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.

I went into The Perfect Home completely blind. This story took such an unexpected, glorious turn. Wyatt, what is wrong with you man?! This was great. I couldn't look away. If you are craving some unhinged HGTV, with a little Enough - this book is for you. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

This was a fun read - I enjoyed the fact that the main characters had their own home renovation show! That was definitely a fun addition. Dawn and Wyatt desperately want to have a baby, but infertility issues plague their efforts. When Wyatt tries to take matters into his own hands, things change drastically for their family. Once things started to get dark, some of what happened seemed a bit far fetched. But I was invested in the story and couldn't stop reading until I finished.

I loved this book! Only -1 for the marketing pitch comparing it to gone girl, since that made me think we were in for an unreliable narrator.

I thought the whole premise was so fun and well-told, and I will definitely be buying a copy for my own shelves.

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner!

I'm house shopping and deep into home renovation videos, so I loved that this was the setting for this thriller (coming back to this note, I would have loved even more home reno!) This thriller is certainly compelling: the sketchy drug, Dawn's escape, Wyatt's lies, and all their friends taking sides. I liked that it was told through both Dawn and Wyatt's POVs, so the reader didn't know right away which one was the unreliable narrator. The story could have gone in any direction!

I will say that it wasn't anything like either Fixer Upper or Gone Girl. It was a quick bingeable popcorn thriller, but not a standout in my opinion.

When a husband-and-wife team of reality stars find themselves at odds with one another over their newborn twins, the wife makes a run for it. The husband turns to the public to appeal for help, only to make the narrative sound much more sinister than it actually is and the wife is left struggling against her public persona. Debut author Daniel Kenitz takes home improvement shows and throws a thriller twist into the benign TV format with some success in his new book The Perfect Home.

Dawn and Wyatt Decker are America’s sweethearts when it comes to reality TV. The hosts of the hit home improvement show The Perfect Home, the husband-and-wife team play off one another’s strengths—and quirks—for the camera every day. The country’s women love Wyatt’s perfect smile and charming, “aw, shucks” attitude, and everyone loves to hate on Dawn for bursting Wyatt’s bubble with her on-screen antics.

Except, for Dawn at least, they really are just for the screen. In real life, she’s a simple, down-home woman who loves her husband and wants a family. She enjoys all the perks and privileges the show has given her, yes, but she’s not a big fan of the fame, especially when it’s clear that people don’t consider the real celebrity anyway. All the love for The Perfect Home goes to Wyatt, and even though that can be frustrating at times Dawn also knows how desperately Wyatt needs the validation from the audience.

Now, though, there’s nothing that can validate Wyatt’s feeling of inadequacy. Despite trying for a while to get pregnant, the Deckers have been unsuccessful. A doctor confirms Wyatt’s worst fear: the problem is with him and his sperm count. Dawn tries bringing up other options for having children, but Wyatt won’t hear of it. He wants babies that are truly his.

In his bid to complete the family, Wyatt starts taking experimental fertility drugs that he buys from a sketchy website. The drugs help and Dawn gets pregnant with twins, but they also have nasty side effects. Wyatt’s behavior becomes erratic, and soon after the babies are born his moods start turning on a dime. The day Dawn finds a secret document laying out a way to escalate their celebrity status through truly awful means, she doesn’t think: she picks up the twins and leaves town.

Even to the close friends who love her and know her best, however, Dawn appears to be the irrational one. She tries explaining to anyone who will listen that Wyatt is the one with the problem, but she discovers just how charming and manipulative her husband can be. He’ll do anything to keep his star on the rise, and Dawn’s afraid she and her children will be the ones who crash to the ground from Wyatt’s efforts.
Author Daniel Kenitz’s debut melds the familiar home renovation show format and the domestic thriller genre in a way that mostly works. Kenitz nails the cadence and rhythm of the husband-and-wife relationship on HGTV-type shows, making the backdrop of his novel believable. Occasionally, some of the character traits of both Dawn and Wyatt feel a little too on-the-nose—he’s charming beyond what’s reasonable; she’s camera shy yet also wants recognition—but over the progression of the book, the characters settle into their own.

Kenitz doesn’t always get the female voice quite right, which is significant because he alternates chapters between Wyatt and Dawn. Early on, Dawn feels slightly more aggressive than what she should be. Interestingly enough, Wyatt comes off as a little too ambivalent in the early chapters. His later march toward success at all costs can feel a little put on.

For a debut work, however, this book is an entertaining read. Some of the humor is laugh-out-loud funny, and Kenitz is clearly capable of writing a thriller that will engage. Although some of the fine points of the novel feel a little overly complicated, particularly in the sections where Dawn is on the run with her children, for the most part readers will enjoy this one.

The Perfect Home is Daniel Kenitz's newly released novel.

Okay, hands up if you've ever got lost in the 'house' channels. You know, flipping, restoring, decorating and so much more. (I have!)

The Perfect Home is one of those shows. Married couple Wyatt and Dawn Decker are the perfect hosts. Their show is doing well, but how can they make it better? Wyatt has some suggestions....

And I'm going to leave things there for you to discover what's next. I have to admit it's a darker plot I had imagined. And, that was a good thing.

Kitzen allows each lead to tell their take on what is happening. The narrative switches back and forth between husband and wife. This style of story telling always keeps me reading 'just one more chapter'. There were some really tense sections that I hadn't imagined when I started the book. The author did a great job of keeping the tension and action rising to the final pages. I wonder about the behind the scenes - I'm sure they're not too far from reality.

I really enjoyed this! The ending is good and I was immersed and able to finish this in one sitting. The suspense building is really well done. The writing is fast paced and I like how it's told from the perspectives of both Dawn & Wyatt. If you enjoy thrillers I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Daniel Kenitz,Scribner and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I genuinely loved this book! The writing style and story was for me. Highly recommend as your next read