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The Anniversary
Until death do they part…
Mary and Jackson are spending their one-year wedding anniversary in a remote luxury cabin. They married after a whirlwind romance, and soon after the wedding, Jackson left for a nine-month work placement halfway across the globe.
Now that Jackson’s back, Mary is determined to make her marriage a success. The trip has a promising start, but things begin to unravel when Mary reveals to Jackson the truth about her past and the secret that drove her family apart.
When a hike results in Mary almost falling to her death, suspicions she has about her new husband rise to the surface. Surrounded by forest for miles, and without reliable phone reception, Mary realizes she is totally isolated with a man she barely knows.
The days of their delayed honeymoon tick by and Jackson’s devotion transforms before Mary’s eyes into something more sinister. As her own mental state deteriorates under the pressure, Mary is left with only one question:
Can she save herself before her husband loves her to death?<?b>
Mary and Jackson are spending their one-year wedding anniversary in a remote luxury cabin. They married after a whirlwind romance, and soon after the wedding, Jackson left for a nine-month work placement halfway across the globe.
Now that Jackson’s back, Mary is determined to make her marriage a success. The trip has a promising start, but things begin to unravel when Mary reveals to Jackson the truth about her past and the secret that drove her family apart.
When a hike results in Mary almost falling to her death, suspicions she has about her new husband rise to the surface. Surrounded by forest for miles, and without reliable phone reception, Mary realizes she is totally isolated with a man she barely knows.
The days of their delayed honeymoon tick by and Jackson’s devotion transforms before Mary’s eyes into something more sinister. As her own mental state deteriorates under the pressure, Mary is left with only one question:
Can she save herself before her husband loves her to death?<?b>
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2020
699 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Sarah K. Stephens
8 books139 followersSarah K. Stephens is the author of seven novels and a developmental psychologist at Penn State University.
Although Fall and Spring find her in the classroom, she remains a writer year-round. Her writing has appeared in LitHub, The Writer's Chronicle, Hazlitt, and The Millions. Sarah's books include the psychological thrillers A Flash of Red, It Was Always You, The Anniversary, Isolation, The Good Life, The Killing Kind, and The Girl in the Fire.
Sarah loves using her psychological training to craft darkly human stories with killer twists. When she’s not plotting death and betrayal, she can be found enjoying the pleasures of country life with her husband and children in Central Pennsylvania.
E-mail: skstephensauthor (at) gmail (dot) com
Sarah enjoys attending Book Clubs and other literary events. E-mail with your inquiries.
Facebook: @sarahkstephensauthor
Instagram: @skstephenswrite
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 82 reviews
March 8, 2020
THE ANNIVERSARY is a chilling psychological thriller by Sarah K. Stephens.
Jackson has chosen a remote cabin, called the “honeymooner” for him and his bride, Mary, to celebrate their much-delayed honeymoon in the Poconos, that should have happened nine months ago. The timing of this getaway will also overlap with Mary’s twenty-fifth birthday.
Jackson had gone to Australia for the financial firm that he works for, to setup a new satellite office.
Mary on the other hand, had spent the first almost year of her married life living single with a husband far away. Mary and her partner and best friend, Dani, own a Kitchen Store.
Now that her husband has returned from overseas, Mary is determined to make their marriage work…but they really don’t know each other!
Nothing is as it seems. Both are hiding secrets from each other about their past, and Mary knows that time is running out as she is about to turn twenty-five. She must tell her husband…afterwards married couples are supposed to share all their secrets with each other.
Soon after they arrive at the cabin…things start to fall apart. Mary can’t relax because she doesn’t know her husband, as he has spent the beginning of their marriage far away. Then Mary thinks she saw someone out in the woods…someone lurking around the cabin, and she discovers a gun, a shotgun in the living-room. What is going on?
Mary reveals to Jackson the truth about her past, and the secret that drove her family apart.
When a hike results in Mary almost falling to her death, suspicions she has about her new husband rise to the surface. Surrounded by forest for miles, and without reliable phone reception, Mary realizes she is totally isolated with a man she barely knows.
Who can she trust?
This chilling psychological thriller will have you glued to your seat to see how it would turn out. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
Jackson has chosen a remote cabin, called the “honeymooner” for him and his bride, Mary, to celebrate their much-delayed honeymoon in the Poconos, that should have happened nine months ago. The timing of this getaway will also overlap with Mary’s twenty-fifth birthday.
Jackson had gone to Australia for the financial firm that he works for, to setup a new satellite office.
Mary on the other hand, had spent the first almost year of her married life living single with a husband far away. Mary and her partner and best friend, Dani, own a Kitchen Store.
Now that her husband has returned from overseas, Mary is determined to make their marriage work…but they really don’t know each other!
Nothing is as it seems. Both are hiding secrets from each other about their past, and Mary knows that time is running out as she is about to turn twenty-five. She must tell her husband…afterwards married couples are supposed to share all their secrets with each other.
Soon after they arrive at the cabin…things start to fall apart. Mary can’t relax because she doesn’t know her husband, as he has spent the beginning of their marriage far away. Then Mary thinks she saw someone out in the woods…someone lurking around the cabin, and she discovers a gun, a shotgun in the living-room. What is going on?
Mary reveals to Jackson the truth about her past, and the secret that drove her family apart.
When a hike results in Mary almost falling to her death, suspicions she has about her new husband rise to the surface. Surrounded by forest for miles, and without reliable phone reception, Mary realizes she is totally isolated with a man she barely knows.
Who can she trust?
This chilling psychological thriller will have you glued to your seat to see how it would turn out. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
March 11, 2020
Mary and Jackson are on a honeymoon in an isolated cabin in the Pocono Mountains. They've had a whirlwind romance .. falling in love so fast, and then Jackson leaving for 9 months due to work commitments. They are just now really getting to know each other.
Things aren't going as smoothly as Mary had hoped. She's so determined to make this marriage work. But something is going on with Jackson and she's not sure who it is she actually married.
When she starts harboring thoughts that he is trying to kill her, she becomes very aware that she is totally isolated with no phone and with a man she barely knows.
Is her husband going to love her to death?
This is a well written psychological thriller. The author brings credibility to this story with her own background of being a psychologist. The suspense is well paced from beginning to surprising expected conclusion and characters who are memorable.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Things aren't going as smoothly as Mary had hoped. She's so determined to make this marriage work. But something is going on with Jackson and she's not sure who it is she actually married.
When she starts harboring thoughts that he is trying to kill her, she becomes very aware that she is totally isolated with no phone and with a man she barely knows.
Is her husband going to love her to death?
This is a well written psychological thriller. The author brings credibility to this story with her own background of being a psychologist. The suspense is well paced from beginning to surprising expected conclusion and characters who are memorable.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
March 11, 2020
In a remote cabin far, far away there is a newly-wedded couple who are finally on their honeymoon – a year after being hitched. However, all is not what it seems and Mary is plagued by paranoia. Is her husband trying to kill her? How much does she really know about him?
See, this is where the relationship between Mary and Jackson is quite unusual. Despite reaching their first wedding anniversary, Jackson has spent the previous nine months away in Australia. Moving out there for business, Mary has been a wife to an absent husband. Coupled with the fact that they were married just three months after meeting for the first time and, well, you get it – there’s plenty of cause for suspicion when you barely know your partner. I don’t think the writer fully explored Jackson’s absence and whilst it is described as being for ‘work purposes’, I could not help but feel something more sinister was afoot. Although the writer does not portray it in this manner, I think that expanded on Jackson’s hiatus would have added to the mystery in this story.
The whole concept of being in a remote location with little phone coverage, is hardly original. And then we are introduced to a killer on the loose who is targeting hikers in the area. Some of the plot strands were quite obvious as well so I would consider this as a book where the writer does not keep many secrets. I generally prefer the “show, don’t tell” concept of writing however, this book was seemingly so obvious that I had to reach its conclusion. (Note: I read this in a few hours, that’s how interested I was in plot development.) Nonetheless, although I felt smugly confident in my theories of the mystery and root of Mary’s paranoia, the writer still throws in plenty of curve balls that I certainly did not anticipate. As such, this made the book more enjoyable because I had been tricked by so many false leads.
Mary is generally a likeable character but I was hoping for her to have more depth. The idea of theft and motivated by money was disappointing and I was wishing there would be a dual-personality thrown into the mixing pot. Mary is quite naive at times but equally calculating, especially as she begins to suspect that Jackson is involved in her terror. The ending is satisfying and I appreciate the different twists that were introduced. On the other hand, Jackson went from being sinister to weak in my estimations and I had high hopes that the writer would “deal with him”. Suffice to say, I was a bit underwhelmed with his treatment!
This was a pretty good book. Despite my misgivings, I enjoyed the pacy narrative and false leads. Whilst it may not have had the most original subject matter, I appreciated the mystery surrounding the characters; revelations came snowballing in the final chapters, ensuring I was gripped to the very end.
With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See, this is where the relationship between Mary and Jackson is quite unusual. Despite reaching their first wedding anniversary, Jackson has spent the previous nine months away in Australia. Moving out there for business, Mary has been a wife to an absent husband. Coupled with the fact that they were married just three months after meeting for the first time and, well, you get it – there’s plenty of cause for suspicion when you barely know your partner. I don’t think the writer fully explored Jackson’s absence and whilst it is described as being for ‘work purposes’, I could not help but feel something more sinister was afoot. Although the writer does not portray it in this manner, I think that expanded on Jackson’s hiatus would have added to the mystery in this story.
The whole concept of being in a remote location with little phone coverage, is hardly original. And then we are introduced to a killer on the loose who is targeting hikers in the area. Some of the plot strands were quite obvious as well so I would consider this as a book where the writer does not keep many secrets. I generally prefer the “show, don’t tell” concept of writing however, this book was seemingly so obvious that I had to reach its conclusion. (Note: I read this in a few hours, that’s how interested I was in plot development.) Nonetheless, although I felt smugly confident in my theories of the mystery and root of Mary’s paranoia, the writer still throws in plenty of curve balls that I certainly did not anticipate. As such, this made the book more enjoyable because I had been tricked by so many false leads.
Mary is generally a likeable character but I was hoping for her to have more depth. The idea of theft and motivated by money was disappointing and I was wishing there would be a dual-personality thrown into the mixing pot. Mary is quite naive at times but equally calculating, especially as she begins to suspect that Jackson is involved in her terror. The ending is satisfying and I appreciate the different twists that were introduced. On the other hand, Jackson went from being sinister to weak in my estimations and I had high hopes that the writer would “deal with him”. Suffice to say, I was a bit underwhelmed with his treatment!
This was a pretty good book. Despite my misgivings, I enjoyed the pacy narrative and false leads. Whilst it may not have had the most original subject matter, I appreciated the mystery surrounding the characters; revelations came snowballing in the final chapters, ensuring I was gripped to the very end.
With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2020
The Anniversary
Wow, one of the best mind-bending, thrilling books I’ve read in a long time.
When Mary and Jackson arrive at an idyllic cabin for their long-awaited honeymoon you would think it was the perfect private getaway. But this could not be further from the reality of their time together.
Is Jackson trying to kill her?
Is it the person that the papers are talking about; the person who is attacking hikers in the area? Or is Mary herself deranged and about to kill her husband Jackson?
Who is she to believe, who can she trust, and can she even trust herself?
This is written in a way that I haven’t really seen before; and from the very beginning you are already on edge of your seat.
There are the usual twist and turns that you see in books; but this is completely different. It’s really very Cleverly done.
Wow, one of the best mind-bending, thrilling books I’ve read in a long time.
When Mary and Jackson arrive at an idyllic cabin for their long-awaited honeymoon you would think it was the perfect private getaway. But this could not be further from the reality of their time together.
Is Jackson trying to kill her?
Is it the person that the papers are talking about; the person who is attacking hikers in the area? Or is Mary herself deranged and about to kill her husband Jackson?
Who is she to believe, who can she trust, and can she even trust herself?
This is written in a way that I haven’t really seen before; and from the very beginning you are already on edge of your seat.
There are the usual twist and turns that you see in books; but this is completely different. It’s really very Cleverly done.
May 23, 2020
I really struggled to read this story. It presented so poorly adding so many twists and turns that to say it went from the sublime to the ridiculous is an understatement. The main character came across as downright idiotic from start to finish and the peripheral characters were for the most part non credible, but the ending was what tipped this story over the edge. Poor!
March 15, 2020
Right from the word go, I knew there was something pretty strange about Mary and Jackson's marriage. But what exactly was the scenario I just couldn't put my finger on it. This story starts off as a very slow burner, there isn't much action. However, there's a lot of teasing and suggesting of strange and eerie goings on. There's the shotgun that appears and disappears, a newspaper article about a killer on the loose. Mary keeps seeing figures outside in the shadows. It's all a bit unnerving and it puts us the reader on edge as to what is going to happen.
What a perfect location for a thriller. A cabin in the woods, miles from civilisation. Nobody can you hear you scream kind of setting. Ideal when the couple in the cabin have got a weird relationship going on. They got engaged a few weeks after meeting, but have been living apart for nine months. This delayed honeymoon is a perfect way to get to know each other Mary says. So, who exactly is Jackson? Does Mary really know? And, of course Mary has her own secrets that she is keeping from Jackson.
You know with all this going on it ain't going to end all happily ever after. Or will it? You'll just have to pick up a copy for yourselves and find out.
What a perfect location for a thriller. A cabin in the woods, miles from civilisation. Nobody can you hear you scream kind of setting. Ideal when the couple in the cabin have got a weird relationship going on. They got engaged a few weeks after meeting, but have been living apart for nine months. This delayed honeymoon is a perfect way to get to know each other Mary says. So, who exactly is Jackson? Does Mary really know? And, of course Mary has her own secrets that she is keeping from Jackson.
You know with all this going on it ain't going to end all happily ever after. Or will it? You'll just have to pick up a copy for yourselves and find out.
July 1, 2020
In two words: boring and predictable.
March 11, 2020
Jackson And Mary are in the ‘Honeymooners’ Cabin for their postponed Honeymoon in Poconos, After there very brief romance and marriage. Jackson was working in Australia for 9 Months leaving straight after there wedding.
The Anniversary absorbed me from the explosive dark prologue and it wholly entertained me right to the conclusion. Although this slow-paced at first. I read this within a couple hours over 24 hours.
A passionate hot tale, interwoven with emotionally charged, terrorizing and powerful apprehension. This was a ingeniously crafted plot. It is not initially what it indicates at all. This novel is mutil-layered with many twists and turns that keeps you spellbinded, anxious and takes your breath away. There is secrets and surprises a plently with an awesome ending.
Mary the MC, is seemingly in a confused unstable state throughout, she is a flawed , delicate, compelling and an intriguing character. The author portrays Marys character flawlessly.
Jackson, Marys Hubsand has a many layers to him. Hes someone you hate to love. The author is able to keep our thoughts conflicted about him throughout.
This is a fantastic book. Highly recommend
The Anniversary absorbed me from the explosive dark prologue and it wholly entertained me right to the conclusion. Although this slow-paced at first. I read this within a couple hours over 24 hours.
A passionate hot tale, interwoven with emotionally charged, terrorizing and powerful apprehension. This was a ingeniously crafted plot. It is not initially what it indicates at all. This novel is mutil-layered with many twists and turns that keeps you spellbinded, anxious and takes your breath away. There is secrets and surprises a plently with an awesome ending.
Mary the MC, is seemingly in a confused unstable state throughout, she is a flawed , delicate, compelling and an intriguing character. The author portrays Marys character flawlessly.
Jackson, Marys Hubsand has a many layers to him. Hes someone you hate to love. The author is able to keep our thoughts conflicted about him throughout.
This is a fantastic book. Highly recommend
August 8, 2020
Esta foi a minha primeira leitura para o Be Chapterised e só por isso já valeu a pena. Tornei-me uma grande fã das leituras conjuntas que me têm ajudado imenso a não parar de ler no pós quarentena.
“The Anniversary” foge um pouco ao géneros que eu costumo ler, sendo considerado um suspense/thriller. Aliás, adianto desde já que esperava mesmo ter apanhado algum susto, o que não aconteceu.
Sucintamente, Mary casou com Jackson e logo após contraído o matrimónio ele foi viver para fora durante um ano, em que não lhe deu atenção quase nenhuma. Quando regressa, resolvem ir fazer uma lua de mel numa cabana no meio do nada, onde quase não há rede no telemóvel e se encontram completamente isolados da sociedade. Já estão a imaginar, certo?
Não quero fazer-vos spoiler, mas a verdade é que quase tudo acontece no último terço da história e portanto não há muito que eu possa partilhar. Para ser sincera, a determinado momento o desenvolvimento estagnou, a protagonista tornou-se repetitiva e pouco foi sendo acrescentado.
Li o livro há um mês e meio, recordo-me exactamente do final, mas sinceramente não me lembro de absolutamente nada marcante para referir… lamento. Não creio que voltarei a ler outro livro da autora, mas quem sabe!
“The Anniversary” foge um pouco ao géneros que eu costumo ler, sendo considerado um suspense/thriller. Aliás, adianto desde já que esperava mesmo ter apanhado algum susto, o que não aconteceu.
Sucintamente, Mary casou com Jackson e logo após contraído o matrimónio ele foi viver para fora durante um ano, em que não lhe deu atenção quase nenhuma. Quando regressa, resolvem ir fazer uma lua de mel numa cabana no meio do nada, onde quase não há rede no telemóvel e se encontram completamente isolados da sociedade. Já estão a imaginar, certo?
Não quero fazer-vos spoiler, mas a verdade é que quase tudo acontece no último terço da história e portanto não há muito que eu possa partilhar. Para ser sincera, a determinado momento o desenvolvimento estagnou, a protagonista tornou-se repetitiva e pouco foi sendo acrescentado.
Li o livro há um mês e meio, recordo-me exactamente do final, mas sinceramente não me lembro de absolutamente nada marcante para referir… lamento. Não creio que voltarei a ler outro livro da autora, mas quem sabe!
November 25, 2020
When you decided to write "medical" stuff try to inform yourself ok?
June 28, 2020
Not bad but I've read better.
It kept me entertained and interested on the story, but it was a bit too much drama for my taste, it didn't feel "real".
I think the story had a lot of potential but the plot was a bit diverted.
It kept me entertained and interested on the story, but it was a bit too much drama for my taste, it didn't feel "real".
I think the story had a lot of potential but the plot was a bit diverted.
May 7, 2020
Really good thriller. Funny how you are trying to figure out who is after you and turns out it is everyone in your life. Good ending. Will read another by this author.
March 11, 2020
It was supposed to be a romantic getaway to celebrate the anniversary of the day they met and Mary's birthday. A late honeymoon staying at a picturesque,isolated cabin set in a clearing surrounded by a forest. A chance to get to know each other properly after their whirlwind romance and wedding and finally spend some quality time together after Jackson's disappearing act to Australia for nine months straight after their wedding, something that Mary is still understandably not happy about.
But almost from the moment that they arrived at the cabin,Mary can't shake the feeling that something is very very wrong, that the surprise honeymoon is really a elaborate trap. And her fears swiftly become reality when Mary finds herself in a desperate battle for survival against a cunning,devious enemy. Trapped in a isolated location where no one can hear her scream and she could easily disappear.....without a trace
This utterly enthralling thriller is voiced entirely from the perspective of our complex main character Mary. As a person who also suffers from paranoia, anxiety and has difficulty trusting people, I could fully understand and empathise with her as she struggled with her feelings and emotions. One of the major issues with anxiety is once you get an idea in your head, your brain convinces you that your suspicions are fact no matter how much people try to convince you otherwise. Having said that, I also found her quite irritating at times which had me worrying if my husband finds me irritating when I get a suspicion stuck in my head and won't let it go. Mary reminded me so much of myself from her mental health issues, lack of trust, to the way that she was treated by her mother. But was she right to be suspicious about her husband or did he genuinely love her as much as he appeared to. Throughout the book we taken back into the past and given an insight into Mary's back story and her troubled past. This gripping thriller doesn't have a very big cast of secondary characters and the reader was never sure how trustworthy any of them was. I loved the setting for this book, the fairy tale like cabin, the trails through the forest, the isolation that was so idyllic during the day and so alien and threatening during the hours of darkness.
Wow....just wow, this is a incredibly intense thriller that had me hooked in from the very first page and frantically turning the pages. The intense atmosphere of the story hardly gives you a chance to take a breath as the fast paced thriller unfolds before your captivated eyes. The story keeps you guessing, there was some unexpected twists and turns and some seriously intense main character in danger moments. I would love to watch a film adaptation of this outstanding book and look forward to reading more books written by this author in the future. Worth far more than five stars and very very highly recommended.
But almost from the moment that they arrived at the cabin,Mary can't shake the feeling that something is very very wrong, that the surprise honeymoon is really a elaborate trap. And her fears swiftly become reality when Mary finds herself in a desperate battle for survival against a cunning,devious enemy. Trapped in a isolated location where no one can hear her scream and she could easily disappear.....without a trace
This utterly enthralling thriller is voiced entirely from the perspective of our complex main character Mary. As a person who also suffers from paranoia, anxiety and has difficulty trusting people, I could fully understand and empathise with her as she struggled with her feelings and emotions. One of the major issues with anxiety is once you get an idea in your head, your brain convinces you that your suspicions are fact no matter how much people try to convince you otherwise. Having said that, I also found her quite irritating at times which had me worrying if my husband finds me irritating when I get a suspicion stuck in my head and won't let it go. Mary reminded me so much of myself from her mental health issues, lack of trust, to the way that she was treated by her mother. But was she right to be suspicious about her husband or did he genuinely love her as much as he appeared to. Throughout the book we taken back into the past and given an insight into Mary's back story and her troubled past. This gripping thriller doesn't have a very big cast of secondary characters and the reader was never sure how trustworthy any of them was. I loved the setting for this book, the fairy tale like cabin, the trails through the forest, the isolation that was so idyllic during the day and so alien and threatening during the hours of darkness.
Wow....just wow, this is a incredibly intense thriller that had me hooked in from the very first page and frantically turning the pages. The intense atmosphere of the story hardly gives you a chance to take a breath as the fast paced thriller unfolds before your captivated eyes. The story keeps you guessing, there was some unexpected twists and turns and some seriously intense main character in danger moments. I would love to watch a film adaptation of this outstanding book and look forward to reading more books written by this author in the future. Worth far more than five stars and very very highly recommended.
July 1, 2020
Um thriller psicológico tinha tudo para ser bom mas...
... há muito tempo que não lia um livro com um começo tão parado, até meio do livro não acontece nada, quer dizer para a Mary acontece tudo mas nós lemos e lemos e nada...
Contudo quando as coisas começam a acontecer não dá para parar de ler, torna-se um pouco viciante e daí as 3 estrelinhas.
Como este livro foi uma leitura conjunta @bechapterized havia muito teorias no grupo e ouve uma menina que acertou em grande parte do enredo lol
... há muito tempo que não lia um livro com um começo tão parado, até meio do livro não acontece nada, quer dizer para a Mary acontece tudo mas nós lemos e lemos e nada...
Contudo quando as coisas começam a acontecer não dá para parar de ler, torna-se um pouco viciante e daí as 3 estrelinhas.
Como este livro foi uma leitura conjunta @bechapterized havia muito teorias no grupo e ouve uma menina que acertou em grande parte do enredo lol
June 27, 2020
I found this book to be extremely confusing. Thought process of the main character was scattered 90% of the time. I liked the book but think it needed something more. I do like that the ending was a bit of a shock. Overall 4 stars.
April 25, 2021
Ooh very good book. Well worth a read xxx 😁💖📚
October 17, 2021
Gostei do plot twist. Talvez por ainda ser nova no género e não ter lido muitos thrillers. Apesar de vários problemas nas desconfianças da protagonista, foi uma leitura prazeirosa.
March 10, 2020
Mary and Jackson are a newly married couple; after a whirlwind romance resulting in a very quick engagement and subsequent marriage Mary is devastated to learn that her new husband must now head to Australia for a 9-month work assignment. The first year of marriage is hard enough but when the communication with Jackson is sporadic at best Mary starts to question his motives for really marrying her.
When Jackson finally returns she vows to leave all the negative thoughts behind and to focus on their future. A last minute honeymoon trip away to celebrate is surely a step in the right direction. But the secluded cabin in the woods without access to reliable phone reception has Mary feeling nervous; does she really know this man that well? This trip was meant to bring them closer together but Mary can’t help feeling pressure to reveal her past, but how much is too much and does Jackson already know the secrets that drove her family apart? A series of unexplainable events leaves Mary feeling vulnerable and Jackson on edge. Is there someone else in the woods or does her new husband have sinister motives of his own?
It was really hard to summarize this book in one neat little package as the whole story is fantastic! You think you know where it’s going and then you’re thrown for a loop. It had me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Great read!
When Jackson finally returns she vows to leave all the negative thoughts behind and to focus on their future. A last minute honeymoon trip away to celebrate is surely a step in the right direction. But the secluded cabin in the woods without access to reliable phone reception has Mary feeling nervous; does she really know this man that well? This trip was meant to bring them closer together but Mary can’t help feeling pressure to reveal her past, but how much is too much and does Jackson already know the secrets that drove her family apart? A series of unexplainable events leaves Mary feeling vulnerable and Jackson on edge. Is there someone else in the woods or does her new husband have sinister motives of his own?
It was really hard to summarize this book in one neat little package as the whole story is fantastic! You think you know where it’s going and then you’re thrown for a loop. It had me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Great read!
March 17, 2020
Premise is totally ridiculous
Got halfway through this book hoping it would get better. It did not. Don't waste your time. Main character was a total dolt. Didn't care what happened to her. She knows the guy for a hot minute and then married him???
Got halfway through this book hoping it would get better. It did not. Don't waste your time. Main character was a total dolt. Didn't care what happened to her. She knows the guy for a hot minute and then married him???
June 25, 2020
I really didn't enjoy this book. I figured out the promised plot twist fairly early on and I really didn't care for the characters. I found myself rooting for the villain because I couldn't make myself care about the main character, Mary.
March 30, 2020
When?
The build up and the build up of what could be was exhausting. I got to the point that I just wanted someone, anyone dead already. The end had too much detail. Exhausting.
The build up and the build up of what could be was exhausting. I got to the point that I just wanted someone, anyone dead already. The end had too much detail. Exhausting.
June 12, 2025
Sarah has created a story straight out of my worst nightmare! A twisty psychological thriller that had me reading well into the night and on more than one occasion had my heart racing and my anxiety levels going through the roof! Think Wolf Creek (An Australian Horror movie) meets one of Australian most notorious serial killers Ivan Milat (The backpacker murderer). I know right…Terrifying!
The story follows the main protagonists, Mary and Jackson as they celebrate their one year wedding anniversary in a remote luxury cabin. Having married after only knowing each other for a few weeks, Jackson is sent to Australia for a 9-month work placement, where their communication over this period is pretty much non-existent. Not only is this trip to celebrate their anniversary, but it is also meant for them to really get to know each other. Mary starts having doubts about Jackson though when he starts to act strangely after she tells him about her past, which then has her questioning who Jackson really is and if her life is in danger.
Told solely from Mary’s point of view, I was concerned at first how I was going to enjoy this. I do prefer more than one character narrating a story, but Mary is a strong character that has been well developed and written, which makes her able to carry the story on her shoulders well. Jackson is a very intriguing character and I liked how I was kept second-guessing his motives and intentions throughout. The supporting characters, Dani (Mary’s best friend), Mary’s mother and park ranger Mike are small roles, but they are all significant and integral to the story.
This is the first book that I have read from Sarah. Although it is a slow burn to start with, when it kicks in, it does so in spectacular fashion! Nothing is what it seems and the most obvious choice for the outcome isn’t so obvious after all, as Sarah delivers twist after twist that concludes in a very satisfying ending that I did not see coming at all!
The Anniversary is a crazy thrilling read that just reinforces why I do not like going on holidays in remote places. Give me crowds, busy hotels and round the clock phone reception any day! It was a pleasure to read and review The Anniversary which I recommend.
Thank you to Heather Fitt from Bloodhound Books for inviting me to be part of the publication day celebrations and for providing me with a free copy of The Anniversary ebook which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
The story follows the main protagonists, Mary and Jackson as they celebrate their one year wedding anniversary in a remote luxury cabin. Having married after only knowing each other for a few weeks, Jackson is sent to Australia for a 9-month work placement, where their communication over this period is pretty much non-existent. Not only is this trip to celebrate their anniversary, but it is also meant for them to really get to know each other. Mary starts having doubts about Jackson though when he starts to act strangely after she tells him about her past, which then has her questioning who Jackson really is and if her life is in danger.
Told solely from Mary’s point of view, I was concerned at first how I was going to enjoy this. I do prefer more than one character narrating a story, but Mary is a strong character that has been well developed and written, which makes her able to carry the story on her shoulders well. Jackson is a very intriguing character and I liked how I was kept second-guessing his motives and intentions throughout. The supporting characters, Dani (Mary’s best friend), Mary’s mother and park ranger Mike are small roles, but they are all significant and integral to the story.
This is the first book that I have read from Sarah. Although it is a slow burn to start with, when it kicks in, it does so in spectacular fashion! Nothing is what it seems and the most obvious choice for the outcome isn’t so obvious after all, as Sarah delivers twist after twist that concludes in a very satisfying ending that I did not see coming at all!
The Anniversary is a crazy thrilling read that just reinforces why I do not like going on holidays in remote places. Give me crowds, busy hotels and round the clock phone reception any day! It was a pleasure to read and review The Anniversary which I recommend.
Thank you to Heather Fitt from Bloodhound Books for inviting me to be part of the publication day celebrations and for providing me with a free copy of The Anniversary ebook which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
April 6, 2020
The Anniversary is about newlyweds Mary and Jackson. After being out of the country for nine months, Jackson is finally home. The couple decide to start their marriage journey on a much-needed honeymoon. What is supposed to be a vacation in paradise, turns into anticipation, fear, and doubt.
I have to admit, the book started out slow for me. Not only did the story drag, I found the writing to be somewhat confusing as well. It was difficult for me to tell when Mary was reliving a memory or living in the present. For example, we learn from the get go that Mary is keeping secrets. While I anticipated the time when the secrets would be revealed, the journey of the reveal was painstakingly slow and awkward. In addition, I also found the story to be predictable. I was able to figure out the who, what, where, and why before the conclusion.
Now that the criticism is out of the way, the last 75% of the book was a heart racing adventure! My heart was pounding through my chest as I scrambled along with Mary, as the truth was finally revealed. I’m glad I stayed with it because the very end was a reward of its own.
This is a story of cat and mouse at its best. From the beginning every character is questioned. Who can Mary trust….Jackson, her Mom, herself?? Check it out to discover just who!
I have to admit, the book started out slow for me. Not only did the story drag, I found the writing to be somewhat confusing as well. It was difficult for me to tell when Mary was reliving a memory or living in the present. For example, we learn from the get go that Mary is keeping secrets. While I anticipated the time when the secrets would be revealed, the journey of the reveal was painstakingly slow and awkward. In addition, I also found the story to be predictable. I was able to figure out the who, what, where, and why before the conclusion.
Now that the criticism is out of the way, the last 75% of the book was a heart racing adventure! My heart was pounding through my chest as I scrambled along with Mary, as the truth was finally revealed. I’m glad I stayed with it because the very end was a reward of its own.
This is a story of cat and mouse at its best. From the beginning every character is questioned. Who can Mary trust….Jackson, her Mom, herself?? Check it out to discover just who!
March 29, 2020
I have mixed feelings about this book. There were discrepancies in the story as it was being told of which some were cleared up at the end. Initially I did not like the main character Mary, to confused with no confidence and her husband, Jackson, I did not like him at all. Mixed emotions about her friend Dani. By the end of the book (or well before) I had a basic idea of who one of the culprits was but was surprised by others. I still did not like Mary in spite of the finale. Mary owned a business, was intelligent and yet had no backbone or confidence. She was paranoid and I just can't believe her prior childhood could not be logically explained so that she did not feel she was worthless. But, then, I just did not like her.
It was an interesting story with a real twist at the end but one character that just was out in the forest terrorizing people, Mike. I did not believe his final decision at all.
So, basically, a good story line but since I did not like the characters not a favorite.
It was an interesting story with a real twist at the end but one character that just was out in the forest terrorizing people, Mike. I did not believe his final decision at all.
So, basically, a good story line but since I did not like the characters not a favorite.
March 10, 2020
This book is a real mind-screwer, which will have you questioning everything around you. I love those types of stories: where you’re not sure who is really telling the truth, or really the whole truth. Throw in the remote cabin location, and things are pretty creepy and intense.
It was also interesting to see the relationship between these newlyweds, who end up realizing that things are awkward between them after being separated for nine months out of the first year of their marriage. I mean, that would be a challenge for any couple, but then throw in all the lies and twists and things start getting weird.
Speaking of twists - this one’s full of them and I did not see the ending coming, but I really liked it. It’s hard to say too much because I don’t want to give too much away. The fun in this one is going along for the ride and seeing where it takes you - fans of twisty thrillers won’t be disappointed!
Definitely recommended!
It was also interesting to see the relationship between these newlyweds, who end up realizing that things are awkward between them after being separated for nine months out of the first year of their marriage. I mean, that would be a challenge for any couple, but then throw in all the lies and twists and things start getting weird.
Speaking of twists - this one’s full of them and I did not see the ending coming, but I really liked it. It’s hard to say too much because I don’t want to give too much away. The fun in this one is going along for the ride and seeing where it takes you - fans of twisty thrillers won’t be disappointed!
Definitely recommended!
April 3, 2021
Two stars
A brief synopsis: Mary and Jackson are newlyweds. Straight after their ceremony Jackson left the country for his work. Mary is heartbroken and lonely and wonders why Jackson never replies to her. Following his return home Mary and Jackson go on a vacation to a cabin in the woods where they’re supposed to reconnect. News comes out that there is an attacker in the woods and Mary begins to realize she has no idea who her husband really is
My review: I gave this book two stars because I just felt like it was super unrealistic. I also felt like it was super predictable. Mary doesn’t have common sense. Jackson is insensitive. Mary is also a little trigger happy. I just felt like the entire plot was super out there and it didn’t do the best job at making me want to keep reading. I love the concept though
A brief synopsis: Mary and Jackson are newlyweds. Straight after their ceremony Jackson left the country for his work. Mary is heartbroken and lonely and wonders why Jackson never replies to her. Following his return home Mary and Jackson go on a vacation to a cabin in the woods where they’re supposed to reconnect. News comes out that there is an attacker in the woods and Mary begins to realize she has no idea who her husband really is
My review: I gave this book two stars because I just felt like it was super unrealistic. I also felt like it was super predictable. Mary doesn’t have common sense. Jackson is insensitive. Mary is also a little trigger happy. I just felt like the entire plot was super out there and it didn’t do the best job at making me want to keep reading. I love the concept though
March 8, 2020
A slow paced psychological thriller.
Even though it took me a few chapter to really get into, once I got sucked into the story, I could not stop reading it.
Nothing is as it seems and it was making my head spin...
Mary and Jackson are finally going to their honeymoon 9 months after getting married. But do they really know each other?
Mary is hiding some critical information about her past from her husband, but time is running out as she is about to turn 25.
But has he actually know the truth about her this entire time? And was going to a secluded cabin in the wood with him a good idea?
An enthralling read, would recommend!
Even though it took me a few chapter to really get into, once I got sucked into the story, I could not stop reading it.
Nothing is as it seems and it was making my head spin...
Mary and Jackson are finally going to their honeymoon 9 months after getting married. But do they really know each other?
Mary is hiding some critical information about her past from her husband, but time is running out as she is about to turn 25.
But has he actually know the truth about her this entire time? And was going to a secluded cabin in the wood with him a good idea?
An enthralling read, would recommend!
March 11, 2020
This is my frist book by this author, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I found this book to be a well written story that pulled me into the story right from the beginning. The characters made the story feel real and made the story engaging. I enjoyed the twists and turns that had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what will happen next. This was a real page turner. Mary and Jackson get married fast, than he leaves for a time. Now that he is back and a determination to make their marriage work they go on a trip. This is where the story picks up and things may not be as they seem and life and death may be a problem. I highly recommend this book.
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