Okay. Wow. I knew there was something sinister afloat but when the story kicked into high gear, about halfway through, it took turns I did not expect! Triona Walsh has written a rollercoaster of a psychological thriller full of twists!
Thank you, Triona Walsh, Bookouture, & netgalley, for my early gifted copy! All opinions are my own.

This is my first Triona Walsh book; I was intrigued by the synopsis of the book and was thrilled to be offered an ARC.

Alice and Finn are at a desolate lighthouse B&B for their first romantic getaway as a couple. They have been careful to keep their relationship a secret, as Finn is the CEO of the company where Alice is also employed. But, this getaway affords them the opportunity to finally let their guard down and relax…until there is a loud noise at the door.
Vivienne and Mac are on the other side of the door, having also booked the same b&b for the evening. It is now late and there are storms rolling in. The couple firmly insists on sharing the B&B with Alice and Finn until the morning, when things can be sorted out.

Alice and Finn agree to let the couple sleep in the guest room, an offer they may soon come to regret.

The story contains some decent plot twists, there is enough to hold the interest of the reader. The setting of the B&B was what I enjoyed the most, the author did a fantastic job of depicting the background. My only complaint was the ending…I would have preferred it to be a little less “perfect.” But all in all, a good read!

Huge thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley, and the Author for the ARC.

I loved the authors previous book The Snowstorm so could not wait to get stuck into The Other Couple and the author pulled it out of the bag again with another cracker of a read.

The Other Couple is a slow burning psychological thriller packed with secrets and suspense. What I loved about this read is that the author did not reveal the characters secrets or true intentions early on, instead they are drip feed to the reader with hints & red herrings dropped throughout the read. The Other Couple centers around two couples Alice & Finn and Vivienne & Mac but is told from Alice & Vivienne’s point of views. I really liked Alice as a character despite her proving to be a very unreliable narrator, unreliable narrators often get a bad rap but I believe they can often be the key to a really great thriller, they keep you as the reader on your toes, guessing and questioning everything. This was exactly the case with this book, it was full of tension and twists that will have you questioning every single character, their motives and actions with the final twist absolutely taking me by surprise.

The remote, isolating & weather beaten location of an Irish lighthouse turned Air BnB was the perfect setting and added so much to the atmosphere and story. This was one of those books that you will struggle to put down as you just NEED TO KNOW what happened and the answers to all the questions going through your head.

The Other Couple was a really well written, atmospheric thriller with a great plotline that will keep you on the edge of your seat & staying up late into the night to finish it.

Alice Armstrong and her boyfriend Finn Tobin have booked a lighthouse-turned-Airbnb in Donegal for a romantic getaway. Hours from their home in Dublin, they can be a normal couple in love for the weekend. They can visit pubs, hold hands in public, and do everything they can’t do any other time. The CEO of TobinTech, Finn is Alice’s boss. Hiding their relationship is necessary to keeping it. The scandal it would create if it was revealed would tank the shares of the company Finn started and ruin him to boot. It’s no wonder the couple seems happy to finally be away and alone. But as Alice readies their bedroom on the first night, there’s a knock at the door. When Finn opens it, a couple steps inside and introduces themselves as Vivienne and Mac. They’ve booked the lighthouse too — for the same days — and they don’t intend to leave.

Alice is leery of them right from the start. Her suspicions grow when her phone goes missing, followed by Finn’s keys, and a hose on his scuba gear is slashed. But he doesn’t seem as alarmed by them as she is. In fact, she spies him chatting with their unexpected roommates in the kitchen the next morning. Something about his body language feels off. Does he know them? Either way, she has to get rid of the unwanted couple. Quickly. Alice has a plan for the weekend, one she’s had since she was a little girl. She needs to be alone with Finn to make it happen. But little does she know, the other couple has a plan, too. As a weekend of romance turns into one filled with lies, fake identities, and long-held secrets, Alice realizes the truth. However, is it too late? Did someone’s plan for the weekend include murder?

Full of twists, turns, and jaw-dropping shocks, “The Other Couple” by Tríona Walsh bubbles with suspense in the very first chapter and quickly builds to a boil before the novel is even halfway through. It’s a maddening roller coaster ride in the dark. It’s the kind of book that creates a lot of questions for the reader early on, then dangles the truth over the chapters like a carrot. Every time you think you’re getting within reach of it, a sudden twist jerks you in another direction — and away from that dang carrot. It’s a little aggravating and extremely riveting.

Through Alice’s interior monologue, it’s revealed she’s anything but a reliable narrator. Likable? Yes. Just not reliable. She has a plan for Finn and, although she doesn’t reveal any details (and neither will this review), it’s clear she has an ulterior motive. The same is true for Vivienne. She comes across as stern and rude when she deals with Alice and Finn, but her interior monologue reveals what she’s keeping hidden — or enough of it to keep you reading, that is. You won’t be able to read it fast enough.

The characters in “The Other Couple” are as much of a mystery as the story itself. They’re well-developed and seemingly rise off the pages to act out their parts in front of your eyes. Yet, they’re shrouded in fog like the truth is throughout most of the book. Although they are believable as characters, you question who they truly are, as well as their motives for the weekend. It’s very much a character-driven story with a plot so twisty that it feels more like loopy-de-loops.

I didn’t love “The Other Couple” in the first few chapters. It seemed slow-moving, and I couldn’t quite get hooked. But, as it turns out, the problem was me. Not the book. Once I got a bite of chocolate to lighten my mood and settled into the story, I couldn’t put it down. “The Other Couple” is a fast-moving, gripping story that keeps you in suspense until nearly the end. You’ll be left slack-jawed by the explosive conclusion, wondering why you didn’t see it coming, and wishing it didn’t have to end because it was such a thrilling ride.

Alice is excited for a weekend getaway with her boyfriend, Finn, especially as they have had to keep their relationship a secret since he is also the CEO of her company. However, their cosy stay at a remote lighthouse bed and breakfast takes an unexpected turn when they discover they’re not the only couple booked for the weekend.

The book starts off strong, immediately establishing a suspenseful atmosphere with its ominous characters. From the first page, the tension is palpable, making it hard to put down. The plot is compelling and gripping, with the promise of a major revelation. However, the pacing slows in the middle, which detracts from the overall momentum. While there are intriguing plot twists, the ending feels rushed and somewhat unsatisfying, as it tries to tie up too many threads at once. Overall, it’s an engaging read, but it falls short of delivering a cohesive conclusion.

A shoutout to Net Galley for the ARC!
I wasn't expecting the final twist, but it was good. The whole time reading I was trying to solve the mystery and trying to figure out who Alice was. At first I thought Viv and Mac was just some unwanted house guest who were going to kill Finn and Alice. And I did not expect anything with Michael!

The Other Couple is a domestic thriller, where you start off in the dark and the character motivations and back stories are gradually trickle fed to you. Whereas, I did find the pacing too slow for me, it is typical of this sub-genre and did allow the book to culminate in a rather surprising twist.

It was interesting that we didn’t know the main character’s motivation at the start - instead she skulks around trying to do *something* of which is unclear. However, the downside is that it made it hard to bond with the characters and I felt rather dissociated from them.

There is absolutely nothing inherently wrong with this book; writing style is good, the plot makes sense. Therefore, my rating is purely down to personal taste, and you shouldn’t be dissuaded from trying it yourself. If you like slow-burn thrillers, then it will be a good fit for you.

I nearly gave up on this book as it’s very slow paced and a bit boring! I’ve never read anything by this author before until now but I wasn’t gripped. The characters were dull and im sorry but if 2 strangers appear in the middle of the night at the lighthouse I’m staying at I’m leaving!!
There’s a few twists along the way but not ones that shock you ones you kind of can see were coming!
If I’m honest the ending was a bit stupid and crap!

Thanks to netgalley

I loved this book so much. I read thrillers after so long and this one didn't disappoint. Loved the isolated setting of this book. Perfect chilly vibes for a thriller. I liked the writing style, of the author. How she maintained the tone of the story while flipping the perspectives is commendable. And the twist? I failed to predict it as usual. It was a page turner surely, the story, the secrets unfolded so amazingly I was not able to put it down and flipped through pages.

I went into this book with an open mind, since it’s the first book I’ve read by this author. Initially , The Other Couple pulled me right in with Alice and Finn wanting to have a romantic getaway when they realized they were “double booked” with another couple, Vivienne and Mac.
I found myself spacing out towards the 30% mark once the initial shock wore off when the couples realized they were staying at the venue. None of the characters were particularly likable and it’s hard to care what is going to happen to them once you realize everyone has a secret.
The Other Couple overall was very fast paced and had various twists and turns where you thought you had the plot figured out and then another reveal would happen. I just didn’t get into this suspense read as much as I wanted and I was determined to finish the book. It’s unfortunate that you need to complete a novel for unanswered questions as opposed to finishing a book from sheer enjoyment.

Despite being deeply in love, Finn and Alice must keep their relationship a secret. To spend some quality time together, they plan a romantic getaway. However, their plans are disrupted when another couple unexpectedly arrives at the property.

Overall, the plot was exciting, and the setting was captivating. While I found the book enjoyable, some drawn-out sections made it difficult to read. The story contained some satisfying surprises throughout, though, and I'm glad I finished it.

I particularly appreciated the detailed descriptions of the lighthouse and its surroundings, but unfortunately, none of the characters were likable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the free copy of the book.

The Other Couple by Tríona Walsh is a very twisty book which kept me interested all the way through. A clever story full to the brim with twists and turns so much so I didn't want to finish it.
The twists that this book keeps taking defiantly left me on my toes and wanting to know what was going to happen next. At one point I thought I had it all figured out and then the rug was pulled out from under me.

📚 PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK TOUR BOOK REVIEW 📚

The Other Couple By Trina Walsh
Publication Date: October 28, 2024
Publisher: Bookouture

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)

📚MY REVIEW:

The Other Couple is a slow-burning domestic thriller, filled with secrets that will twist and turn and twist again throughout its pages, until its jaw-dropping conclusion comes together. This one really surprised me with its captivating plot and unexpected ending!

This story is told from the POVs of the two female MCs, Alice and Vivienne. However, the story centers around four main characters: Alice, her boyfriend Finn, Vivienne, and Mac. The setting is a remote lighthouse on the Irish Coast, and its remoteness and unforgiving weather play a big role in the telling of this story.

From the beginning, it is clear that every one of our main characters has some sort-of secret... and that none of them were being honest about who they were and what motivated them. Every chapter was filled with foreshadowing and hints that all was not what the reader thought it was....

The first half of the story was the foreshadowing slow burn, laying the foundation for what's to come. Somewhere around the halfway point, when the story took hold and the secrets started spilling, I legitimately COULD NOT read this book fast enough. I simply HAD to get the answers to all the questions I'd had about who these characters were and exactly what was going on. I needed to put the pieces together and figure out all the mysteries as Walsh unraveled them for me.

If you are a fan of domestic thrillers in remote settings, or books in which every character has a secret, you're going to absolutely LOVE the combination of those two things in this book! This was a clever and well-written read, with a really compelling plot and consistent suspense throughout. A big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the gifted advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, and to Bookouture for inviting me to be a part of this book tour!

#TheOtherCouple #TrionaWalsh #Bookouture #booktour #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations

3.5 Stars. Good thriller that kept you hooked with twists (both predictable and unpredictable) sprinkled throughout. But, for some reason the end felt a little unsatisfying to me. I think it is my own personal preference though.

A Irish lighthouse, turned AirBNB, sets the right vibe for the thriller. I'm a personal fan of thrillers set in the Ireland, Scotland, and the northeast US. The short chapters, with multiple POVs (two women characters and an all knowing narrator), kept the story moving quickly.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this book and give my honest review!

This author has a real knack for creating an atmosphere. From the very beginning, even from just reading the blurb I was braced.
We've got a couple, far away location and then a mysterious knock and strangers at the door. The tone was never more set for what's to come!
It's was a story where everyone has secrets and noone really knows what the others true motives are.

Immediately I was invested in the growing danger and suspense, it kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through.

The first chapter was full of promise. A couple is set to spend a romantic weekend in a converted lighthouse. The setting, the relationship the author quickly establishes between the characters...it's all perfect. Then another couple shows up claiming to have reserved the property for the same night and it goes downhill from there. Every person in that lighthouse is hiding secrets and/or plotting against someone else. The book drags from that point on and the characters are hard to emphathize with. Why would a woman who is unwillingly sharing a rental with complete strangers leave her purse unattended in the kitchen -- and then be shocked when things turn up missing?

I really enjoyed this just like I really enjoyed the other two books from the author, The Party, and The Snowstorm, and as with the other two found myself googling the real locations where the book is set.
An excellent twisty-turny read, so well written you can feel the fear, tension and suspicion from the characters.
When Alice & Finn arrive at their lighthouse hideaway both are looking forward to a relaxing weekend where they can be themselves away from the scrutiny of others in Dublin. Not long after they arrive an other couple arrive too and the whole weekend is upended and hidden agendas are uncovered. An excellent unusual plot that is nothing like you think its going to be. Another excellent read from this talented author.

Wow, what a ride! 🚀 The Other Couple had me glued to my seat with its thrilling twists and psychological tension. The story begins with what seems like a perfect weekend getaway for the protagonist and her boss, Finn, at a charming lighthouse keeper’s cottage on the rugged Irish coast. The anticipation builds as they try to keep their romance a secret—until an unexpected knock at the door shatters their plans.

Enter a rain-soaked couple who claim they’ve booked the same cottage. From that moment, the atmosphere shifts, and you can almost feel the tension crackling in the air. The protagonist’s heart races not just from the surprise visitors but from the dark secret she’s hiding and her desperate need for revenge. The stakes are raised as the plot unfolds, revealing that one of them might not leave the cottage alive.

Walsh does an incredible job of developing the characters, leaving you questioning their motives and true identities. The layers of suspense kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist threw me for a loop!

If you love psychological thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat with unexpected turns, The Other Couple is an absolute must-read! 🏡🔍

Alice is having the perfect weekend in a lighthouse B&B with her boyfriend, Finn. That is until a knock at the door ruins their weekend. A random couple turn up saying that they are also booked there for the same weekend. The other couple may have reasons for being there but then so may Alice and Finn.

I liked the sound of this one as it sounded like an intriguing psychological thriller with an interesting setting. I definitely enjoyed the atmosphere and could picture the dreariness and the weather. Unfortunately I found, as much as I tried, that I could not fully insert myself into the story. It seemed overly long and dragged for quite a while until the plot started to pick up slightly.

Once the twists started my interest increased, however some seemed a bit random and by the end of the novel everything started to feel unbelievable. I didn’t connect to the characters and found some of the dialogue unnatural. Although I personally had a few issues with this thriller, it was no means a bad read. There is suspense and it is full of twists so would be worth a read for those that enjoy atmospheric, twisty mysteries. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.