In The Perfect Home, Daniel Kenitz offers a thoughtful exploration of relationships, dreams, and the idea of “home.” The novel’s warmth is balanced by its deep introspection, capturing the complexities of family dynamics and personal growth. The writing is emotionally resonant, with moments of humor that lighten the mood and give the story a real human touch. It's an uplifting read for those who enjoy heartfelt, character-driven tales about finding your place in the world.

This book lets you get behind the scenes of your favorite HGTV show and see the dark sides of the people that star in them. Following Wyatt and Dawn Decker, The Perfect Home shows their unraveling lives through the stresses of making the show bigger and having infertility/family struggles.

I don’t usually read thrillers, but I really enjoyed this. I thought the pacing was spot on, and there were enough twists to keep me interested and guessing the whole way through. I really felt connected to Dawn and was rooting for her the entire way. I enjoyed the dual POV too, to be able to get into the nitty gritty of Wyatt’s head.

Thank you to NetGalley, Daniel Kenitz, and Scribner for the eARC!

This was a really fun read and I loved the little peak behind the curtains of an HGTV home reno show! A little repetitive “no one ever believes the woman” plot that can frustrate me with thrillers but it was a page turner nonetheless. Thank you to @Scribner and @netgalley for my copy!

I don't think this is a thriller, or anything remotely related to Gone Girl so if that is an expectation, you should adjust. I was not thrilled with the consistent "her looks are just okay what is he doing with her" themes. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Thank you for allowing me to read this book as an ARC.
It was a fun easy read but I expected more nail biting suspense. I enjoyed the alternating chapters of his and her perspective but it ended up feeling like a he said/she said. The plot was very unrealistic but at times I thought it could maybe happen considering how these TV "celebrities" want to stay important and in the line light.
Not sure if either he or she were supposed to be the protagonist but I equally did not like them and found them both irritating and annoying. The story was a great idea but could have been more thought through.
Overall a quick read that doesn't require lots of thinking.

This story, about a couple with a house renovation reality show, was enjoyable, but not without its problems.
When Dawn and Wyatt struggle to get pregnant, Wyatt begins taking a controversial, US banned medication to help his sperm production. Everything seems great after their twins are born, until Wyatt starts exhibiting weird behaviors, and Dawn comes across a whopper of a manifest on his iPad. After some digging around, and meeting up with his ex-wife, Dawn comes to realize that their reality show isn't the only thing that's been manipulated to look perfect.
So, my question: did Wyatt become a monster from the medication or was he always a narcissistic prick? It's unclear to me; probably unclear to the author.
Thanks to #netgalley and #scribnerpublishing for this #arc of #theperfecthome in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this was unhinged and wild. More than a few times the twists got me so good I had to sit and stare at the ceiling for a couple of minutes. I was worried this was going to focus heavily on pregnancy but this book went a completely different direction than I expected. I flew through this book in less than 24 hours and really couldn't put it down. And yes, I was totally picturing Chip and Joanna (with blonde hair) Gaines the entire time.

The Perfect Home is a psychological thriller about celebrity home reno show couple Wyatt and Dawn who are not only busy with their brand but also struggling with infertility issues in their private life. What we see is the darker side of celebrity and marriage with some twists along the way.

Read this if you like:
-Chip and Joanna-esque DIY/home reno setting but with a deeper look on the inner workings of that type of show
-dual POVs that help with the he said she said trope
-a picture perfect couple that is all a facade
-characters with secrets and hidden agendas
-unreliable narrators
-dark side of fame and the questionable methods used to remain in the spotlight
-fresh plot and premise
-some twists with a satisfying ending

My rating:3 out of 5

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Scribner for this eARC that will be published January 7 2025.

I went into this book with no idea what was coming. It starts off with a "Fixer Upper" vibe, but quickly changes to something very different! I was definitely surpised by the dark vibes that came mid way thorugh! I loved the dual POV to keep the suspense going! There are a couple of triggers that should be mentioned-Post partum psychosis and infertility struggles are the biggest. There was a few spots that felt a little too far-fetched for me, mostly related to the meds that Wyatt took. Overall, this was a faced paced book that I enjoyed! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Scribner for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it now in your local and online bookstores and libraries.

A fully psychological thriller with a dual POV that highlights a chilling turn from idyllic home life to nightmare fight. I enjoyed the long character journey of the FMC and the slow but tense pacing.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy. These opinions are my own.

✨ The Vibes ✨
The dark side of HGTV

📖 Read if…
✨ Fixer Upper is your comfort show
✨ You’re one of the five people that liked The Curse on Showtime
✨ You like books with ‘Gone Girl’ vibes

The Perfect Home follows Dawn and Wyatt, a couple with their own home reno show and lifestyle brand (it’s very Fixer Upper/Chip and Joanna coded). On top of their home empire, they’re dealing with infertility challenges that set off the rest of the story, which goes to some very wild places. While the Fixer Upper comparison is clear, I also saw a lot of similarities with the Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder show, The Curse, especially with some of the story’s less realistic elements.

To start with the positives, I liked the premise and some of the creative swings this novel took. All of the references to HGTV shows and home influencer culture felt very spot on and realistic to the point where it felt like you could turn the TV on and find an episode to watch. Those details really helped to anchor the story, even in its more absurd moments.

My biggest issue with this book was the line level writing. Characters felt like caricatures and the plotting was very confusing with a lot of time jumps that just didn’t make sense. I think these could have been intentional choices in an effort to be satirical or reflect the eroding mental state of Dawn and Wyatt throughout the book, but unfortunately it just made reading difficult and confusing.

Ultimately, while this one wasn’t for me, readers who want a satirical thriller may find a lot to enjoy. The Perfect Home is out now. Thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

First, I don't know if this story was as crazy as Gone Girl but it had its special brand of wildness that I like to devour after work hours. It kept me turning the pages and I felt, at times, that Dawn and her babies would not get out of this situation alive. I am not going to lie some parts completely exasperated me because Dawn was too trusting of a gal. But Wyatt was one scary dude and now has scarred the beautiful name of Wyatt in literature. Probably not forever but maybe for a few months.

I did like the writing and would read another title by the author in the future.

Publication Date 07/01/25
Goodreads Review 23/01/25

Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for access to this title. Special thanks to Brianna Yamashita from Scribner for bringing this title to my attention. All opinions expressed are my own.

I had high hopes for this one, because the allure of a fixer upper story was very appealing, and I really did enjoy that part of the story. However, the main focus rapidly turned to the issue of infertility treatment, since Wyatt and Dawn really want children. When Wyatt learns that his low sperm count is the problem, he gets an experimental drug for himself from Germany, despite the known possible adverse effects. Dawn is able to get pregnant with twins, and everything goes down hill from there! Wyatt transforms into a mean guy and makes Dawn a hated mother when she escapes with the twins.

I won’t go any further, but the factor of trying to advance in a television format that is pretty cutthroat without all the other issues involved is challenging at best. I just really wanted more from the characters.

Three stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wyatt and Dawn Decker are the semi-famous hosts of a house fixer upper type show. Their formula is that the handsome man hammers and sometimes breaks things, and wifey comes in with a roll of her eyes and a bit of exasperation to make things right. (I've seen this formula before!) All seems perfect but there are two storm clouds on the horizon: 1. The couple has infertility issues, and 2. Wyatt wishes they were a bit more famous.

This is the launching for a bizarre plot to make the couple famous, and the darker side of Wyatt's personality emerges. Twisty things happen, but there are no big surprises. This is a popcorn thriller, ie, a fun not-too-violent read.

I liked the plot idea as it seemed fresh and clever. What I had trouble with was the character's voices in the book. I found Wyatt's voice totally annoying, and Dawn didn't come across to me as particularly likeable.

This was a fun read but not one that kept me glued to the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley, Daniel Kenitz and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book sounded intriguing. About a couple who are fixer uppers for houses and happen to be in a marriage and how it all goes wrong. A very slow build and when it did pick up it was all over the place. Thank you to Netgalley, Scribner books and the Author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, twisted read! For fans of Fixer Upper with Chip and Joanna, but make it murder-y and dark. It's a quick read, perfect for when you need to escape without getting too emotionally involved in a book, and just want to read for fun.

THE PERFECT HOME by Daniel Kenitz is showing some huge cracks in the Decker family foundation.

Dawn and Wyatt Decker are the sweet and salty stars of a home renovation reality series. Only D-list celebrities, Dawn wants nothing more than to be a mother, while Wyatt tries to reach a higher celebrity status. After failed attempts to get pregnant, it is discovered that Wyatt’s sperm count is low. Unbeknownst to Dawn, Wyatt begins questionable fertility medication from overseas. While he does, indeed, make Dawn’s wish of motherhood come to fruition, the medication does have some side-effects.

When Dawn learns that Wyatt is planning to increase their celebrity status by causing a family tragedy, she takes the children and hits the road in an attempt to protect them. Wyatt begins spreading rumours about Dawn and postpartum depression that has caused her to go on the run. He is hoping for increased ratings and the sympathy vote. What should Dawn do, and whom can she trust?

This one had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Told in alternating POV of Dawn and Wyatt, we learn more about their thought processes and what each might do to attain their goals. I could feel my pulse rising as each of them made their case. The writing was clear and concise which led to an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

Dawn and Wyatt reminded me of Chip and Joanna Gaines, but only for a brief time! Then Wyatt became so unlikable, and Dawn was just okay. You will have to suspend some belief when reading this one, but the story kept me entertained.

3.5 stars rounded up

I was definitely intrigued by this one. I’m not a huge home improvement show watcher so I was indifferent on that. While I was rooting for Dawn I can’t say I really enjoyed any of the characters. I did finish it in a day because I needed to find out what happened.