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Book Review: The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

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Goodreads Summary: Fast-paced and addictive, THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR announces a major new talent in thriller writing.

You never know what's happening on the other side of the wall.

Your neighbour told you that she didn't want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. Nothing personal, she just couldn't stand her crying.

Your husband said it would be fine. After all, you only live next door. You'll have the baby monitor and you'll take it in turns to go back every half hour.

Your daughter was sleeping when you checked on her last. But now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realized. She's gone.

You've never had to call the police before. But now they're in your home, and who knows what they'll find there.

What would you be capable of, when pushed past your limit?


Trying to review this book will be a tad bit difficult because of trying not to give away major spoilers and some of those spoilers happen early on within the story. Although I did have a couple of issues with this book it still was a good fast paced read. 

The story opens up with a couple named Anne and Marco attending a birthday dinner at their friends house next door. They have a six month baby girl named Cora and after the babysitter cancels at the last minute they still decided to attend the party  and leave her at home thinking it would be ok if they have the monitor with them and check on her every half hour. When the party is over they head home to discover the front door slightly open and their baby girl gone. 

The first problem that I had is why in the world would they leave their six month year old baby alone at home by herself. I don't know what they were thinking in the first place. And to top it off, Marco convinced Anne to leave her at home. I just could not wrap my head around that at all whatsoever. They also do quite a bit of drinking and that makes them seem even more inconsiderate and not responsible. 

The next problem I had was some parts of the story was a bit repetitive and a little bit predictable especially at the beginning. It wasn't to bad because this is a fast read and it will have you on the edge of your seat. Some of those parts did get remedied because it took an unexpected turn.

I have to say that the ending killed me. I was not expecting what happened to happen and I had already formed in my mind how it would end but I was way off. That is why I made it a 4 star instead of a 3.5.

The story was written well. The author did a great job of giving the characters life and making me feel invested in the story. This is along the lines of Girl on the Train and Gone Girl

Rating 4 Stars


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