Full review to come:

First of all, Hendricks and Pekkanen can do no wrong in my book. I thought I had this story figured out but each twist and turn had my jaw dropping until that final explosive scene.

Marissa and Mathew Bishop appear to be the perfect couple. They have an adorable little boy and live in a beautiful home. Everything is picture perfect, or so it seems. Mathew and Marissa have trouble in their marriage and Avery Chambers, an unlicensed therapist is there to help. In ten sessions, Avery claims she can solve their problems and guide them to happiness. My feelings changed about each character as truths were revealed and lies were exposed. The line between victim and villain was blurred as the plot twisted and turned leading to the surprise ending. I was shocked and tottally caught off guard as everything came to light. I have been totally thrilled by books from the dynamic duo of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen and this is no exception. Highly recommend! Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for my ARC.

I felt as if I were reading a movie. So many twists and turns and ups and downs my had was spinning. I did njoy it though.

5 out of 5 for The Golden Couple. The authors weave a plot that leaves the reader guessing the entire time with a surprise ending. The story is built upon the untraditional therapy method of a psychologist gone rouge. Typically her unorthodox methods resolve the clients needs but in this instance have the opposite effect. This thriller had me engrossed and unable to put the story down. Great read!

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A big thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC!

This one is already making its way to IG, and I’m sure it’s about to start being on here even more since it’s a February BOTM pick. I’ve been a fan of these authors for awhile. This one did not disappoint.

Told from two POVs, this one was full of twists and turns. We followed an ex-therapist who has her own set of issues, and we followed a couple looking to save their marriage. None of the characters were reliable, which kept you scratching your head.

I thought this was a fairly fast-paced read. I thought it started dragging right before the end. Once the end started though, it was a “stay up late to finish” type of read. I also thought some of the plot points started off really important and then the resolution was too quick.

All in all, if you are a fan of these two writers, this one is true to form. Check it out!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an eARC copy of The Golden Couple by Greer Hendrix and Sarah Pekannen in exchange for an honest review. This was.....an absolute mess.....I have read all four thrillers by this writing duo, and their novels seem to get progressively weaker. Frankly, this was boring. None of the characters were likable, I was not rooting for a single one at any single moment in the story. There were several confusing moments throughout the book which were probably meant to be twisty-turny, but in reality just felt like cheap reveals and unfounded red herrings. I HATED that they switched back and forth between first person and third person point of view. This is meant to read as voyeuristic, but in execution just ended up feeling disorienting. Having to switch POVs every single chapter was exhausting for my brain. There was too much info dumping at the end of the book, again, poor execution of thriller writing. I didn't see the twists at the end coming, but I also didn't find them particularly interesting. I guess this might be a good book for someone who is new to the thriller genre and just wants to expand their reading tastes, but there are so many better options out there. I'm extremely disappointed that this was the Book of the Month pick for February 2022, taking away a potential spot for an author of color. I will not be reading any subsequent books by this writing pair.

This is a great thriller. From the outside, Marissa and Matthew Bishop's life seems perfect. They both have successful careers, a son they dote on, and a stunning house. But all is not so perfect below the surface -- as a result of work pressure and other tensions, Marissa and Matthew have been drifting apart for years. And then one fateful night, Marissa is unfaithful. In an effort to save their marriage, Marissa convinces Matthew that they should go to Avery, a successful relationship counselor who relies on unusual methods. As Avery becomes more enmeshed in the Bishop's lives, she comes to understand that their secrets run much deeper than even she expected -- and may have consequences that go far beyond the fate of their relationship.

This is one thriller that will keep you guessing -- and may even have you gasping outload at key moments. Highly recommended!

This one was strange, but that's not exactly a bad thing in this case. It was all over the place, but I think it was supposed to feel that way. Each character had a lot of secrets and their own motives. This was a quick read and definitely moves fast. I don’t want to dissuade someone from reading it, especially if you like the authors other books, but it wasn’t my favorite. Thank you @netgally and Macmillan for the advance copy. Pick this one up on March 8th!

Four Stars

I was offered this arc by the publisher since I had enjoyed their previous book, "The Wife Between Us". I mostly read biographies and historical fiction, so this turned out to be a much needed palate cleanser. The book centers around a therapist named Avery that was featured in a prominent magazine for her unique counseling system- and for also being stripped of her credentials. This hasn't stopped Avery from enjoying a burgeoning clientele; it's only provided her more autonomy and freedom conducting her business.

Avery is working with a married couple of twelve years, Marissa and Matthew Bishop. Marissa slept with someone on an isolated occasion while Matthew was on a business trip- and heartily regrets it. The couple had endured fertility problems in the past, but have a young school age son named Bennett. Matthew is a successful business man and Marissa has an upscale boutique shop called Coco. She has a new young worker named Polly who is very efficient and eager, but is somehow annoying in her earnestness. Marissa engages Avery for marriage therapy feeling that she needs to confess her transgression to Matthew in order to go forward.

There are dueling chapters from the perspectives of Avery and Marissa that propel the story forward and keep it interesting. The true identity of Marissa's forbidden lover is slowly revealed adding to the simmering pressure cooker. There is also a backstory to some of the characters from when they were teenagers sparking first loves and the tragic murder of a high schooler. I was reading a few books at the same time, but this story drew me in exclusively towards its tumultuous end. These authors are improving with each book because I enjoyed this one even more than their last!

Thank you to the publisher St. Martin's Press for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

Right out of the gate, I really liked the multiple pov. Very effective. I also enjoyed the dual storylines going on. Avery has got her drama and the Bishops have theirs. Both compelling and it was interesting to see it play out.

Am I supposed to like Avery? Am I supposed to empathize with Marissa? I like books like this where you’re not sure if the characters are good or bad. The authors do a good job of keeping us in the dark. Like what is really going on here with these people? I love how every single character seems shady. It makes it fun. Is the authors point that we all keep secrets and have ulterior motives when you boil it right down? You don’t really love any of them though. The ending of Part 1 is like “whoa”.

Then boom, Part 2 ends with an “oh yeah!” When I get to the first twist, I didn’t see it coming. I love that because it’s often obvious or ridiculous. But not this time. The last quarter of the book is a real page turner! A bit too tidy in places, but that was ok by me.

The ending was satisfying. The fact that I could not put down the last few chapters tells me it’s a solid read.

I will be recommending this one!

A big thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Hendricks and Pekkanen have done it again! This is a twisty turny book with the plot twist I didn't see coming - just how I like it!

The Golden Couple is the story of Avery, a therapist (kind of). She lost her license because of her maverick ways, but they have proven successful for her clients, so she continues to be in demand. Her newest clients, Marissa and Matthew, have a revelation - that Marissa cheated on Matthew - at their first session. Part of Avery's process is that she gets more involved with her clients and researches them, which is complicated by the fact that she, herself, is being followed, by a company with a vendetta against her.

Avery has a lot going on personally, and she is very keen on people's actions and movements. This serves her well, as her newest clients have a lot to unpack, and they need her to push them to work towards figuring out their relationship.

This is the third book I've read by this duo, and each has been fantastic. I already can't wait for the next one. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes twisty stories and thrillers.

Marissa and Matthew Bishop have it all, a big house in Washington, D.C., great careers, and a wonderful 8 year old son. After an affair Marissa had, they seek out Avery Chambers, a therapist who lost her professional license. Avery has an unorthodox 10 step therapy plan she uses to help her clients. All 3 are hiding secrets though that put them on a collision course that could end in death.

Another hit from Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen! I’ve read all their books and I’ve got to say, I think this is my favorite so far. I love their fast pace writing while deep diving into character development. You never know who to trust and what to believe. Such a great psychological thriller roller coaster ride!

"The Golden Couple" is another fast-paced psychological thriller by authors Greer Hendricks & Sarah Peekkanen that doesn't disappoint. After a one-night stand, Marissa Bishop enlists the services of ex-therapist turned consultant Avery Chambers in order to get her marriage with husband Matthew back on track. Avery is well-known in the Washington DC area for her 10-session mode of treatment, which also happened to cause Avery to lose her license due to her rather unorthodox ways. However, her methods are well-known for bringing about change, and Marissa and Matthew agree to follow her recommendations in order to repair their relationship and keep their family intact. Avery demands honesty from her clients in order for her continued work with them, and as they get further into their work together, and the person that Marissa had the affair with does not seem to want to let go so easily, it appears that there are many secrets being kept within the Bishop household that threaten not only the couple's relationship, but the people involved.

Hendricks & Pekkanen are known for their psychological thrillers, and "The Golden Couple" did not disappoint. It was a quick read that kept me drawn in, making it hard to put down as one twist after another occurred. I definitely look forward to more from these authors in the future!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review. "The Golden Couple" is scheduled to be released on Mach 8, 2022.

4.5 ⭐️ for this latest thriller by writing duo Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekannen. They are masters at writing stories in which you don't know who to believe, who to trust, or who to suspect, and I kept jumping from one guess to another until I got to the explosive ending. I love it when I can't put a book down until I find out what happened, and this fits the bill. I can't wait to see what they come up with next! Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance digital copy.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before publication.

THE PLOT

Queen Clown (Avery) is an unconventional former therapist renowned for her wildly overpriced controversial 10-session method. Her newest patients, Mr & Mrs Clown (Matthew and Marissa) start seeing her hoping to solve their marriage problems. But will 10 sessions be enough for these clowns or is the truth beyond repair?

MY OPINION

*Sighs* *Removes glasses* *Stretches fingers* Are you guys ready?

I'm actually so overwhelmed by the sheer amount of audacity and dumbassery these characters displayed, I don't know where to start.

1. This is my third book from this duo. I came into this 1/2. I was pleasantly surprised by The Anonymous Girl and detested The Wife Between Us. Welp. The Golden Couple can go straight in the bin with TWBU. What a hot mess. Whatever ghost writer they used for The Anonymous Girl—go back to them. They were decent.

2. Now. Let me tell you about this abysmal writing quality. In fact, let me show you some examples so you can see (my opinion) the difference between beautiful writing and basic writing. Beautiful writing provokes emotions, makes you think about things in a different way. Basic writing tells you what's happening as if you're blind: "She's going into the kitchen. She opens a cupboard. She grabs a bowl." BASIQUEEEEE

Here's an excerpt from a recent novel I loved, After We Were Stolen: "Sunlight stretched like fingers through the glass, but they weren't long enough to touch us." You see how creative and beautifully the author described something as mundane as sun shining through a window?

And here's some basic bish boo boo from The Golden Couple: "I'm waring glasses with nonprescription lenses and cherry-red frames, which I also purchased at the drugstore." ????????????? Literally giving closed captions vibes (nothing wrong with that—but I'm not blind)

3. Each character was a special kind of stupid. Avery is an unprofessional "consultant" who lost her license for being a stalker. Her 10 sessions are basically staking out her clients and forcing them down a path whether they like it or not. Beyond her lack of professionalism, she is happy her harmless husband (20 yrs older than her) dies because he can't give her enough attention (not abusive, just into his work) and she puts her rescue dog in a crate as soon as she brings him home AND locks him in the car so she can overstep some boundaries. Cool.

Mr & Mrs Clown are... well, boring and pathetic. I can't get into their relationship without giving too much away, but Marissa is the classic PTA mom fueled by white wine and xanax, and her husband is a blonde white guy who makes a lot of money doing god knows what. Yawn. I find this writing duo LOVES the Boston white rich couple trope... I don't think I've encountered any POC characters in their books.

Skip (Avery's one night stand and Mr & Mrs Clown's childhood friend) is pathetic. He, like most of these characters, is stuck in the past, mulling over teenage love. Normal stuff. Side note: The way the authors described the "class differences" between the "summer guests" and the actual little town people is HILARIOUS. Ladies, this is not 1930s. It really isn't controversial for people with parents from different backgrounds to date anymore. Sorry.

4. The only reason I didn't give this 1 star is because for some sick reason, I had to know what happened. And I was kinda surprised, but the motive was EXTRA and each character showed their ass in their own special way. Also, the authors wrapped it up like bloop casual murder, no investigation, life continues on.

5. There were so many ???? moments... like Avery being threatened in an underground parking lot, contemplating calling the police and then concluding "what can they arrest him for? Being in a parking garage with me?" Ummm?? He literally threatened you??????? And then when Marissa found out her creepy ass assistant was lying to her... she was still like, NBD just come back to work and give me any flimsy ass excuse because I'm naive and gullible!!! And lastly... when Avery considers her much younger boy toy to threaten a client's ex-wife.... LOL???? And then he asks to make it official and Avery's like can't you see I was using you for your abs and your willingness to perform illegal tasks while wearing an identifiable work uniform??? Like how in tf could you convince a normal person to do this. What did he have to gain!? There was no sense beyond this except it's a fiction book, so the authors feel like they can write whatever they want whether the math is mathin or not.

PROS AND CONS:
Pros: The ending kinda surprised me. I fell into the obvious suspect trap until it was too late.
Cons: Everything else. Bye.

I absolutely loved this book. The authors are amazing and this was their usual edge of the seat, rollercoaster ride we have come to expect, but a bit more intrigue, and suspense. Each different character had a role to play separately but it all came together perfectly!

Thank you St. Martians Press for an early copy of The Golden Couple. While the end was a twisty turning puzzle - that I truly hadn’t seen coming - it was a bit of a slog to get there. Avery is an ex-therapist with an unprecedented way of helping her clients. Marissa brings her husband Matthew to her first session with Avery, ready to deliver some devastating news. Avery finds herself entangled with this seemingly Golden Couple, while also finding herself in a cat and mouse game with some scary bigwigs.

Often in these authors’ books, there is some much needed editing. I don’t mean grammar or spelling, but entire concepts. Why do I know more about Romeo the dog’s daily life than key characters? It sounded like someone got a dog during the pandemic and that’s all they could write about.

I’m giving this novel 3.5 stars because the ending made it worth the read.

I have a confession to make: I am a thriller snob. I have such high expectations for thrillers and it is because of authors like these- they spoil me! The dynamic duo are at it again with this one. I honestly had no idea what was happening half the time I was reading.....but in the best way! I loved the multiple POVs and how they were both discovering and investigating things on their own. I can't wait to hear what you think when you read this one---- in typical fashion, I was hooked from the beginning until the verrryyy shocking end!

I love everything these two write and this was no exception! This book kept me engrossed and was a quick read. I loved that the chapters were short and love a book that is told in multiple perspectives! I have read every book by this duo and will continue to grab every book they write!

Matthew and Marissa Bishop go to visit therapist Avery Chambers, where Marissa has a big secret to confess. Avery Chambers claims to fix anyone in 10 sessions and she has no doubt that the Bishops will be her next success. But from the moment the Bishops walk into her office, all three are set on a course it will be impossible to alter.

This is told in alternating POVs, which I enjoy, with shorter chapters, which I also enjoy, and gives a look into the past of all the main characters, also enjoy. There doesn't appear to be anyone we can trust in this story, except for the Bishop's young son Bennett, which adds an extra layer of mystery. Overall, this is everything I like in a thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Available March 8, 2022.