I had the opportunity from Netgalley and Park Row Books/Harper Collins to read an advancer copy of Lisa Unger's forthcoming book The New Couple in 5B. This book is a psychological thriller with a ever-present taste of the supernatural.

The book is the story of as true crime writer who has moved into a historical NYC apartment building, the Windemere, in which there is a long history of deaths, suicides and tragedy. Rosie and her actor husband inherit his uncle's apartment (5B) after the uncle dies. It is the perfect place to live for Rosie, who is writing her newest book on the history of the Windermere.

The book has numerous twists and turns. There are deaths, The building's doorman, Albi, seems to be always working, and the intercom system in the building seems to be such that there is no privacy - and someone is always listening.

This is a complex novel, and interesting, but at times feels like the story line gets convoluted. Is there anyone Rosie can trust? I suspect this will make for a good spring break beach read when it comes out in 2024.

This book definitely is a page turner! I don't want to give too much away, as there are surprises in every chapter, but suffice it to say that when Chad and Rosie inherit a Park Avenue apartment from Chad's late uncle, they have no idea what they are getting themselves into. A psychological thriller with elements of the supernatural (and a nod to Rosemary's Baby) this book will keep you guessing until the very end. Recommended for all public libraries.

The New Couple is 5B is a twisty, thrilling and atmospheric book. I love a good ghost story, and the telling of the haunted Windermere did not disappoint. Rosie is writing a new book about the tragedies of the building and gets caught up in a real nightmare. It’s a twisty story and you aren’t sure what is going to happen next, this kept me on the edge trying to figure it out. Great book!

I love Lisa Unger‘s books. This one doesn’t disappoint . a couple who inherits a creepy apartment. I love that theme ever since I read Rosemarys baby. Thrilling lots of twists developed characters. What more could you ask for? Thank you Netgalley and publisher, for providing this advanced copy of this wonderful book

This may just be one of her best ones yet! When Rosie and her husband Chad inherit a fancy New York City apartment from his uncle things are bad from the start. His cousin was under the impression it would be left to her as she was his daughter so animosity ensues. The apartment has an interesting cast of characters, all wanting to get to know the new couple, but why, and why is Rosie seeing people no one else does. Trying to write a book about the apartment and its inhabitants is taking a toll, and at what cost? I love a story with multiple POVs those are my favorites. If you love creepy, spooky books with Rosemary’s Baby/Lock Every Door vibe coupled with hints of supernatural and mystery then this is the book for you.

I enjoyed this book. The plot was intriguing and kept me engaged throughout. The characters were interesting and well fleshed out. The pacing was masterfully done and created a taut suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. A great read for fans of Lisa Jewell and Mary Kubica.

Lisa Unger’s latest psychological thriller with a ghostly twist kept me guessing until the end. Her flashbacks to the past gave greater dimension to the characters. Who can you trust? Is seeing truly believing? Fans of Lisa Unger will not be disappointed with her latest, The New Couple in 5B!

Lisa Unger has yet again written a simply marvelous novel. The New Couple in 5B tells the story of a young couple who by pure luck are named the recipients of a fabulous New York apartment just when they could use it most--Rosie, as a novelist, has an uncertain income, and Chad, as an actor, well, is also trying to make his way. Rosie is actually about to write a book about the building in which their apartment is located--after all, it's the location of many haunted stories. But these stories seem to be coming true, happening all around them. Rosie meets many mysterious residents, and soon realizes she can't trust anyone--maybe not even Chad. This book is full of twists and turns and a sprinkle of the beyond. It's a really great addition for Lisa Unger's library.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was eerie from start to finish. Almost everyone seemed like a suspect in the multiple murders that took place, both in their past and present. The old building with the terrible history they all live in only lends itself to the creepiness even more. The New Couple in 5B kept me guessing until the very end. I had my suspicions about one character in particular the entire time, and even when it seems like everything has been sorted out and the killer(s) identified, hold on, because there's still more to come.

I've had a couple of Lisa Unger's books on my to read list so I was pretty excited to get a chance to read this one!

This was about a couple that inherits an apartment. I loved hearing about creepy the building was!!! I enjoyed this very much.

I'm going to go now an read some of her other books!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

This felt like a departure for Unger, but a wonderful departure! Instead of being in the remote town of The Hollows (although it makes an appearance!), we're in New York City at an apartment building famous for murders, suicides, and other terrible events. Rosie and Chad inherit an apartment and bad things start to happen to them. This book was spooky and full of suspicious characters. The building was its own atmospheric character. There were distracting formatting errors in the galley but aside from that, I loved this!

I really enjoyed this book. I was caught up in the characters lives right from the start. I empathized with Rosie's character and she seemed like someone I would know. It seemed her husband truly loved her and they had a great relationship. They were a couple to envy! The author did a great job of inserting spooky elements and murder. There were several times I thought I knew what was going on, but then it took a turn....for the good! I always enjoy a book that keeps me on my toes. I kept asking myself questions after each chapter and genuinely wondered what would/could happen next. I really enjoyed this book and how it ended.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I enjoyed this book. It started out a little slow to me, but the story picked up a little towards the middle. I feel like there were several unexplained deaths that were originally talked about, but they never went back to them to wrap them up.

Title: The New Couple in 5B
Author: Lisa Unger
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing ~Park Row
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: March 6, 2024
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
Pages: 401

This is my twelfth Lisa Unger novel. Enjoyed most - true a few were okay but several are on the top of my 'LIKE' list ~ "Secluded Cabin Sleep Six", "Confessions on the 745", "Ink and Bone", "The Red Hunter", and "Darkness, My old Friend".

In this story Rosie is a true crime writer and husband is a struggling actor. They have been financially struggling in NYC waiting for their big break. Chad inherits an apartment from his Uncle Ivan located in the historic Windermere, the Lowan’s are sure their luck has changed! .

But as they settle into their new home, Rosie starts to experience strange things.
It appears some bad things - deaths, suicides etc. have been going on at the Windemere for some time So Rosie’s suspicions about something dark happening in the Windermere.is not all that new.

I am a Lisa Unger fan and was excited to read her latest novel!
Additionally when I read there was some paranormal activity I was ‘in”.
It was a quick good read.

I always enjoy the author’s Acknowledgments and/or ‘Notes’. If you haven’t already read her ‘Acknowledgements’, I encourage you to do so as Ms. Unger gives us the inside scoop to her motivation as well as research for this story. She tells us that her aunt Phyllis Davidson lived in a two bedroom apartment at 55 Park Avenue. In fact, Rosie and Chard’s inherit apartment was inspired by her aunt’s place in Murray Hill.
For readers who got the “Rosemary’s Baby’ vibes Yep! That was also a source for inspiration.

Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing ~ Park Row for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 6, 2024

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but something was a little off with it. It was slow getting into it and never really felt like it went anywhere.

Unger never disappoints with an entertaining and surprising plot. This book is the latest of her unique analysis of human interaction and behavior. a very fun read. don't miss it!

“A couple inherits an apartment with a spine-tingling past…”

Personal review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This book reminded me of Riley Sager’s novel Lock Every Door, with the building and mysterious past and tenants, as well as general characters solving the plot in this thriller. Rosie was an easy enough character to like, but my sirens were going off about Chad from the beginning, I mean, he is a Chad! When the couple inherited the apartment from Chad’s recently deceased uncle in NYC, it seemed all their problems were solved, but this is only where the began! The apartment was lots of rich people drama and history that go along with the New York charm, but many unreliable characters and a plot twist that will leave you in awe.

Synopsis: 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.

To begin, thank you to both Harlequin Trade Publishing as well as Netgalley.com for an advanced reading copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

And my honest opinion? The New Couple in 5B was a good, but not a great thriller. The story begins with how a young couple - Rosie the writer and Chad the actor- are *gifted* a ritzy apartment in Manhattan by Chad’s recently deceased uncle, Ivan. Upon arrival, Rosie begins doing research on both the apartment, and the building itself, and begins to find out that there are a number of mysterious deaths dealing with the Windermere building. As the novel progresses, we learn about the neighbors Ella and Charles, who initially owned the apartment, as well as the strange doorman, Abi, who seems to never leave his post.

I had a little trouble getting into this book, but it tend hold my interest. I did feel as if there was simply too much going on with the Windermere’s dark past as well as Chad’s dark past. Not sure if there was too many storylines. This thriller, again, did not wow me as I had hoped, but was not bad.

Rosie and Chad Lowan are fighting to have separate career breakthroughs to maintain their position in the city they love--NYC. Through twists and turns, the two end up inheriting a lavish apartment in a building that has more to hide than a just slightly-sinister reputation.

This story wasn't overwhelmingly dark or scary. The supernatural elements were more "supporting cast" which I actually enjoyed because it made the story more believable. I mean, did they *really* see the ghost? Moreso, though, the book is carried on by it's many blurred line relationships. Rosie and Chad aren't meshing, plus each one has a history with someone who remains extremely close to the couple (Max > Chad all day). The neighbors seem to know more than they'll willingly share. Dark pasts and current day niceties are a juxtaposition. It all drives home that it's hard to trust anyone.

The story had solid pacing without too many twists and turns. The historical research was a nice element, as was the intentional inclusion of NYC property wars to create a realistic backdrop for the story.

Overall: 4 stars

I'll tell my students about: alcohol, language, sex, drugs, death/murder, trauma, supernatural

**Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row for the free ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

I love Lisa Unger and her writing, and the New Couple in 5B was amazing! I loved the historic New York building setting, along with the ghosts too. Definitely a dark and twisted thriller, with lots of murder that will keep you guessing throughout. Enjoy the wild and complex ride!