Jo and Lydia and their families take a vacation together. Jo’s son ends up kidnapped one night and tempers flare. Secrets come out about everyone’s marriages and kids. Who took Ajit and why? I tried reading this a few times and couldn’t get in to it. However it really caught my attention when I listened to it. I really liked it.

𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Two “perfect” families head off on a beach holiday - but when Jo’s young son vanishes, panic sets in. As police and media swarm, cracks in both marriages begin to show and secrets spill fast.

𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
This character-led popcorn thriller kicks off with a dramatic, high-stakes opening, but quickly slows to a more internal story. It’s told simply in third person from Jo’s POV, and there’s a lot of confusion, self-doubt, and gaslighting - both from others and herself.

We get some backstory on her family, but it felt more told than shown, and I struggled to really connect with anyone beyond Jo. With so much time spent in her head, the tension and pace started to dip for me.

I did enjoy the whodunnit of it all but think it could’ve packed more punch with multiple POVs and timelines.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
The audiobook narrator was great, and it made for an easy, undemanding listen - good for background entertainment or a vacation read - just keep an eye on your kids!!

Thank you @Bolindaaudio and NetGalley for this #gifted ARC.

🎧 Narrated by Melissa Advani
📖 Publishes 08•22•25 | 422 pages | 10h 18m

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

Two Perfect Couples
Renita D'Silva

🌟🌟🌟🌟

This isn't my first read by this author so as soon as I spotted this new release, I knew that I was in for a great read.

I was instantly drawn to this by the front cover image which looked like the perfect read for these summer months.
However, that title - I mean I think we all knew that these couples would be anything but perfect!
I was pretty shocked that this becomes obvious within a very short time of reading.

As a mum myself, I obviously felt so sorry for Jo - after coming back from a night out - only yards away from the cottage that their children were sleeping in - she discovers that her son has gone missing.
As the investigation and search progresses, we see the strained dynamic between the 2 couples stretch further and further as more and more secrets and lies come to light.

There was so much going on right from the off here and I came to so many different conclusions each time something else was revealed.
I didn't know what to believe or who to trust and went round in circles suspecting each of our main characters multiple times ...as well as others....before the big reveal - which still shocked me!

I loved that the two couples were originally presented as totally normal, relatable couples heading off for a nice summer break together.
This endeared us to each of them and I was totally invested in their backstories and current lives.
But as the story unfolded, the tension built and I just couldn't put this down until I'd found out what had really happened to Ajit(?).

An intriguing read with a few lessons about trust and holidaying abroad - friendships and relationships - and that secrets will always come out eventually!

Looking forward to my next read by this author.




💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

A dark and twisty thriller packed with family secrets, lies, infidelity and more!
When two couples and their children go on holiday together their relationships are all brought under scrutiny when one of their children goes missing from their apartment whilst the adults are out drinking on the beach. I couldn't help think that the story was very closely related to the real life Madelaine McCann case.
The book started off at pace and certainly ended in a similar way but did lag somewhat in the middle in my view.
Lots of dark characters, dual timelines, plenty of intrigue and an epilogue that packs a real punch.
I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced listener copy of this very well narrated audiobook.

The holiday of a lifetime for your family and your closest friends, what could possibly go wrong?

The synopsis for this had me really looking forward to this read (listen). The narration was very good and if I am honest had this not been an audiobook I'm not sure I'd have finished it as the pace wasn't there enough to hold my attention.

There is a mystery within / throughout the storyline but despite Jo's understandable focus on her sons disappearance it almost played out as the back story. There was such a significant amount of the backstory of the two families to the point it became a family drama rather than a thriller.

If you like your mysteries on the slower side with a lot of detail (repetitive detailing) you will possibly enjoy this more than I did.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARAC which was very much appreciated.