Some elements of this book were very refreshing especially in the way Lucy never tries to ignore her worries but tackles them head on. So often in books I’m almost shouting at the characters to follow through on their feelings. However the plot seemed to be a bit repetitive and what really was a short read seemed to take me ages to get through I didn’t guess the culprit (s) so that’s another bonus.
I would recommend this book because overall it has many more positives than negatives.

★★★ 3.5 stars

The camera never lies...but someone is...

Let's just take a moment to admire that cover...and imagine being in the Maldives ourselves. That crystal clear water. The sunshine in the ocean blue sky. The luxury of such a destination.

That's just what Lucy was admiring in her colleague's photos upon returning from her honeymoon. Until she saw a familiar face...one that shouldn't be there. her husband's best friend Scott in the Maldives with his arm around a woman that wasn't his wife. Lucy doesn't know what to do with this information at first. After all, she and her husband Adam have been best friends with the Scott and his wife Cora for nearly two decades and their children are inseparable. They are practically family. In fact, they even co-own a holiday cottage in Norfolk that they are renovating together. Their lives are perfect.

But when Lucy sees this photo of Scott with another woman in the Maldives when he is supposed to be on a business trip in Tokyo, she begins to realise that maybe their lives aren't quite as perfect as she had thought. And that nothing is as it seems.

And then shortly afterwards, the woman from the photograph goes missing - last seen in the Maldives. And Lucy starts to question everything she thought she knew about those closest to her and wonders whether those that she loves and trusted the most may not be who she thought they were.

Beginning as a steady slow burn, the story soon picks up pace as Lucy realises that things aren't always what they seem. In the space of just a couple of weeks, the lives of each of the characters unravel by the day. It leaves you pondering just how well you know those closest to you.

My first read by Cooper and it was certainly interesting they way the story played out and how it all came together and then fell apart. I did predict the twists almost from the start but then as a seasoned mystery thriller fan, I tend to look where there aren't any clues and see what isn't there...and then piece it together. But in doing so, it doesn't ruin my enjoyment of a good story. And I did enjoy this thriller. In fact I read it in one sitting tonight in bed and am jotting out this review before I go to sleep.

Overall, a good read but nothing overly spectacular though still reasonably entertaining.

I would like to thank #HelenCooper, #Netgalley and #HodderAndStoughton for an ARC of #TheCoupleInThePhoto in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Lucy and her husband Adam have been couples friends with Cora and Scott for many years. Their closeness is evident in their decision to share the purchase of a holiday property, and even their young children are used to playing together.

So Lucy is shocked when, admiring a colleague's honeymoon photos from the Maldives, she sees Scott in one of the pictures, but with his arm around an unknown woman. Her colleague also refers to the couple as Jason and Anna!

Because Lucy does not want her friend Cora to find out about her husband's possible infidelity, she decides to investigate by herself. And Lucy's tenacity in doing so would do the legendary British bulldog proud!

But more she digs, the more bizarre her findings. And things take a decidedly unpleasant turn when the woman in the picture disappears. Soon, Lucy is left wondering how well she knows her friends - and, for that matter, her own husband...

The pacing of this story could have been improved, and some of the twists were predictable. But ultimately, this book has an interesting premise, and there are a few surprises in store for the reader (even if they're not quite as extreme as those awaiting Lucy!) My rating is 3.5 stars.

A really good summer read!! I was really hooked and was so intrigued at how this story was going to unfold!! Brilliant, highly recommended xx

At first I found the heroine's obsession and emotional reaction to this photo rather over the top. However as I got into the book I was totally gripped by the story and its twists and turns.

This book was just ok no twists and turns and the ending didn't wow me little bit disappointed with this book 3 stars

This gripping domestic thriller delves into a world of mystery, where a photograph holds the key to unraveling a complex web of secrets surrounding a missing woman. With a tantalizing blend of suspense and intrigue, the story keeps readers engrossed from beginning to end.

From the moment the enigmatic photograph is introduced, the narrative wastes no time in ensnaring readers' attention. The author skillfully navigates the twists and turns of the plot, deftly weaving together a tapestry of deception and unexpected revelations. The pacing is expertly handled, ensuring that the tension remains high and the suspense continues to mount with each passing chapter.

The characters in this domestic thriller are well-crafted, with each one contributing to the intricate layers of the story. The protagonist serves as a relatable guide, drawn into a dangerous world as they search for answers. Supporting characters add depth and complexity, adding to the overall atmosphere of unease and keeping readers on their toes.

While the central mystery may not break new ground, the author's execution and ability to manipulate perception make up for any predictability. The narrative expertly employs misdirection and clever twists, constantly challenging readers' assumptions and ensuring that the story remains captivating throughout.

In conclusion, this domestic thriller is a captivating and twisted tale that keeps readers guessing until the very end. With its engaging characters, skillful plotting, and a relentless undercurrent of suspense, it delivers an enthralling reading experience. Fans of the genre will find themselves immersed in a world of mystery and dark secrets, making this book a worthwhile addition to their reading list.

Thankyou netgalley for an advanced copy of the couple in the photo by Helen cooper, in exchange for my honest review


This gripped me straight away from the first page! The storyline kicked in literally straight away which is always a good sign.

The story was written very well and easy to read!

Lucy and her husband, Adam, have been best friends with another couple, Cora and Scott, for years. The four are practically family at this point - they vacation together, co-own a beach cottage, and their children are inseparable. So Lucy is devastated when while looking at a colleague's photos of a trip to the Maldives, she spots a picture of Scott, apparently on a luxurious holiday with another woman. Lucy is determined to protect her best friend from her husband's seeming infidelity, but when she learns that the woman in the photo has gone missing, she can't help but fear that Scott was involved.

While it was a little slow to start, it did have some really good twists. The characters were well developed. We learn in the first chapter that Lucy sees her friend Scott with another woman in a photo that had been taken in the Maldives. The storyline was a bit predictable and easy to figure out. A series of events has Lucy asking herself if she was imagining things. This is a quick and easy book to read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HodderStoughton and the author #HelenCooper for my ARC of #TheCoupleInThePhoto in exchange for an honest review.

Adam and Lucy, and Cora and Scott. Two couples and their kids who are like one big happy family, hanging out at each other's houses, even renovating a beach house together.

That's why Lucy is devastated when she sees a photo of Scott and another woman on a colleague's phone. Should she tell Cora? Can her husband have a discrete conversation with Scott to find out if he's cheating on Cora?

When she fails to get answers, Lucy takes it on herself to investigate with devastating consequences.

While you might be able to figure out what happens, there are so many twists and turns on the path to getting there, that I marveled at the author's ability to keep it all straight!

Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for another great title from Helen Cooper!

When Lucy see a photo with her friends husband in it with another women she wonders how well she knows her friends. She soon learns the women goes missing we follow Lucy’s as she goes about trying to find out what is going on . This is a well written thriller with twist and turns see if you can figure out what happened.

This was an absolutely incredible book from the author
I do admit when I first started reading the book, I thought everything had more or less happened straightaway and it was going to be a very long book
I was so wrong. The author hadn’t even started with the novel
The book was a very easy read but also a very addictive book, that was hard to put down and I really enjoyed trying to uncover the mystery with Lucy
I took an instant disliking to Cora and Scott. I was not a fan of them at all!
I really love this authors writing. Just how easy the author absorbs you into the pages and lets you escape from life for a few hours
Whilst I had a lot of the theory right, it didn’t spoil the book for me and there were still a couple of twists I didn’t quite guess!
This book is highly recommend and is out now.
Thank you to the publishers for my gifted copy

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for an arc of The Couple in the Photo. It's a book about love, lies and deceit and how well we know the people we love and trust. It's fast paced in a once you've stepped into the rabbit hole you need to see it through to the end. I couldn't put it down as surprises and shocks came from all sides. Recommend to anyone who likes their thrillers with twists and turns galore.

I loved this book - it kept me guessing to the end when I thought I had it all figured out!
I loved the premise and I thought the characters were all written really well.
It was the first Helen Cooper book I've read and I'll definitely be looking up more of her work.

This book is brilliant and I can’t help but recommend it. I loved the idea of secrets and revelations. It is such a good book I recommended it to my circle of friends and we needed up talking about it.

Starting with the cover. I love how bright it is and the summery vibe.

I have read both of Helens other books and loved them. I love her writing style and the stories are always ones that draw me in. This one was no different.

I thought the premise was great and I liked the direction the author took the story. I don’t really usually try, but I didn’t suspect the ending. There were definitely some aspects I didn’t put together at all and I like that about a book. I read this in 2 sittings (because I had to do life stuff in between) as I wanted to know how it ended. I definitely recommend this as well as Helen’s other work. I’m looking forward to the next one!

I find myself deeply intrigued by the portrayal of relationships and friendships in both literature and reality. Though some may perceive me as inquisitive, I see it as a pursuit of knowledge. I found myself completely absorbed in the lives of Lucy, Adam, Cora, and Scott as I read this domestic thriller.

The swift pace of the plot makes for an exhilarating read, with characters thoughtfully developed but not overwrought with details. Cooper's writing effectively tackles the themes of love, protection, and deceit. The dual voice perspectives employed in this work contributed to an intriguing reading experience, and I found it to be highly enjoyable. This only took so long to complete because of life commitments, otherwise, this would definitely be read faster!

My only criticism of this read relates to the predictable ending, which I recognise as a subjective opinion. I highly recommend this read to fans of this genre and/or author and as a summer 2023 read! Get pre-ordering today!

Lucy and Adam do everything with their closest family friends Cora and Scott. They’ve even bought a beach house together to enjoy summers with their kids.

One day a colleague passes around photographs of her honeymoon in the Maldives and Lucy is stunned to see Scott in one of them, his arm is around another woman.

If that isn’t bad enough, the news then breaks and the woman from the photograph has mysteriously vanished.
As Lucy looks for answers first her life begins to unravel around her, just how much can you trust your best friends?
The Couple in the Photo is a compelling thriller, which keeps you guessing all the way through. Just when you thought you had guessed it another twist would happen and ultimately, I did not see the ending coming.

At the heart of the book are two families, what seems to be an idyllic friendship is actually a masterful construction of lies. The characterisation is mostly believable, and I really enjoyed the dynamics of friendship between the two couple as well as the dysfunction of it.

I enjoyed the fact that photographs were a continuous theme throughout the book – how one photo can unravel lies and/or how one photo can be edited to create a whole other narrative. I thought this focus was very thought-provoking.

Overall, 4 stars, a compelling thriller based on friendship and deceit and will keep you guessing until the very end.

This is the second book I have read by Helen Cooper, having thoroughly enjoyed her previous book - The Other Guest. If anything, I think I may have enjoyed The Couple in the Photo more.

Lucy and her husband Adam are best fiends with Cora and Scott and they spent so much time together. They are all very close and often at each others houses, they holiday together, even bought a house to do up together. However when Lucy sees a work colleague's honeymoon photos in the Maldives, she spots her best friend Scott in the background with another woman, and is desperate to protect her friend, but when she hears that something terrible has happened to the woman in the photos, she starts to search for answers and gets a bit more than she bargain o!!

This will be a great summer holiday read and the characters are all excellent.

A big thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.
This is my first title by this author and will read more in the future.
Will recommend this to anyone looking for a thriller.
I requested this book as i was drawn in by the cover and thought it looked interesting.
I found this book to be Dark, disturbing and claustrophobic.
Twists that you don't see coming, What a great roller-coaster ride of a thriller