Daniel Hurst does it again with The Couple Before Us- a gripping psychological thriller packed with secrets, deception, and a relentless pace of jaw-dropping twists. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story shifts and leaves you reeling all over again. Daniel masterfully plays with the reader’s expectations, always staying one step ahead.

From the moment I read the title, I was intrigued, and the story more than delivered. The suspense is palpable throughout, and the web of lies the characters spin only grows more tangled as the book progresses. It’s the kind of thriller that keeps you up late at night, saying “just one more chapter” until you’ve devoured it all.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for an ARC of this book. If you like domestic thrillers with some twists, this is a good, easy read. However, I found it to be a bit drawn out and the main character to be a bit immature in some of her outbursts. Some of the scenarios she gets herself involved in are a bit far-fetched.
I was compelled to finish the book as to see how it ended, which was not shocking.

The twists in this book were pretty unexpected but it felt very rushed at the end. Like the first 70% is quite slow and then you just get bombarded with like a million twists. However it was pretty decent and entertaining. I loved how persistent and clever the fmc was like my girl did not back out until she new everything was good.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Couple Before Us’ written by Daniel Hurst in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

With a five-year-old son and a second child on the way, Christian and Di decide to look for a larger home. They visit a newly built house on a luxury estate and although it isn’t what Di had hoped for she lets Christian persuade her to buy it especially as he tells her they’re the first people to live in the house. When Di finds a piece of paper tucked inside a wardrobe saying that something terrible happened to the couple before them, it appears that Christian hasn’t been telling the truth so Di decides to find out who they were.

Although a psychological thriller with a plot that makes you want to know more, ‘The Couple Before Us’ doesn’t have the same level of excitement as some of the author’s previous books. The characters are interesting but don’t feel true to life and Di makes some unbelievably ill-considered decisions putting her own life and that of her unborn baby at risk. But despite this, it’s an involving and easy to read thriller with plenty of twists and turns that I flew through. When I reached the conclusion it wasn’t the surprise I’d expected but it did reveal who was telling the truth and who was devious enough to plan, scheme and tell lies to Di.

This one was too wordy that I just really struggled. I’ve tried multiple books from Daniel and I just think he is not an author for me.

Daniel Hurst is writing books faster than I can read them. Another twisty psychological thriller full of tension and intrigue. Christian, Dionne and young Kai move into their new home. A home no one has lived in before, supposedly. Di is uncomfortable in this home and what follows and unravels certainly makes for a tense thrilling read

Well paced and hits the spot for anyone who loves a thriller book - would recommend to anyone who enjoys Liz Nugent or Lisa Jewell books! I flew through it

Daniel Hurst is the master of domestic thrillers. His books always draw you in and keep you turning the pages.

Its hard to imagine how a story based on a plain UK housing estate and keep you engrossed. But reading as Dionne is tormented by her home grips you. Its a new build but she is convinced someone lived in the house before her family and she's concerned over what has happened to them. You start to think she is just suffering from baby brain on the lead up to the birth of her daughter. But actually there's something far more sinister at play

Overall, I found this book to be a bit lacking. As a thriller, the plot setup works fairly well to draw the readers in. The initial portion of the book works at setting the stage and introducing the characters. However, it unravels rather quickly as the storyline drags and seems a bit circular and pointless at times. It also didn't help that I didn’t find any of the characters to be particularly likable.

One major thing that I disliked was that the author took on the role of narrating from the main character’s perspective - which would have been better had the character not been female. For a male to write as a female and to narrate in a way that made her appear hysterical and unstable left a poor taste in my mouth.

The Couple Before Us by Daniel Hurst ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub date: July 17 2025

Blurb:
‘Something terrible happened to the couple who lived here before…’ My hands shake as I read the warning note I’ve just found hidden in a forgotten corner of my brand new house. My husband told me we’d be the first people to live here. Did he lie? As I get closer to the truth of what happened to the couple before us, I realise one thing: I should have run when I had the chance…
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This was my very first ARC read ever, and I was thrilled by getting the chance to read one of Daniel’s Hurst’s books! This one had me gripped, and I had a hard time putting it down. There where several times I wanted to throw the book across the room (in a very good way). Lots of twists and turns and I loved every second of it! Huge 5 star rating from me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @netgalley and @danielhurstbooks for letting me read this!

I absolutely loved The Couple Before Us! From start to finish, it was a twisty, suspense-filled read that kept me completely hooked. The pacing was perfect quick and gripping without ever feeling rushed. I honestly struggled to put it down, flying through the pages to find out what would happen next.

Daniel Hurst knows exactly how to keep readers on edge, and this story had just the right mix of tension, mystery, and shocking twists. If you're a fan of domestic thrillers or psychological suspense, I highly recommend picking this one up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this fantastic book.

Thank you to Daniel Hurst, Bookouture, and Netgalley for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

There is a reason that Daniel Hurst is and will forever be my favorite author. He consistently produces books that are quick, thrilling, tension fueled stories that simply leave you shocked on the edge of your seat. This story follows Dionne (Di), her husband Christian, and their son Kai. After moving into a new house, Di finds a note from the previous owners of her new home, after being told by her husband that no one had previously lived in the house. Sketchy right?! Di does alot of dangerous things that really made me dislike her. She's super pregnant and walking alone late at night, breaking into neighbor's homes, and making some questionable life choices-I guess I can blame it on the pregnancy hormones. It was like watching a scary movie, where you're screaming at the tv-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! I certainly didn't trust Christian at all. Why couldn't he just come out with the truth, what's he truly hiding? In typical Hurst fashion, the last 1/4 of the book was full of twists and turns, which I adore about him. Chapters are left on cliffhangers making it impossible to put it down and the pace is perfect. I easily finished this in two days and it's another remarkable stand alone novel. I always look forward to seeing what new story he can conjure up next. 5/5 stars

Gripping, thrilling, twist filled, and shocking, Daniel Hurst has delivered yet again with The Couple Before Us! Seriously, when does he not? This is the 19th book that I have read by Daniel Hurst, and he never fails to deliver a gripping, twist filled, entertaining, and well thought out book! Just when I thought I had this book figured out, Daniel Hurst delivers a zinger of a twist, and I left dazed and amazed!

Moving is never easy especially when pregnant, but Dionne, her husband Christian and their five-year-old son Kai have moved into their new home. It's not the dream home that Dionne imagined raising her children in, but Christian is excited, and she is pregnant, so she goes along with it. But then she finds a note informing her that something bad happened to the couple who lived in the home before her family. Her husband tells her not to worry and that they are the first people to live in this home, but she can't help but wonder if he is hiding something. Then another person mentions the couple who lived there before them before he is quickly pulled away....

Who is telling the truth? If someone lived there before them, why lie about it?

The Couple Before Us is full of mystery and a sense of dread. Dionne knows something isn't right, but can't quite put her finger on what? She knows that she is not being told the truth and is not willing to let sleeping dogs lie. The foreboding in this book was like a pot bubbling over the top as the tension boils out of control! I thought I had a handle on what was going on but them BAM Daniel Hurst threw in another twist and reveal. There are quite a few of them in this book which kept me guessing and turning the pages! Things get a little OTT in the best possible ways. I enjoyed the mounting suspense and sense of danger as the book progressed.

Wonderfully written, well thought out, shocking, and hard to put down!

When I say I couldn't put this down because I needed to know what happened!!! I thought I had it figured out to be thrown for loops and twist galore! I loved this book and the details and how it had me sucked in!! When you move into a beautiful house and quiet neighborhood what could go wrong? This just proves you never know who people truly are and what their intentions are!
Thank you netgalley and publishers for allowing me an arc for my honest review!

I love anything Daniel Hurst and this did not disappoint. Edge of my seat the entire time and I couldn't put it down to even go to the restroom. Thriller title at its best!

Thank you, Bookouture, for the ARC of The Couple Before Us. I'm a big fan of psychological thrillers, but this one left me wanting more. I felt there was too much of Dionne's thoughts, which frankly, were getting on my nerves. I didn't like her.. I felt the author could have gone into a little more detail about her husband and her parents. The plot was good, but I did feel like the writing lacked depth.
This review will also be posted on Amazon and Goodreads.

This book had me hooked right from the beginning. It was the perfect domestic thriller with a twist that I did not see coming. I found the characters relatable and well developed even when I did not like them. Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. I was very excited to read the newest Daniel Hurst book and it did not disappoint. I devoured this in one day! I just love his books

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of The Couple Before Us by Daniel Hurst. It will appeal to readers who enjoy a domestic thriller with plenty of twists and an unpredictable ending. This was a comfortable, easy read, evenly paced, and the plot flowed well, but it tended to be far-fetched. It was a gripping read, but the tension and suspense were mainly derived from Di's perspective.

The main character, Dionne (Di) was incredibly annoying. She is married to Christian and they have a 5-year-old boy, Kai. She is heavily pregnant with another baby on the way. They are presently staying in a hotel and are desperate to move into a spacious new home before their second child is born. Christian has found a new, modern home in an exclusive development. There will be a backyard for Kai to play, a room of his own and a nursery for the baby. Dionne complains that it is too modern and prefers an older home that has already been lived in, stressing that an older house would have more character. Since time is running out, she consents to move into the brand-new, modern home with her family, but she is not happy with the decision.

While unpacking, Di discovers a note in a closet. It refers to a couple who lived there before and seem to be missing. Christian insists they are the first people to live in the house and to forget about the note. Is he lying? The note contributes to Di's unpredictable, unhinged, and hysterical behaviour. She imagines sinister forces everywhere and views the neighbours suspiciously. For example, she sees a neighbour crying over the fence in the backyard. She imagines that her boyfriend is cruelly abusing her. When the woman goes away, perhaps he has killed her. She thinks the couple were connected with the disappearance of the people who were previously in Di's and Christian's home. Di is determined to discover what happened to them, fearing that the note was a warning that her family may face a similar fate.
She confronts the estate's manager, Cesar, who also insists that her family is the first in the house, and that someone, possibly the builders, has played a prank on them. At a neighbourhood gathering, she meets an elderly man who confirms that a couple did live in the house. Cesar interrupts, saying the man has dementia.

For a woman soon to give birth, Di acts in a paranoid, frantic, and irrational manner. Her inner monologues are dramatic, overwrought and paranoid. She runs around, rescuing people, breaking into houses, hiding under beds, wandering around after dark, and alienating her neighbours. She makes a couple of unsuccessful calls to the police, angering Cesar. Any appearance of crime will drive down the value of the homes. Her husband does little to stop her antics.

There is a well-known saying: "Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you." Does this apply to Dionne?

In an action-packed finale, we learn that her family, especially her son, are indeed in danger. This has been mainly due to her irrational behaviour. The solution to the mystery is unpredictable, but looking back, some clues can be discerned. I would be interested in trying more books by the author. The book is scheduled to be published on July 17, 2025.

Daniel Hurst did not disappoint! As an avid reader of Daniels books, this was just as much as a creative genius masterpiece as many of his other works. This book sends you on a emotional rollercoaster. Filled with action, dark secrets, domestic drama, and twists you have no idea are coming, I could not recommend this book more! You will not be able to turn the pages fast enough!

Does Di truly know the man she is married to? Strange things begin to happen in the new house Di, Christian and Kai move in to. Can she trust the others of the neighborhood? Is someone out to harm her family? You will just have to read to find out! Let me tell you though, you think you have it all figured out, but I promise you, you don't.

4.5 CONFIDENT stars!! Get your copy pre-ordered today! Set to publish 7.17.25

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Daniel Hurst for the eArc!