Thank you Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Couple On The Train is a suspenseful, engaging, gripping and fun read.
I really enjoyed the tension build up and mystery element woven throughout.
Laura travels on the train for work in the same seat every day.
One day a couple sits opposite, the woman is pleading help with her eyes and body language.
After they exit the train, Laura sees a note which she thinks the woman left for her to see.
It reads “Help Me”.
After the police can’t help her after lack of evidence, Laura begins the search for answers herself.
Soon she is caught up in the drama, danger and the lies until the shocking truth is unleashed…….
I loved the twists in this one and the very unexpected ending.
The sharp plot was clever, the characters mysteriously flawless and the opening chapters on the train were appealing but the book overall was gratifying.
As my novel journey progressed I had to know the truth, so I accelerated my reading to find out the truth.
I look forward to Claire’s next book.

This was such an interesting read which pulls the reader in -
it really kept me guessing and i love that,
I enjoy the past and present, they really complemented each other and the story.
Really good read.

This was a fascinating read that pulled me in and kept me turning the pages. It kept me guessing and reevaluating and I enjoyed the way the two stories from the past and present where presented, unfolding. Great read!

This is actually more of a 3.5 star rating.

It took a while for me to get into, but once I did I really enjoyed it! It’s got an unreliable narrator and switches back and forth from Now to Then.
Without spoiling, I’ll say there was once scene that legitimately shocked me and it’s not the one you’re thinking of lol.

Thanks to NetGalley & publisher for this ARC!

I mostly enjoyed reading The couple on the train. It started off as a gripping thriller. The story is split into two timelines and with each chapter of the past, you are given more of the back story which builds the plot and adds the tension, but also adds in some unbelievable elements. The ending of the book felt rushed and unrealistic. I appreciate the ARC

This started out strong but got lost a little along the way. Laura wasn't the most compelling main character and may that and the differing timelines hurt this. Overall not a bad read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this captivating eARC.

Claire Cooper’s “The Couple on the Train” is a psychological thriller that is a masterclass in suspense, weaving a tale that is as intricate as it is compelling.

The story begins with an ordinary train ride that quickly turns sinister. Our protagonist notices a couple that seems off—particularly the woman, who appears distressed. When the woman leaves behind a note that reads “Help me,” the protagonist is thrust into a whirlwind of mystery and danger. As she delves deeper into the couple’s story, she finds herself entangled in a web of lies and secrets that echo her own past traumas.

Cooper excels in character development, particularly with her protagonist. The protagonist’s determination to uncover the truth is both her strength and her vulnerability. The couple on the train, though initially enigmatic, are gradually revealed through a series of well-placed flashbacks and interactions that keep the reader guessing about their true intentions.

Cooper’s writing is sharp and evocative. She has a knack for creating an atmosphere of tension and unease, making the reader feel as if they are right there on the train, experiencing the protagonist’s anxiety and fear. The pacing is perfect, with each chapter ending on a note that compels you to keep reading.

The novel explores themes of trust, trauma, and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. It also delves into the psychological impact of past events on present actions, making it a thought-provoking read as well as a thrilling one.

“The Couple on the Train” is a standout in the psychological thriller genre. It combines a gripping plot with deep character exploration and a writing style that keeps you on the edge of your seat. If you’re a fan of authors like Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena, this book is a must-read. Claire Cooper has crafted a story that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant, making it a memorable addition to any bookshelf.

I loved it, and after I finished it, I immediately purchased The Elevator from this author. I will post a review by that novel upon completion.

This started off so well at first and then it sort of drifted off then suddenly it picked up and I definitely didn't expect the twist at the end. I'm glad I didn't give up as I nearly did. Not a bad read. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

An excellent read. This psychological thriller was very clever with lots of twists and turns. Will look forward to this author’s future books. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read this book.

I had high hopes for "The Couple on The Train" by Claire Cooper, but unfortunately, it didn't hit the mark for me. The whole plot felt completely unbelievable, silly, and far-fetched. I found myself struggling to stay engaged, especially with the timeline set in the past, which moved at a painfully slow pace and was, frankly, quite boring.
The main character also left much to be desired—too inconsistent and not particularly likeable, making it difficult to connect with the story. I kept reading in the hope that everything would come together with a more logical and satisfying explanation, but sadly, that wasn't the case.
While the premise sounded promising, it didn't work for me. It's a shame, as I really wanted to enjoy this one.

I’m somewhat on the fence with this book. It started off as a gripping thriller. The story is split into two timelines and with each chapter of the past, you are given more of the back story which builds the plot and adds the tension. However I didn’t enjoy the ending. It felt rushed and unrealistic so I would rate this book 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for chance to review.

A sometimes fast moving book,was keener on the here and now story rather than the past bits
I did wonder at Laura’s decisions sometimes throughout
Started well,who doesn’t like a plot set on a train and someone in peril reaching out to another passenger….
A goodish ending,overall a quick read

I found this book to be quite slow at the beginning and I started to lose interest but I kept on reading and it did start to pick up pace, loved the ending!

I was gripped from page 1 and I raced through it. I’ve always loved Claire Cooper’s books and this one is certainly no exception. The ending developed well and came with a great twist.

After a promising start, I felt this story just dragged on and on. None of the characters were fully fleshed out. Laura's actions were never really believable. All that really saved it was some of the descriptive passages of the area where the three teenagers went swimming.

This book started with great pace and an interesting build up of tension. But then it slowly lost its fizz and just meandered its way to the ending.

The character of Laura is frustrating. Either she wants help or she doesn’t? But she so inconsistent that it’s hard to follow who she is or what she’s doing. Her need to solve a crime that she believes has happened is borderline crazy and unrealistic. At one point I did wonder if she was just loosing the plot completely but I couldn’t understand how she had built a life and had nobody to turn to or that would check in on her other than a colleague that supposedly fancied her.

This book could’ve been an absolute masterpiece had it been thought through with a little more care and edited to maintain intrigue. For me this book left me with more questions than answers and little need to answer them.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Awful. I read as much as I could stand and then skipped to the end.. I decided I had been right to give up, as the ending was as awful as the beginning,

Laura notices the couple on the train, the way the man is holding the womans arm a little too tightly, the way the womans fists are tightly clenched, showing white knuckles, and the way she is slightly angled away from the man, the body language uneasy. As the couple rise from their seats to get off the train, Laura catches the womans eyes, and sees desperation in them. Seeing she has Lauras gaze on her, the womans eyes flicker briefly to the seat where she had been sitting. Laura looks at the seat, sees a piece of paper pushed down the side, only the corner sticking out. Laura picks it up and reads the two words written on it....help me.
And so begins a roller coaster of a read, a gripping storyline that draws you in completely. This tangled plot is addictive, and kept me turning the pages until an ending that was a total surprise to me.

Wow!
So many twists and turns!
The book switches between “then” and “now, telling the story of Laura as a teen, and then a decade later, as an adult. She sees a woman silently plea for her help, and can’t help but get involved. She faces bs lash, however, as no one seems to believe her.
We also learn her deep secret from her previous life, in a different place. Are the two connected? How could they be?
Left me shocked literally up to the last chapter!

I did enjoy this book, more so the scenes set in the present. I found the scenes set in the past not so interesting. It was a very interesting premise but I think the execution of the story grew a bit too convoluted.
It was a well written thriller and I enjoyed the story but it wasn't outstanding for me.