Member Reviews

What a creepy thrill ride this one was! Starts off as a simple tale…couple inherits mega expensive apartment, couple meets slightly creepy but seemingly harmless neighbors. And then it goes completely off track. There’s a lot of mystery along with a good dose of psychological thriller mixed in with just enough of the paranormal to make it all work out. Lisa Unger has done it again. A solid five-star read that I couldn’t put down.

Was this review helpful?

Lisa Unger never lets me down, and neither does Rosie in this thrilling can’t-put-it-down novel filled with twists and turns!

Was this review helpful?

You will not be able to put this book down! Lisa Unger once again weaves a tangled web of suspense and delivers a good old fashion "ghost" story. From page one to the end...it's a real page turner! Thanks for the advanced copy.

Was this review helpful?

I adore Lisa Unger's books so knew I would love this one! It's a convoluted and complicated story that has so many elements that I was breathless all the way through! Rosie and Chad move into an apartment left to them by Chad's uncle who recently passed, leaving Chad's sister, Dana with nothing. And from there on, nothing is as it appears to be! Blending past and present, Unger delves into the spirit world replete with creepy basements, nude photos, tarot cards, gothic pendants, suicides, and empty elevator shafts. What more could you want? Reminiscent of Rosemary's Baby, this novel may keep you up at night...but it's SO worth it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Was this review helpful?

3.3
This feels like a rare miss for Unger. For me, it had serious identity issues that were never really resolved and the conclusion felt...kinda gaslighty? But not in a clever way.

Was this review helpful?

The New Couple in 5B is my 8th Lisa Unger book and it is a page-turner! It is reminiscent of Rosemary’s Baby, it is mysterious and ghostly, and there are several murders. Rosie and Chad have moved into the historic and gothic Windermere apartment building in NYC, after Chad’s uncle leaves them his apartment. Rosie is a true crime author writing about the Windermere, and Chad is a struggling actor. The building has a history of murder and suicides going back generations, and naturally those living there are just a bit odd. There isn’t any privacy. Willa is a story within the story, taking place in the 1960s. The many characters are well developed and unique, as well as the backstories of Rosie and Chad. To say much more would give away the excitement of the book. Stories with eerie occurrences are not my usual go-to books, however I knew Lisa Unger would deliver! I loved it. With thanks to Netgalley, Park Row, and Harlequin Publishing for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

If you are a fan of modern gothic literature The New Couple in 5B is for you. It’s a mix of Rebecca meets Rosemary’s Baby.
Rosie and her husband Chad are a struggling New York couple who inherit a beautiful apartment on Park Ave.
Almost immediately things feel off to Rosie. As a reader here is where you decide … why isn’t she listening to her gut and acting in it. If you are ok with this common troupe …then this is a book for you.
I enjoyed the book and was surprised in a few of the twists and turns.
Thanks net galley for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Lisa Unger knocks this one out of the park hardcore - but it’s definitely a mix of thriller and ghost story. Author Rosie and her actor husband Chad have just inherited an incredible apartment on Park Avenue from his late uncle Ivan and almost from the minute they move in, Rosie starts to experience unexplainable things.

Aside from the overly involved neighbors on their floor and their almost nightly themed events (astrology night?) to the 80+ years of suicides, murders and strange deaths in the building - was moving to the Windermere the right idea for them? Or are they next?

Was this review helpful?

Rosie and her husband suddenly get an unexpected inheritance - a very expensive apartment in an old building. Things are looking up for them. But suddenly, lots of weird things start happening and Rosie must fight for her family. I enjoyed reading this book, but was left with some unanswered questions!

I received an early copy though Netgalley, but all thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

i will read anything that Lisa Unger writes! I really enjoyed this book - such a quick read with lots of suspense. I'm not really into ghosts and the supernatural but even though that was weaved in through the book, it was a great read. Looking forward to erecommending this in March. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advacced copy.

Was this review helpful?

Ok, so I loved almost all of this book. The interplay between real and imagined, our world and the next, the creepy neighbours and doorman and the telecoms in the apartments. The shadiness of characters. I was hooked for the ride! I did guess all of the twists about 1/2 way through so that took a little bit from it but Rosie’s character voice was so engaging that I still enjoyed it! The premise of the story gave me Lock Every Door vibes.

I just wish that the ending was more twisty! I kept seeing the kindle percentage ticking closer to 100% and was like what…there better be some twists coming up fast! There were so many possible avenues that this could go, yet it did not seem to take those off ramps.

Still a worthwhile read!

Was this review helpful?

This book has a good balance of the creepy factor with just enough mystery to keep me engaged the entire time. The story was well balanced with interesting secondary characters and intriguing plot points woven throughout. The prologue was confusing but when I finished the book, I went back and reread it and it was...WOW. Great read!


Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Was this review helpful?

The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger An eerie, frightening, and gripping thriller featuring a cast of suspicious individuals, ghost, murders, and an iconic building with a dark past. I imagined Ruth Gordon as Ella and Boris Karloff as Abi, which added to the story's ominous and eerie atmosphere. A very enjoyable book, with so much revealed at the end.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Was this review helpful?

Lisa Unger has provided the reader with an exciting trip through the unfathomable goings on in New York's famous Windermere and its unique inhabitants, including the new couple, Chad and Rosie Lowan. Unger has expertly woven a plot of both the past and the present through the use of an alternating POV and characters who are so expertly crafted and genuine. The reader is immediately drawn to the story that includes, mystery, history, ghosts, love affairs, and ultimately, betrayal.

A quick and compelling read. Unger is one of my new favorite authors!

Was this review helpful?

A classic thriller! This author never disappoints. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book and can’t wait for more!

Was this review helpful?

When murder, the occult, ghosts and a Manhattan apartment building with a history all come together you know the book is going to be a wild ride! As always this author does not disappoint this time bringing us into the sordid history of an elite Park Avenue apartment as Rosie and her husband Chad begin a new chapter of their life together there. However, the people and the building are not quite what they seem and the barrier between the living and the dead seems to be particularly porous here! This was a quick and engrossing read.

Was this review helpful?

This is a classic thriller filled with so many elements that make a thriller engaging including the paranormal, memory tampering, romantic affairs, murder and more. This book had a lot going on- almost too many layers to it, and also I couldn’t stop thinking about it and wanting to see how it all came together. Ultimately I enjoyed it because I wanted to know how it would end which is the mark of a good thriller.

Was this review helpful?

Rosie and Chad Lowan inherit a beautiful apartment in the historic Windermere in NYC from Chad’s uncle. Rosie, a nonfiction author is writing a book about that same building which has a disturbing history of suicides, murders, and ghosts that haunt the halls.
When Dana, Chad’s cousin comes to Rosie with suspicions about Chad’s past Dana ends up dead. The police believe Chad has something to do with her death, and Rosie becomes paranoid and starts to experience some of the evil that lives in the building. Rosie begins her own investigation and what she finds is that no one can be trusted even the one’s closest to us.

This supernatural mystery was fast paced and the story sucked me in. The story though unbelievable was entertaining and I read it in two sittings.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Parkrowbooks for the advance review copy.
Release date is March 2024

Was this review helpful?

4 stars

Lisa Unger never lets me down. This book is another fun fast paced twisty thriller. You never quite know what’s going to happen or where you’re headed. She will forever me a buy now kind of author for me.

Was this review helpful?

Suspenseful and engaging. A fast paced thrilled with an element of horror. The first 25% of the book is very slow but push past and you won’t regret reading this one!

Was this review helpful?