Member Reviews
5 out of 5 for The Golden Couple. The authors weave a plot that leaves the reader guessing the entire time with a surprise ending. The story is built upon the untraditional therapy method of a psychologist gone rouge. Typically her unorthodox methods resolve the clients needs but in this instance have the opposite effect. This thriller had me engrossed and unable to put the story down. Great read!
Domestic thriller author duo Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen do it again in their latest novel The Golden Couple. I usually don’t listen to audiobooks because I find it hard to stay focused, but I was engaged the entire time I listened to this book.
Avery is an unlicensed therapist with some unconventional methods of working with her patients. While treating the picture-perfect couple, Marissa and Matthew Bishop, she completely inserts themselves into their lives, following them while they are out to dinner, snooping around in Marissa’s small business, and following Matthew while at work. The goal is to help the Bishop’s work through Marissa’s infidelity, but Avery is beginning to uncover much bigger secrets.
The first half of this book was definitely a slow burn, but we learn a lot of details about our main character trio. The second half is where things pick up and we start to uncover a few secrets about our Golden Couple. What I love about these two authors is how complex and how multi-layered their stories can be.
If you are looking for an easy yet entertaining thriller that keeps you guessing, look no further!
The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen is a super gripping novel and I could not get enough of him. I listened to audiobook and it was a pleasure listening to Karissa Vacker and Marin Ireland narrate this beautiful story!.
Matthew and Marissa has it all. Wealth, happy marriage, cute little baby boy! They are the golden couple from outside but are they really? One partner is strayed and betrays the other one.
They have an unconventional therapist, who can go to any means to help her clients. The Golden Couple is full of lies, betrayal, secrets, and twists that will have you hooked till the end.
Thank you LibroFM for the gifted audiobook. This amazing domestic thriller is also a BOTM Pick for the month of Feb. I highly recommend this gripping novel to all the thriller lovers when it hits the shelves on March 8, 2022
This audiobook kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I loved all the twists and turns and will be recommending it to many people.
Marissa and Mathew Bishop appear to be the perfect couple. They have an adorable little boy and live in a beautiful home. Everything is picture perfect, or so it seems. Mathew and Marissa have trouble in their marriage and Avery Chambers, an unlicensed therapist is there to help. In ten sessions, Avery claims she can solve their problems and guide them to happiness. My feelings changed about each character as truths were revealed and lies were exposed. The line between victim and villain was blurred as the plot twisted and turned leading to the surprise ending. I was shocked and totally caught off guard as everything came to light. I have been totally thrilled by the books from the dynamic duo of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen and this is no exception. Highly recommend! The narrators expertly bring the characters to life, adding an extra layer of suspicion and intrigue. Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my audiobook.
I absolutely loved this audiobook. I was hooked from the beginning. Both narrators fit their characters and it was a particularly easy listen for me. These two authors always deliver something fresh- and The Golden Couple was no exception. Definitely a book I will recommend to others!! Thank you so much Hendricks, Pekkanen, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and listen to The Golden Couple written by G Greer Hendricks; Sarah Pekkanen, and narrated by Karissa Vacker; Marin Ireland. Fans of Hendricks and Pekkanen will not be disappointed by this great thriller.
What is a golden couple? That’s what I wondered at first. It’s a couple who appears to have everything. The “perfect” life. Great life, great job, and one child. But the reader quickly discovers that the Bishops do not have the perfect wife. Very quickly the reader/listener learns that Marissa cheats on Matthew, and needless to say he doesn’t take it very well. Enter the therapist; Avery Chambers. Avery is a very unusual therapist to say the least. Her ways are very unorthodox, and this then leads the reader into a complex thriller/mystery. The Golden Couple keeps the reader guessing on who Marissa cheated with. Was it really the man from the gym? Was it really once?
The mystery in the book is not contained to the “cheating” incident alone. Marissa’s store assistant is a very interesting and strange character in the story that often leads me thinking “What the heck is she up too?” Mysterious things start to happen at Marissa’s store. Who is in danger in the book and why?
This book will be released on March 8 so be sure to add it to your TBR list.
I previously read this book, and wanted to try it out as an audiobook. The same review applies (below), but I have to say, the narrators did a great job, and I would definitely recommend the audio version!
Whew. I have to take a deep breath before I write this review. I am an avid reader of Hendricks and Pekkanen and have read all of their other books at LEAST twice, sometimes also listening to the audiobook versions. I was incredibly excited for their latest, THE GOLDEN COUPLE.
It started off as every book of theirs does--twisted and unpredictable with characters whose personalities pull you right in.
Avery is an unusual (ex) therapist who has her own unique ways of "helping" her clients.
Marissa is a business owner and wife and mother who recently cheated on her husband.
Matthew is the husband, with of course, secrets of his own.
Plus a handful of supporting characters who have their own motives.
We soon discover there is far more going on than meets the eye. As I reached the midpoint of the book, I was eager to see how the authors would bring these twists and turns together.
As it was, I felt as though some of the twists were excellent, some were predictable (and I don't MIND that, but they fell flat), and some just felt out there. When the book ended, I found myself trying to figure out how I felt--because thrilled was not it, which is how I usually feel when I finish a book by them. Instead, I spent the next several days trying to decide if I loved it or hated it, and in the end, I suppose I just felt "meh." Which sucks. So much build up, so much promise, and it just didn't do it for me.
I'm still looking forward to their next book, I'll STILL buy this to add to my collection. Honestly, if they were anyone besides themselves, I would have probably thought "decent". But I have such high expectations for them based off their previous novels, I was really expecting to be blown away.
I received this book as an ARC, thanks to NetGalley.
This book took me for a ride. It was the perfect combination of marriage issues, infidelity, stalking and murder. Although a tad predictable, I will tell you I was hooked until the very end. Marissa and Matthew are the “golden couple” with their little son and perfect life, or is it? Then there is Skip, the loyal friends from childhood, who plays an intricate role in this novel. Avery, Polly and Chris—what a great cast of characters. I would have given this book five stars, if it wasn’t so predictable, but I had to give it four. If you enjoy a perfectly woven story that involves any of those combinations I listed above, this is the one for you. Greer Hendricks always does an amazing job at capturing the complexity of relationships, and this book did not disappoint.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Golden Couple in exchange for an honest review. This book has been on my TBR for a while now, so I was happy to get my hands on it. I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. The book was just okay in my opinion. The characters were not the likable in my opinion. But the twist at the end was good and unexpected.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audio book. I really enjoyed the audio/narration cast! The cover is simple yet striking! There are some clever twists to this psychological thriller. The multiple viewpoints were done very well never leaving you questioning who was thinking what. Somewhat predictable outcome, but everything was wrapped up ended with a bang. The writing was very good, and I enjoy many of this duo's books!
Meet Avery Chambers —former therapist turned consultant (after losing her license five months earlier), the unconventional protagonist of writing dynamic duo Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's latest must-read psychological thriller, THE GOLDEN COUPLE.
A minor setback was when Avery became a whistleblower calling the FDA concerning a pharmaceutical company's misdeeds. She is still in the game and the most sought-after therapist in the DC area.
Ten Sessions with Avery Chambers
Therapist | Consultant
The Confession
Disruption
Escalation
Revelation
Devastation
Confrontation
Exposure
The Test
Reconciliation
Promises
Clients: Marissa & Matthew Bishop
THE GOLDEN COUPLE
Avery is unlike any other marriage therapist. She is more like a whip-smart detective and intelligent sleuth. She makes it her business to KNOW everything about her clients and one step ahead of them. A widow, forty-one years old, with dog Romeo, is quite unconventional in her practices.
The Bishops begin therapy, and being the intuitive one, Avery sees upfront there is more than meets the eye with this couple.
Matthew is a DC law firm partner spending more evenings at business events than with his wife. Marissa feels lost in a constant swirl of activities, including running her boutique, Coco, cooking nutritious meals for her family, staying trim and fit, and serving on the auction committee at Bennett's (eight-year-old son) private school.
We soon learn as readers NOTHING is as it appears. Matthew is hiding something, as well as Marissa. Avery is determined to uncover their lies and deceit. However, there is much more behind the facade of this "golden couple," which is not so pretty. Perfection is deceiving!
Told from alternating POV Avery and Marissa, we slowly learn this couple did not find Avery accidentally. Some complex moving parts intertwine with Avery's background and are more sinister than you can imagine. Avery also has her own secrets.
No one does cat-and-mouse psycho-therapy better than this duo! Enthralling and propulsive, you will be on the edge of your seat to see what happens next!
I LOVE AVERY! Hands down, the BEST therapist character ever. I enjoyed how she does not follow the rules. Plus the maverick is about to get even more popular after this case. I have a fondness for the name Avery (my fifteen-year-old granddaughter) who also has spunk.
If you loved their previous books, You Are Not Alone, An Anonymous Girl, and The Wife Between Us, you will be assured to devour THE GOLDEN COUPLE.
I have been a fan of Sarah Pekkanen for many years and the duo— having read all their books. I would not miss one of them. I love how the creative storylines came together brilliantly!
Unpredictable, gripping, humorous, and action-packed!
The audiobook narrated by Karissa Vacker & Marin Ireland was superb and highly entertaining!
A special thank you to #StMartinsPress #MacmillanAudio and #NetGalley for an advanced e-book and audio copy.
Blog Review Posted:
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Pub Date: March 8, 2022
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https://bit.ly/TheGoldenCoupleJDC
I'm a HUGE fan of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. I've read The Wife Between Us and You Are Not Alone, and loved them both. I was ridiculously excited when I was approved for The Golden Couple audiobook.
BIG thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.
Avery Chambers is an unconventional therapist. She claims she's able to cure her clients in 10 sessions. She labels her sessions: The Confession, Disruption, Escalation, Revelation, Devastation, Confrontation, Exposure, The Test, Reconciliation, and Promises.
She finds Marissa and Matthew Bishop very intriguing. The Bishops live in a wealthy neighborhood in Chevy Chase, MD, just on the border of Washington, D.C. They appear to have the perfect house, perfect relationship, and perfect family. However, appearances lie. Marissa seeks out Avery to help save her marriage to Matthew and to confess a big secret.
Through many guided sessions with the Bishops, Avery is determined to seek out the truth. The Bishops are hiding more than they are admitting to her.
I loved the twisty plots, suspense, and the ending. This was my first time listening to narrators Karissa Vacker and Marin Ireland. They both made this audiobook flow seamlessly. Overall, this audiobook exceeded my expectations. Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen have yet again written a domestic thriller that has blown me away! A must read for 2022!
I have posted my review to instagram: @thrillersandcoffee
Need a domestic drama fix?! 👇
Marissa and Mathew Bishop seem like the golden couple--until Marissa cheats. She wants to repair things, both because she loves her husband and for the sake of their 8-year-old son. After a friend forwards an article about Avery, Marissa takes a chance on this maverick therapist, who lost her license due to controversial methods…
💭 Love a good suspense where everyone is suspicious! Not everything is what it seems 🤔
We have an ex-therapist who handles marriage counseling in her own unique way ON TOP of having her own issues. Add in the seemingly perfect couple hoping to save their marriage. Don’t stop there - everyone has their own problems to sort out, no one seems reliable, and you will keep wondering who is trustworthy.
Loved the audio version - this story is one of those that just makes the perfect audiobook. I was able to listen and follow along with the story, while still be able to multitask with work or chores around the house. Narrators Marin Ireland and Karissa Vacker were the perfect choice for Marissa and Avery!
This author duet is always a pleasure to read.
Avery Chambers is a therapist that lost her license after taking questionable liberties with her patients lives. Now she works as a 10 session fixer without constraints. Reading the lengths she takes to learn about her clients is equally humorous and disturbing. In fact she often seems more like a stalker than a therapist.
Marissa Bishop has cheated on her husband. She tricks Matthew into seeking help from Avery to fix their marriage.
Meanwhile, someone is lurking in the shadows causing concerns for both women.
This book attracts interest from the very start. The characters are believably flawed and fun to read about. I think that Avery Chambers needs a series. Write and publish book #2 and I will read it.
Read a-likes: Lisa Jewell, Rachel Hawkins, and Liane Moriarty.
I totally forgot that I had requested the audio for this NetGalley - and then I turned around and purchased it because I was very excited for it! I’ve read the previous works of this author duo and I’ve loved them all so I really wanted to give this one a chance.
This one is based around a therapist - Avery promises to fix your problems in 10 sessions or less or she won’t take you as a client. She has some unorthodox methods and those methods have cost her her license. Even so, if you’re willing to give her methods a chance - her success rate is amazing. Knowing this, Marissa contacts Avery to help her with her marriage to Matthew. She cheated on him yet still wants to make it work. Matthew is unsure.
Avery also has problems of her own. She’s recently widowed and is dealing with feelings of loneliness. She adopts a dog - I love the dog. Romeo is the best.
So the book - I did receive the audio and will be sharing my thoughts on the audio copy as well as the story.
This story is told from the perspectives of Avery and Marissa. Multiple POV is really hit or miss for me. It works in this book. However I did find it annoying in the beginning that Matthew didn’t narrate parts when he was also a huge character in the story. I often wondered more what’s going on in his head over Marissa’s. The audiobook is narrated by two different people, which I love. This really helps with ensuring that the listener is aware we’ve changed POV in the story. I know I have trouble with that sometimes in audiobooks so I appreciate the full cast.
Overall this isn’t my favorite book my this author duo. It had plenty of suspense to keep me interested but the storyline wasn’t my favorite. I’m struggling with a star rating so I’m going to go with 3.5 rounded to 4.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I am a big fan of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen books. The golden couple did not disappoint. There were so many twists and turns that kept me guessing right up until the end. I got this as an audiobook and I could not stop listening!
Both narrators deliver really great performances and they brought the characters to life. I definitely suggest this book to anyone who loves a good domestic thriller!
To the esteemed dynamic writing team of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, I salute you! Once again, you have given readers a mind-bending trip! This domestic thriller lives up to the hype!
Readers meet Matthew and Marissa Bishop (The Golden Couple), who are seeking marriage counseling with Avery. Talk about mind-blowing secrets! The POV's alternate between Avery and Marissa as we are off to "less than" marital bliss in this intriguing story. Get ready for incredible plot twists including lies, deception, and infidelity that lead up to a shocking conclusion. I never saw the end coming and was totally blown away!
The audiobook is narrarated by Karissa Vacker and Martin Ireland. Both deliver stellar performances and bring the characters to life. The book/audiobook will be published March 8, 2022. You don't want to miss it!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for allowing me to review this incredible audio. I enjoyed every minute of it!
This was a fun read, full of twists, turns, and red herrings. It totally kept me guessing. The characters are all flawed in their own way but likeable at the same time. I usually love listening to audiobooks for thrillers but for this one I much preferred reading it at my own pace. All in all this was a satisfying book to read and a strong 3.5.
Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen are my favorite author duo, and this book does not disappoint. They absolutely slay the domestic thriller and suspense world.