I always get excited to read a Lisa Unger book, but then it never lives up to my expectation. They really know how to sell the story and get you excited, but in the end the plot falls flat. It was slow and took awhile to get exciting. The characters were kind of blah as well. I don't know if I can keep giving this author a chance.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the review copy.

This one takes a few turns that I feel like I have seen several other places recently. If you like her previous works the you will like this one.

Rating: 3.5/5

This book was fantastic - it gets you playing detective, trying to figure out who did it. I was blown away by the ending! I really like Lisa Unger's writing style and I will be checking out her other books for sure!

A struggling writer who takes on an Only-Murders-In-the-Building-type true crime book project and her struggling actor husband inherit a multi-million dollar apartment in New York, but the building is plagued by death. Upgrades to the apartment don't include air conditioning or modern elevators, but it does have constant intercom surveillance, supervised by the traditional elevator operator.

The pacing is well done for this type of thriller that feeds on reader claustrophobia. I also liked the characters; they were a great mix of suspicious and innocent, so you suspected them at all times and felt like it couldn't possibly be them. There are maybe a few too many threads.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was so excited to read the book the new couple in 5B. I read a book by the same author last year that I absolutely loved. The book had an interesting storyline with well developed characters. I loved the different timelines and that each side character seemed to have their own personal story to tell. The book was an easy read. The story flowed at a comfortable pace. The story had me guessing constantly about how it would end. Some things felt predictable, but some things were not. Overall, the story was enjoyable. I'd give it 3½ stars. Thank you, netgalley, for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the earc.

Chad and Rosie are both creatives on the edge of big breaks and struggling financially. They unexpectedly inherit an apartment that's worth well more than they could afford. The apartment has a past, and there are some issues they need to work out, but they decide to make it work. But then a family member wants to contest the will, the doorman is intrusively efficient with cameras and intercoms, and Rosie starts seeing things around the building. Rosie starts wondering if there's more to the building than just a dark history.

This book had major Paris Apartment vibes- plus a bit of paranormal. The building itself had gothic/spooky vibes - anywhere with that many deaths is going to feel dark. It had lots of suspicious residents but the story itself was a slow burn and pretty predictable. It took me a bit to get through, just a bit too long for my liking and not being all that invested.

One thing I couldn't get over was the name Chad... it didn't really fit with who he was.

I really liked Confessions on the 7:45, but this one fell flat for me

This one was hard to put down and left me questioning things!

I love a dual timeline and this one didn't disappoint. Set in the 1960s and present day, and the reader left to figure out the connection between the two!

Rosie is a true crime writer. Her husband, Chad, is an actor. They are just getting by. When suddenly they inherit a luxury apartment at the Windermere.

All seems amazing until strange things start to happen. People start to die. And it's a wild ride until we know what's going on.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade/Park Row for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Holy cannoli! What a strange yet captivating tale. From nearly the start, The New Couple in 5B was a total departure—but also not—from Unger’s prior books. Working in plenty of details pertaining to the supernatural, anyone with a penchant for horror will absolutely love what they find between these pages. At the same time, it was also yet another one of Unger’s typical suspense-laden plots, filled with growing unease and characters that hit just the right chord.

Speaking of those characters, I was captivated by Rosie. Complex and finely layered, her persona revealed how her past left an impression upon her and how she so desperately wanted a future separate from it as well. It was the rest of the cast, however, that truly brought this one home. Initially just a little bit eccentric but also kind and welcoming, they each morphed as the page count grew into darker versions of themselves. Even as I second-guessed their motives and looked at them with suspicion, though, there wasn’t a chance that I was going to be able to guess where this plot was headed.

Just like the characters, the plot shifted from merely creepy to a more claustrophobic, adrenaline-pumping beast. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t an exactly a horror novel, even though it was inspired by Rosemary’s Baby. No, it was instead a well-written exploration of what else might exist beyond what we can see with our own eyes. With clear-cut occult vibes and a definite gothic atmosphere, Unger nailed it in one with the setting. After all, the Windermere could easily count as a character itself in all of its spine-chilling, The Shining-esque glory.

By the end, however, I was thrilled to find that the mystical aspects weren’t the end-all-be-all to the plot. With plenty of tricks up her sleeves, Unger brought the rising crescendo of suspense home with an even better climax, all said and done. And while it wasn’t anything like I was expecting, it was everything that I wanted and more. A perfect time suck, I was lost in the pages until I finished the very last word. Bravo, Ms. Unger, you’ve done it again! Rating of 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Lisa Unger, Park Row, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

The Windermere is an elegant apartment building with very rich tenants. Most are artist with a variety of talents. Chad and Rosie are a newly married couple, Chad, an aspiring actor and Rosie, a true crime writer, with one successful publication. They are taking care of Chads uncle Ivan, who is very close to death and who the couple have been tending to for months. He has an apartment at the Windermere worth millions of dollars. Upon Ivan’s death, a reading of the will, reveals that the whole of Ivan’s estate is left to Chad, leaving nothing to Ivan’s estranged daughter Dana
Herein, begins a tale of lying, deceit, multiple murders, suicides and accidental death. Oh and there are ghosts. The Windermere is noted for the strange amounts of deaths that have occurred over the years.
I enjoyed this story and read it very quickly. Part of the plot I figured out soon into the couples move to the new apartment and there was a slight twist at the end. Although, many murders are motivated by money, this was not the case here. Memories and not leaving someone behind was the actual motive. What I wanted to see more of was the ghosts. Only two ghosts had come to fruition, but there were so many more that could have reeked so much havoc adding an extra cool element to the story. I think it would have made the overall story much more creepy

I would like to thank #netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of #thenewcouplein5b.

Read Completed 3/9/24 | 3 stars
I was excited to read THE NEW COUPLE IN 5B and was really hoping to connect with it. Right off the bat, I really didn't love it and it took until about 35-40% for things to really get interesting. I didn't realize that this was going to sort of be a paranormal twist (not a spoiler -- it's all hinted at early on) and I don't always love that in thrillers. Sometimes it's exciting to wonder whether things are actually ghostly or paranormal, or if it all has a logical explanation, but I just didn't really like how it was all handled in this book. I think I would have preferred if it committed more to being more of a ghost story than having it kind of slide around.

I really didn't like the main character, Rosie, and I just didn't connect with her much. She bothered me a lot in this book and she just felt like a weak character. I didn't like her "seer" abilities and it just felt very underdeveloped. I wanted her to either lean into them and it became a more important part of the book, or not have that be in the story at all. I also found it kind of odd that she called her whole family cons and crooks, basically, and yet she has this real ability.

I also really didn't like the ending of the book. We get a reveal but what it was all building up to.... eh. It just didn't really do it for me. It wasn't what I was hoping for. There is a bit more to the story that was a bit more satisfying but aside from that juicy bit which I enjoyed, the rest of it was all kind odd and far-fetched.

Most of this just felt underdeveloped, but it just wasn't my kind of story, I guess. It's sort of the way I felt when I read LOCK EVERY DOOR by Riley Sager, so if you liked that one, maybe you'll like this too!

👻 BOOK / REVIEW 👻

Here is one thing I will take away from this book ... if I ever inherit an apartment or home after someone passes, DO NOT MOVE THERE 🫣🫠.

I was not prepared for #thenewcouplein5b by Lisa Unger to be part thriller, part paranormal, but this was an easy listen (thank you @hoopladigital@parkrowbooks for hosting!). Again, I went in blind and had no idea what to expect. This was not my favorite by Unger, but it was interesting and unique in its own right. The reader is treated to past and present timelines and quite a cast of characters (both alive and dead). The apartment also plays a large role in the book, which I appreciated.

The plot overall was quite far-fetched, so I can see why this didn't work for some people. It's a quick read - not a ton of substance, but sometimes that is ok! I would call this "creepy and atmospheric," rather than scary.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

»The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger«
★★★ 3/5 stars

» quick synopsis
When Rosie & Chad inherit a beautiful apartment in a historic building in NYC, they think they have hit the jackpot. But they soon discover the dark secrets of the Windermere & its tenants lurking behind its perfectly maintained facade.

» read if you like :
- books about authors/publishers/editors
- NYC setting
- old, haunted apartment building
- creepy doorman
- gothic thrillers
- nosey neighbors

» my thoughts
After loving Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Lisa Unger’s newest book. The super intriguing premise of an author writing a book about a creepy historic apartment building?! Sign me up. But ultimately this one was a bit of a let down.

I absolutely loved the details of being an author working with her editor while writing her book. I wished there was more focus on the ghostly history of the building, paranormal spookiness, & the 1963 storyline with Willa & less on the present day domestic/familial drama.

For a 400 page book, it felt sort of shallow & underdeveloped. There were so many interesting topics, but they were all just lightly touched on, leaving me wanting more. I think because of this, I was never completely invested in the characters. Also, the gaslighting was obvious & frustrating.

The ending made up for what the bulk of the book lacked, I found the last 5 chapters or so to be the best part of the whole thing.

Thank you to @htpbooks, @htp_hive + @netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC ◡̈

This reminds me a bit of one of Riley Sager's novels about a NYC building with a spooky past and a building that seems to be alive as much as the strange folks living in it. And no better way to get into such a historical place than to inherit the apartment, right?

Even with my skepticism that this book would be a bit of a well-played plot line, I still entered into it with high hopes. I can't say it quite met those hopes, but much like your favorite movie that you watch again and again even thought you know the outcome, I still enjoyed this book.

The New Coupke in 5B by Lisa Unger
Thank you so much netgalley for the opportunity to read this kne early on exchange for a honest review of the ecopy.
Publication date of this book was March 5th so you are in luck this one is available now on Amazon and other popular platforms.
While this one was a slow burn for me when it got hot it was hot so to say Lisa Unger did it again would be an understatement. This book had me guessing till the very end! So many twists and turns and suffice to say I did not guess whar was to happen next!, Boy was I in for a surprise!!!
Another five star read from Lisa Unger!!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks again!!!

A wonderfully menacing atmosphere. Rosie and Chad have inherited a beautiful apartment in the historic Windemere in NYC, and coincidentally, Rosie is writing a book on the sinister history of the building. All seems great when they move in, but it seems that Chad is not being truthful, the doorman is too involved with the lives of tenants, and ghosts might roam the hallways. The Windemere apartment setting felt almost claustrophobic, and the characters of Rosie and Chad were fully developed. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the ending; I felt it didn't deliver after that feeling of dread and was predictable. But this is a solid thriller with supernatural undertones.

Lisa Unger’s newest book is a combination of suspense/thriller with a definite addition of supernatural woo-woo to keep readers on their toes and ready for anything to happen. That is the key to enjoying this book…expect the unexpected. When Rosie and Chad Lowan inherit an upscale apartment from Chad’s Uncle Ivan, they are thrilled about “moving on up.” But when Rosie notices some odd things happening in the Windermere, her delight turns to wondering if she could possibly be in danger there. This book has so many twists and turns that it was head-spinningly brilliant! With a complex plot, a dual timeline, characters that were somewhat unreliable (but the readers don’t really know who is telling the truth until much later in the story), this is a perfect book to keep one engaged with the lights on (and maybe a police car on standby in the driveway). I loved the fast-paced plot in which all of the subterfuge of the various characters was methodically revealed, but my favorite was that the building itself was personified and had its own spooky characterization. Captivating read with intricate plot threads that were masterfully woven together! This is one of Unger’s best books and not to be missed by fans of addictive thrillers that are unique, edgy and compelling.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I find that I don't have patience for slow burn stories. I'm definitely someone who enjoys a faster,more engaging pace. So, while this book wasn't for me, I have no doubt that others will enjoy it.

I will say that I did not guess the ending and the twists were good. But, by the time I got to them at the end, I had just lost interest in the characters. I also appreciated the paranormal aspects of this book.

I'm giving this 3 ⭐️ because it is a story with a good plot. It's my issue alone that I lack the patience to get through it.

As always, I would like to thank Netgalley and Harlequin publishing for giving me an advanced ebook and physical copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Is 2024 the year of thrillers, besties? I swear there are so many great thriller releases already and it’s just March!

Definitely add The New Couple in 5B to your list if you want a story with:
▪️creepy NYC apartments
▪️spooky basement sightings
▪️Big Brother vibes
▪️urban legends about a prewar building
▪️Rosemary’s Baby theme

Ive enjoyed this book a lot! I like it when my thrillers have some paranormal elements to them vs gore so I definitely enjoyed reading this with all the cult-ish vibes and spooky stuff going on.

If the narratives were a little less, it would’ve probably had better pacing for me and would have been an easy 5⭐️ read.

For people who loved Lock Every Door by Riley Sager, definitely add this one to the list!

For the plot, basically this is about a couple who inherited a luxurious apartment in one of the prewar buildings in NYC. I think that’s all I would say. 😂 But know that there will be jumping timelines, ghosts, urban legends, creepy vibes, and an ending with a pretty good twist!

Thank you so much @htpbooks for sending me a copy of this book!!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was a fantastic read!! The storyline was twisty and suspenseful. The character were great as was the atmosphere of the building the story takes place in. I thought I had an idea about what was going on but NO! I had no clue until the end. Highly recommend

This book was an intriguing, twisty and suspenseful read set in a New York City historic prewar apartment building called the Windermere. There was slow burn suspense, mixed with unexpected twists, and a bit of the supernatural!

Rosie and Chad inherit this historic apartment from Chad’s uncle Ivan when he passes. There’s a dark history to the building and Rosie, who is an author, is ready to find out all she can for her next book. The story jumps back and forth in time to a previous apartment tenant in the 1960s, which provides more background story to some of the current residents.

Immediately weird things start to happen around Rosie upon moving in. There’s a creepy doorman who seems to know everything. Rosie may or may not be seeing things as well.

While this was a slow burn suspense, it picks up a lot near the end, with murders and a lot of questions getting answered. I didn’t predict the ending, but found it entertaining. Then, when I thought the main action was over, more twists and turns kept happening!

🎧 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🔷 Psychological Thrillers
🔷 Rosemarys Baby Vibes
🔷 Locked Room Mystery
🔷 Historic Prewar Apartments
🔷 Dark History