Oooohhhh, quite the delicious mystery! Poor June is just trying to move on with her life after her husband drowns but keeps coming back to the holes in the story of how it happened. She is a brave and strong woman who doesn’t let anyone get in the way of finding the answers.

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.

Till Death Do Us Part grapples with the reality of moving on and accepting love after unimaginable loss. June never had closure after the love of her life, Josh, mysteriously drowned on their honeymoon. Convinced he’s still alive or that there was foul play, June struggles to fully give her heart away again. Even after 10 years and an engagement to another man, she’s desperate for answers before saying ‘I do’ once more. Did Josh fake his death? If so, why?

Told in alternating timelines and a dual POV, you get an inside look at June’s desperation for the truth and a glimpse at Josh’s childhood (as told by his mother, Bev). The author does a great job of balancing the two narratives and slowly giving enough information to keep you hooked. While the backstory took some serious buildup, at about 40% in you start getting whiplash from the twists and turns that this thriller takes.

My theories evolved and changed as more answers were revealed. I will say I did not see the ending coming… at all. 😳 With that being said, the book almost had too many curveballs and didn’t completely clear up all loose ends. There were still unanswered questions that left me bothered after finishing.

As the two timelines collided, I had expectations of a mind blowing revelation, which ultimately fell somewhat flat. I questioned the believability of certain aspects.

If you’re able to suspend reality and want a rollercoaster of a read where there’s no way you’ll guess the twists, this is definitely the book for you! Pour yourself a glass of wine and hold on for a crazy ride!! 🍷🤪

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

okay wow! I absolutely loved this book. The duel timeline was written flawlessly, keeping you reading and hooked by them so often ending on cliff hangers. The writing was done so well, really getting immersed with the story and the characters and trying to figure out how to feel towards each of them, wanting to know who to trust along the way. There were so many twists, turns and secrets. Once I got going, it was hard to put it down! The times that I did put it down I found myself just wanted to get back to the story and finding out what happens.
There was one twist that didn't quite make sense to me on how it truly worked out...but besides that it was still an amazing read. I really love Laurie Elizabeth Flynn's writing style and the depth she puts into the story.
There is a lot of vineyard and wine discussion in this book too which was interesting to read about and get to know more about. I don't like wine, but it did make me want to have a glass while reading!

Thank you Netgalley, Simon & Schuster and the author for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Till Death Do Us Part by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn is a wild ride with so many twists and turns that you'll be shocked when you skid to the ending! The dual timeline works well here and your heart will break for June and the love she lost on her honeymoon, no less. Finally ready to get married again, 10 years after losing her true love, she starts seeing her first love Jake around her wine bar in NYC, which leads her to start searching for Jake in Napa Valley where he was from. But what she uncovers shakes her to her core and makes her question everything she thought was real. Don't miss this one! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

*** I received an e-ARC of this book from Simon & Schuster through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review***

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

June and her first husband Josh had a whirlwind romance that ended in tragedy when Josh presumably drowned on their honeymoon. His body was never found, and June was convinced foul play was involved. Ten years later after working through her grief, June gets engaged to her now boyfriend Kyle. Shortly after, June starts seeing Josh in public. Is it the guilt from moving on? Or is Josh still alive? Unable to shake these questions, June begins to delve into Josh’s past unbeknown to Kyle and her friends. The more information she uncovers, the more she wonders if she really knew Josh. And how much does she know really about Kyle?

Laurie Elizabeth Flynn has weaved a suspenseful story that will keep you turning the pages. I enjoyed the dual POVs, and most of the twist were unexpected and realistic. The epilogue was shocking and left me stunned. I followed the clues and still did not see that coming. I would definitely recommend reading this one.

Thank you Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley.

If you're looking for a wild ride, TILL DEATH DO US PART might be just the ticket.

Yes, you will need to suspend your disbelief a bit. That didn't bother me, however, because I was quickly immersed in the story world.

June's story is full of twists as she tries to uncover the truth. Man, there are a lot of crazy secrets along the way.

The dual timeline structure is handled expertly, and the tension sets up for good thriller-like pacing.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Awfully awkward when your dead first husband pops up for your second wedding! I enjoyed the dual time line in this twisty debut.

I requested to read “Till Death Do Us Part” by Laura Elizabeth Flynn. June had a storybook romance that ended with the sudden death of her groom, Josh, on their honeymoon. After ten years, she is ready to move forward with Kyle. But as she begins to plan her wedding to him, she discovers that her first love may not be so dead after all when she sees him in connection to a family winery in Napa Valley. Hence, perplexing Kyle, she heads to California to seek answers.

I liked the premise of people not being who you expect them to be. Since the story is told in alternating timelines, the reader gets an idea of June’s relationship with Josh as well her search to determine whether he is still alive and if so, why.

The author does an excellent job in balancing the two narrative as well as revealing information on a need to know basis. Keep in mind, the reader is given a lot of backstory but if you are willing to hold on, it will be quite the unexpected ride.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Whoa. Wow. Before I began “Til Death…” I read some of the reviews regarding same. I don’t disagree the “suspend disbelief, not probable, etc” but I read for the escape & if every book was as believable & plausible as my day to day life…that wouldn’t be an escape, IMO. I loved that there were times in here that I finished a chapter & had to pause my reading to think ‘Whoa. Wow. Ok’. THAT is immensely enjoyable to me. I enjoyed this even more than “The Girls Are All So Nice Here”. Mind blowing, enjoyable escapism at its complete best!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read Till Death Do Us Part by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn.

Whoa!

You think you know - but you don't.

What a mind blower this is!

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.

Till Death Do Us Part by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn is a roller coaster of a ride. Filled with plenty of twists and surprises and oh that ending. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and both were great, can’t wait for her next book. Thanks to Netgalley for this arc.

I absolutely loved this book! The details about wine were incredible, the characters were well-developed and felt very real, and the twists were amazing. I could not put it down! There was one twist I didn’t fully understand or feel like it could actually have happened, but besides that, this was a five-star read for me.

June and Josh had a whirlwind romance, but the marriage went out with the tide, when Josh disappeared in the ocean, presumed drowned, on their honeymoon. June believed Josh had been murdered, based on the last text she received from him, which was not consistent with his texting habits. For a while after his death, she kept thinking she saw him (no body was found), but it was never him. Ten years later she has a successful natural wine bar and is engaged to Kyle, who is a great guy. However, as she is looking at possible wedding/honeymoon venues in Napa Valley, she runs across a small family winery run by Andrew and Sadie Smith. Andrew looks just like Josh, and the winery is in the same area as the winery where Josh grew up. June sneaks off to Napa to confront Andrew/Josh.

However, what she will find in Napa is not at all what she expected and will call into question multiple relationships. In addition to June’s story is the story of Bev, Josh’s mother, and the Golden Grape, the family winery, and the events that will tear the family apart. The family has lots of secrets that will be revealed, but some secrets will remain hidden and questions unanswered.

The story starts off somewhat slow, especially as it is not apparent for a while why Bev’s story is important. However, once it gets going, there are plenty of plot twists, some of which are quite surprising.

If you are interested in winemaking, you will enjoy the discussion of the winemaking process, and the factors that influence the taste and quality of the wine.

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.