One of the best thrillers I've read this year.. intriguing storyline, relatable but flawed characters, and tons of twists! Avery Chambers is a former therapist who lost her license due to unconventional practices that don't follow the rules. But now she's free to use her own winning methods as a consultant - she will only take on a client if she knows she can fix them in 10 sessions. Her new clients seem like a golden couple, but of course all is not what it seems. Initially Marissa came to Avery to find a way to tell her husband that she cheated on him, just once. But then we learn about friends from their past, family members, coworkers, and parents at their son's school who all seem to have secrets. And as we learn more about each of them it seems like they all have stories to tell. Even the shelter dog named Romeo had a secret past that pulled at my heartstrings. I thought I had things figured out at several different points in the story, but the writers kept me guessing with constant twists and new revelations about everyone. I love thrillers with surprises, and this one was entertaining from beginning to end.
The audiobook narration by Karissa Vacker and Marin Ireland was equally engaging, I didn't want to stop listening to this book until the last word. The authors and narrators are the true golden couples in this story!

I really enjoyed this book and it was a nice change from the fantasy kick that I’ve been on. These two authors are an auto read for me. I loved the multiple POV’s and it’s been a long time since I didn’t really figure out the story. As always, I can’t wait for their next book. And I loved the narrator.

Loved this fast-paced thriller from the opening--a sly and unorthodox therapist treats patients with her own system of invasive talk therapy, which borders on stalking. At least, that's the concept right off the gate--I wish I could say that the complication of this plot makes for a more complex and dynamic novel, but it doesn't. SPOILERS AHEAD** Somehow, the unorthodox therapist becomes the hero, rescuing a young mother from falling into the clutches of an evil murderous husband (which, as a twist, was something I only saw coming towards the end, revealed as it was happening to the main character--how the therapist put two and two together is a trick of writing, because very little actual intuition went into that assumption and suddenly the therapist had it all figured out!). I wish the author had written a novel about the cunning therapist who tricked couples into taking her 10-step program while deceptively doing nefarious things, and I kept expecting that to be the grand finale--but no. Pretty cut and dry thriller. Still enjoyed it, just much less impressed than I would've been.

I read a lot of thrillers. Dating all the way back to my days in high school, I would spend way more time devouring the mass market paperback edition of whatever thriller was besting the NYT bestsellers list than the books I was supposed to be reading for school. All these years later, the genre continues to be one of my favorites. The only downside to reading as many thrillers as I do is that they've become a bit formulaic. It is rare for me to get to the end of one of these books without guessing the big twist. The books by writing duo Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen have been some of the few exceptions. In fact, the way they built upon established formulas while completely subverting expectations in their novel The Wife Between Us cemented them as must-read authors in my yearly TBR list. Their new novel The Golden Couple was sent to me by their publisher, and I couldn't be more excited to read their latest effort.

Avery Chambers is a formerly licensed therapist who has newfound success after losing her initial career. You see, without being required to follow a prescribed method to treat her patients, Avery has been able to take a more unconventional approach. And it works! These days, she only takes on clients who she knows can be cured within 10 sessions. How does she do it? It's simple really. Avery obsesses over her clients, learning every aspect of their lives and relationships, even interjecting and setting up specific scenarios for them to live through. Like I said, unconventional but effective. After so many years of this kind of success, Avery feels pretty confident when her latest clients enter her office for their first session. Little does she know that she's about to meet her match.

On the surface, spouses Marissa and Matthew Bishop seem like a normal couple. For all appearances, their relationship seems strong, and the pair have made a loving home for their young son. There's no such thing as perfect, and the Bishops are about to prove the point. As they walk into Avery's office, Matthew is unsure of why they are at a therapist. Then Marissa drops the bomb. She's cheated on Matthew, and, for the sake of their marriage, wants Avery's help in patching things up. There's only one problem. The more Avery dissects the Bishop's marriage, the more confusing things become. Amongst the lies and infidelity rests something more sinister, the kind of secret that has the potential to destroy a marriage and the lives of anyone who comes close to it. What is the secret? You'll have to read to find out.

With The Golden Couple, authors Hendricks and Pekkanen take all the things that have made their previous novels so intriguing and ramped them up another notch. The story is told through shifting perspectives, giving the reader just enough breadcrumbs to follow into the next moment without giving too much away. The audiobook changes narrators for the different characters, adding some much-needed differentiation to the listening experience. The authors eschew the usual crimes or murders that typically drive the suspense in this genre in favor of even more electrifying personal relationships and character revelations. Things get a bit convoluted, but I didn't really care. I was so enamored by the actions of each of these characters that I couldn't stop listening. Even better, I didn't see the big ending coming. That's always a win in my book. If you're looking for the kind of book that shocks, surprises, and keeps you reading into all hours of the night, look no further. The Golden Couple proves once again that Hendricks and Pekkanen have got the goods.

This is my new favorite story from Greer and Sarah. I had to fix my fence and spent the whole weekend listening info to this story and I just couldn’t turn it off. I finished it in two days, it was just that great! I enjoyed the story, the suspense and the twist.

What a fantastic book to reach my goal of 200 books for 2021 with! I expected nothing less from my favorite author duo. Once again, Hendricks and Pekkanen came together to deliver a juicy, ref herring filled psychological thriller. I was so excited to listen to this one and it lived up to my hype. This was one of the best thrillers I listened to this year and one of my favorites of all time. From the second I started this, I knew it was going to have me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. Multiple POVs is my favorite type of writing and the multiple POVs really added to the intrigue in this story. I don't want to give much away so I'll leave it at this: just when you think you have it all figured out, the rug is swept from underneath you. I found myself realizing what was going on at the exact same time the characters were which is my absolute favorite thing to happen while I'm reading. This was perfectly timed and the character development was perfectly done. There is a reason this is my favorite author duo - they constantly manage to surprise me by taking overdone storylines and redeveloping them into something fresh and exciting. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 9.5/10

I don't even know where to start with this other than saying you have to add this to your TBR. Everything about it was incredible - the characters, the plot, the twists, the unexpected moments... I absolutely loved it all. Also 5 stars for epic narration.

This was one of my most anticipated thrillers to come in 2022 and it didn’t disappoint!! Mind bending and off the charts whackadoo!
Avery is a now unlicensed therapist who guarantees that she can fix your issues in 10 sessions. Her most recent clients are Marisa and Matthew Bishop, who, on the surface look as though they have the perfect life. Underneath, however, they are both hiding more secrets than you can imagine. And as Avery digs deeper into their lives and relationships with each other and others around them, she finds there’s even more to the story.
There was definitely some predictablility to the story, as there usually is with thrillers, but there were so many questionable actions and plot points that finally got tied together in a whole other unexpected way. Well done!
The narrator was fab as well. She did a great job of distinguishing the various characters without being overly nasally and added depth to them. I enjoyed her
Thanks to St Martins Press and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
Pub date 03/08/22

Alternating points of view give readers the inside scoop into the different characters’ thoughts. As the book continues, the thoughts come together to bring out the full story and reveal any secrets. Although slightly drawn out, the conclusion of the story wraps up - all the secrets are revealed and and questions are answered. I especially liked the narrator of this, switching voices with each character’s point of view.

<b>What an engrossing, dramatic story! </b>

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Marissa and Mathew Bishop are a DC/Maryland "Golden Couple" - both are good looking, popular, and successful in their individual careers. <i>Their marriage looks almost too ideal...</i>

<img src="https://i1.wp.com/bridalmusings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Barbie-Ken.jpg?resize=%2C"/>

But something is horribly, terribly wrong...
Marissa Bishop is desperate to repair her fractured marriage.

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Marissa hires the infamous couples counselor, Avery Chambers, hoping that her "Ten Step program" is going to salvage her imploding marriage.

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I can't go into many details without dropping a "brick-ton" of spoilers, so you will have to read the book or listen to the excellent audiobook to find out for yourself whether Avery succeeds in putting this Golden Couple back on their social throne. (I found the unorthodox therapies and analysis riveting stuff. Psychology and psychoanalysis have always been my kryptonite!)

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Did I figure out all of the mysteries, secrets and lies? You bet, and I suspect that you will, too! Even before I started listening to the audiobook (and reading the Ebook at my gym) I had a suspicion of where this story would go. The side plot involving Avery and the nasty pharmaceutical company held a few unexpected twists and turns, but for the most part, there weren't any glaring shockers that you couldn't see coming.

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Polly - Marissa's assistant at her high end boutique - was so annoying, and Natalie - Mat's ex-college girlfriend - was still in the picture, as was Marissa's "first kiss" childhood sweetheart, Skip.
Is that a love-triangle... or two... or three... that the authors have inserted in this busy plot?

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For a while there I couldn't tell if Natalie was there merely to establish a love triangle, or whether she was something more sinister.....! (One small pet peeve of mine: I actually dislike when villains become "nice people after all" at the end of a story, despite their many misdeeds.)

If you are a Hendricks and Pekkanen fan, then you already know that they don't usually do HEA's - but you do get a twinge of hope for a future HEA in this story - surprise, surprise!.... Well, not really. You could probably see that coming too....

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Although the writing was generally very good, the plot got a bit muddled towards the last third of the novel. In fact, it took an abrupt about-face, character-wise, which is something that can rarely be carried off well. Sorry to say, it didn't transition well for me here either. For me, the authors sort of bludgeoned you over the head with clues and over-explained things right from the very start. (Marissa's demeanour during the first counseling session gave the whole show away right then and there.)

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This story started off strongly, and despite the weaker third portion, I was totally invested in finding out how the story would end - and whether my preliminary suspicions were correct. (I wasn't too far off the mark. Maybe I've been reading too many thrillers?)

I'm rating this one a 3.8, rounded up to a 4, out of 5 because the writing in the e-book was very good (if a tad over-explained here and there). I was given ARCs for both the e-book and the audiobook of <u>The Golden Couple</u> by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. Karissa Vacker and Marin Ireland did a fabulous job of dramatizing this dark domestic thriller. My thanks to the authors, their publisher and NetGalley for ARCs of this e-book and audiobook in exchange for an honest review. (Expected Release date: March 8, 2022.)
(Sorry about all the Barbie and Ken graphics, but when they popped up in my image searches, I simply could not resist!!!)

It is easy to judge other people's choices. It is far more complex when the choices are your own.

Infidelity brings the golden couple Marrisa and Matt to the snarky family consultant Avery. All it takes is ten sessions and lots of determination to fix Bishop's marriage. Will they make it? Avery is ready to take on the challenge. But besides Bishop's project, Avery has multiple clients and a few serious enemies to deal with. Will she be able to keep her head in a game?

Now, let's chat about the plot. It took me a while to figure out the villain of the novel. Bravo to the authors, and that's what 5 starts are for. The rest of the plot... First of all - Bishops - I'm confused about Marissa's infidelity. She seems to be so devoted to her family, it just didn't make sense for her to cheat. And Matt, I had a hard time understanding him. He has a sharp character, but I was surprised by his genuine love for his family, and honestly, between the two - I expected Matt to be an adulterer. And Marissa's assistant - that girl gave me creeps. Her final explanations didn't excuse some weird stuff she's done throughout the novel. And at last, saving the best for last - Avery. Man, this girl takes her job seriously! All the stalking she does on her clients, and the research is beyond the normal grounds. She is all in her client's business, no wonder she grew a long list of enemies. Overall, this is an intriguing read. Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen had done it again! Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press publishers for an advanced copy of the novel!

No surprise here, I loved this book. I don’t think I’ve read a single thing by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen that I didn’t love. They are a talented writing duo, crafting twisty novels to keep you up late at night so you can try to finish “just one more” chapter. SoooOOOOoo.

The thing about this novel (as well as their prior books) is you legit can’t sleep on any of the characters they create…you just never know who to trust. It's a fast paced book.

If you like thrillers, suspense, shady individuals and plots revolving around relationship issues then I can promise you’ll love this book. I love anything by this writing duo so it's no surprise that I loved this book too.

Avery Chambers is a unique therapist. After losing her license for violations, she starts up her own practice using her unconventional methods which include infiltrating every aspect of her clients’ lives. Enter golden couple Mathew and Marissa who seem to have it all. Avery starts to uncover some disturbing facts about the couple and a thrilling page turner comes out of it.
I very much enjoyed this book. The ending was unpredictable and kept me up reading. Highly recommend!
**huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Preorder Book Alert. If you are a thriller lover, you need this one!!!

My favorite thriller writing duo @greerhendricks and @sarahpekkanen did it AGAIN. I LOVED this book about a couple in therapy for infidelity.

But their therapist isn’t just any therapist, she’s got an extreme method gauranteed to fix issues in 10 sessions.

The twists and turns of this story kept me on my toes, but the writing kept me HOOKED. I think I finished it in sitting.

It doesn’t come out until 3/8, but it’s so worth putting on your radar now!

A well-done, domestic thriller. I had to suspend belief a bit, but it was entertaining. I enjoyed the story of a couple and their therapist, told from dual viewpoints.

Marissa and Mathew are the golden couple perfect in every way, or are they? If they are so perfect why do they need a therapist and not just any therapist but one with an iffy reputation who has lost her license due to her unorthodox treatments and once you get into this book you will see why!
Such twisty goodness! I enjoyed this book so much this author duo truly knows how to keep you guessing and knows how to twist you around! Leaving you wondering what are these people up to and how will it all come together. More domestic thriller than mystery but still an excellent twisty book!

Karissa Vacker & Marin Ireland narrated this one wonderfully! I highly recommend this one in audio!

4 Stars

I received this book from the publisher Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

Another compelling domestic thriller from the writing team of Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pakkanen. This audiobook kept me walking the dog, folding the laundry and cleaning the house-- my highest review of an audiobook! The story involves a golden DC couple, Marissa & Mathew and the fallout from Marissa's one night stand. Enterer therapist/fixer/investigator Avery Bishop to 'solve' the couple's relationship problems but gets into much more than she charges for. (Love this hybrid character and hope she returns for another book!) There are twist, turns, shady side characters and a fresh DC setting. The narration duties are ably shared by Karissa Vacker & Marin Ireland, who bring considerable skills and authentic sensibilities to the job. Well paced narration in a thriller is key-- some narrators go to 11 in chapter 1-- but these two voice cover female , male & children with equal skill and measure. Enjoyed!

This book was a solid 3 stars. I liked it enough. The characters were just ok, it was a little slow all the way throughout but not unbearably so, the plot was intriguing enough but nothing mind-blowing, the twists were kind of interesting but very predictable. I don’t know if this was really as “ok” as it felt to me or if I had unrealistic expectations because of how much I loved An Anonymous Girl by the same authors which in my opinion had way more fascinating characters, plot, and twists. I will say I did really like the narrator. It wasn’t bad it just wasn’t great and I went in with very high (too high?) hopes.

Thank you NetGalley, authors and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I normally try to wait until closer to pub dates to read my NetGalley books but with this one I just couldn't resist diving in right away. I was able to alternate between audio and e-book and found both formats to be enjoyable, however I liked listening to it just a smidge more.

In The Golden Couple we follow a couple who is going to therapy using an unconventional therapist. It has the what the heck are these people hiding vibes but thankfully not the unreliable female narrator crap that I loathe even though I didn't particularly care for one of the main female characters.

Overall I thought it was a solid thriller with a plotline that I didn't predict right away, so a major plus.

I was really bummed when I was turned down for a review copy of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen’s fourth thriller, The Golden Couple, but then I was given access to the audiobook review copy - elation! I have rated all three of their previous collaborations at 4 or 5 stars and this latest one is a similarly gold standard psychological thriller.

Marissa and Matthew Bishop are the golden couple of the title: gorgeous, wealthy, successful, and apparently happily married. But Marissa has slept with another man and has approached an unorthodox therapist, Avery Chambers, to help them fix their relationship. Avery claims to be able to fix any problem in just ten sessions and by just their third get together, the Bishops seem to be miraculously back on track. If only Marissa’s lover would leave them alone….

Once again, this is written as a two-hander, this time with Avery narrating in the first person, and Marissa’s section written from her point of view. These two women are complex layered characters with many secrets up their sleeves that are gradually and organically teased out. There are characters in the Bishops’ (and Avery’s) lives that are also in overt or covert disguise and they add to the tension and the mystery.

The plot drives along and loops around, connections are made and unmade, discoveries both foreseen and unexpected are woven in. All the time the two women are wholly sympathetically trying to maintain control of their own lives while outside forces from the past and present threaten them.

This is another winner from Hendricks and Pekkanen (a golden couple, if ever there was) and I highly recommend the audiobook with its two distinctive and pitch perfect narrators.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the audiobook review copy.