The Perfect Weekend

by Joanne Ryan

It was an anniversary they’d never forget…
When Joe surprises Beth with a romantic weekend away for their first wedding anniversary, he’s going all out to keep the destination a secret. They set off in their car, ignoring the bad weather, because they’re not letting snow stop them from enjoying a few days of luxury pampering.



But when they break down, miles from anywhere, someone is watching, and waiting.



They never reach their hotel and their perfect weekend turns into a terrifying nightmare from which they fear they’ll never escape. Their marriage vows are tested to the limit and for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, takes on a whole new meaning.

Will their lives ever be the same again?

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2025

About the author

Joanne Ryan lives in the south of England and has always loved writing. Her novels concentrate on the darker, secret side of life of seemingly ordinary people.
She also writes under the pen name of Marina Johnson https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Danielle-Gemma💜 · Rating 2 out of 5]

What on earth was that ending!!

[Jolovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. I really enjoy Joanne’s style of writing but sometimes her books are a little predictable. All the way through I was sure I had it figured out but the twist at the end was so clever. My favourite book of hers so far.

[Fiona Seabrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page turner

The story never stopped, there was something happening from start to finish. I thought I knew the instigator but then it twisted again. Brilliant read

[C.J. Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is totally intriguing right from the beginning. I just didn’t know who to trust. I spent a great deal of the book switching my allegiance between the characters. It’s a great read and you really get under the characters’ skins. As always with this author, lots of twists and turns. Great five star read.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read, but I did prefer her earlier books as they were different to the mainstream ones

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thriller with a twist

I really enjoyed this story of a rich girl marrying a poor boy. And what happens after that I will let you read. Beth, the daughter of the wealthy father, is not my favorite woman. She claimed to want to be free of her father‘s wealth and to just have a “normal life“. At the same time she seemed to not be able to make decisions about her own life, allowing others to order food for her, making excuses for decisions made by others. The broken leg seemed to be a real tactic to make her seem weak.. Her husband seemed very insensitive to her needs. So I really didn’t like either one of them as people. But the story was fast paced and kept me captivated so I will give it four stars. Maybe five.

[Carol Drinkwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic thriller of a read, couldn't put it down the storyline was brilliant with great characters.

It was certainly a twisty read that kept me on the edge of my seat all the way and what an ending with everything brought to a satisfactory conclusion.

I have no hesitation in recommending this book.

[Christine Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good

Good book, fast read... Good ending. I thought I had it figured out.. looking forward to reading another book by this author

[Deni Tipuric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, thought I knew what was going on but 2 twists at end. Great author. Looking forward to more.
4 because ending could have been tiny bit better but still happy about it

[Donna Mallery · Rating 3 out of 5]

A closed feeling story where the cold seeps in and becomes worse as the plot unfolds.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very suspenseful and dark

[Kanan Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awsome, Awsome, Awsome!!!!

Joanne Ryan's "The Perfect Weekend" offers a captivating and atmospheric thriller, ideal for those seeking a gripping escape. From the outset, the story plunges the reader into a world of intrigue where trust is a fleeting concept and allegiances shift with each turn of the page. The narrative unfolds at a relentless pace, ensuring that something is always happening to keep you on the edge of your seat.Ryan's signature flowing and conversational style makes for an enjoyable reading experience, pulling you into the story and connecting you deeply with the characters' experiences. While some readers might find the central mystery somewhat predictable, the journey itself, filled with twists and turns, remains utterly captivating. The novel's dark and intriguing atmosphere adds another layer to its appeal, making it a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Dive into "The Perfect Weekend" and discover if you can unravel its secrets before the characters do

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this. I did suspect what was going on pretty early on. I was surprised it took Beth so long to even think of it. I didn't like Joe at all. He made one excuse after another. The ending was just terrible. I really thought it was a joke. How could that be the end? And all that stuff Beth said about Joe at the end wasn't even true.

[John Avlakiotis · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 stars for the first half and 1 star for the second half = 3 solid stars for this short and totally forgetable read.

[Anne Newsome · Rating 3 out of 5]

an easy enough quick read, I had my suspicions, most of which were right!

[Susan Bonovsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting storyline

I liked the story. There were a lot of twists and surprises. But there were significant grammatical and punctuation errors.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

So insanely boring I couldn’t finish