I enjoyed [book:The New Couple in 5B|126267933], but too many elements felt familiar (maybe Unger is an Ira Levin fan because there was a touch of [book:Rosemary's Baby|228296], and a sprinkle of [book:Sliver|32875]). The mystery was solid, but the lack of originality really hurts this one, and the motive was a little hard to swallow. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy.

Oh man did this remind me of Murders in the Building. When a new apartment gifted by a dying uncle seems too good to be true, it probably is! Creepy building organizations, unreliable neighbors, and a dark building history. Lisa Unger has done it again, writing a thriller that is as creepy as it is creating mystery.

To me this was a way too much like Lock Every Door by Riley Sager, and I just couldn’t get past the fact that it was so similar in concept, I’m sorry to say.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you NetGalley for another amazing chance at reading an ARC. The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger was both dark and twisty. I had Rosemary’s Baby vibes throughout the book, so it was awesome to see this in her acknowledgments. In this new novel, it has a little ghost, lots of murder, and glimpses into the past. You will find old New York within these pages with an old apartment building that everyone wants a piece of but has a terrible history. There are mediums, visions, and dreams of warning. This was the perfect book to start October reading. It is due out March 2024. Put it on your TBR list, preorder it, or set an alarm because this is one thriller you do not want to miss!
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#TheNewCouplein5B
#LisaUnger
#NetGalley

Now to choose my next book! Happy reading, y’all! 📚❤️📚

Thank you so much to Lisa Unger and Park Row Books for my copy of this book! This story was about Rosie and Chad, a couple who is struggling to succeed in New York. Rosie is a writer and Chad is an actor, and they’ve just come into some luck. Chad’s uncle passes away and leaves them a luxury apartment in a historic building, complete with an old elevator and doorman. But there is a dark history of death surrounding the building, and Rosie wants to write about it.

Rosie starts seeing the ghosts of the building, in more ways than one. She starts to suspect that someone is listening to her and watching her every move. The new surveillance in the building does nothing to make her feel safe, and as she starts to learn of the crimes in the building’s history, she is afraid everything, and everyone, are not who they seem.

Thoughts: This reminded me a lot of Riley Sager’s Lock Every Door. It was set in a creepy and historical New York building, the perfect place for old ghosts. I thought Rosie’s past was really interesting, as well as all the connections to mediums in the story. It was so hard to know who to trust, and I loved the chapters from the past and Willa’s perspective.

This story was a very slow burn and I felt an underlying chill the entire time. It felt like it could go supernatural, and I’m happy with the way it played out. The ending was so obvious and I knew where it was going from the middle of the book, but that didn’t ruin it for me. The ending just felt a bit lackluster, but the story was great. 4-stars for this eerie mystery.

Lisa Unger, is my spirit animal.

I know without fail, anything she writes, I read, I’m happy. Case closed.

Stop right there…

It’s way more than that. I am teleported into this thrilling land of monsters who will steal my soul and take me prisoner.

I can’t get enough.

After concluding Christmas Presents, I attempted to be patient. It didn’t work, I was still madly obsessed with getting my greedy little paws on The New Couple in 5B.

How could I be patient when this book could be mine! Pray, kor, pray! The bookish fairies must be working overtime as I woke up to my sparkly little approval email. At last, it’s mine.

This book right here delivers… over and over again.

In true Unger, fashion, the build up will leave you shaking your book in angst, not being able to get to the next page fast enough.

I personally enjoyed the chapters involving Willa. I felt as though I was submerged into finding out who the mystery lover was and how it would play into the present storyline.

I have to say, I think I have a thing for haunted buildings and wouldn’t mind living in the Windermere.

Even if it is haunted…

Check out this teaser:

A couple inherits an apartment with a spine-tingling past in this unputdownable thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six.

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 luxury apartment at the historic Windermere in glamorous Murray Hill. With its prewar elegance and impeccably uniformed doorman, the building is the epitome of old New York charm. One would almost never suspect the dark history lurking behind its perfectly maintained facade.

At first, the building and its eclectic tenants couldn’t feel more welcoming. But as the Lowans settle into their new home, Rosie starts to suspect that there’s more to the Windermere than meets the eye. Why is the doorman ever-present? Why are there cameras everywhere? And why have so many gruesome crimes occurred there throughout the years? When one of the neighbors turns up dead, Rosie must get to the truth about the Windermere before she, too, falls under its dangerous spell.

Lisa Unger's latest novel, The New Couple in 5B, was a thrilling page turner! Chad and Rosie, a young married couple, inherit an apartment with an historic and tragic past. There is an element of the supernatural among a cast of strange and suspicious characters. The story revisits the past and the previous tenants of the couple's apartment as well as the older couple across the hall who have lived there forever and various others who live in the building. I had trouble putting this book down. Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for the ARC!

I can't seem to get 100 characters out to tell you how I DNF'd this book. Guess it was either not for me or it was tiresome.

A young couple inherits a luxury apartment in a building with a violent history.

Honestly, I read this a month ago and am a bit hazy on the details. I do remember thinking it reminded me a lot of
a combo of The Ghosts of Thorwald Place by Helen Power and Lock Every Door by Riley Sager, with a dash of Only Murders in the Building and Rosemary's Baby to spice things up.

This wasn't my favorite book by Unger, but I will happily read and recommend anything she writes - her books are always fast=paced and full of surprises.

Overall, I really enjoyed this psychological thriller. It centers around a young couple who inherits an apartment in the Windermere building in New York which has a spooky past filled with death. The whole time I was reading, it reminded me so much of Lock Every Door by Riley Sager which I also enjoyed.

To me, the story started off a little slow and risked me losing interest; however, once I hit the 30% mark, it really picked up for me! I was interested in the main character Rosie, and found her likable. Her family backstory was interesting and I liked how it was consistently employed as a storyline.

And Chad! Of course his name is Chad! Unger did a fantastic job of constantly casting doubt on this character and making me highly suspicious of him. I couldn’t wait for the reveal about him. I would not have guessed that plot point about his past!

Abi was another character that was constantly making me question him! He just gave me the creeps every time he was in a scene…especially involving the intercom.

I thought all the little reveals along the way were strategic and moved the story forward nicely. And the final reveal, while not totally shocking, was believable to me which I appreciate because sometimes thrillers try to do too much with the big reveal/plot twist.

I was also glad that the Chad storyline came back around in the end. I thought that was a nice addition and made a lot of sense to wrap the story.

This was not my favorite Lisa Unger book. There are a lot of psychological thrillers recently where a house or building play a key role and there's an overall supernatural element. This fell into that category and I'm not a fan. I was never completely invested in the characters and, therefore, did not really care what the outcome was. I felt like the ending was pretty obvious, even with the slight twist. Still, I am a devoted Lisa Unger fan and will never miss out on one of her books!

"The New Couple in 5B" by Lisa Unger is an unputdownable thriller that blends elements of domestic suspense and Gothic horror to create a spine-tingling and atmospheric reading experience.

The story revolves around Rosie and Chad Lowan, a struggling couple in New York City who receive life-changing news: they've inherited a luxury apartment in the historic Windermere building in Murray Hill. At first glance, the Windermere appears to be the epitome of old New York charm, but beneath its elegant facade lies a dark history of gruesome crimes. As Rosie and Chad settle into their new home, they begin to uncover unsettling secrets about the building, including the ever-present doorman, surveillance cameras, and a string of suspicious deaths. When a neighbor turns up dead, Rosie becomes determined to unravel the mysteries of the Windermere before she becomes its next victim.

Lisa Unger masterfully creates an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere throughout the novel. The Windermere itself becomes a character in the story, exuding an unsettling presence that keeps the reader on edge. The tension builds steadily as Rosie delves deeper into the building's secrets, and the sense of foreboding intensifies with each page.

Rosie is a compelling and relatable protagonist. Her determination to uncover the truth and protect her loved ones makes her a character readers can root for. Unger skillfully weaves together Rosie's personal journey with the overarching mystery of the Windermere, creating a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and suspenseful.

The novel is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing, and the shocking ending delivers a satisfying and unexpected conclusion to the story. Unger's writing is atmospheric and evocative, drawing readers into the dark and mysterious world of the Windermere.

Overall, "The New Couple in 5B" is a gripping thriller that combines elements of psychological suspense with a sense of Gothic horror. Lisa Unger's storytelling prowess is on full display, and the novel is sure to keep readers hooked from start to finish. Fans of domestic thrillers with a sinister edge will find this book to be a must-read.

I was issued this book by NetGalley for my unbiased review.

This was a good book but not my type of read. It was interesting and kept attention but I had trouble warming up to the characters. The super natural is not my interest and there was a little too much of that.

It is well written and I would be interested in reading more from Lisa Unger.

The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger is an enthralling thriller that follows the journey of a couple who unexpectedly inherits an apartment with a chilling history. This impeccably crafted narrative is brimming with well-developed characters, captivating twists, and suspenseful turns that will keep readers utterly engrossed.

In this unputdownable tale, the protagonists find themselves entangled in a web of mystery as they uncover the spine-tingling secrets lurking within their newfound abode. Unger's masterful storytelling effortlessly draws readers into a world where the past intertwines with the present, leaving them on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning each page.

The strength of this novel lies not only in its gripping plot but also in the depth and complexity of its characters. Unger skillfully brings them to life, allowing readers to form a deep connection and understanding of their motivations, fears, and desires. As the story unfolds, the characters' journeys become increasingly entwined, creating a rich tapestry of human emotions that adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative.

Furthermore, Unger's ability to seamlessly weave unexpected twists and turns throughout the story is truly commendable. Just when readers think they have unraveled the enigma, the author skillfully introduces new revelations that challenge their assumptions and keep them guessing until the very end. This constant sense of anticipation and surprise elevates the reading experience, making it impossible to put the book down.

Unger's prose is both elegant and accessible, striking the perfect balance between sophistication and readability. Her vivid descriptions effortlessly transport readers into the heart of the story, allowing them to visualize the apartment's eerie atmosphere and feel the characters' emotions as if they were their own. This attention to detail creates an immersive reading experience that will leave a lasting impression.

The New Couple in 5b is a must-read for fans of gripping thrillers and psychological suspense. Lisa Unger's exceptional storytelling prowess,

Thanks to @netgalley and @harlequinbooks for this ARC!

Title: The New Couple in 5B
Author: Lisa Unger
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Format: e-book
Pub date: March 5th 2024

Here is my review ⬇️⬇️⬇️

I was excited to start this ARC. I never read a book by Lisa Unger but I heard great things about her work.

This book was gripping from the beginning. I liked the dual timeline (present and 1963). It definitely helped understand what happened in the past.

The book has lots of twists and turns which kept me interested.

The ending of the book, ouf, I didn't expect it to finish that way!! What an ending that was!

I will definitely read more Lisa Unger in the future 😁

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was captivating from the beginning. It was such a fun read with so many twists and turns. I liked the speculative elements because they weren't in your face and didn't feel forced. It was creepy and spooky, a perfect read for this time of year.

I could not put this book down. It was the perfect blend of psychological suspense with little bit of paranormal storyline thrown in. The main character was hard to like at some points. I definitely could not predict the ending. There were a lot of interesting twists, also. The setting is easy to become immersed in. I would definitely recommend this book.

Lisa Unger does a phenomenal job of describing the dark, mysterious Windemere apartment building where this story takes place. Rosie and Chad, a couple struggling financially and in their careers, inherit an apartment in this well-known building where many tragedies have befallen other occupants. While they are thrilled to have the exquisite new apartment, strange things begin happening as soon as they move in. Rosie begins to doubt all the people that at first seemed trustworthy, including herself, as she tries to unravel what's really going on at the Windemere.

I have enjoyed other books by this author more, but this was entertaining. I don't usually get too excited about paranormal books, so that was just something I wasn't entirely interested in. I also felt like there were a lot of characters to try to remember throughout the book with all the people in Rosie's life, past and present, plus all the apartment tenants from history to now. I felt a little lost at times and had to go back to figure out who some of the characters were. However, the main character, Rosie, was easy for me to connect with because of her upbringing, and I found myself rooting for her to figure out what was really going on and to survive her time at the Windemere. Overall, I was glad I read this, and I will recommend it to my students that enjoy dark, paranormal storylines.

I couldn’t finish this book fast enough! Dark, twisted and mysterious I was hooked from the start. It was such a fun creepy read, full of surprises that had me racing to the end.

I had a difficult time putting this book down. There are several story lines intertwined to make one suspenseful story. I did like the homage to Rosemary’s baby’s hotel and other famous historic buildings in. Y. The characters are interesting each with their secrets. There are many clues so gather as the novel speeds to its conclusion. This is a very enjoyable read.