I’ve been on a thriller kick in 2020, especially the past month or so, as I have found that getting lost in a good thriller is the perfect way to take me out of my anxiety riddled mind and make the world around me disappear. Thriller novels are my form of therapy of sorts while in quarantine. So when I stumbled upon The Happy Couple on Netgalley and read through the synopsis, I felt it would be a great distraction and an excellent anti-anxiety remedy, not requiring a pill, (who needs xanax when thrillers exist?) to lose myself in. I am always intrigued by missing husband/wife thrillers and the like, so naturally, this book was right up my alley.

The Happy Couple is like a twisted take on the movie The Holiday, only more screwed up and sinister, and with many of the elements of a twisted, ominous thriller instead of a romantic feel good movie. (Fun Fact: the movie The Holiday was mentioned in the book so perhaps I’m onto something. Maybe Samantha Hayes was watching it one night and got inspired?)

All of the ingredients needed for an engrossing, compelling thriller are present in this novel making for a fun and intriguing read: a wife distraught over her missing husband. a best friend (a very annoying friend) who has secrets and problems of her own and also plays a vital role in setting certain events in motion. A mysterious woman who may or may not be the mistress of the missing husband and may also know more to the story in regards to his perplexing disappearance, as she seems to be harboring dark secrets of her own.

Before picking up The Happy Couple I had never read any of Samantha Hayes’ previous novels. Although I will pick up a book by her again at some point in the future, I have to say that this one in particular was just an okay read overall. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it wasn’t fantastic either, and while it kept me entertained, it won’t be making it onto my list of favorite thrillers of 2020. Still, even with that being said, I did enjoy this book, as it was a quick and engaging read, filled with suspense and questions that keep you thinking and wanting to turn the pages with eager anticipation while reading so that you may reach the conclusion that much faster.

From the very start of the book, you are thrust right smack into the middle of what is going on, making you eager to know what exactly it is that is going on, what will happen next, and how it will all play out. All before the first chapter has even come to a finish!

The book is narrated through first person POV, through the mind of the main character and lead female protagonist, Jo Carter. Jo is not at all in a good, stable frame of mind, and her angst and tormented state is made very clear from the onset of the opening chapters. Her husband, Will, has disappeared, and has been missing for a year. Whether he is dead or simply vanished but alive (and out there somewhere due to his own choosing or against his will) is unclear, and this further adds to her inner turmoil and unstable state of mind, as she struggles to both cope with his absence and is frantic to find out what happened to him and the reasons behind his disappearance.

Jo not only spends her time reminiscing about the past (as the book sometimes flashes back to past memories in chapters, which has relevence to the storyline the more the story unfolds), but she speaks to him as if he is still there with her, perhaps as a means of comforting herself and a coping method of sorts. And sometimes, without even realizing she’s doing it, she says the things that she’s thinking out loud in her head, even while speaking to other people. Even more alarming and chilling, she actually sees hallucinations of Will on numerous occasions, and speaks to him.

Both her mother (who has never been quite approving of Will) and her pregnant best friend Louise (who I found to be quite annoying from the start. Anyone else feel this way? No? Maybe its just me?) continuously urge her to move on with her life and at the beginning of the book I found this to be rather irksome and insensitive. More so on Lousie’s part than Jo’s mother’s, perhaps because she plays a much bigger role and therefore is mentioned more.

Jo is not only grieving and out of her mind (quite literally), but she literally has no idea idea what happened to her husband. No answers whatsoever. Is he dead? Is he alive? Is he lying in a ditch somewhere? Buried in the woods in a shallow grave? Relaxing and sunning himself on a beach on an island far away with a fruity cocktail in hand? Had he been having an affair prior to his disappearance and decided to up and leave his wife and start a merry new life with his mistress? The questions and possibilities were endless as far as Jo was concerned, because she didn’t know, hence her state of mind, and its beyond understandable why she was so overcome with anxiety and unable to move on with her life. Plus, when it comes down to it, Will was still her husband, and she was still a married woman! Plus, it had only been a year since his disappearance! The way that her supposed best friend was acting, you would think that years had gone by! For goodness sake woman, have some compassion! She even attempts to set Jo up on a date because you know, that is exactly what she is in need of. *eye roll*

All of that aside, Louise suggests that perhaps a change of scenery would do Jo some good and that maybe a holiday of some kind is in order (finally a helpful suggestion!). As Jo is a bit strapped for cash, Louise encourages her to sign up on a website for house sitters and that is when all of the ominous happenings begin to start happening.

A lovely cottage near a village called Hastings catches Jo’s eye, and while the cottage is charming and seemingly perfect and suited to just what she’s looking for at first glance, she’s shocked by what she sees in one of the pictures being advertised on the site. She’s astounded to see that in one of the photos showcasing the living room are pictures of Will on display. Is it an eerie coincidence? Surely not. Does Will live there? If so, why? Does he live there with someone else? Another woman? If not, why are there pictures of him displayed in that cottage and what does it all mean? What is the connection? And who is the person that lives in the cottage and what is their connection to Will? Desperately needing to know the answers to these questions, and needing to see for herself if Will is in fact living at the cottage, Jo sends in a requests for the house sitter position, and once she is approved, makes her way there.

Although Jo does not discover Will at the cottage, she learns that it is owned and lived in by a woman named Suzanne, who does have a connection to Will as we later learn.

As the novel progresses, a captivatingly dark story filled with secrets, deception, and all kinds of madness come to play and unravel into a plot that keeps you flipping the pages in anticipation of what’s going to happen next.

I thoroughly enjoyed a good chunk of this novel, but admittedly, I started to lose interest after the twists were revealed. It became a bit dull even. It was fun peeling back the hidden layers of the characters and discovering what they had been hiding, and Jo’s unstable state of mind was a compelling factor when it was all relevant, but this book just dragged on and on a bit unnecessarily.

Another issue I had with this book: the fact that Jo’s mental health issues weren’t properly address. While her psychiatric issues were vital to the storyline, its a bit concerning that no one seemed to think anything of her behavior and the way in which she would act. I know this isn’t a book about mental health, but still. Just something that stuck out to me and bothered me a bit.

Overall, a thought-provoking, fast paced, fun and engaging read! While not my favorite, I still very much enjoyed it, and will be on the lookout for future releases by this author, as well as going back and reading some of her previous novels.

This book flew past! I was intrigued from the very start and before I knew it I was at 40% and desperate to find time to read on. Jo is a strong lead character, facing adversity with inner strength and determination & more courage, at times, than I feel I would have in her situation. The other lead characters: Louise and Suzie also portray convincing and very real people, Suzie in particular with hidden back stories that are intriguing and addictive. Simon is an added bonus to the story and brings with him more twists, doubts and theories -which way next? The story, as I have come to expect from Samantha Hayes, is compulsive reading putting clear pictures in your mind, whilst also twisting and turning, slowly revealing clues to keep you hooked. The tension building is well-written and I found myself mentally willing Jo towards decisions, gritting my teeth as I faced the situations alongside her! The fabulous descriptive writing brings the settings simply and clearly to life placing images firmly in your mind, particularly the cottage. The subplots which appear are intriguing and constantly keep the reader involved trying to work out where the story is going. A fabulous read - gutted to have finished! Totally recommend!

Joe is devastated when her husband Will goes missing.
She can’t get on with her life and is determined to find him.
A slow moving story that failed to keep my interest.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

oh what a story once i started did not want to stop .JO is married to will who is an actor and drama teacher one day he never came home i year later Jo still wants answers her best friend Louise is there for her and her sewing business is helping her to take her mind off it Louise tells her to take a break and tells her to go on net and look for a house sit holiday she spots a photo of her husband in one of the houses am saying no more how story unfolds is just brilliant i cried is a must read

I went back and forth between 2-3 stars on this one but if I’m being honest, this one just didn’t do it for me. I found most of the book to be really slow without much action but I pushed on because I really wanted to see what happened to Will.

Once the “twist” was revealed I was kind of disappointed. It all seemed really convoluted to me and seemed like the author just threw in a bunch of different twists to see which one stuck.

So this book was about Jo and her husband will. You see Will just walked out of the door and never came back. So through persuasion from a friend she goes on holiday in Sussex and Bam she sees pictures of Will and so begins the quest for answers. It is a slow burn but quite a good read. Thank you bookouture for my copy.

A year has passed since Will her husband disappeared and Jo is still struggling, she cannot accept not knowing if he is dead or if he just left her.
On the advice of a good friend Jo decides to apply for a housesitting job, while she is looking at ads she spots pictures of Will on the mantelpiece of another woman's home. Determined to find out what happened, she applies for the job, and her application is accepted. But is she ready for the truth?

I was a little disappointed with the slow start as I thought from the synopsis that this would be a gripping thriller which is the reason I requested it. It is, however, a quick, enjoyable read, full of twists and turns, love and lies.
I thank NetGalley, Samantha Hays and the publishers for allowing me to read and review pre-publication in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Bookouture and Net Galley for an early copy of The Happy Couple. I’m not sure why the title is what it is, doesn’t make sense with the book. This was an ok read. Many twists in it, the ending was not what I expected. I am glad I stayed reading this but it did not grip me. Definitely a fast read.

I love a Samantha Hayes book, and this was no different - one I read quickly in a matter of a couple of days.

Other reviewers have noted that it is slow to get started, and I would definitely agree - however it is more than worth pursuing as the story builds depth.

Very highly recommended.

To be honest, I had a really hard time getting through the first part of this book - The story was really confusing at first and I had problems really connecting to any of the characters.

However, the book slowly started to come together in the second half - and it gradually became perfect literary popcorn. A fun read with several great twists!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me have the chance to read this one!

The Happy Couple by Samantha Hayes is another solid read from an author who has really caught my attention as of late. I must say, though, that this one took a little longer to pull me in, and felt rather drawn out, at least over the opening chapters.

Jo Carter's husband, Will, has disappeared and a year later friends are actively encouraging her to move forward. Jo decides to research a housesitting position that will provide for a cheap holiday, and allow her to finally put everything out of mind. But while perusing potential homes, Jo is stunned to see her husband's picture placed prominently on the mantle of a woman who is seeking housesitting services. Jo knows that she must find a way into this stranger's home and life if she is ever to find answers to Will's mysterious disappearance.

This is a compelling read that will keep you guessing until the end. For me, however, this one lacked that certain je ne sais quoi that has previously had me hanging on this author's every word.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

Will and Jo Carter are the happy couple referred to in the title. Will is a drama teacher and actor while Jo has just set up her own fledgling business as a seamstress. They are trying to start a family when this story begins, but have not been successful so far. Will wants to ease the tension and take Jo away for a short holiday in Sussex after an acting friend having recommended the county as picturesque and nearby the sea as well as being surrounded by lovely countryside and plentiful walks.
Then the mystery disappearance of Will who walks out of school and is never seen there again intrudes on the story of the perfect couple. Jo is beside herself with worry and cannot get him out of her mind. She sees him everywhere she goes and is distraught when the police investigation does not find a single clue as to what happened to him or even where he is. She is inconsolable. Her best friend Louise and her husband Archie don’t know what to think. Jo doesn’t know if he has left her, met with an accident or worse. Still she grieves and misses her husband in every possible way.
Then, a year after Will disappeared, Louise suggests that she go on holiday alone. Jo ponders over the idea. Perhaps it would help her. Everywhere in their home reminds her of Will. She cannot really afford a holiday now Will’s money isn’t coming in, but Lou has found a website specialising in finding the right person to take on the job of a house sitter. She remembers Will’s plan for them to holiday in Sussex and looks for properties in Sussex. What she does next may cost her very life. This novel now starts the exciting story of how Jo gets on looking after cottage owner Suzanne’s pet dog and cat.
I have always enjoyed this author’s novels and have read them all with the exception of her first, a debut, prizewinning ‘Out of Mind’. ‘The Happy Couple’ is a bit of a slow burner, concentrating on introducing the characters and setting the scene until this point. But I am glad that I persevered because the next part is scary, thrilling and almost consumed by shocking twists and horrible shocks. I didn’t really identify with or like any of the main characters except Simon, Suzanne’s next door neighbour and her dog Spangle, who was easy going yet excitable and cute. I am not a fan of sci-fi, paranormal or fantasy novels but just about tolerated the weird apparitions involving Will appearing before Jo’s eyes wherever she is. I really enjoyed the psychological element very much and also I really liked how the story panned out. I thought Samantha’s modern themes were interesting as well as the issues she introduced like PTDO, grief, secrecy, adultery and betrayal. They were very thought-provoking and I’m still pondering over the latter part of the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Bookouture through my membership of NetGalley. Thank you for my copy, sent in return for an honest and unbiased review. I’m glad that I read this novel although it is not one of my favourites written by this talented author. It’s a 3.5* review from me.

My thanks, to Bookoutre, Samantha Hayes, and Netgalley.
To say that I despise psychological thrillers would be a vast understatement on my account. But, I keep trying them and end up not being able to finish them. They say psychological. I personally think they're mad! But, I had a few recommendations from friends about this author, so I have it a go.
I will confess that I truly hated the first 30% I usually only give a book 30%. Then, if I hate it I quit! I hated this! Oh, Will. Where's Will..Blah, blah! But, I decided to stick around a bit longer. Yeah, I actually loved it! Once we got to the heart of the story, and past the angst, I was all in. This will be a mild book I suppose for those who like the messed up psych fests! For me? It was perfect! Even that ending saw a few tears 😢 rolling down my face. It's often difficult for me to read anything other than horror, fantasy or mystery/thrillers! This was a nice change.

I found the first half of this book to be slow & not interesting. I'm glad I continued reading, because I wanted to know what happened to Will, but I found it to be lacking something. I thought the ending was rushed & the last chapter was strange.

Jo's husband Will has been missing for a year and she still can't get over his disappearance - did he leave her, did something happen to him, or is it connected to something that happened on a drive home one night in the past...? Jo looks through house-sitting jobs after her friend Louise suggests she house-sit to give herself a break, and Jo is shocked to see a photo of her husband on a fireplace in one of the properties on the site. Jo takes the house-sitting job so that she can investigate and see if the woman who owns the house knows her husband... but she might just find more than she ever imagined...

A tense and thrilling read that has great twists and turns - I really enjoyed the book and couldn't stop reading until I got to the shocking ending. A recommended read - I'm looking forward to reading more of Samantha Hayes' books.

Thanks so much to the publisher, author and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

It’s been a while since I read a Samantha Hayes novel but I was intrigued by the synopsis of The Happy Couple. We have a missing husband, a distraught wife who sees and hears her husband everywhere and is seeking answers. I found myself drawn straight into the book from the first few pages. It’s gritty, thrilling and full of secrets and lies. I absolutely loved it and would rate it 4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

I have read all the previous books from this author, giving all of them a five-star rating. However, I did not enjoy this book as well. The storyline was ok, but I found the constant talking out loud as well as having visions of her husband by the main character distracting since those were too much of a constant throughout the book. I will be looking forward to the authors next book hoping it will be an improvement.

Will has been missing for a year. Yet, his wife, Jo, refuses to let him go. She still "talks" to him. And she does not want to do anything except maybe work. As a seamstress, Jo enjoys her quiet time.

At a crossroads - Jo isn't sure if she feels angry at Will for leaving her; or sorrow. (After all he could be dead.)

At a dinner party her best friend, Louise, hosts, she is asked by someone why not house-sit for a bit of a getaway? She automatically shuns the idea until...

WOW! A thrilling suspense story again from Samantha Hayes! A MUST READ!!!

Many Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a chance to read and review this winner!

The happy couple'... seems like a lovely romantic book when you hear that title, right?

When you take a look at the gorgeous cover next, you feel like striking out the 'happy' :)

You have found the one you have been waiting for and And you lived together happily ever after. The end!

No, no, no, no. That not how it went at all!

You start as the most happy couple in the world, but then things start to change and you don't know why. You find yourself alone and a whole load of emotions fly through your head, because you are left in the dark. Why did he do this? Or did something happen where he had no say so about?

He lives on in your mind. You see him, you talk to him, but you can't find him. And that's when you see his photos in a home on a house sitting site ... You know what you have to do.

The author tells the story in the present, but gives us an insight in the past too. I liked Jo. The author created a great character that made me smile when she blurted things out and created funny or sometimes embarassing situations.

Jo is not the only great character. Will, Lou, Susie and Simon are equally likeable.

I enjoyed the story and the surprising revelations. 5 stars.

Thank you, Samantha Hayes and Bookouture

Thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for the review copy. This was an exciting, thrilling read. I enjoyed this story a lot. There were great twists and shockers, just the way I like them. This author never disappoints!