A Happy Marriage

by James Caine

She’s planning the perfect wedding.

He’s planning the perfect alibi.

Cathy’s a wedding planner for the rich and famous. After she gets a contract to plan the wedding of the wealthiest couple in town, she knows her business will skyrocket if she does well.

Cathy’s husband has his own plans.

She presents her marriage as perfect. It’s better for business. Sometimes even Cathy believes her own lies. She knows things are not the best between her and her husband.

She didn’t realize how bad it truly was until it was too late.

A Happy Marriage is a psychological thrilling short story, perfect for fans of page-turning suspense novels. Included is an excerpt of James Caine’s best-selling book, The In-Laws.

Genres: Thriller, Short Stories, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks, Suspense, Psychological

77 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2024

Reviews

[Tonya]

Never underestimate the power of vengeance. “Fool me once. He did it again. Fool me twice, and I guess I have to kill you.” This short story by James Caine pulled me in immediately. It’s original, entertaining, and had me racing to the satisfying conclusion. The plot is clever and unpredictable. Even though it was short, it was full of twists and very engaging. A big thanks to the author for my copy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Barbara Behring]

Another excellent story by James Caine. This one had quite a twist that I really enjoyed.

[Lisa]

Short, but definitely not sweet. This story from James Caine packs quite the punch in just a few chapters, from the captivating prologue to the twisty ending! And despite its brevity, A HAPPY MARRIAGE introduces characters who are not only well-developed, but relatable. Cathy is a protagonist I found myself liking very much as the short story unfolded. I couldn’t help but be reminded that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!!

If you want an intense yet quick read filled with lots of twisty fun, interesting characters, and sweet revenge, you can’t go wrong with this short story.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs']

This is one of my go to authors and it was a nice short read but quite fun. Really enjoyable.

[Danielle]

Ha! What a clever and twisty little tale.

[Colleen Hursey]

I don't usually like short stories, but this had all of the twists and turns of a full length novel! Loved it.

[Amber Higgs]

My Review | My Recommendation

A Happy Marriage - James Caine

Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

A really short read and it’s on Kindle for free. A story based on a women who’s a wedding planner with the suspicion her husband is cheating. A really short thriller, with an unexpected twist.
This was a fun read! But had so much potential to be more!

“I accomplished more than what was expected”

“Things will happen that you can’t plan for. Act accordingly”

“I need to make sure he’s loyal to me before I continue to give him my time”

“Fool me once. Then he did it again. Fool me twice, and I guess I have to kill you”

[Aneesa ୨ৎ (BACKKKK)]

the blurb and the five-star ratings intrigued me, so i started this. it’s not like i was bored—the pacing was fast, and i finished it in one sitting.

at first, i saw all these high ratings and thought i was in for some major twist. it’s not that the twist was bad, but it wasn’t what i expected based on the hype. i think the ratings raised my expectations more than they should’ve.

recommend? yes—if you’re looking for a short novella with a few twists, this works.

[kayla]

James Caine did his big one with this one!

[Sherri Thacker]

A quick little thriller with lots of revenge going on. With only 77 pages, it’s a quick read.

[Zoe Kindle Queen]

Short novella with a shocking ending. This story focuses on a wedding planner named Cathy who plans the perfect wedding for her wealthy clients however her own marriage is far from perfect.

Perfect read to sit down with and race through with a surprise ending and a clever twist.

[Christine Fitzpatrick]

It was a really good book

I just wish this book was longer I finished it in a half an hour. I couldn't put it down it was very fun and entertaining.

[Dave Wheeler]

This may be short but it will get you turned inside out working out the next turn.

Cathy a wedding planner for the rich and wealthy well the rest of us can't afford them anyway, is pulling off one off her specials and hoping to make contacts when the best job of the year appears in front of her. This could be her big chance but events well can't say more without ruining it but definitely worth reading to find out!

It's short I know I've said that but it's also a great read so I feel it's worth the 5 star recommendation

[Dee]

The right sized bite.

Just what I was looking for, something short, something to keep my attention and kept me glued to the storyline. Without all that extra nonsense. I loved this.

[Alecia]

Very short. Could potentially be flushed out into a full novel.

[Donna Mallery]

I enjoyed this short story! It’s about a wedding planner who prepares/plans for high end weddings. Too bad, her own life isn’t a fairy tale like the weddings! Delicious twists!

[Danielle Ramey]

read this book while my husband pulled me around on the lake, short book where the dead body doesn’t even show up until the end. Enjoyable quick read

[Sheri Corriero]

Cathy Kennedy is a wedding planner and is planning the wedding of some rich clients. While she presents “A Happy Marriage” to people, unfortunately her own marriage is not. She doesn’t realize it until it is too late, and she finds out what her husband has really been up to. This is another good psychological thriller by James Caine. I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.

[Kath Deans]

Well, I finally got round to starting my ARC copy this morning- just as well I had the day to myself because I couldn’t stop reading. The plot springs surprise twists that make you totally rethink what you have read - I won’t say more, but this is a must read

[Cindy]

A Happy Marriage a an excellent short read that will leave you wanting to read more by James Caine. Catherine Kennedy is a wedding planner with a perfect marriage herself. Or was it? As you read this piece, you will navigate twists you didn’t see coming. I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Darlene Hayes]

NOT A BOOK. A very very short story. But surprise ending

[Phyllis Fried]

Revenge

This is a short story about a wedding planner and the wedding she is planning for some very rich clients. There is a great twist and hopefully a happy marriage at the end.

[Liz]

A happy marriage

What a fantastic short story, more like a novel than a short story and not what I expected. Well worth a read!
Bonus you get a free book as well The Affair.


Superb writer

[Karyn]

I read this as part of a box set. This book was a quick read because I couldn’t put it down. It had me fooled. I went through the story knowing what to expect. Until I didn’t know. Then was sure I knew and finally, nope. No clue. Never saw it coming. I should know better with this author. It is never what is expected! This book was really good!

[Kelly Kline]

A Happy Marriage is a short read about Cathy Kennedy, a wedding planner. Cathy plans dream weddings for her clients but in the meantime her own marriage seems to be going bad. Cathy eventually finds out exactly what her husband is up to and no one can predict what happens next.
I devoured this story and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The characters are very well developed even though this is a short story and of course there are twists and turns throughout the whole book. I totally recommend this book with a ten out of ten rating!

[Jane Blake]

This is only a very short book but it wasn’t small on drama and twists.
I really enjoyed it and will be looking for more by this author.
Would definitely recommend it

[Krystal Stewart]

Another great story from one of my favorites! This may be a short story, but James still managed to pack an amazing storyline into it, per usual. He never disappoints me with his work! Definitely recommend!

[Rueeeeeeee]

I read it in under an hour and I’d rather get that hour back. There’s nothing to this book. No descriptions, no characterization, no point of view, just a plot with zero substance. I can’t say it’s good or bad, because there’s genuinely nothing.

[Alyssa Larade]

short & sweet!

[Christy Holding]

This was a quick, addictive read that became harder and harder to put down the deeper I got into it.

What starts out a little slow quickly builds momentum until the story becomes completely gripping. The pacing accelerates as the pages turn, and the twists were easily my favorite part of the book. Just when I thought I understood where the story was going, the plot took my expectations, ran them over, and then backed up just to make sure.

The story unfolds through two primary POVs and alternating timelines, which made it incredibly easy to keep flipping the pages. The short, cliffhanger-style chapters kept the tension high and made this one of those “just one more chapter” reads that turns into finishing the book in a few hours.

I also appreciated how the mysterious events from the past blended with the present political storyline. The combination of long-hidden secrets, ambition, and moral gray areas created a suspenseful atmosphere that kept me hooked.

Even though the premise can get a little dramatic at times, the characters still felt believable and grounded enough to make the story immersive. The group of teenage boys at the center of the past storyline in particular added an unsettling layer to the mystery.

Overall, this was a strong follow-up to Just Stay Away and a solid political thriller filled with intrigue, secrets, and tension. If you enjoy suspenseful stories with alternating timelines and plenty of twists, this one is definitely worth picking up.