I enjoyed Sarah Mitchell's first book, The Lost Letters, and have to say that The Couple is nothing like it! Where the first one was a dual timeline wartime story, the latter is a psychological thriller. What this proves is that Mitchell can write in either genre.

I am slightly puzzled by the title and am not entirely sure who the couple in question are. Is it Claire and her fiancé, Angus? Or Claire and Mark, the man whose house they are buying? Or Claire and Daniel, the man who Mark reminds her of, a man from her past? Claire is an unreliable narrator. She works for the government in the Immigration Department and as the book begins she has just got engaged to Angus. It's fair to say that from pretty early on it seems as though the relationship might not last the course. Angus isn't Daniel (or Mark for that matter) and they don't seem to be that well suited.

I enjoyed the details of Claire's work, the cases she was working on were so interesting. And her relationship with her colleagues, Angus and her family were really intriguing. The plot is quite intense and quite complex and at times it's more than a little unlikely, but it was enough to keep me turning the pages.

There's an amazing twist that I didn't see coming and which left me reeling. It certainly had me questioning everything I had read before. And I loved the very end which I thought was extremely clever and revealing. With these two sections Mitchell really excelled herself.

The Couple is a pacy and exciting thriller, a bit different to others, and a good read overall.

Good story but a weak main character (Claire). This started well; the writing is good. This had some surprises and a different premise which is great for those of us that read many thrillers.

The story flips back and forth in time frame and that was handled well. There was some confusion for me but I think (hope) it’s intentional. Still thinking about it...

It isn’t a nail biter but there was something there for sure...

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Bookouture for a copy in exchange for a review.

A fab and creepy read that kept me gripped from the first chapter. Strong characters and a excellent storyline.

This was a good read with lots of twists and turns. If you’re a fan of B.A. Paris you’ll definitely like this book. Had me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

To borrow the lyrics from a song...this whole book was really a "bad romance."

Claire works for the Home Office Immigration Service, not technically a lawyer, but she helps with appeals of decisions made regarding the status of a petition of residency. She's overburdened with the desperation of the petitioners and the work, but things are looking up for her now that she's met and become engaged to Angus. Yes, they've only known each other about 4 months, but Claire is quite pleased at the uptick in her living situation and future domestic arrangements in a beautiful new home that they got at a great price. When Claire meets the previous homeowner, Mark, she's struck immediately by how much he reminds her of an old boyfriend, Daniel. Perhaps that's why she soon finds herself in a huge mess...NO SPOILERS.

My first thought after finally finishing this book is -- what the heck did I just read? And not in a good way. I found it confusing and totally, absolutely, almost unbearablely, unbelievable. In addition, the main character, Claire, is one of the most unlikeable people you're likely to encounter in fiction as she has no redeeming qualities. I couldn't relate to her and mostly wanted to slap her for being so stupid and horrible. The two men, Angus and Mark, were also hideous but we only see them through Claire's unreliable eyes and other characters are very incompletely fleshed out so are one-dimensional and only peripheral to Claire. I had to force myself through to the end and the conclusion was so unsatisfying that I wanted to throw the book against the wall.

It seems that the author does have some writing talent with some great descriptions and turn of phrase, but the story line and plot here was so off because of its need for me to completely suspend any sense of reality that anyone would do any of the stuff that Claire does. So, no, I didn't care for this one. It's not smart or clever or twisty or tricky in my opinion. Just glad I actually finished (it's a rule I have for myself) and now I'm done and moving on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This story had me figuring out what was going to happen from the start, not your usual thriller. Different, unique. I found it was a slow burner to start with, but picks up quickly later on, with a brilliant ending and outcome you would never expect…

Clever story when I think about it. Some clever, deceiving and manipulative characters within this story. The Couple flicks from the present to Claires past relationship, but is clearly stated so does not confuse the reader. After finishing this story I was still sat trying to figure it all out in my head! I did feel sorry for Claire throughout, but found her job quite interesting.

A well deserved three stars from me.

Not my favorite psychological thriller. My biggest problem was that I did not really like Claire. Or Daniel or Angus. I need to have someone in a novel to worry about and feel concern for their safety and well being.

From the blurb on this book I thought it would be an interesting read. Sadly for me it just did not work. I quickly realised that I really disliked all the characters- particularly Claire- the story teller. As I couldn't summon up enough curiosity to find out what it was all about I'm afraid I gave up.

I'm sure this will appeal to many readers but not for me. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for giving me the chance of reading this book.

This was a great read! I couldn’t put this book down! I had to know what was going to happen next the whole way through!

OMG where do I start?

Maybe the beginning is the best place for a book so damn good it gave me whiplash and possible permanant injury to my jaw from it hitting the floor.

From the start it gave me ‘Rebecca’ vibes to read about an engagement party to which the bride to be, Claire, is not really engaged with. Following an excruciating speech by her father in law, and a brief description of her and Angus’ whirlwind romance you wonder where this book is going.

She obviously had a thing with a person named Daniel which hurt her really badly so is Angus a safe bet? He comes across as a complete tool and someone that Claire, with her high pressured, high profile job as an immigration lawyer would not connect with. I didn’t like him at all so when she begins a relationship with Mark, the Daniel look a like who owns the house she come to view for their marriage home, you raise your hand and squeak a cautious ‘you go girl!’

But he is far from a safe bet and as you reel from events happening now to events of 5 years ago, you begin to be teased with little details so as you are thinking ‘right so this happened then.. ok, I am getting it ..WAIT WHAT?!’

I cannot say too much without giving plot points away but honestly, it’s a great book, available in ebook and paperback now.

I struggled to get into The Couple, it was too far fetched, book cover is very good, I was so intrigued by it.

Oh my! What a weirdly twisted book... The alleys were dark and felt psychotic. The mind was a fragile thing, once broken remained broken. What the heart wanted, it wanted by any means... Or death would be the end!!

Beware of the twisted plot this book coursed through. Claire and Angus were engaged, they bought a new house from Mark, Mark resembled her ex, so Claire had an affair with him and soon was embroiled in his nefarious deeds.

My first book by Sarah Mitchell, and my eyebrows touched my hairline as I read down its pages, eyes widened with expletives being showered over my poor kindle. One chapter in the middle of the book hitched my breath hitch and made me go Wowza. The rest were weird, logic less, and certainly not so intelligent. Claire really took some poor decisions, she was unlikable and kinda obsessed about the ex. Not that the others were any better. The men were badly characterized.

The writing though disjointed and rough had its own darkness which compelled me to read on. The book was a slow burn as most turn out to be, the ending was rushed and didn't make much sense too. Or maybe I wasn't too interested.

The book kept me company during my flu, filling my brain with niggles, hence enjoyable. One sometimes needs to compkain about a book to feel alive. Whew, my review is done!!

Without a doubt, this is my favourite book of the month. What an amazing trip of literature at its supreme best. It is a masterpiece of style, vivid images, innovative analogies and richly drawn characters. It is seamlessly, effortlessly written and its pitch of tension is heart-racingly phenomenal. At times, my spine tingled with its sinister threads. I liked the skill employed in forcing the reader to try and figure out what is happening and who could be trusted. I found some red herrings which turned out to be clues and vice versa. Last, but not least, there is such wit and turn of phrase. Claire, the main character works for the Home Office. There’s a unique and intriguing insight into the workings of the Home Office, and I avidly read the astonishing details of case histories of asylum seekers and immigrants. I loved the spine-chilling ending. I will definitely be promoting this novel as far and wide as possible. I shall be searching for the other book advertised by Sarah Mitchell. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture.

I enjoyed this read- it had a great twist I never saw coming and the characters were incredibly unique. I will say Claire- the main character- was hard to figure out so that was a bit challenging but once I got through understanding her the pieces fell into place. (what a wild character!) The story was slow to build, but again, once I got to the end it made more sense why it was paced this way. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a thriller type read with a terrific ending!

Firstly, I would like to thank Bookouture and Noelle Holten for asking me to review this book and organise the blog tour.
Tense, heart stopping, fast paced and hard to put down is how I would describe this story. The line on the cover, whatever you think you know...you're wrong was what hooked me. What will I think reading this and what will I be wrong about? I was intrigued.
I adore psychological thrillers when they are written well and this one is. Claire and Angus move into a new house thanks to the seller Mark and you would think we would see no more of him and that what Claire thinks too but it is not the last we see of him. We get to know a lot about the characters creating real depth to the plot and is exactly what you want from a thriller.
While reading I was on high alert throughout and not until right at the end did all the clues finally come clear. Just a perfect perfect story!

The Couple follows Claire (who works for the Home Office) , and is newly engaged to the (fairly) wealthy Angus after only a short romance.
They soon decide (well, Angus mainly) to invest in a house. Enter Mark, who they buy the house from, who appears to be strangely familiar to Claire. We soon learn that he reminds her of her old lover, Daniel, and as it turns out, Claire never quite got over him.
There were a few twists in the story, but honestly, I just didn’t like any of the characters much to care about them, and at times I found the dual timeline a bit confusing (and I usually really enjoy past-present scenarios).
I really wanted to like this book, but I really had to push myself to keep on reading to finish it. Something was missing for me, not sure if it was the writing style, or the characters, or if it all just added up at the end.
I’d still read another book from this author in the future, but sadly I’m just not exactly sure if I’d recommend this one wholeheartedly!

Thank you for NetGalley, the author and the publishers for my free advanced copy to read and review!

I’m still not sure about this book. I found the storyline, at times, far fetched and the main character Claire I really disliked. I still found that the book kept me wanting to read and there were some twists along the way, but a disappointing read for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Wow! This author is amazing! I am so glad to have discovered her! This book is out of this world! Tense, suspenseful and addictive, a fast paced masterpiece that had me hooked from start to finish. Absolutely brilliant and very highly recommended!

Well, this is a book and a half! Whilst it's all calm and pond-like on the surface, mad paddling is going on out of sight ...

Claire and Angus, a professional couple, celebrate their engagement with family and friends. Despite having already found an apartment they agreed on, Angus asks Claire to go and look at a house, where she meets the seller, Mark. He's very hospitable - perhaps more than the occasion merits? Before long, Claire and Angus take up residency in their lovely new home, but that isn't the last Claire sees of Mark.

This is a novel where you are lulled into a false sense of security; but the clues are there - so subtle that you don't even realise you're reading them! We learn a fair bit about Claire through chapters referring back to her student life; and more about her current persona at work, but there are plenty of shades of grey in this book and it isn't until the final few pages that everything 'clicks' into place - and even then the biggest shock of all is waiting to be discovered! An awesome read, and one which has held my attention easily. With so much going on I have raced through this and thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. Such a well-structured and riveting read deserves the highest praise, and I'm more than happy to award it five plump, shiny stars.

My thanks to publisher Bookouture for my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

My first book by this author. We first meet Immigration Lawyer Claire and her fiancé Angus at their engagement party. When looking at houses for her and Angus to live in, Claire meets Mark, the house owner. Mark is scarily familiar to Claire and reminds her so much of her ex-partner, Daniel. Mark immediately has a hold over Claire, and she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him despite being with Angus. As Angus becomes more suspicious, Claire discovers that she’s not sure who she can trust.

Claire’s a sensible woman, works in immigration but is obviously has a weak spot for controlling men. The chapters alternate between present day and 5 years previously when Claire was in a relationship with Daniel with this showing how flawed their relationship was. Her relationship with Angus was somewhat of a whirlwind relationship, getting engaged relatively soon after meeting and she does appear to have met her perfect man. To me though, Angus appears to be a bit of a petulant child, getting annoyed over the smallest things, and I have to admit I didn’t really like him!

Whilst looking for houses, Claire meets home owner, Mark. Mark reminds her of Daniel in so many ways, and this tempts Claire into pursuing a relationship of sorts with him. Mark is a dangerous character who can obviously sense that Claire is attracted to him, and there were so many times through the book where I was just thinking “what is she doing!!” Sometimes though I just couldn’t understand what Claire was doing or why she was doing it. This is in no way a negative though, for me it just went to show how naïve and easy to control she was.

The story began at a slow pace, but this was all the more better to let the characters develop. As the book moved on and the story moved from past to present and present to past, all the little pieces began to fit together and you began to understand what was going on. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, but then again, I don’t think we were meant to!! Each one of them appeared to be someone who you couldn’t trust and by the time we got to the end I knew I was definitely right!

The ending surged through to a crescendo, with a great twist towards the end. This was definitely a deliciously dark and creepy thriller which I would heartily recommend.