I seem to have taught my dog a bad habit. On any day that I work from home – which, thankfully for both my wallet and my waistline, isn’t every day – the time comes for me to turn the computer off and give her her dinner. After which, she tells me – with much excited dancing and wagging of her tail – that it’s time to go to the pub and have some crisps. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement, because she’ll share a packet of said crisps – Walkers plain are her favourite, but she’s not fussy – and then wait patiently for me to have a couple of pints and read a few chapters of my book before she decides that it’s time to go home.

Last week, though, Bonnie’s plans may have gone a bit awry. Yes, we went to the pub as usual. But I have absolutely no idea how long we stayed, or for how much time she had to wait for me to leave. Because the book I had taken to read was For Better, For Worse, the latest psychological thriller by Lauren North.

I often think that a measure of how good a book is is how easily you can read it when life is full of distractions. And whilst Lauren is typically very, very good at writing gripping page-turners, she may have surpassed even herself with this one. I was utterly and totally glued.

It tells the story of Jake and Hannah, and begins a week before their forthcoming wedding. Hannah has persuaded Jake to go on a romantic long weekend in the south of France, just to get a break from the stress of the planning and spend some time together. The scene is heavenly: a walk in the countryside and a blissful swim together. Of course, you know immediately that things are going to go horribly wrong but not as horribly, or as quickly as then happens. Thereafter the chapters are short and punchy, and each one adds another layer of mystery, tension and intrigue.

I devoured the first three-quarters of the book in a single evening, stopping only after my eyes refused to stay open any longer and my hands had lost their ability to keep hold of my kindle. At this point, the only critical thing I could think of to say was that I wondered why the chapters narrated by Hannah are in the first person, whilst those told by Jake are in the third. Let’s be clear: this didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book in any way. I just wondered about it, in the way that I might wonder why the Nottinghamshire town of Southwell has a silent W in its name, but the Essex town of Chigwell does not.

Whatever, I picked the book up again a few days later – yes, sorry, life got in the way again – but it effortlessly sucked me back in and had me devouring the pages, right up to the wedding day, and the big reveal, and …

Er …

What the actual ****?

Big twists are fantastic if there’s been just the right amount of foreshadowing in the chapters leading up to them. Clues that you haven’t noticed, because you’ve been too absorbed by the writing. This one isn’t like that. To put it simply, and hopefully without giving spoilers away, you have to accept that every single word you’ve been told up to now is a lie. And whilst that’s wonderfully entertaining, it does mean that some parts of the only chapters don’t quite make sense.

I’d love to say that I enjoyed the book so much I didn’t mind, but the problem for me is that I did mind really. Think of it as having ordered a beefburger – if you’re vegetarian, humour me for a minute – and realising that it’s the most tender, succulent, delicious one you’ve ever tasted. Only to then be told that actually, it wasn’t made from meat.

In one sense – and arguably the only sense that matters – it's not important. But at the same time, you could hardly be blamed if you felt a little bit cheated.

My thanks to Bookouture for my inclusion on the blog tour, and to Netgalley for the digital ARC. I have reviewed the book voluntarily and honestly.

Lauren North writes the kind of books that are perfect to read on holiday, and For Better, For Worse is no exception.

When I started reading, I felt like this was going to be the same as many other psychological thrillers I have read. Not a bad thing, I often crave the comfort of the familiar. I could not have been more wrong though. By the time the reveal came, not only did I have no clue as to where the story was going, but I gasped when I read it.

And then... there was more!

There is one reveal that I felt could have been kept until later for another shock-inducing gasp, but I am being picky now!

For Better, For Worse by @lauren_c_north was absolutely incredible! It follows Hannah and Jake in the chaotic two weeks leading up to their wedding, and let me tell you: the twists were twisting. I thought I might have known how this was going to go, and then I kept getting confused, and that makes an incredible thriller in my mind! I don’t want to see the reveal coming, and Lauren did just that in this incredible story. I can’t wait to read more of her stories!

Oof this one packed a punch. From the moment the couple find the body to the very last page, the tension didn't let up, the twists didn't stop coming and I couldn't stop reading.
I didn't guess what was going to happen at any point during this one and I always love when that happens. I will definitely be looking for the rest of this authors books.

Well, when a book promises you that it is packed full of twists it needs to live up to that and I can assure you that For Better, For Worse has more than its fair share!! At one point I had to take a quick break to let my brain catch up!

Told in alternate POV by Jake and Hannah, this gripping story starts off with an horrific crime scene that comes unexpectedly for the engaged couple whilst on a pre wedding break. The scene has been set up to make it look like the couple have committed the crime but who would do such a thing to them and why? That’s the question that follows the happy couple in the days leading up to their wedding putting a strain on their relationship and that’s when things start to get very twisty indeed!

I devoured this book in an evening-it was just brilliantly crafted and so easy to get lost in that I just couldn’t put it down! I loved the dual POV and the fact that I knew there was something not quite right but I just couldn’t for the life of me work out what it was! Jake and Hannah seem determined to keep to the plan with their wedding day but it was obvious something was very wrong…and that’s when the twists started and didn’t give up! Yes I know I keep going back to the twists but I really did love the way the author used them to bring this shocking psychological thriller to its climax!

A gripping read and one that is highly recommended by me!

Hannah and Jake should be enjoying their pre wedding getaway, instead they are left disposing of a body and evidence that points straight to them after a body is left in Hannah’s family’s cottage in France.

After returning home they begin to receive messages and videos threatening to spill their secret, they have to now find out who is blackmailing them so they can get married and stay out of prison.

A twisty story which kept surprising me as I read on. I loved the ending and didn’t see it coming.

Tense, thrilling and packed with suspense. I could not put this book down - read it in one heart pounding sitting. Just wow!

This was such a brilliant read it drew me in from the very start. It was so twisty and it had me second guessing everyone.

Jake and Hannah decide to have a few days away relaxing before their upcoming wedding. However, things soon turn out to be the complete opposite from the blissful break they imagined.

The story is told from the POV’s of both Jake and Hannah. There is so much tension and intrigue, I had no idea how things were going to turn out. The twists totally blindsided me!

Definitely recommend this one if you love stories full of suspense and twists.

Thank you to Bookouture for having me on the tour and for my gifted ebook.

A pre wedding weekend away in France to Hannah's parents luxury holiday home should be nice and romantic for her and her fiance Jake before the big day. But the weekend starts on a bad note when a local man Claude argues with Jake about the wedding. Apparently Hannahs parents don't approve of their upcoming nuptials. Trying to forget everything the couple go for a walk but on their return, they are confronted with Claudes dead body and all the evidence points to the couple murdering him. Their lives just go into freefall from this moment on due to some of the decisions they make.
This is a great novel full of intruige and distrust. I couldn't decide which of the couple to believe, both of them had secrets and the book was written in such way that I was blindsided by many of the twists. It's sure to be another success for the talented Lauren North
I have shared my review on Goodreads, Bookmory, Storygraph, Amazon and Waterstones

Jake & Hannah definitely experienced some “for better” days and some “for worse” days! The couple experienced some insane moments in this emotionally charged domestic thriller. The author built a suspenseful tone that keeps you guessing until the end. It’s obvious that “something” is going on and working against this couple, but I didn’t expect this story to unfold the way that it did. The lines between truth and perception were constantly blurred, which is why I didn’t see the twist coming.

Overall a solid read that I think domestic thriller fans will enjoy. This was my first by Lauren North, but won’t be my last. Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Another addictive read from this author whose books I always enjoy

Jake and Hannah,on a romantic pre wedding break are suddenly faced with a personal and joint dilemma and were more than interesting characters,just how much do you know the person you love and are about to marry……..and how much are you prepared to lie?……do you intend to keep to the wedding vows you are soon to be making….and are now being tested pre wedding

The book had me thinking I had worked it all out more than once and that I had guessed the ending,of course I hadn’t and I was taken by surprise,always good and puts your reading ‘know it all status’ down a peg or three

Exciting and unpredictable read

The beginning of this book is one of my favorites for a thriller and sucked me right in! As Jake and Hannah are enjoying a trip away from home, paradise quickly transforms into a nightmare. While the pacing was a bit slower at times, the details were vivid and nothing was left to the imagination.

The twists were perfectly placed, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the author was throwing in another curveball. I can honestly say, I didn’t expect that ending. This was a gripping read that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC copy!

The perfect pre-wedding getaway. The perfect murder. The perfect trap...

For Better, For Worse by Lauren North is a fast-paced domestic thriller that while a bit over the top plot wise, kept me engaged throughout!!

With only two weeks to go until their wedding, Hannah and Jake decide to take a quick trip to their family home in Southern France. They expect to have a relaxing time, gearing up for all of the pre-wedding jitters and events. What they don't expect? A dead body lying in a pool of blood with the knife Hannah used just that morning next to the body. And to make matters worse.. Jake was seen by a bunch of people arguing with the dead man earlier. Who would do this to them? Are they being set up for a crime they didn't commit?

I love it when I go into a book thinking I know exactly what is going to happen and then I am left eating my words!! At first I could not understand why they didn't call the cops, I'm pretty sure I yelled at my Kindle a few times. And then I kept reading and it all came together. The characters were well written and full of emotion which added to the story. And that ending?!? Well played, you got me! Overall a quick fun escapist domestic thriller with a great twist!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren North, and Bookouture for this ARC!! Publication date is May 20th 2025.

It was just okay. I've read a lot of thrillers ans felt like it was pretty predictable. It was a fun read though!

I love it when a book takes me totally by surprise.
I wondered why both Hannah and Jake were so eager to cover up a crime if both of them were innocent.
Little did I know the fun was just beginning.
I delighted in the revelation of the cover ups, lies, deceptions, and betrayals.
I had no clue to the depth of lies the characters stooped.
In the end, one is left victorious and all I could say was well played!

After a quick getaway to de-stress before their wedding in two weeks, Hannah and Jake head to the South of France. What should have been a relaxing time for the betrothed quickly morphs into something darker - a dead man in their rental with all signs pointing to them! Are Hannah and Jake more than they seem? Is someone out to get them?

Lauren North writes a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat and changes your mind on what you thought happened. There is a shocking twist at the end that you will love or hate, but it will rock you either way!

Advanced copy provided by Bookourture via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

For Better or Worse
Amazingly addictive! I really enjoyed this one I was hooked from the start. A must-read with a spectacular ending!! 5 stars

This book was excellent. From the very first page right up until the ending. The twists were my favourite part of the whole book. They didnt stop coming. I love short chapters so another added bonus !

This was another exciting book by Lauren North. I was hooked from the prolouge. This is a fast paced thriller that you won't be able to stop thinking about long after you finish. I'm usually pretty good at guessing the endings but this one got me. Overall, this was a winner. I highly recommend getting yourself a copy.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram @coffee.break.book.reviews.

This was original and full of twists and turns with a very satisfying end twist would definitely recommend