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Till Death Do Us Part
Win a free print copy of this book!
5 days and 03:04:26
10 copies available
U.S. only
The author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here returns with a thriller set in the vineyards of Napa Valley that asks: what happens when the husband you thought died years ago shows up alive?
Ten years ago, June’s beloved husband drowned on their honeymoon, his body never found. Now, a decade later, June is finally ready to move on. She owns a natural wine bar in Brooklyn and is engaged to a patient, supportive man named Kyle. She’s excited to finally begin a new chapter in her life and start a family.
But out of the blue, she sees him—Josh, her first husband. Is this just a hallucination from the guilt June carries about finally moving on, or is it possible that her husband never died in the first place?
June tries to forget about this vision, chalking it up to grief and nerves, but soon enough, she stumbles across a website for a winery in Napa, and the owner in the photo is identical to her dead husband. With her upcoming wedding looming and a fiancé who’s already worried she hasn’t quite left her past behind, June secretly flies to Napa for answers. But she’s not prepared for all the secrets she’s about to unlock because everything she thought she knew about her first love is a lie.
Ten years ago, June’s beloved husband drowned on their honeymoon, his body never found. Now, a decade later, June is finally ready to move on. She owns a natural wine bar in Brooklyn and is engaged to a patient, supportive man named Kyle. She’s excited to finally begin a new chapter in her life and start a family.
But out of the blue, she sees him—Josh, her first husband. Is this just a hallucination from the guilt June carries about finally moving on, or is it possible that her husband never died in the first place?
June tries to forget about this vision, chalking it up to grief and nerves, but soon enough, she stumbles across a website for a winery in Napa, and the owner in the photo is identical to her dead husband. With her upcoming wedding looming and a fiancé who’s already worried she hasn’t quite left her past behind, June secretly flies to Napa for answers. But she’s not prepared for all the secrets she’s about to unlock because everything she thought she knew about her first love is a lie.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 13, 2024
About the author
Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
7 books1,263 followers Laurie Elizabeth Flynn is a former model who lives in London, Ontario with her husband and their four children. She is the author of three young adult novels: Firsts, Last Girl Lied To and All Eyes On Her, under the name L.E. Flynn.
Her adult fiction debut, The Girls Are All So Nice Here, was named a USA Today Best Book of 2021 and became an instant bestseller in Canada. It has sold in 11 territories worldwide. Her second adult novel, Till Death Do Us Part, will be released in August 2024.
When she’s not writing, you can likely find her hiking in the woods, perusing thrift stores for vintage dresses, or bingeing on reality TV dating shows.
Her adult fiction debut, The Girls Are All So Nice Here, was named a USA Today Best Book of 2021 and became an instant bestseller in Canada. It has sold in 11 territories worldwide. Her second adult novel, Till Death Do Us Part, will be released in August 2024.
When she’s not writing, you can likely find her hiking in the woods, perusing thrift stores for vintage dresses, or bingeing on reality TV dating shows.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
March 28, 2024
Well, I truly enjoyed Laurie Elizabeth Flynn’s previous work, "The Girls Are All So Nice," which was enough of a reference for me to become intrigued by her new thriller/women’s fiction. Also, the possibility of a mystery plot involving a dead husband's return from death piqued my interest. Additionally, this book takes place in Napa, educating us a lot about wineries and the process of creating great products. That's how I was sold!
In the first third of the book, which started too slowly for my taste, the author introduced two narrators in different timelines: June, in the present time, an organic wine pub owner who lost her husband Josh in a sea accident, finally finding a second chance at romance with her fiancé Kyle to start a new family. But when she sees someone who looks like her deceased husband secretly following her, she initially thinks guilt feelings are pushing her into seeing delusions. However, when her search on the internet to find a wedding place in Napa directs her to Andrew and Sadie Smith’s family winery, she cannot believe her eyes. The man in the photo looks exactly like her deceased husband. She denies his death and the last text message he sent to her, which wasn't written in his style, seeing him in places for years. Maybe she wasn't dreaming, and her husband is still out there, alive for years. The only way to find out is to go to Napa and confront the man.
In the other timeline, we move nearly two and a half decades before to read the narration of Bev: Josh’s mother, who recently gave birth to her baby Kieran, conducting the winery with her husband David, still trying to deal with the family scandal that affected their lives and troubled her marriage. There's a hint in conversations that the scandal may be related to Josh’s relationship with a young woman, Abby. On the other hand, Bev digs out a big secret about her husband that may destroy the already fragile facade of their marriage. A person’s sudden appearance from her complex past also makes things more complicated and pushes her to reconsider her entire life choices.
We go back and forth between the narratives of these two women to uncover secrets that shape their futures. Especially in the last third, the pacing finally quickens, keeping me on my toes with so many shocking revelations that culminate in an eye-popping conclusion, causing my jaw to hit the floor. What an earth-shattering ending, or let’s just say the beginning, that may change your entire perspective about the events and characters.
I couldn’t engage much with Bev, even though her backstory was relatable to so many women who are trapped in a marriage that slowly turns into a business partnership more than an emotional bond. On the other hand, June is a more relatable character who deserves a second chance at life.
Overall, it's a well-executed women’s fiction, family drama blended with mystery, and that "WTH" ending is the cherry on top.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
For years, I've been diving into Rainbow Rowell's young adult romance novels, even though I'm not exactly in the targeted audience range. However, her queer Simon Snow series stands out as a favorite of mine. So, when I heard she had written an adult romance, I couldn't contain my excitement. This heartwarming and realistic new adult fiction resonated with me more than I had expected. Interestingly, my recent binge-watch of the adaptation of "One Day" on Netflix only intensified the emotional impact of this book. The themes of long friendship, unrequited feelings, flawed and realistic characterization, second chance love, and found family are strikingly similar in both concepts.
Shiloh and Cary are both likable characters, despite occasionally frustrating the reader with the choices they make and the patterns of their thoughts that lead them down the wrong paths. Their imperfections make them unique, lovable, and real.
Shiloh, raised in the troubled side of Omaha, first crosses paths with Cary at the age of sixteen. Cary, the boy who can make her laugh and tolerate her eccentric antics, dreams of joining the army. They become good friends throughout high school, secretly harboring crushes, but both have other life choices mapped out and deal with their own insecurities that prevent them from taking a step into vulnerability that could lead to more than friendship.
Fast forward fourteen years, and we find both of them unhappy with the hands life has dealt them—or perhaps, the hands they have chosen. Shiloh, now thirty-three, is a single, divorced mother of two, working at the Children's Theater. She realizes she has become the very mother she once criticized, a less entertaining version of herself without the flirting and enjoyment of life.
A wedding ceremony for a common high school friend brings Cary and Shiloh together again. Cary takes a leave from the army to address his family issues, and he also has complex feelings about seeing Shiloh, who is barely containing her excitement, wearing a new dress and a silk flower over her heart, showing effort after years to be seen by the boy who got away. The same boy she never realized how much she cared for until he was gone.
I would give five stars to the storyline and the perfectly developed characterization of this book. The dialogues, banter, level of sauciness, and sassiness blended in humorous and sentimental moments make you smile and also bring tears to your eyes. The numerous flashbacks take us on a journey through the 90s and 2000s, which didn't irritate me; in fact, it provided a much more realistic picture of the characters' life stories, struggles, fears, potentials, and dreams. The only thing that bugged me about this book was the pacing, which led me to deduct one star from my rating. Some parts of the book felt a little rushed, and the last third was a bit repetitive and dragged for my taste, making me wish the story would cut to the chase and give us a happily ever after.
Despite the slightly unusual pacing, the genuineness, honesty, and poignancy of this book warmed my heart. I truly enjoyed it and highly recommend it to contemporary and second chance romance lovers, as well as Rainbow Rowell's devoted fans.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this wonderful book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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In the first third of the book, which started too slowly for my taste, the author introduced two narrators in different timelines: June, in the present time, an organic wine pub owner who lost her husband Josh in a sea accident, finally finding a second chance at romance with her fiancé Kyle to start a new family. But when she sees someone who looks like her deceased husband secretly following her, she initially thinks guilt feelings are pushing her into seeing delusions. However, when her search on the internet to find a wedding place in Napa directs her to Andrew and Sadie Smith’s family winery, she cannot believe her eyes. The man in the photo looks exactly like her deceased husband. She denies his death and the last text message he sent to her, which wasn't written in his style, seeing him in places for years. Maybe she wasn't dreaming, and her husband is still out there, alive for years. The only way to find out is to go to Napa and confront the man.
In the other timeline, we move nearly two and a half decades before to read the narration of Bev: Josh’s mother, who recently gave birth to her baby Kieran, conducting the winery with her husband David, still trying to deal with the family scandal that affected their lives and troubled her marriage. There's a hint in conversations that the scandal may be related to Josh’s relationship with a young woman, Abby. On the other hand, Bev digs out a big secret about her husband that may destroy the already fragile facade of their marriage. A person’s sudden appearance from her complex past also makes things more complicated and pushes her to reconsider her entire life choices.
We go back and forth between the narratives of these two women to uncover secrets that shape their futures. Especially in the last third, the pacing finally quickens, keeping me on my toes with so many shocking revelations that culminate in an eye-popping conclusion, causing my jaw to hit the floor. What an earth-shattering ending, or let’s just say the beginning, that may change your entire perspective about the events and characters.
I couldn’t engage much with Bev, even though her backstory was relatable to so many women who are trapped in a marriage that slowly turns into a business partnership more than an emotional bond. On the other hand, June is a more relatable character who deserves a second chance at life.
Overall, it's a well-executed women’s fiction, family drama blended with mystery, and that "WTH" ending is the cherry on top.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
For years, I've been diving into Rainbow Rowell's young adult romance novels, even though I'm not exactly in the targeted audience range. However, her queer Simon Snow series stands out as a favorite of mine. So, when I heard she had written an adult romance, I couldn't contain my excitement. This heartwarming and realistic new adult fiction resonated with me more than I had expected. Interestingly, my recent binge-watch of the adaptation of "One Day" on Netflix only intensified the emotional impact of this book. The themes of long friendship, unrequited feelings, flawed and realistic characterization, second chance love, and found family are strikingly similar in both concepts.
Shiloh and Cary are both likable characters, despite occasionally frustrating the reader with the choices they make and the patterns of their thoughts that lead them down the wrong paths. Their imperfections make them unique, lovable, and real.
Shiloh, raised in the troubled side of Omaha, first crosses paths with Cary at the age of sixteen. Cary, the boy who can make her laugh and tolerate her eccentric antics, dreams of joining the army. They become good friends throughout high school, secretly harboring crushes, but both have other life choices mapped out and deal with their own insecurities that prevent them from taking a step into vulnerability that could lead to more than friendship.
Fast forward fourteen years, and we find both of them unhappy with the hands life has dealt them—or perhaps, the hands they have chosen. Shiloh, now thirty-three, is a single, divorced mother of two, working at the Children's Theater. She realizes she has become the very mother she once criticized, a less entertaining version of herself without the flirting and enjoyment of life.
A wedding ceremony for a common high school friend brings Cary and Shiloh together again. Cary takes a leave from the army to address his family issues, and he also has complex feelings about seeing Shiloh, who is barely containing her excitement, wearing a new dress and a silk flower over her heart, showing effort after years to be seen by the boy who got away. The same boy she never realized how much she cared for until he was gone.
I would give five stars to the storyline and the perfectly developed characterization of this book. The dialogues, banter, level of sauciness, and sassiness blended in humorous and sentimental moments make you smile and also bring tears to your eyes. The numerous flashbacks take us on a journey through the 90s and 2000s, which didn't irritate me; in fact, it provided a much more realistic picture of the characters' life stories, struggles, fears, potentials, and dreams. The only thing that bugged me about this book was the pacing, which led me to deduct one star from my rating. Some parts of the book felt a little rushed, and the last third was a bit repetitive and dragged for my taste, making me wish the story would cut to the chase and give us a happily ever after.
Despite the slightly unusual pacing, the genuineness, honesty, and poignancy of this book warmed my heart. I truly enjoyed it and highly recommend it to contemporary and second chance romance lovers, as well as Rainbow Rowell's devoted fans.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this wonderful book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
twitter<
March 5, 2024
This one had be like “whaaaaaaa????” Until the end!
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: 10 years ago, June’s husband drowned on their honeymoon. The problem is, June keeps seeing him. She’s moved on, blissfully happy with her new man, Kyle, but she can’t ignore that her dead husband is popping up around town. After some research, she discovers he lives in Napa Valley so she takes off, ready to confront her past…
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: This book was a veritable whirlwind, and one I will say had me guessing until the end (I guessed wrong), so the author gets points for giving me plot points I never saw coming. I’m usually pretty fair at predicting endings and I completely failed with this one.
I enjoyed the alternating POVs and the wine education (but I’m into wine) and could well-picture the landscape and wineries. The pacing was fairly quick with some meandering in the vineyard. I enjoyed the stroll.
My main issue is the ending, and because I’m committed to being spoiler-free I can only say it felt… questionable. I’ll leave it there until publication.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: if you want something you likely will never see coming
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: Can’t think of anyone specifically
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the ARC and the furious day of reading in exchange for my always-honest reviews.
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: 10 years ago, June’s husband drowned on their honeymoon. The problem is, June keeps seeing him. She’s moved on, blissfully happy with her new man, Kyle, but she can’t ignore that her dead husband is popping up around town. After some research, she discovers he lives in Napa Valley so she takes off, ready to confront her past…
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: This book was a veritable whirlwind, and one I will say had me guessing until the end (I guessed wrong), so the author gets points for giving me plot points I never saw coming. I’m usually pretty fair at predicting endings and I completely failed with this one.
I enjoyed the alternating POVs and the wine education (but I’m into wine) and could well-picture the landscape and wineries. The pacing was fairly quick with some meandering in the vineyard. I enjoyed the stroll.
My main issue is the ending, and because I’m committed to being spoiler-free I can only say it felt… questionable. I’ll leave it there until publication.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: if you want something you likely will never see coming
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: Can’t think of anyone specifically
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the ARC and the furious day of reading in exchange for my always-honest reviews.
March 13, 2024
2 stars! ⭐️⭐️
Let me begin by saying I love wine. I love wineries, tastings and vineyards. The setting of this book is what made me decide to click that “Request” button on NetGalley. This is what bumped it to a 2 star book for me - the only reason.
June’s new husband has drowned on their honeymoon. His body has never been found. Ten years later, she’s moved on and is engaged to a new guy. One day, she sees her dead husband watching her. Is he really dead or is she losing it? Sounds interesting enough. No.
The remainder of the book is her trying to figure out what happened and if he really is still alive. There are alternating POV‘s and alternating timelines. I was so bored most of the time that I almost ditched it. The little twists here and there were just weak to me. The last 1/3 picked up a little, but I just really didn’t care for these people anymore. Horrible characters - nobody to root for.
The end of this book really pissed me off. I can’t say what happened without spoilers. That’s what did me in. The final twist at the very end came out of left field and made no sense. New readers of this genre (this is more of a domestic drama than a thriller) may appreciate it, but I’m too seasoned for that nonsense.
I really enjoyed Flynn’s first novel, but I wish I could get the time back that I spent reading this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my advanced copy to read and review.
Let me begin by saying I love wine. I love wineries, tastings and vineyards. The setting of this book is what made me decide to click that “Request” button on NetGalley. This is what bumped it to a 2 star book for me - the only reason.
June’s new husband has drowned on their honeymoon. His body has never been found. Ten years later, she’s moved on and is engaged to a new guy. One day, she sees her dead husband watching her. Is he really dead or is she losing it? Sounds interesting enough. No.
The remainder of the book is her trying to figure out what happened and if he really is still alive. There are alternating POV‘s and alternating timelines. I was so bored most of the time that I almost ditched it. The little twists here and there were just weak to me. The last 1/3 picked up a little, but I just really didn’t care for these people anymore. Horrible characters - nobody to root for.
The end of this book really pissed me off. I can’t say what happened without spoilers. That’s what did me in. The final twist at the very end came out of left field and made no sense. New readers of this genre (this is more of a domestic drama than a thriller) may appreciate it, but I’m too seasoned for that nonsense.
I really enjoyed Flynn’s first novel, but I wish I could get the time back that I spent reading this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my advanced copy to read and review.
April 13, 2024
3.5 stars-
~~~~~~~~~~~
The plot sounded like an interesting one with a little bit of mystery to it. As I am diving in, I’m rather intrigued by the disappearance and death of someone one week after their marriage.
The plot takes us back and forth between timelines and it gets to be interesting with the different characters and the mystery surrounding her husband. The main character has somewhat recovered from her husband’s death, but his death always remains on the back of her mind as to what truly happened.
The author leads us into many twists and turns in the story having to do with his death. June has never gotten over him. Plus, the main character and other subsequent characters really don’t get my buy-in.
The characters are not likable with the exception of her fiancé. I don’t like June’s actions and I definitely did not care for the mother-in-law. Flynn does throw in some girl-on-girl time but that felt like a distraction and really didn’t add to the storyline other than try to show a psychological twist.
Flynn does add some interesting turns at the end that are from left field but I felt these twists really just leave the reader sad. The story is different and interesting, but it doesn’t have that additional layer of tension to make this a true suspense-type read.
Overall, it feels like I did not care for the book, however, I did like the premise of the story. I can not get past some of the character flaws. Till Death Do Us Part is a good story on the surface. It lacks that in-depth tension and elevated emotional writing that builds the mystery and suspense which makes a book un-put-downable.
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/till-death-d...
~~~~~~~~~~~
The plot sounded like an interesting one with a little bit of mystery to it. As I am diving in, I’m rather intrigued by the disappearance and death of someone one week after their marriage.
The plot takes us back and forth between timelines and it gets to be interesting with the different characters and the mystery surrounding her husband. The main character has somewhat recovered from her husband’s death, but his death always remains on the back of her mind as to what truly happened.
The author leads us into many twists and turns in the story having to do with his death. June has never gotten over him. Plus, the main character and other subsequent characters really don’t get my buy-in.
The characters are not likable with the exception of her fiancé. I don’t like June’s actions and I definitely did not care for the mother-in-law. Flynn does throw in some girl-on-girl time but that felt like a distraction and really didn’t add to the storyline other than try to show a psychological twist.
Flynn does add some interesting turns at the end that are from left field but I felt these twists really just leave the reader sad. The story is different and interesting, but it doesn’t have that additional layer of tension to make this a true suspense-type read.
Overall, it feels like I did not care for the book, however, I did like the premise of the story. I can not get past some of the character flaws. Till Death Do Us Part is a good story on the surface. It lacks that in-depth tension and elevated emotional writing that builds the mystery and suspense which makes a book un-put-downable.
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/till-death-d...
April 26, 2024
“Till death do us part” follows the lives of two women and how their paths intertwine.
One POV is Junes. June was married to Josh but sadly he passed away. 10 years later she is now engaged to somebody else but her past relationship is still very present in her life.
The other POV is Bev, Josh’s mum. This pov is in an alternate timeline when Josh was a young teen.
Both timeline give us insight into their lives and events leading up to present day whilst trying to solve the mystery surrounding his death.
I went in blind expecting this to be a thriller but I found it more to be a domestic suspense with lots of twists and mystery. I found the characters to be full of depth with lots of internal monologue provided for the reader to understand the motivations behind their actions and decision..
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, Laurie Elizabeth Flynn and Netgalley for the EARC!
Publish date: August 13th
One POV is Junes. June was married to Josh but sadly he passed away. 10 years later she is now engaged to somebody else but her past relationship is still very present in her life.
The other POV is Bev, Josh’s mum. This pov is in an alternate timeline when Josh was a young teen.
Both timeline give us insight into their lives and events leading up to present day whilst trying to solve the mystery surrounding his death.
I went in blind expecting this to be a thriller but I found it more to be a domestic suspense with lots of twists and mystery. I found the characters to be full of depth with lots of internal monologue provided for the reader to understand the motivations behind their actions and decision..
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, Laurie Elizabeth Flynn and Netgalley for the EARC!
Publish date: August 13th
April 23, 2024
The ending of this book makes the book worth the read.
If you like wine and stories that don’t quite add up. This is the book for you. The first two parts of the book are slow. I wanted to DNF this book a few times. I’m so glad I didn’t. The book picks up in the second half and is very good with lots of twists.
The ending is so good and makes me so happy I didn’t stop reading the book.
If you like wine and stories that don’t quite add up. This is the book for you. The first two parts of the book are slow. I wanted to DNF this book a few times. I’m so glad I didn’t. The book picks up in the second half and is very good with lots of twists.
The ending is so good and makes me so happy I didn’t stop reading the book.
March 4, 2024
Wow! My first book by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn did not disappoint. Her writing is absolutely beautiful, immersive, and I felt like I was right there in the rolling grape vines of Napa California. So many twists and layers to this thriller, which read like a domestic thriller with lots of inter-personal relationship drama. I loved it. Recommend!!
March 11, 2024
This book was great and I read it in one sitting. It has 2 distinct POVs and alternates between them: one is June, whose husband Josh died 10 years ago on their honeymoon, which she still can’t fully get over; and Bev, Josh’s mom, from when he was a teenager. Both these stories are compelling (though I think I liked Bev’s story best) and they converge to build out a narrative that seeks to solve the mystery of Josh’s death as well as other things that happened within their family.
These characters were deep and I felt that I could understand them even when I didn’t agree with the decisions they made. I was never bored reading through their internal monologues because I could empathize with their struggles. There were a couple really great twists in the book, some which I didn’t even come close to guessing. I found the ending to be sad, and the author deliberately left some questions unanswered, but I think it worked well with the rest of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read (as well as this author’s previous book) and would definitely recommend to those who like mysteries and domestic suspense. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
These characters were deep and I felt that I could understand them even when I didn’t agree with the decisions they made. I was never bored reading through their internal monologues because I could empathize with their struggles. There were a couple really great twists in the book, some which I didn’t even come close to guessing. I found the ending to be sad, and the author deliberately left some questions unanswered, but I think it worked well with the rest of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read (as well as this author’s previous book) and would definitely recommend to those who like mysteries and domestic suspense. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2024
Picture this: a whirlwind romance, an enchanting elopement, and the heartbreaking loss of a soulmate on the honeymoon. June's journey is one of love, grief, and unexpected twists that will leave you questioning reality. Ten years after being widowed, she's ready to embrace a new chapter with Kyle, her devoted boyfriend. However, a shocking revelation throws her into a maelstrom of emotions when she spots her supposedly deceased husband, Josh, on a winery website in Napa.
The narrative unfolds through alternating timelines and perspectives, immersing you in the intense emotions of June and providing a glimpse into the past through Josh's mother, Bev. The palpable anxiety surrounding Josh's mysterious reappearance creates a sense of urgency that propels the story forward.
As June delves deeper into the enigma surrounding Josh, the past and present collide, promising a shocking twist that, while intended to be mind-blowing, falls somewhat short of expectations. While some closure is provided regarding the central question, the narrative introduces additional side issues that remain unresolved, leaving the reader craving more resolution.
The characters navigate scandal and familial complexities, creating an intricate web that adds layers to the narrative. However, these elements sometimes take a backseat to a side story that, though engaging, seems detached from the central mystery of Josh's disappearance.
Despite its potential, the story grapples with too many twists and insufficient groundwork. To fully immerse yourself in the plot, you'll need to suspend disbelief and embrace the unexpected turns that come your way. Additionally, an element introduced by the author adds complexity but, ultimately, feels like a coincidental distraction rather than a meaningful contribution to the narrative.
The novel is a quick, compelling read driven by June's reckless pursuit of the truth. The urgency of unraveling Josh's fate keeps you hooked, but the potential of the story is somewhat obscured by its convoluted twists. "Till Death Do Us Part" is a rollercoaster of emotions, a journey that, despite its flaws, delivers moments of suspense and keeps you eagerly turning the pages.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative unfolds through alternating timelines and perspectives, immersing you in the intense emotions of June and providing a glimpse into the past through Josh's mother, Bev. The palpable anxiety surrounding Josh's mysterious reappearance creates a sense of urgency that propels the story forward.
As June delves deeper into the enigma surrounding Josh, the past and present collide, promising a shocking twist that, while intended to be mind-blowing, falls somewhat short of expectations. While some closure is provided regarding the central question, the narrative introduces additional side issues that remain unresolved, leaving the reader craving more resolution.
The characters navigate scandal and familial complexities, creating an intricate web that adds layers to the narrative. However, these elements sometimes take a backseat to a side story that, though engaging, seems detached from the central mystery of Josh's disappearance.
Despite its potential, the story grapples with too many twists and insufficient groundwork. To fully immerse yourself in the plot, you'll need to suspend disbelief and embrace the unexpected turns that come your way. Additionally, an element introduced by the author adds complexity but, ultimately, feels like a coincidental distraction rather than a meaningful contribution to the narrative.
The novel is a quick, compelling read driven by June's reckless pursuit of the truth. The urgency of unraveling Josh's fate keeps you hooked, but the potential of the story is somewhat obscured by its convoluted twists. "Till Death Do Us Part" is a rollercoaster of emotions, a journey that, despite its flaws, delivers moments of suspense and keeps you eagerly turning the pages.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2024
I really loved Till Death Do Us Part. It provides a unique story line mostly set in Napa Valley wine country. Told through the perspectives of June (current day) and Bev (the past) it tells a complicated story of love, loss, grief, friendship, pain, heartbreak, and starting fresh.
I also really enjoyed the way the author handled the topic of motherhood. It can be a complex and challenging topic to broach, but it really resonated with me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. To be published August 13, 2024.
I also really enjoyed the way the author handled the topic of motherhood. It can be a complex and challenging topic to broach, but it really resonated with me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. To be published August 13, 2024.
January 31, 2024
Rounded up to a 4.5. Wow all the twist were amazing and that ending! Only took off the .5 because all the wine stuff dragged for me- for others who are into that will find it more interesting. Overall a great book! Can’t wait for the next
March 8, 2024
A Review (maybe a rant, spoilers ahead):
Let me begin by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed Flynn's last novel, The Girls Are All So Nice Here, and I gave it four stars. That being said, I had high expectations for her 2024 release, and maybe that's on me, but this book fell flat, especially in comparison to her previous work. So, what happened? What didn't work this time? Well, strap in, and I'll tell you.
These characters suck. I didn't connect with or like any of the characters. I can get behind an unlikeable character if they are unlikable intentionally. In this novel, however, their likability or lack thereof did not serve a purpose. They were all bad people; therefore, I couldn't find anyone to root for.
I don't give two craps about wine and its fermentation process. The number of times I rolled my eyes about the science of fermentation was seriously scary. Throughout the book, little vignettes describe the process of turning grapes into wine. Unlike the vignettes in Grapes of Wrath, these served no process. Sure, the anecdote about the turtle crossing the road may be slightly strange and a little boring, but it serves as a metaphor for the Joads's struggle against a hostile environment. Here, the wine vignettes serve no purpose other than to bore me to tears.
This book is not a thriller. Nothing is exciting or thrilling about the plot. Yes, there is a mysterious death, but that is not the driving force of the "tension." Overall, Flynn's novel reads like a slightly more exciting Lifetime movie than a traditional thriller.
Now, here comes the biggest rant and spoilers: the novel's ending is so unbelievably stupid. Throughout Bev's storyline, she is in a romantic entanglement with Emilia, a sommelier. Her sister, Camille, encourages her to act on her desires and chase her heart's longing; however, she has children she must think about. Camille devises a "brilliant" plan to swap places: Camille will stay with Kieran and visit the older boys while Bev gallivants across the globe with Emilia. I'm sorry, what? Essentially, they Parent Trap Bev's children, and all parties are entirely okay with this asinine decision. If one of my sisters ever concocted such a plan, I would be worried about their mental health and definitely would not just go along with it. It's literally the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
Then, the "twist" at the ending is so out of the left field that it should not even be considered a twist. After spending all this time with June trying to figure out what happened to Josh, readers are given an Epilogue that details how his twin brother's wife killed him because she got them confused. No, just no. If she was going for an unexpected twist, she nailed it in that regard; however, it just does not make sense. Flynn had the perfect opportunity to set up the dad as the killer. Instead, she went with someone who is such a minor character she barely registers in the realm of possibility.
As you can tell, I certainly did not enjoy my time reading Till Death Do Us Part. While I give it two stars, it could be a good book for someone just getting into thrillers. If you, like me, are a seasoned thriller reader, save yourself the trouble and do not pick this one up. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Let me begin by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed Flynn's last novel, The Girls Are All So Nice Here, and I gave it four stars. That being said, I had high expectations for her 2024 release, and maybe that's on me, but this book fell flat, especially in comparison to her previous work. So, what happened? What didn't work this time? Well, strap in, and I'll tell you.
These characters suck. I didn't connect with or like any of the characters. I can get behind an unlikeable character if they are unlikable intentionally. In this novel, however, their likability or lack thereof did not serve a purpose. They were all bad people; therefore, I couldn't find anyone to root for.
I don't give two craps about wine and its fermentation process. The number of times I rolled my eyes about the science of fermentation was seriously scary. Throughout the book, little vignettes describe the process of turning grapes into wine. Unlike the vignettes in Grapes of Wrath, these served no process. Sure, the anecdote about the turtle crossing the road may be slightly strange and a little boring, but it serves as a metaphor for the Joads's struggle against a hostile environment. Here, the wine vignettes serve no purpose other than to bore me to tears.
This book is not a thriller. Nothing is exciting or thrilling about the plot. Yes, there is a mysterious death, but that is not the driving force of the "tension." Overall, Flynn's novel reads like a slightly more exciting Lifetime movie than a traditional thriller.
Now, here comes the biggest rant and spoilers: the novel's ending is so unbelievably stupid. Throughout Bev's storyline, she is in a romantic entanglement with Emilia, a sommelier. Her sister, Camille, encourages her to act on her desires and chase her heart's longing; however, she has children she must think about. Camille devises a "brilliant" plan to swap places: Camille will stay with Kieran and visit the older boys while Bev gallivants across the globe with Emilia. I'm sorry, what? Essentially, they Parent Trap Bev's children, and all parties are entirely okay with this asinine decision. If one of my sisters ever concocted such a plan, I would be worried about their mental health and definitely would not just go along with it. It's literally the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
Then, the "twist" at the ending is so out of the left field that it should not even be considered a twist. After spending all this time with June trying to figure out what happened to Josh, readers are given an Epilogue that details how his twin brother's wife killed him because she got them confused. No, just no. If she was going for an unexpected twist, she nailed it in that regard; however, it just does not make sense. Flynn had the perfect opportunity to set up the dad as the killer. Instead, she went with someone who is such a minor character she barely registers in the realm of possibility.
As you can tell, I certainly did not enjoy my time reading Till Death Do Us Part. While I give it two stars, it could be a good book for someone just getting into thrillers. If you, like me, are a seasoned thriller reader, save yourself the trouble and do not pick this one up. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
February 18, 2024
“In vino veritas. In wine, there is truth” - Pliny the Elder
Not only is this book literary perfection but it could also serve as guide for wine lovers.
I’ve been a fan of Laurie Elizabeth Flynn since The Girls Are All So Nice Here, fell into my lap. I feel as though I had been patient enough waiting for the next release but I was starting to get ants in my pants.
Then it came…
A thriller that takes place in Napa? It’s as though Flynn had me in mind when she started creating this masterpiece.
I love wine
Just not as much as I loved this book
Til Death Do Us Part
Family drama, motherhood, romance, suspense… every key element of a fantastic, binge worthy book that is going to blow the minds of many.
Talk about complicated characters. Flynn’s character development can not be topped. These people are incredibly real, so much so, I started referring to them by name in conversation with my husband.
There were enough twists to break my neck. Every character, Bev, June, Josh, Andrew, Kyle, Sadie and David, they all had secrets and they all intertwined to deliver one heck of a whopper ending.
This book… is EVERYTHING.
Check out this teaser :
The author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here returns with a thriller set in the vineyards of Napa Valley that asks: what happens when the husband you thought died years ago shows up alive?
Ten years ago, June’s beloved husband drowned on their honeymoon, his body never found. Now, a decade later, June is finally ready to move on. She owns a natural wine bar in Brooklyn and is engaged to a patient, supportive man named Kyle. She’s excited to finally begin a new chapter in her life and start a family.
But out of the blue, she sees him—Josh, her first husband. Is this just a hallucination from the guilt June carries about finally moving on, or is it possible that her husband never died in the first place?
June tries to forget about this vision, chalking it up to grief and nerves, but soon enough, she stumbles across a website for a winery in Napa, and the owner in the photo is identical to her dead husband. With her upcoming wedding looming and a fiancé who’s already worried she hasn’t quite left her past behind, June secretly flies to Napa for answers. But she’s not prepared for all the secrets she’s about to unlock because everything she thought she knew about her first love is a lie.
Not only is this book literary perfection but it could also serve as guide for wine lovers.
I’ve been a fan of Laurie Elizabeth Flynn since The Girls Are All So Nice Here, fell into my lap. I feel as though I had been patient enough waiting for the next release but I was starting to get ants in my pants.
Then it came…
A thriller that takes place in Napa? It’s as though Flynn had me in mind when she started creating this masterpiece.
I love wine
Just not as much as I loved this book
Til Death Do Us Part
Family drama, motherhood, romance, suspense… every key element of a fantastic, binge worthy book that is going to blow the minds of many.
Talk about complicated characters. Flynn’s character development can not be topped. These people are incredibly real, so much so, I started referring to them by name in conversation with my husband.
There were enough twists to break my neck. Every character, Bev, June, Josh, Andrew, Kyle, Sadie and David, they all had secrets and they all intertwined to deliver one heck of a whopper ending.
This book… is EVERYTHING.
Check out this teaser :
The author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here returns with a thriller set in the vineyards of Napa Valley that asks: what happens when the husband you thought died years ago shows up alive?
Ten years ago, June’s beloved husband drowned on their honeymoon, his body never found. Now, a decade later, June is finally ready to move on. She owns a natural wine bar in Brooklyn and is engaged to a patient, supportive man named Kyle. She’s excited to finally begin a new chapter in her life and start a family.
But out of the blue, she sees him—Josh, her first husband. Is this just a hallucination from the guilt June carries about finally moving on, or is it possible that her husband never died in the first place?
June tries to forget about this vision, chalking it up to grief and nerves, but soon enough, she stumbles across a website for a winery in Napa, and the owner in the photo is identical to her dead husband. With her upcoming wedding looming and a fiancé who’s already worried she hasn’t quite left her past behind, June secretly flies to Napa for answers. But she’s not prepared for all the secrets she’s about to unlock because everything she thought she knew about her first love is a lie.
February 23, 2024
Thank you Netgalley, Simon & Schuster, and the author for an advanced reader copy of Till Death Do Us Part which is available this summer Aug 13, 2024. This will be a must read this summer!
June was madly in love with her husband Josh and only 7 days after they got married on their honeymoon, he passes away. But the thing is June doesn't believe it is an accident, which causes her to have trouble coping with this unimaginable loss. Finally, 10 years later she is engaged and trying to move on but she's still desperate for answers.
Till Death Do Us Part is an emotional thrilling novel told in two POV's from June present day, and Josh's Mother Bev in 1999. I loved how this story flowed and we really got to know Josh and his mother, and it really helped June's story flow in present day when she is trying to cope with loss, figure out answers, and move on.
Through the story we see how the stories collide and the twists were AMAZING! I was not expecting the book to take the turn that it did, it had me up all night long.
I also loved the setting in Napa and learning so much about the process of wine.
This is a must read this summer!
June was madly in love with her husband Josh and only 7 days after they got married on their honeymoon, he passes away. But the thing is June doesn't believe it is an accident, which causes her to have trouble coping with this unimaginable loss. Finally, 10 years later she is engaged and trying to move on but she's still desperate for answers.
Till Death Do Us Part is an emotional thrilling novel told in two POV's from June present day, and Josh's Mother Bev in 1999. I loved how this story flowed and we really got to know Josh and his mother, and it really helped June's story flow in present day when she is trying to cope with loss, figure out answers, and move on.
Through the story we see how the stories collide and the twists were AMAZING! I was not expecting the book to take the turn that it did, it had me up all night long.
I also loved the setting in Napa and learning so much about the process of wine.
This is a must read this summer!
June 16, 2024
Unfortunately, I had a lot of issues with this. The synopsis was enticing: a woman's husband supposedly drowns and she suspects foul play. I don't want to spoil the plot with specifics but I felt like the few "twists" were contrived and implausible. The ending especially had a lot of strange things going on. At the same time, part of the plot was left unresolved. This was not my favorite.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Simon & Schuster and Laurie Elizabeth Flynn for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Simon & Schuster and Laurie Elizabeth Flynn for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 5, 2024
Omg!!! My mind is reeling from the ending. I absolutely loved this book. The twists and secrets had me wanting more the entire time. I loved the Dual POV different time aspect, and it really brought everything together. Everything that happened, I wasn't expecting! Especially the ending, omg.
April 3, 2024
The cover and book description was what intrigued me. The idea of a mystery involving a deceased husband returning to life intrigued me and whether or not June would let her past threaten her future. Set in Napa, the book also showcases wineries and the complexities of wine-making.
The story takes a little while to get into, with two narrators in different timelines but with some of the same characters. June, an organic wine pub owner grieving her husband’s death, begins to believe he may still be alive when she spots his doppelganger. Meanwhile, in a flashback, we learn about Bev, the mother of June’s husband, and the family secrets that threaten to undo her marriage. We discover how these women’s pasts intertwine, leading to an explosive conclusion that shakes up everything we thought we knew. I really enjoyed how Laurie Elizabeth Flynn brought the characters and emotions to life with her descriptive imagery.
Overall, this book masterfully combines women’s fiction with mystery, culminating in a shocking ending.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story takes a little while to get into, with two narrators in different timelines but with some of the same characters. June, an organic wine pub owner grieving her husband’s death, begins to believe he may still be alive when she spots his doppelganger. Meanwhile, in a flashback, we learn about Bev, the mother of June’s husband, and the family secrets that threaten to undo her marriage. We discover how these women’s pasts intertwine, leading to an explosive conclusion that shakes up everything we thought we knew. I really enjoyed how Laurie Elizabeth Flynn brought the characters and emotions to life with her descriptive imagery.
Overall, this book masterfully combines women’s fiction with mystery, culminating in a shocking ending.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2024
An outstanding follow-up to Laurie Elizabeth Flynn's sparkling THE GIRLS ARE ALL SO NICE HERE. With its lush mystery, complex female leads, and artful story structure, TILL DEATH DO US PART is a captivating look at love, lies, family bonds, and the twisted measures some will take to hide a horrible truth.
June 22, 2024
I read this book because I found it in the sidewalk library and it was an advanced readers edition and doesn’t come out until August. Wanted to be able to say I read it first if it becomes a hit. Not really my type of book, but I have made worse decisions. Was a fun ride little ride with some twists I didn’t see coming that weren’t THAT cheesy. Sorry @simonandshuster if I wasn’t supposed to read this yet my bad
Want to read
February 2, 2024A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
February 20, 2024
Wow, this book had me on edge the entire time. I'm a sucker for dual timelines and this one was well-executed. I had no idea what happened to Josh and the author did a great job at throwing the reader off and keeping me guessing the whole time. The ending truly took me by surprise and was extremely well-done! Would recommend! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this exciting ARC!
February 6, 2024
Total mind f#*k. This book checks all the boxes. I stayed up way too late immersed in the Vineyard following all the clues and came up empty. I loved how the two story lines merge, and the bi-coastal setting worked beautifully. Thank you for bringing me into this Napa family that I certainly will not forget for a very long time.
April 4, 2024
I'm gonna be honest...I was on the fence about how to rate this one and thought I had decided on 3 stars when the last couple chapters came along and solidified that I'd be knocking it down to two. Oof. I don't recommend this book. I will say, the two POVs left each chapter ending on a cliffhanger of some sort. This is probably the main reason I was motivated to keep reading haha.
Plot: June is a young widow, still mourning the mysterious death of her husband, Josh. Now, he's been gone for ten years and June is trying to fully move on with her new fiancé, Kyle. Bev, Josh's mom, has been married to her college sweetheart, Dave, for 2 decades, but life on their vineyard hasn't been all they imagined. Josh's high school girlfriend dies in a tragic accident on their property and the Kellys' lives are turned upside down. How could the events of the past come back to haunt June in the present day? She's determined to leave no stone unturned.
It's incredibly difficult to write this review without spoilers. I'm going to heavily allude to a few spoilers from this book, so stop reading here if you think you might want to read this one! I really thought this was going to be a "dead husband turns up from the grave" storyline...we didn't get that, but what we did get may have been even richer. Not one but TWO instances of identical "twins" completely changing the course of their entire families' lives. Who knew a mistaken identity twist could be so hokey?! I'm sorry y'all but I just didn't buy it at all. You're trying to tell me their own spouses couldn't identify them? What a load of baloney. I know identical twins who are both married and their husbands don't seem to have any trouble at all telling them apart. We even get a "Parent Trap"-esque twin switch with two characters who aren't! even! twins! Once again, this is beyond the realm of believable. The reader is supposed to buy that their own kids couldn't tell them apart. This screams, author had a book deadline coming up, didn't delve into her research enough, and had to go with what she had. The final conclusion of this book was so disappointing, I'm actually embarrassed for Flynn. I was looking forward to finding out how everything would resolve, but found myself bewildered and upset...to be honest, I just had to laugh at how ridiculous it all was. Also, we literally NEVER find out the truth behind Michelle's death and that was a major plot point in this story! I'm going to try to get all of these characters and this plot out of my head ASAP so I can move on to bigger and better mysteries. Audios!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of Till Death Do Us Part!
Plot: June is a young widow, still mourning the mysterious death of her husband, Josh. Now, he's been gone for ten years and June is trying to fully move on with her new fiancé, Kyle. Bev, Josh's mom, has been married to her college sweetheart, Dave, for 2 decades, but life on their vineyard hasn't been all they imagined. Josh's high school girlfriend dies in a tragic accident on their property and the Kellys' lives are turned upside down. How could the events of the past come back to haunt June in the present day? She's determined to leave no stone unturned.
It's incredibly difficult to write this review without spoilers. I'm going to heavily allude to a few spoilers from this book, so stop reading here if you think you might want to read this one! I really thought this was going to be a "dead husband turns up from the grave" storyline...we didn't get that, but what we did get may have been even richer. Not one but TWO instances of identical "twins" completely changing the course of their entire families' lives. Who knew a mistaken identity twist could be so hokey?! I'm sorry y'all but I just didn't buy it at all. You're trying to tell me their own spouses couldn't identify them? What a load of baloney. I know identical twins who are both married and their husbands don't seem to have any trouble at all telling them apart. We even get a "Parent Trap"-esque twin switch with two characters who aren't! even! twins! Once again, this is beyond the realm of believable. The reader is supposed to buy that their own kids couldn't tell them apart. This screams, author had a book deadline coming up, didn't delve into her research enough, and had to go with what she had. The final conclusion of this book was so disappointing, I'm actually embarrassed for Flynn. I was looking forward to finding out how everything would resolve, but found myself bewildered and upset...to be honest, I just had to laugh at how ridiculous it all was. Also, we literally NEVER find out the truth behind Michelle's death and that was a major plot point in this story! I'm going to try to get all of these characters and this plot out of my head ASAP so I can move on to bigger and better mysteries. Audios!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of Till Death Do Us Part!
April 24, 2024
I was so excited to dive into this book - the premise seemed so intriguing. A man dies, unexplained a week after getting married and from what i gathered a body was never recovered.
The story goes back and forth to different POVs, different time lines - just it was A LOT.
I felt all of the characters were extremely unlikeable and it extremely hard to connect to them and want the best / their goal in the story. I felt like there was way too much going on between looking for the supposedly dead husband to planning a wedding to having the potentially not dead husband cheating on the new wife.
I felt like my head was spinning the entire time and it just wasn’t a book for me.
The story goes back and forth to different POVs, different time lines - just it was A LOT.
I felt all of the characters were extremely unlikeable and it extremely hard to connect to them and want the best / their goal in the story. I felt like there was way too much going on between looking for the supposedly dead husband to planning a wedding to having the potentially not dead husband cheating on the new wife.
I felt like my head was spinning the entire time and it just wasn’t a book for me.
May 21, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley, Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, and Simon & Schuster Publishing for this arc out August 13,2024!
We start off meeting June, who is mourning the loss of her husband Josh. After a quick elopement, a week of marital bliss, he is declared dead. As we navigate her story line, we swap to the past with Bev, to learn about her life. Bev is Josh’s mom, so we get a glimpse into the start of his life and adulthood.
June never really understood how they declared her husband dead…. They say he drowned but his last text message to her just didn’t make sense. As she struggles with grief, she has this maddening thought that he’s truly not gone. She sees him out in places, in pictures, at her work. But is it her mind playing tricks on her? At moments in the book when she thought she saw her husband, I felt for her. I can’t imagine grieving someone you loved so much, only to have your mind mess with you even more.
Bev… she was an interesting character. I don’t know that I liked her from the start, yet my heart hurt for her too at times. She didn’t have the easiest life either, coming from a broken home and trying her best ( or maybe not her best ) to not make the same mistakes in her relationship.
As both stories came closer and closer together, I found myself trying to guess the final pieces. One hunch was right, one was wrong, and although I didn’t feel the intense thriller vibe in this novel, I really did enjoy the mystery and pull it had. It kept me on the edge the entire time, and I flew through it!
Would definitely recommend!
We start off meeting June, who is mourning the loss of her husband Josh. After a quick elopement, a week of marital bliss, he is declared dead. As we navigate her story line, we swap to the past with Bev, to learn about her life. Bev is Josh’s mom, so we get a glimpse into the start of his life and adulthood.
June never really understood how they declared her husband dead…. They say he drowned but his last text message to her just didn’t make sense. As she struggles with grief, she has this maddening thought that he’s truly not gone. She sees him out in places, in pictures, at her work. But is it her mind playing tricks on her? At moments in the book when she thought she saw her husband, I felt for her. I can’t imagine grieving someone you loved so much, only to have your mind mess with you even more.
Bev… she was an interesting character. I don’t know that I liked her from the start, yet my heart hurt for her too at times. She didn’t have the easiest life either, coming from a broken home and trying her best ( or maybe not her best ) to not make the same mistakes in her relationship.
As both stories came closer and closer together, I found myself trying to guess the final pieces. One hunch was right, one was wrong, and although I didn’t feel the intense thriller vibe in this novel, I really did enjoy the mystery and pull it had. It kept me on the edge the entire time, and I flew through it!
Would definitely recommend!
March 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I requested this title as it seemed a bit different with the wine spin as I enjoy fermentation science. It’s why I gave the book 3 stars as it’s a personal interest to me.
However, the side information to start of the books sections while they give good science info they have no connection to the story. While yes most takes place on a vineyard or connection to vineyards the actual vignettes have no bearing on the action. They don’t even serve as metaphors. It just seems like randomness for the sake of being different.
This could be excused if the characters were likable . They aren’t. You don’t want to root for them in any way. The one family is just awful in their behaviors during different parts of their lives.. I won’t post spoilers but boy.. Poor Michelle.
Now I’d this was changed into a thriller that addressed the messed up decision making of Bev and her sister than maybe it would have been redeemable but that wasn’t the case.
Lastly, the other story line about what happened to Josh? WTF? It’s like a page count was reached so it became an after thought of something thrown together in an epilogue.
So disappointing…
I requested this title as it seemed a bit different with the wine spin as I enjoy fermentation science. It’s why I gave the book 3 stars as it’s a personal interest to me.
However, the side information to start of the books sections while they give good science info they have no connection to the story. While yes most takes place on a vineyard or connection to vineyards the actual vignettes have no bearing on the action. They don’t even serve as metaphors. It just seems like randomness for the sake of being different.
This could be excused if the characters were likable . They aren’t. You don’t want to root for them in any way. The one family is just awful in their behaviors during different parts of their lives.. I won’t post spoilers but boy.. Poor Michelle.
Now I’d this was changed into a thriller that addressed the messed up decision making of Bev and her sister than maybe it would have been redeemable but that wasn’t the case.
Lastly, the other story line about what happened to Josh? WTF? It’s like a page count was reached so it became an after thought of something thrown together in an epilogue.
So disappointing…
July 6, 2024
thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review!
yeah this book unfortunately didn't do it for me. it is a sloooow start, for one thing. even at the end, it wasn't even remotely a thriller. it's twisty, but not a thriller. it does eventually pick up, but the book is full of sentences like "it's just so bad that terrible thing happened to X" that get repeated for like four chapters, and then when you find out what happened to X it's super underwhelming.
also like avoiding spoilers but unless I completely missed something one of the biggest mysteries is NEVER solved and there are just a lot of questions left at the end in a very unsatisfying way. all that and the ending is somehow ridiculous and outlandish, too. so like not great.
but the biggest reason this is getting two stars is like Laurie Elizabeth Flynn your last book was great but holy shit I do not need to read this much about wine and how wine is made and all the different kinds of wine. like at times it was almost charming because it's clearly something the author is very interested in, but it was also SO EXCESSIVE!!!
yeah this book unfortunately didn't do it for me. it is a sloooow start, for one thing. even at the end, it wasn't even remotely a thriller. it's twisty, but not a thriller. it does eventually pick up, but the book is full of sentences like "it's just so bad that terrible thing happened to X" that get repeated for like four chapters, and then when you find out what happened to X it's super underwhelming.
also like avoiding spoilers but unless I completely missed something one of the biggest mysteries is NEVER solved and there are just a lot of questions left at the end in a very unsatisfying way. all that and the ending is somehow ridiculous and outlandish, too. so like not great.
but the biggest reason this is getting two stars is like Laurie Elizabeth Flynn your last book was great but holy shit I do not need to read this much about wine and how wine is made and all the different kinds of wine. like at times it was almost charming because it's clearly something the author is very interested in, but it was also SO EXCESSIVE!!!
March 22, 2024
Till Death Do Us Part
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Seven days after I was pronounced his wife, I became Josh Kelly’s widow”
What a way to start a book! I loved how each chapter had a small tidbit of the past sprinkled into the story. The narrative alternated between June's search for answers after her new engagement and Bev's life in the early 2000s. She was trying to keep herself happy while maintaining a family she wasn't sure she even wanted. At first, I wasn't sure how the two women were connected, but as each chapter progressed, it was so cool to see two different lives unfolding at different times while being incredibly intertwined.
My opinion of the characters changed so often due to Laurie's storytelling. I thought I had the story figured out, but then she made it seem like the story was over and left me feeling empty. I still had so many questions, and I felt like I didn't know what had happened. Until the epilogue.
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“Seven days after I was pronounced his wife, I became Josh Kelly’s widow”
What a way to start a book! I loved how each chapter had a small tidbit of the past sprinkled into the story. The narrative alternated between June's search for answers after her new engagement and Bev's life in the early 2000s. She was trying to keep herself happy while maintaining a family she wasn't sure she even wanted. At first, I wasn't sure how the two women were connected, but as each chapter progressed, it was so cool to see two different lives unfolding at different times while being incredibly intertwined.
My opinion of the characters changed so often due to Laurie's storytelling. I thought I had the story figured out, but then she made it seem like the story was over and left me feeling empty. I still had so many questions, and I felt like I didn't know what had happened. Until the epilogue.
March 2, 2024
Ten years ago June’s husband Josh drowned on their honeymoon. Present day, June has moved on; she owns a wine bar in Brooklyn, is engaged and happy again. Until one day she thinks she sees Josh, and her whole world is turned upside down. Till Death Do Us Part will totally knock you for a loop, and just when you feel steady on your feet, you’ll get dizzy all over again! The less you know going in the better, as this intricately layered story unfolds through different timelines with the mystery of Josh’s drowning intertwined with a blistering love story. This is my favorite book of the year to date, and I was hooked from start to finish. Absolutely loved it! I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2024
The premise of this book was solid. What would you do if you saw your dead husband staring at you in the park? Plus we get wine country and wine tastings, which I love.
We get two stories here: current-day June who is looking for answers about her dead husband and Bev, the dead husband's mom, in the past. I struggled to understand why a lot of the characters made most of the choices they made.
Overall, the very slow burn didn't work for me. The flashing back and forward didn't add anything because we got so few additional details in the flashbacks that it almost felt like its own novel. Further, the mystery resolution largely relied on a lot of coincidences, assumptions that people are apparently clueless and completely unobservant, and a big reveal in the epilogue that wasn't set up in any way throughout the book.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
We get two stories here: current-day June who is looking for answers about her dead husband and Bev, the dead husband's mom, in the past. I struggled to understand why a lot of the characters made most of the choices they made.
Overall, the very slow burn didn't work for me. The flashing back and forward didn't add anything because we got so few additional details in the flashbacks that it almost felt like its own novel. Further, the mystery resolution largely relied on a lot of coincidences, assumptions that people are apparently clueless and completely unobservant, and a big reveal in the epilogue that wasn't set up in any way throughout the book.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
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