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!!!

Intense and emotional - betrayals, broken trust, lies, and foremost ignoring serious depression. Obsession rears its dangerous head in a few different ways, coloring everything. Dark and angsty, secrets unfold in ways you won't ever expect. Not a happy read, but a strong one.

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.

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.

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.

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 Thompson run a cleaning business called Sparkle Clean. They are the parents of three little children whom they adore. They are working hard for their family so that their children can have a good life when they are grown. Luke handles the accounting end of the business and works with getting new contracts. Emma works in their office with other business tasks.

Emma begins to notice that Luke appears distant but when she questions him, he always smiles and tries to assure her that he is just busy and thinking about their business and jobs. Digging deeper, Emma finds a hotel receipt which he tries to explain away as a surprise he is planning for her but Emma knows there is something else going on. She then confides in her best friend, Georgia. The three of them have been friends since school days and Georgia was her Maid of Honor at her wedding. Georgia tries to reassure her but tells her to continue to ask Luke and see if anything else goes wrong.

Luke is hiding some very dark secrets from trauma he has experienced in the past. Emma has no idea how dark these secrets are so she continues to plead with him to get counseling which he promises to do. Things build to a devastating crescendo and a not too surprising ending.

I think the author worked hard on her debut novel here but I felt that some things were a bit repetitive and spread out too much. The characters are created well and the tension kept me reading this book in an afternoon. All in all, a good thriller.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and read it in one sitting. All I can say is WOW!!! The twists in this book I did not see coming. I would definitely recommend this book.

To Have and to Hold
Doting wife and mother of three, Emma seems to have a perfect life. She shares a lucrative cleaning business with husband Luke. But Emma starts noticing an alarming darkness in Luke’s behavior and her world starts to crumble. During a romantic get away they find themselves caught in a tangle of lies and deception.
A sensational read with nail-biting tension.
4 stars

To Have and To Hold by Lilly French is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the unraveling of a seemingly perfect marriage. Emma, a devoted wife and mother, leads a comfortable life with her husband, Luke, in the quiet suburban town of Sherford. But as Emma begins to notice subtle changes in Luke's behavior—late nights, secretive phone calls, and a hidden hotel receipt—her perfect world begins to crack open.

The tension mounts as Emma, increasingly paranoid, confides in her best friend Georgia, whose fears only escalate the suspicion. As Emma digs deeper into Luke’s life, she uncovers disturbing secrets about his obsession with death and dark imagery, leading her to question everything she thought she knew about him.

When Emma and Luke take a romantic weekend getaway, their relationship is pushed to its breaking point, and the truth about their marriage is horrifyingly revealed. French masterfully builds suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Emma confronts betrayal and secrets that threaten to destroy everything she holds dear.

With its twisty narrative and emotional depth, To Have and To Hold is a captivating exploration of trust, deception, and the devastating consequences of buried truths. This book will leave readers questioning the people they think they know and the lengths they might go to protect the lies they’ve built.