Left at the Altar
- Judith D Collins
- Jul 31
- 4 min read
By: A.J. Campbell
ISBN: 978-1836186915
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: 08/13/2025
Format: e-book
My Rating: 4 Stars (ARC)
BLOG TOUR AUG 14
My groom is gone. It's my fault. And we are all in terrible danger.
My fiancé Johnny is handsome, charming and perfect. But here I am, standing in my wedding dress without him by my side. There is no way he would leave me at the altar like this. I know something terrible has happened… and what if it’s my fault?
Because looking out at the congregation, I see a face I never thought I’d see again. I didn’t invite him. Could he know the truth about what I did all those years ago?
He smiles, and I know exactly what that means. My heart pounds in my chest as I’m faced with an impossible decision.
If I ever want to see Johnny again, I know I need to confess everything.
But I have to keep my secret hidden. Or I’ll lose more than just my husband.
With all my friends and family gathered around, just how far will I have to go?
This unputdownable psychological thriller packed with heart-racing twists is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose, and Alice Feeney.
My Review
AJ Campbell is back with a gripping, suspense-laden domestic thriller, LEFT AT THE ALTAR.
The narrative opens on a wedding day turned into a shocking nightmare when a bride finds herself abandoned at the altar. Just when she thinks the day cannot get worse, a figure from her past emerges, accompanied by her sister, unraveling dark secrets that blur the line between truth and deception in this intricate mystery.
About...
Hannah is filled with joy and anticipation as she prepares to marry Johnny, dreaming of creating a loving family with her son, Lucas, whom she had raised alone after escaping an abusive relationship. Their happiness, however, is tinged with sorrow, overshadowed by the heart-wrenching loss of a baby that still haunts them.
As the day of the wedding arrives, everything seems perfect—until a shocking message from Tom, Johnny's brother, shatters her dreams. He reveals that Johnny feels trapped and can’t go through with the marriage. In a twist of fate, Hannah’s sister, Carrie, is engaged to Tom, intertwining their families in unexpected ways.
Confusion deepens when Hannah sees Dean, the brother of her abusive ex, Charlie, unexpectedly at the wedding with India, her sister. Why is he present, and does his arrival have anything to do with Johnny's sudden disappearance? Dean’s presence raises troubling questions: Is he playing mind games, especially after previously accusing Hannah of killing his brother?
Did he have anything to do with Johnny's disappearance? Hannah can’t shake the thought from her mind, an unsettling feeling gnawing at her insides. This isn’t typical behavior for Johnny; he has always been reliable and loving.
When she returns to the honeymoon suite, she is greeted by an unexpected sight: the room is romantically decorated, infused with soft candlelight and delicate flowers, accompanied by a heartfelt note from Johnny. But could there be a sinister twist to this seemingly romantic gesture?
What truly happened to Johnny? This lingering question propels the ongoing mystery forward, twisting and turning with every new revelation. Just when Hannah thinks she might uncover the truth, a shocking murder erupts, throwing everything into chaos.
What is Hannah hiding? What is Johnny hiding? Hannah had never told Johnny about the domestic abuse, as she was too ashamed.
Or is something more sinister going on? Are the sins of the past rising to the present?
My thoughts...
LEFT AT THE ALTAR offers a riveting escape into a world of mystery and intrigue, gripping readers from the first page to the last. The tension is palpable as weddings, often a joyous occasion, become fraught with anxiety and fear when the groom mysteriously disappears. With a son who adores him and a heart that feels shattered, Hannah's turmoil becomes ever more relatable.
The author masterfully crafts short chapters filled with cliffhangers, leaving readers breathless with anticipation. Each twist and turn is expertly designed to pull you deeper into a web of secrets, surprises, betrayal, deceit, and plenty of red herrings, ensuring that you will not be able to put this book down.
Recs...
LEFT AT THE ALTAR is for fans of the author and those who enjoy domestic suspense and works by Freida McFadden, Miranda Rijks, Keri Beevis, Valerie Keogh, Emily Shiner, and Robin Mahle.
Blog Tour Stop...
Join me on my blog on August 14 for a fun Blog Tour Stop - Bookouture Books on Tour.
Special thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub date: Aug 13, 2025
About the Author
AJ CAMPBELL is an Amazon top 40 bestselling author of eight psychological suspense novels and promises stories full of twists, turns and torment. Her fourth book The Phone Call was released in July 2022, and it topped the Amazon charts for several months. It was shortlisted for the Adult Prize for Fiction at the Selfie Book Awards 2023. She released her fifth book The Wrong Key in January 2023, and her sixth book Her Missing Husband in May 2023. In July 2023, AJ signed a two-book deal with digital publisher Bookouture. These two books were released in the spring of 2024, and another two-book deal followed. AJ continues to self-publish with her next indie book coming out early 2025.
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, a 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!
