From the moment I read the prologue in The Marriage Rules, I knew I was in for something seriously gripping. Samantha Hayes sets the stage with a list of eerie, rigid rules that instantly gave me a creeping sense of unease—and that tension only built from there.

Told through a dual timeline, the narrative moves seamlessly between past and present, making it easy to follow yet impossible to predict. I went in expecting a domestic thriller, but what I got was something far darker and more psychologically disturbing. The author has a real gift for creating atmosphere, and the unsettling dynamic at the heart of this story had me second-guessing everything.

The suspense builds gradually, pulling you deeper into the mystery with each chapter, and then—bam!—the twist in the middle completely blew the story apart. I didn’t see it coming at all, and I love when a thriller can still surprise me like that. Just as I was starting to process that twist, the ending delivered even more shocks that left me reeling.

Fast-paced and packed with twists, this was a wild, spiralling read that kept me turning the pages late into the night. If you're looking for a psychological thriller that keeps you on edge and plays with your expectations, this one’s well worth picking up.

This is a really clever book with an unusual plot. There is plot twist mid way through that took me completely by surprise. This is one of Samantha Haye’s best books and I would definitely recommend it.

I love this book, it is entertaining and SO clever!!

The plot is beautiful revealed (with parts tantalising hidden between smoke and mirrors!). The skill that has gone into writing this book is mind blowing!

We are introduced to main characters, a newly married husband (Jason), and wife (Fiona) who is also step mum to his 2 teen/preteen daughters. We are immediately confronted with some very tight marriage ‘rules’ that Jason has set for his family to live by - to say these are somewhat controlling is an understatement as Fiona and the girls are not allowed to leave the house while Jason is at work, and the girls are only allowed to grieve for their mother for one hour allowed hour every week!

As the novel progressed the family become embroiled in a police investigation and where it all leads is dramatic to say these least!

I can’t say much more on the plot as this book is definitely going to be best enjoyed without spoilers but I will say it is a really, really good read!!

My thanks to author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

Fiona and Jason lead a strange life, but to them it is a normal healthy marriage, Jason lives by a set of ‘rules’, he thinks they are life enhancing…Fiona tends to agree, his 2 daughters reluctantly follow them, the eldest getting more and more annoyed as time goes on

Now I have to admit at first I was fuming with Fiona, I kept thinking ‘it’s 2025 do not do as he says’…..but kept reading and am glad did as nothing is quite as seems in this book

Its dark, chilling, claustrophobic and although I thought had figured out the big ending very early on I only a third had and the true true ending was cleverness itself

To say anymore would give too mmch away but bare with Fiona’s cloying obedience and let the book unfold and you will see why

More than happy to be tricked by a book and when its a good book then even more so

I really enjoyed this thriller! Things get crazy when Fiona and Jason fall in love. Jason, a doctor on a psych ward, is unhappily married and falls for Fiona. When they move to start their new life together, they establish a set of rules that must be followed within the new marriage. Jason’s daughters are along for the ride and are not happy! In the middle of the story, there’s a huge twist, followed by the biggest whammy toward the end. I was NOT expecting it!

If you are looking for your next great read, check out The Marriage Rules by Samantha Hayes. It’s a great book.

Completely surprised me , with its twist and turns , and Field with lots of suspension that will leaving you wanting to know more with each turn of the page .

Imagine having rules in your marriage that your husband said you had to abide by. No lying. One drink at the weekend. Don’t leave the house unless absolutely necessary. Those are just some examples.
Samantha Hayes writes a wonderful thriller with lots of lies, murder and suspense. I never would have guessed the twist!!

Release date April 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc

This book was phenomenal! The character and plot development was very well done. The amount of detail in the story and the characters were truly great. This book pulls you right in and doesn’t let go until the very end. I was left truly speechless but in all the best ways.

Jason and Fiona have a list of strict rules in their marriage. Some of them are pretty absurd, and Fiona's friend questions if Fiona is ok. What could go wrong if the rules are broken?

This book started off strong and really kept me hooked for the first half or so. I enjoyed the dual perspectives and timelines. The middle was a bit slower, but I hung in there as I knew something was coming. I only realized the final twist right before it happened and the final quarter of the book picked right back up until the end. I'm not a huge fan of the far-fetched, out-of-left-field twists, but Hayes does a great job of sprinkling just enough hints through the book that if you look back, it does make sense and the clues were there. You'll certainly have to suspend some disbelief to appreciate the twist, but as a long time fan of this author I was able to do that. While this was not my favorite book by her, I thought it was pretty unique and definitely entertaining and unexpected.

This book starts off fairly typically for a domestic thriller. Fiona and her doctor husband Jason live the dream life in a village with Jason’s two daughters.
So far, so straightforward. But we learn from the get-go that Fiona and Jason are not your average couple.
They follow a strict set of rules, instigated by Jason. No lying. No social media. No watching the news. Never talk about the past. You get the gist.
But when Fiona starts getting threatening notes through the door, and starts not just bending but breaking the rules, their ordered life begins to implode.
When you read a lot of psych/domestic thrillers, as I do, you become pretty adept at guessing the twists.
Not this time!
Samantha Hayes had me not once, but twice. Huge kudos to her for that. You do have to suspend disbelief over certain aspects of the book - if this situation happened in real life, it would have been on every news bulletin across the country until it was resolved, and there’s no way the police would have acted as they did towards the end of the book.
That aside, I found the ending not just surprising but deeply touching and felt the author tackled a difficult and oft maligned subject with compassion and sensitivity.
If you like a book that delivers unreliable narrators, a creeping sense of unease and some jaw-dropping twists, you’ll love The Marriage Rules.

When a twist knocks you off kilter like this one you can truly truly say you've found a talented author.
From both sides there a differing narrative whenever you here of any two lives. And in a.cse like this families who do we trust. I certainly know what I thought I NEW at the beginning
Hearing Fionas story I was not too pleased on the husband. I tell you,just wait. Wait for the pages to need to keep turning and have you stirred up.and fired up as you finish this excellent book. I really really want to know how others took what happened.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The first half of the story reads like a typical domestic violence thriller, dark, unsettling and hard to digest as Jason's controling behavior towards his wife unfolds. Then the narrative shifts to his perspective, and just when I thought I could predict the twist, BAM- it completely blindsides you. The twist is so unexpected that it reshapes the entire story, almost to the point where it could stand as a book on its own.

This book was a very senseful psychological thriller. The story revolves around Fiona Fisher, who lives a seemingly perfect life with her husband Jason and his two daughters. However, Jason has put very strict rules that Fiona and the girls must follow. Everyone must be in bed by eight o'clock, no loud music, no news on TV, no social media, and no talking about the past.

The tension escalates when someone starts breaking these rules, this leads to a series of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The book is full of suspense, making it difficult to put the book down. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns all the way to the end.

Overall, This book was a very good psychological thrillers. Its was a fast-paced narrative that left you wondering how it would end.

I would recommend this book for people who like thrillers.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy.

Wow you done it again Samantha hayes realease set to for the 9th April 2025

One my favourites all time authors I’ve read so I always read you as soon as you hit my kindle I jumped to your book 🥰
The prologue was so easy to follow with the rules with in the marriage
It jumps past/ present
Rules for is new wife/children have to follow so strict
To the very last page had me going
Love a good one twist
Can’t wait for your next book to come out

Name :- The Marriage Rules
Author:- Samantha Hayes
Genre :- Psychological Thriller
Samantha Hayes delivers another gripping psychological thriller in The Marriage Rules, a novel filled with suspense, secrecy, and a growing sense of unease. Fans of The Wife Between Us and Behind Closed Doors will find themselves drawn into this chilling tale of control and deception. Fiona Fisher seems to have the perfect life—married to Jason, a respected doctor, and stepmother to his two daughters. Their home in a picturesque village is serene, safe, and structured. But beneath the surface, Fiona's life is anything but normal.
The family lives by a strict set of rules:
1 Everyone in bed by 8 PM.
2 No social media, no TV news, no loud music.
3 The house phone is for emergencies only.
4 Every door is locked.
5 And most importantly—never talk about the past. But when someone starts breaking the rules, Fiona realizes their carefully controlled world is beginning to unravel. As secrets emerge and past horrors threaten to resurface, she must confront the terrifying truth: who is really in control, and what happens when the rules are no longer enough to keep them safe?
Likes and Dislikes:-
Likes:-
1 Atmospheric and Claustrophobic: Hayes creates an intense, unsettling environment where every rule adds to the tension.
2 Slow-Building Suspense: The story unravels at a perfect pace, keeping you hooked with eerie clues and unexpected twists.
3 Unreliable Narration: Fiona’s perspective keeps readers questioning reality—who is telling the truth, and who has something to hide?
Dislikes:-
None.
Overall:- The Marriage Rules is a dark, addictive thriller that keeps you guessing until the final shocking reveal. Samantha Hayes crafts a story that plays with paranoia, control, and the blurred line between safety and captivity. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with disturbing twists, this book is a must-read.
My Rating:- 5/5.

I had a feeling of impending doom while reading this book. And I just knew nothing was as it seemed. I had so many questions. I loved how there was a strong sense of not really knowing who to trust and what was real or imagined. It definitely kept me guessing. There are twisty moments and several big twists at the end!

Wow. This had me on the edge of my seat thru the whole book right up until the ending. Follow the rules or there will be punishments. This was a twisted suspenseful read. This was an enjoyable read.

I usually really like Samantha Hayes books but I found this one odd, a definite book of two halves. I found the first part really sinister and unsettling and it kept me wanting to keep reading to find out more, hoping that Fiona would begin to stand up for herself more and wondering why Jason had such a strong hold over her. Then the book switched, there was a twist and the next part of the book started and I honestly found it bizarre. It felt like a totally separate book, with so many storylines being thrown at the reader, that I just stopped caring about what was happening to any of the characters. By the end, I was glad it was over! Fortunately I have read lots of books by the author, so I think my reaction to this one is just a one off and it won't stop me reading others.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Fiona believes she has it all, a perfect husband and two step daughters in a new home to live happily ever after…. But there is more to the relationship than meets the eye, why is Jason so insistent on the rules being followed & is Fiona’s paranoia justified - are they in danger?
When someone breaks the rules cracks start to appear leaving questions being asked by Fiona and the girls pushing boundaries wanting more freedom.
When random messages appear on the doorstep addressed to Fiona it leaves her scared and questioning herself, who is sending these notes and what do they know????

In a complete turn of events all is revealed and nothing was, as it seemed and their life was a complete lie.