The Marriage Rules

by Samantha Hayes

The rules are there to keep their family safe. But what happens when they get broken…?

Fiona Fisher lives a quiet and contented existence. A former nurse who married Jason, the doctor of her dreams, she is now a mother to his two daughters and living in the sort of cosy village home she’d always wished for.

Life is pretty much perfect in every way. As long as they stick to their rules…

Everyone in bed by eight o’clock sharp.

No loud music, no news on the TV, no social media. The house phone for emergency use only.

Locks on every door. No leaving the house.

And absolutely no talking about the past.

But one day, someone starts breaking the rules…

This insanely twisty psychological thriller will have you flipping pages all night long. Anyone who held their breath as they raced through The Housemaid, The Wife Between Us and The Girl on the Train needs to drop everything and start reading!

What readers are saying about Samantha

‘OMG!!… I literally read it in one sitting and I am sitting here at 3.30am… Gripping from very first page right up until the last… Absolutely brilliant… WOW! Just wow is all I have right now. As I closed my e-reader I was speechless.’ Confessions of a Bookaholic, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!!! YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THE TWISTS AND YOU WILL NOT GUESS THE ENDING! THIS BOOK MUST BE READ BY EVERYONE.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I literally devoured this book, staying up late to finish it – and it was worth the dark circles and bags under my eyes the next morning.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘THIS. WAS. INCREDIBLE… Nail-biting… Kept me up way past my bedtime. I was sucked in… Couldn't put it down. I cannot find a single flaw… Every plot twist had me gasping… A wild ride… Gosh this was incredible!’ mariaareadss, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Couldn't put it down, read into the late hours of the night… Read the whole book in a day! I simply couldn't go to bed until I knew how it would end… I was sitting there with my mouth wide open and mind blown.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Jaw-dropping… I did literally gasp and say, “NO WAY!” out loud… And at the end, I just sat there thinking, “What the hell did I just read?”… Freaking awesome… The twists do not stop until the very last page.’ Fireflies & Free Kicks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was hooked from the first page and read this until I finished at 3.30 in the morning… The ending is one I just didn’t see coming… Brilliant.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2025

About the author

Hello!

Thanks for stopping by my Goodreads page!

My latest psychological thriller THE ENGAGEMENT is out on 10th January 2023 from Amazon, available in ebook, paperback and audio formats. I do hope you love it!


If you love a good 'domestic noir' thriller that will mess with your mind and keep you turning the pages, then my books are for you! You can check out all my titles on my Amazon page here:

https://amzn.to/3jZ83zU

I do hope you'll love getting stuck into my books and enjoy reading them as much as I love writing them. And do let me know what you think - it's great to hear from readers! You can get in touch via my website where you'll find lots of info about me and my books - www.samanthahayes.co.uk or come and 'Like' my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SamanthaHayesAuthor or follow me on Twitter too @samhayes or @samanthahayes.author on Instagram.

Happy reading!

Samantha xx

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rules, rules, rules! You must obey the rules! Whew! Talk about being taken on a whirlwind roller coaster of a ride! Samantha Hayes had me reeling with one shocker after another in The Marriage Rules! Just when I thought I knew what was happening, Samantha Hayes pulled the rug out from under my feet and hit me with another twist that left me with my jaw hanging open with the twist filled page turner! I had a hard time putting this book down when life came calling as I was instantly gripped and glued to the pages!

Fiona and Jason are a recently married couple who have moved with Jason's two daughters to a lovely village home. Jason has a set of rules for the entire family to abide by. They are strict rules, but Jason made them to keep them safe! Not everyone is a fan of the rules and soon the rules begin to be broken.

Holy Moly! This book had me on edge the entire time with its feeling of dread which was dripping from the pages. With all those rules, I couldn't help but wonder what was behind all the strict rules! I began to come up with my own theories and was so far off base that it wasn't even funny! I love when an author can shock me, and Samantha Hayes did that many times during this book. There are some OTT moments but that just made the book more enjoyable and fun for me.

Gripping, shocking, well thought out, twist filled, and hard to put down, The Marriage Rules was a hit with this reader. This is the 7th book that I have read by Samantha Hayes, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very shocking ending that I did not see coming! This book will have you yelling at the FMC only to conclude with “oh” when you realize what is truly taking place! This story will draw you in from the prologue.

Fiona & Jason married quickly after meeting. Jason has a dozen of insane rules that Fiona & their 2 daughters must follow at all times. With severe punishments in store, they tend to follow these carefully or at least try their very best to ensure Jason doesn’t find out if they break 1, as the consequences are not pretty.

Overall, a highly enjoyed read that I would recommend for domestic thriller fans! Twists that you won’t see coming, with jaw dropping & shaking your head moments. Well paced overall, there was a bit it in the middle that was not as engaging, however the ending came with a bang & explained while all of it was necessary. Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is making them? And who is breaking them?

That line on the cover was enough for me to know I wanted to grab this one and dive right in. I didn't even read the blurb for this and went in totally blind and I'm so glad that I did. Not that the blurb gives much away ... I'm sure you'll be shocked too! This book was addictive and quite a ride. Not at all what I was expecting.

I honestly don't want to say anything because it's just one of those books you have to read for yourself.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Monika Armet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona is married to Jason. She used to work as a nurse at Radmoor Hospital, a mental health facility, where Jason worked as a psychiatrist.

The couple recently moved to a new location with Jason’s daughters: 15-year old Tilly, and 8-year old Ivy. The girls have recently lost their mother who died in a car crash.

Fiona and Jason reckoned that they all needed a fresh start.

However, Jason keeps a tight ship. The whole family must abide by his rules, such as not leaving the house without a valid reason and family confessional every day at 6pm.

Then, someone starts breaking the rules… and Fiona receives an anonymous note saying that she broke a rule. Who’s watching? Are the family safe?

Soon, events spiral out of control and the family’s life unravels…

Wow, what a story! I was gripped from the start all the way to the finish.

As I was reading, I was shouting at my Kindle: “Fiona, why are you with such a man?”, because I couldn’t comprehend why someone would sustain such emotional and coercive control.

Then, the author threw a twist which I didn’t expect, and I thought (for a short while) that it explained Jason’s actions.

But then – the ending!!! Holy moly, that blew my mind.

If you love twisty psychological thrillers, then this book is for you.

I definitely recommend it!

[Namita · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 🌟🌟🌟

Jason and his new wife, Fiona, live by strict rules—rules she must follow as both a wife and a mother to his daughters. But the rules are stifling, not just for her but for the children too.

Told from two POVs and across two timelines, the story slows down in the middle. While one twist caught me off guard, much of it required suspending a lot of disbelief. If you enjoy dark thrillers, this one might be for you.

I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review

[Danielle-Gemma💜 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was amazing and a complete shock but honestly the beginning of the book and parts of the middle were very tedious

[Jayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did I read the same book as everyone else?

This was a DNF.

Nonstop emotional domestic abuse.

Not for me!

I partially listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Karen Cass and Matt Addis.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MARRIAGE RULES BY SAMANTHA HAYES.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
Release date set for the 9th of April 2025.
As soon as I read this books blurb I was instantly desperate to read it. As soon as the book landed on my kindle yesterday I was off reading straight away.
A blurb is everything to me and this one sold it for me.
The prologue is brilliant as it sets out the rules within the marriage.
It jumps from past to present and is very easy to follow along.
I found the story suspenseful and I loved every single thing about it.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Marriage Rules is a gripping suburban domestic thriller.
Samantha Hayes is one of my favourite psychological thriller authors.
I tend to forget everything around me while reading one of her book gems.
Fiona and Jason lead a great life and have a great marriage with two daughters.
From the view of a person looking on, it seems perfect but once the doors are closed everything is not as it seems.
Jason has a set of rules that the family must follow.
The rules are there to protect.
Fiona agrees but their daughters, Tilly and Ivy reluctantly do.
Rules are good until someone starts breaking them…
An intriguing premise and a bingeable plot give the reader an invested and enjoyable experience.
A suspense and engrossing filled ride that will tempt your reading senses.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read some of this authors previous books so when I saw she had a new release out, I was excited to read it. And I am so happy to say that I really enjoyed this one!
I got into this book straight away and I was thoroughly invested and interested in the story throughout.
I liked the writing style, which flowed so well and this was such an easy read, I flew through it in one day.
It has a fast paced plot which kept me wanting to turn the page.
I found the relationship between the two main characters Fiona and Jason interesting and I also liked them as individual characters. I liked how we got both of their POVs in the story, however I would have preferred that it was written in the first person and not the third.
Also the twist really surprised me and I loved it! I did figure some of it out but not the whole thing, so well played Samantha Hayes!
This was such an enjoyable, binge able, easy to read psychological thriller and I highly recommend you check it out as I had such a great time reading it.

Thanks to Bookouture for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review

[Fictionophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twisty domestic thriller that will keep you up late! So many twists. So many questions.

It always astounds me when intelligent people find themselves entrenched in a situation or relationship that clearly should be ringing their warning bells…

In this instance, a nurse and a psychiatrist meet at work and become a couple. Just months after their marriage, Fiona and Jason take custody of Jason’s two daughters after their birth mother dies tragically. (How is question number one).

Dr. Jason Hewitt has many strict rules that the entire family MUST adhere to. He maintains that the rules are there for their security, their stability as a family.

The family live in a quiet South Warwickshire village. Soon after moving in, Fiona, who has left her nursing job, starts earning extra money as a child-minder. She cares for her neighbour’s daughter who is the same age as Jason’s youngest. Shortly thereafter Fiona begins to receive threatening, anonymous notes. “I know what you did. You broke a rule” and “You’ve got it coming. Everything you deserve“.

Freaked out by these notes, Fiona does not tell Jason about them… And, it would seem that Fiona has left other jobs under a dark cloud. (Why is question number two).

In addition, Jason is no longer working as a psychiatrist at the hospital. He is now working at a university… (Why is question number three).

The story is told from Jason and Fiona’s perspectives. The reader wonders why Jason feels that these strict rules are necessary… Which narrator can you trust? Obviously Jason, who inflicts harsh punishments seems to be the villain here, but is he really?

As the novel progresses, the family become involved in a police investigation. Where this leads will keep the reader at the edge of their seat. You’ll have to suspend some disbelief to appreciate this twisty thriller, but the novel was entertaining to read. The plot’s rapid pace and short chapters create a frenzied reading experience.

One plot twist at the forty percent mark really astounded me and caused me to re-evaluate everything I’d read up to that point…

Themes of inherited behaviours, medical ethics, dysfunctional families, mental instability, and the long term effects of childhood trauma, are just a few of the topics touched upon.

Cleverly plotted, “The Marriage Rules” is a dark, slightly creepy, claustrophobic thriller that will be greatly appreciated by fans of domestic and psychological thrillers.

Fictionophile's rating is 4.5 stars

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Marriage Rules by Samantha Haze, If rules are meant to be broken it’s not a sentiment that Dr. Jason Hewitt has ever heard or agreed to he has certain rules in his home but it’s to keep his wife Fiona and two daughters Tilly and Ivy safe. with the recent loss of his first wife and their mother he even has rules in place for grieving, one hour on Sunday. After all grieving would break one of the rules which is not showing emotion not talking about the past and oh yes I want you to meet Fiona and you’re to call her mommy. if you think Jason having all these rules is outrageous well just know Fiona has issues of her own. when she starts receiving notes warning her about breaking the rules she believes someone knows her secret but she breaks one of the rules by not telling Jason about the notes not at the 6 o’clock family confessional nor their nighttime couple confessional before bed. by the time Fiona knows who wrote the notes she will also learn she isn’t the only one hiding something and people will be dead but who did it is the question. are all these rules really to keep Fiona and the children safe and if so safe from who? I think what makes this book so good is by the end not everyone you think is going to be the bad guy is actually a true villain.!! I mean they’re not the greatest person but not the worst either. I do want to say this book relies a lot on hyperbole and over exaggeration although I think that’s the same thing lol! Either way there still was a clever story and one I read to the end and couldn’t wait to find out exactly how it was going to end and OMG I didn’t think it would end the way it did. I think this author is a good one I just don’t like these overly emotional overly traumatized victimized scenarios that for the most part just make me roll my eyes. I still really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it.#NetGalley, #BookOut, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #SamanthaHaze, #TheMarriageRules,!

[Melissa Suslowicz Bartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!!!! There were so many twists that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I had to finish and fast. I raced through this one like there was no tomorrow. I couldn’t put it down for the life of me. So, where to start first. How about I talk a little about the beginning. It was slower paced but I pushed through because I have read this author before and knew that she never disappoints. I’m so glad I did. By the middle it started to pick up. It really came together then too. It definitely changed my opinion on all the characters. Once you read it you will understand how. Now let’s talk about the plot. It was different and is what drew me to this fantastic book. I read that blurb and just knew I had to find out more. Last but not least let’s talk about that jaw dropping ending. I was left shocked and speechless. Who would’ve guessed it, not this girl. I was so surprised and was like what!!!! I knew the entire time something more was going on and I was right. Always trust your gut instincts. I can’t wait to read this authors next book.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 3 out of 5]

"𝑾𝒆'𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘...𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔. 𝑾𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒈𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕. 𝑳𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑵𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒖𝒔...𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒔."

Structure, order, and rules are needed in society, and I'm sure they're also needed in successful marriages. However, the list of marriage rules that the prologue opens with had me shaking my head in disbelief. Who would agree to such things?

Jason and his new wife Fiona created the rules, and they live by them. Newly married after the death of Jason's wife, Fiona not only has to serve as wife, she also has to serve as mother to Jason's two daughters. The rules are harsh, stifling, and puzzling, especially after realizing the children are involved in following some of them as well.

I was completely taken off guard by the direction the story went, and while you must suspend quite a bit of disbelief, if you like dark, twisted thrillers, this one will definitely do it for you. Thank you to Bookouture for the early copy. This title will publish April 9, 2025.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookoutire for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Jason and Fiona are newly married after the death of his wife. They have moved away from the town where he was a doctor and she was a nurse and are living in the country with his two daughters. They live by a very extreme set of rules that they live by which could be considered abusive by same people.

Well I definitely did not figure out what was going on here and it most mostly an entertaining journey to get to the bottom of it. There were some jaw dropping reveals. My only issue is that when I read something so surprising I wonder if everything I read leading up to it really makes sense with the reveal. It probably did and I didn’t go back to check but that concern always gives me pause. Either way, it was an entertaining book and this author has had many of those which is why I keep reading her novels.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many books by Hayes,, I think The Marriage Rules is something like my 7th or 8th and is up there as one of my firm favourites.

Who lives their life by rules? Any man who tried to dictate his 'ideals' to me would be told in no uncertain terms to take himself out the front door, never to return!!

So that brings me to Fiona, Jason's wife...wake up woman!! Stop being such a doormat and stand up for yourself fgs!

There's a great cast of characters that are full of intrigue and are quite the 'marmitey' bunch.

The plot is great, full of mystery and intrigue. If you're like me you'll find once you start it's very hard to put down.

Totally enjoyed it and look forward to my next outing with Hayes.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abnormal.

My first thought was what kind of fruit loopy arrangement was this with all the rules.
Bizarre turned into deranged as I dug into the book.
Two of the characters were certifiably mental. I could t determine which one was worse and a lot of the plot and their actions made sense.
I felt the sorriest for Tilly and Ivy who were the unwitting victims.
At the end, while the delusions of two of the main characters were sad, they were right there they should be, locked up.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance read.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine marrying someone with a list of rules or a contract? Rules can be good, but some say rules are set to be broken!

You know the rules going into the marriage and when children are involved perhaps this makes things run more smoothly?

One twisted story! What happens if you break the rules? Is everyone whom they seem? The ending got me, which is something I always enjoy.

[Kim Melbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have always loved Samantha's books but this one.....oh my goodness....it absolutly blew my mind away.
This story is told in three parts. Firstly we focus on Fionas accounts and are led to believe she is in a relationship where the rules are hard. Alongside being newly married she has also taken the role of step mother to Jason's 2 daughters, whose mother has just died.
Part 2 sees Jason's side and we begin to see that perhaps Jason's rule arent as hard as we originally perceived but serve to keep Fiona safe.
And then part 3 where everything is totally thrown out the park . Fast paced with so many twists and a real WOW factor.
I cannot recommend this book enough....brilliant.

[Helen Leecy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into The Marriage Rules expecting a gripping domestic thriller, but I wasn’t quite prepared for just how unsettling those rules would be! Reading them at the start was genuinely shocking—I even read them aloud to my husband, convinced that no one could possibly live by such rigid, suffocating conditions. Right from the outset, the book had me hooked, and I knew I was in for a wild ride.
Samantha Hayes has a real talent for creating tension, and this book is no exception. The story builds gradually, pulling you deeper into the unsettling dynamics at play. There’s an underlying sense of something being ‘off’, but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. The way the narrative keeps you second-guessing is brilliant—every time I thought I had figured out where things were heading, something unexpected would throw me off course. It’s one of those books where you feel a creeping unease with every chapter, sensing that something huge is about to happen but having no idea what.
And then it does.
The twist in the middle is absolutely massive, blowing the entire story apart in a way that I didn’t see coming. It completely reshapes everything you think you know and forces you to look at the characters and their actions in a whole new light. I love thrillers that can genuinely surprise me, and this one delivered in spades. Just when I was wrapping my head around that revelation, the ending threw in even more twists that left me reeling. It’s the kind of book where you reach the final pages and realise that nothing—absolutely nothing—was as it seemed. You’re forced to reevaluate everything, questioning what was real and what was deception. I loved that feeling of being completely thrown off balance.
However, while I really enjoyed the book, I did feel there were a few loose ends that could have been tied up more neatly. Jason’s job at the university, for example, seemed like it played a key role in the subplot with Roseanne, but it was never fully explained. It felt important, yet it was left hanging, which was a bit frustrating. There were also a couple of other small threads that I would have liked to see resolved just to give the ending a bit more closure. That said, none of this took away from my overall enjoyment—I just found myself wishing for a little more detail in certain areas.
Despite that, this was a fast-paced, gripping read that I tore through in record time. At one point, it really felt like everything was spiralling out of control, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see where it would all end up. If you enjoy psychological thrillers that keep you constantly guessing, challenge your perceptions, and leave you with that satisfying mind-blown feeling, I’d highly recommend The Marriage Rules. It’s dark, unpredictable, and incredibly well-crafted—a true page-turner!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: Can’t believe I’ve been missing out on this author..!! Will definitely read more of her books.. Great story and twists..I never expected the ending..!

[Lauren Talley · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 I liked the twist but didn’t like the story lines

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who is making the rules...and who is breaking them...?

Ok first up, this is one seriously twisted read! Where nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is as it seems. From start to finish you think you know what is happening...but you don't.

The basis of this twisted tale are the all important rules. Rules, rules, rules! You must obey the rules! So so many rules! So what are the rules?

Rule 1: No lying.

Rule 2: Never talk about you know who.

Rule 3: Family confessional every day at 6pm.

Rule 4: No leaving the house without good reason.

Rule 5: Bedtime confessional.

Rule 6: Never talk about the past.

Rule 7: No alcohol, apart from one drink at the weekend.

Rule 8: Grieving hour every Sunday at 5pm.

Rule 9: No phones/tablets/laptops/internet after 6pm.

Rule 10: No watching the news. No social media. No loud music.

Rule 11: Bedtime strictly 8pm.

Rule 12: No flaunting or flirting with the opposite sex.

Rule 13: No breaking of the marriage rules. Punishment severe.

From the outset, the rules seemed a little one-sided and I was left feeling a bit miffed at the attitude and the enforcement of the said rules - to the absolute letter. And the punishment? Well...that was a bit off the scale too.

But to Fiona and Jason it is normal. It keeps them safe. From what or who, isn't clear. At least not right away. Still, Jason has always lived by a set of strict rules which has served him well, even when his father abandoned him after the sudden death of his mother at 13 and shipping him off to boarding school. The rules helped keep him structured and disciplined; helped keep him safe. So when he met Fiona at the Radmoor Psychiatric Hospital where he recently gained the position of psychiatrist, the pair seemed to feel a chemistry almost at once. The only problem was, Jason was already married. To the head psychiatrist, Dr Erika Nordstrom. Despite this, the pair began to plan a future together.

And then, Erika is dead and the couple move away with Jason's two daughters Tilly (15) and Ivy (8) to begin a new life together. The girls miss their mum and Jason insists on them calling Fiona "mum" or "mummy" but neither girl is thrilled at the prospect, nor by their father's strict set of rules. But he only wants to keep them safe...if only they follow the rules.

But when Fiona befriends neighbour Sascha and her daughter Cora becomes friendly with Ivy, Jason begins to see cracks appear in the life he has carefully curated for them. Sascha won't take his nonsense and tries to encourage Fiona not to either but that won't do. So when Sascha disappears, her house resembling a crime scene, Fiona begins to question what really happened to her friend.

Now when I began this read, I was increasingly frustrated with Fiona and totally annoyed with Jason. Those rules bordered on abuse; especially given his punishment for breaking them. But then the story unfolded some more and I realised that nothing is at all what it seems.

This is not an entirely predictable read because I guarantee it will shock you. I doubt you will see some of the twists coming. I definitely didn't see that last one but pretty much worked out the rest. Even so, even a seasoned thriller reader such as myself will be surprised at the turn of events and that one clever final twist.

This is a dark, chilling and claustrophobic read and you will be kept on the edge of your seat as you race to the end to that final reveal. Did you work it out?

This is one of those books that is hard to review because to say too much will give the whole game away. And you don't want that happening, believe me. But bare with Fiona and her submissiveness. It will all be worth it in the end.

I would like to thank #SamanthaHayes, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheMarriageRules in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Kelly (aka jsybookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 3rd book by Samantha Hayes and crikey she knows how to write a psychological thriller with breakneck twists and turns!! Deserves nothing less than 5 stars!

Fiona and her husband Jason met at Radmoor Hospital where Jason was a Consultant Psychiatrist and Fiona was a nurse, but Jason was married so they had a clandestine affair. However, to be together in a proper relationship they had to leave the hospital and so they both left their respective jobs at Radmoor. Now Jason is in a new job, lecturing in psychiatry at his old university and Fiona has suddenly and unexpectedly become a full time step mum to Jason’s two daughters, as on the day that she married and moved in with Jason, the girls’ mother, Erika, died in a car accident. Fiona has been tasked with the job of blending their family together as well as helping Tilly who is 15 and Ivy who is 8 come to terms with their grief of losing their mother. However, both Fiona and the girls live under very severe rules from Jason made up to “keep them safe”. Fiona finds the role of stepmother demanding but adores the girls and is determined to make things work, even if Jason’s rules make their lives quite hard. But then strange notes begin to arrive from unknown people unbalancing Fiona and start to make her doubt her husband’s honesty. Instead of sharing these with Jason, Fiona hides them as she has secrets of her own that need protecting. Try as they might, will Jason and Fiona manage to keep their little family together or will the pasts’ secrets and lies tear it all apart?!

Well, this was one crazy but fun ride with plenty of twists and turns! The list of rules immediately drew me in, and I only got to page 2 of the book and was shocked!! It’s been a while since a book has had my mouth gaping as much as this one did. I have to admit I didn’t like either Jason or Fiona, but I really loved Tilly and thought she was very brave in her defiance and also when she was trying to stick up for Fiona against her dad. Chapter 7 left me amazed and the twist at the end of part 1 was simply outstanding. Then the later one in part 3 totally eclipsed the earlier one and simply and literally stunned me as it completely turned the story on its’ head, I can only describe it as stupendous! The writing was so clever that I never saw any of the twists coming which is awesome for a seasoned psychological thriller reader like me.

An absolutely engrossing, addictive and twisty psychological thriller that I loved every minute of reading and would highly recommend. I can’t wait to read what Samantha Hayes writes next as I am never disappointed by her books. Totally deserved 5 stars!

**I will say that I truly hope that this review gives this book the justice it deserves, it was just very very difficult to write it without giving away any spoilers and I never reveal spoilers in my reviews, so I apologise in advance if my review just seems quite cryptic**

Thank you to NetGalley, Samantha Hayes and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.

[Ali R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, talk about falling down the rabbit hole! The Marriage Rules is an extremely addictive domestic thriller that blurs the lines between perception and reality. It takes the unreliable narrator trope to the next level, weaving an unpredictable tale filled with dark secrets and shocking twists. On the surface, this seems like a typical story about a controlling, manipulative spouse, but it's really so much more than that. Beneath all its layers, this novel is a twisted and tragic love story about two damaged individuals who'd do anything to be together.

I found The Marriage Rules both immersive and suspenseful, making it highly enjoyable and worth the read. Just when I assumed I knew what was actually going on, the plot went somewhere unexpected. Plus it uses dual perspectives and timelines as a clever means of revealing bits and pieces of the storyline without disclosing too much too soon. These are all aspects that I love about books of this genre; however, I do believe the narrative contained a few loose ends that could use some more clarity (unless it turns out I missed something.)

For instance, how was Jason even able to get a job at the university if he had no actual credentials? Unless his position there was simply a product of his imagination, and he was a daily impostor there, going through the motions of working in someone else's office. Also, I questioned how he was able to get access to the medications he was prescribing to his wife. If he'd truly been a psychiatrist employed at Radmoor, it would be more explainable, but how did he manage to steal meds so easily as a patient? Also, why on earth did Tilly willingly put herself and her little sister in the car with Fiona if Tilly suspected Fiona and her father of kidnapping them? If I were her, I'd have run in the opposite direction and found somewhere to phone the police, especially after seeing Cora in the vehicle. These are just a few little things that bugged me after finishing the novel, but it doesn't take away from how much I enjoyed this thriller overall.

[Stephen Clynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona, a nurse falls in love with Jason, a doctor and they get married. Only Jason has a list of rules that they must live by or face the consequences.

The Marriage Rules is a psychological thriller with a difference. There are the mind games running between Fiona and Jason but also the author plays with the mind of the reader, big time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Marriage Rules and think it is an OUTSTANDING 5 star read.

The plot of The Marriage Rules is brilliant and this would make a great television drama/series. At the beginning of this book the reader learns the 13 rules that Jason gets Fiona to accept with his marriage proposal. Straight away you suspect Jason of committing the offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship (CCB). Then the reader wonders exactly what has happened to Erika, the mother of Jason’s two daughters who now live with Fiona and Jason.

Through this story the lead characters of Fiona and Jason bloom, with tonnes of back story added at a steady pace. This book does not have a linear time scale and alternates between before the wedding and the current day. Also each small chapter is from either Fiona’s or Jason’s point of view. Normally shifting time frames is one of my pet hates but with The Marriage Rules it is used as a vehicle to support character development and to make the readers’ mind buzz with trying to understand exactly what is going on. The plot is very good with so many twists and turns that when I take Frankie the Pug for his second walk of the day, my mind is in a swirl.

The ending of The Marriage Rules is very good and comes as a big surprise. All the little details are explained in full and everything adds up with no loose strings. It does leave a nagging doubt though when I walk Frankie the Pug past so many door bell cameras, that maybe there are many more Jason’s around married with their wives obeying the rules!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Bookouture for passing me an ARC on the understanding that I post a review.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars, which I will round down to 4 stars overall.

I downloaded this book after a recommendation from a coworker. I had never heard of this writer before and I might look for more of her books. I am not completely decided yet.

To start, what I liked the most was the ending. You do not see that coming at all, which I really like. It is boring to read a book where you have it figured out on the second page. This book keeps you guessing. At first you think Fiona and Jason are a simple married couple, getting together after Jason losing his first wife. Together they are looking ater Jason's two girls, Tilly and Ivy. Jason appears overbearing, he has rules that Fiona must follow or else there are consequences. When I got into this, I really thought this was going to be a intimate partner violence type of story but, it is far from that.

What I did not like was much of the actual story as it went along. It got me in the beginning, then towards the end. That was about it. In the middle, I was kind of thinking "move it along". Parts fel very long and drug out. I felt like the writer was trying to introduce too many characters sometimes, without developing them much-Sascha and her mother. I felt like the author thought by dropping more characters in, the overall story would either be more interesting or aid in how difficult it was to figure out the ending. I am still confused around Jason's wife, Erika, too. Spoiler here but, if she was a science teacher at a local school, how did Fiona recognize her? Also, how was Jason working at a University? There are questions left because stuff was not explained enough, in my opinion.

Overall, I am giving this 4.5 stars because the ending was really good. I did not see it coming at all and, once it was explained, it made sense (except Erika's character and Jason's job at the University, for me). I am putting this at 4 stars because of the parts I disliked. I think the author could have done more on a few character developments and less on trying to add in as many twists and turns as she could.

[Books I Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure: I would like to thank the publisher and author for my advanced review copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm being overly cautious with the spoiler tags as some people like to read books without knowing any details.

The Marriage Rules follows Fiona's unique marriage to Jason, a widower. He's set a list of rules which their family must obey, or else! They live a cosy life in a small village together with Jason's daughters. One day, Fiona starts breaking the rules after she receives anonymous notes, which Jason then discovers. Why didn't Fiona tell Jason someone's threatening her? And why is their neighbour Sacha always trying to insert herself into their dynamics?

This book is very different to what's out there. It starts with the peculiar set of rules Jason has imposed on Fiona and his family. Fiona and Jason officially met in the hospital where they both worked, although in reality they'd previously met in their local pub. Jason had told Fiona about his marriage rules at the pub, and not only was Fiona totally fine with that but it also made him seem more alluring. A few months later, they're already married and living as a happy family with his daughters who aren't allowed to grieve and even have to call Fiona mum. Fiona's teenage step-daughter isn't happy about that and even tells Fiona what we're all thinking.

The Story is told from various POVs. Fiona from 3rd POV, Jason from 3rd POV, and Fiona's 1st POV as she remembers how they met and eloped, and Jason's 1st POV as he reminisces about it, too.

The setting of the book was great and I loved playing the guessing game. Is Jason who he claims he is? Why does he have all these weird rules? What happened to his deceased wife? Why was Fiona dismissed from her previous job? Actually, is Fiona who she claims she is?

This was an absolute page-turner and the end was great!

[Ashley Gillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of those that just when you think you have a handle on everything that’s going on completely ripped the rug out from under you and makes you realize that you know nothing, to semi-quote Game of Thrones.

I mean, just when I thought I had everything figured out and knew the direction the book was going to go in, the author threw in a new twist that completely changed the direction of the book. My jaw seriously dropped open about three or four times as I was reading this one. But in a way it all made sense, and there were no major contradictions with each of the twists, which was nice because I’ve read books where authors create twists that don’t make sense when you look back at how the plot has developed. This was not like that at all. The twists definitely made sense, when you looked back at them in context.

That also made the book creepier, because it made you think about all the signs that you missed throughout the book. It was one of those, “Man I really should’ve seen that coming,” moments because honestly, everything was there, you just don’t see it until the author wants you to. It’s really the sign of good writing.

The book also has two main narrators, at least one of which would be considered an unreliable narrator, which throws another wrench into things, so the whole time we’re wondering if what she’s seeing and thinking is true or if she’s being manipulated or if she’s not quite seeing the whole picture. like I said, it’s just creating a really creepy atmosphere that is really amazing.

If you’re looking for a creepy edge of your seat thriller, don’t hesitate to pick this one up. It’s a great book for anyone looking for a super twisty nailbiting psychological thriller that will leave you reading late into the night!