This is certainly an unusual storyline with several themes intersecting. Avery is a therapist who has been struck off her professional register but is still busy using a methodology developed by herself. Given her past and the way she gets involved her clients, she is in need of therapy too. The main story centres on Matthew and Marissa, the so called Golden Couple. When Marissa strays, she persuades Matthew to go for counselling together with Avery. Avery knows there is more trouble lying below the surface of this relationship and gets involved more as if she was a private detective than a therapist. As more information becomes available, the story gears up to a predictable ending. It is well written, a good enough read and certainly different.

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendriks and Sarah Pekkanen is probably one of the best books I’ve read this year. So well written and brilliantly plotted, it was impossible to put down. Hardly surprising when you have two collaborative minds. I loved every chapter. As Avery doesn’t know what to expect when she opens her door to new clients, I didn’t know what to expect when she opened the door to Marissa and Matthew Bishop. What I loved about this book is that, although Avery is a hero, her clever techniques have certainly met their match with the Bishops. The challenges and struggles she faces are all very real. Very believable.

To have a therapist who not only counsels people, but inserts herself into their lives to get the bigger picture is a novel idea. Her controversial process is spontaneous and clever. An ambush of ten sessions sure to burrow deep into her clients’ heads. She is successful. She is determined. What could possibly go wrong? I couldn’t wait to see what Avery’s investigations might reveal; her keen eye to detail and the personalities into which she’s tapped. By about the 72% mark, I thought I’d figured out the ending, but I was nowhere close.

Marissa may be hiding childhood secrets, a dormant crush which is not so dormant now. But she has no idea how what she’s got herself into, how someone is cataloguing every detail of her life, and won’t let go. Someone who may be responsible for the death of Tina, her best friend. This classy domestic noir is far more than a few chapters of shocking twists. It’s an addictive exploration into complex psychological issues, obsessiveness, morality and ethics by a classy double act we have all grown to love. It leaves a residue behind and that’s what I crave in a great thriller. More please!

This is the latest from the well known authors, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, a fun and entertaining domestic psychological thriller that will hold your attention through all the twists and deceptions. The wealthy, good looking, in love, Marissa and Matthew Bishop are to all intents and purpose the glittering golden couple who have known each other a long time. However, the gold dust is purely a surface appearance, below it's a different story. Their marriage is in trouble, and even their 8 year old son, Bennett, is aware their relationship is struggling. Marissa has strayed but will do anything to keep their marriage together and continue to provide a stable home for Bennett. In their desperation, Bishops hone in on popular, but controversial, Avery Chambers, a woman who has had her licence as a therapist revoked, who despite this, can pick and choose her clients.

Avery now operates as a 'consultant' working from home, with a rescue dog, Romeo. She uses her unconventional short 10 step programme, which focuses on the emotions, which she claims can address numerous serious issues that people face in their lives. Marissa is a successful shop store owner, and employs assistant, Polly, to help her run it. In a narrative related from the perspectives of Marissa and Avery, it soon becomes clear to Avery that there is more going on in the marriage than Marissa's infidelity. Avery is no ordinary therapist as she turns investigator to dig into the secrets and lies of the Bishops marriage. We are given insights into Avery's background, a woman who we learn has her own issues.

This is a complex and multilayered story of twists and turns, red herrings, of a marriage, betrayal, and stalkers, a pharmaceutical company, and dropped into the mix are the likes of characters such as Skip and Natalie. This is a wonderfully engaging thriller, well written, a riveting novel that continues to showcase the talents of the writers when it comes to this genre. I have no doubt this novel will do well on publication. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

A dark, tale detailing a couple who seemingly have it all until the wife has a one-night stand.
The tale unravels when Marrissa and Matthew walk into Avery's life seeking a therapist who can help them work through Marissa's infidelity.
Is Avery all she seems, what else is Marissa hiding, why can't she seemingly tell Matthew and Avery the truth?

The book moves quickly, each chapter revealing more of the story, with each ending setting u the next chapter, making the reader want more.
A very good ending, one I did not predict, and the extra characters of Chris, Skip, and Polly all add to the mystery of this suspenseful read.

An excellent read. I started reading it and couldn't put it down. It grabs your attention and you get suckered into their world. One not to be missed

What a gripping mystery

This was a very disturbing but good read.

Thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish and could not get enough of.

This is a must read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller!!
Absolutely loved the characters, the plot, the tension -  impossible to put it down.
Certainly recommended!

Hendricks and Pekkanen are one of my reliable duos when it comes to pure entertainment and this is another slick and twisty slice of domestic noir. Yes, we do need to leave our credibility radar on page one but once involved, the revelations keep coming! With the perfect couple, the therapist-turned-private detective, the creepy assistant, the big pharma bullying, the date in disguise, the other woman and more past secrets than you can count on one hand, this does become absurdly over the top but somehow H&P keep us on board, maybe because of the way information is drip-fed throughout. Just the thing for commute/bath time reading, and a book with a welcome sense of humour about its own craziness.

My only criticism is that even after pretty much a year of avoiding these sort of books, it's still all too easy to predict the red herrings and foresee the final 'twist' - it would be nice if authors could break away from the more formulaic tropes of the genre. Still, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

The first book I've read by this highly regarded duo, I had high hopes.

Marissa and Matthew Bishop appear to be the perfect couple, but Marissa has been unfaithful and seeks out counselling to try and fix their marriage.

Avery Chambers is a therapist who has recently been struck off due to her unconventional practices. Freed from the rules Avery has progressed her own style of therapy which involves deep investigation into client's lives.

Chapters are told from Avery and Marissa's perspective, the structure works well as their stories intertwine. It starts at a fairly gentle pace but picks up as it progresses as suspicions increase and secrets are revealed.

It's fair to say I didn't particularly get involved, but I liked Avery's investigative approach.
Overall, I can see it being popular while not being one for me.


Thanks to Netgalley and Pan MacMillan

This is the first novel I've read by thriller writing duo Hendricks and Pekkanen and it certainly won't be my last ! Unorthodox therapist Avery Chambers has lost her licence to practice but still takes on wealthy clients such as Marissa and Matthew Bishop who approach her after Marissa confesses to cheating on her husband. I love thrillers that feature therapists and the character of Avery did not disappoint. The Golden Couple is a twisty and compelling thriller full of red herrings that I would highly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Fast paced psychological thriller by the writing team of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. Great characters, fast paced and a very enjoyable read.

Avery Chambers is a therapist who boasts that if she can’t fix you in 10 sessions, she won’t take you on as a client. With a success rate to admire, she spends her time helping people overcome a wide range of problems which she uses to try and overcome the emptiness she sometimes feels since her husband’s death.

She is approached by Marissa and Mathew Bishop, who are seen by many as a golden couple, until Marissa owns up to cheating on Mathew. She wants to get back what they had before and for the sake of their 8 year old son. A friend forwards an article about Avery and Marissa is convinced she can repair their marriage even though Avery lost her license due to controversial methods. Avery takes them on but it is not going to be easy, because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger.

I really enjoyed this one and found myself turning those pages in double quick time anticipating what was going to happen. Lots of twists and turns and plenty of suspense make this a top read.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Macmillan for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

#TheGoldenCouple #NetGalley
I felt like i was watching a gripping Netflix series. So twisty.
Marissa and Matthew Bishop seem like the golden couple – until Marissa is unfaithful. But she wants to repair things for the sake of their eight-year-old son and because she loves her husband.
Enter Avery Chambers. Avery Chambers is a therapist who lost her professional license. Still, it doesn’t stop her from counselling those in crisis, though they have to adhere to her unorthodox methods. And the Bishops are desperate. As soon as the Bishops walk through Avery’s door, all three set on a collusion course that will change their lives forever. Because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger... What happened next?
This is an awesome novel. Greer Hendricks and Sarah are getting better and better.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for giving me an advance copy.