Sometimes picture-perfect lives are just NOT

“The Golden Couple” is about a lie, a simple lie at first, but things do not stop. Sometimes people do not get to write their own stories. Sometimes flowers or a note or just something ordinary turns out to be suspicious. Sometimes every single person is hiding something.

Avery Chambers tells her story in a first person narrative. She has her own unique and definitely unconventional style of counseling that she claims changes lives. She also has a hidden past. She entices readers by sharing that she is no longer a “THERAPIST,” having previously lost her license. She is obviously hiding something big from readers, something significant, and perhaps even more than one thing. Marissa and Matthew Bishop have come to Avery for counseling. They appear to be a perfect couple, but this seemingly faultless relationship is falling apart. They are hiding things as well. Secrets are creeping into their marriage and ripping it apart. The story continues in Avery’s first person narrative alternating with other chapters from Melissa’s viewpoint; each chapter is conveniently labeled for readers.

Pekkanen populates this complex story with people who have flawlessly curated public moments, perfect little details of everyday life. However in their private lives, these picture-perfect people wallow in a cesspool of deception. Are these people just telling convenient little mistruths; are they cunning actors, or are they outright malicious liars? Simple lies spread like an invisible virus that sickens everyone it touches.

I received a review copy of “The Golden Couple” from Greer Hendricks; Sarah Pekkanen, and St. Martin’s Press. The story is dynamic, and characters are complicated. People morph and change right from the first page; ultimately the truth is revealed with surprising results. “The Golden Couple” is now available from independent bookstores, retail outlets, online booksellers, and public libraries.

This writing duo knocks it out of the park EVERY. FREAKING. TIME!! When I get my hands on one of their books, I know I am in for some nail-biting anxiety, edge-of-my-seat paranoia, and a roller coaster of suspicion.

The Golden Couple is a dual POV story: Avery, a psychiatrist with some questionable ethics, and Marissa, a wife with a secret that could kill her marriage. As the two characters lives begin to weave together, you begin to wonder who should you trust or if anyone is really trustworthy.

I had a hard time putting this book down and had it not been for work and kids and also needing sleep, I probably would have finished this in one sitting. With each chapter, Greer and Sarah gave me just a little bit more to nibble on. Leaving more questions than answers until it all finally came together at the end. I can honestly say, that I did not see that ending coming.

The premise and buzz about this book sucked me in, but it didn't live up to the hype. I know these authors are famous for their twists, but the twist here was predictable. I wanted more depth from all the characters, but it fell flat for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen never let me down!!

The Golden Couple was another great book from these authors! They are such a good writing duo, the plots, the characters, the storyline. Just everything all fits together wonderfully!

I always love guessing the plot in these books, but rarely ever get it correct. There was such a great buildup to the ending of this book. I really was surprised! I thought all the characters were essential and for the most part likeable, but of course there’s always got to be a ‘bad guy/girl’.

Overall I would give this book 4.5 stars for the writing and the storyline. And as always, I look forward the next book from these authors!

This duo has quickly become a must read for me and The Golden Couple did not disappoint. Nothing is ever as it seems when you think a couple is “perfect”. In other words, you never know what it going in people’s lives. Marissa and Matthew have a great life but are they really happy? Things start to really unravel as they go to therapy to fix things. It’s not only them that have secrets but what exactly is going on with their therapist, Avery? It’s seems everyone has secrets.

Pekkanen and Hendricks leave you morsels along the way that all tie up in the end.

This was my first book by this duo, and I really enjoyed it. It was a compelling psychological thriller that hooked me right from the beginning. Told in alternating POVs from Avery, the therapist who lost her license for her unconventional way of providing therapy, and Marissa, one half of the couple seeking counseling.
There were twists and turns along the way and some red herrings that kept me on my toes the whole way through.
It was a quick and easy read, and I'll definitely be going to check out the authors' backlist.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Five Twisty Stars

4.5 rounded up!

Avery once was a therapist but she lost her license five years ago. She now is a consultant. She doesn't follow the rules. She also spies on her clients.

Avery opens the door and Marissa and Mathew Bishop walks in. She starts the session the way she always does and asks the 'What brings you here tonight. She then takes three of the plastic cups out of her water cooler and fills each with a generous shot of tequila.
Marissa then tells Matthew that she wants to tell him something.
Here it comes, The Confession. Marissa starts the confession and says to Matthew "I slept with someone , just once.
This isn't the first time Avery has helped a couple through infidelity.

She lets her clients know how it works. You have ten sessions, knowing the time frame for their work. In her process each session has a title beginning with the Confession, then through, Disruption, Escalation, Revelation, Devastation, Confrontation, Exposure, The Test, Reconciliation, ending with Promises.
You can't skip the sessions or be late. No traffic excuses.
All couples have secrets and The Bishops are no exception.

I love these authors! I loved The Wife Between Us and An Anonymous Girl but I loved this one the best. I love psychological thrillers. I could not put this book down. There are many twist and turns. There also are some dark secrets. I did not know who I could trust. This was one hell of a rollercoaster ride. I was hooked straight from the beginning to the end. I loved the writing style and the characters were developed very well.
The twist at the end was mind blowing and my jaw hit the floor. This book Rocks!

I want to thank Netgalley, and St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The story follows an unlicensed therapist, or "consultant" Avery, who begins working with a couple (Marissa and Matthew) when Marissa confesses to infidelity. The story slowly unravels Marissa, and Matthew's history and the true secrets the couple is hiding.

I think this competes for my favorite Greer Hendricks mystery yet. The characters created by Greer and Sarah Pekkanen are complex and unique and I found myself trying to put together the puzzle in my head the entire time Writing in pairs can be disjointed if not done well, but this book had some great twists and turns.

Only bit of criticism is that I think the concept of the unorthodox therapist could have been taken even further, with Avery playing a greater role in this story.

** spoiler alert ** I was a little bit confused through the book because clues were given freely, as if we had to suspect everyone. Well.... I love a good story where secrets are revealed. This one starts with a bang, and even if the lives of the Golden Couple and the life of their therapist seem more intertwined that would be possible, it all worked well in the end.

I'm giving it 3 stars because I didn't connect with any characters, and some links between them seemed far stretched. BUT, overall, I enjoyed the book. I would totally recommend to any thriller fan.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen and St Martin's Press for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I adore this writing duo and I will always read whatever they put out into this world, especially after this one. It was so thrilling and I adored the big reveal because I totally didn't see it coming. I loved the lead up to the twists and definitely marked this as a win for these two authors. I would definitely recommend, especially if you enjoy their writing!

Marissa and Matthew seem to be the Golden Couple. They are happily married with one young son. But Marissa has a secret she needs to share with Matthew. Marissa chooses to share her story in the office of a “consultant”. Avery is the consultant. She was a licensed therapist until she revealed privileged information and lost her license. Now she has a controversial ten session counseling service. While Marissa and Matthew struggle with their marriage, Avery struggles with the fall out from her revelation. This story flows well and keeps you interested through the entire book. I will be looking for more books by these two writers.

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen was a great read. I looked forward to reading this book and it did not disappoint.

Can't go wrong with a book written by these two! Captivating story and intriguing characters! Great for mystery/thriller lovers.

This was a great read!! It reminded me of hints of Anonymous Girl. The puzzle pieces start fitting together at the end. It was a page turner! I found myself questioning all of the characters at some point, being suspicious of behavior.

It kept my interest to the very end. Great book!

I was in the mood for a twisty thriller and boy did Golden Couple deliver. I thought I knew what would happen many times as I read, but nope, dead wrong. I loved the dual narrators and the story was expertly woven! Highly recommend for anyone in the mood for a bit of a mind twist!

Another great read from Hendricks and Pekkanen.
Avery Chambers- professional therapist turned renegade counselor has been hired by the Bishops to save their marriage following a night of infidelity.
But things are not ways as they seem, and neither are people.

I love this writing duo. Everything comes full circle. Everything is tied up nicely with a bow. Everything makes sense.

A book by these two will always be a must read for me

Another terrific read from Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen!!

I've enjoyed previous books from these authors, so I knew I had to get my hands on this one too. I have been trying to catch up on my reading and reviews so I wasn't able to pick this one up until yesterday. However, once I started reading, I was hooked! Just finished a couple of minutes ago and I'm feeling very satisfied after such an exciting read.

I'm hoping to get a longer review together soon. But in the meantime, I just had to say I REALLY enjoyed this book!

A gripping and twisty read that was hard to put down!

WOAH! I love these authors and was blown away by another incredible fast-paced thriller. This book kept me guessing until the end! I will definitely recommend this to my friends! Thank you!!!

This was the best thriller I have read in awhile and once I really started to read this, I could not put it down. So many secrets and lies in this book, but you can feel sympathy for all of them. And the reveals and twists kept my interest the whole way through. This was also not a bit predictable and I thought I had it figured it. Just wow.

Highly recommended and Greer Hendricks is definitely a favorite author now. I am definitely buying a copy for myself.

Thanks to Netgalley, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, and St Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already Available!

4.75 STARS

Synopsis: Marissa and Matthew Bishop seem to have it all - the golden couple - but their veneer of perfection is altered when Marissa is unfaithful. She wants to repair things for the sake of their 8 year old son, so they sought out Avery Chambers, a highly successful therapist. Even as Marissa reveals her infidelity, Avery realizes the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden.

I feel like I typically don't like a cheating spouse in any story, BUT I found myself really liking Marissa. This story was told in alternating viewpoints - Marissa's (the cheating wife) & Avery's (the therapist) - and I loved both of them. There were some interesting twists thrown in and I was definitely on the edge of my seat for most of this book. I suspected just about everyone in this book of some sort of wrongdoing at some point, so it was fun to see how everything tied together.

I've loved everything these two authors have written, and I would definitely recommend this (and all of their work) to fans of suspense!

You can find my review on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4483903188
You can also be on the lookout for my review on my instagram page @mollyreadsthrillers