A fun, twisty mystery. This one took a minute to get going but then, I was completely hooked. I enjoyed with a book club, reading each section and then meeting to chat. After Part 1, our theories were limited but we were fascinated by the characters. The ethical quesitons about the therapist. The wonder about the perfect couple. All the other chaos around them.

Then Part 2 leaves you at the perfect cliffhanger to need to keep reading. We theorized what was going on, what it coud all mean. It lead to great discussions and lots of laughs.

Finally Part 3 was so twisty and devious, I loved it. I never guessed the turns the story would take and only started to see what it could all be in this last section. This was the perfect escape read to get away from the crazy times we live in. I loved it and so did my book club!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

<b>Note:</b> I received a free ARC of The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen from Macmillan in an exchange for an honest review.

If Avery Chambers can’t fix you in 10 sessions, she won’t take you on as a client. Her successes are phenomenal--she helps people overcome everything from domineering parents to assault--and almost absorb the emptiness she sometimes feels since her husband’s death.

Marissa and Mathew Bishop seem like the golden couple--until Marissa cheats. She wants to repair things, both because she loves her husband and for the sake of their 8-year-old son. After a friend forwards an article about Avery, Marissa takes a chance on this maverick therapist, who lost her license due to controversial methods.

When the Bishops glide through Avery’s door and Marissa reveals her infidelity, all three are set on a collision course. Because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger.

As someone who is currently going through the process of going to couples counseling, this book had a fascinating perspective of human behavior for me. I was very interested in Avery's unique approach, however, it did seem a little intrusive. But of course, everyone has something to hide. The twists and turns in the book were not all that surprising to me, I surmised what was going on pretty early on when I started reading.

2.5 stars

More like the boring couple!

Meet Matthew and Marissa, aka “The Golden Couple.” But the couple ain't so golden, as one of them has strayed. They find themselves seeking out the help of Avery, a former therapist who lost her license for her unconventional practices. All Matthew and Marissa have to do is complete ten sessions with Avery, and their marriage will be golden yet again...or will it?

Told in alternating perspectives of Marissa and Avery, both fell flat. Marissa had some emotion, but she was just so boring. Avery lacked emotion, but she rescued Romeo, so she garnered a few points.

There are a lot of side characters to keep track of. These characters are mostly all filler, except for one or two.

There is also a ridiculous side plot involving a shakedown from big pharma.

Having read these authors before, I expected at least one big twist, and one occurs. The twist was predictable and not all that original (IMHO).

There are some things that I liked about The Golden Couple: I liked the premise of the therapist gone rogue. I liked little Bennett, and I loved Romeo. He was the best, and I wish the book ended with him hugging his little bunny. Unfortunately, the final scene felt contrived.

I was so bored while reading this. I was just waiting and waiting and waiting for something to happen. When something finally happened, I was let down. It was what I guessed early on, and the way it played out was anticlimactic. I wish this had been more nuanced and the side plots simplified.

I am very much in the minority with my feelings about this one. I tried to love this book, but my overly critical brain wouldn’t shut up, and instead of love, it ended with eye rolls.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.