Left at the Altar by A.J. Campbell
Genre: Domestic thriller, Psychological thriller
Read: 31st August 2025
Published: 13th August 2025
★★★★ 4 stars
DESCRIPTION:
As I walk down the aisle, I can’t help beaming. It’s the perfect day. For the first time in years, I feel safe, secure. Until I reach the altar, and there’s no sign of my fiancé. That can’t be. He’s my world. And I desperately need this fresh start, to keep my son safe…
When Hannah’s fiancé doesn’t turn up to their wedding, everyone is convinced he just had cold feet. But Hannah is sure it’s more than that…
Today was meant to be the day she finally leaves all her dark secrets behind. But spotting a man she hoped never to see again in the crowd at the church, her stomach drops. And his smirk as their eyes meet all but confirms that he’s behind Johnny’s disappearance.
She might have been hiding things from Johnny, but Hannah truly loved him. She’s determined to find him. But this reminder of the past puts her son in terrible danger.
Is Hannah willing to reveal everything to save her husband-to-be and son? And just how far will she have to go?
This unputdownable psychological thriller packed with heart-racing twists is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose, and Gone Girl.
MY THOUGHTS:
The happiest day of her life...but is her past about to turn it into a nightmare...?
What could possibly be worse than being stood up at the altar? Well, almost at the altar. With no clue, no reason, no idea or warning as to why it happened? I'm sure there are worse things but in that moment in time on what is supposed to a woman's happiest day in which she is to shine - this is her day, her moment - to be left at the altar is devastating.
Hannah is on her way to the church with her soon-to-be father-in-law Alan beside her in the luxurious Rolls Royce who is to stand in for her dear departed father and will be giving her away. She is both excited and anxious for what lay ahead, knowing that in an hour she'll be Mrs Johnny Caxton. When she hears the tinkle of a ringtone, she thinks at first it is hers but Alan retrieves his from his pocket to answer the call. His face pales. Something is wrong. He tells the driver to circle the block again and turns to face Hannah. Johnny isn't coming.
Hannah's world comes crashing down. Her soulmate; her best friend - Johnny. He was so excited to be marrying her. He couldn't wait for them to be man and wife. And now he's backed out? Told his brother Tom that he feels trapped and can't go through with it? Hannah is at first in denial and then she is angry. How could he do this to her? How could he do this to her son, Lucas? The boy he treated like his own son. He said he couldn't wait to be her husband and Lucas' dad. So how could he do this to them?
Wanting answers, Hannah refuses to accept the whispers and half-truths and heads to Johnny's flat the following day. She finds it in the same way that she left it the day before the wedding. Even down to the half drunk coffee and plate of crumbs on the kitchen bench, knowing Johnny's penchant for tidiness he would have cleared that away had he been home. Plus his wedding suit was still hanging ready for the big day. So where was he? What happened to him?
And then there was a face from Hannah's past on the arm of her sister India. How did they know each other and what was he doing here? Does he have something to do with Johnny's disappearance? Added to all that is going on, Hannah must also contend with her sister Carrie's wedding to Johnny's brother Tom the following week. A celebration she certainly doesn't feel like partaking in. But she must grin and bear it, for her sister's sake.
So many secrets and layers of deception are woven into this fast paced tale of family drama filled with tension and suspense at every turn. Amidst the twists and red herrings, I correctly guessed the villain and what had happened. The clues are there - you just have to recognise them. Keep your eyes peeled for everything. It's there in plain sight.
This is my first foray into A.J. Campbell (though I do have another title or two of hers on my shelf to read) and it was a fast paced read that I devoured in one sitting in a matter of hours. Very quick read with short snappy chapters that I just love that keeps the pace moving and the thrills keep coming as we race to the end. Will you guess the final twist? I suspected but wasn't completely sure.
An entertaining read for sure and did not disappoint. I will be sure to check out more from her in future.
I would like to thank #AJCampbell, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #LefAtTheAltar in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
AJ draws inspiration for her stories from seemingly unbelievable situations in which ordinary people find themselves. She creates compelling characters that resonate with her readers. AJ lives in the UK on the Essex / Hertfordshire border with her husband, sons, and cocker spaniel, Max. She is a dog lover, Netflix junkie, and a wine and Asian food enthusiast. And, either reading, watching TV, or writing, AJ enjoys nothing more than getting stuck into a twisty story!
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