The story was good but it was confusing sometimes as it was repetitive.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Emma is a devoted wife and mother, seemingly living a perfect life in the idyllic suburbs of Sherford. Together with her husband Luke, she runs a successful cleaning business while nurturing their three children. However, beneath the polished surface of her perfect life, an unsettling darkness begins to creep in as Emma notices troubling changes in Luke's demeanor – late nights at work, hushed phone calls, and suspected lies that leave her feeling isolated and frightened.

Emma's world shatters when she stumbles upon a hotel receipt hidden in Luke's jacket, igniting a firestorm of suspicion and fear of infidelity. Torn between the love she feels for her husband and the gnawing doubts consuming her, Emma confides in her best friend Georgia, whose insistence on the worst-case scenario only serves to amplify Emma’s paranoia. As she delves deeper into Luke's life, Emma uncovers harrowing evidence of his disturbing obsession with death and morbid imagery—a stark contrast to the man she thought she knew.

This book lacked too much for me to truly enjoy it. The characters felt underdeveloped and the plot felt repetitive, predictable, and meh. I like the cover, though! 2.5⭐

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

★★.5

Emma and Luke seem like the perfect couple from the outside. They are married with three children and run a successful cleaning business. But not everything is as it seems. There’s a darkness to Luke that overtakes him, and when Emma tries to uncover what caused this sudden change in her husband, their lives will never be the same.

Though the book is advertised as a gripping psychological thriller, to me it felt more like domestic suspense. The plot was good, but too much was revealed from the beginning, leaving no surprises—let alone the twisty and shocking reveals I expect from (psychological) thrillers.

I found it difficult to connect with the characters, as there was very little character development, and the interactions felt flat and repetitive. For me, character development is such an important element and can truly make or break a story. In the afterword, Lilly French explains how she used AI to craft character dialogue and character development, which might explain the disconnect. The thriller genre is well-known for its character-driven stories, and this feels like a missed opportunity.


Thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and author Lilly French for a copy. All opinions are my own.

⭐⭐⭐
To Have and To Hold by Lilly French is a suspenseful thriller packed with action and unexpected turns! My jaw dropped down when the first twist came in. Then things were going mad and by the end, it was nail-biting suspense where you know not everyone can survive, the question is, who will go?

Easy to follow, no jumping in time. The story is presented from Emma's and her husband's POV exploring the challenges of running a business with your partner...
Emma thought she had a perfect life but things turned around nasty and nothing was like before!
Now Emma must understand what's happening and if there is anything she can do to get her life back.

Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this copy!

I thought the story was about a broken marriage but felt like the author threw in all these distracting things, there was too much happening behind the scenes, that was unnecessary just to throw the reader off, I felt annoyed by the storylines, as a lot of it did not make sense. The close friendship, that even though she grew up with, they did not keep in touch daily, yet the female friend was also close to the spouse. The spouse and his obsession with his childhood trauma was just bizarre. I was rather annoyed by the characters as no one acted age appropriate. I read through the story, but I did not enjoy this one.

Underdeveloped characters, the plot was repetitive with no real surprises, and the writing bordered on the edge of boredom. The author mentioned that she used AI to help with some of the writing and you could tell it, there was no warmth to the story.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.

Emma is a devoted wife and mother, seemingly living a perfect life in the idyllic suburbs of Sherford. Together with her husband Luke, she runs a successful cleaning business while nurturing their three children. However, beneath the polished surface of her perfect life, an unsettling darkness begins to creep in as Emma notices troubling changes in Luke's demeanour – late nights at work, hushed phone calls, and suspected lies that leave her feeling isolated and frightened.

Emma's world shatters when she stumbles upon a hotel receipt hidden in Luke's jacket, igniting a firestorm of suspicion and fear of infidelity. Torn between the love she feels for her husband and the gnawing doubts consuming her, Emma confides in her best friend Georgia, whose insistence on the worst-case scenario only serves to amplify Emma’s paranoia. As she delves deeper into Luke's life, Emma uncovers harrowing evidence of his disturbing obsession with death and morbid imagery—a stark contrast to the man she thought she knew.

Tensions spiral into chaos when Emma and Luke embark on a romantic weekend getaway, only to find themselves ensnared in a treacherous web of lies and betrayal. At a secluded retreat, Emma's worst nightmares come to life as she confronts her worst fears, ultimately unveiling the shocking truth about her marriage...

...for better or for worse, every choice has a consequence!

Loved it. Cannot wait to read more from the author. Will recommend to others.

Emma and Luke own a cleaning business, but recently Luke has been working late. And Emma’s suspicions peak when she finds a hotel receipt in his pocket. But, Luke also has a dark side after he witnessed a double suicide. Emma turns to her BFF Gigi, but Gigi has her own secrets from Emma.
When Emma starts asking questions, the answers are something she doesn’t want to hear.

It was slow for about the first half of the book, then it finally got going and I finished it in one sitting.

Thank you #NetGalley for the complimentary copy of #ToHaveandToHold in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a huge fan of Lilly French and this latest novel didn't disappoint me. A really fast paced thriller with a great plot and cast of characters that kept me hooked from start to finish.

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!!!