I was happy to receive this ARC because I’ve always heard that Daniel was very comparable to one of my favorite authors, Freida McFadden. That assessment (based on this story at least) is very true. It read a lot like a Freida book, particularly the twists. I will be reading more from him.

What I did not like is how annoying and paranoid and nosy the FMC was. Of course you know it is going somewhere but man, she is the epitome of an annoying Karen neighbor. It was hard to endure for a while.

Read this if you like:
🏠 domestic thrillers
🏠 New House and new neighbor drama
🏠 Freida McFadden type books

Thank you Bookouture, Daniel Hurst and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

First, thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC!

At this point, I have to say, Daniel Hurst is one of the writers I just would buy any book from! Just like many of his former releases, The Couple Before Us kept me in it's grip from start to finish, It was fast-paced, had short chapters and surely a lot of twists and turns along the way. Gotta admit, though, Dionne was getting on my nerves a little at times, but I could also relate to her always having to worry, and her slightly paranoid mind always expecting the worst. All in all, a very great read that I can only recommend!

Book Review 📚
Title: The Couple Before Us
Author: Daniel Hurst

Christian and Dionne are preparing for a new chapter in their lives. Their family is growing, with their young son Kai and a baby girl on the way. When Christian finds what seems like the perfect house for their future, everything appears to be falling into place. But things take a chilling turn when Dionne discovers a mysterious note hidden inside the home, warning her that something terrible happened to the previous occupants. The only problem? Christian insists no one lived there before them.
As Dionne digs deeper, unsure of who she can trust, the truth becomes more elusive and disturbing. Who really lived in the house before them? And what happened to them?
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Daniel’s writing is gripping and masterfully paced! He truly knows how to keep readers hooked and hungry for answers. And that ending? Completely unexpected and absolutely wild. A must-read for fans of suspenseful, twisty thrillers!


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

Publication Date: July 17 2025
Rating: ✨✨✨✨

#BookReview #PsychologicalThriller #ThrillerBooks #Bookstagram #BookRecommendation

CHILLING! DARK! EVIL! These are the three best adjectives to describe The Couple Before Us. I was totally blown away by this newest suspense by Daniel Hurst. This wild roller-coaster ride begged to be read in one sitting.

Di and Christian have outgrown their current home now that they're expecting their second child. Though Di has qualms about the new, large home they've found, Christian soon convinces her it's what's best for their growing family. They are supposed to be the first owners of this brand new home on an exquisite estate, but Di finds evidence suggesting that is not the truth. However, no one will talk about the couple that lived there before them or admit there was a couple before them. As more craziness erupts, Di realizes she's on her own finding the answers about this elusive couple.

This was such a great book from start to finish. The ending was a jaw dropper for sure. It's a page turner that goes by quickly immersing the reader in lie after lie and twist after twist. Daniel Hurst keeps cranking out the most twisty evil imaginable. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy

Suspend belief and enjoy another fantastic offering from Daniel Hurst!
Dionne (Di), after a lot of persuasion from husband Christian, moves into a brand new house in the suburbs. Di has reservations from the start.
Are they really the first couple to live there? As Di determinedly tries to get to the bottom of the strange goings on, she is thwarted at every stage. Our protagonist refuses to give up, and relentlessly pursues the truth. As the book continues, the drama and suspense build with every page.
Just when we start to think we've worked out what's happening, Bang!;; we're taken in another direction. I'd liked to have seen more of Theo, and to learn learn a little more of what happened to the culprits, but this compelling read is perfect if you love fast paced, twisty novels that will keep you guessing right to the end.
My thanks to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC. This is my honest review.

Another brilliant book from Daniel Hurst. This was creepy, tense and gripping, and was full of shocking twists and turns. Fantastic!

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of The Couple Before Us. When I see a Daniel Hurst book out, I immediately go to read the synopsis so I can request right away. This was a disappointment I’m sad to say. Di was a meddlesome neighbor and very annoying, the plot was weak and not realistic. Theo was the best character and very likable. The break in with both houses were suspenseful but again not realistic. The storyline with Di’s parents was ridiculous. This was not what I expected from an awesome author. I’m really sorry but it did not do it for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I’ve read Daniel Hurst before and his books are very similar in style and are perfect for a reader just getting into the thriller/suspense genre. While a bit predictable and not quite what I was looking for, it’s still an interesting read and worth giving a try!

The Couple Before Us follows Dionne (Di), her husband Christian, and their young son Kai as they settle into what should be their dream home on a newly developed estate. However, from the outset, an unsettling atmosphere lingers. Di learns that the previous occupants vanished without a trace—setting the stage for a story filled with secrets and suspense.

Initially, I questioned whether this novel would suit my reading preferences, particularly due to a somewhat grating first impression of the protagonist. Nonetheless, I continued reading and was ultimately glad I did. Around the halfway mark, the pace quickened significantly, and the plot became increasingly engaging. The suspense built steadily, and I found myself compelled to read through to the end as the twists and secrets unfolded.

While the story delivers an intriguing premise and moments of tension, it didn’t entirely captivate me. Some plot developments felt predictable, and I struggled to form a strong connection with the characters. That said, the pacing was solid, and the gradual revelation of hidden truths was enjoyable.

Readers who appreciate light, fast-paced domestic thrillers—especially those centered on secrets, relationships, and suburban drama—may find this an entertaining and accessible choice.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early reading opportunity.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Okay, wow! This book was incredible! It starts out with a couple moving into a newly constructed home only for the wife to find a note suggesting that they, in fact, aren’t the first couple to live in the house. As they try to settle in to their new community, the note leaves Di with a lot of questions. And when she begins to ask around, things really start to get crazy. Was there really another couple in the house before them, or is someone just playing a prank? This book was fast-paced with nonstop suspense that kept my jaw on the floor right up to the end. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I’ve read Daniel Hurst before and his books are very similar in style and are perfect for a reader just getting into the thriller/suspense genre. While a bit predictable and not quite what I was looking for, it’s still an interesting read and worth giving a try!

Dionne and Christian, expecting their second child in a few months, need to move into a larger home. She acquiesces to her husband’s desire to move into a brand-new estate home, despite qualms about it. However, her life takes a terrifying turn when she finds a chilling note that says “something terrible happened to the couple who lived here before”. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she realizes she can trust no one.

Hurst fans will welcome this new addition to his body of work. I have read some of his books, which I characterize as “popcorn thrillers”, enjoyed the Doctor’s Wife series, and chose this one because the premise intrigued me.

At first, I wondered if this book was really for me. I initially found the main character quite annoying. However, I compulsively forged ahead and was glad I did. At about the halfway point, the suspense and action accelerated, and I didn’t put the book down until all the twists, turns, and secrets were revealed.

If lighter, fast-paced, fun, escapist suspense reads are for you, check this one out.

Book Review – The Couple Before Us by Daniel Hurst
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one early!

The Couple Before Us had an intriguing setup that pulled me in right away. The idea of house-swapping and the secrets that come with it had a lot of potential, and I was curious to see how it would all unfold. The pacing was decent, and I did enjoy the unraveling of certain truths.

That said, while the plot was okay, it didn’t fully grip me the way I hoped. Some twists were a bit predictable, and I didn’t feel super connected to the characters. Still, it was a quick read and had its moments of suspense.

If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers with drama and secrets at the center, this might be one to check out.

This was everything we have come to expect from Daniel Hurst. A fun, quick read with unexpected twists and turns throughout. Never knowing who you can trust or what will unfold as the story plays out. Don’t miss this one!

Thank you to Daniel Hurst, NetGalley, and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm a big fan of Daniel Hurst so I was over the moon to be accepted for this ARC!

Another quick and easy read, packed with suspense and thrills that keeps you guessing!

I really enjoyed the storyline, and I loved the strange neighbours!

I really enjoyed reading this one! The storyline immediately gripped me, and left me constantly guessing until the end. The ending was fantastic, and filled with twists. I highly recommend this book!

THE COUPLE BEFORE US BY DANIEL HURST.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Release date set for the 1uth of July 2025.
I love the cover. I've been waiting for The Couple Before Us and as soon as it's landed I've started it straight away.
Oh this book is amazing. These type of storylines and settings are my favourite.
I really didn't want to put this book down.
Loved every second.
Now I'm waiting for the next Daniel Hurst book to arrive.

I’m a massive Daniel Hurst fan so was delighted to be accepted for this arc (thanks). It centres around Christian and Dionne who are expecting, have a young son and move to a bigger house on a new estate. It gets more stressful than the move when neighbours are acting suspicious and the person who owns the estate, Cesar, is suspicious too. It was mysterious but slightly far fetched and I liked it but it was not my favourite book by this very talented author.

Thank you to the publisher and thank you to NetGalley for the chance to review this e-ARC. Full review will be available soon

2.5⭐️
I thought the premise of the story interesting and the stress of moving into a new home something I could relate to but I found Dionne, the main character to be very annoying and unhinged to the point it feels very unrealistic and farfetched . I also felt the rest of the characters were boring and I just didn’t like them.

When a family of three soon to be four move into a brand new estate it was suppose to be a new start for the family. When Dionne finds a disturbing note while moving into her new home, her husband dismisses it and thinks she is just being paranoid. Dionne tries to do some digging to find what this disturbing note means. Was there a couple who lived here before? And what happened to them? When the truth starts to unfold she wishes she never stepped foot into her new home.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication date: July 17,2025