The Perfect Home follows a couple on a house projects show. All seems so well in their lives until Dawn, the wife, has twins, and her husband (fame whore) Wyatt goes off the deep end. As it turns out, the drugs Wyatt took to pump up his virility may just be causing him to go crazy, and poor Dawn is on a joint mission to both keep her twins safe from him and prove that it is he who is insane all while he’s disparaging her to the press.
The Perfect Home is listed as Women's Fiction by the publisher. Still, this gripping novel is undoubtedly a thriller, filled with taut suspense that builds to a crescendo until its powerful conclusion. This book would make a fabulous movie. I'll be interested to see if that happens. I'll be looking for Kenitz's next novel. Don't miss this one! Highly recommended.

This isn't the kind of book I would normally pick but I requested it because my husband and I are extremely into DIY/renovating our home. Not to mention we love HGTV. So of course this one intrigued me!!

"There's so much to say about the subtext of the plot, and its sad commentary on the destructive power of the media and its ability to gaslight and sway the public to see things in a certain light, devoid of facts or truth." This is so incredibly true. This book highlights that not everything is perfect behind closed doors - and especially the way media portrays it.

This was a fun thriller!

"The Perfect Home" is an engaging and suspenseful read that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Daniel Kenitz expertly crafts a story filled with twists and psychological depth that examines the dark side of fame and family dynamics. The dual perspectives of Dawn and Wyatt add a unique layer to the narrative, allowing readers to understand both characters' motivations, strengths, and flaws.

Dawn's character resonates deeply; her resilience in the face of adversity is both inspiring and relatable. The challenges she faces as a mother navigating the treacherous waters of her husband's manipulative tactics made for a gripping journey. Conversely, Wyatt’s charismatic yet sinister nature exemplifies the dangers of unchecked ambition and the façades that often accompany celebrity culture.

Kenitz’s writing is sharp and gripping, with a pace that keeps you turning the pages as the tension builds. The exploration of themes like trust, betrayal, and the complexities of parenthood is handled thoughtfully, elevating the story beyond a simple thriller.

I highly recommend "The Perfect Home" to fans of domestic thrillers and psychological dramas who enjoy stories packed with suspense and emotional complexity. This novel provides a compelling look at the costs of fame and the fierce instincts of a mother. Daniel Kenitz has delivered a thought-provoking and entertaining read that will linger in your mind long after you finish!

The premise of this book is interesting. I’ve never watched one of those fix-your-house-up shows, but I can see that the dynamic between handsome, media savvy Wyatt and his wife, Dawn, an everywoman (more than one female fan says to her something to the effect of, “How did you snag someone like Wyatt?”) The implication being that she’s not pretty enough.

They struggle to conceive, and Wyatt takes an experimental pill to combat his low sperm count. Dawn becomes pregnant—with twins—but then she stumbles on a plot of Wyatt’s. He wants more fame and more money, and his ideas on how to get there are diabolical.

I thought that part of the story was original and interesting, but I hated just about every character in the novel, which lessened my enjoyment of it. People who were supposed to be Dawn’s friends were charmed and conned by Wyatt’s lies.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which releases January 7, 2025.

First of all,
Thank you so much for this ARC. I was asked to read this and I am so grateful.
Second of all,
I knew this book was going to be good. The Synopsis got me and the story kept me. I feel like I read this book really fast. I gobbled it up. So excited to put this on my shelf.

First-time author Daniel Kenitz has a winner in this interesting thriller. Married couple Dawn and Wyatt are hosts of a home improvement reality show. When they have difficulty conceiving, he secretly uses an illegal fertility drug that works but appears to alter his personality and behavior. When Dawn begins to feel that she and her new babies are in danger, she takes steps to keep them safe. I found myself warming up to Dawn as the story moved along, which I think was the author's purpose. Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for providing an ARC.

This was an entertaining read; although I will say I was expecting more of a suspense thriller than it was. It held my interest, but I never fully connected with the story, I’m sorry to say. I see that I’m an outlier, though, and most have rated this book very highly.

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

OMG I loved this! What a fun and unique premise. Reminded me of the thriller version of Fixer Upper, lol. Pick this up for a wild and entertaining ride!

Wow. Wow. Wow. This reviewer loved everything about this book. The Perfect Home is an exceptionally well-written novel with a gripping storyline, great characters, and perfect plotting. I couldn't put the book down.

There's so much to say about the subtext of the plot, and its sad commentary on the destructive power of the media and its ability to gaslight and sway the public to see things in a certain light, devoid of facts or truth. The media appetite for molding public opinion based on speculation, opinion, or preference is one of the saddest realities of our time. The characters in The Perfect Home each suffer or benefit from that reality.

The Perfect Home is listed as Women's Fiction by the publisher, but this gripping novel is undoubtedly a thriller, filled with taut suspense that builds to a crescendo until its powerful conclusion. This book would make a fabulous movie. I'll be interested to see if that happens. I'll be looking for Kenitz's next novel. Don't miss this one! Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for providing an advance copy of the book to read and review. This review will post to Bayside Book Reviews.com at https://baysidebookreviews.com and its Instagram page on release day. Follow us! *NetGalley Top Reviewer*

What do you get when you marry a reality TV renovation show with a domestic thriller? You get this very enjoyable story that will keep you bingeing til you reach the final page. Wyatt and Dawn Decker are the stars of The Perfect Home, a hit show on HLTV. As ratings rise, Wyatt is focused on increasing his fame and fortune with his charm and good looks. While Dawn is uncomfortable in front of the camera, it was her addition to the show that viewers loved. As the reality TV couple struggle to have a child, Wyatt devises a plan that will accomplish all his goals. But when Dawn discovers his plot, reality will take on a whole new meaning.

In this day and age of reality TV and as a fan of renovation shows, I found myself being reminded that what you see when the cameras are rolling, is not what you’d see when they stop. With an eclectic cast of characters and several twists and turns in plot, this is a fast paced modern thriller that will keep you entertained. Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Dawn Decker is part of a famous reality show couple. Her and her husband Wyatt are fixer upper specialists and their popularity is growing. Behind the scenes, Dawn and Wyatt are fighting fertility issues and Wyatt takes the uncommon step ordering experimental fertility drugs, which seem to impact his normally sunny personality. It's not until Dawn uncovers a plan that Wyatt has made to create a tragedy to ensure that they become a household name that she decides to take steps against Wyatt. Before she knows it she is public enemy number one and on the run.

This story was crazy and exciting - just what you hope from a thriller. The reality component was easily believed! I enjoyed every bit of it and I know you will too! #scribner #theperfecthome #danielkenitz

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Perfect Home.

I was excited to read The Perfect Home since the premise was intriguing, a dark version of Fixer Upper, but I wasn't captivated by the story.

There was nothing original or fresh about the premise; a young woman named Dawn is drawn by the charismatic and very handsome (as always in books) Wyatt Decker.

When Wyatt's personality undergoes a dramatic shift soon after the birth of their twins, Dawn discovers there's a lot she doesn't know about her husband (another popular trope) and she must do everything necessary to protect herself and her children.

I liked the dual prospective narrative but there was nothing new I haven't read before in similar domestic thrillers:

Wyatt gaslights Dawn and her friends; he's a manipulative, scheming adulterer and Dawn (like nearly everyone else) has fallen for his charms.

I couldn't help feeling the toxic masculinity the author was trying to convey was not so subtly being downplayed and the black market drugs he was using was an excuse for his psychotic behavior.

There's nothing twisty or exciting or suspenseful about the narrative, nor did I like Dawn or anyone else. I didn't dislike her,

I just didn't care about her or what happened.

This was a wild, twisty thriller that I was not able to put down once I started. I guessed a few things but most of the book was super shocking. I would definitely recommend this one!

The Perfect Home:
This heart-pounding domestic thriller , based on a home renovation reality show, is a must-read!
Dawn Decker becomes the focus of a manhunt after she flees with her twin babies to escape from her celebrity husband after discovering his terrifying secret! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. I was moderately entertained by this - I bought into the premise, as most people would who've grown up with Home and Garden TV, and I really liked the beginning half of the book. I'm not sure I would call this a "thriller" - perhaps more of a "domestic drama." There weren't really any major twists or turns in the story, but the writing was clever enough to keep me interested.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

I did not see the twists coming in this one! Dawn and Wyatt host a popular television home renovation show. It seems like their whirlwind relationship is going well, but when Dawn is eager to have a baby and things aren't happening naturally, stress begins to accelerate in their relationship. Eventually they get pregnant and things begin to spiral as being parents of twins, particularly for Wyatt. When Dawn senses some strange things and finds a damning note, she quickly takes her kids and goes on the run. From here, we see how the general audience reacts to the public cries from Wyatt and what Dawn does to keep their children safe.

This was a really good twisty thriller! I didn’t see most of the plot coming, which is rare and magical for me. The characters were very interesting and the writing was strong and descriptive without being overly detailed. It was enough to set the scene but not be wordy. The author made me really cheer for Dawn while loving and hating Wyatt. It’s was well executed, best laid plans and such. I was thrilled until the very end! Strong story!

This one was a fun ride! I really enjoyed the premise of a couple that found fame on a DIY/Home Improvement show - that's a reality that seems to play itself out endlessly on HGTV. And the story kept me guessing until the end - I was hoping for a happy ending, but was entirely prepared to accept that happy might not look the way I thought it should. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure that I'd be as potentially open and forgiving as Dawn was. Probably closer to a 3.5 star read than a 4, but still quite entertaining.

I'm not totally sure how I feel about this story. It's got a great premise which it mostly lived up to. I was sucked in at the beginning.. the middle lagged a bit for me, and the ending was satisfying. There really wasn't a lot of twists, or at least none that were surprising to me. The book really shines in the authors beautiful use of language and building atmosphere. The reality/ TV/ social media commentary is spot on and will appeal to reality TV junkies and folks who find themselves sucked down an Instagram rabbit hole at 3 AM. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this ARC. Solid 4 stars

On TV, the Perfect House showed the perfect couple with Wyatt smiling his pearlie whites and Dawn countering with her contradictory banter. Yet once they retreated into their mansion in Belle Meade did the relationship change, as Dawn due to her shyness and even her gratitude journal, gave into Wyatt due to his domineering personality that led her her to believe that he felt lucky to have her and therefore, it was in her best interest to follow his command. Despite him taking a drug that potentially led them to conceive the twins, as a reader one must ask that did it truly just mask who he actually was given his aggressive nature both with Dawn and Myra. He enjoyed a duplicitous life and at the end was only there for one person and one person only and that was himself. I felt sorry for Dawn given the fact that her friends and who she relied upon quickly turned as soon as the media but she came out stronger than she anticipated. She had one goal and that was to protect her twins and eventually herself. She was not Dawn Decker who survived but rather Dawn Decker who overcame self doubt and demonstrated perseverance.