Wow, this was my first Lisa Unger book, and I truly was in for a surprise. I was expecting just your run-of-the-mill domestic thriller, but this was so much more. With paranormal elements, slow-burn mystery, and an additional POV from a character from an earlier time period, this book intrigued me from the get-go, and I never wanted to put it down.

With all the tenets the Windermere has, there was an opportunity for a great group of characters, and I think Unger took great advantage of that. Everyone was just odd enough to add to the creepy factor. Another aspect that I loved was all the descriptions of historic buildings, and I like how she compared them to people, anthropomorphizing them.

Overall, the pace was perfect for this book- it never really slowed for me. And I didn’t actually see the main plot twist coming, so that was an added bonus, too. I can’t wait to read more of Lisa Unger’s books!

The New Couple in 5B is a decent mystery/thriller - everyone is a suspect! It reminded me of Sager’s Lock Every Door and Levin’s Rosemary’s Baby, and it was validating to see in the Acknowledgments at the end of the book that Rosemary’s Baby was an inspiration for Unger.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy!

There is a darkness that runs throughout this story from beginning to end. Starting with the overture and an unnamed person on the ledge, that darkness hooked me. The questions are immediate. Why? There is enough to the beginning to believe this person isn't willingly on the edge. That perhaps they aren't about to commit suicide, but are driven to jump.

Then you have Rosie, who grapples with reality. Who sees ghosts. Who has a troubled past. And Chad, who starts to look like he might not be the knight he first appeared.

I loved the elements of a ghost story. Of an historic building with its own dark past. That the building is so much a character that perhaps Abi does the bidding of what should only be brick and mortar. That the tragic beginning to the building is perhaps the reason for the dark present.

And the ending...

I am a new Lisa Unger fan but think this is one of her best books yet. Rosie and Chad Lowan are barely making ends meet in New York City when they receive life-changing news. Chad’s late uncle has left them his apartment at the historic Windermere in glamorous Murray Hill. With its elegance and an uniformed doorman, the building is the epitome of old New York charm. But things are definitely not what they seem.

At first, the building and its tenants couldn’t feel more welcoming. But as the Lowans settle into their new home, Rosie starts to realize there are strange things that are happening. The tenants are very different and the doorman seems to know everything. Rosie decides to write about the dark past of the Windermere, but realizes the danger for her is everywhere. There are accidents and deaths and Rosie knows things are not what they seem. Great book!

This book definitely has a dark side that keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next. Chad and Rosie are a young married couple who want to have a baby. Chad is an actor and Rosie is a writer so neither have the kind of money they would want to live comfortably in New York City. When Chad inherits an apartment from his deceased uncle, they think all of their problems are solved. However the problems are only just beginning.

Rosie was a great character and I was rooting for her the entire time. She even has an interesting back story that I wanted to explore even more. Within the novel there was a look at a former tenant of 5B, Willa. Her story added more of a mystery and I loved seeing how it was all connected. This was a great thriller that definitely kept me guessing to the end. Lots of action, mystery, and intrigue that you won't want to miss. Lisa Unger is quickly becoming one of my favorite thriller writers!

Thank you to Park Row Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

Mystery-Thriller-Ghost story are all something I would typically enjoy but this fell flat. It is more than a little similar to Rosemary's Baby in the first half which always feels like a cheap trick that authors use. All of the reveals at the end were too little too late- I knew how it would end a quarter of the way in. I will say that there was something that I must have liked because I read the whole thing and didn't add it to the DNF pile.

Lisa Unger has done it again! Filled with suspense and the unpredictable characters, The New Couple in 5B will keep you guessing.

A youg couple inherits the apartment of their dreams at a luxury building in the Murray Hill section of Manhattan. But don’t be fooled by the beautiful architectural details and full time doorman, the building has a history of dark events which seem to be affecting the residents.

Unger’s vivid details transport the reader to the halls and apartments of the Windermere. Told in alternate timelines with flashbacks to the 1960s and featuring a storyline about publishing, this novel will appeal to readers who like a mix of mystery, a touch of the supernatural and suspense.

Lisa Unger's "The New Couple in 5B" took me on a pulse-quickening ride filled with suspense and uncertainty, delivering an electrifying thrill that gripped me from the opening pages. The novel masterfully navigated the shadows of its questionable characters and kept me on the edge of my seat with a perfect blend of suspense that left me breathless.

The dual timelines, seamlessly interwoven with excerpts from the past, added a thrilling complexity to the narrative. Surprisingly, the '60s storyline stole the spotlight at times, injecting an extra dose of excitement that surpassed the intensity of the present-day plot. The loose connection between the two timelines only heightened the mystery, making every revelation more tantalizing.

Unger's exploration of the world of writers and publishing was a highlight, creating a deliciously connection with readers who share a passion for the written word. The narrative skillfully peeled back the layers, immersing me in the lives of characters who resonated with the struggles and triumphs of the writing journey.

At the core of the story is Rosie, a true crime writer, and her struggling actor husband, Chad, battling financial woes in the heart of New York City. Their fortunes take an unexpected turn when Chad inherits a luxurious apartment in the historic Windermere. The building's prewar charm and impeccably uniformed doorman belie a dark history that added a spine-chilling layer to the unfolding drama.

Unger's writing style achieved a remarkable feat by not just telling the story but enveloping me in its atmosphere. The vivid descriptions transported me to the eerie corridors of the Windermere, making every twist and turn pulse with a sense of urgency. The historic setting and its enigmatic inhabitants further intensified the novel's gripping allure.

While the connection between the two timelines may have been loosely tethered to the main plot, I found myself relishing every moment of the additional layer it brought to the narrative. Lisa Unger's "The New Couple in 5B" left me yearning for more, marking a spectacular introduction to her work. For those who crave a spine-tingling mix of ghosts, murder mystery, and relentless suspense, this is a literary rollercoaster that guarantees an exhilarating ride until the final page.

This book was delicious!! Dark and layered, emotional and tightly written, this felt very much like the gothic novel brought into present-day New York City. The Windermere is a building with a history of violence, and when our heroine Rosie moves into apartment 5B with her husband after inheriting the place, things get creepy. We meet a doorman who seems to never sleep and neighbors with mysterious agendas. The building's security system is intrusive to say the least. Who's watching? Who's listening? Is something supernatural going on, or is it all in Rosie's head? I loved how Rosie's journey toward discovering the truth about all the Windermere deaths unfolded, and Lisa Unger's deep look into trauma and all the ways that we can't escape our past, because our past lives inside us.
This was my first Lisa Unger book and I am now married to reading everything she writes. Wow.

3.5 ⭐️


Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of The New Couple in 5B.

This is my first book that I have read from Lisa Unger and she did not disappoint me! I really was an emotional wreck while reading the story because I thought I had it figured out so many times when in reality, I never had it figured out. It reminded me a lot of lock every door by Riley sager with a little bit of Only murders in the building.

I come from the same type of family as the main character Rosie does. Believers! I wear the evil eye pendent and read tarot. So that was interesting to read and see what her thoughts were on it as a kid and eventually what they were as she became an adult.

I had a lot of unanswered questions at the end so I couldn’t give it a better score but overall a good book.

This book is the reason that I lost sleep this week. I just had to stay up late and finish it, needing to know what would happen next and how on earth it would end. I was hooked from the start, if only I could get paid to read all day.

The New Couple in 5B was a very different book from Lisa Unger, but I was there for it. It is a thriller with lots is twists and turns as usual, but this book has some spooky, supernatural elements that I just loved. It gave the book another dimension. The setting of an old, infamous building in New York was perfect, and had you on your toes the entire time. What was real and what wasn’t? Where the ghosts of past residents really coming back to warn them?

I also loved that the main character was a true crime writer. Learning about the buildings past and the people who died there was such a fun aspect of this book.

Such a fun read. Thanks so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Highly recommend. Published on March 5th.

This book is unlike any other Lisa Unger book I have previously read. While it is still filled with mystery adding in the idea of the other world and mystical knowledge really adds a different layer to this book. Lisa Unger always does a great job of bringing her readers into a high stakes world where no one quite knows what is going to happen. This book is the same. From the multiple twists and the inclusion of ghosts this story draws the reader in and leads them into a world where the ghosts of the past might be able to save those in the present.
Thank you so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

This book had me hooked the entire time....I was so invested in the characters and finding out what will happen next that I could not put it down! The author did an incredible job of introducing all of the characters but with shocking twists at the end of the book that had you thinking what could happen next. There is so much suspense in this book that will have you hooked and addicted to finish reading it just to find out what happens at the end. Overall this book was incredible and I would recommend picking up a copy and reading The New Couple in 5B!

A big thank you to NetGalley and the author for giving me the chance to dive into #TheNewCouplein5B, courtesy of Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row. 📚

Imagine this: the enchanting Murray Hill neighborhood in New York City, and the stage is set in an old pre-war apartment building. Rosie, an author, catches a break when Chad's uncle passes away, leaving them a swanky apartment in a historic building, complete with an old elevator and a doorman.

As an author, Rosie finds inspiration in the dark history of death surrounding the building, crafting it into material for her next novel. While she delves into this literary journey, strange things start happening—Rosie begins to see the ghosts of the building and feels like someone is keeping a close eye on her every move. The recent surveillance measures in the building only amplify her unease, leading her on a chilling journey uncovering crimes in the building's history and casting doubt on everything and everyone around her.

Adding to the suspense, Rosie's intriguing past and connections to mediums make it hard to tell who to trust. The chapters from the past, narrated by Willa, enrich the overall storytelling, giving a deeper insight into the haunting history.

Even though the ending was lackluster for me, the brilliance of the narrative and the eerie atmosphere make this book a solid 4-star read. If you love a good spooky building, a touch of the paranormal, and a smidge of domestic thriller, #TheNewCouplein5B should definitely be on your reading list. 👻

Rosie is a crime novel writer working on her second book, and her husband Chad is a struggling actor. Together, they are trying to eek out a life in New York. Chad's uncle Ivan, with whom they have been care givers, has just died.

Rosie and Chad are certainly saddened by his passing and are are shocked to learn, they have inherited his luxurious Windermere Apartment. This is odd since they are not first of kin. The relative is not happy about the will. But they did care for him until his death.

They move into the inherited apartments where a series of mysterious deaths occur involving individuals connected to Rosie and Chad. The detectives notice this common denominator and begin to investigate.

The writer weaves a fine line between supernatural and human occurrences adding a creepy feel to the unfolding events.

The author kept me guessing until the final pages.

My 4 instead of 5 star rating was due to the heavy narratives. I wanted to get at the meat of the story faster.

Another great read by Lisa Unger! I've really enjoyed every book I've read of hers so far, and can't wait to read more of her collection.

The New Couple In 5B is a thrilling page turner following married couple Rosie, a best selling author, and Chad, an inspiring actor. The couple inherits apartment 5B in luxurious and historic Windermere, after barely making ends meet, this change comes at the perfect time for them - and good luck seems to follow in the days to come.

Until...

Rosie starts noticing some odd things. Ghosts, cameras, history of gruesome crimes. Rosie is determined to find out what is really going on at the Windmere.

The New Couple In 5B was a thrilling page turner from start to finish. This book left me unsettled throughout, but in the best way possible. Lisa's ability to write a gripping story, with lots of twists and turns, and tying a story together in a perfect bow at the end amazes me. This is a book for anyone who is interested in ghosts, page turning thrillers, historical haunted buildings, ghosts, and multiple timelines.

Publishing March 5, 2024 - this is definitely one to add to your TBR's! 📚

A big thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Unger, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ebook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Lisa Unger's 'The New Couple in 5B' is a gripping tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns. The author skillfully weaves suspense and mystery, making it a compelling read. My only wish is for a bit more depth in certain areas, but overall, it's a captivating story deserving of four stars."

The New Couple in 5b is about the Windemere, an eccentric apartment building in New York. It's also about love and loss and the American Dream. What if an apartment in the Windemere could be the answer to all you need? If it's too good to be true, it probably is. That goes for people too. Unger creates a dark mood that whisked me into the story and made me want more. Fantastic book! Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Be careful of what you inherit! Author Rosie is a real crime author married to a struggling actor. Finances are tight so when her husband, Chad's uncle leaves them an upscale apartment in one of the buildings that has an usual amount of deaths in its past, this couple can't say no. In true form of books set in questionable buildings nothing and nobody is quite what they seem. A good spooky building thriller, this book was a quick read. The twists were good but somewhat predictable. Overall a solid thriller! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy for a honest review.

Another domestic drama/mystery on my page - are we surprised?! This book is the full package here - a bit of a thriller, a bit of horror here, and lots of suspense throughout! A great mystery that embeds you deep into the story. If you liked Lock Every Door by Riley Sager, this book is for you! Can’t wait to see this hit the bookstores!