Avery Chambers is an unorthodox therapist who lost her license. And she has no regrets. Now she has the ability to create a ten session plan that may be out of the box but is guaranteed to work. Practicing near D.C. she found a way to twist the media into a positive and now has more clients than she ever expected. Keeping busy is a priority since her husband passed away and with her latest set of clients there is no room to ponder the paths not taken. Marissa and Matthew Bishop light up a room when they arrive. Beautiful, stylish, unquestionably successful. Marissa made the appointment under the guise to help their 8 year old son with a school bully. Unbeknownst to her controlling husband she is there to confess she had a one night fling. Initially, Avery is unsure whether Marissa wanted to soften the blow or truly repair their declining marriage. When she begins their therapy sessions Matthew’s controlling demeanor slowly begins to fade. Almost too easily he concedes and tries to give his wife the attention she has quietly been craving the last few years. As Avery becomes a pseudo detective to get to know the couple better, it is clear the characters involved in their every day activities are far from innocent. Mind-boggling twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat with this latest thriller from one of my favorite writing duo’s.

Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen are such a fantastic writing team, I always look forward to their new releases. And The Golden Couple did not let me down, this is a fantastic psychological thriller.

I highly recommend going into this one without reading any potential spoilers, you’ll enjoy the journey so much more. There are plenty of twists and turns, and you’ll change your opinions of all of the characters multiple times throughout the book. I found this one impossible to put down, I had to know what happened next. The only part that didn’t quite work for me was the pharmaceutical subplot, it just seemed a bit random. But it’s such a small part of the book that I didn’t really mind.

Overall, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen wrote an excellent novel that will keep you engaged and guessing. Definitely recommend to fans of psychological thrillers!

I therapist with unconventional tactics (and a removed licence), a couple who looks golden on the outside, but cracks are there, and a whole host of complicated side characters.

This book is truly a slow burn thriller, until the last little bit of the book I wasn't feeling as tense or curious as perhaps in other novels of this type. The characters were mostly all very intriguing as their secrets were revealed, but I do think in some ways not enough was shared early on to make me wonder about motives as much as I should of.

This is my third title from this writing duo and I hate the say my least favorite. I found this story to be incredibly bland and boring. Flat characters, weak reveals, uninspired writing. I might be done with this duo, having only liked 1 of the 3 I've read.

Another miss from this duo for me. Their first collaboration was such a great book, but their last couple fell flat for me.

I get the whole idea of misdirection and trying to create that wow factor with plot twists. This one had me turning the pages for about half the book. It was intriguing. It had me wondering where it would go.

Eventually, after nothing actually happening, I began to lose interest. Then once things seemed like they'd get really good, the twists that came were so far out there, I felt disappointed. The connections made were easy to see coming but the end result was too far out in left field.

I can appreciate why many would love this book. I, unfortunately, am not one of them.

Avery Chambers is a therapist, or at least she was until she lost her license due to her unorthodox methods. Now only able to consider herself a consultant, she has no shortage of work. She guarantees to fix her clients in ten sessions, and has been extremely successful.

Marissa Bishop was referred to Avery through a friend and is desperate for her help. Avery and her husband, Matthew, are successful, wealthy, and happy- The Golden Couple. Despite this, Marissa ends up cheating one night. She loves her husband, her son, and believes Avery can be the one to repair them.

This is the first novel I’ve read from Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, but it most certainly won’t be my last. It was a book full of secrets and I devoured each one while these authors took me through many twists and turns. I’m often not a fan of slow burn character-driven thrillers, as they can be tough to keep my interest, but this was a great example of how it can be done right. Avery and Marissa were such intriguing characters and the alternating chapters between their POVs left me wanting to know more.

While I was able to guess some of the twists, I think I may have just gotten lucky. I was never entirely sure and often found myself second guessing. The book also had several mysterious side characters that made for multiple possible outcomes.

I am grateful to have been given the audiobook along with an ecopy, and it was very well done. There is a separate narrator for Avery and Marissa, and each really brought the character the life. If you enjoy audiobooks, this one won’t disappoint!

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for my advance copies in exchange for an honest review.

Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen did it again. They kept me guessing and I really wasn’t sure what the ending was going to be until I got there.
Avery was a licensed therapist but lost her license for getting too involved into her clients issues. She gets hired by the golden couple, Miranda and Mathew to help them with marriage issues.
There were lots of turns to make a reader question what is going on. There was at least one turn that didn’t get solved by the end, but it wasn’t an important one.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Dynamic Duo Strikes again. I loved the different points of view. Lots of curve balls in this one. Matthew and Marissa seek counseling from a non-licensed therapist Avery. I would love more of Avery’s clients and stories.

My thanks go to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the invitation to read and review. The Golden Couple is the third novel I’ve read by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, and it’s the best so far. This book becomes available to the public, in print and in audio, March 8, 2022. Those that enjoy a solid psychological thriller should order it right now.

We have three major characters. The first is Avery, the therapist, and she is the only one to use the first person, so if we have to choose one character as protagonist, she’s the one. The other two are Marissa and Matthew, two halves of the married couple she is counseling. The narrative shifts between them, with the lion’s share going to Avery and Marissa, and less to Matthew.

Before we go farther, I will tell you that when I learn that Avery is a therapist, my initial reaction is the eye roll. Seriously? Another therapist, as in An Anonymous Girl? Can we have a little variety here, maybe. And suspicious type that I am, I think I smell a good writing team becoming hacks, too comfortable with a formula. But oh no no no, that’s not at all what is happening here! This is nowhere near the same story.

The premise is that Marissa wants to come in with Matthew for counseling. She has cheated on him—just once—and she wants to tell him, but she is afraid of his reaction. She treasures her marriage, and the little family they have created with their son, eight year old Bennett. She doesn’t want him to leave her, and he has a bit of a temper. She’s come to ask a pro for help, and has heard fine things about Avery’s work. Avery has a ten-step method that she swears will help every couple, whether it’s to find a way to stay together, or the best way to uncouple. She believes the marriage can be saved.

Now, Avery, our therapist, is an odd duck. She’s lost her license to practice as a psychologist because of some unconventional methods, and we learn this right at the outset, so we’re already on the back foot, watching to see if she does something hinky. She seems like she may be a bit sketchy, and the couple seem almost too good to be true, both ready to do whatever it takes to salvage their relationship and move forward. And yet, clearly, not all is as it seems.

I can’t tell you more than that. You don’t want a lot of information going in. Because this is a work of suspense, you can’t guess who the baddy is by keeping track of the facts as they are revealed; just sit back, and enjoy the ride.

I also received the audio version, and I alternated my reading between it and the review copy on my Kindle. Voice actors Karissa Vacker and Marin Ireland do a fine job; it’s really a toss up as to which version is better, so go with the medium you most enjoy.

Highly recommended to those that like the genre.

This was a twisty read! It's told from alternating viewpoints.

Avery Chambers is a widowed former therapist, who still sees clients. Her methods aren't typically used to counsel. Clients still come to see her because of her track record helping those in crisis.

Marissa & Matthew Bishop are a wealthy couple with one son. Marissa leads Matthew into therapy using their son as an excuse, but she is about to reveal a confession that can rock their marriage.

As Avery works her way through her methods, and as the Bishops try to put their marriage back together, Avery still feels that Marissa is holding back something. Another lie. Before Marissa says anything, Avery has figured it out, but not all of it.

This book held me captivated and just when I felt the pieces were falling into place, something would pop up and make me rethink the situation. There are hints, from an inner voice, trying to send a signal that one of the protagonists isn't fully tuned into, and it took me a while to question the whys. I was kept guessing right up to the end.

I requested and received an ARC from NetGalley via St. Martin's Press and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

I really enjoyed this book! It started slow but ended with a bang! So just wait for it to all come together, the wait will be worth it! Great plot and great characters ! Would definitely recommend.

4.5 Rounded up t 5
Greer Hendericks & Sarah Pekkanen are back and ask how far are you willing to go in order to save your marriage:

All Avery needs is 10 sessions, 10 sessions in order to help you overcome the biggest obstacles in your life, from domineering parents, to overbearing partner to assault, Avery will take you on as a client. When Marissa first contact Avery, it is out of the need to confess to her husband that she has been unfaithful to him and she wants him to forgive her and make their family work for the sake of their 8-year old son. But the more Avery digs into the Bishops lives she cannot help but notice that there are other things going, other secrets that need to be revealed and it is simply not just the marriage that is in danger.

This is the third book that I have read by Hendericks and Pekkanen and I think this is my favourite so far. The Golden Couple is a fantastic book that may start a bit slow, but trust me keep reading and all the twists, turns and shocking moments will come. Just when you think you have the plot figured out or have the person figured out a new twist will emerge and completely shatter what you thought before.

Avery seems like half therapist half private eye as she not only performs stakeout on her clients, but also digs into their past and present, to try and really determine who her clients really are as people as well as why they have really sought her out. I liked this mix as it meant that Avery was not limited to the therapy session with trying to help her clients. It also gives the reader a better understanding of who Avery is and there are even tidbits about how she has helped other clients. I like that Avery is a rebel in her profession and while she may not be 100% honest on far into her clients lives she digs she does it to help them.

I personally did not care for Marissa's POV. I felt that it was just a bit of a filler for the book and had me just wanting to get back to Avery's POV. Marissa's POV did provide some additional details a little bit before Avery found them out, but overall I did not find Marissa's POV that important to the over all plot of the story, even though she was one of The Golden Couple.

I think it is a testament to this book that I would like to read more about Avery and the clients that she helps in her own unconventional way. I think that Hendrick and Pekkanen could easily have a series around her based upon what they have achieved in this book.

If you are looking for a domestic suspense, mystery book (and don't mind a bit of a slow burn) that is very much character driven then this one is for you. I am really looking forward to seeing what Hendrick and Pekkanen come out with next.

Enjoy!!!

Another winner by this duo! Loved every page and every min of reading. The ending was a little extra but the experience was wonderful and I enjoyed this plot. Both narrators are not likeable but the twists and turns make it worth the while,

This is a page turner with lots of secrets, surprises and heart pounding moments. I finished this book in two days feeling grumpy every time I had to put it down when real life interfered. I haven't read a satisfying thriller like this one since GONE GIRL. If you've been looking for a really good read, then look no further.

I love the writing duo of Sarah Pekkanen and Greer Hendricks. I’ve truly enjoyed each book of theirs I’ve read, and The Golden Couple was no exception.

I was immediately intrigued with Avery Cox, a counselor whose controversial methods of treatment have caused her to lose her license. She claims she can “fix” your problems in 10 sessions or she won’t take you on as a client. So, when she agrees to meet Marissa and Mathew and address the marital issues they're having, it seems like it will be a simple treatment plan to Avery. But nothing is really as it seems, for any of the three.

I really loved the fast pace of the story. Even though the first half of the story seemed a little long, I was totally engaged all the way through. These characters are fascinating, and I kept trying to figure out what was going on. Some of it I clued in to, some things I was surprised by. I was a little skeptical of Avery’s character at first, and her unorthodox way of handling her clients, but as the book progressed, she turned out to be my favorite character.

Fans of Greer and Pekkanen’s books will love this one as well. I loved the twists and turns. I loved the misdirection that happens along the way. There are so many secrets, amongst all of them.

I’m a sucker for kids and animals in books, and this one has both. A rescue dog, at that! I loved Romeo.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

4 stars for a psychological mystery. Avery is a therapist who lost her license by protecting a client with methods that were unethical. However, she is still in demand and accepts a new client, Marissa, who says that her marriage is in trouble. When they meet Avery, Matthew and Marissa look like the perfect couple: "They're tall and sleek; their blond hair and classic features a perfect match. "
Marissa had told Matthew that she wanted to talk to a therapist about their son, Bennett. But then she blindsides Matthew by telling him that she has been unfaithful. This is the 1st of many secrets that this couple have.
There is a side plot with a medical company pursuing Avery on a vendetta. Revealing all of the secrets leads to an unexpected, shattering climax. This book carefully reveals secrets one at a time. It is like peeling back an onion. I recommend this book.
Thanks to Erica Martirano at St. Martin's Press for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.

Listen to Where Should We Begin by Esther Perel Instead

The Golden Couple is a fictional story of an unlicensed therapist, Avery, who has a 10-session program. She meets The Golden Couple, Matthew and Marissa, who seem to have it all.

Full disclosure: The reason that I was extremely interested in this book was that years ago I listened to an Audible Podcast by Esther Perel called, “Where Should We Begin?” Esther Perel is a psychoanalyst who taped her sessions with her clients. She must have picked her most fascinating cases because the series was highly addictive and changed my life. At the end of every day, I like to decompress with a book or a mindless episode of Netflix. For an hour, the world is a bit quieter, and I can breathe a little easier for a moment in time. In one episode, Esther Perel was talking about how some people are good at taking time to get in touch with themselves. Wait. So I’m not lazy or selfish but taking time to care for myself? It was exactly what I needed to hear. Perel also has a strong practice of counseling couples after infidelity. She mentioned something along the lines of that relationships should not be defined by exclusivity but uniqueness or quality. This was a lot to think about. Usually, society only talks about being faithful to one person but never really gets into the quality of the relationship. Also, if you have one quality relationship, should you be limited to just one relationship? And is it practical or even reasonable for one person to fulfill all of one person’s needs, wants, and desires? It was a lot of food for thought, and I really, really enjoyed noodling on these deep questions.

My expectations were admittedly sky-high picking up The Golden Couple. It wasn’t nearly as good as “Where Shall We Begin?” The Golden Couple seemed to drag a bit. There is a bit of a mystery or a puzzle at play, but I wasn’t surprised by the ultimate reveals. This book completely suspends reality, clues effortlessly fall into place. Avery is quite simply a joke. She is obsessed with her clients. She stalks them, and she doesn’t respect boundaries.

Overall, this book was an average thriller that needed to up its storytelling.

The authors haven’t published a lot of books yet, but they already have a reputation for unpredictable plots. The Golden Couple is no exception. I saw one of the twists coming but, honestly, way too late. Avery lost her therapist license after treating a patient in ways that might be considered unethical. Instead of ending her career, it freed her to counsel clients using methods frowned upon by established psychiatry. When Marissa and Matthew Bishop come to her practice, she thinks that she can fix their issues in 10 sessions using her trademark method but, could she be mistaken? The plot is full of turns and red herrings. The supporting characters are all more or less suspicious. The problem with reading these books is that it’s easy to know what to look for. If this person is very fishy, they’re probably innocent, right? The story plays with these expectations and it makes for an addictive read. I don’t usually like it when a story shifts points of view, but in this case, it worked. Marissa’s part is told in third person and Avery’s in first. They are both strong women, but I especially connected with Avery (her being a dog person didn’t hurt). There are several subplots that converge into the main story. One, I kind of figured out. The rest were very surprising. As usual with the authors, this is a very enjoyable novel.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#St. Martin's Press!

The Golden Couple is the fourth book that I have read written by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, The duo never fail to disappoint. This novel is written from two alternative points of view. It is a brilliantly plotted, edge of your seat thriller with multiple twists and turns. The ending surprised me. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to more suspense novels written by this amazing writing duo! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exhange for an honest review!

This thriller was just okay. I thought the main characters were somewhat negative and there were a lot of things that seemed unrealistic to life. I think the plot could have followed a lot better without some of the predictable thriller plot lines.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to honestly review.