My Thoughts

Reading this tale about fictional couple Marissa and Mathew Bishop takes one on a journey that is jagged with secrets, secrets that reveal themselves slowly but very timely as the story progresses.

That being said unlicensed therapist Avery Chambers has some secrets of her own.

This main triumvirate of characters was different than I expected. The couple themselves were more complicated than surface appearance as the description of them indicated one thing but when their story delved deeper Marissa and Matthews hidden inner selves slowly came uncovered.

Avery herself was a harder nut to crack but when all the dust settles maybe not.

The secondary characters were also not exactly as they were first perceived in the first third or so of story.

This story plays out in layers of lies that build up to reveal each hidden truth until that final few which are each more shocking than the last.

[EArc from Netgalley]

Once a therapist/now a consultant who works with couples trying to improve or restore their relationship, Avery meets with Marissa and Matthew in the first of her 10 meeting program she has developed. Marissa wants to admit that she cheated on her husband but feels safer doing so with a professional who can help ease the pain she’s about to inflict on her husband and help save her marriage. And there begins so many secrets and lies attributed to all the characters along with a number of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming that I didn’t want to stop reading without knowing the real truth. This was a great roller coaster ride of a story with Avery even becoming a bit of a detective herself in order to sort out the truth. I was absorbed in the book and highly recommend it.

THE GOLDEN COUPLE gripped me from the start. their writing style is one of my all time faves—multiple POVs (many of them women), quick chapters, and LOTS of secrets. i have read all their work (and met them and they’re amazing 😭) so i’m naturally a huge fan but also a harsh critic! this isn’t my favorite of theirs—that’s THE WIFE BETWEEN US—but this still had me wanting to pick it back up each time i set it down. the ending wrapped up a bit quickly for me and left me with questions (let’s discuss!!) but overall i was super pleased (and surprised 🤭) with their latest release 🖤

THE GOLDEN COUPLE follows three main characters—a therapist and a couple dealing with infidelity. the therapist has a unique system with only 10 sessions that have solved almost every client’s issues. but the Bishops are definitely not as perfect as they seem… especially the husband. is he really open to repairing his marriage? or does he have secrets of his own?

i think this would make for a great book club discussion. while the ending wrapped up a bit quickly for me, i enjoyed the ride. i knew something was off/going to happen and for the life of me couldn’t figure it out (which is a major kudos to these authors since i guess almost every plot twist 1/2way in 😅🥲) so that is a win in my book 👏🏼 if you’ve read all their books, it’s most similar to AN ANONYMOUS GIRL.

enjoy and let me know what you think!! 🤓

I loved their past books, but this one felt a little forced/predictable. I don't really sympathize or connect with the MC at all, and it was fairly easy to spot the major twists that were coming. Overall, an average read for me.

I am a huge Greer Hendricks/Sarah Pekkanen fan, and The Golden Couple did not disappoint.

Avery is a non-traditional therapist, and prides herself on helping couples in ten sessions. So when unfaithful wife Marissa and picture perfect husband Matthew come to her for help, she is sure she can fix them. But their secrets go much deeper than infidelity...

First, I loved Avery's character. There is something very refreshing about a confident female protagonist. I was hooked a few chapters in and finished in two days. I really didn't guess the ending until a few pages before the big reveal, so I still consider this one "thrilling". I felt it all came full circle which I also liked. It did come together a little too perfectly, but it is fictions, so that didn't take much away for me. Overall, I really loved another thriller by this author duo.

Having read THE WIFE BETWEEN US and AN ANONYMOUS GIRL by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen I was anticipating a fun, quick paced read. I was not disappointed.
We all know at least one GOLDEN COUPLE. They appear to have it all, money, status, looks and an abundance of happiness as long as we do not look behind closed doors.

Avery has had her therapist license revoked for crossing the line in treating her patients, the loss of her license has made her notorious and her practice flourish. Avery claims to be able to help her patients in just 10 intense, not always traditional sessions.

Marissa brings husband Matthew to Avery’s office to begin work on their seemingly perfect marriage. Marissa has cheated on Matthew and wants to come clean and move past her betrayal. Matthew seems willing; perhaps Avery’s unorthodox methods really do work.


There are a lot of characters in this book, main characters and supporting cast. Many entwined and involved in surprising ways, sometimes unbelievable but it works anyway.

This is a good, solid domestic thriller and I highly recommend it, there are enough twists and turns to hold the reader riveted.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my gifted review copies.

The Golden Couple is by the amazing author duo @sarahpekkanen & @greerhendricks, who know how to write a book that has dynamic and multifaceted characters and a slow build that keeps those pages turning from start to finish.
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I had the pleasure of alternating reading and listening to this upcoming book release and I had a hard time putting it down. ⁣
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So, we all know one of those "Golden Couples", the ones that look like they have it all figured out but when you pull back the shiny curtain, they are normal and flawed, just like everyone else! Pekkanen and Hendricks take us there...enter Marissa and Matthew. We also meet Avery, a therapist who definitely isn't' following the rules, but desperate times call for desperate measures! ⁣
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Not only are Avery's techniques on the "unconventional side" but she is also quite the detective! This story is unpredictable, clever and full of all kinds of juicy secrets. This one publishes on March 8th, and I highly recommend adding it to your late winter reading list!! 4.5/5 stars.

Any book written by this duo is an automatic read for me - they’re known for their twists and this one got me! I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn’t figure out where the plot was going but in this case it was intriguing and kept me guessing. I don’t know what it says about me but I would 100% hire Avery as my therapist. There are a couple of secondary characters but they all come into play eventually which I enjoyed. I could have done without the side plot (won’t spoil anything!) for Avery but overall a gripping thriller!

I have loved the books I've read by these two authors and was excited to read this one! There was a lot happening in this book and I was wondering how all the threads would tie up in the end. While some of the connections seemed obvious, others seemed a bit out there! I loved that Avery rescues a dog that she met at a shelter. I read this one quickly!

Hendricks and Pekannen have done it again, proving again why they are an autobuy for me. The Golden Couple is my favourite book by them so far. I was constantly doubting each of the characters, and their motivations, and if things were all that they seemed. I guessed the ending but I was never 100% sure and had other potential theories. I loved Avery and her controversial 10 session program. I both read and listened to this and enjoyed both equally. Highly recommend to those who enjoy thrillers.

Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the ALC and @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the digital ARC.

If you only read one domestic thriller this year, make it The Golden Couple. Not only is the writing nuanced and the descriptions strong, the plot is unique and the characters arresting. There no damsel in distress that cannot make a decision or is unsure of every step she make present here - instead there are two strong female characters that are both believable and likeable.

Author Greer Hendricks sets the stage by introducing us to a couple having marital issues - Marissa and Matthew have come to see Avery, a therapist, because Marissa has strayed from the marriage. An every day occurrence except in this novel, the marriage therapist is a "maverick," a counselor who lost her license and was highlighted in DC papers as individual that bucks the norms expected of therapist (to the point that her license is revoked) all in the name of solving her patients' issues.

From the start of the novel we learn that Avery has a very strict program - 10 sessions and no boundaries. From that point we are swept into her process as her point of view is presented juxtaposed against Marissa daily experience in trying to save her marriage. Like all good thrillers, everyone has a secret or two that could change everything at any moment. Greer Hendricks does an excellent job of creating tension and interest right up to the explosive ending.

If you like domestic thrillers, strong characters, and twist and turns to keep you guessing, then this book is for you!
#Stmartins #NetGalley

Avery is a therapist who has lost her license. But her skill at helping people overcome in just 10 sessions is unparalleled, and people are still lining up for therapy. When Matthew and Marissa come in for couples therapy, Avery is sure she can help them even if they aren't being totally honest with her. She will push the boundaries to get to the bottom of their secrets and make sure their marriage is stronger than ever.

Wow! I'm always blown away by this duo's ability to create so many questions in the reader. The storyline builds this tension that has you suspecting everyone, desperate to piece the story together. I didn't know who to trust, and at times, I wasn't entirely sure of the path we were traveling. But, I immensely enjoyed the way we got there. The storytelling is absolutely addicting. Thank you, St. Martin's, for sending this along!

I was really excited about this book because I have loved their other books; however, it just didn't wow me.

This one had one of my pet peeves in it and I think that's what part of it was. But it also just had way to much going on. I like twisty books but this really had two stories in one and both had their own twist. And I feel like they hinted at one thing but never really followed up on it.

It was entertaining enough for my to finish though and I do think that a lot of people are going to absolutely love this one. Because it really does have some cool parts.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC.

I flew through this one! I enjoyed the suspense and even though I figured out the “twist” about 60% through, I still enjoyed waiting to see how everything would come together. The dual narrators were great and I liked how this puzzle was pieces together.

✨𝐑 𝐄 𝐕 𝐈 𝐄 𝐖✨

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 & 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐏𝐞𝐤𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧

I was pleasantly surprised by this one! Can’t lie, I didn’t LOVE these previous reads by them & found their storylines confusing at times. However, this story kept me hooked from the start & I enjoyed the twists and unraveling of secrets along the way.

👍🏼: loved the dual POVs between the therapist & wife of a couple having some issues lol. Literally everyone was a suspect & I definitely didn’t see the twist coming at all which is a major plus for me. I also enjoyed how everything was tied up at the end & made sense for me 😂

👎🏼: can’t say much about my complaints without spoilers, so DM if you’ve read and want to chat!

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Solid fast-paced mystery for me that kept me guessing until the end! Definitely recommend for my thriller lovers☺️🙌🏼

Thanks to @stmartinspress @netgalley @macmillan.audio for the e-ARC & ALC! This was a @bookofthemonth pick this month, but will officially be out 3/8! ✨

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was told from Marissa's (the wife) and Avery's (the therapist) perspective.

Marissa is unfaithful to her husband. In order to try to repair her marriage she contacts Avery, and unconventional therapist - there are a few different twists in this story and I did not expect the ending.

Would recommend to anyone looking for a quick, suspenseful read!

I've been seeing this title make the rounds on bookstagram, especially after it was included in the BoTM, and the reviews have been promising. I was excited to dive into this one.

Avery is an unconventional marriage counselor/advisor dealing with her own personal demons when Marissa approaches her about taking her on as a client. She's cheated on her husband, Matthew, and she wants to make the marriage work, and Avery agrees that if they agree to her conditions, she can save their relationship in ten sessions. What none of them anticipates is a crash course in destiny, forcing them to admit their darkest secrets and putting them all in danger.

I enjoyed this book.

Hendricks and Pekkanen have a delightful writing style. Each chapter has a clear point of view and the structure flows well. I enjoyed the multiple voices, even if they bled together in some parts, and thought they helped solidify the conflicts. This also kept the plot moving, so if you're looking for a quick, crisp, thrilling read, this will be the book for you.

I think many readers will have a definite favorite character, and there's plenty of intrigue and doubt to keep the suspense taut. The Golden Couple is anything but, so settle in for a twisty rollercoaster of deception.

Big thanks to St. Martin's and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen is an incredibly fast read that kept me flying through the pages. As per usual, I hadn’t read any blurbs or the book description. All I knew going in was that I wanted to read a psychological thriller, and this writing duo rarely disappoints. The Golden Couple is told from multiple point of views with intertwining plot lines. The pacing was on point and they spent just the right amount of time on each POV. It felt like every time we discovered one thing, another secret was revealed to keep me on the edge of my seat.

This duo gets how to spin a tale and throw the reader off. For example, at first, I wasn’t sure why Avery’s plot line about the pharmaceutical company was necessary. But by the end of the book, I completely understood the importance of why it was included. Yet every time it came up when I was reading, I thought, “enough of this, onto the juicy parts.” And that’s why they’re the authors and I’m not.

I also really enjoyed the mix of characters like Skip and Natalie. They added another layer of mystery while also giving the main characters more depth and background. All in all, this was an engaging thriller that showcased the talents of the writers and their ability to keep the reader both in and out of the dark.

Killer thriller!!! I will recommed it with gusto, not that I will need to as Greer Hendricks' reputation precedes her. This is up to par with all the other books by this author. It's got a fantastic plot, which by the way everyone will be able to relate to as everybody has a therapist during these dark pandemic days! Who doesn't want to get a peek into the therapist's brain to see what they're thinking/how the sausage is made!? Thank you for the opportunity at a first peek of this highly anticipated thriller.

Avery is a therapist who lost her license due to her unconventional practices, specifically an unorthodox 10-step program designed to quickly get to the crux of the matter so her clients can move forward. While her methods may be unconventional, she gets the job done. I liked Avery, with her finely tuned instincts and BS meter. The fact that she took in a rescue dog further endeared her to me. She’s a complicated character with issues of her own and I would love to see her make an appearance in a future book.

Marissa and Matthew are her new clients. They are the Golden Couple who seem to have it all: wealth, promising careers, and an adored child. But we know that not all that glitters is gold, right? Their marriage is on the rocks and Marissa has a secret so explosive, she will only divulge it to Matthew in the relative safety of the therapist’s office. Avery’s BS meter tells her everyone has lies/secrets and she becomes an amateur detective in her determination to get to the bottom of it.

The lies, reveals and suspicions kept me flipping the pages (virtually, as I listened to most of it). Although I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as the duo’s previous books, I can’t wait to see what they do next. Suspend your disbelief, sit back, and enjoy the journey. You may partially guess some developments but I guarantee you will still be surprised.