Member Reviews

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Holy shit. This was so incredible. I’m impressed and embarrassed that I missed every twist possible. Excellent plot. Excellent characters. Excellent setting. Rebecca, Kira, Tony, and Brian. Holy cow. Excellent ending. Well done. I am Alex Berenson’s newest fan.

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You just know that when a story starts....they seemed to have it all......the story is about to take off! As this married couple who do indeed have "power" realize that their personal lives have hit a rut, they plan an awesome family vacation to prove to themselves that their lives are just as wonderful as the outside world thinks they are. Then, the daughter goes missing. As the family scrambles with the foreign authorities that do not seem so "awesome" now, they will find out just how much they can pull together to rescue their child.

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Alex Berenson's The Power Couple is an electrifying and immersive thriller that leaves readers spellbound from start to finish. With its masterfully crafted plot and well-developed characters, this book delivers an enthralling reading experience that's hard to put down.

Berenson's writing prowess shines through in The Power Couple, as he weaves a complex and multi-layered narrative that keeps you guessing at every turn. The story revolves around an affluent couple, Rebecca and Brian Unsworth, who seem to have it all. However, beneath the surface, their seemingly perfect lives are riddled with secrets and lies that gradually unfold, keeping readers engrossed until the very end.

The Unsworths are compelling and relatable characters, flawed yet undeniably human. As the layers of their personalities are peeled away, readers become invested in their journey, torn between empathy and suspicion. Berenson deftly explores their motivations, fears, and vulnerabilities, making them feel like real people with genuine struggles.

The pacing in The Power Couple is expertly handled, with each chapter leaving you craving for more. Berenson's ability to build suspense is commendable, and as the stakes escalate, the tension becomes palpable, making it impossible to resist turning the pages to see what happens next.

The novel's exploration of the power dynamics in relationships, the price of ambition, and the consequences of deceit adds depth and complexity to the story. Berenson takes readers on an emotional roller-coaster, confronting them with moral dilemmas that linger long after the final page.

In addition to its gripping plot, The Power Couple is enriched by its vivid settings and meticulous attention to detail. Berenson's writing transports you to the luxurious world of the Unsworths, as well as to the gritty underbelly of crime, all while maintaining a sense of authenticity that keeps the story grounded in reality.

Overall, The Power Couple is a tour de force in the thriller genre. Alex Berenson's ability to craft a gripping narrative with well-rounded characters and thought-provoking themes sets this book apart. If you're a fan of suspenseful, character-driven thrillers that challenge your perceptions, then The Power Couple is a must-read that will leave you captivated until the final sentence.

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This book is not just about a missing daughter, it is also about a marriage and both Rebecca and Brian individually. As the plot thickens, the book becomes more intriguing and tense. This book had a few twists and turns which I did not see coming. They helped move the plot along especially when things began to get a little muddled down. Overall, this was an enjoyable and entertaining book.

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One of those rare thrillers where the big twist comes in the middle of the plot, and its effects are felt throughout the rest of the story. Berenson has an excellent grasp of presentation when it comes to the marital feelings between Rebecca and Brian, and his handling of the reader's knowledge of the twist before it is revealed to all relevant parties in the book is superb.

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The power couple is a suspenseful thriller that is gripping. The author does have a few strong opinions that I may or may not have agreed with, but overall, this book has all the elements of a great read.

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This was a quick, well written story. There were some parts that seemed to lag, but it didn’t take away from the overall excitement. The story is told in multiple POVs, so it was kind of hard to predict what was going to happen. Although I never got that “wow” moment, I still enjoyed the story very much.

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📖My Thoughts📖

Oh my! What a gripping and wild ride this one was! There were some good twists in this one that just keep me hanging on every word. The book is divided into six parts, also being told from multiple points of view as well as alternating between past and present day, which I think added to the gripping effect of the story as well as allowed the reader to get more of a background and sense of each of the characters. One minute I was fully supporting one character, then the story shifts gears, totally getting you to switch the character you’re supporting. It definitely made it that much more interesting. I’ve never read anything by this author before, but I can tell you that this definitely won’t be the last time I do. This was very well written in my opinion. If you enjoy a good gripping thriller, I suggest you pick this one up.
Thank you Netgalley, Alex Berenson and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this thrilling page turner. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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A true page turner. The thriller is told from different perspectives and keeps surprising as the story develops. The reader finds herself changing loyalties throughout and realizes it is a fine line between love and murder.

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An enjoyable read. It did take a bit to get to the meat of the story, but once there, I found it engaging with a number of twists. The flashbacks, though numerous, did work to "flesh" out some of the whys.

Author has been a favorite, and this did not change that for me.

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DNF - Did not finish. I did not connect with the writing style or plot and will not be finishing this title. Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the early copy!

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I was 60% in and just couldn't do it anymore. I'm not sure if it was the repetitive writing or the time jumps but this did not work for me. It had everything I like, but something about it didn't work! I think this could've honestly been half the length and much more effective. I read some spoilers and still didn't feel like I missed out. Hopefully, this author comes out with something else that I enjoy more!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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This was a good thriller that did a great job of painting pictures of the characters, particularly the married "power" couple, and outlining their issues.

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With the title and description I really expected this book to be a bit more thrilling. I did enjoy aspects of it, like Rebecca and her job, given that I highly identify with it. However there was a lot that could have just been let out, leaving me feeling kind of meh about the whole ordeal.

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Do you ever get in the mood for some espionage? If you’re like me, you definitely have those tendencies, and when you’re in that mood, nothing else will do.

Enter The Power Couple.

But wait, there’s more.

If espionage novels aren’t your jam, have no fear, this is still the book for you.

In short, with this one, Berenson pens the story of a family. We are graced with a very compelling story of a marriage and some captivating parental/child dynamics. In addition to all of this, because of the careers of our “power couple,” involving the FBI and NSA, we are treated to a heart-pounding story of international espionage.

From the first page, I was completely riveted. There were so many twists and turns that all expertly guided me toward a shocking ending. I couldn’t have been happier with my journey with The Power Couple.

This was my first book by this author, and it won’t be my last. I’m practically salivating for my next Berenson adventure.

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Really enjoyed the Power Couple. Good story theme of family, ambition, FBI, espionage that had some twists! I liked the story, character development It had some real unlikable characters! I read the book and also purchased the audible version. Great narration by Marin Ireland and Steven Weber.
A special thank you to Simon and Schuster via NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honey review.

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This was an easy read thriller but one with unlikeable characters. At times my perspective would change about how I felt about some of the characters which made the story more interesting. I didn't really connect with any of them but still enjoyed the story. It begins with Rebecca and Brian going to Europe to celebrate their anniversary. Kira their 19 year old daughter disappears and then things get crazy. The plot has many twists and is told from Rebecca, Brian and Kira's point of view. We learn alot of the couples history. I think because my perception of each of the characters changed throughout the book it made it a little more interesting because I wanted to see what happened next. At points, I didn't like any of the characters but never wanted to put the book down. Only one can come out on top when their is a power couple fighting for the power, who will it be?

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Suspenseful thrillers are one of my favorite genres to read and I love going in blind - it just adds to the tension when you don't have any idea what to expect. I highly recommend that approach for this novel. When we think is a story about a kidnapping quickly turns into espionage and a deep dive into the marriage of our power couple, Rebecca and Brian. This is a quick read and there is a lull in the suspense. But if you keep going, it's all worth it in the end!

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Great book. Highly recommend and will most defiantly read more by this author and suggest to others!

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This was a fun, twisty, and fast-paced mystery thriller with lots of domestic drama.

Rebecca and Brian Unsworth have been married for 20 years when they decide to splurge a bit and take the family on a trip to Europe to celebrate their anniversary. Rebecca has been a workaholic and given little attention to the kids or her husband because she is an FBI Agent. Intense and passionate about her job in counterterrorism, she has drifted from the strong connection she had with Brian when they first got together. Brian has drifted into one job after another, mostly functioning as house husband, but finally lands a plumb position as a coder for the NSA. Things are finally looking up and their money worries have eased.

Things are going well on the trip until the night that their 17-year-old daughter, Kira, goes out to a club in Barcelona and doesn't return. As soon as Rebecca and Brian find out that she has been kidnapped, everything kicks into high gear as Rebecca uses her connections to try and locate their daughter. No spoilers.

The narrative takes off quickly and shifts in point of view and time as the reader gets an indepth look at the characters and their history. Although Rebecca and Brian are very hard to like, it becomes increasingly clear that some serious shenanigans have disrupted the course of their lives and a huge shift in power dynamics is coming. I enjoyed the twists and turns throughout this discovery, and could not put the book down as I had to know what was going to happen. I liked the writing style and the espionage detail about the different agencies involved. I'm sure that I will be one of the few readers that liked the parts about Kira and her situation the least. Overall, however, I definitely would recommend -- this would make a great movie.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this e-book ARC to read and review.

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