Four friends made a vow 12 years ago to never speak about a fateful night. They have now met up again for a destination wedding, only when they arrive things start to go wrong and they soon start to think someone is trying to punish them.

This sounded like a fun, simple read and it ended up being an entertaining thriller. I enjoyed the Australian setting and the wedding location. The story is told in the friend’s different voices and I found this compelling, especially discovering their individual backstories and relationship with one another. There is also a past narrative that helps build the background story.

Even though the characters were interesting, I found I didn’t really form a connection with any of them and I also found the story quite predictable, guessing the main reveal early on. Even so, I had fun discovering what the vow was and found this to be a simple, solid thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up

Twelve years ago, school friends Sofia, Ellie and Rose made a vow. They promised never to talk about that fateful night. Never to tell anyone what they did. Since then, they've all followed very different paths, but as they come together to celebrate Ellie's destination wedding, it promises to be a weekend to remember....

It's meant to be the event of the season, but as things start to go wrong, they suspect someone is trying to punish them. But if the women took a vow of silence, how can anyone know? And what lengths will they be willing to go to get their revenge?

Published 19th June 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #StafanieLondon for my ARC of #TheVow in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly I thought the title of the book was really clever, the dual meaning of The Vow..

This book is excellent. Told in Dual timeline from multiple POVs it really captivates the reader and the fast pace keeps those pages turning.

None of the characters are particularly likeable in my mind and that also made things interesting! Perfect ending.

Ellie, Sofia, and Rose share a deep-seated friendship that blossomed during their school days, but beneath the surface lies a secret they've guarded for years—one that they fear is no longer under wraps and could incite someone’s desire for revenge.

This fast-paced thriller is narrated from the perspectives of the three protagonists, skillfully weaving together dual timelines. While the frequent shifts between past and present made it somewhat challenging to keep track of the narrative, the story ultimately proved to be an engaging and swift read. Overall, it delivers a compelling experience that keeps you on your toes.

It’s the wedding of the year for all the wrong reasons. Ellie is a successful actress and is about to marry Mitch. She heads to the venue in advance with her two best friends Rose and Sofia. They’ve been friends since school and share a dark secret. Something they vowed never to discuss again. However soon after arriving at the wedding venue, things start to go awry and it certainly promises to be a weekend to remember. It seems someone is out to punish them. A fast paced novel that will keep you guessing to the end. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.

A slow burner of a book dealing with the story of 3 friends,long kept secrets and then the inevitable secret resurfacing years later
Good characters and interesting to see how their lives had taken very different paths
At times wanted it to move on quicker but on the whole a good read

The Vow – ★★★½
By Stefanie London

It’s meant to be the wedding of the season—but for Sofia, Ellie, and Rose, it’s the start of something much darker. Once inseparable high school friends, the trio made a pact twelve years ago to never speak of a terrible night that changed everything. Now reunited at Ellie’s luxe destination wedding—held at an isolated lighthouse-turned-venue—their past is catching up with them. Someone knows their secret. And they want revenge.

I love when thrillers are set in Victoria, and The Vow absolutely delivers on location. One of the characters even lives in Narre Warren, which made me do a double-take—it’s so rare to see familiar Aussie suburbs in commercial fiction! That said, the opening prologue felt a little too corny for my taste and nearly lost me early on, but I’m glad I pushed through.

The strength of this book lies in the dynamic between its three flawed but compelling women. Their loyalty, simmering tensions—especially between Rose and the others—and emotional baggage add a layer of realism and depth. Each voice is distinct, and the alternating past/present chapters build a clear picture of how their friendship fractured and why the past still haunts them.

While the mystery kept me hooked with well-timed red herrings and a few satisfying twists, I did find the “big secret” a bit predictable, and the ending came on a little too suddenly. The final reveal is followed by a sharp time jump, wrapping things up a bit too neatly. A few extra chapters could’ve given the story the breathing room it needed.

I also struggled at times to connect with the main characters—there were moments where they felt more grating than sympathetic. The suspense occasionally leaned too heavily on vague hints and cryptic conversations. Still, the lighthouse setting was a nice touch, and overall it’s a fast-paced, engaging read that will appeal to fans of domestic thrillers looking for something light but layered.

Thank you to the author, Stefanie London, the publisher Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This book was just ok for me. I felt like it dragged on a bit.

Sofia and Ellie are highly successful ladies and their friend Rose is a happily married mother of one. However, they have a dark secret from their past that they vowed never to share with anyone. Ever. Ellie, now a Hollywood actress is about to be married to Mitch and Sofia, a wedding planner is helping her with her dream wedding. Located at a remote spot on the Australian coast, it is the private retreat that is perfect for someone in the public eye who just wants her friends and family to enjoy the happiest day of her life without any press intrusion. The excitement is building but as things start to go wrong, the girls wonder if the event is cursed and maybe they are getting payback for their past misdemeanours. This can’t be true though, as they promised they would never speak of the incident again, or could it? This book was told from two different time lines and also from various perspectives. It was quite an involved and complex story but I felt that the unspeakable incident could have been revealed earlier in the book so the reader understood the severity. The characters were somewhat annoying with their egos, entitlement and issues. The relationships between the girls and their families were fraught with difficulties. Nevertheless it was well told and the dramatic conclusion was a good twist that provided the necessary shock.

Twelve years ago, school friends Sofia, Ellie and Rose made a vow. They promised never to talk about that fateful night. Never to tell anyone what they did.
Since then, they’ve all followed very different paths but as they come together to celebrate Ellie’s destination wedding it promises to be a weekend to remember…
It is meant to be the event of the season, but as things start to go wrong, they suspect someone is trying to punish them.

I found this book an easy read with well-defined characters but it didn't drive me. The pace was a little slow but it kept me reading, but only just.

My thanks to #NetGally for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A complex novel of friendship, loyalty and murder. Intriguing concept and interesting location...a lighthouse with accommodation and a wedding venue. Lovely.
An enjoyable read.

I enjoyed this fast paced thriller. The 3 POVs was a cool way to tell this story and easy to follow. The story was full of twists which I love. I thought one thing and boy was I wrong. First time reading this author. Will read more for sure.
Very enjoyable read.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The Vow" is a tale of family, friendship and most critically, revenge! Sofia, Ellie and Rose have been friends since school, especially since and event that occurred during their schooldays, some 12 years previously. This event is hinted at but we do not learn the truth until late in the story.
The trio have been living completely different lives, but reunite for Ellie's wedding. And the differences between their current lives and "that event" are about to cause havoc as rivalry and revenge play out with fatal consequences.
A fastpaced and fun read.

was accepted to read this book before official publication through NetGalley and below is my honest review.

I loved this book!! All throughout I thought it was a high end 4 star but I really liked the ending so it ended up being 5 star!

The story is told through POVs of our 3 female main characters - Rose, Ellie and Sofia. They are connected for life as they all share the same secret.

I audibly gasped at a couple of points because they really caught me off guard. It was the perfect balance of suspense and tense - I thought I knew what was going on (as always) but I was wrong!

I did find that some of the chapters were quite long which usually I’m not a fan of but the writing style and pace was fab so I saw past that 😂

The ending for me was FAB. It may not be for everyone but it shocked me and I loved it.

Overall, I give this book 5 stars!

Suspenseful and interesting. Definitely a good thriller. Anti romances are great and out of my normal realm of reading but I really enjoyed it.

In the realm of psychological thrillers, few novels manage to intertwine complexity, emotion, and suspense as seamlessly as The Vow. The narrative unfolds through multiple viewpoints, each character's perspective adding depth and nuance to the unfolding mystery. Stefanie London masterfully navigates between two distinct timeframes, creating a tapestry of events that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Her skillful manipulation of time and perspective ensures that the story remains unpredictable, with each chapter revealing new layers and twists.

What truly sets The Vow apart is its ability to defy expectations. The ending is both surprising and satisfying, a rare feat in a genre often dominated by formulaic conclusions. The characters are richly developed, their motivations and actions driving the plot in ways that feel both organic and compelling.

For fans of gripping, intelligent thrillers, I highly recommend The Vow, which stands apart as one of the best I've read this year! London’s writing is a testament to the power of storytelling and the art of suspense. For those who appreciate intricate plots, well-drawn characters, and an ending that leaves a lasting impression, I highly recommended this novel! Prepare to be utterly absorbed and unable to put this book down!

3 friends Ellie, Sofia and Rose make a secret vow in school years ago never to speak of a particular incident that occured. Now 12 years later, and the 3 friends are all reunited for Ellie's Destination wedding at an isolated Lighthouse.

But things soon start to go wrong. Someone is desperately trying to sabotage each of the women's personal lives and also the wedding. Someone is out to make them pay for what happened all those years ago.

This was a great summer thriller, with an interesting plot. The story was told in dual timelines and alternating perspectives of the 3 women. It had good pacing and good character development. I was invested in all 3 characters stories and I liked the fact that they were equally interesting - I couldn't pick a favourite - they all had their issues and demons they were dealing with.

I also loved the plot twists in the book - did not see them coming at all.

Rated 4 ⭐

Thanks to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book for an honest review

Cape Turmoil- the name alone would seem to rule it out as a place for a wedding but it's what Ellie wants. And it turns out, probably wasn't the best choice. Ellie, Rose, and Sofia tell this twisty tale that moves between something that happened in 2013 that they agreed to keep secret (no spoilers) and the present when that secret is coming back to haunt them. This has all the crazy twisty vibes you want in a popcorn thriller. The three women are well written, the plot nicely paced, and the writing will keep you turning the pages. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read for travel or the beach.

This unfortunately didn’t work for me. I just couldn’t get into it at all. I couldn’t get on with the characters and felt the book dragged on a bit.

A destination wedding for a friend sees a vow that a group of friends made about their past be revealed, making the friends question each other's loyalty.

Well well well, look what we have here. A thriller scenario that is not unique but delivered by knocking it right out of the park! With so many twists and red herrings, I found myself shaking my head in awe at the way the author crafted this clever story. The characters were easy to keep track of and I loved the ending too.