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The Perfect Wedding (Bad Places)
A torn-up bride. A cheating groom. The biggest day of their lives… ––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Grantham Hall, Wales.
Louise’s wedding day is supposed to be the best of her life, but her daily battle with chronic pain and paranoia provides a stark reminder of the past she barely escaped.
The groom is also suffering from more than wedding day jitters – he’s in love with the maid of honour and must decide between jilting his bride or continuing to live a lie.
Once their vows are uttered, neither the bride nor groom can keep their secrets contained. And when Louise stumbles across a freshly-dead body in the hotel grounds, she realises her terrifying past was impossible to flee all along…
Suspenseful and perfectly plotted, you won't guess the twist in this masterful crime thriller, perfect for fans of Frieda McFadden, Lisa Jewell and M. W. Craven.
'The plot twist slapped me across the face so hard I couldn’t control my breathing' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Netgalley reviewer
'I did not want to put it down once I started reading' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Netgalley reviewer
Grantham Hall, Wales.
Louise’s wedding day is supposed to be the best of her life, but her daily battle with chronic pain and paranoia provides a stark reminder of the past she barely escaped.
The groom is also suffering from more than wedding day jitters – he’s in love with the maid of honour and must decide between jilting his bride or continuing to live a lie.
Once their vows are uttered, neither the bride nor groom can keep their secrets contained. And when Louise stumbles across a freshly-dead body in the hotel grounds, she realises her terrifying past was impossible to flee all along…
Suspenseful and perfectly plotted, you won't guess the twist in this masterful crime thriller, perfect for fans of Frieda McFadden, Lisa Jewell and M. W. Craven.
'The plot twist slapped me across the face so hard I couldn’t control my breathing' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Netgalley reviewer
'I did not want to put it down once I started reading' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Netgalley reviewer
352 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2026
About the author
Tess Mackey
5 books6 followersTess Mackey is an author based in Shrewsbury who loves writing characters into terrifying situations inspired by her lived experiences. When she’s not allowing her mind to wander to dark and twisty places, she pursues more wholesome activities, like growing mediocre vegetables in her garden, camping with her daughter, and the odd bit of horse riding when she’s feeling brave enough.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 5, 2026
I enjoyed this one. I found it to be really easy to read book with the way it was written but it did touch on some very dark and serious issues.
The book is split by a bride chapter, groom chapter and police interview chapter. I guessed pretty quickly if the bride and groom were related in any way but it still made for a fast paced read. The book is full of secrets and survival making for a gripping read. I did find the second part of the story (Louise’s history) quite harrowing but overall it was a twisty thriller I couldn’t put down
The book is split by a bride chapter, groom chapter and police interview chapter. I guessed pretty quickly if the bride and groom were related in any way but it still made for a fast paced read. The book is full of secrets and survival making for a gripping read. I did find the second part of the story (Louise’s history) quite harrowing but overall it was a twisty thriller I couldn’t put down
August 25, 2026
Veldig uventet og spennende bok!
September 29, 2026
Feels like the author forgot to finish the book…
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Perfect Wedding opens with a bride, a groom, and enough bad decisions to power an entire season of The Real Housewives, and honestly, that is exactly the kind of energy I want from a thriller. If I’m showing up to a fictional wedding, I do not want tasteful centerpieces and healthy communication. I want secrets. I want side-eyes across the reception hall. I want at least one person silently realizing they’ve ruined their own life before the canapés arrive.
Louise is our bride, and she is not having the glowing bridal-magazine experience. She’s dealing with chronic pain, paranoia, and the kind of past that follows you around like an unpaid parking ticket from hell. I liked her immediately because she feels like an actual person, not just “fragile thriller woman stares meaningfully out a rainy window.” She’s trying so hard to hold it together while her own brain is basically whispering, hey, remember all your trauma? What if we did that today?
And then there’s the groom, who is standing at his own wedding thinking, unfortunately, I may be in love with the maid of honour. Incredible. Stunning. Truly the emotional intelligence of a man who would text “you up?” during a house fire. His internal panic is almost funny until you remember there is an actual human woman in a wedding dress five feet away from him. Sir, if your big romantic realization happens during your own vows, maybe the problem is you.
What I loved is that the book lets all that tension simmer before the body even drops. Everyone is lying, everyone is performing, and every conversation feels like it could end in either a dramatic confession or someone getting shoved into a decorative fountain. It has that deeply uncomfortable family-event energy where everyone is smiling with only their teeth and you know somebody cried in a bathroom ten minutes ago.
Then Louise finds a dead body on the hotel grounds, because apparently emotional betrayal wasn’t enough for one weekend. Once that happens, the whole thing clicks into full thriller mode and suddenly every weird interaction feels loaded. Her past starts pressing in harder, the paranoia stops feeling theoretical, and the wedding goes from disastrous to “absolutely no one should be allowed near the dessert knives.”
The setting helps a lot too. Grantham Hall in Wales sounds exactly like the kind of place where rich people say things like “the west wing has such dreadful murder acoustics.” Big old estate, bad vibes, too many secrets, people dramatically walking outside at night instead of making one good choice. Perfect. No notes.
This is the first book in the Bad Places series, which is maybe the funniest possible series title because yes, thank you, that is extremely clear. This is not Girls Trip. Nobody is coming home refreshed. It reads like a warning label. Bad place. Do not enter. Someone is emotionally unraveling by the hydrangeas.
For me, this landed at 3.5 stars because I was fully entertained, deeply suspicious of everyone, and personally offended by at least three people’s choices. Some twists really worked for me, some had me staring at the page like I’d just received a vague text from an ex saying “we should talk,” but the pacing absolutely kept me locked in. It has that dangerous “just one more chapter” thing where suddenly it’s midnight and you’re stress-eating crackers in the dark.
What stayed with me most, though, was Louise. Under all the murder and wedding chaos, there’s something really grounded about her trying to navigate pain, fear, and the exhausting work of convincing yourself you’re allowed to have a future after surviving something awful. That emotional thread gave the book more weight than just a fun twisty setup, and I appreciated that it never felt like her trauma was there just for decoration.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially if your ideal thriller is “everyone in formalwear is lying and someone might die near the flower arch.” It’s messy, sharp, compulsively readable, and filled with the kind of bad romantic choices that make you yell at the page like you’re watching Love Is Blind. Which, frankly, is one of my favorite hobbies.
3.5 stars, and honestly, if your wedding planner starts saying things like “let’s just try to get through the evening without another incident,” maybe just elope.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Distrust Every Single Person Holding a Champagne Flute
Huge thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC, and for once again reminding me that destination weddings are less about love and more about discovering which of your friends might absolutely be capable of murder.
Louise is our bride, and she is not having the glowing bridal-magazine experience. She’s dealing with chronic pain, paranoia, and the kind of past that follows you around like an unpaid parking ticket from hell. I liked her immediately because she feels like an actual person, not just “fragile thriller woman stares meaningfully out a rainy window.” She’s trying so hard to hold it together while her own brain is basically whispering, hey, remember all your trauma? What if we did that today?
And then there’s the groom, who is standing at his own wedding thinking, unfortunately, I may be in love with the maid of honour. Incredible. Stunning. Truly the emotional intelligence of a man who would text “you up?” during a house fire. His internal panic is almost funny until you remember there is an actual human woman in a wedding dress five feet away from him. Sir, if your big romantic realization happens during your own vows, maybe the problem is you.
What I loved is that the book lets all that tension simmer before the body even drops. Everyone is lying, everyone is performing, and every conversation feels like it could end in either a dramatic confession or someone getting shoved into a decorative fountain. It has that deeply uncomfortable family-event energy where everyone is smiling with only their teeth and you know somebody cried in a bathroom ten minutes ago.
Then Louise finds a dead body on the hotel grounds, because apparently emotional betrayal wasn’t enough for one weekend. Once that happens, the whole thing clicks into full thriller mode and suddenly every weird interaction feels loaded. Her past starts pressing in harder, the paranoia stops feeling theoretical, and the wedding goes from disastrous to “absolutely no one should be allowed near the dessert knives.”
The setting helps a lot too. Grantham Hall in Wales sounds exactly like the kind of place where rich people say things like “the west wing has such dreadful murder acoustics.” Big old estate, bad vibes, too many secrets, people dramatically walking outside at night instead of making one good choice. Perfect. No notes.
This is the first book in the Bad Places series, which is maybe the funniest possible series title because yes, thank you, that is extremely clear. This is not Girls Trip. Nobody is coming home refreshed. It reads like a warning label. Bad place. Do not enter. Someone is emotionally unraveling by the hydrangeas.
For me, this landed at 3.5 stars because I was fully entertained, deeply suspicious of everyone, and personally offended by at least three people’s choices. Some twists really worked for me, some had me staring at the page like I’d just received a vague text from an ex saying “we should talk,” but the pacing absolutely kept me locked in. It has that dangerous “just one more chapter” thing where suddenly it’s midnight and you’re stress-eating crackers in the dark.
What stayed with me most, though, was Louise. Under all the murder and wedding chaos, there’s something really grounded about her trying to navigate pain, fear, and the exhausting work of convincing yourself you’re allowed to have a future after surviving something awful. That emotional thread gave the book more weight than just a fun twisty setup, and I appreciated that it never felt like her trauma was there just for decoration.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially if your ideal thriller is “everyone in formalwear is lying and someone might die near the flower arch.” It’s messy, sharp, compulsively readable, and filled with the kind of bad romantic choices that make you yell at the page like you’re watching Love Is Blind. Which, frankly, is one of my favorite hobbies.
3.5 stars, and honestly, if your wedding planner starts saying things like “let’s just try to get through the evening without another incident,” maybe just elope.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Distrust Every Single Person Holding a Champagne Flute
Huge thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC, and for once again reminding me that destination weddings are less about love and more about discovering which of your friends might absolutely be capable of murder.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh this was such a disappointment!
Louise is getting married! And after her horrible past she is looking forward to a rosy future. Her groom is madly in love with her, her job is fantastic and she has an amazing bunch of friends, including Maid Of Honor Emily. The day couldn’t be more perfect…if only Louise wasn’t having a major panic attack and popping handfuls of medication on a stomach filled with booze and butterflies.
The groom is having second thoughts – in fact, he is on around fifth thoughts. He feels railroaded into the wedding by his mother’s planning and he doesn’t even remember proposing he was that drunk. And there is the small matter of the affair he has been conducting with the Maid Of Honor. His day couldn’t be more horrific…if only he could stop drinking to numb the doubts and be honest about what he really wants…
Beware: Spoilers ahead!
This book has chapters that flip back and to between the vaguely named ‘Bride’ and ‘Groom’. We see the bride getting ready for the wedding and hinting at the trauma in her past. We go through the ceremony from the bride’s point of view and then a look from the groom’s point of view. It took me about 10 chapters before I realized, or at least began to suspect, that the groom was not the person that the bride was marrying but was another groom at the same wedding venue.
There should be trigger warnings all over this book as we later learn that Louise was in an abusive relationship with a man called Steven. He had groomed her as a 14 year old and begun a secret relationship with her. It is a few years before he is introduced to her parents and, like all good manipulators, they love him. They don’t believe the catalogue of abuse that she tells them about, so she flees her old life.
It could have been an exciting, tense, thriller but most of the scenarios felt forced and too silly. For example, Louise leaves her wedding shortly after the best man’s speech and charges off into the woods, when she returns – after finding a dead body and her maid of honour suffering severe concussion – she finds that no one has noticed that both the bride and groom were missing. Despite the fact her new husband is tied up the basement, her friend has concussion and there is a body in the woods, she doesn’t phone the police, instead she sets off to the basement to rescue her husband. There she discovers the dead bodies of the ‘groom’ from the other chapters and the woman he is having an affair with. She faces down her ex – who she has been too afraid to raise a squeak to but has now suddenly developed the backbone to stand up to, before being rescued by her father who was a secret gate crasher at the wedding.
After chapters that were at pedestrian speed suddenly all the action happened in the last half a dozen chapters. I could have done without the epilogue as well – we are supposed to believe that in the six months following the wedding that Louise has had and recovered from spinal surgery for the injuries her ex subjected her to during their relationship, her friend with concussion has had brain surgery for traumatic brain injury and has similarly recovered and that her ex-boyfriend is preparing to go on trial. It just felt a bit too…contrived.
Some people will like this and will think it is great, but for me it was just too flawed for me to enjoy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Louise is getting married! And after her horrible past she is looking forward to a rosy future. Her groom is madly in love with her, her job is fantastic and she has an amazing bunch of friends, including Maid Of Honor Emily. The day couldn’t be more perfect…if only Louise wasn’t having a major panic attack and popping handfuls of medication on a stomach filled with booze and butterflies.
The groom is having second thoughts – in fact, he is on around fifth thoughts. He feels railroaded into the wedding by his mother’s planning and he doesn’t even remember proposing he was that drunk. And there is the small matter of the affair he has been conducting with the Maid Of Honor. His day couldn’t be more horrific…if only he could stop drinking to numb the doubts and be honest about what he really wants…
Beware: Spoilers ahead!
This book has chapters that flip back and to between the vaguely named ‘Bride’ and ‘Groom’. We see the bride getting ready for the wedding and hinting at the trauma in her past. We go through the ceremony from the bride’s point of view and then a look from the groom’s point of view. It took me about 10 chapters before I realized, or at least began to suspect, that the groom was not the person that the bride was marrying but was another groom at the same wedding venue.
There should be trigger warnings all over this book as we later learn that Louise was in an abusive relationship with a man called Steven. He had groomed her as a 14 year old and begun a secret relationship with her. It is a few years before he is introduced to her parents and, like all good manipulators, they love him. They don’t believe the catalogue of abuse that she tells them about, so she flees her old life.
It could have been an exciting, tense, thriller but most of the scenarios felt forced and too silly. For example, Louise leaves her wedding shortly after the best man’s speech and charges off into the woods, when she returns – after finding a dead body and her maid of honour suffering severe concussion – she finds that no one has noticed that both the bride and groom were missing. Despite the fact her new husband is tied up the basement, her friend has concussion and there is a body in the woods, she doesn’t phone the police, instead she sets off to the basement to rescue her husband. There she discovers the dead bodies of the ‘groom’ from the other chapters and the woman he is having an affair with. She faces down her ex – who she has been too afraid to raise a squeak to but has now suddenly developed the backbone to stand up to, before being rescued by her father who was a secret gate crasher at the wedding.
After chapters that were at pedestrian speed suddenly all the action happened in the last half a dozen chapters. I could have done without the epilogue as well – we are supposed to believe that in the six months following the wedding that Louise has had and recovered from spinal surgery for the injuries her ex subjected her to during their relationship, her friend with concussion has had brain surgery for traumatic brain injury and has similarly recovered and that her ex-boyfriend is preparing to go on trial. It just felt a bit too…contrived.
Some people will like this and will think it is great, but for me it was just too flawed for me to enjoy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC read of this book.The Perfect Wedding by Tess Mackey: A Masterpiece of Thrilling Fiction
Tess Mackey's The Perfect Wedding was, without a doubt, a five-star literary experience for me. From the moment I turned the first page of chapter one until I reluctantly read the very last line, I was completely captivated. This novel is a prime example of expert storytelling that excels in every critical area.
Characters and Plot: A Seamless Connection
The connection I felt with the characters was immediate and profound. Mackey has a remarkable ability to craft individuals who feel authentic, complex, and relatable, making their respective fates deeply important to the reader. Paired with this character depth, the storyline itself was nothing short of perfect. It was intricately plotted, rich with suspense, and expertly paced, ensuring there was never a dull moment.
A Multi-Perspective Narrative That Excels
One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its structural brilliance: the use of multiple points of view (POVs). The narrative effortlessly—and thrillingly—weaves together the perspectives of the two separate wedding parties, whose paths are clearly destined to cross with dramatic consequences. Simultaneously, the reader is given access to the viewpoint of the detective who is methodically interviewing the staff at the luxurious wedding venue. This multi-layered approach was executed with a seamless flow that felt organic rather than disjointed.
The Thrill of the Cliffhanger
This structure created an absolutely addictive reading experience. At the close of virtually every single chapter, I was left utterly hooked, my anticipation for the next development reaching a fever pitch. Each chapter terminated in a deliberate, gripping cliffhanger that compelled me to keep turning the pages well into the night. It wasn't just a desire to keep reading; it was a genuine need to uncover the next piece of the puzzle and find out what dramatic event or revelation was waiting on the following page. The book became virtually unputdownable.
A Brilliant, Satisfying Conclusion
The ultimate payoff was magnificent. The ending was nothing less than brilliant—a truly masterful conclusion that brought the complex threads of the plot together in a way that was both surprising and intensely satisfying. I loved how the story was resolved; it provided the perfect closure that a book of this caliber deserved.
In summary, I cannot recommend The Perfect Wedding highly enough. It is a thrilling, character-driven mystery that I encourage everyone to add to their reading list.-----Thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this exceptional book.
Tess Mackey's The Perfect Wedding was, without a doubt, a five-star literary experience for me. From the moment I turned the first page of chapter one until I reluctantly read the very last line, I was completely captivated. This novel is a prime example of expert storytelling that excels in every critical area.
Characters and Plot: A Seamless Connection
The connection I felt with the characters was immediate and profound. Mackey has a remarkable ability to craft individuals who feel authentic, complex, and relatable, making their respective fates deeply important to the reader. Paired with this character depth, the storyline itself was nothing short of perfect. It was intricately plotted, rich with suspense, and expertly paced, ensuring there was never a dull moment.
A Multi-Perspective Narrative That Excels
One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its structural brilliance: the use of multiple points of view (POVs). The narrative effortlessly—and thrillingly—weaves together the perspectives of the two separate wedding parties, whose paths are clearly destined to cross with dramatic consequences. Simultaneously, the reader is given access to the viewpoint of the detective who is methodically interviewing the staff at the luxurious wedding venue. This multi-layered approach was executed with a seamless flow that felt organic rather than disjointed.
The Thrill of the Cliffhanger
This structure created an absolutely addictive reading experience. At the close of virtually every single chapter, I was left utterly hooked, my anticipation for the next development reaching a fever pitch. Each chapter terminated in a deliberate, gripping cliffhanger that compelled me to keep turning the pages well into the night. It wasn't just a desire to keep reading; it was a genuine need to uncover the next piece of the puzzle and find out what dramatic event or revelation was waiting on the following page. The book became virtually unputdownable.
A Brilliant, Satisfying Conclusion
The ultimate payoff was magnificent. The ending was nothing less than brilliant—a truly masterful conclusion that brought the complex threads of the plot together in a way that was both surprising and intensely satisfying. I loved how the story was resolved; it provided the perfect closure that a book of this caliber deserved.
In summary, I cannot recommend The Perfect Wedding highly enough. It is a thrilling, character-driven mystery that I encourage everyone to add to their reading list.-----Thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this exceptional book.
May 26, 2026
The Perfect Wedding is a recent release, published on 21st May. I picked it as I thought the premise looked interesting and I was after an easy read that would have me gripped. I’ve not heard of this author before and it looks like this book is the first in a series.
The story follows the point of view of a bride and groom on their wedding day - Louise and Daniel - and is interspersed with extracts from a police interview the following day which makes you wonder what happened at the wedding.
It will come as no surprise that the wedding isn’t perfect as the title leads you to believe. Louise seems strung out and so nervous and is popping pills like nobody’s business. Meanwhile Daniel isn’t certain he wants to marry Louise as he’s been having an affair with her best friend and maid of honour. At the stately venue, another wedding is going on and that groom is also cheating with their maid of honour which seemed a bit implausible.
The story is an easy enough read but I found most of it a bit boring as the pace was slow and I didn’t really like any of the characters so I wasn’t particularly interested in the details of their day. The pace picks up in the last section of the book but I didn’t think it was enough to redeem it. Some parts were predictable and I didn’t find it very twisty or gripping. The police interviews didn’t really add much to the story for me, I think they were meant to pique your interest about what happened at the wedding but they fizzled out and didn’t come to much.
There are some serious topics covered in the book, mainly coercive control and abuse, and this made me understand more why Louise behaved the way she did, but I still didn’t like her character.
The ending was also predictable and it seemed like Daniel’s affair was forgotten about and never brought up again, has he suddenly decided he loves his wife?
Overall, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I expected to. The pace was too slow and the plot a bit predictable and implausible.
2.5 stars rounded to 2.
The story follows the point of view of a bride and groom on their wedding day - Louise and Daniel - and is interspersed with extracts from a police interview the following day which makes you wonder what happened at the wedding.
It will come as no surprise that the wedding isn’t perfect as the title leads you to believe. Louise seems strung out and so nervous and is popping pills like nobody’s business. Meanwhile Daniel isn’t certain he wants to marry Louise as he’s been having an affair with her best friend and maid of honour. At the stately venue, another wedding is going on and that groom is also cheating with their maid of honour which seemed a bit implausible.
The story is an easy enough read but I found most of it a bit boring as the pace was slow and I didn’t really like any of the characters so I wasn’t particularly interested in the details of their day. The pace picks up in the last section of the book but I didn’t think it was enough to redeem it. Some parts were predictable and I didn’t find it very twisty or gripping. The police interviews didn’t really add much to the story for me, I think they were meant to pique your interest about what happened at the wedding but they fizzled out and didn’t come to much.
There are some serious topics covered in the book, mainly coercive control and abuse, and this made me understand more why Louise behaved the way she did, but I still didn’t like her character.
The ending was also predictable and it seemed like Daniel’s affair was forgotten about and never brought up again, has he suddenly decided he loves his wife?
Overall, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I expected to. The pace was too slow and the plot a bit predictable and implausible.
2.5 stars rounded to 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Perfect Wedding is anything but perfect, and that’s exactly what makes it such a compulsive, twist‑tight read. Set against the sweeping backdrop of Grantham Hall in Wales, the novel opens on Louise’s wedding day—a moment that should be joyful, but instead feels brittle from the start. Louise’s chronic pain and ever‑present paranoia give the day a raw, uneasy edge, and the author captures that sense of fragility with striking clarity.
Across the aisle, the groom is fighting his own battle, torn between the life he’s chosen and the woman he truly loves. It’s a deliciously messy setup—two people walking into a marriage already carrying secrets heavy enough to crack the foundations beneath them.
And then the body appears.
When Louise stumbles across a freshly dead stranger on the hotel grounds, the story shifts into darker territory. Suddenly the past she’s tried so hard to outrun feels frighteningly close, and the wedding day spirals into something far more dangerous than heartbreak. The tension builds beautifully as the truth begins to seep through the cracks, and the sense that someone is pulling strings just out of sight keeps the pages turning.
What I loved most is how the novel blends emotional turmoil with sharp, suspenseful plotting. The characters feel messy and human, their choices shaped by fear, longing, and the weight of old wounds. The twist is clever, the pacing tight, and the atmosphere thick with that creeping sense that nothing about this wedding is what it seems.
The Perfect Wedding is a gripping, character‑driven thriller about secrets, survival, and the lies we tell to keep our lives from collapsing. Suspenseful, twisty, and perfectly plotted, it’s a wedding you won’t forget.
With thanks to Tess Mackey, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Across the aisle, the groom is fighting his own battle, torn between the life he’s chosen and the woman he truly loves. It’s a deliciously messy setup—two people walking into a marriage already carrying secrets heavy enough to crack the foundations beneath them.
And then the body appears.
When Louise stumbles across a freshly dead stranger on the hotel grounds, the story shifts into darker territory. Suddenly the past she’s tried so hard to outrun feels frighteningly close, and the wedding day spirals into something far more dangerous than heartbreak. The tension builds beautifully as the truth begins to seep through the cracks, and the sense that someone is pulling strings just out of sight keeps the pages turning.
What I loved most is how the novel blends emotional turmoil with sharp, suspenseful plotting. The characters feel messy and human, their choices shaped by fear, longing, and the weight of old wounds. The twist is clever, the pacing tight, and the atmosphere thick with that creeping sense that nothing about this wedding is what it seems.
The Perfect Wedding is a gripping, character‑driven thriller about secrets, survival, and the lies we tell to keep our lives from collapsing. Suspenseful, twisty, and perfectly plotted, it’s a wedding you won’t forget.
With thanks to Tess Mackey, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Book Review
The Perfect Wedding – Tess Mackey
Pub Date: 21 May 2026
If you think you’ve read every possible twist in a psychological thriller… think again.
The Perfect Wedding pulls you in from the very first page with an atmosphere that feels tense, claustrophobic, and quietly sinister. Set against the eerie backdrop of Grantham Hall in Wales, what should be a picture-perfect wedding quickly unravels into something far darker.
Louise is a compelling and complex protagonist. Her struggle with chronic pain and lingering paranoia adds a raw, unsettling edge that makes you question everything—especially what’s real and what’s not. Meanwhile, the groom’s secret feelings for the maid of honour layer the story with emotional tension, betrayal, and inevitability. You know something is going to go wrong… you just don’t know how catastrophic it will be.
And then it happens.
The discovery of a body shifts the narrative into full-throttle suspense. From that moment on, the pacing sharpens, the stakes skyrocket, and the twists start coming—each one more shocking than the last. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, Tess Mackey pulls the rug from under you in a way that feels both surprising and completely earned.
What really stands out is how cleverly the plot is constructed. Every detail matters. Every character feels like they’re hiding something. And the tension? It’s relentless.
This is the kind of book that keeps you turning pages late into the night, convincing yourself “just one more chapter”… until suddenly you’re at the end, slightly stunned and wondering how you didn’t see it coming.
A gripping, twist-heavy thriller that absolutely delivers on its promise. Perfect for fans of dark, character-driven suspense with jaw-dropping reveals.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Perfect Wedding – Tess Mackey
Pub Date: 21 May 2026
If you think you’ve read every possible twist in a psychological thriller… think again.
The Perfect Wedding pulls you in from the very first page with an atmosphere that feels tense, claustrophobic, and quietly sinister. Set against the eerie backdrop of Grantham Hall in Wales, what should be a picture-perfect wedding quickly unravels into something far darker.
Louise is a compelling and complex protagonist. Her struggle with chronic pain and lingering paranoia adds a raw, unsettling edge that makes you question everything—especially what’s real and what’s not. Meanwhile, the groom’s secret feelings for the maid of honour layer the story with emotional tension, betrayal, and inevitability. You know something is going to go wrong… you just don’t know how catastrophic it will be.
And then it happens.
The discovery of a body shifts the narrative into full-throttle suspense. From that moment on, the pacing sharpens, the stakes skyrocket, and the twists start coming—each one more shocking than the last. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, Tess Mackey pulls the rug from under you in a way that feels both surprising and completely earned.
What really stands out is how cleverly the plot is constructed. Every detail matters. Every character feels like they’re hiding something. And the tension? It’s relentless.
This is the kind of book that keeps you turning pages late into the night, convincing yourself “just one more chapter”… until suddenly you’re at the end, slightly stunned and wondering how you didn’t see it coming.
A gripping, twist-heavy thriller that absolutely delivers on its promise. Perfect for fans of dark, character-driven suspense with jaw-dropping reveals.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 8, 2026
I went into The Perfect Wedding expecting an entertaining, twisty wedding day thriller and that’s exactly what I got… with a few surprises along the way.
From the very beginning, there’s an undercurrent of unease beneath all the lace and champagne. What should be Louise’s perfect day slowly unravels, and I loved how quickly the story made me question everyone’s motives. The setting feels glamorous on the surface but carries that deliciously claustrophobic tension that makes you suspect something is about to go very wrong.
What really worked for me was how clever the structure felt. There are several twists threaded throughout, but the big twist in the middle genuinely made me stop and reassess everything I thought I understood. I had that moment of, “Wait… what?” followed by flipping back in my head to piece things together. I always appreciate when a thriller can successfully pull that off without feeling cheap, and this one mostly does.
I also liked how messy and complicated the relationships were, no one feels entirely transparent, and that ambiguity keeps the tension simmering. That said, there were moments where the pacing dipped a little for me, and a few developments felt slightly familiar within the genre. It’s definitely clever, but it didn’t completely blow me away by the end, which is why I’m settling at 3.5 stars rather than rounding up.
Overall, this is a smart, entertaining psychological thriller with enough twists to keep you guessing and one major turn that really shifts your perspective. Thank you so much for the ARC — I’m always grateful for the opportunity to read early!
From the very beginning, there’s an undercurrent of unease beneath all the lace and champagne. What should be Louise’s perfect day slowly unravels, and I loved how quickly the story made me question everyone’s motives. The setting feels glamorous on the surface but carries that deliciously claustrophobic tension that makes you suspect something is about to go very wrong.
What really worked for me was how clever the structure felt. There are several twists threaded throughout, but the big twist in the middle genuinely made me stop and reassess everything I thought I understood. I had that moment of, “Wait… what?” followed by flipping back in my head to piece things together. I always appreciate when a thriller can successfully pull that off without feeling cheap, and this one mostly does.
I also liked how messy and complicated the relationships were, no one feels entirely transparent, and that ambiguity keeps the tension simmering. That said, there were moments where the pacing dipped a little for me, and a few developments felt slightly familiar within the genre. It’s definitely clever, but it didn’t completely blow me away by the end, which is why I’m settling at 3.5 stars rather than rounding up.
Overall, this is a smart, entertaining psychological thriller with enough twists to keep you guessing and one major turn that really shifts your perspective. Thank you so much for the ARC — I’m always grateful for the opportunity to read early!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Perfect Wedding was a book I loved from start to finish.
It’s Louise’s wedding day, she is holding at Grantham Hall in Wales, not that she’s had much say in it as her mother in law to be has had her say in more than a thing or two. She’s suffering from back pain but she’ll put a smile on her face as her maid of honour does her hair and make up. Th groom is stressed, is he marrying the right woman as he’s been in love with the brides best friend for years. Louise has more than a secret or two that she needs to keep hidden especially today but finding a dead body in the woods ensures that nothing is going to happen e kept hidden for long.
This book had me turning pages as fast as I could, I loved the way it was set out with a chapter from the bride followed by a chapter from the groom and then a chapter from a police interview. The short chapters were great as it could be picked up for only a few minutes and put back down again having stopped at a natural place. The main characters were likeable and I especially liked Louise as she turned out to be a good strong lead character. The storyline has a great twist and although the book is fairly fast paced when the twist comes it seems to ramp up pace again. The book does cover some sensitive issues but is done well. An easy book to read.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
It’s Louise’s wedding day, she is holding at Grantham Hall in Wales, not that she’s had much say in it as her mother in law to be has had her say in more than a thing or two. She’s suffering from back pain but she’ll put a smile on her face as her maid of honour does her hair and make up. Th groom is stressed, is he marrying the right woman as he’s been in love with the brides best friend for years. Louise has more than a secret or two that she needs to keep hidden especially today but finding a dead body in the woods ensures that nothing is going to happen e kept hidden for long.
This book had me turning pages as fast as I could, I loved the way it was set out with a chapter from the bride followed by a chapter from the groom and then a chapter from a police interview. The short chapters were great as it could be picked up for only a few minutes and put back down again having stopped at a natural place. The main characters were likeable and I especially liked Louise as she turned out to be a good strong lead character. The storyline has a great twist and although the book is fairly fast paced when the twist comes it seems to ramp up pace again. The book does cover some sensitive issues but is done well. An easy book to read.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2026
This book seemed really promising at first, but after getting about halfway through, it kind of bored me. The whole book is set in one single day, and I found that a lot of the “scenes”, so to speak, were a bit drawn out.
One of the major plot points was the fact that Louise’s fiance/husband Daniel was having an affair with Louise’s best friend (the maid of honour). However after halfway into the book this was never spoken about again, or resolved. Another thing that bothered me was that the chapters told from Daniel’s point of view made clear that he did not like his wife, definitely didn’t love her, and was regretting marrying her because he was in love with her best friend. But then randomly it switches to him loving her after she saved his life. Like yeah she did save him from being murdered but that doesn’t necessarily equate to him being in love with her all of a sudden. Also, found it very odd that they included another cheating husband at another wedding in the same building, who was also in love with the maid of honour at his own wedding too. I think there were far too many characters and storylines going on at once which left a very open opportunity for plot holes and unfinished storylines.
The stars I gave mostly reflect the storytelling of Louise’s domestic abuse story, which was very harrowing and accurate to what people dealing with abuse go through. But overall, the book left me with a lot of unanswered questions, and not in a good way.
One of the major plot points was the fact that Louise’s fiance/husband Daniel was having an affair with Louise’s best friend (the maid of honour). However after halfway into the book this was never spoken about again, or resolved. Another thing that bothered me was that the chapters told from Daniel’s point of view made clear that he did not like his wife, definitely didn’t love her, and was regretting marrying her because he was in love with her best friend. But then randomly it switches to him loving her after she saved his life. Like yeah she did save him from being murdered but that doesn’t necessarily equate to him being in love with her all of a sudden. Also, found it very odd that they included another cheating husband at another wedding in the same building, who was also in love with the maid of honour at his own wedding too. I think there were far too many characters and storylines going on at once which left a very open opportunity for plot holes and unfinished storylines.
The stars I gave mostly reflect the storytelling of Louise’s domestic abuse story, which was very harrowing and accurate to what people dealing with abuse go through. But overall, the book left me with a lot of unanswered questions, and not in a good way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 2.0/5
Having cut her writing teeth penning YA fiction, Tess Mackey has now decided to target the adult market. As the title suggests, the action plays out around a wedding, although, as you might suspect, it is anything other than the perfect day that is suggested.
The bulk of the narrative is provided in a cyclical format from the viewpoints of "Bride", "Groom" and transcripts of police interviews with various employees of the hotel where the wedding festivities are being held. After a bright, encouraging opening the storyline enters into a protracted period of being quite repetitive, with the result that it ends up treading water in a sea of melodrama. The pace does eventually pick up, but not until well into the second half of the novel.
The author invests an awful lot of collateral in a misdirection-based twist, but it doesn't really hit the mark and doesn't add the value to the overall plot that I am sure the writer hoped for. The book contains some interesting ideas and also deals with some significant themes, notably coercive control, but the various strands of the plot don't hang together particularly well, so the overall impression is disappointingly disjointed.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
Having cut her writing teeth penning YA fiction, Tess Mackey has now decided to target the adult market. As the title suggests, the action plays out around a wedding, although, as you might suspect, it is anything other than the perfect day that is suggested.
The bulk of the narrative is provided in a cyclical format from the viewpoints of "Bride", "Groom" and transcripts of police interviews with various employees of the hotel where the wedding festivities are being held. After a bright, encouraging opening the storyline enters into a protracted period of being quite repetitive, with the result that it ends up treading water in a sea of melodrama. The pace does eventually pick up, but not until well into the second half of the novel.
The author invests an awful lot of collateral in a misdirection-based twist, but it doesn't really hit the mark and doesn't add the value to the overall plot that I am sure the writer hoped for. The book contains some interesting ideas and also deals with some significant themes, notably coercive control, but the various strands of the plot don't hang together particularly well, so the overall impression is disappointingly disjointed.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
July 6, 2026
My Rating: 4.5⭐️
The bride, Louise, has severe PTSD after fleeing an abusive situation and is terrified that the past will return to find her. She’s excited to get married but is scared that it’s all going to be taken away from her. Little does she know that her soon to be husband, Daniel, is having an affair with her supposed best friend/maid of honour.
I loved the way that this story was told from both the bride and groom’s point of view leading up to the event, alongside the detective interviewing the guests and staff at the wedding after the event. It had me instantly hooked and I was dying to know what had happened.
I couldn’t put this book down, it was such a captivating easy read. It’s fast paced, full of secrets, suspense, twists and turns. I really enjoyed the short chapters, as they were the perfect size to keep my attention and leave me wanting more, so I flew through the book. I enjoyed how it all came together at the end as well, I definitely didn’t expect it.
Overall, this was 4.5⭐️ for me and I definitely recommend for anyone looking for a fast paced thriller. I need to read more of Tess Mackey’s books.
The bride, Louise, has severe PTSD after fleeing an abusive situation and is terrified that the past will return to find her. She’s excited to get married but is scared that it’s all going to be taken away from her. Little does she know that her soon to be husband, Daniel, is having an affair with her supposed best friend/maid of honour.
I loved the way that this story was told from both the bride and groom’s point of view leading up to the event, alongside the detective interviewing the guests and staff at the wedding after the event. It had me instantly hooked and I was dying to know what had happened.
I couldn’t put this book down, it was such a captivating easy read. It’s fast paced, full of secrets, suspense, twists and turns. I really enjoyed the short chapters, as they were the perfect size to keep my attention and leave me wanting more, so I flew through the book. I enjoyed how it all came together at the end as well, I definitely didn’t expect it.
Overall, this was 4.5⭐️ for me and I definitely recommend for anyone looking for a fast paced thriller. I need to read more of Tess Mackey’s books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating is 3.5.
Thank you to Tess Mackey and Avon books Uk for this complimentary advanced copy via Netgalley all opinions expressed are my own and being left voluntarily.
Initially when I started this one I wasn't sure it was for me. The pace was really slow at first and although I love a split pov/timeline, I was quickly confused and needing to pay better attention.
When the pace picked up it got more interesting and made me start to think and try to put together what was going on.
We meet a bride and groom on their wedding day. The bride is anxious and on edge, which sets an undercurrent of unease. The groom is cheating and regretting his behaviour. What should be the happiest day of their lives becomes a day they won't forget in a hurry.
As things become clearer and more past history is revealed it shifts the perspective and things become very dangerous.
There are some heavy subjects discussed in the book, namely abuse and coercive control. Reader discretion advised.
Overall it was a good read and I will read more from this author in the future.
Thank you to Tess Mackey and Avon books Uk for this complimentary advanced copy via Netgalley all opinions expressed are my own and being left voluntarily.
Initially when I started this one I wasn't sure it was for me. The pace was really slow at first and although I love a split pov/timeline, I was quickly confused and needing to pay better attention.
When the pace picked up it got more interesting and made me start to think and try to put together what was going on.
We meet a bride and groom on their wedding day. The bride is anxious and on edge, which sets an undercurrent of unease. The groom is cheating and regretting his behaviour. What should be the happiest day of their lives becomes a day they won't forget in a hurry.
As things become clearer and more past history is revealed it shifts the perspective and things become very dangerous.
There are some heavy subjects discussed in the book, namely abuse and coercive control. Reader discretion advised.
Overall it was a good read and I will read more from this author in the future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📖 The Perfect Wedding (Book 1 of 2 Bad Places)
📖 Psychological Thriller
📖 352 Pages
📖 @avonbooksuk
💭 MY THOUGHTS 💭
The Perfect Wedding I found was a gripping and suspenseful read. The storyline was intriguing full of twists. The final twist midway through was WOW it was good although it did really confuse me and it threw me off with the storyline. My head did get around the changes eventually though but this did slightly spoil the flow of the read for me.
The characters were interesting and I loved the police interviews interspersed throughout helping unravel the story. The wedding venue in Grantham Hall was just the perfect setting reminding me of a big stately national trust.
Overall I enjoyed Tess’s writing style and will pick up book 2 when it’s released.
This is perfect for fans of:
Frieda Mcfadden
Lisa Jewell
M.W. Craven
Jessica’s Bookshelf Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
✨✨ Thankyou to Avon Books, Tess Mackey and NetGalley for my early copy of the book ✨
📖 Psychological Thriller
📖 352 Pages
📖 @avonbooksuk
💭 MY THOUGHTS 💭
The Perfect Wedding I found was a gripping and suspenseful read. The storyline was intriguing full of twists. The final twist midway through was WOW it was good although it did really confuse me and it threw me off with the storyline. My head did get around the changes eventually though but this did slightly spoil the flow of the read for me.
The characters were interesting and I loved the police interviews interspersed throughout helping unravel the story. The wedding venue in Grantham Hall was just the perfect setting reminding me of a big stately national trust.
Overall I enjoyed Tess’s writing style and will pick up book 2 when it’s released.
This is perfect for fans of:
Frieda Mcfadden
Lisa Jewell
M.W. Craven
Jessica’s Bookshelf Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
✨✨ Thankyou to Avon Books, Tess Mackey and NetGalley for my early copy of the book ✨
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a really fast paced read set around a wedding that is already full of secrets before it even begins. You’ve got a bride dealing with chronic pain and a past she’s trying to escape, then there's a groom in love with someone else, some shifty bridesmaids and groomsmen and then a dead body discovered on the grounds which completely shifts everything.
I flew through most of it, although I’ll be honest, part way through I nearly put it down as it felt a bit too straightforward.
But then the twist completely changed everything. It genuinely made me rethink the whole story and was such a wow moment.
I also liked the different, mainly unreliable, character POVs, which worked really well in building up to that twist and added more depth to what initially feels like a simple setup.
Definitely worth sticking with for the payoff. I could see this being a TV show or movie in the future.
I flew through most of it, although I’ll be honest, part way through I nearly put it down as it felt a bit too straightforward.
But then the twist completely changed everything. It genuinely made me rethink the whole story and was such a wow moment.
I also liked the different, mainly unreliable, character POVs, which worked really well in building up to that twist and added more depth to what initially feels like a simple setup.
Definitely worth sticking with for the payoff. I could see this being a TV show or movie in the future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Perfect Wedding was a gripping fast paced thriller. Thrills and spills, secrets and lies amongst the glossy facade of a gorgeous wedding. As you sip on a glass of champagne and straighten your fascinator prepare for the wedding from hell.
We meet, the bride Louise, on the morning of her wedding day. What should be a joyful occasion is immediately cast into a negative and nervy experience. The reader is put on edge right from the start of this book, something feels off. As Louise's story unfolds we soon seen that her background was traumatic and she has been trying to escape from terrible past experiences.
And then the Groom is in love with another woman, who happens to be the Maid of Honour. What a fascinatingly messy and chaotic set up we find ourselves thrown into.
There were so many secrets and lies to uncover during this well written story. So many puzzles to piece together. Not least when Louise stumbles across a dead body during her wedding day, and the day turns into a murder investigation.
I really enjoyed the structure of the book. The story is told from multiple points of view. And I really liked that we also were privy to the police detective interviewing key witnesses. It is almost as if we are attending the interviews as the narrative weaves together. This multi-layered approach was well executed.
There was so many twists in this that really hooked me in. At certain points I did wonder if I had read things right and had to go back to see if I had missed something...which is always fun. You think you know what is going on but the rug gets pulled from under you.
The plotting is sharp. There is a creeping sense of unease and suspense to keep the reader on their toes. The complex threads of the plot are unraveled in a tantalizing way.
It is a thrilling, character-driven mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ahead of publication day.
We meet, the bride Louise, on the morning of her wedding day. What should be a joyful occasion is immediately cast into a negative and nervy experience. The reader is put on edge right from the start of this book, something feels off. As Louise's story unfolds we soon seen that her background was traumatic and she has been trying to escape from terrible past experiences.
And then the Groom is in love with another woman, who happens to be the Maid of Honour. What a fascinatingly messy and chaotic set up we find ourselves thrown into.
There were so many secrets and lies to uncover during this well written story. So many puzzles to piece together. Not least when Louise stumbles across a dead body during her wedding day, and the day turns into a murder investigation.
I really enjoyed the structure of the book. The story is told from multiple points of view. And I really liked that we also were privy to the police detective interviewing key witnesses. It is almost as if we are attending the interviews as the narrative weaves together. This multi-layered approach was well executed.
There was so many twists in this that really hooked me in. At certain points I did wonder if I had read things right and had to go back to see if I had missed something...which is always fun. You think you know what is going on but the rug gets pulled from under you.
The plotting is sharp. There is a creeping sense of unease and suspense to keep the reader on their toes. The complex threads of the plot are unraveled in a tantalizing way.
It is a thrilling, character-driven mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ahead of publication day.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book as it kept me on the edge of my seat with some great twists and turns along the way. You really need to pay attention in this one of you will be caught out! We meet a young bride who is about to marry the man of her dreams in a fairytale wedding at a huge country house. Everyone has secrets but the brides may be bigger than normal and she still bares the scars of what happened in her past. A great read!
April 20, 2026
The Perfect Wedding by Tess Mackey.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this book, I wasn’t sure where it was going or what was going to happen next.
I liked that we were drip fed Louises past so it wasn’t a big reveal early on
There were a lot of POVs to keep up with I sometimes struggled to remember who was who!
I really liked the ending and that Louise found her voice and her bravery.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this book, I wasn’t sure where it was going or what was going to happen next.
I liked that we were drip fed Louises past so it wasn’t a big reveal early on
There were a lot of POVs to keep up with I sometimes struggled to remember who was who!
I really liked the ending and that Louise found her voice and her bravery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Net Gallery and the publisher for the advanced copy.
I found this book fast-paced and well written, but some of the plot details were a little chaoticly pulled together.
There were elements that stuck out as excellent thriller material, but then some of it just seemed clichéd! I'll be honest I didn't see the point of the 2nd wedding nor their confusing point of view as that seemed shoehorned in for added drama.
A good run of the mill read but not outstanding.
I found this book fast-paced and well written, but some of the plot details were a little chaoticly pulled together.
There were elements that stuck out as excellent thriller material, but then some of it just seemed clichéd! I'll be honest I didn't see the point of the 2nd wedding nor their confusing point of view as that seemed shoehorned in for added drama.
A good run of the mill read but not outstanding.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ARC of The Perfect Wedding.
I absolutely loved this! Couldn’t put it down! Was annoyed I had to go to work and participate in real life instead of reading on 😊
Took me until right at the very end to work out what was going on and how it was all going to pan out. That, for me, makes for a great story!
Highly recommending this one folks! Will be on the look out for more by this author. 5 big fat perfect stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved this! Couldn’t put it down! Was annoyed I had to go to work and participate in real life instead of reading on 😊
Took me until right at the very end to work out what was going on and how it was all going to pan out. That, for me, makes for a great story!
Highly recommending this one folks! Will be on the look out for more by this author. 5 big fat perfect stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was a slow burn until BAM! I was thinking three stars until…yup FIVE STARS. This is a story about a wedding and everyone is not quite who they seem. It’s got the typical family drama. Some slutty bridesmaids and some misbehaving groomsmen. It seems just as you expect until it’s not. And you don’t know how you didn’t see it coming all along. You probably should read this book.
May 29, 2026
Well this had me hooked and gasping throughout. This has so many twists and turns you feel like you have to question everything and everyone. The concept of being at around a wedding, and the hints of her past really added impact and drama to the story.
I feel like there was a good
Mix of characters to keep you trying to guess the villain. I really enjoyed this and couldn’t put it down!
I feel like there was a good
Mix of characters to keep you trying to guess the villain. I really enjoyed this and couldn’t put it down!
May 10, 2026
It was an easy read and I enjoyed it overall, but I didn’t really think the second wedding storyline added much and if anything it just made parts of the plot feel slightly confusing and overcrowded.
It was still an entertaining read, but not quite as gripping as I’d hoped it would be!
It was still an entertaining read, but not quite as gripping as I’d hoped it would be!
May 11, 2026
The Perfect Wedding had me hooked from the start. Wedding day jitters, overbearing mothers, hidden pasts and dead bodies - this book has it all. Short, punchy chapters and a fast pace plot. A fabulously dark thriller. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
THE PERFECT WEDDING BY TESS MACKEY.
Release date set for the 21st of May 2026.
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
I think this is my first book by this author and It did not disapoint.
I loved the setting and how it all came together.
Release date set for the 21st of May 2026.
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
I think this is my first book by this author and It did not disapoint.
I loved the setting and how it all came together.
June 2, 2026
I absolutely loved this book!
Perfect short chapters that kept me hooked, the plot had me wanting more which is rare for me with thriller books!
I read it in one sitting, and loved the depth of all the characters and the backstories too, simple but effective 🫶🏻
Perfect short chapters that kept me hooked, the plot had me wanting more which is rare for me with thriller books!
I read it in one sitting, and loved the depth of all the characters and the backstories too, simple but effective 🫶🏻
October 9, 2026
This book delivered! It was a bit confusing for me at first, but once I got 'the bride', 'the groom',and their respective maids of honor situations sorted, I was able to follow along nicely.
It had a good mix of suspense, drama, twists...and a satisfying end.
Recommend: Yes.
It had a good mix of suspense, drama, twists...and a satisfying end.
Recommend: Yes.
October 9, 2026
Exciting and thrilling
I enjoyed reading this book so much. Easy to read and kept me hooked. Very good story line and I like the idea of two stories together.
I would recommend it.
I enjoyed reading this book so much. Easy to read and kept me hooked. Very good story line and I like the idea of two stories together.
I would recommend it.
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