of a murder, the plot focused solely on Kelly’s dilemma—being stuck on a honeymoon with her cheating husband, his best friend, and the woman he cheated with.

From the outset, Kelly’s reactions didn’t feel believable. Her decision to head to Crete alone, without more serious reflection on her crumbling ten-year relationship, seemed forced. The "big secrets" hinted at in the blurb? Not particularly original or shocking. I kept waiting for a twist that never arrived.

Character development was lacking, with none of the main players being particularly likable, including Kelly, whose indecisiveness and hypocritical actions were frustrating. While she wavered between divorce and annulment, she still referred to Ryan as her husband and made inexplicably poor decisions based on a misguided sense of loyalty. Even the writing style felt repetitive and clunky, often circling back to the same points and lacking the polish I expect—even in an ARC.

Although I understand this is an advance copy and some elements may improve with a final edit, I found myself mentally editing the book as I read, unable to fully immerse myself in the story. The beginning had potential, but the plot quickly lost steam, and the characters left me disconnected.

Ultimately, The Honeymoon was not what I had anticipated, and while I may be in the minority among the numerous glowing reviews, it just wasn’t a good fit for me.

Thank you to the author, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A solid 4 stars.
The story line has you hooked right from the get go. If you want a good easy beach read this is definitely one you will enjoy. A few small twist and turns that keep it interesting. A marriage that starts off with an affair. A betrayal, a baby, a debt, and a loan shark! The perfect combination of everything all tied up in one.

Newly married Kelly catches her husband, Ryan, in a compromising position with her best friend Liza! She doesn’t confront them instead she ditches Ryan and leaves for their honeymoon to Crete. This spirals into chaos once he arrives, as well as Liza and her husband Bobby. This is a predictable read. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy.

This is the first book ive read by this author and what a book it was,
I finished this book in less than 2 days as it was fast paced and a real page turner.
There's likeable characters and some you'll hate.
As a newly married woman myself the deceit shown is shocking and heartbreaking.
Very good book and ill deffo be reading more books by this author.
5 stars

Whirlwind of a ride through this story. Wow.. took me to where I never expected. Characters fit their roles perfectly. Loved the ending.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

This hooked me and really had me for the first 70% of the book; but once the Honeymoon was over and the couples returned home, it lost its steam. It was almost like reading two different books, and it drove me crazy how overly concerned Kelly still was with Ryan’s safety.

I am a little bit unsure about what to say. Don't get me wrong: it was a thrilling and quite fast paced story but for me personally, the characters were a little too confused and the book felt more like a drama instead of a Thriller. So if you don't expect the most mind-blowing story: go for it!

Pacy Domestic Suspense..
A traumatic discovery on her wedding day forces Kelly’s hand. Departing the wedding festivities, abandoning her family and new husband, she embarks on the planned honeymoon alone. Things are about to change yet again and with the arrival of the new groom come new revelations. Fast moving domestic suspense with an ample cast and a pacy plot tending to the overly repetitive.

This is the first novel I’ve read by this author and it certainly won’t be the last. The Honeymoon is a tense domestic thriller with a pacy plot that builds with each chapter. It’s full of secrets and will keep you hooked. Well written with short, punchy chapters and a worthy five star read. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.

it was okay, I couldn't really connect with the writing style, it felt a little simple. But it was a good premise. Thank you for my ARC

Book Review: "The Honeymoon" by Gemma Rogers

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gemma Rogers delivers a heart-pounding psychological thriller in "The Honeymoon" that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go until the shocking finale. As an ARC reader, I found myself completely absorbed in this tale of betrayal, secrets, and the struggle for personal redemption.

The story opens with a whirlwind wedding that quickly devolves into a nightmare when the protagonist discovers her husband, Ryan, in a compromising position with Liza, his best friend’s wife. This moment of ultimate betrayal sets the stage for a gripping exploration of love, trust, and the lengths we go to escape our reality. I felt every ounce of the protagonist’s heartache and confusion as she flees from her own wedding, seeking solace and clarity on the sun-soaked beaches of Crete.

Rogers expertly balances the initial bliss of the honeymoon with the unraveling tension that follows Ryan’s unexpected arrival. The idyllic setting becomes a pressure cooker for emotions as secrets emerge, leaving the reader guessing what lies beneath the surface of this seemingly perfect couple. Just when you think you have a handle on the plot, Rogers masterfully twists the narrative, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

The writing is sharp and evocative, perfectly capturing the beauty of the Cretan landscape while contrasting it with the dark emotional turmoil of the characters. I was particularly drawn to the psychological depth of the protagonist; her journey of self-discovery amidst the chaos was both relatable and poignant. Each character is layered and complex, making you question their motives and alliances throughout the story.

Rogers has a knack for creating suspense that builds steadily, and the revelations that unfold are both surprising and impactful. The pacing is brisk, making it a true page-turner—once I started, I couldn’t put it down! The emotional stakes are high, and just when you think you have everything figured out, Rogers throws in twists that will leave you reeling.

For fans of Shari Lapena and Lisa Jewell, "The Honeymoon" is an absolute must-read. It’s a beautifully written, edge-of-your-seat thriller that explores the fragility of relationships and the dark secrets that can lurk behind closed doors. Gemma Rogers has solidified her place as a talented voice in psychological thrillers, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!

What a great book this was. I loved everything about it.
Slow tension built up and finally so many twists and turns that i didn't see coming. An excellent read I love thrillers

Really enjoyed this one! I never quite knew what was going to happen as the tension slowly built. I am a sucker for thrillers that happen on an island or holiday and this one had the added element of the honeymoon - that had quite a few twists and turns. It had me hoping she would get the heck away from a certain cast of characters. Enjoyed the satisfying ending, And the dog business called Walkies, I wish I had one here like that!

Wow, what an amazing book. The characters were so well developed. It was exciting to watch Kelly, Ryan, Bobby and Liza travers over the many obstacles that relationships can involve. I was actually sympathetic to each characters plight as well feeling anger towards them at other times. Much like real life-no one is all good or all bad. There were a couple of times that I forgot that. Great book and I highly recommend it!

I received an ARC of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. Looks like I am in the minority here among lots of 5-star reviews, but this book was just not good. From the very beginning and Kelly's reaction to seeing her new husband cheating on her, it just didn't seem believable. It is very repetitive with chapter upon chapter of nothing happening - ooh, the sunbeds at the resort are all taken! Great, another piña colada! Pretty fish while snorkeling! All extraneous details. And the whole "Ryan has secrets" - well, the secrets are not very exciting or original. I kept waiting for more to happen - a big twist - but it never came.