Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the #gifted eARC of THE GOLDEN COUPLE!

THE GOLDEN COUPLE reminded me of why I love thrillers. I went into this book fairly blind and had no idea what was happening for at least half the book. Everyone was lying but I couldn’t figure out about what or why. And I loved it. I tore through this book and found the twists satisfying. A few of the connections were a bit of a reach but I had so much fun reading this book that I’m letting it go.

THE GOLDEN COUPLE reminded me a lot of the duo’s first book THE WIFE BETWEEN US which I also loved.

I don’t want to say anything else about this book but if you’re a fan of domestic thrillers, then definitely check this one out!

THE GOLDEN COUPLE is out today, March 8th!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4074366229
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca2eAt8Jah6/

This amazing author duo has done it again! To paraphrase their opening line, I never know when to expect when I open the covers of one of their books. Except I know it's going to be an amazingly exciting ride. This one did not disappoint.

So many secrets, so many twists and turns. I totally devoured this book and couldn't wait to get to the end so that all of my questions and suspicions could be answered. These two authors can weave such an interesting, enticing storyline that will keep you guessing.

I loved The Golden Couple and have this duo's books high on my to-read list every time. Grab it! If you like psychological thrillers as much as I do, I know you'll love it.

The Golden Couple is an amazing new thriller by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. Hendricks and Pekkanen know the formula that pleases their readers and with this exciting story they do not disappoint. The plot is told from the viewpoints of Avery and Marissa. Avery is a celebrated non-licensed therapist who is known for her controversial, but successful, ten step program. Marissa and her husband Matthew are new clients and they are trying to save their marriage after Marissa's one time infidelity. All of the characters are interesting and the story unfolds in many surprising directions. Great characters, concise writing and intriguing story lines are what make this a must reader for any thriller lover.

This book is a solid 4-Star domestic suspense. The Golden Couple is told in dual perspectives, that of Avery, a psychologist who lost her license and pivoted to "consulting", and that of Marissa, an upper class suburban mom with a small business and big problems.

I loved Avery's unconventional methods. Anyone who's been in therapy can see the value in a therapist going beyond the normal methods to try to help a client. I loved her side plot of being haunted/hounded/stalked by a sinister party, too. It was realistic, relevant and cautionary.

Marissa's perspective is harder for me to relate to. She's a privileged woman with a ridiculously overpriced boutique who created the big problem in her life; however, the story is no less entertaining or chilling. If you've been in a "Golden Couple" scenario, you will recognize the signs of being "Instagram curated" instead of truly happy.

Although the book is slower than I'd expected from the authors, based on their prior books that I absolutely devoured, I enjoyed The Golden Couple.

✨ 𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 ✨

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬, 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐏𝐞𝐤𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧

𝙼𝚢 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ★★★★☆
𝙶𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚜 𝟺.𝟶𝟽/𝟻

Happy publishing day to 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆!!

I want to give a huge thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for allowing me to obtain an eARC of 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆 was such a fun, thrilling ride while it lasted—which is to be expected from the thriller genre.

In this novel we meet Avery Chambers, a therapist who uses unconventional methods that ultimately leads to her losing her license. Avery still takes on clients and uses a proven 10-session method, queuing Matthew and Marissa Bishop to enter her life. The first session starts off with Marissa unearthing a huge secret that she has been keeping from her husband. So begins the couple’s healing process and the start of their therapy sessions with Avery.

Matthew and Marissa may appear to be the perfect “golden” couple, but Avery soon finds that they are nothing but.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆 is a true slow burn which causes the majority of the novel (I’m talking 75-80%) to be a lot of build up to a big reveal. A 5★ thriller should execute a few (or a multitude of) good twists and turns, leading up to a gut punching reveal.

Was this the wildest, craziest thrill ride I’ve ever been on? No. Did I feel that the “thrilling” aspect of the novel was a metaphorical gut punch? Sort of? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Did I like 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆? Yes. Do I think that you should read it if you enjoy this genre or these authors? Absolutely.

My final verdict is that readers should definitely take the time to read 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆, I officially rated it a 3.5 and rounded it up to 4 stars. I enjoyed Avery and her less than conventional methods as a therapist, seeing as the chapters were switched between Avery’s and Marissa’s POV—Avery’s chapters were my favorites. She’s quite the cunning detective, that’s all I’ll say, and her antics are fun to follow.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆 releases TODAY!

I’m not going to say it’s satisfying watching cracks form in a seemingly perfect relationship facade, but I’m not not going to say it. It’s oddly comforting to see a transformation from golden couple to what--I don't know,-- a tarnished silver couple?

Marissa and Matthew Bishop are seemingly the perfect couple, but underneath the surface it’s anything but. Marissa is a successful business owner, and Matthew (I can’t quite remember, something fancy?) Their relationship is running on fumes, fueled mostly by their shared love of their 8-year-old son. The two find themselves reaching out to a somewhat controversial Washington therapist. Avery Chambers has lost her professional license, but still takes on clients for counseling through some unusual methods of helping. The Bishops are working to right their relation-ship, but right away, their fracture grows even deeper when Marissa reveals she’s been unfaithful. It sets a wild and crazy chain of events into motion that will forever link this trio.

I was nearly frantic by the end of the book, desperate to know answers. This duo expertly crafted many, many layers to this book, and each time one was stripped away it felt immensely satisfying. Their pacing is also phenomenal, and they know how to throw in an interesting twist at every turn. They remain a favorite, must-buy author duo! Thanks to St. Martin's Press for an ARC!

This is my first time reading this writing duo and I was immediately and completely drawn into this mystery and absolutely devoured it.

This is told from the POV's of Avery; the couples non traditional counselor and Marissa; the wife.

This story is filled with the complexity of married life and what happens when one strays. How do they work to get their marriage back on track especially when outside forces are at work to make the wedge grow bigger.

Overall the plot line and timing were good but I did start to suspect where it might be leading but not how the authors were going to get there. This did not take away from the mystery and intrigue that surrounded this couple. I could have used a bit more of Marissa and Matthew's past as I feel it would have added an even more in depth layer to the story.

This book kept me furiously turning the pages to finally uncover all the secrets it held. Definitely need to read more by these authors.

**Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed**

I lapped up up every delicious morsel of The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down for anything.

The story is told in 3rd person narration but focuses on two points of view – Avery and Marissa. I found myself absolutely mesmerized by Avery, who is not scared to do what's right even when it's hard, and it's often brutal with high stakes. Marissa is not as compelling to me, but she is full of secrets-lots and lots of secrets. The revelation of these secrets came slowly throughout the story, along with the threats coming at Avery from the handful of people she made mad from doing what was right, keeping the pace quite fast from start to finish.

As a professional counselor, I couldn't get behind Avery practicing after her license was yanked – at first anyway – but that soon came into a murky gray area that was just as delightful for me as all the twists, turns, and jaw-dropping shockers of which there were oh so many.

The Golden Couple is one of those stories where to say too much would potentially ruin some shockers, so this review will stay relatively short to prevent that. The vital thing to know is that the story is a psychological thriller that maintains a fast pace, compelling plot, and laser-focused narration. The character development is enough to introduce you to them but still maintain the secrets hidden until their strategic reveal. Avery is the most developed character, and I was fascinated by her actions and therapy techniques.

If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller that you will gladly stay up late into the night to read, The Golden Couple is a perfect fit for you.

THE GOLDEN COUPLE by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen is a fast-paced and twisty domestic suspense novel that kept me guessing right to the end. Marissa and Matthew Bishop appear to have it all – good looks, successful careers, a stunning home in the Washington, D.C. suburbs and darling eight-year-old son, Bennett. But Marissa is carrying a secret that could destroy this golden couple and their perfect life. Avery Chambers is a therapist that has lost her professional license because of a breach in accepted protocol. Now Avery is a “consultant” who continues to treat clients in crisis with a controversial ten-step method of her own design. Marissa convinces Matthew to engage Avery to help save their floundering relationship. At the first session, Marissa drops a bombshell confession that only touches the surface of the secrets this couple is hiding. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Avery and Marissa, who gradually reveal their backgrounds and motivations. As the story unfolds, you won’t know who is telling the truth and who can be trusted. THE GOLDEN COUPLE is a well-crafted and entertaining book and I highly recommend it. Thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

In the beginning, as you read this thriller, you think characters/situations are pretty cut and dried and feel everything might play out in a usual manner. By are you wrong-nothing is at it seems! Edge of your seat, hold your breathe, WOW! I'm still thinking it through, days after I turned the last page. This team of authors are just so good., every time!

About the Book
Avery is an unconventional therapist that no longer practices with her license because of something in her past, but she still helps people (single or couples) with issues. She has her own special 10-step program that she never reveals to anyone except during the process and while the steps are the same, they play out differently depending on the client. In comes Marissa who has asked for Avery’s help in telling her husband, Matthew, about the mistake she made, but with Marissa’s secret revealed, many more are hidden behind the closed doors, veiled smiles, and public displays of perfection. When it all comes to light, nothing will stop the collision course from coming and no one will be able to deny how closely entrenched the three are until it is too late.
My Thoughts:
5 Hearts
What the heck did I just read? You know those books where you are following along, you know something’s up and you know there are false clues being thrown around EVERYWHERE? But then the actual stuff wasn’t even something you were expecting? (I mean some of it I had an inkling about, but the rest…) I’m still left with some questions that I want answered, but those are minor loose end ones that don’t matter too much overall. But this book—wow. LOVED IT. I love this author duo and hope they continue to co-author books. They have yet to disappoint me. I’m only sad the book is over and I can’t read it “for the first time” again.

If Avery Chambers isn't confident she can fix your problems using her ten session method then she won't start seeing you at all. She lost her license to be a therapist so she can use unconventional measures to get to the bottom of your problems. When she takes Marissa and Matthew Bishop on she is confident their issues will be solved easily, until the Bishops start revealing their secrets and Avery needs to figure out what is fact and fiction.

This quick thriller, told in alternating perspectives from Avery and Marissa, reads quick and additively.

I did guess the big twist before it was revealed, and looking back there were a few predictable parts, but sometimes that's exactly what you need in a read like this. Even though I thought I knew where the story was going, I needed to know what was coming next and to see my suspicions confirmed.

I haven't read anything by this author duo before, and I'll be looking out for their other books.

3.5 stars rounded to 3.

This duo’s books are almost always a hit for me, and this was no exception! I loved that it was so suspenseful without being your “typical” mystery/thriller. I read this one in two sittings, and definitely recommend.

This is such an incredibly interesting novel. I really found myself lost in this book in the best way. I was in from the beginning. There were so many little bits within the story that really kept me from being able to guess what was going on and I really liked that. A lot of really strong characters in this one!

👫🏼 • PUB DAY REVIEW

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

rating: 4⭐
format: digital arc
length: 336 pages
pub day: today

This duo seems to never let me down !

Avery Chambers is known for her unconventional way of counseling - it cost her her therapist license, now leaving her as a consultant. When her newest clients arrive, Matthew and Marissa Bishop seem like the perfect couple. The Golden Couple, if you will. Marissa has brought Matthew to Avery to help navigate a mistake she has made, but there are so many more lies in this seemingly perfect marriage. How well do you ever know your partner ? Do you really know what they are capable of ?

I went into this book blind, just like 99% of my reads. This book kept me guessing the entire way. From the very beginning, I was so intrigued. The pacing for me was perfect, building the suspense more and more through every chapter, and then at around 50% through it picked up even more and I did not want to stop reading until I had all the answers. It felt like solving a puzzle. There were so many pieces that, at times, I questioned how they added to the storyline, but by the end, I felt like almost every question I had got answered. And I did NOT see that ending coming. There were a couple very small plot holes, and small parts that I thought would be a bigger contributing factor to the storyline but ended up being smaller side plots almost, but I still throughly enjoyed this one !

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my digital copy of this book that comes out TODAY.

Probably my favorite book of theirs!!!

I was so excited to read this book.

Marissa and Mathew Bishop are a couple that seem to have it all. But Marissa tells Matthew she wants to go to counseling to talk about their son. Little does he know, that’s not the actual reason and Marissa reveals a secret she’s been keeping.

I love books about couples that seem to have it all but actually their lives are really messed up. There were a bunch of little mysteries within the big mystery and I just kept wanting to turn the pages to see what would happen next. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been so engrossed in a book! I highly recommend this book and I think it’s my favorite of theirs!!!

Thank you #netgalley and #stmartins for a copy of #thegoldencouple in exchange for an honest review

The Golden Couple is Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen’s fourth book. I have now read all four books, and I think this is my favorite, I was fortunate to hear them speak at the Indianapolis Author and Book Luncheon in 2015 when they introduced their first book, The Wife Between Us. It was interesting to hear from them how they wrote separately, talked on the phone and met for weekends to hash out their book.

The Golden Couple is full of characters with secrets. Marissa and Matthew Bishop are a high powered couple living in Washington D.C. They have a young son named Bennett. Marissa has a secret she needs to tell her husband. She seeks out Avery Chambers who is a widow and has also lost her license to practice. She now sees clients in her home who agree to a a ten session program to solve their problems. Her unique system also involves detective work about her clients. Avery also has secrets.

I loved all the twists and turns as the story develops. I also like some of the side characters like Avery’s daughter-in-law, Lara. By then there is Natalie and Polly! The reader needs to decide who is telling the truth……I think bookclub’s might enjoy reading The Golden Couple. .My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

Loved this book BUT i will admit I had a very hard time getting into it. Once I hit about 100 pages it took off for me! I did not see the ending coming. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

What a fun thrill ride! The Golden Couple is based on an implausible premise -- the detective character is played by Avery Chambers, a therapist who lost her license. This device apparently allows her to investigate and operate outside of all sorts of laws. She is in high demand, promising clients that she can solve their problems in ten sessions. Enter the Golden Couple Matthew and Marissa Bishop (the adult equivalent of Ken and Barbie), who begin seeing Avery to deal with an act of infidelity on the part of Marissa. The short chapters told by Matthew, Marissa and Avery keep the plot moving quickly, and give the reader little clues that may or may not amount to something later. By the end, I was not only willing to suspend disbelief about Avery, but I wanted to see her in another adventure in the future. This book would also adapt well to the screen. 4 out of 5 stars for sheer entertainment value. Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book.

The Golden Couple has been a fabulous vehicle to transport me through my first novel by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.

My usual 'reading plan' for new authors, clustering chapters together to motivate me to read on, was completely unnecessary.

The story created is so compelling, that it sucks in the reader from very early in its journey. It's twists and turns and droplets of previously unknown information, keeps the pages turning, almost under their own steam.

The dual point of view added a bit of further intrigue and added to the air of mystery, that this reader was desperate to solve.

All in all a great first experience, certainly enough to make me explore further publications from this writing duo.