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The Honeymoon
Three newlywed couples arrive on Bali’s Honeymoon Island expecting two weeks of bliss. Some of them will die.
White beaches, endless cocktails . . . and murder.
Which of the couples will make it off the island alive?
‘Nathan hired me as his children’s nanny. Now I’m the third Mrs Price. Nathan collects wives like he collects designer suits . . . and tires of them just as quickly. Whatever happens, he must never find out my secret.’
‘My handsome new husband worships the ground I walk on. He’s accepted my past. But no one else on the island can know what I used to do for a living.’
‘I love our son — but I wish we hadn’t brought him on our honeymoon. His tantrums are ruining everything. What my husband doesn’t know is that I’ve been here before . . .’
Welcome to Honeymoon Island. Where secrets come to die . . .
White beaches, endless cocktails . . . and murder.
Which of the couples will make it off the island alive?
‘Nathan hired me as his children’s nanny. Now I’m the third Mrs Price. Nathan collects wives like he collects designer suits . . . and tires of them just as quickly. Whatever happens, he must never find out my secret.’
‘My handsome new husband worships the ground I walk on. He’s accepted my past. But no one else on the island can know what I used to do for a living.’
‘I love our son — but I wish we hadn’t brought him on our honeymoon. His tantrums are ruining everything. What my husband doesn’t know is that I’ve been here before . . .’
Welcome to Honeymoon Island. Where secrets come to die . . .
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2025
700 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Jane E. James
18 books265 followersInternational best selling author, Jane E James creates chilling reads that appeal to fans of psychological thrillers, mysteries and dark fiction. Jane loves to weave tense and haunting tales that stay in the reader's mind. All her books are standalone novels.
An animal lover, who believes ‘all life is precious’ Jane is a vegan and an animal rights advocate. She lives in the UK with her two cats Hero and Halo, who are sometimes featured in her books.
When she isn't writing (or reading) Jane enjoys living 'the good life' in the Rutland countryside, in a small village close to the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire in the UK; known for its quirky tea shops and cobbled streets.
Although born in Cambridgeshire, she is half Welsh and hopes, one day, to retire to the mountains of South Wales, where she feels closest to her late mother, whose maiden name 'James' is where Jane gets her pen name from. Once there, she plans to adopt and rescue all kinds of animals including donkeys, sheep, chickens and goats.
Rebecca, Carrie, The Woman in Black and Wuthering Heights are among some of Jane's favourite reads.
Visit her website www.janeejames.com or catch up with her on facebook and twitter. But bring Monster Munch and wine...
An animal lover, who believes ‘all life is precious’ Jane is a vegan and an animal rights advocate. She lives in the UK with her two cats Hero and Halo, who are sometimes featured in her books.
When she isn't writing (or reading) Jane enjoys living 'the good life' in the Rutland countryside, in a small village close to the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire in the UK; known for its quirky tea shops and cobbled streets.
Although born in Cambridgeshire, she is half Welsh and hopes, one day, to retire to the mountains of South Wales, where she feels closest to her late mother, whose maiden name 'James' is where Jane gets her pen name from. Once there, she plans to adopt and rescue all kinds of animals including donkeys, sheep, chickens and goats.
Rebecca, Carrie, The Woman in Black and Wuthering Heights are among some of Jane's favourite reads.
Visit her website www.janeejames.com or catch up with her on facebook and twitter. But bring Monster Munch and wine...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
March 22, 2025
Come on! How many coincidences are allowed in a plot? And what about the hot/cold and black/white characters? There was a dizzying amount of shallowness and cringey moments, and very messy too. My least favorite by the author!
April 14, 2025
Okay, this book will not win a Booker Prize, but it was a totally fun read!
Three totally different newly married couples are each on their honeymoons in Bali. As the story unfolds, we (and they!) discover that they are all connected in various ways. No-one is particularly delighted about these revelations.
Then the bodies start liking up...
Let's face it, if everything was perfect, this book would be a snoozefest, right?
Loved it.
Three totally different newly married couples are each on their honeymoons in Bali. As the story unfolds, we (and they!) discover that they are all connected in various ways. No-one is particularly delighted about these revelations.
Then the bodies start liking up...
Let's face it, if everything was perfect, this book would be a snoozefest, right?
Loved it.
December 26, 2025
"People are meant to survive tsunamis, avalanches, and wars, not honeymoons. Nevertheless, that's what I have done."
Jane E. James , The Honeymoon
I read this on Christmas Eve. While entertaining enough, it was not a good fit for me.
So any mystery lover would have an interest in reading this one. Several couples are on their honeymoon. Oh — bliss. Such sweet sweet bliss!
A bunch of loved up honeymooners. What a beautiful and sweet read this must be right? Right?
Not quite.
All of the honeymooners have secrets. All of the honeymooners are extremely screwed up human beings.
Seriously this is the kind of book you read when you want to feel better about your own life and issues. Because next to this group of people we have ALL got it together.
I don’t even really – I don’t know how to begin with this group of walking train wrecks. Suffice to say they are all nuts. Now being nutty in the book world is definitely not a dealbreaker in terms of reading the book.
But after a while, reading this, I started to actually wonder if it was written as a parity of other domestic thrillers. I wondered that because these people are so obviously over the top, and as many other reviewers said, there are so many coincidences, that calling it, a suspension of disbelief doesn’t really do it justice.
Every one of these people is linked to another one of these people by secrets from the past. The obvious issue of course — what are the odds of all of these people meeting on an island far far away? The answer to that question is zilch. I think any one of us would have better odds winning Powerball.
Then the murders start. That’s not a spoiler. You’re actually told in the first chapter when the murders occur but you don’t know who’s speaking, which was a clever little touch, I must say!
I have no issues with the writing . The author is quite talented.
I have no issue with the characterizations. In fact, I liked them. The author is very good at the physical descriptions of the people, and in mastering their personalities. Everyone had their own idiosyncrasies, and you always know who’s talking , something that’s not present in every book.
But what I couldn’t get past, and which prompted my low rating was the unbelievable story line. No again I don’t know if believability was even in the authors mind. That’s why I wondered if it was a parity because it was so obviously unbelievable.
If I knew that it was a parody I’d probably give it to a four. But since I have no way of knowing that, I have to admit that after a while as the murders revved up, the whole story just became more and more unbelievable.
There are also a surprising amount of rotten apples in the story. Is there nobody with any morality and human decency? It’s going to be challenging to find any of those people.
Anyway , I wish there had not been so many murders, and we could’ve gotten to know this group of neurotic and strange couples, and found out more of the good qualities. Assuming, of course that they have any.
Didn’t care for the ending. It all is left me with many more questions than answers.
SPOILERS
I did guess some of the twists, but not all of them. I had a feeling who Samantha‘s long lost lover was.
I did not guess what a bad person Tim was I really didn’t. That was clever of the writer because at first he seems like a quiet unassuming gent. The joke was on me in that regard.
I really wish it hadn’t ended like that. I mean it’s a clever plot twist. I’ll give it that but I was concerned about the little boy constantly being so traumatized. I wish if It had to go that route, it had ended with Samantha vowing to love the boy, even though he doesn’t have her blood. I would’ve liked to see that resolved.
But I wish Samantha hadn’t killed anybody at all because up until that point, she honestly seems like the only person in the book besides her son, who had any moral fiber whatsoever.
Angela‘s husband got short striff I think. I would’ve liked to see his personality develops a little bit more because I never felt like I knew him.
So all in all – I wasn’t overwhelmed. However, I’m still glad I read it because I wanted something a little light and beachy for Christmas Eve and some thing that I could kind of fly through and it certainly gave me that.
Jane E. James , The Honeymoon
I read this on Christmas Eve. While entertaining enough, it was not a good fit for me.
So any mystery lover would have an interest in reading this one. Several couples are on their honeymoon. Oh — bliss. Such sweet sweet bliss!
A bunch of loved up honeymooners. What a beautiful and sweet read this must be right? Right?
Not quite.
All of the honeymooners have secrets. All of the honeymooners are extremely screwed up human beings.
Seriously this is the kind of book you read when you want to feel better about your own life and issues. Because next to this group of people we have ALL got it together.
I don’t even really – I don’t know how to begin with this group of walking train wrecks. Suffice to say they are all nuts. Now being nutty in the book world is definitely not a dealbreaker in terms of reading the book.
But after a while, reading this, I started to actually wonder if it was written as a parity of other domestic thrillers. I wondered that because these people are so obviously over the top, and as many other reviewers said, there are so many coincidences, that calling it, a suspension of disbelief doesn’t really do it justice.
Every one of these people is linked to another one of these people by secrets from the past. The obvious issue of course — what are the odds of all of these people meeting on an island far far away? The answer to that question is zilch. I think any one of us would have better odds winning Powerball.
Then the murders start. That’s not a spoiler. You’re actually told in the first chapter when the murders occur but you don’t know who’s speaking, which was a clever little touch, I must say!
I have no issues with the writing . The author is quite talented.
I have no issue with the characterizations. In fact, I liked them. The author is very good at the physical descriptions of the people, and in mastering their personalities. Everyone had their own idiosyncrasies, and you always know who’s talking , something that’s not present in every book.
But what I couldn’t get past, and which prompted my low rating was the unbelievable story line. No again I don’t know if believability was even in the authors mind. That’s why I wondered if it was a parity because it was so obviously unbelievable.
If I knew that it was a parody I’d probably give it to a four. But since I have no way of knowing that, I have to admit that after a while as the murders revved up, the whole story just became more and more unbelievable.
There are also a surprising amount of rotten apples in the story. Is there nobody with any morality and human decency? It’s going to be challenging to find any of those people.
Anyway , I wish there had not been so many murders, and we could’ve gotten to know this group of neurotic and strange couples, and found out more of the good qualities. Assuming, of course that they have any.
Didn’t care for the ending. It all is left me with many more questions than answers.
SPOILERS
I did guess some of the twists, but not all of them. I had a feeling who Samantha‘s long lost lover was.
I did not guess what a bad person Tim was I really didn’t. That was clever of the writer because at first he seems like a quiet unassuming gent. The joke was on me in that regard.
I really wish it hadn’t ended like that. I mean it’s a clever plot twist. I’ll give it that but I was concerned about the little boy constantly being so traumatized. I wish if It had to go that route, it had ended with Samantha vowing to love the boy, even though he doesn’t have her blood. I would’ve liked to see that resolved.
But I wish Samantha hadn’t killed anybody at all because up until that point, she honestly seems like the only person in the book besides her son, who had any moral fiber whatsoever.
Angela‘s husband got short striff I think. I would’ve liked to see his personality develops a little bit more because I never felt like I knew him.
So all in all – I wasn’t overwhelmed. However, I’m still glad I read it because I wanted something a little light and beachy for Christmas Eve and some thing that I could kind of fly through and it certainly gave me that.
February 13, 2025
I read this book because I recently got a Kindle and this was top on the page of my Kindle Unlimited subscription. This book is a murder mystery thriller consisting of 3 couples on their honeymoon in Bali. Everyone has a secret they're keeping, and some people start dying off.
The writing style is juvenile, and excessively and unnecessarily long. There are long descriptions of appearances and weird inner monologues that is distracting to the text because really, nothing happens. Everyone is described to a T within the first few chapters, so the rest of it is just repetitions of the same description over and over.
The characters are mostly insufferable and quite one-dimensional. Everyone seems to be interconnected to each other. Some secrets were hilariously overblown in proportion as compared to some of the more intentional secrets that they kept. I predicted the ending twist a while back, not a bad twist per se but it falls flat on the rest of the writing.
This book should have been half the length and spent more time building on the suspense of their secrets, instead of revealing it right at the start because I thought this was a thriller.
The writing style is juvenile, and excessively and unnecessarily long. There are long descriptions of appearances and weird inner monologues that is distracting to the text because really, nothing happens. Everyone is described to a T within the first few chapters, so the rest of it is just repetitions of the same description over and over.
The characters are mostly insufferable and quite one-dimensional. Everyone seems to be interconnected to each other. Some secrets were hilariously overblown in proportion as compared to some of the more intentional secrets that they kept. I predicted the ending twist a while back, not a bad twist per se but it falls flat on the rest of the writing.
This book should have been half the length and spent more time building on the suspense of their secrets, instead of revealing it right at the start because I thought this was a thriller.
January 9, 2025
Psychological thriller.
Bali island Indonesia.
The honeymoon couples expecting two weeks of bliss and tranquility as they all bond together, this turns into a nightmare.
A gigantic page turning read but who will survive?
This is not called Black magic island for nothing these three couples all have hidden lies and dark secrets that are about to unfold.
Oh wow! I couldn't put this book down, so fast pace mind-blowing the characters all blend in to make it so real to read.
Absolutely brilliant.
Bali island Indonesia.
The honeymoon couples expecting two weeks of bliss and tranquility as they all bond together, this turns into a nightmare.
A gigantic page turning read but who will survive?
This is not called Black magic island for nothing these three couples all have hidden lies and dark secrets that are about to unfold.
Oh wow! I couldn't put this book down, so fast pace mind-blowing the characters all blend in to make it so real to read.
Absolutely brilliant.
April 2, 2025
The only redeeming thing about this was the voices of the narrators.
April 9, 2025
I’ve had to suspend my disbelief LESS reading FANTASY
January 9, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advanced copy of The Honeymoon 💙
I was apprehensive when I started reading: a story about three couples, told from three different perspectives seemed a little overwhelming. But despite every chapter being in first person and switching between narrators, it has been easy to keep up with who's-who. That's partly down to The Honeymoon's excellent pacing: every one of its 60 chapters is bite-sized and somehow each one manages to introduce some kind of new twist or cliffhanger that means you absolutely /must/ read on.
It has to be said that the story here is a little far-fetched: it's about three couples, all honeymooning at the same resort, and all of whom know each other from the past, in dark and sinister ways. It's hard to believe that you could be honeymooning with the person who killed your husband's brother, the couple who evicted your dying mum from her home AND an ex client from your days as a SW but that's exactly where Angelika finds herself. Every one of the six people involved has at least one tie to someone else, which defies all logic and sense of coincidence - but for the sake of the story it's easy enough to suspend any disbelief.
Ultimately, I lapped it up, and with each passing chapter I found myself turning each page faster and faster. If you like thrilling page-turners, this is worth your while. Just don't read it if you're planning to holiday on a Balinese island: it might make you want to rethink your plans!
I was apprehensive when I started reading: a story about three couples, told from three different perspectives seemed a little overwhelming. But despite every chapter being in first person and switching between narrators, it has been easy to keep up with who's-who. That's partly down to The Honeymoon's excellent pacing: every one of its 60 chapters is bite-sized and somehow each one manages to introduce some kind of new twist or cliffhanger that means you absolutely /must/ read on.
It has to be said that the story here is a little far-fetched: it's about three couples, all honeymooning at the same resort, and all of whom know each other from the past, in dark and sinister ways. It's hard to believe that you could be honeymooning with the person who killed your husband's brother, the couple who evicted your dying mum from her home AND an ex client from your days as a SW but that's exactly where Angelika finds herself. Every one of the six people involved has at least one tie to someone else, which defies all logic and sense of coincidence - but for the sake of the story it's easy enough to suspend any disbelief.
Ultimately, I lapped it up, and with each passing chapter I found myself turning each page faster and faster. If you like thrilling page-turners, this is worth your while. Just don't read it if you're planning to holiday on a Balinese island: it might make you want to rethink your plans!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2025
This is compelling but utterly defies logic. The characters behave in ridiculous and unrealistic ways, the back stories are overly dramatic.
🤷🏾♀️
🤷🏾♀️
June 22, 2025
wtf in the ai agatha christie was that
February 20, 2025
Well this has been a corker of a read for sure, quite the rollercoaster actually.
It was a well written story from start to finish, plenty going on, lots of drama and quite a few characters to keep track of not to mention each of their individual stories/secrets. The whole story was somewhat far fetched and somewhat not believable in places but for me that made it all the more enjoyable and addictive reading. Despite me having said that, there was an element of cleverness to the story, so well done to the author Jane in that regard.
There was a couple of characters that got what was coming to them and got what they deserved for sure. One of the events that made me grasp in unbelievable shock was the character that gave half a million quid of his money to a complete stranger, asking that stranger to keep it safe until such time as he requested it back. I mean as if, who does that.
I did really like the ending, how it all turned out and that tiny little unexpected twist/revelation at the end, so didn’t see that coming.
Anyway, well done to author Jane, another outstanding story. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of the books of yours that I have read so far.
It was a well written story from start to finish, plenty going on, lots of drama and quite a few characters to keep track of not to mention each of their individual stories/secrets. The whole story was somewhat far fetched and somewhat not believable in places but for me that made it all the more enjoyable and addictive reading. Despite me having said that, there was an element of cleverness to the story, so well done to the author Jane in that regard.
There was a couple of characters that got what was coming to them and got what they deserved for sure. One of the events that made me grasp in unbelievable shock was the character that gave half a million quid of his money to a complete stranger, asking that stranger to keep it safe until such time as he requested it back. I mean as if, who does that.
I did really like the ending, how it all turned out and that tiny little unexpected twist/revelation at the end, so didn’t see that coming.
Anyway, well done to author Jane, another outstanding story. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of the books of yours that I have read so far.
April 18, 2025
Too many coincidences
February 24, 2025
“People are meant to survive tsunamis, avalanches and wars, not honeymoons,” (p. 9).
A private island, accessible only by speedboat and dubbed the “Black Magic Island” by locals, is the perfect place for newlyweds to celebrate their honeymoon.
But this island will end up giving these newlyweds more than they could have ever predicted. Two things are guaranteed: none will ever be able to forget this trip and most won’t survive it.
Samantha, Timothy, Angelika,
Prince Nathan Price, Jonah, Bartosz
Six characters, three couples. Each hiding their own past of secrets and lies. The island has a way of exposing the truths you’d never want getting out, and not so lucky for you, your time of secrecy is up.
Hop in, buckle up, and hold onto your hats because this is one fast-paced, action-packed, twisty ride of a thriller. It has all the classic elements of a psychological thriller and DELIVERS!
With short chapters, this is the type of book you’ll fly through in one sitting. The word unputdownable was coined for books like this one. While we are privy to some of the secrets (that’s always fun) there’s still plenty of twists and turns along the way that’ll leave your head spinning. 😵💫
Because something ties all of these couples together. 👀
A private island, accessible only by speedboat and dubbed the “Black Magic Island” by locals, is the perfect place for newlyweds to celebrate their honeymoon.
But this island will end up giving these newlyweds more than they could have ever predicted. Two things are guaranteed: none will ever be able to forget this trip and most won’t survive it.
Samantha, Timothy, Angelika,
Prince Nathan Price, Jonah, Bartosz
Six characters, three couples. Each hiding their own past of secrets and lies. The island has a way of exposing the truths you’d never want getting out, and not so lucky for you, your time of secrecy is up.
Hop in, buckle up, and hold onto your hats because this is one fast-paced, action-packed, twisty ride of a thriller. It has all the classic elements of a psychological thriller and DELIVERS!
With short chapters, this is the type of book you’ll fly through in one sitting. The word unputdownable was coined for books like this one. While we are privy to some of the secrets (that’s always fun) there’s still plenty of twists and turns along the way that’ll leave your head spinning. 😵💫
Because something ties all of these couples together. 👀
May 16, 2025
I’d say this is maybe a 3.5⭐️. There are parts of the story that are just so unbelievable. Maybe a coincidence one person knowing another one. But it just doesn’t seem plausible the relationships between everyone. I also have a hard time believing, what parent would trust a stranger on vacation to babysit your 4 year old. Um….. no. I don’t believe that at all.
With that all aside, I did actually enjoy the story. The twists and shocks were great.
The only 1 thing that I really didn’t like was the male narrator, his lisp was soooooo annoying and distracting. I struggled to pay attention to his words and not focus on just the lisp. Maybe it’s cause of the accent with the lisp I couldn’t handle. Normally a lisp doesn’t bother me.
On a side note along the accent train, I confused thought and fart the first time one of the females said it. I cracked up laughing when I pushed the rewind button to hear it again and was mistaken. Hilarious!!
With that all aside, I did actually enjoy the story. The twists and shocks were great.
The only 1 thing that I really didn’t like was the male narrator, his lisp was soooooo annoying and distracting. I struggled to pay attention to his words and not focus on just the lisp. Maybe it’s cause of the accent with the lisp I couldn’t handle. Normally a lisp doesn’t bother me.
On a side note along the accent train, I confused thought and fart the first time one of the females said it. I cracked up laughing when I pushed the rewind button to hear it again and was mistaken. Hilarious!!
October 12, 2025
A black magic island where 3 couples go for a luxury honeymoon. Every person has their own secret and this does well by being told by multiple pov although it would have been interesting to see all the characters have at least one chapter rather than the focus on two strong women and one man.. I loved the secrets it did feel a bit predictable at times and action fueled. Short chapters and lingering questions. The ending made it for me as proved trust nothing and sometimes your heart might rule your head. The two women characters were well written and their interactions were spot on I found Timothy and his past very interesting , This is a lovely quick read thriller perfect for anyone who like to see lives unravel as secrets come to the surface. Thanks netgallery, publisher and author for this 4 star read.
April 13, 2025
1.5☆ I think I would have liked this book better if I hadn't listened to the audiobook. It was hard to get past the horrible accents, but when I did, the story was alright, I guess.
August 13, 2025
This was entertaining and I wanted to know what happened next. I would recommend this audiobook if you like a short story, newlyweds, shock value and full cast narration.
February 21, 2025
My Initial Thoughts
From reading the prologue, you know you are in for a ride where not everyone gets out alive. I tell you, all these thrillers I read about remote islands, yep. I’m never travelling to one in fear I might not make it out alive.
Plot
Although the plot was quite predicable, and you can easily guess, who next, it actually Is quite satisfying seeing karma complete her work. It really is a small world for these 3 couples and the end mic drop is world exploding for one of the last people standing.
Characters
Not one of these characters are likeable and it means you just find yourself wondering what on earth these people are, how their marriages even worked out in the first place and just wishing they was over already. I think I liked Conner the best, maybe just because he’s 4 and not rotten to the core like the others. Samantha is probably the best morally out of them all, but even then Karma has a wonderful way of working doesn’t it.
Recommend
If you like psychological thrillers set on remote islands, this could well be the book for you.
Favourite Quotes
“The fact that the locals referred to our resort as “black magic island” was unknown to us at the time.”
“People are meant to survive tsunamis, avalanches and wars, not honeymoons.”
“Everything we do shapes the people we become in the future,”
“I believe in karma, just like the islanders do, and it’s obvious that the Gods are angry with us and want us gone.”
Favourite Chapter/s
I didn’t have a favourite chapter in particular.
Summed up in one sentence
Don’t go to remote islands.
Overall Wrap up
I did enjoy this, my favourite parts was when karma was served on a platter to these couples. The flow is quick and fast, and it’s a quick read also. These thrillers do prove how you should always be careful on remote islands right.
Stars.
3.5 Stars
Book Information – The Honeymoon by Jane E James.
Genre – Psychological thriller.
Pages – 281 pages.
Tropes – Trust no-one.
Available on Kindle Unlimited – Yes, available now.
Available Formats – Kindle and paperback.
Publishing Information – Published on 11th February 2025 by Joffe Books.
Format in Which I Read – Kindle.
Where my copy come From – Zooloo’s Book Tours.
POVs – Multiple POV – Timothy, Samantha and Angelica.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines – Single timeline.
1st or 3rd Person – 1st person.
HEA, HFN or Cliff hanger – Wrapped up.
Series or Standalone – Standalone.
Trigger Warnings – Please check content warnings before reading if necessary and please always remember that your mental health matters.
From reading the prologue, you know you are in for a ride where not everyone gets out alive. I tell you, all these thrillers I read about remote islands, yep. I’m never travelling to one in fear I might not make it out alive.
Plot
Although the plot was quite predicable, and you can easily guess, who next, it actually Is quite satisfying seeing karma complete her work. It really is a small world for these 3 couples and the end mic drop is world exploding for one of the last people standing.
Characters
Not one of these characters are likeable and it means you just find yourself wondering what on earth these people are, how their marriages even worked out in the first place and just wishing they was over already. I think I liked Conner the best, maybe just because he’s 4 and not rotten to the core like the others. Samantha is probably the best morally out of them all, but even then Karma has a wonderful way of working doesn’t it.
Recommend
If you like psychological thrillers set on remote islands, this could well be the book for you.
Favourite Quotes
“The fact that the locals referred to our resort as “black magic island” was unknown to us at the time.”
“People are meant to survive tsunamis, avalanches and wars, not honeymoons.”
“Everything we do shapes the people we become in the future,”
“I believe in karma, just like the islanders do, and it’s obvious that the Gods are angry with us and want us gone.”
Favourite Chapter/s
I didn’t have a favourite chapter in particular.
Summed up in one sentence
Don’t go to remote islands.
Overall Wrap up
I did enjoy this, my favourite parts was when karma was served on a platter to these couples. The flow is quick and fast, and it’s a quick read also. These thrillers do prove how you should always be careful on remote islands right.
Stars.
3.5 Stars
Book Information – The Honeymoon by Jane E James.
Genre – Psychological thriller.
Pages – 281 pages.
Tropes – Trust no-one.
Available on Kindle Unlimited – Yes, available now.
Available Formats – Kindle and paperback.
Publishing Information – Published on 11th February 2025 by Joffe Books.
Format in Which I Read – Kindle.
Where my copy come From – Zooloo’s Book Tours.
POVs – Multiple POV – Timothy, Samantha and Angelica.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines – Single timeline.
1st or 3rd Person – 1st person.
HEA, HFN or Cliff hanger – Wrapped up.
Series or Standalone – Standalone.
Trigger Warnings – Please check content warnings before reading if necessary and please always remember that your mental health matters.
November 3, 2025
Unfortunately if your whole plot relies on unrealistic coincidences then it’s probably not a very strong plot
February 12, 2025
When I spotted this new release by this author, I knew that I'd have to grab it and read - I recognised the name and loved the front cover, which promised some great suspense and intrigue ....and probably a death or two!
Apparently, this is my fifth read by James (I hadn't realised it was that many) and I've absolutely loved them all so far - this being no exception!
The setting of the supposedly idyllic island is one of my favourites - certainly the being trapped somewhere remote - and I knew that things were going to get messy.
Right from the prologue - we see the end and the fact that only one person remains - I was hooked!
What happened to our 3 couples - where are the others - what don't we know yet....
I had to keep reading to find out what happened and what a tense and twisty read it was.
Does it get a little far-fetched? Yes .....but we can certainly overlook this and just go with the flow.
I love the format of the different pov chapters which allows us to really get into the heads of all our characters - and there being only 6, it's easy to keep track of who is present and piece everything together nicely.
This is my favourite genre and I absolutely love this author's writing style and ability to create an atmosphere and setting that drags us it right in and has us racing through the pages to find out what actually happens in the end.
Another great read and I can't wait to see where we'll be heading in the next one....
Apparently, this is my fifth read by James (I hadn't realised it was that many) and I've absolutely loved them all so far - this being no exception!
The setting of the supposedly idyllic island is one of my favourites - certainly the being trapped somewhere remote - and I knew that things were going to get messy.
Right from the prologue - we see the end and the fact that only one person remains - I was hooked!
What happened to our 3 couples - where are the others - what don't we know yet....
I had to keep reading to find out what happened and what a tense and twisty read it was.
Does it get a little far-fetched? Yes .....but we can certainly overlook this and just go with the flow.
I love the format of the different pov chapters which allows us to really get into the heads of all our characters - and there being only 6, it's easy to keep track of who is present and piece everything together nicely.
This is my favourite genre and I absolutely love this author's writing style and ability to create an atmosphere and setting that drags us it right in and has us racing through the pages to find out what actually happens in the end.
Another great read and I can't wait to see where we'll be heading in the next one....
May 29, 2025
Wow so awful, 3 couples on Honeymoon, but yet they all know each other in some way shape or form, with unbelievable connections. None of them should even be married no sense of loving married couple between them.
On top of that the story is set in Bali , yet it would seem the author knows nothing about Bali! Talking like it’s a tiny little island get away for romantic retreats, when it is a pretty big island that has many ports and an international airport. The characters are based around Ubud ( because of Eat Pray Love no doubt, but author fails to understand that Ubud is inland about 45 min drive from nearest beach. So when the characters are one minute at the resort and the next wondering alone on the beach, I mean come on if you are going to use real places get it right, else just create a fictional island.
Also they say that there have been no murders on the island, but with a population of 4.5million people that is extremely doubtful.
Utter trash
On top of that the story is set in Bali , yet it would seem the author knows nothing about Bali! Talking like it’s a tiny little island get away for romantic retreats, when it is a pretty big island that has many ports and an international airport. The characters are based around Ubud ( because of Eat Pray Love no doubt, but author fails to understand that Ubud is inland about 45 min drive from nearest beach. So when the characters are one minute at the resort and the next wondering alone on the beach, I mean come on if you are going to use real places get it right, else just create a fictional island.
Also they say that there have been no murders on the island, but with a population of 4.5million people that is extremely doubtful.
Utter trash
February 5, 2025
This is a novel about three honeymooning couples on the island of Bali who are bound by secrets as they get to know each other on the beach and beyond, When concierge Putu suggests he "knows" things and demands money to keep his mouth shut, protagonist Samantha realizes she has a secret as well and her marriage will be in trouble if it gets out! So as they hike to the top of the mountain to watch the sunrise, "accidents" begin to happen and these secrets that connect them all will come out as well!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
March 18, 2025
Worst Book I’ve Read in a While
Not sure where to start with this review: the horrible prose that reads like a sixth grader wrote it, relying on adjectives and adverbs constantly even when they are redundant to the action (example: “Nathan complains agitatedly”) or the ridiculously convoluted plot that leans on so many coincidences it’s laughable. I downloaded this from Amazon for .99 and I want a refund!
Oh well, at least it was a quick read.
Not sure where to start with this review: the horrible prose that reads like a sixth grader wrote it, relying on adjectives and adverbs constantly even when they are redundant to the action (example: “Nathan complains agitatedly”) or the ridiculously convoluted plot that leans on so many coincidences it’s laughable. I downloaded this from Amazon for .99 and I want a refund!
Oh well, at least it was a quick read.
April 3, 2025
Loved the idea but it read like it was written by chatGPT
May 8, 2025
SHOCKED!!! FREAKING SHELL SHOCKED TO MY CORE! Omg you have to read this book! Bitches be crazy….
June 30, 2025
This is simply awful- I see why it’s now free. Unlikely coincidence to the point of ridiculousness. Ugh
July 3, 2025
WAYYY too many coincidences included in the plot! One to two? Sure! But literally all the characters… cmon now 😭 also I feel like the ending was so abrupt like she kind of just gave up??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2025
Talk about the honeymoon from hell. I would not want to be on any vacation or trapped on an island where people were dropping dead. This book was very interesting. It gave the 7 degrees of separation an entirely new meaning. Of course all the characters were together to add to the craziness but the world really is quite small when you think about it. And I always wonder why I don't run into more people on a daily or weekly basis. I think most of the characters I wanted to punch in the face. They definitely need some therapy, straight jacket or an orange jumpsuit. I liked the book. The ending was sad and crazy at the same time.
June 29, 2025
Okay, but why did all these people marry their partner if they hate them so much?
I was gonna leave it at that and move on, but I remembered how my intelligence as a reader was insulted.
I legit would've given the book an additional star had that ending been a bit more merciful to my eyes. Yes, my EYES that I rolled all the way to another dimension.
I'm typing this, and a little voice in my head is telling me I'm being dramatic. But my dude. The final twist was not only predictable from the beginning, but you also hold my hand and explain it to me like I'm five? It was so easy to make the reveal more impactful.
SO. EASY.
Maybe I'm just jaded at this point, but it's really hard finding a good thriller and I'm pissed.
I was gonna leave it at that and move on, but I remembered how my intelligence as a reader was insulted.
I legit would've given the book an additional star had that ending been a bit more merciful to my eyes. Yes, my EYES that I rolled all the way to another dimension.
I'm typing this, and a little voice in my head is telling me I'm being dramatic. But my dude. The final twist was not only predictable from the beginning, but you also hold my hand and explain it to me like I'm five? It was so easy to make the reveal more impactful.
SO. EASY.
Maybe I'm just jaded at this point, but it's really hard finding a good thriller and I'm pissed.
April 13, 2025
Okay, so The Honeymoon had all the ingredients for a twisty, atmospheric thriller… and still managed to feel like a chaotic mess. I kept reading hoping it would all come together, but nope… just a parade of red herrings, endless suspects, and eye-roll-worthy coincidences. Seriously, at one point I half-expected the hotel cat to be revealed as the killer. The main character made some baffling decisions, and instead of feeling suspense, I mostly felt annoyed. Two stars because the setting had potential, but the plot? Not so much.
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