I’m gonna be honest, after I finished reading this I couldn’t really remember the plot. It kind of just gets filed away with every other mystery thriller. And don’t get me wrong I liked it, but I can’t remember why.

This just didn't hit the same way Kubica's others have. It felt drawn out and a bit predictable. I did really love Nina's character and enjoyed her POV. I understand Christian's chapters were necessary but he annoyed me to no end.

I will definitely keep reading all her new books because Local Woman Missing is a fave, but this one wasn't it for me.

Thank you again to NetGalley for another ARC by Mary Kubica! She is one of my favorite authors and I do not think that will ever change. I love reading her books! This one had me wanting more and guessing! I look forward to her next one! I have already recommended this one to my fellow readers!

Just the Nicest Couple wasn't my favorite of Mary Kubica's books. It felt slow-going and failed to keep my interest. I'm eager to read whatever she's working on next!

Just the Nicest Couple is another domestic thriller written by Mary Kubica. In the book, we follow members of two married couples whose lives are interconnected both openly and in secret. After the husband in one couple disappears, both couples are left trying to unravel the surrounding mysteries. I found this to be an enjoyable thriller, even though I thought the twist was somewhat predictable. Overall, I would recommend this to fans of Kubica.

While this wasn't the most thrilling book I've ever read, it had enough twists to keep me coming back for more - I needed to know what happened. The characters weren’t the most dynamic, and I wished for a bit more excitement on the pages. This kept me engaged enough to meet my current readi g needs without feeling like I was floundering in a complicated plot, but it also fell a little flat. I am strangely entertained AND disappointed.

Thank you to Park Row Books, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this book in return for an honest opinion.

The story is about two couples. Their relationship is really a work one as the two women work together as teachers. One of the husbands goes missing.. I anticipated this would be an engrossing mystery however both the plot and the writing style detracted from that. Try as I did, I could not like or even find the characters relatable.

Jake and Nina Hayes are having marital problems. Her mother is ill and she is spending a lot of time with her and Jack is feeling left out. They argue about it and he huffs off to work. When he doesn't return home, she just thinks he is staying at a hotel or with a friend to "punish" her. Maybe their marriage is on the way to breaking up. After several days and a phone call from the hospital where he is a neurosurgeon, she files a missing person report. The police don't take it seriously, until other things start to happen. Meanwhile we also meet Lily Scott and her husband Christian. Lily has recently found out she is expecting. She was out for a walk in a nearby park when she is accosted by Jake. What is going on? She hits Jake in the head with a rock and leaves him unconscious in the park. Did she kill him? She tells Christian and they check to see if they can find his body. He's not there, where is he? Christian will do whatever he can to help Nina stay out of jail.

Mary Kubica books are hit or miss for me and this one was on the hit side. I know it has had mixed reviews, and yes it wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed the story. So, we have a lot of secrets, lies and unreliable narrators to sort through in this book. I was pretty sure I knew what had happened to Jake, but it took quite awhile to actually find out. I was partially correct, so I patted myself on the back for that, but otherwise, I was out in left field. I really didn't like any of the characters except for Nina. The story is narrated from the POVs of Nina and Christian. It gave the story some urgency, but I was not a fan of the short, abrupt sentences. Think Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek series. This was a psychological thriller, so while there wasn't a lot of action, it did keep me listening to see what had really happened to Jake. There were some distracting storylines that added to my confusion and I thought could have been left out, but were great red herrings. Overall, this was an intriguing thriller/mystery that I enjoyed.

Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica follows the lives of two couples, Nina and Jake and Christian and Lily. Jake goes missing after an argument with Nina and after a few days of cooling off, Nina is desperately trying to find him. Lily is worked up because she realizes she might very well be the last person to see Jake before his disappearance.

This book was probably my least favorite by Ms. Kubica. The plot was a little slow, the characters were unlikeable, and the writing style was unusual. This book was written in short, choppy sentences and was also super repetitive. I found Christian to be a little too obsessed with Lily. I found Lily to be a little too whiny. I found Nina to be a little too bland. The story could have been good, but sounded like a few other books I've read recently (and they were done better).

I loved The Good Girl, but her novels have gone down after that debut and this might be my last novel by Mary Kubica.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader ecopy. I had previously read local woman missing and enjoyed it. Mary Kubica missed the mark on this one. It was just ok. Nothing really exciting about it, there’s one scene where it got exciting but was just a daydream. I’ll definitely give Mary Kubica another shot but this one just didn’t live up to the hype.

Mary Kubica is always an author you can count on for a thriller that will keep you guessing. She takes the typical missing wife storyline and turns it upside down. You won’t want to put this down!

Mary Kubica's writing can be hit or miss for me, but this book really took me for a ride. I think because the character struggled with fertility- possibly because the main characters are teachers. I felt connected with the characters in many ways. I think this was my favorite Kubica to date!

Just the Nicest Couple by one of my favorite authors, Mary Kubica, is the book for you! This 5-star read takes you on a suspenseful journey with two couples, two close friends, and one missing husband.

From the beginning, the story hooks you - Jake Hayes has vanished into thin air. Poof! Gone! At first, his wife, Nina, hopes he's just taking some time away after their heated argument, but anxiety sets in as the days tick by. Where could Jake be?

Enter Lily Scott, Nina's friend, and coworker, who may hold a crucial clue to Jake's disappearance. However, Lily has her own secret, and together with her husband, Christian, they decide to keep it hidden from Nina at all costs. Meanwhile, Nina is on a desperate mission to find her husband, and she won't rest until she uncovers the truth.

Mary Kubica weaves an intricate web of deception, lies, and betrayal that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This thrilling read is an addictive mix of mystery and suspense that'll have you guessing at every turn.
Kubica's writing is captivating and draws you effortlessly into the characters' lives and the tangled mess of their secrets. You'll become deeply invested in the characters, experiencing their emotions and fears as if they were your own. Each twist and revelation is carefully crafted, ensuring surprises until the end.

As the plot unfolds, Kubica keeps you guessing, never letting up on the tension. When you think you've figured it out, she throws another unexpected twist that will leave you reeling. The suspense builds to a mind-blowing ending.

Just the Nicest Couple is a rollercoaster ride of intrigue and emotions. Mary Kubica once again proves her mastery in the genre, delivering a heart-pounding thriller that will leave you breathless. So grab your favorite reading spot and get ready to engage yourself in this unputdownable book.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Canada for this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Mary Kubica's and have been for many years. Unfortunately, however, JUST THE NICEST COUPLE left me slightly underwhelmed. Although it was a quick read (which I love), the lackluster plot, predictable twists and unlikeable characters did not make this an engaging or memorable book for me.
Overall, it felt a little too rushed and a little less polished than her previous work.

That being said, I know Kubica is an extremely talented author and I will continue to read more from her in the future.

Kubica is one of my favorite authors and this book was no less amazing than her others. I loved the in depth characters and how she created twists and turns. Great book!

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I have been a fan of Mary Kubica since her debut, but Just The Nicest Couple is not her best work.

Mary generally has no problem with her characters being dirty, secretive, and sometimes no redeeming qualities. And there is some of that in this book. But there is also parts to characters that made me cringe. Christian is a bit too obsessed with Lily for my liking. I can’t remember the book I read in the last few months where the main character acted a bit too much in love with his wife or girlfriend, but there were similar vibes and it’s just “Ehh, we get it. You are SO IN LOVE with this person.”

What I Liked:

The cover. It def made me want to check the book out.

A twist that I did not see coming.



Bottom line: For me, it was ok. I read it and liked it for the most part. But I know that her books have the potential (and actually have been better).



*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

This novel follows two couples Nina & Jake and Lily & Christian. Jake goes missing after arguing with Nina and she is frantically trying to find him, so she can apologize. Lily is wrought with anxiety as she realizes she may have been the last to see Jake alive. So begins the race to find him. Lies & truths are uncovered and evidence is tucked away. Where did Jake go, and when will the pieces fit together to find him? While I had a hunch about 2/3 through the book, I wasn’t prepared for the final revelation.
Thanks to Park Row and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Synopsis:

Jake Hayes is missing. First, his wife thinks he's blowing off steam at a friend's house after their heated fight the night before. But 5 days later, he's still nowhere to be found. Lily Scott, Nina's friend and coworker thinks she may have been the last to see Jake and confesses this to her husband, Christian. They decide nobody can find out what happened leading up to Jake’s disappearance, especially not Nina. But Nina is out there looking for her husband, and she won’t stop until the truth is discovered.

Review:

This suspenseful read is true to Mary Kubica's engaging style. Her books are 100% the definition of a page turner - there are usually some unlikeable and untrustworthy characters, who keep you hooked. I will say, this time I started getting a feeling of how it was going to end and I was right! I loved the concept because how often does a couple seem like they're so perfect- whether in person, or even online these days and then you find out they have issues like everyone else.

Thank you to HTP Books for the eGalley!

Well this certainly wouldn’t have been a novel if Lily made the smart decision to go to the police the day of the incident lol

Even though the characters made dumb decisions, I still thought the novel was readable. The pace was good and the ending was unexpected.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

SO many secrets and so much betrayal in this one.

After Jake and Nina have a fight - Jake goes missing. She thinks he left to simmer down after their argument but it's been too long now. Something is definitely amiss.

Nina's friend and coworker believes she may be the last person to see Jake alive, but together with her husband Christian, they decide it's best to keep this to themselves.

I definitely enjoyed this one and the twists were super fun. It wasn't my favorite of hers but for fans - it's worth reading for sure - the secrets and twists and drama make it a riveting page-turner.