Seven days, seven questions and twists galore. I enjoyed this story and all the details. This is a different take on a marriage thriller and it will be a stand out summer read.

Audio narration was brilliantly done and gave the story more depth.

Daisy and Craig have been married for about 3 years and they have hit a rocky patch. Daisy, in an attempt to fix their relationship, signs them up for a week long couples retreat in a remote cabin to take the “Eden Test”. They each have some secrets from their past that come out as the week progresses. The story unravels into a large dramatic escalation that ultimately tests their relationship. “The Eden Test” is an engaging and well narrated audiobook, although I found it to be implausible. Readers that enjoy quick paced mysteries/thrillers will enjoy this book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This was my first book from this author and it won’t be my last. Our main couple Craig and Daisy have been together for 3 years and married for 2 but are having some bumps in the new marriage. Craig has a new side girl for the last 4 months and is ready to toss Daisy to the side and head out to Cabo with his new girl. Daisy also has something she’s hiding in her marriage and so enters the Eden Test. A retreat where they are hoping to rekindle the intimacy in their marriage… or is it?

What would you do to find out for sure whether the person with whom you've chosen to share your life with is willing to be the partner you need?

What would you do if you knew they might not be, but wanted to see just how much they might be willing to do to become that person?

And what if you know that they're imperfect? Is leaving them and starting over with someone else always the right, and most self-respecting choice?

Daisy wants to know the definitive answer to some of these questions, so she arranges for her and her husband Craig to spend seven days in a small town in upstate New York, isolated together in a cabin, undergoing The Eden Test, a series of seven questions devised by a couple who are recognized and acclaimed marriage experts. But both Craig and Daisy have hidden agendas for the trip upstate, and at the end of the week, they won't just be fighting for their marriage, but for much, much more.

It was fun reading Daisy and Craig's journey from a fractured couple to something neither of them expected to become. The plot twists were all pretty good, with only one (and it's a big one) struck me as somewhat farfetched. But not so farfetched that I didn't overall enjoy the experience. It's an easy story to get pulled into. I recommend for fast-paced, light read.

Audiobook note: Very believable, well-pitched narration, giving as effective a voice to male characters as to the female.

I am literally speechless and my mind is reeling! I devoured this audiobook in 2 days, I basically listened to it every chance I got. The depth of the protagonist was incredible. It is difficult to discuss the story without giving anything away, but if you love thrillers, mind-bending psychological stories, this is absolutely for you. It falls in the same category as novels like "Rock, Paper, Scissors", "The Hike", "We're All Lying", "Never Lie", "The Doctor's Wife". Highly highly recommend. Definitely an author I will follow. The audiobook narrator was also spot on. She really sold the narration for me. 10/10!

This was definitely not what I expected. It is a story of a couple that goes on a retreat to try and repair their relationship. It is a week long, and every day you have to answer a question honestly. The couple is on a brink of separating - the husband is cheating, and is about to break the news to his wife that he is leaving with his mistress. The wife, well she has a secret past that the husband knows nothing of.

The whole weekend is about revealing their secrets, finally being honest about themselves, and about their relationship. The people are despicable with their lies, but they are truthful on paper - reveal everything that is wrong with them. The weekend turns a bit dark with locals taking their anger out on the couple, and what they represent. Or are they?

I liked how this was a twisty tale with turns I definitely did not expect. I also really enjoyed the honesty of this relationship - it felt real, like a real couple with real feelings and resentments. There's honesty to who these people are, and they are ok with themselves, as well as each other. They accept their darkest sides. There are references to Eden aplenty. And it makes sense - the name, the test. I also loved one of last lines - why did Eve and Adam leave Eden? Because they chose each other. It means so much more in the end of this book. I loved it.

A great audiobook, fast moving, and twisty. If you like character based, domestic suspense, with a bit of darkness - read this one. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books for my complimentary copy.

I received an advanced listening copy of The Eden Test by Adam Sternbergh through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and here it is.
•
☆☆☆☆
•
Daisy and Craig are at a breaking point in their marriage. Daisy plans for them to go to a secluded cabin where they will partake in The Eden Test, where they will answer crucial questions about their relationship. 7 questions, 1 for each day that they're there. Daisy, a fabulous actress, has her own test devised.
•
Having 2 unreliable characters made for a very interesting story because I could never really trust what was happening. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the secrets that were revealed kept me intrigued. The ending was a bit extreme and a bit unbelievable.
•
I absolutely love the narrator! The distinctive voices for each character were so great. This is an excellent audiobook.
•
Thanks to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and author Adam Sternbergh for this ALC to honestly review. The Eden Test is out now!

“Seven Days. Seven Questions. Forever Changed.”

Holy bats&$t crazy! The Eden Test is a domestic thriller with excellent twists that will keep you on your toes from the very beginning!

What appealed to you the most in this story?

The premise is what really appealed and hooked me before I even began listening to the audiobook. It's best to go into this book without knowing too much about it--just know that married couple Daisy and Craig travel to a remote cabin in upstate New York to work on their marriage for seven days while answering a question each day, and from there they discover how far they will go to save their marriage. Once they arrive at the cabin, mysterious things begin to happen and secrets that both are hiding threaten to come to the surface.

Oh, how I want to talk so much about their marriage, the dynamics, the chaos, their individual pasts, the supporting characters, and more but I can’t say a dang word without giving something away! AAAARRRRGGGG! Definitely perfect for book clubs and buddy reads.

How was the audio version?

This book was made for audio, and it was perfect for a long road trip I recently took for work. I had a total of 11 hours in the car round trip, and it made the drive go by in a flash! Carlotta Brentan narration is excellent, and she kept me invested in the story while giving each character a distinct voice.

Listening speed: 2.0How was the pace?

The audio version kept this a fast-paced story!

Do you recommend this book?

Like I mentioned, this book has some great twists and audio is the way to go! I didn't really like any of the characters, but overall, this didn't actually matter and made the story that much more intriguing. I loved how the book was laid out and how the various secrets were revealed--the characters to each other and then to the reader. The Eden Test itself comes into play in more ways than one in this creepy, atmospheric, and surprising tale. If you're looking for a good domestic and psychological thriller, The Eden Test is an excellent choice.

Thank you, Flatiron Books and MaCMillan Audio, for my gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.

THE EDEN TEST by Adam Sternbergh and narrated by Charlotte Brentan is out today!

Daisy and Craig are hitting a rough patch in their 3 year marriage and Daisy has a plan to fix it. She surprises Craig with a week away at a wilderness location that houses a retreat designed to help couples. The Eden Test gives one question every day for a week to challenge and dive into constructive discussion. Craig is not excited, as he had a bag packed ready to meet his mistress and leave Daisy for good, but he plays along. As the week progresses, strange things keep happening and it becomes clear this trip is not what it seems.

I was very engaged at the start of this story as this premise and the narration sucked me right in. As the story progressed, however, I felt like it lost me. I have to give the plot props for being original. I definitely did not see what was coming throughout, at least not entirely. What lost me, I think, is that I really did not like these characters, which is not a big issue all the time, but it felt like I was supposed to. I also disliked how it ended. I can't say more about the plot really, as I like to avoid spoilers and this would be a good one to go in with a mostly blind entry. I will say, there are domestic abuse and miscarriage triggers, so be aware.

The narration on this felt well done. I had a hard time with the story, but not at all with the actual reading. I listened at 2X speed and had no issues keeping track of the characters or action.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for sharing this audio and for listening to my thoughts on it! I would recommend it for a casual suspense reader who is looking for a fresh plot.

For me it ended up as a ⭐⭐⭐.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. This was a quick read and the narrator was great. I did not want to put it down.

It seems like people who have read Sternbergh's The Blinds were a bit disappointed in this next novel. I have not yet read The Blinds, and I really enjoyed the ride of this one. I felt like this one was pretty fast-paced and kept me guessing about so many different aspects of what was going on. I was able to guess a few things but definitely not all. I liked the remote setting as well as the backdrop of a marriage-saving retreat. I have some mixed feelings about the ending, but overall this was a fun read.

Adam Sternbergh delivers a Hitchcockian vibe-like domestic suspense, THE EDEN TEST —a couple goes to the extremes to save their marriage and themselves.

Seven Days. Seven Questions. Forever Changed.

Daisy and Craig’s marriage is in trouble after two years. All looks perfect on the outside back in Brooklyn, but is there trouble in paradise?

Enigmatic Daisy signed up for The Eden Test, a week-long getaway for couples needing a fresh start. All the while, Craig has his bags packed, and he plans to leave the marriage for another woman.

Craig meets Daisy at a remote cabin in the woods of upstate New York. However, Daisy has her own secrets. She is a talented actress. Craig is a frustrated writer. Both are texting on forbidden phones.

Are they co-conspirators? Do they trust one another?

Lies, deception, and explosive secrets.

WOULD YOU CHANGE FOR ME?
WOULD YOU SACRIFICE FOR ME?
WOULD YOU FIGHT FOR ME?
WOULD YOU LIE FOR ME?
WOULD YOU DIE FOR ME?
WOULD YOU KILL FOR ME?
WOULD YOU FORGIVE ME?

HELP you find your LIMITS and TEST them.

What is The Eden Test, and will this marriage be stronger for it? How far are they willing to go?

Unfolding over a week at the cabin in a private getaway, but is it private with the outsiders? Who are the two bodies taken away from the property in the prologue?

HANG ON FOR A WILD RIDE.

The author keeps the tension high and mysterious, the atmosphere chilling as all the secrets are unraveled in this game of cat and mouse they call marriage as they await the next envelope with its question.

Twisty, darkly comic, atmospheric, and wickedly entertaining, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Carlotta Brentan for a chilling performance. Those who enjoy domestic mysteries, suspense, psychological suspense blended with literary fiction, and Gone Girl will enjoy THE EDEN TEST.

Thank you to #MacmillianAudio for a gifted ALC via #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: April 25, 2023
April 2023 Must-Read Books

The Eden Test by Adam Sternbergh

A marriage in trouble, a week away, and seven questions to forever change them. Somewhat of an interesting premise, but once the author throws in a little domestic suspense the pace picks up. This review is of the audio book read by Carlotta Brentan.

Daisy and Craig do not have the perfect marriage. In fact, it is FAR from that with affairs, lies, untold truths, and changed identity. The plot begins with a week away in a secluded cabin hosted by two former marriage counselors that developed The Eden Test to help couples find their way back to each other. Craig is incredibly unlikeable; a cheater, weak personality, and kind of a whiner. Daisy has her own secrets, but she is at least likeable in the beginning.

Ultimately the entire weekend and Test gets hijacked by a whole host of nefarious characters, some playing out a role, and others inadvertently brought in. I was hoping for a slow burn of revelations that led to the perfect culmination of events; unfortunately, it fell short. The ending is a mishmash of tying up loose ends and predilections for enduring love.

Overall, it is a quick read with some good attention grabbers. The narration of the audio book is well done, the switch between male and female characters is impressive.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted ALC.

I really enjoyed The Blinds by this author but unfortunately this one did not work for me. I did like the narrator, but feel like it might have helped to have a second narrator for Craig’s POV. I struggled with how repetitive this was - some stories are told from both POVs with very little changed or added, and several words and phrases were overused.. There were flashbacks and a lot of internal thought which slowed down the pace even as the action begins to ramp up.

I predicted the plot, it was very easy to see where it was going from early on in the story. There were some plot holes and I don’t love the use of a trigger warning topic as a plot twist. While this domestic suspense wasn’t for me, I have seen good reviews so it might just not have been the best fit for me personally. It’s a quick listen and does have a strong narrator.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books for gifting me an audio ARC of this twisty read by Adam Sternbergh and wonderfully narrated by Carlotta Brentan - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Seven days, seven questions. That's the premise of the Eden Test, a marriage retreat located in Upstate NY for troubled couples. Daisy booked the retreat as a surprise anniversary gift for her husband, Craig. She knows their marriage is in trouble and wants to do what she can to save it. Craig has different plans. While he's on his way to the retreat, he has his bags packed for a Mexican getaway with another woman and plans to tell Daisy when he arrives. But soon the peaceful setting, the alone time, and even the questions push Craig in a different direction. He just doesn't know that Daisy is keeping her own secrets from him.

I thought this was a great read with a perfect premise. A getaway weekend in a remote location to just focus on each other - what could go wrong? The book goes back for a look into Daisy's past and to explore some of her secrets. There are lots of twists here, including some that are over the top, as well as trigger topics, but reading is escapism for me and I loved getting lost in this world!

Seven Days. Seven Questions. Forever Changed.

Daisy has signed she and her husband, Craig, up for the Eden test. It's a weeklong getaway for couples who want to take a deeper look at their marriage. They will answer seven questions to determine if their marriage is worth saving. What better place to do it than in a beautiful setting where a couple can re-evaluate their life together.

Craig is planning to leave Daisy for another woman and Daisy is struggling to hold on to her marriage. When he receives Daisy’s note telling him to come, Craig arrives ready to inform Daisy that he is leaving her. Daisy, a talented actress, has a few tricks up her sleeve (as well as burner phone) and wants to save her marriage.

As they begin answering the questions, things get interesting when lies, deception and secrets come into play. Just how well do they know each other? What secrets will be revealed?

This book has an interesting premise, a couple that are struggling. A husband preparing to leave his wife for another woman, a wife with secrets, and a beautiful setting. I thought I would love this book. In the end, I was all over the place with this book. I enjoyed some parts, I felt some parts were slow, others interesting, etc. It was entertaining and things do get a little OTT, but I can't say that I loved this book. I put it in the liked not loved category.

One thing I did enjoy was the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. I enjoyed trying to figure out why Daisy had the burner phone and who she was communicating with. When revelations are made, I thought “Ok, this is interesting” and “I wonder how this is going to play out”.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job.

I thought this was going to be a great book but left it extremely disappointed. This is the wrong book if you’re looking for a psychological thriller. This feels like an odd marriage drama instead of mystery. Everything was so painfully obvious and if that’s ok with you then you’ll like aspects of this book. The whole idea of the book- which I can’t tell you just in case you don’t figure things out quickly- is odd. I would skip this one.

This is an interesting twist on a thriller that completely surprised me in the end. I enjoyed the characters, despite some being incredibly unlikeable, and the plot, the setting, and the motive were done in an original way. The test questions were intriguing and an inventive way to try and "fix" a marriage. I listened to the audiobook and the narration is well done and kept me entertained while doing some very boring tasks.

My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

The Eden Test is a domestic thriller centering on serial cheating husband Craig, his *seemingly* naive wife Daisy and their trip to a quaint, retreat setting to embark on the titular test of their marriage. Seven questions over seven days to determine the fate of their marriage…with a whole lot of twists along the way.

What I enjoyed:

The narration (although I did wonder a few times if I would have preferred dual narrators for Daisy and Craig’s POVs)

The ending 💁🏻‍♀️

This is a wildly original plot.

I rooted for Daisy.

The portrayal of DV was pretty dang accurate.


What I hated:
⚠️ Miscarriage and Infertility

There was a GLARING lack of research, sensitivity reading, and editing that resulted in this book containing blatant misinformation regarding miscarriages and infertility. Miscarriages do not cause infertility. These are two INCREDIBLY sensitive topics and for a male author to absolutely warp the truth to fit a story, Bruh…absolutely not. How did this not demand a revision?

This author deftly spun a LOT of plates and managed to have the loose ends all tied up in an ending that the DV survivor in me…admittedly rather enjoyed.

I have ZERO doubt that there was a clever alternative the writer could have employed to the parts the story around reproductive issues that wouldn't have involved medical misinformation that will be very triggering for a lot of readers.

This book would’ve been four or five stars for me if not for all of that ^^

⚠️ Other TW/CWs: Infidelity, DV and stalking on page, Self-blame around DV, Racism and Xenophobia, guns, alcohol and smoking.

Taylor Swift’s mastermind came to mind while listening to the audiobook. Right from the start you’re hooked and the fast paced story keeps you going.

TW: miscarriage & abuse