Review of The New Couple in 5B

I am obsessed with Lisa Unger. So I was thrilled to get this book and I read it very quickly. I absolutely adored the setting of New York City. The creepy apartment building with the creepy neighbors was perfection. It gave me serious rosemary’s baby vibes. I definitely didn’t see a lot of the twist and turns or the ending coming. I seriously disliked many of the characters and found myself very, very slightly disappointed in the ending. But it’s still a phenomenal book and I’m a fan of this author for life.

Synopsis:

A couple inherits an apartment with a spine-tingling past in this unputdownable thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six.

Rosie and Chad Lowan are barely making ends meet in New York City when they receive life-changing news: Chad’s late uncle has left them his luxury apartment at the historic Windermere in glamorous Murray Hill. With its prewar elegance and impeccably uniformed doorman, the building is the epitome of old New York charm. One would almost never suspect the dark history lurking behind its perfectly maintained facade.

At first, the building and its eclectic tenants couldn’t feel more welcoming. But as the Lowans settle into their new home, Rosie starts to suspect that there’s more to the Windermere than meets the eye. Why is the doorman ever-present? Why are there cameras everywhere? And why have so many gruesome crimes occurred there throughout the years? When one of the neighbors turns up dead, Rosie must get to the truth about the Windermere before she, too, falls under its dangerous spell.

This was my first read by this author and I will definitely be coming back for more! This was certainly a page turner and a true thriller. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the supernatural elements but I didn't think they were overdone! I also liked the main character but pretty much disliked or distrusted every other character. This made it hard for me to determine who the villain of the story was, which I liked. The storyline wasn't super predictable. I am really glad I got a copy of this book to read!

Thank you NetGally for an ARC for an honest review

***A couple inherits an apartment with a spine-tingling past in this unputdownable thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six.***

***Rosie and Chad Lowan are barely making ends meet in New York City when they receive life-changing news: Chad’s late uncle has left them his luxury apartment at the historic Windermere in glamorous Murray Hill.
At first, the building and its eclectic tenants couldn’t feel more welcoming. But as the Lowans settle into their new home, Rosie starts to suspect that there’s more to the Windermere than meets the eye. Why is the doorman ever-present? Why are there cameras everywhere? And why have so many gruesome crimes occurred there throughout the years? When one of the neighbors turns up dead, Rosie must get to the truth about the Windermere before she, too, falls under its dangerous spell.****

This is the first book that I have read by Lisa Unger and it did not disappoint. At first It gave off Rosmary's Baby vibes with the strange, over friendly neighbours. As an avid thriller reader I suspected everyone which Lisa does a great job of makimng everyone look suspicious when the tenants of the Windermere start to die.
I fount this book fairly fast placed, wanting to find out what the characters were hiding.
Overall I like Lisas writing style and would read more of her books.

This was a quick read - started off slowly and eventually became invested in the plot. I will say I was questioning for most of the book whether or not there were supernatural elements involved, which (in and of itself) was a worthwhile mystery.

Thank you to the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book. I enjoyed the mystery and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat during a few scenes. I did feel the ending was a little rushed and tied up too easily, but I enjoyed the story leading up to it all. I just wish we found out what the deal was with the necklaces and the occult symbol. It felt a little like a plot hole. Overall fun, easy read that kept me intrigued. Four stars!

Lisa Unger is one of my favorite authors, and although I haven't been with her since the very beginning, I am very glad I found her and have had the chance to meet her! The New Couple in 5B has a lot of great creepy vibes including a doorman who is always there when you call, and even some supernatural suspense! I loved the addition of ghosts to the storyline, and also quite enjoyed the dual timelines between current-day Rosie and Willa in 1963. It took me a while to figure out how the two storylines were connected and once I figured it out 😲 my mind was blown!

Along with this being one of my favorite authors, Vivienne Leheny is one of my favorite narrators (!), and I was very pleased that she narrated The New Couple in 5B! She did such a great job with both of the FMCs that I didn't find myself wishing there were 2 narrators. This reminded me a tiny bit of The Paris Apartment and brings back that saying that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are also quite a few random deaths that our poor Rosie has to experience, and every time one happens it is a little bit jarring and adds to that general sinister feeling. The New Couple in 5B is full of twists and turns, and if you enjoy Unger's novels, this should be another win for you! Especially with that always amazing NYC, upper class setting.

As an Ira Levin, Rosemary's Baby, and Lock Every Door fan, I was super excited for this book. Ultimately it ended up being good but not great. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the book and the story within a story element. The story within a story element actually made some things confusing to me (ie: which was real story and what was the book) but I actually liked that because it added to the unease and disorientation in the story. I liked the main character and her drive, but definitely got frustrated with some of her decisions. The gaslight triggering was strong in this one too! Lisa Unger always writes fun mysteries that are a solid and entertaining read.

I loved The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger. If you love NYC and historical buildings then this is the new mystery/thriller fiction for you. Rosie and Chad inherit a five million dollar apartment in a building that might be haunted by all of the tenants that died there. She is an author who escaped from a cultist family and he is an aspiring actor that might be up to no good. The ghosts seem helpful and the neighbors are maybe just a little too nice or maybe just hiding something... And, what lengths will they go to to protect their building?

This was a different style than I’m used to with Lisa Unger, and isn’t my usual cup of tea but this one did well. A couple inherit a posh apartment from a late family member, immediately people protest their right to the property and weird things start happening. While trying to figure out what is happening, the wife also feels like she is losing her mind. This story was crazy! Told from duel timelines and POV’s, you will want to keep reading to find out the truth!

Great twisty read that kept my attention throughout. I like the character development and the way the author paced the story. Another great thriller/mystery recommendation

The New Couple in 5B was a great psychological domestic thriller that left me guessing until the very end.

Rosie, and her husband Chad, are barely scraping by in NYC. But when a dear friend passes away and leaves them his apartment in his will, they think their luck will turn around. They quickly realize that this might not be as great as they think. The neighbours seem welcoming, but behind closed doors are acting weird. As things start to spiral out of control, Rosie needs figure out what’s going on before she falls into their trap.

Lisa Unger has a really great writing style that I can zoom through in a day. Definitely worth the read if you’re looking for a good domestic thriller!

Lisa Unger brought us a spine tingling thriller with “The New Couple in 5B”. This story follows Rosie an author and Chad an actor who inherited an old pre-war apartment from Chad’s Uncle Ivan after his passing. This turn of good fortune is not all what it seems to be though as death and the buildings dark history does not leave them to enjoy their new space. While I was initially expecting more of a psychological thriller, this book has strong elements of the occult and supernatural themes. While those normally aren’t my jam this book kept me engaged until the very end!

Thank you to NetGalley, Park Row and Lisa Unger for this ARC.

This book started really slow for me. I actually switched to something else after first reading like 10 pages. Going back to it later, it did pick up and I was interested throughout to figure out what was going on. I liked the middle part of the book, but it lost me again at the end. I feel like there were some loose ends not tied up, and overall it just didn’t satisfy me like I hoped.

I honestly was disappointed in this novel. I loved the eerie atmosphere and the magic realism that was at play in this novel; however, the rationale behind the happenings was utterly anticlimactic. Borderline lazy on the author's part. There was so much potential in this novel. One of my favorite tropes is the weight, the energy that places hold on to and carry, and this novel touched well on that. I loved the flashbacks to a different time, but they were kind of a waste as they didn't really go anywhere. Unger did not catch me with this one.

This story was tough for me to follow. I almost did not finish the book. Overall it was a fine thriller but I had a hard time with the pacing.

This was a great suspense and mystery novel. There was a bit of a supernatural element which I thought might turn me off, but I enjoyed the story in spite of it. It's an atmospheric, taking place in a creepy old apartment building where many previous deaths have occurred. An intriguing read.

Rosie and Chad Lowan inherit apartment 5B in the prestigious Windermere building in Murray Hill, New York City. Rosie is unsure about moving in such a posh apartment, not to mention her uncle Ivan left it to her and Chad not his only daughter Dana. Rosie suspects things are off in the building right away. She never feels a since of peace living there and the strange events that have taken place at the Windemere over the years are all adding up. She also feels a sense of guilty that Dana did not inherit the apartment. As Rosie begins to investigate things that have happened to the tenants, her unease grows quickly. Stuck in a web of lies, including Chad's lies Rosie has to fight to live to see the next day in Apartment 5B as she discovers no one can be trusted!

A quick, twisty read. I loved the setting. Definitely a new release to check out!

Thank your for allowing me an ARC for my honest opinion of this book.

Family drama, supernatural elements- all set in a dark New York City old apartment- loved it! Love how Lisa Unger always weaves so many details, characters and possibilities into her stories. Thrilled to read and receive an advanced copy!

Always look forward to a new Unger book and this one did not disappoint. From the jump, you are sucked into this story of a young couple who move into a lavish old building with a tragic history. As soon as the Windermere was introduced, I was hooked! I loved the mysterious and gothic vibe of the Windermere. Haunted? Hmm, maybe. Sinister doorman? Is he though? Creepy neighbors? Definitely. And figuring out just what in the world is going on in this building is what makes this one fun.

If you like stories with a gothic building as a main character, give this one a try. 👍🏼

Thank you to NetGalley and ParkRow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rosie and Chad have been taking care of Chad’s uncle when no one else would, even Chad’s sister. Upon his death, they find out that his uncle left them a luxurious apartment that has a historical past; some deaths included. There are cameras about and an intercom system in which the doorman can hear what is being said (creepy). Deaths continue to mount around them to include Chad’s sister and a neighbor. There is a lot of turmoil in that building, and Rosie needs to figure out what is going on before something else bad happens; that bad could include her. Thank you to Ms. Unger, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own. A mesmerizing read!