While I initially enjoyed this book, I felt that the longer it went in, the more it dragged. I couldn’t get behind the main characters, not because of what they were doing (I love a good morally grey character), but because I found it all a little plain and uneventful. The writing was good, as was the plot twist at the end. I did like the dual POV as well, it added to the overall story. A mixed bag for me!

I would like to thank Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is addictive! 4*

When I first picked this book up, I immediately thought of the film Mr and Mrs Smith (2005) - not the 2024 version, thank you very much. I don't know what I expected from Mackay's novel as this is my first time I've read anything of hers. I felt suffocated, perhaps that's not the best word to use but it was extremely tense at some points and I loved every moment of this book. Have you ever read a book where you need to read on but also scared about what happens next? This is that book for me. I was crippled by the unpredictability by it.

How was that achieved? Simply, the characters. Well-thought out and complex people. I normally dislike two POVs but I do really love Haze and Fox. I naturally prefer Hazel but how she describes married life and life as a mother in modern suburban Britain honestly speaks to me. Although I am both childless and single, I completely understood the expectations and difficulties regarding this. I think if you are either married or married with child(ren) then this book will speak to you. The complaints and difficulties spoke of in this book are things I hear regularly from my married friends. Fox - in my head - is an attractive American and elite but I can't hate him not after what life threw at him. However, Hazel will always have my heart. She's witty, hilarious and just true to herself. Life has been an absolute disaster for her but she's the most authentic character I've ever read in a while. She's not two-dimensional. Hazel is at the heart of this novel.

The structure of this book is clever. I loved the whole idea of it of how a marriage is structured; from honeymoon to hiatus, this book was exceptionally clever.

I will be recommending this book when it is finally released in January 2025.

A very fun story about the difficulties of marriage and serial killing! I read it in one sitting and was totally engrossed for the whole time. Although it is definitely a story about getting away with murder, Mackay also talks about the difficulties of losing sense of yourself in long term relationships and adjusting to parenthood.