The Wedding Lies

by Jade Lee Wright

You think your family’s weird?

He promised me forever. But I might not make it to “I do.”

I’m marrying Stephen at Shadowmoor Lodge. His family’s luxurious estate deep in the frozen Surrey Hills. No phone signal, no neighbours, just Stephen’s controlling mother and a family that loves hunting, and watches me like I’m the entertainment.

I open my suitcase, but it’s not my stuff.

Inside is the exact outfit a woman called Charlotte Walker was wearing when she vanished a week ago.

Six days until my wedding. And already I want to run.

Perfect for fans of Alice Feeney, Shalini Boland, Jane E. James and Sue Watson, this gripping thriller will have you second-guessing every page until the final, jaw-dropping twist.

Genres: Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller

Paperback

Published January 5, 2026

About the author

I’m Jade Lee Wright, psychological thriller author.

Although I first dipped my toe into the world of publishing with two self-published novels, I’ve spent the past few years fully immersing myself in the craft. I study English Literature and Creative Writing through the Open University and have since gone on to sign multiple publishing deals—including a two-book deal (and a brand-new follow-up two-book contract!) with Joffe Books.

My debut psychological thriller with them, The Baby Group, was released in July 2025, and my second, The Family Secret, is due out in January 2026. Both have been snapped up by Audible and will be coming to audio soon.

I was longlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize 2025 and shortlisted for the 2024 Marlowe & Christie Novel Prize.

When I’m not writing (or daydreaming about the next twist), you’ll usually find me with my nose in a book or looking after my two baby boys.

Reviews

[Jade Wright]

My second book with Joffe Books is now out in the world! How surreal. I’m so grateful to the wonderful team at Joffe Books for picking up my books and giving me the opportunity to share them with the world. Thank you to every reader, reviewer and person supporting me on my writing journey. It is so appreciated and I hope you enjoy my twisty thriller!

[Aoife · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ivy is travelling to England with her fiancé Stephen for their wedding day and it's also the first time she will meet her new in-laws. From the start, Ivy feels like her new mother-in-law doesn't like her and then she thinks she glimpses a young woman who looks like a local missing person in a car with one of her new relatives. What is going on? And is Stephen the man Ivy really thinks him to be?

This was another fast-paced book from Jade Lee Wright that sucked me in and I found it hard to put down. There is definitely a really great creepy atmosphere to the book and this enclosed, cut off feeling from the rest of the world that builds as the story progresses. There was almost a cult-like feeling to the land with all the 'family' cabins and the progeny obsession.

I think there were a few things that bothered me such as the amount of times Ivy 'put her hand to her womb' - the sentence was used a lot, though this may not appear in the final edition. I also found some things a little bit unbelievable and twisted even for a thriller and some of the elements of the story needed extra explanation or could have benefited the story with more building (all the children running around could have been emphasized a bit more), Ingrid did seem to get time alone with Ivy with the bachelorette party and other times, who drugged Ivy and why?

The Charlotte Walker plot also confused me a little bit as I think at the start she called Ben her boyfriend but then said it was only a brief Tinder date, and then it felt like she had had an abortion but didn't tell him but at the end she was pregnant with Ivy even though she hadn't wanted the baby?

I did enjoy this overall, and it was a quick read for me which I appreciate when I'm having a busy life time and finding my reading a bit slower than normal! Looking forward to Jade's next book!

On a side note, it pleases me greatly that Ivy and Stephen's wedding took place on January 17th 2026, and that is the date I finished this book!

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marital lies… not exactly a great foundation to start with, but how well do you really know someone? People often show you their best side at first, and their darker edges only surface when they’re backed into a corner.

Starting a relationship is always exciting, with a hint of nerves. Something I personally recognise—and something Ivy also goes through—is meeting the in-laws. If it happens gradually, it’s always a bit easier, but our bride in this story gets to meet the entire family at once, just days before the ceremony. I completely understand her nerves. I remember meeting most of my future husband’s family all in one go at Christmas when we’d only been together for three months. I was ridiculously stressed, feeling all those eyes on me the moment I walked through the door—but clearly, I survived. ;) Hopefully Ivy will too…

I love short blurbs, and this one is very well done. It gets straight to the point, sparks curiosity, and immediately sent my imagination spinning with possible scenarios. Naturally, none of them matched what the author actually delivered—and it was chilling.

The threat in this story came from several directions. I had no idea who could be trusted, and as usual, I was partly wrong. Mission accomplished. The plot was original and I found Ivy to be a strong character.

It’s such a shame that innocent people have to be taken out of the picture because a few others are convinced they have the right to take justice into their own hands, that they’re in the right, and that this is the only solution to their problems.

This book clearly shows how a simple coincidence can send your life down a dangerous path. I’m a happy reader—and that’s why I’m giving it 4 stars. For me, it could have gone just a little darker.

Thank you.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set against the isolated backdrop of Shadowmoor Lodge, Ivy’s engagement to Stephen quickly spirals into a psychological nightmare. With no phone signal, no neighbours, and a family that seems more interested in surveillance than celebration, the tension builds fast. When Ivy discovers someone else’s belongings in her suitcase—belongings linked to a missing woman—her instincts scream for escape. The lodge’s eerie atmosphere, paired with a cast of suspicious characters and a controlling mother-in-law, creates a claustrophobic setting where danger feels imminent and trust is a luxury.

The story leans into classic thriller tropes with tongue firmly in cheek, diversions abound, and every character seems to be hiding something. Ivy’s literal isolation is matched by emotional distance, especially from Stephen, whose charm barely masks something darker. While the plot occasionally stretches believability and leaves a few logical gaps, the pacing and suspense keep the pages turning. The writing is sharp and stylish, and though the twists may feel familiar, they’re executed with flair. It’s a fast, entertaining read that blends psychological tension with gothic unease, perfect for fans of character-driven thrillers with a touch of melodrama.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the wonderful Zoe at Zooloo Book Tours for granting me a space on this tour in exchange for an honest review.

To begin with, the premise hooked me - a seemingly fleeting and perfect relationship reaches the engagement stage. I found the subtle hints about others perceptions of the relationship to be the catalyst to what would be disaster after disaster. I found that the initial 'twist' helped to bring the drama to life, and finding items linking to someone missing was a great way to engage us as readers.

As the narrative progressed, I found myself trusting everyone less and less. This is something I can normally sense but I felt like there was SO much happening in every direction, that I felt blindsided in the greatest way!

Overall, a good thriller read and one that is easy to follow.

[Maddie Weeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Read for a book tour, below is my honest review**

This had me hooked from the beginning. I was reeled in by the isolated setting and the premise. It had me turning the pages as quick as I could!

The story follows our main character Ivy who has travelled over to the UK for her wedding. But her husband to be’s family is not all it seems..

Throughout the book I was questioning everyone, it felt like everyone had a secret at some point. I thought it was written so well, it was laced with intrigue!

If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a thriller with an isolated setting and family secrets!

Thank you @zooloosbooktours and Jade for letting me be a part of this tour!

I give this 4 stars!

[Christa Colaizzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review to come

[Karly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading The wedding lies, the premise of this book was so intriguing. I found the first half of this book slow to start, however it did pick up in the middle and I started to enjoy it and was questioning all of the characters, but by the end it was getting a bit far fetched with many plot holes, and I was left with too many questions.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the arc of this book!

[Jessica Huntley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved this so much. The isolation. The creepy mansion. The Surrey hills (that I live in!) The blood bath at the end. Oh yes. I loved it all and couldn't stop reading. Brilliantly written and an exciting and heart pounding ending!

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book, had a chilling plot, that quickly drew me, as I quickly turned the pages. To a wedding less then a week, wanting now to run. Suitcase that held a missing person clothes, and not ner wedding dress, is this an omen?
I received the arc from Joffe.

[Phil Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisty turny thriller that will hook you from the start

After a horrific car-jacking and assault in South Africa, Ivy is gradually getting her life back together when she meets and falls in love with Stephen, the perfect man. After a whirlwind courtship, Ivy agrees to meet his family and get married at his parents' vast wooded estate in Surrey, England. She doesn't realise just how big and remote this family pile is until they arrive in mid winter in a severe winter storm. They eventually find their secluded log cabin only to discover that the suitcase that Ivy picked up is not hers, and instead of her wedding dress, she has the clothes of a complete stranger. Ivy had previously read a report in a newspaper of a woman who has gone missing in the area, and some of the clothes in the case appear to match the missing person.
Things just keep getting worse when she meets Stephens dysfunctional family, and she begins to fear that Stephen is not the perfect man that she thought.
In all true mystery plots, the storm closes in, and the mobile phone network fails, Ivy's friends and bridesmaids are stranded in the storm, and she is all alone to struggle with the weird family and the scary goings on!
It is a very dark and twisty novel that will keep you guessing and page turning until the end!

[Sam “My Cosy Book Nook” · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friday, 2nd January should have been my first day back at work, after the luxury of a few days off between Christmas and New Year. But on that morning, I felt like a child on the first day of school as I had to explain that I would not be going in, due to having been hit by a dose of man flu.

Doubtlessly there will be some, probably mostly female readers who see fit to scoff at this news. And, whilst I'm not seeking to eke sympathy, permit me to provide a little bit of context. I had woken in the small hours with my throat feeling as though someone had set it on fire. And over the next couple of days, the unpleasantness slowly spread to my chest, resulting in me coughing painfully. Right up to the time when I took some chesty cough mixture, which had the effect of making me cough continuously even when there was nothing left to bring up.

You might think, then, that I could reasonably blame a seasonal lurgy for my sleeping badly for several nights in succession. But I don't, not entirely anyway. I maintain that, at least in part, it's Jade Lee Wright's fault.

Because, you see, I'd used a bit of my enforced non-working time to read The Wedding Lies in time for the blog tour. And it's a book that keeps you turning the pages well into the night, regardless of how much your brain tries to tell you it needs sleep.

The story is narrated by Ivy, and begins as she lands at Heathrow airport, en route to meeting her fiance, Stephen's family for the first time. The stark contrast of a cold English winter to Ivy's native South Africa is the first of many chilling signs. The ramshackle cabins, and the lack of any phone signal. Stephen's behaviour, which is suddenly starting to seem out of character with the man Ivy thought she knew. His family - and man, are they weird. And the threat of an oncoming blizzard. The result is a beautifully atmospheric take on a locked room mystery, that leaves Ivy - and through her, the reader - wondering who, if anyone, they can trust ...

This book is terrifyingly, wonderfully tense. I loved the increasing suspense, as one, and then another possible escape routes disappear. I loved too the little touch of the supernatural, which serves to enhance the uncertainty of the storyline without compromising its credibility. And even though the ending is perhaps a little incredible, it's still explosively, manically horrifying.

With my reviewer's head on, and my cold having thankfully almost cleared, I do have to say that there are a few plot weaknesses and discrepancies. For example, there's one scene in which we're initially told that Ivy has dressed in the clothes she'd travelled in the previous day, but on the next page she's suddenly wearing only one of Stephen's jumpers. The reliance on the location being cut off by a snow storm seems better suited to the Scottish Highlands - where the rest of the story would have worked just as well - than the Surrey hills. And is it really likely that a family holiday home, even if there was no mobile phone signal, would also have no landline, or wi-fi? I'll let you be the judge.

I didn't really mine, however, because I don't think these sorts of points are what The Wedding Lies is really about. It reads as though Jade Lee Wright has deliberately decided to let concerns of the accuracy of fine details go to the winds, as she instead simply let her imagination - which has now been revealed as fabulously, terrifically dark - run riot. And it's all the better for that.

My thanks to Zooloo's Book Tours for my inclusion on the blog tour for this book, which was published in the UK by Joffe Books on 6th January 2026. My review is also published on my blog at www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com and shared on my social media pages.

[Lesley Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte Walker leaves the warm comfort of the pub where her boyfriend’s expecting to meet her. She’s decided to start the journey home alone and through the fug of alcohol she realises she’s being followed and that her only refuge is the cathedral on Guildford’s Stagg Hill. She rattles its locked doors and a hand clamps over her mouth, its owner’s voice hisses menacingly, “Found you.” And on that frosty night she disappears.

On the week before their wedding Ivy and Stephen arrive from South Africa to one of seven cabins nestled in the heart of the countryside on his parents’ estate. It’s in a state of disrepair and Ivy hopes daylight will lend it a more attractive sight.

Despite it being their wedding, it becomes obvious that Ivy is pretty much the only person excluded from the preparations. She learns scant details over the following days but with her suitcase missing since the airport her overriding concern is that something will go wrong and the wedding won’t go ahead – like last time. But, as she gets to know Stephen’s strange and detached family she wonders whether she wants to marry this man and become part of this family.

On a lone horse ride she sees a girl she’s certain is Charlotte Walker being restrained in a car by a man who turns out to be Stephen’s father, Marcel. Her thoughts turn to getting help for the missing girl, hidden somewhere on the family’s estate in weather that’s becoming more brutal by the day.

Jade Lee Wright’s plot and characters are so richly thought out that it’s difficult to pick details to include in this short piece. Each of the characters in the book is so well drawn that their vehemence towards Ivy is almost more palpable than her own story. We learn about the things that have hurt Ivy through the stories the spiteful female members tease from her at points in the story where she should be welcomed into the family and not made to feel isolated. Cousin Natalia seems to be the only family member to give her any sympathy and kindness but she’s also having to protect herself from barbed attacks.

Lack of phone signal and constant intrusion by family and preparations hamper Ivy and make her feel more isolated, vulnerable and certain at least one person in the family means her genuine harm.

This is a book I was quickly drawn into and invested in. It’s remote backdrop and bitter British winter adds to the growing sense of menace throughout the narrative, both of which are used to good effect to thwart Ivy and to add peril to the story.

This is such a good and well-woven story, where the stakes are constantly raised.

[kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm hoping for some Grade-A domestic psychological thriller shenanigans, and I got... well, a lot of forced atmospheric melodrama and narrative flimflam. The premise is deliciously preposterous: our protagonist, Bride-to-Be, gets shipped off to her fiancé Stephen’s ancestral lair, Shadowmoor Lodge, a place whose name is clearly lifted directly from a Scooby-Doo episode, six days before the wedding. It’s deep in the Surrey Hills, naturally, with zero signal, because of course the impending existential terror must be unfettered by basic cellular connectivity.

The first 50 pages are an absolute masterclass in anxiety-fueled projection. The heroine is drowning in this palpable dread, which, to be fair, is perfectly rational because Stephen’s family are pure, unadulterated nightmare fuel. His mother is a controlling harpy, and the whole clan stares at her like she’s a particularly juicy main course at a private hunting retreat. The atmosphere is so thick with malevolence you could spread it on toast. But then, the titular lie arrives: she opens her suitcase and finds clothes belonging to Charlotte Walker, a woman who conveniently vanished a week ago. This is where my internal monologue went from "ooh, creepy" to "oh, come on." The sheer implausibility of that specific piece of clothing swapping happening is a gaping maw of a plot hole that demanded I suspend not just disbelief, but my entire cognitive function.

The book is an absolute torrent of red herrings. Every character is a caricature of suspicion: the taciturn brother, the shifty maid, the overly polished fiancé, Stephen, who is clearly compensating for being an utterly insipid love interest by being menacing. The vocabulary is where this thing really tried to flex—the writing itself is polished, trying to give the psychological suspense a veneer of literary gravitas, but the plot mechanics are flimsy at best, built entirely on people refusing to have a single rational conversation. It’s like watching a train wreck where every passenger is actively throwing banana peels under the wheels.

Was it a fun, page-turning diversion? Sure. Was it a nuanced thriller? Honey, please. It’s the literary equivalent of a dramatic, high-contrast Instagram filter, looks good, but it's totally obscuring the flaws. I need my thrillers to be taut and logically inexorable, not reliant on characters having the observational skills of a potted plant.

#TheWeddingLies #NetGalley

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hello, lovely readers! Settle in with your cuppa because I've just finished The Wedding Lies by Jade Lee Wright, and oh my, what a twisted journey this one took me on.

When we first meet Ivy and Stephen, they're living their best life in sunny South Africa, newly engaged and over the moon. But as any of us who've met the in-laws know, sometimes that first family gathering can be... well, let's just say illuminating. Ivy's about to discover that Stephen's family isn't just wealthy , they're the kind of wealthy that comes with secrets, expectations, and in this case, genuine danger lurking around every corner of their grand estate.

What I loved most about this book is how quickly Jade Lee Wright peels back the layers. Those early red flags start waving the moment Ivy arrives at the family lodge, and suddenly the Stephen she thought she knew becomes almost unrecognizable. We've all had that moment where we see our partner through fresh eyes, haven't we? But for Ivy, it's not just wedding jitters ,it's a legitimate wake-up call about who she's planning to marry.

The real twist comes when Ivy spots Charlotte Walker, a young woman who's been missing for over a week, somewhere on the property. Now Ivy's not just questioning her engagement; she's convinced Stephen's supposedly ailing father is behind Charlotte's abduction. The tension ratchets up beautifully as Ivy and her bridesmaids work together to uncover the truth, and I found myself completely invested in whether they'd expose the family's dark secrets before it was too late.

What really warmed my heart was seeing the women take center stage as the heroes. In a genre that so often relies on male saviors swooping in, Jade Lee Wright gives us resourceful, determined women who rely on each other and their own wits. It reminded me quite a bit of The Daughter by Alesha Dykema, which I read recently and similarly featured strong female characters driving the narrative.

At 3Ps, The Wedding Lies is a solid, entertaining thriller that'll keep you guessing. Perfect for those cozy reading nights when you want something gripping without losing too much sleep. Would I recommend it? Absolutely , especially if you love stories where women refuse to be sidelined in their own lives.

[MoMo Book Diary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wedding Lies by Jade Lee Wright is a psychological thriller that slowly drew me in and held my attention throughout. From the opening chapters, I felt quietly pulled into the story, with an underlying sense of unease that lingered as I read. There’s a constant feeling that something isn’t quite right, and that subtle tension carries through the novel.

The setting of Shadowmoor Lodge plays a significant role in shaping that atmosphere. Its isolation, the lack of phone signal, and the sense of being cut off from the outside world all add to the growing discomfort. The watchful presence of Stephen’s family heightens that feeling, creating a steady, claustrophobic tension that sits beneath every interaction and made me feel as unsettled as the protagonist herself.

Emotionally, this book kept me engaged in a quiet but effective way. Rather than relying on fast-paced shocks, the suspense builds gradually, allowing space to question motives and relationships as the story unfolds. I often found myself pausing to reflect on earlier moments, wondering what I might have missed. The discovery involving the suitcase early on is particularly unsettling and sets the tone well for what follows.

As the story progresses, the tension continues to build, and the twists begin to emerge. While I enjoyed the unfolding mystery, there were moments where some events felt a little far-fetched for my personal taste. At times, it felt as though several twist ideas had been packed into one storyline, which slightly stretched the believability and pulled me out of the story briefly.

That said, the atmosphere remains strong throughout, and the sense of unease never fully disappears. Even when the plot became more complex, I stayed invested in seeing how everything would come together. The pacing kept me turning pages, and I appreciated how the author maintained emotional tension right through to the final chapters.

The Wedding Lies is a tense and engaging psychological thriller with a strong sense of setting and sustained suspense. Although a few elements felt over-ambitious, it was still an absorbing and enjoyable read. Fans of twist-heavy domestic suspense will find plenty to appreciate here, and it’s a book I would confidently recommend.

[Akku · Rating 4 out of 5]

✦ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4✨

✦ 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - 6th January 2026

✦ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
• wedding thriller
• wrong suitcase
• isolated location
• dark family secrets
• gaslighting
• psychological suspense

✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
This story follows Ivy, who travels to England for her wedding, expecting love, celebration and a fresh start. Instead, she walks into an isolated lodge, a controlling future family, and a chilling mystery connected to a missing woman. One small mistake at the airport changes everything, and what should have been the happiest week of her life slowly turns into a psychological nightmare.
This book had such an eerie and unsettling atmosphere from the very beginning. The remote setting, no phone signal, snow, and a strange family made everything feel claustrophobic and tense. I loved how the suspense built slowly instead of rushing. The wrong suitcase trope was done really well and added an extra layer of fear and curiosity.
The characters were written in a very realistic way. Ivy felt vulnerable yet relatable, especially with her past trauma. Ingrid was the standout for me, calm on the surface but absolutely terrifying underneath. Stephen was confusing in the best way, charming yet unsettling, which kept me guessing till the end.
The pacing was a little slow in the middle, but the tension never fully dropped, and the final part was intense and satisfying. Overall, this was a gripping psychological thriller that focuses more on atmosphere and mind games rather than nonstop action.
Thank you so much zooloo book tour for the free ARC!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well what a rollercoaster of a ride this one is! I loved The Baby Group but this one is right up there with it, maybe even more gripping if that’s possible.
If I didn’t have to par take in real life I would have read this in one sitting. The author writes in such a wonderful way that saying ‘I’ll just read one more chapter’ is not really an option! The ends of some chapters just have you turning that next page regardless of what else you should be doing!

Stephen and Ivy arrive in the cold and frozen Surrey Hills, all ready to meet his family and have their wedding. But nothing, and no one, are as they seem. Ivy’s suitcase gets mixed up but on closer inspection something doesn’t add up, could this be as simple as picking up the wrong case at the airport? Things are weird with his family from the start but add to that a missing woman and you are in for a whirlwind of a ride!

So I don’t want to give anything away! You need to read this for yourself. I loved the tension, the suspense, the not knowing who to trust, the being proved wrong when I thought I had something worked out. I love when I can visualise what’s going on, the people, the surroundings. And I must mention the prologue, there is just so much detail, it’s so vivid and will instantly pull you in.
So what am I saying? Well read it of course, you will not be disappointed (but your housework may just be left undone as you won’t want to put this one down!)

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wedding Lies was instantly relatable for me as my relationship with my husband was initially a bit of a whirlwind too!
Ivy and Stephen's relationship seems perfect. Yes things are moving quicker than usually socially accepted, but they both appear happy and content. Then comes the dreaded first meeting between Ivy and Stephen's entire family, just a few days before the wedding.
The bad omens begin as soon as the couple land in England, when Ivy realises there has been a luggage mix up and the suitcase containing her wedding dress is missing. Then comes the possible sighting of a missing girl. Then the frosty reception from Stephen's mum and sister. Ivy begins second guessing the wedding and how she will ever fit into her new family.
From there, the twists, turns and red herrings just keep coming! The atmospheric setting of Shadowmoore Lodge and the sociopathic nature of most of the characters makes for a thrilling ride, allbeit sometimes a little far fetched to be too realistic. I enjoyed the story, but did find myself just willing the characters to sit down for a grown up chat to resolve their issues!
The ending did get me, with a reveal that I didn't see coming. Jade did a great job of throwing just enough suspicion on everyone that I couldn't work out who was involved and who wasn't!

[Emma book blogger Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @zooloosBT For letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. The Wedding Lies is a psychological genre, which, as you all know by now, is one of my favorite reading genres. And wow, this book didn’t let me down. I was hooked, and it took me two days to read it. This is the first time I’ve read any books from Jade Lee Wright, but wow, what a writer! I will definitely be reading more of her books. The story is about Ivy, who is arriving in South Africa to meet her fiancé's family, but they are not what they seem at all. From the minute I opened the book, I was totally hooked and needed to know what was happening with this family. I had some ideas, but I was entirely wrong, and I love it when this happens. I also like it when a book makes you think constantly and lead you down a garden path that you’re entirely wrong about. Furthermore, I was completely shocked by the ending but loved it. There is a significant amount of tension and suspense running through the book. There are some good twists and turns in there; like I said, I didn’t see them coming. The Wedding Lies is undoubtedly a page-turner. I really like Jane Lee Wright’s writing style; you are drawn in to the plot straight away, and she knows how to hold a reader to the end. This is a gripping and brilliant read. And if you like psychological genres, this book is absolutely for you—five stars.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it's not been too long since I read The Baby Group by this author, loved it and vowed to read more.

This was another book that had me gripped right from the first few pages and kept me hooked to the very end.

 

What should have been the happiest time of her life, turns into a nightmare when Ivy heads to Stephen's family estate in the Surrey Hills ready for their wedding day.

 

There was a definite atmosphere created from the opening chapters which had me on edge from then on in. That feeling that there is something that just didn't feel right and the family clearly keeping secrets weel hidden.

 

The setting of the isolated estate mirrors this perfectly and this always gives me a feeling of dread as there's nowhere to escape and no way to find out the truth without knowing that danger could follow.

 

The writing style totally transported me into the story and I raced through each and every twist trying to get to the bottom of what had happened to Charlotte and how this all came back to Stephen and the family.

 

I found, as I do with many books in this genre, that I had to suspend belief a little for some events, but I think you just get swept up into the storyline as a whole and can't help just getting carried along for the ride.

 

This was a great read and once again, I look forward to seeing more from this author soon.

 

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

🎶 Ivy’s getting married in seven mornings 🎶 She’s flying from her warm and sunny South Africa to a rather wintery UK to meet the in-laws and marry her Stephen.

Ivy didn’t get the warmest of welcomes given what was happening in a week’s time but she dealt with it. After all once they were married, they’d be heading back to South Africa. But this has to be the longest and chilling seven days of Ivy’s life and not because of the snow storm that’s due!!

The backdrop of the wintery James estate should have been so romantic. The private cabin with its log burner, no 5g signal with the constant pinging of notifications, the virgin snow from the storm. But this felt claustrophobic from the off. A very frosty welcome from the women of the family and then the lack of seeing her betrothed made Ivy a very isolated character! I wanted to whisk her back to sunnier climes!!

I devoured The Wedding Lies within 24 hours. I was glued to my kindle clicking away. I was addicted to Ivy’s narrative. I wanted her to be happy but also safe and she was neither as the wedding grew closer. I really like Jade Lee Wright’s style of writing – I’ll be reading more from her for sure. She’s got that unnerving, claustrophobic type read sorted and I love that sort of book!!

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by Jade Lee Wright and wow! I devoured.

Ivy is about to marry Stephen in England. It's the first time she's meeting his family too. In the Surrey Hills, it's all quite isolated and will only get worse when they're met with a storm. But that's not the problem here - the family is the problem. Why does Stephen's mum seem so hostile? And his sister... What's all that about? And then Ivy opens her suitcase only to find the clothes of a recently missing woman.

Who are these people and what is going on?!

A proper good slow burn thriller that immediately puts you on edge. What's going on? And is everyone in on this? Who can Ivy trust? As a reader you immediately fall into hate with some characters and remain untrustworthy of others just in case. Does their nice persona come with a catch? Each situation makes you more uncomfortable as tensions rise. I started to feel claustrophobic with Ivy, especially when her options to leave or phone someone were so limited.

The build up to the ending when secrets are revealed and people are shouting "run!", and guns are being used, and running through snowy woods is causing deprived lungs... Can I breathe now?! Wow!!! Movie magic.
One thing really surprised me too. It's kinda one of those books you want to read again now you know the ending, and focus more on people's behaviour.

Deffo recommend to thriller lovers!

[Sarah Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review - The Wedding Lies by Jade Lee Wright
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow - this twisted and turned and had me gripped!!

Right from moment Ivy and Stephen arrived at the James family estate the setting gave off the perfect creepy vibes.

Having arrived for their wedding, it’s clear from the start that there’s something ‘off’ about this family.

The women are mean the men are mysterious and why can’t Ivy stop thinking about the girl she read about in the newspaper that’s missing.

As the plot thickens and discoveries are made, the tension builds and builds. Is there anyone here Ivy can trust, can she even trust herself?

The rollercoaster of events revealing family secrets and horrors twisted and turned until the very end.

A thoroughly enjoyable read, with atmosphere and tension built from page one.

If it wasn’t for the adulting, working, and general mum-ing rudely getting in the way I could have sat and devoured this in one sitting.

Thank you @boho_bookworm @joffebooks @netgalley for letting me read this!

Out in January - Get yours on pre-order now!

#review #bookreview #arc #advancedcopy #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #ebook #kindle #reading

[Sarah Winney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book!

This is my second book by Jade Lee Wright, her first being The Baby Group which is a fast paced thriller which I loved. Her second book The Wedding Lies is as good as her first with a unique storyline and setting.

This story is packed full of suspense and drama and Jade has a great writing style which makes you feel completely immersed in this story with short punchy chapters which you want to follow through with the next one.

Another great read! Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book - out January next year!

Blurb:-

You think your family’s weird?

He promised me forever. But I might not make it to “I do.”

I’m marrying Stephen at Shadowmoor Lodge. His family’s luxurious estate deep in the frozen Surrey Hills. No phone signal, no neighbours, just Stephen’s controlling mother and a family that loves hunting, and watches me like I’m the entertainment.

I open my suitcase, but it’s not my stuff.

Inside is the exact outfit a woman called Charlotte Walker was wearing when she vanished a week ago.

Six days until my wedding. And already I want to run.

[Sandra Vdplaats · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find it difficult to come to a conclusion about The Wedding Lies. I really liked the beginning: the story is set in the Guildford area/Downs, - which is familiar territory for me as I used to live there.
The author captures the atmosphere well: a remote cottage in the woods, 'something rotten hits her...' [red], no phone reception, and a strange family who make all kinds of ambiguous statements. I got Agatha Christie vibes.
However, I thought that the author has gone a little too far with this, as when Ivy tries to escape, I could almost have sworn that she has to find her way through the Rocky Mountains, - The Downs and the area around Box Hill are not that particularly challenging, even in the harshest of winters…

I didn't find Ivy very likeable; she's a bit melodramatic, and of course, given everything that was going on, but still, where are her boundaries and why does she share absolutely everything with this family? Isn't that just asking for information that could be used against her?
I'm also puzzled by the fact that you only get to meet your in-laws once the wedding plans are already in motion. Was there never any discussion about who she was? And you don't go horse riding and leave the planning of your own wedding to this family, only to complain and whinge later that they interfere in everything, do you?

She also makes a lot of assumptions. I don't really understand why her trichotillomania is mentioned, and I also found it strange that the bridesmaids suddenly appear at the door. There seem to be some awkward gaps in the storyline. I would have given Stephen a slightly bigger role earlier on.
I did like the ending, which I found exciting, but overall I thought the story was too melodramatic for a good thriller, and there are distracting gaps in the narrative that the author filled in unconvincingly.


Partly good, and partly not so good for me, so a narrow 3 stars. Thank you Joffe Books for the arc 🌷

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chilling, pulse-pounding thriller where every family secret feels like a trap.
You think your in-laws are intense? Try spending a week at Shadowmoor Lodge—an isolated estate buried in the Surrey Hills, no signal, no escape routes, and a future mother-in-law who smiles like she’s sizing up prey.
Our bride-to-be arrives ready to say “forever”… until she opens her suitcase and finds clothes that aren’t hers. Clothes last seen on a woman who vanished just days ago.
From that moment, the dread is constant.
The house watches. The family whispers. The walls seem to close in, one locked door at a time. And with six days until the wedding, every shadow feels like a warning: run while you still can.
This thriller had me devouring chapters like breadcrumbs in a dark forest—paranoia, red flags, and rich-people menace at its finest. It’s claustrophobic, twisty, and deliciously unsettling, with a final reveal that hits like an avalanche.
If you love Alice Feeney–style mind games, creepy estates, toxic families, and brides you desperately want to save, this is your next obsession.
A one-sitting, heart-pounding read you’ll be thinking about long after the last gasp-worthy twist.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you arrived at your wedding venue and discovered you’d taken the wrong suitcase? 🤯
And that suitcase belonged to someone who recently went missing… 🫣

Ivy flew from South Africa to England with her fiancé, Stephen, to get married at his family’s home, Shadowmoor Lodge where she would also be meeting his family for the very first time. 🇿🇦✈️🏡🇬🇧

It was meant to be Ivy’s happiest moment: meeting her future in-laws and getting married. 💍 But everything begins to unravel when she opens her suitcase and realizes it isn’t hers. 😩 Whose suitcase did she take? 🤨

As the days count down to the big day, Ivy grows increasingly uneasy around Stephen and his family and begins to uncover dark secrets and lies that no one else knows. 😬

The question is… what will Ivy do next? 🤔

I was completely fixated on this book, so it’s no surprise I finished it in just a few hours! 📖👀 A true page-turner packed with twists and suspense that you won’t be able to put down. 😵

This may be a sign that I need to grab ‘The Baby Group’ and finally start reading it! It’s been gathering dust on my bookcase for months! 🫢

Thank you to Jade and Zooloos Book Tours for this amazing opportunity! ♥️

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chilling lodge. A missing woman. A suitcase packed with someone else’s secrets. The Wedding Lies is a deliciously unsettling thriller that wraps you in velvet dread from the very first page.

Jade Lee Wright crafts a claustrophobic atmosphere with icy precision—Shadowmoor Lodge isn’t just remote, it’s a character in itself, watching, waiting. The protagonist’s descent into paranoia is paced with elegance, each chapter tightening the knot of unease. The family she’s about to marry into is equal parts glamorous and grotesque, their hunting rituals and silent stares adding layers of menace.

What makes this story sing is its psychological depth. Wright doesn’t rely on jump scares—she builds tension through subtle shifts, eerie coincidences, and the creeping realization that something is terribly wrong. The final twist? Jaw-dropping, yet earned.

Perfect for fans of Alice Feeney and Shalini Boland, this is a winter read best devoured by firelight, with the doors locked and your suitcase double-checked.

With thanks to Jade Lee Wright, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Olivia Summers · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟.5

Well this book was packed full of drama and suspense.

I did find the first half of the book a bit slow, I felt like I kept waiting for something to happen but it was just taking a while to get going. However the second half I flew through, I could not book the book down. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

It was a great thriller and although it was a bit far fetched it is at the end of the day a fiction novel and it certainly delivered on that, creating an eerie feel right from the start, full of mystery and was really gripping towards the end.

I loved Ivy's character but I felt like she could of pushed Stephen for more answers, as a typical thriller there was no phone service for the entire week they were at the lodge but somehow the family were managing to contact people outwith the lodge and Ivy never questioned Stephen about it? There were a few moments like this and a few holes in the plot.

All in all this was a really easy read and it keeps you guessing. A perfect quick read for a wintery weekend in.

Thank you Netgalley for my copy