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The Wedding Vow
The international bestselling author of THE WRONG DAUGHTER is back with a brand-new GRIPPING psychological thriller, guaranteed to keep you at the edge of your seat!
She is the perfect wife.
He is the perfect liar.
Verity and Linden Lockwood vowed to spend the rest of their lives together, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do they part. Five years later they've kept their promise to never let their love die, to never slip into becoming one of those couples....
But a year after Linden is brutally and inexplicably murdered in their picture-perfect home, Verity's world shatters again. They're not the golden couple she thought they were. Linden betrayed he had been having an affair.
Determined to uncover the identity of the other woman, Verity delves into her husband's life. Everyone is a her neighbour, her best friend, her assistant... even her cousin. But as she unearths Linden's shocking secrets, Verity realises she didn't know her husband at all and the truth might be more dangerous than she realises.
Can Verity expose the other woman before she joins her husband in the morgue?
Perfect for fans of The Married Ma n by K.L. Slater, Jeneva Rose and Lisa Jewell.
She is the perfect wife.
He is the perfect liar.
Verity and Linden Lockwood vowed to spend the rest of their lives together, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do they part. Five years later they've kept their promise to never let their love die, to never slip into becoming one of those couples....
But a year after Linden is brutally and inexplicably murdered in their picture-perfect home, Verity's world shatters again. They're not the golden couple she thought they were. Linden betrayed he had been having an affair.
Determined to uncover the identity of the other woman, Verity delves into her husband's life. Everyone is a her neighbour, her best friend, her assistant... even her cousin. But as she unearths Linden's shocking secrets, Verity realises she didn't know her husband at all and the truth might be more dangerous than she realises.
Can Verity expose the other woman before she joins her husband in the morgue?
Perfect for fans of The Married Ma n by K.L. Slater, Jeneva Rose and Lisa Jewell.
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Published April 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 474 reviews
March 28, 2025
Twisty, turny, devilish, compulsive and quite unputdownable! This story has it all, and being told in very short chapters added to the snappy tone.
Told in alternating chapters by 'The Wife' and 'The Other Woman' we are swiftly taken into this tumultuous world of adulterous and oh so messy world of Verity and the many many other women she comes into contact with. Just who is this other woman, and as for the lecherous Linden, who led him to the grave?!
"She is desperately in love with Linden but she isn't at all enamoured with their situation."
Verity and her husband are perfect on the outside, successful and wealthy - all those 'important' things. I found the entire premise quite glutinous, both for myself as the reader and these characters who were all self consumed and quite entitled, adding to the voyeuristic feel. This feeling sets it all up skillfully. You feel pulled into the egotistical world. While reading thoughts of Danielle Steel in summertime caused me to reflect that this read had a guilty pleasure feel to it, not being able to wait to next pick it up. It's also a nicely sized book, one of those smaller ones to hold in your hand all nice and comfy.
There are characters aplenty, just as there are red herrings and ideas being thrown at you left right and centre. You will love and hate some characters in equal measure. I highly recommend this one. One word summation? Wicked.
With thanks to Ch'aska and Echo publishing for my review copy.
4.5⭐
Told in alternating chapters by 'The Wife' and 'The Other Woman' we are swiftly taken into this tumultuous world of adulterous and oh so messy world of Verity and the many many other women she comes into contact with. Just who is this other woman, and as for the lecherous Linden, who led him to the grave?!
"She is desperately in love with Linden but she isn't at all enamoured with their situation."
Verity and her husband are perfect on the outside, successful and wealthy - all those 'important' things. I found the entire premise quite glutinous, both for myself as the reader and these characters who were all self consumed and quite entitled, adding to the voyeuristic feel. This feeling sets it all up skillfully. You feel pulled into the egotistical world. While reading thoughts of Danielle Steel in summertime caused me to reflect that this read had a guilty pleasure feel to it, not being able to wait to next pick it up. It's also a nicely sized book, one of those smaller ones to hold in your hand all nice and comfy.
There are characters aplenty, just as there are red herrings and ideas being thrown at you left right and centre. You will love and hate some characters in equal measure. I highly recommend this one. One word summation? Wicked.
With thanks to Ch'aska and Echo publishing for my review copy.
4.5⭐
May 7, 2025
I fear I need to reread this and make a family tree to keep people separated. I finished the book and I am ✨confused✨, maybe reading it again knowing the ending would help?
April 20, 2025
Maybe I’ve read too many books like this but I guess the twist very very early on and even the mini twists to me felt predictable. Are there other books like this out there absolutely. Was it the worst book I’ve ever read? No. However, this is the second book I’ve read by this author and I didn’t like the other one eitherso although it was a way to pass the time and I read it quickly I definitely won’t be picking up another book by this author again.
May 8, 2025
Narrated by Tuppence Middleton
Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
Release date: 04-14-25
This story was about Verity and Linden Lockwood, who have been happily married for five years when Linden was brutally murdered in their home. Linden's wedding ring was missing, just as his wallet. Was it a robbery gone wrong? When a year later Verity discovers love letters hidden in her husband's secret place, she discovers that he had been unfaithful... was Linden's mistress the murderer?
She is the perfect wife.
He is the perfect liar.
The story unfolds through alternating perspectives of “The Wife” and “The Other Woman,” who were both connected through Linden. "The Wife" was Verity and her events happened in present day. But who was that mysterious "Other Woman" Linden had an affair? Verity's neighbor, cousin, work colleagues, even her accountant, they all become suspects.
The story plot line wasn’t as interesting as I though but the biggest turnoff for me was that I could not relate to the characters. Perhaps if it had been written differently I would have enjoyed it more, now this story felt so sordid and disgusting! There were no characters to root for. .
I just read The Sister-in-Law which had similar premise and I much more enjoyed that story and resolution.
Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
Release date: 04-14-25
This story was about Verity and Linden Lockwood, who have been happily married for five years when Linden was brutally murdered in their home. Linden's wedding ring was missing, just as his wallet. Was it a robbery gone wrong? When a year later Verity discovers love letters hidden in her husband's secret place, she discovers that he had been unfaithful... was Linden's mistress the murderer?
She is the perfect wife.
He is the perfect liar.
The story unfolds through alternating perspectives of “The Wife” and “The Other Woman,” who were both connected through Linden. "The Wife" was Verity and her events happened in present day. But who was that mysterious "Other Woman" Linden had an affair? Verity's neighbor, cousin, work colleagues, even her accountant, they all become suspects.
The story plot line wasn’t as interesting as I though but the biggest turnoff for me was that I could not relate to the characters. Perhaps if it had been written differently I would have enjoyed it more, now this story felt so sordid and disgusting! There were no characters to root for. .
I just read The Sister-in-Law which had similar premise and I much more enjoyed that story and resolution.
April 15, 2025
3 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
She believed Linden when he said she was the only woman he’d had outside of his marriage. He’d made her feel chosen. Special. Desired. There had been power in knowing that she, and she alone, was enough to lure another man from his marital bed. That she was wanted enough for him to risk everything just to have her. His one and only mistress.
I saw the big plot twist coming before I even hit the 10% mark. While I appreciate the dual POV between the wife (present day) and the mistress (past events), it was fun to maintain some anonymity around the mistress's POV even if I eventually found out.
I liked the concept I just think there was plenty of dialogue and less exciting and nerve-wrecking moments.
There were too many u-turns with the events and that didn't help with making the story seem coherent.
Content warning: death, gore, murder, cheating, unfaithful husband, physical assault, manipulation, gaslighting, predatory behavior, mention of sexual assault, trauma.
She believed Linden when he said she was the only woman he’d had outside of his marriage. He’d made her feel chosen. Special. Desired. There had been power in knowing that she, and she alone, was enough to lure another man from his marital bed. That she was wanted enough for him to risk everything just to have her. His one and only mistress.
I saw the big plot twist coming before I even hit the 10% mark. While I appreciate the dual POV between the wife (present day) and the mistress (past events), it was fun to maintain some anonymity around the mistress's POV even if I eventually found out.
I liked the concept I just think there was plenty of dialogue and less exciting and nerve-wrecking moments.
There were too many u-turns with the events and that didn't help with making the story seem coherent.
Content warning: death, gore, murder, cheating, unfaithful husband, physical assault, manipulation, gaslighting, predatory behavior, mention of sexual assault, trauma.
October 1, 2025
A first Dandy Smith novel.
There was lots of twists and turns, a good read.
A happily married couple, an author and his successful wife with her own business.
Her husband murdered in the home. She’s away at a retreat.
A lot of secrets come out after the death of her husband..
Who did it? Why?
I tried to figure it out.. I got it wrong 😜 😂
Every one enjoy ☺️
There was lots of twists and turns, a good read.
A happily married couple, an author and his successful wife with her own business.
Her husband murdered in the home. She’s away at a retreat.
A lot of secrets come out after the death of her husband..
Who did it? Why?
I tried to figure it out.. I got it wrong 😜 😂
Every one enjoy ☺️
May 21, 2025
Audio.
Another reviewer used the perfect word to describe this book: WHIPLASH—because that’s exactly how it felt with the nonstop twists and turns. There were way too many for me to enjoy the story.
Even after rereading sections, I am still confused. It felt like being stuck in a maze with no clear way out.
If you decide to take this on, be prepared to chart out the characters and plot twists. I actually did, and I’m still not sure I fully grasp what happened.
Another reviewer used the perfect word to describe this book: WHIPLASH—because that’s exactly how it felt with the nonstop twists and turns. There were way too many for me to enjoy the story.
Even after rereading sections, I am still confused. It felt like being stuck in a maze with no clear way out.
If you decide to take this on, be prepared to chart out the characters and plot twists. I actually did, and I’m still not sure I fully grasp what happened.
June 12, 2025
2/5
Such a promising start but it turned into a ridiculous tangle of twists and turns, red herrings and dead ends.
I was really enjoying it - until I hated it but I couldn’t give up until I found out how the absurdity ended.
Am I glad I read it? No
Would I recommend it? No way.
Such a promising start but it turned into a ridiculous tangle of twists and turns, red herrings and dead ends.
I was really enjoying it - until I hated it but I couldn’t give up until I found out how the absurdity ended.
Am I glad I read it? No
Would I recommend it? No way.
September 18, 2025
This was such an easy 5 star to give! It’s not often that I get so taken by surprise but this book had amazing twists that had my jaw on the floor! What a clever book, it was so gripping I read it in basically one sitting. I would absolutely recommend, this is one of the best domestic thrillers I’ve read in a while!
May 15, 2025
The Wedding Vow had me hooked and I couldn't put it down. Dandy Smith builds empathy for her characters as the reader gets the point of view of the wife and also the mistress.
Short chapters with cliffhanger endings kept me eagerly turning those pages.
The Wedding Vow is addictive, suspenseful reading at its best. Once I'd finished my mind was reeling and I was compelled to read the whole book again.
Full review: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
Short chapters with cliffhanger endings kept me eagerly turning those pages.
The Wedding Vow is addictive, suspenseful reading at its best. Once I'd finished my mind was reeling and I was compelled to read the whole book again.
Full review: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
May 5, 2025
Not worth reading. This whole book could be summarized in a few sentences, and reading all the in between details was not very interesting. Sure there were twists, but not very satisfying ones. It felt like pretty little liars, where you keep uncovering more but it gets old. It was also hard to remember and keep track of all the characters’ plot lines.
April 7, 2025
Hmm.
Dare I say too many plot twists? Too many characters, all with names that started with A B or V which got confusing.
First half had me hooked though and I loved the switch between the narrators
Dare I say too many plot twists? Too many characters, all with names that started with A B or V which got confusing.
First half had me hooked though and I loved the switch between the narrators
November 23, 2025
The Wedding Vow by Dandy Smith, Verity is on her way home but cannot get in touch with her husband Lindon, this is why she calls her best friend Amy to go and see if he is OK. unfortunately Linden is far from OK, he has been murdered. Who would want to murder the kind professor and author who was the other half of the perfect couple. Sadly Verity finds out sooner than later that they weren’t so perfect after all because he was cheating on her. when Veridy sets out to find out not only who killed her husband but who he was cheating with she will be putting herself in danger and her life will never be the same again. With so many friends and her cousin Addison she thought she had it all now she’s in a position where she doesn’t know who to trust where to turn and there’s a man who resembles her husband after her but why? even when she knows most of the story she will not know all of it and it’s not over until it’s over and boy it’s just a twisty ride to get to the truth. She learns things about her husband she couldn’t have even fathomed when he was alive but now that he’s dead the truth is coming out and none of it is pretty. despite being the only one who gets a pig’s head at her door she isn’t the only one getting threatening notes this is one crazy twisty story and I loved it I could not put this book down it was so good. I was recently in a reading slump and this is definitely an awesome way to end it. #NetGalley, #TheBlindreviewer, #MyHonestReview, #WeddingVow, #DandySmith,
May 24, 2025
A good twisty psychological thriller for sure. Super quick read and will keep you guessing.
May 31, 2025
*https://www.instagram.com/mrsb_book_r...
💍Penned by UK based author Dandy Smith, The Wedding Vow is characterised by a gripping, high-energy and character-focused psychological focussed storyline. With themes of life promises, devotion, pledges, love, death, betrayal, adultery, identity and secrets, this is a consumable novel. Smith exposes her audience to a golden couple and she unravels this twosome’s perfect marriage portrait, revealing a complex tale of deceit, infidelity, arrogance and mistreatment. Ripping apart ideas of the ideal marriage, the perfect partner, beauty and status, The Wedding Vow is a surprising psychological thriller. I was invested in this one from the onset and I’m glad I turned to this pulp fiction thriller during a heavy work week. With plenty of suspects in a whodunnit style murder, the riddle that must be solved is revealing and sordid. Shifting perspectives and emotional viewpoints form layers to this novel, with clues that are sometimes easy to decipher, with other times they are slightly cryptic. I did enjoy this one, especially wading through the list of suspects and working out whether to trust or discard the varying conflicting perspectives that were presented to me. I’ll definitely read another Dandy Smith novel and I recommend The Wedding Vow to popcorn thrillers enthusiasts.
🌟🌟🌟🌟4 stars, out now. 💐🙏Thank you to @betterreadingau
💍Penned by UK based author Dandy Smith, The Wedding Vow is characterised by a gripping, high-energy and character-focused psychological focussed storyline. With themes of life promises, devotion, pledges, love, death, betrayal, adultery, identity and secrets, this is a consumable novel. Smith exposes her audience to a golden couple and she unravels this twosome’s perfect marriage portrait, revealing a complex tale of deceit, infidelity, arrogance and mistreatment. Ripping apart ideas of the ideal marriage, the perfect partner, beauty and status, The Wedding Vow is a surprising psychological thriller. I was invested in this one from the onset and I’m glad I turned to this pulp fiction thriller during a heavy work week. With plenty of suspects in a whodunnit style murder, the riddle that must be solved is revealing and sordid. Shifting perspectives and emotional viewpoints form layers to this novel, with clues that are sometimes easy to decipher, with other times they are slightly cryptic. I did enjoy this one, especially wading through the list of suspects and working out whether to trust or discard the varying conflicting perspectives that were presented to me. I’ll definitely read another Dandy Smith novel and I recommend The Wedding Vow to popcorn thrillers enthusiasts.
🌟🌟🌟🌟4 stars, out now. 💐🙏Thank you to @betterreadingau
May 6, 2025
Dragged on for an eternity! Ridiculous read.
July 16, 2025
The Wedding Vow by Dandy Smith was such a thrill! So many good twists—I was hooked the whole time. I just wish the author had more books out because I’ve officially read them all now. Hoping for continued success for Dandy Smith!
The story follows Verity and Linden, a married couple (and honestly, their names totally sound like a young, wealthy suburban duo). Then one day, Linden is murdered in their home. Turns out he was having an affair, and now Verity is determined to find out who it was.
The story follows Verity and Linden, a married couple (and honestly, their names totally sound like a young, wealthy suburban duo). Then one day, Linden is murdered in their home. Turns out he was having an affair, and now Verity is determined to find out who it was.
March 26, 2025
Big thanks to Echo Publishing and Better Reading for sending us a copy to read and review.
A tangled web of deceit, infidelity and revenge all play out after the murder of the philanderer.
His unscrupulous and devious treatment of women punctuated his arrogance. Karma was not his ally.
Linden and Verity on the surface could be described as a golden couple with their lifestyle, money and looks.
Verity’s life was shattered when he was found dead in their apartment. Discovering he had a mistress added to the pain and she became determined to find out who she was.
A list of suspects formed and the investigation begins.
The murky waters of the flippant starts to clear as the truth becomes apparent.
The wife and the mistresses both shared their point of view to paint the picture and capture the emotion.
The past, present and future no matter how fractured all featured and the sordid relay of events revealed the truth.
The reader has to be astute to engage and follow the plot and they might just guess the outcome.
I had an inkling as I delved into the plot.
A tangled web of deceit, infidelity and revenge all play out after the murder of the philanderer.
His unscrupulous and devious treatment of women punctuated his arrogance. Karma was not his ally.
Linden and Verity on the surface could be described as a golden couple with their lifestyle, money and looks.
Verity’s life was shattered when he was found dead in their apartment. Discovering he had a mistress added to the pain and she became determined to find out who she was.
A list of suspects formed and the investigation begins.
The murky waters of the flippant starts to clear as the truth becomes apparent.
The wife and the mistresses both shared their point of view to paint the picture and capture the emotion.
The past, present and future no matter how fractured all featured and the sordid relay of events revealed the truth.
The reader has to be astute to engage and follow the plot and they might just guess the outcome.
I had an inkling as I delved into the plot.
June 1, 2025
I vow to stop reading such terrible books 🙏🙏🙏
Like what on fuck was this ?? There was so much potential in this structure and the twist at the end, but the way it was executed was just WILDLY confusing. Like i was sitting there exclaiming what the fuck is going on every two minutes for about twenty minutes, which is just fucking frustrating.
Also, I think some of the twists about the characters are wildly predictable but the characters themselves were SO unrealistic. Like complete caricatures of evil people just making really stupid decisions. NOT something I would recommend
Like what on fuck was this ?? There was so much potential in this structure and the twist at the end, but the way it was executed was just WILDLY confusing. Like i was sitting there exclaiming what the fuck is going on every two minutes for about twenty minutes, which is just fucking frustrating.
Also, I think some of the twists about the characters are wildly predictable but the characters themselves were SO unrealistic. Like complete caricatures of evil people just making really stupid decisions. NOT something I would recommend
April 16, 2025
Twist after twist after twist. It was getting kind of confusing to keep track of it all towards the end. I saw one of the twists from a mile away. I think this would have been better if they toned it down with the whiplash.
March 28, 2025
Thanks to #NetGalley and #EmblaBooks for the book #TheWeddingVow by #DandySmith. Holy crap! What did I just read? This is one of the books that stick with you, and I loved every minute of it! Verity is away on a business retreat when her husband is brutally murdered. After a year of not knowing who killed her husband, she finds hidden love letters from a mistress, her husband was having an affair. As she searches for this woman who she thinks is the killer, she discovers she really didn’t know her husband. Can she figure it all out before she is next?
Read
July 5, 2025I thought I had this book all figured out but there a few twists I did not see coming. An excellent book I read in a few hours because I couldn’t stop reading. Definitely recommend it.
March 27, 2025
The Wedding Vow by Dandy Smith is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of marriage, betrayal, and the pursuit of truth. The narrative centers on Verity Lockwood, who, a year after the unsolved murder of her husband Linden, uncovers evidence of his infidelity. This revelation propels her into a relentless quest to identify “the other woman,” casting suspicion on those closest to her, including her neighbor, best friend, assistant, and cousin.
Smith masterfully employs dual perspectives, alternating between Verity and the enigmatic “other woman,” which adds depth and intrigue to the unfolding mystery. The plot is meticulously crafted, with layers of deception and unexpected twists that keep readers engaged. As Verity delves deeper into her husband’s secrets, she confronts unsettling truths that challenge her understanding of their relationship and her own reality.
The novel has garnered acclaim for its suspenseful narrative and compelling character development. Readers have praised its ability to maintain tension and deliver shocking revelations. One reviewer noted, “So brilliantly done and full of jaw-dropping twists. It had me gripped from the first page and I stayed up until 4am to finish it. The ending blew my mind.”
However, some readers have expressed mixed feelings. While many found the book unputdownable, others felt the pacing varied, with certain sections dragging before the narrative regained momentum. Despite these differing opinions, the novel’s intricate plot and unexpected twists have left a lasting impression on its audience.
In summary, The Wedding Vow is a captivating exploration of love, deceit, and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. Dandy Smith’s storytelling prowess ensures that readers remain on the edge of their seats, making this novel a compelling addition to the psychological thriller genre.
April 16, 2025
To everyone, Verity and Linden Lookwood appeared to have the perfect marriage. The lifestyle blogger and novelist had everything that money could buy and were extremely happy.
Until a year after Linden's horrific murder when Verity unearths his dirty little secret...
Turns out whilst Verity was the perfect wife, Linden was far from the perfect husband. Discovering that he had a mistress was bad enough. But as she digs further, Verity discovers exactly what type of man Linden was.
Worst still, the truth could get her killed.
The Wedding Vow was my first book from Dandy Smith, and I'm absolutely blown away at the cleverness. Us as the reader are immediately drawn into the drama. Who killed Linden and why? Which of Verity's inner circle was his mistress? Thanks to some well placed clues and deterants, we can only guess until the very end. The reveal is nothing but shocking.
Although the characters weren't very nice and there's a whole heap of lying and sneaking around going on, I couldn't put this one down.
Thanks to Echo Publishing for sending me a copy to read and review.
4.75 🌟
Until a year after Linden's horrific murder when Verity unearths his dirty little secret...
Turns out whilst Verity was the perfect wife, Linden was far from the perfect husband. Discovering that he had a mistress was bad enough. But as she digs further, Verity discovers exactly what type of man Linden was.
Worst still, the truth could get her killed.
The Wedding Vow was my first book from Dandy Smith, and I'm absolutely blown away at the cleverness. Us as the reader are immediately drawn into the drama. Who killed Linden and why? Which of Verity's inner circle was his mistress? Thanks to some well placed clues and deterants, we can only guess until the very end. The reveal is nothing but shocking.
Although the characters weren't very nice and there's a whole heap of lying and sneaking around going on, I couldn't put this one down.
Thanks to Echo Publishing for sending me a copy to read and review.
4.75 🌟
March 5, 2025
Verity and Linden Wood are a married couple who are madly in love and have made vows to always remain together. Verity is the owner of a very successful business, Verity Rose, and after many years of building the business, she has now surpassed Linden as the major bread winner in the family. Linden sees himself as a successful writer, he is charming, charismatic and people are drawn to him. He comes from a wealthy family but there are tensions between himself and his other family members.
Then Linden is murdered, and Verity is devastated but as time goes on, she soon finds out there was far more to her husband than she was aware of, and she becomes aware of his affair.
The book moves between different POV’s. Verity and the other woman in question and the major mystery throughout the book is who the other woman is, and I struggled to work this out is which set the scene for a very entertaining book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
May 29, 2025
I liked the POVs of the wife and the other woman. There were a lot of little twists, but many of them were predictable and the story was kind of all over the place. Overall, still an easy read.
June 23, 2025
Highly recommend this listen
March 27, 2025
SYNOPSIS
* Verity and Linden Lockwood were the golden couple—until Linden was brutally murdered in their picture-perfect home.
* A year later, Verity is trying to rebuild her life when she learns Linden was having an affair.
* Determined to uncover the identity of the other woman, Verity digs into his life and begins to suspect everyone around her.
* As secrets unravel, Verity realizes she may not have known her husband at all—and the truth could be even more dangerous than she imagined.
⸻
MY THOUGHTS
- This book grabs you immediately. It’s layered, tense, and full of that slow-burn suspense that keeps you turning pages.
- I loved the multiple POVs—especially how we get chapters from both Verity and the mysterious “other woman.” It’s a clever structure that keeps the tension high.
- The identity of the other woman stays hidden for most of the book, and it’s handled so well. The clues, the red herrings, the pacing—it all worked.
- Every character felt like a suspect. I didn’t trust a single person, which made the whodunit aspect super engaging.
- There are a lot of twists. Some I guessed, but a few genuinely surprised me, which is rare.
- The ending? Extremely satisfying. Everything ties together in a way that makes you go, “Oh wow, of course,” but also, “Wait, what?!” in the best possible way.
⸻
TL;DR:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A gripping, twisty murder mystery with dual POVs, a perfectly executed “other woman” twist, and a seriously satisfying ending. If you love domestic thrillers that make you question everyone, this one delivers.
⸻
Thanks to Embla Books and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now.
* Verity and Linden Lockwood were the golden couple—until Linden was brutally murdered in their picture-perfect home.
* A year later, Verity is trying to rebuild her life when she learns Linden was having an affair.
* Determined to uncover the identity of the other woman, Verity digs into his life and begins to suspect everyone around her.
* As secrets unravel, Verity realizes she may not have known her husband at all—and the truth could be even more dangerous than she imagined.
⸻
MY THOUGHTS
- This book grabs you immediately. It’s layered, tense, and full of that slow-burn suspense that keeps you turning pages.
- I loved the multiple POVs—especially how we get chapters from both Verity and the mysterious “other woman.” It’s a clever structure that keeps the tension high.
- The identity of the other woman stays hidden for most of the book, and it’s handled so well. The clues, the red herrings, the pacing—it all worked.
- Every character felt like a suspect. I didn’t trust a single person, which made the whodunit aspect super engaging.
- There are a lot of twists. Some I guessed, but a few genuinely surprised me, which is rare.
- The ending? Extremely satisfying. Everything ties together in a way that makes you go, “Oh wow, of course,” but also, “Wait, what?!” in the best possible way.
⸻
TL;DR:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A gripping, twisty murder mystery with dual POVs, a perfectly executed “other woman” twist, and a seriously satisfying ending. If you love domestic thrillers that make you question everyone, this one delivers.
⸻
Thanks to Embla Books and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now.
March 14, 2025
"The Wedding Vow" by Dandy Smith is a fantastic 5-star read! Verity is grieving the loss of her husband, Linden, when she discovers he had been hiding a major secret. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on a search that could have deadly consequences.
The story is told from two perspectives—Verity’s and that of The Other Woman. The author does a brilliant job of keeping you guessing about the identity of The Other Woman—at some point, you’ll suspect nearly every female character. I lost count of how many times I was convinced I had figured it out, only to change my mind a few chapters later! The final reveal of The Other Woman and the person responsible for Linden’s death was both surprising and satisfying.
This is my second 5-star read from Dandy Smith, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Thanks to Embla Books, Dandy Smith, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
The story is told from two perspectives—Verity’s and that of The Other Woman. The author does a brilliant job of keeping you guessing about the identity of The Other Woman—at some point, you’ll suspect nearly every female character. I lost count of how many times I was convinced I had figured it out, only to change my mind a few chapters later! The final reveal of The Other Woman and the person responsible for Linden’s death was both surprising and satisfying.
This is my second 5-star read from Dandy Smith, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Thanks to Embla Books, Dandy Smith, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
May 15, 2025
I love this author. Her voice is soaked in description, which is lovely to listen to as an audiobook. The entire world is painted well, and I find myself getting lost in it.
Generally, as I have read all of her books, I feel as though I am reading the same character in different forms, but I don't mind it because she does a wonderful job of creating truly complex women I can root for or hate.
I had an issue with the ending of the book -- the final twist seemed to undo all the believability that was built throughout the novel from the jump. It was not that the narrator was suddenly revealed to be unreliable, but that this complex protagonist was suddenly someone completely different. Maybe my trust was betrayed, but I felt that it worked against the plot itself for her to be the killer. I loved finding out that the other woman and the wife were one in the same, and I think we all saw the evil cousin coming... But for the protagonist to be the killer? Just disappointing.
Generally, as I have read all of her books, I feel as though I am reading the same character in different forms, but I don't mind it because she does a wonderful job of creating truly complex women I can root for or hate.
I had an issue with the ending of the book -- the final twist seemed to undo all the believability that was built throughout the novel from the jump. It was not that the narrator was suddenly revealed to be unreliable, but that this complex protagonist was suddenly someone completely different. Maybe my trust was betrayed, but I felt that it worked against the plot itself for her to be the killer. I loved finding out that the other woman and the wife were one in the same, and I think we all saw the evil cousin coming... But for the protagonist to be the killer? Just disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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