A challenging read, this novel introduces Di, a pregnant wife and mother of a five-year-old, as she and her husband decide to purchase a newly built house. Despite her initial reluctance to move into a home without it ever having someone loving in it before. I really didn't understand her motivation to want to live in a used house. And when she finds out someone did live in a previously she was appalled


Soon after, Di uncovers a singular unsettling evidence suggesting the house was not as new as believed, igniting a spiraling paranoia about its past and any previous inhabitants.

Unfortunately, what begins as a promising psychological suspense premise quickly devolves. The narrative struggles with both clarity and pacing; the prose often feels overwrought with every action and thought meticulously explained, and the dialogue frequently veers into repetition. The plot itself becomes increasingly convoluted, incorporating a dizzying array of dramatic elements from "rich people problems" and financial disputes to murder, entrapment, and a general sense of narrative silliness that detracts from any tension. Ultimately, this story feels stretched thin, suggesting a concept that might have been more effectively explored as a concise short story rather than a full-length novel.

Thank you netGallery for the ARC.

Received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
Disappointing read.

FMC was portrayed as an unhinged pregnant lady who was paranoid. It didn’t seem realistic for a pregnant lady who is busy with a child, her side business, moving homes, to be so concerned as to whether there was another couple living next door.

Plot hole that I could not get over,
FMC’s husband was on the phone with someone, and she heard it. She wanted to clarify with her husband. But when something happened, poof, that desperate need to find out was gone. The desperate need to move away from her husband, was gone too.
Nothing carried through, even knowing the FMC is somebody who bites and never lets go.

Writing style was straightforward, but truthfully it feels like what a student would submit.

If you’re expecting a twist that perplexes you, you’re reading the wrong book.

Dionne, Christian and their son Kai move into a new home on an exclusive estate. Dionne is a bit sceptic at first but as Dionne is expecting and they need a bigger place, Christian talks her around. But when moving in some boxes Dionne finds a note saying ‘something happened to the couple before us. Paranoia sets in and Dionne wants to find out more. She asks the Estate manager and her said that it might be one of the builders playing a prank. But Dionne is not so sure. Even more weird going on appear and Dionne wonders if her family are safe living there.
Mr Daniel Hurst has done it again with ‘The couple before us’ This is gripping, tense, thriller that keeps you wanting more. This did have a sense of ‘The Stepford wives’ scenario’ intertwined in the storyline and paranoia especially with the protagonist all through the book. It did make me appreciative of my own surroundings and the community of my own estate I live in and put me off moving anytime soon!! This is a great thriller but in this one I did feel a bit disappointed at the ending. I missed his famous cliffhanger he usually does at the end. 4 stars from me.

Daniel Hurst is one of my favorite thriller authors and he doesn’t get enough hype! I absolutely enjoyed this newest thriller of his about to drop! It had me in the edge of my seat, especially because the MC was so pregnant but making decisions that would put her whole family in danger *sigh definitely read this one to find out what happens!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC for exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this psychological thriller. It has twists that I really didn’t expect and the idea of this creepy housing estate with hidden mysteries was a great idea.

Sometimes I did find the writing a little bit clunky and the FMCS actions to be a little far fetched but I guess when your head is being messed with and you are being gaslighted you do things that are out of character.

A nice quick enjoyable read

First book I’ve read by Daniel Hurst. I was hooked by this fast paced thriller. So many twist! Writing style reminds me of Freida McFadden which i love. Can’t wait to read more.

"I received a free ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review."
Expected Pub Date: July 17, 2025
___

House-hunting is never easy, but for Dionne, Christian, and their six-year-old son Kai, the pressure is even greater. With baby number two on the way and time ticking down, the family is desperate to find somewhere new before the birth. They eventually settle into a freshly built, modern estate that seems perfect on the surface—but Di, heavily pregnant and increasingly uneasy, can't shake the feeling that something is off. Her anxiety turns to dread when she discovers a chilling note tucked away in a forgotten corner of their new home: "Something terrible happened to the couple who lived here before…" From that moment, an unsettling atmosphere takes hold, and Di begins to spiral into paranoia, questioning everything and everyone around her.

Daniel Hurst has long been one of my go-to authors when I'm in a reading slump or just in the mood for something quick and gripping. I thought I knew what to expect from him by now—but this book totally took me by surprise. The setting—a quiet cul-de-sac with an eerie undertone—was spot on, and the story, told from the POV of a heavily pregnant and understandably anxious wife, kept me on edge the entire time. I genuinely didn't see the twist coming. The true suspects weren't even on my "suspect list". I found myself judging and second-guessing every single character. Each one seemed dodgy in its own way, and I loved how my feelings toward them shifted as the story unfolded.
At one point, I was convinced this was going down a cultish route—there's this weird, unsettling vibe that lingers over the estate, with secrets and scandals hiding just beneath the surface. Cesar, in particular, gave me the creeps with his strange visions and controlling presence—he seriously came across like some kind of cult leader. And, of course, the husband (because it's always the husband, isn't it?) was infuriating—constantly brushing off his wife's very valid concerns, despite all the signs pointing to something sinister. Di herself is nosy, quick to judge, and suspicious of everyone—from her own parents to their new neighbours. And lastly, there's the neighbour with his cryptic jokes and bizarre behaviour, who definitely seems to be hiding something dark.
This book isn't just plot twists driven; it's packed with well-developed, layered characters that kept me gripped from start to finish. An addictive, chilling read that I couldn't put down!

As I say in every review, I am patiently waiting for this author to blow up like Freida McFadden did! These are such excellent popcorn thrillers that have me on the edge of my seat turning pages into the night. There were so many good twists in this and I finished within 3 days because it was that good!

I Love all of Daniel hurst books!!! His books are always fast paced, loved the story and the POV written . I finished this within 2 days

This was the first book I’ve read by Hurst, and it was amazing! It was thrilling, gripping, and intense — I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time watching the secrets and action unfold. The narrative was also unique, which made the journey even more exciting for me. I especially loved the characters in this! They were written really well; the ones who were responsible for what happened were not who I suspected at all. They did what they did, and it makes sense. Overall, The Couple Before Us was a 4.5-star read for me. I will definitely be reading more of Hurst’s books now!

Daniel Hurst has done it again! Another heart pounding, can’t put down thriller! Di and Christian have just moved into their dream home, a brand new home in a picturesque neighborhood. Di can’t shake the feeling that something is off, though, and when she finds a hidden note warning her she is not the first person to live in this house, she is determined to discover the truth. Lots of twists in this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this great ARC.

Daniel Hurst has done it again! If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that have you in a chokehold from the first page and don't let go, then prepare yourself for "The Couple Before Us." Hurst proves once more that he's a master at crafting narratives that are as mind-bending as they are addictive.
The story plunges us into the world of Dionne, a woman navigating the turbulent waters of pregnancy, whose emotional roller coaster is intensified by a move to an unsettling new home. Having personally experienced how deeply our emotions can fluctuate during pregnancy, Dionne's struggle felt incredibly authentic, adding another layer of unsettling realism to her story.
What follows is a descent into obsession that will have you questioning everything. Every attempt Dionne makes to uncover the truth is met with frustrating gaslighting, leaving her feeling increasingly isolated and as if she's losing her grip on reality. Even her husband, Christian, offers no solace, further blurring the lines between truth and paranoia. It's a nerve-wracking experience to witness Dionne's escalating desperation, a true mystery that keeps you hooked, wondering if she's truly unraveling or if there's a sinister plot at play.
Dionne's relentless pursuit of answers puts her and her unborn baby in perilous situations, yet her determination to crack the case wide open is unwavering. This book is a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat, breath held, right up until the very end. And trust me, the twist at the end? It's a jaw-dropping revelation that you absolutely will not see coming. Hurst doesn't just deliver a surprise; he blows your mind with a conclusion that redefines everything you thought you knew.
"The Couple Before Us" isn't just a book; it's an experience that will leave you questioning your own perceptions long after you've turned the final page.

Get your copy on July 17, 2025!

+++I have received this eARC in an exchange for an honest review+++

I want to thank @danielhurstbooks @netgalley and @bookouture for allowing me to read this amazing eARC. I truly feel honored to have had the privilege to read and review it.

<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/f94b3473bd276e187cb21df1c8f1dc0019334984" width="80" height="80" alt="10 Book Reviews" title="10 Book Reviews"/>

<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/3e5c9dc49e6e53fec0ee9743175a4d14589ed262" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>

<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/d03e09b48d88c13d50db7f67eb7bf8ab9bbccfce" width="80" height="80" alt="80%" title="80%"/>

Another great book by Daniel. I have read several by him and enjoyed every one. Gripped from the start it was a quick addictive thriller that I couldn’t put down. Although some of the actions of the characters seemed a bit far fetched it only added to the enjoyment for me. A good book I would recommend

Loved the storyline, it immersed me almost immediately. I am a big Freida McFadden fan so this author was recommended to me, and boy will I be reading more Daniel Hurst again. Great book, worth the read!

Have you ever wondered who you would trust if you were in a vulnerable or chaotic situation or worse, into both? Would you trust your romantic partner, your parents, or your neighbours? This book is excellent at highlighting the complexities of our interpersonal relations and how trust plays a HUGE role in deciding the right course of action. I felt the main character was very relatable, especially being a female myself and often second guessing my gut feelings and whether it is paranoia or reality. The author was amazing at having the reading figuring out what happened exactly and who is the good or bad person. I was hooked till the last page, and I recommend it for wanting a who done it style read.

Daniel Hurst writes great books that are quick, easy reads. I rarely can predict how they will end! He also has a tendency to write female characters who are a bit over the top and jump to conclusions easily and this is something I would like to see him improve. He writes a lot of women, like Di in this book, who see something, assume something bad happened, and in an effort to get to the bottom of it, do things like break into people’s houses and search them, only to find out what they thought they knew wasn’t that at all. That’s just such an unlikely occurrence. Does the author assume all women just get hysterical and then go scorched earth?

But back to this book. Di and Christian have moved into a new home. They’re the first owners. But shortly after moving in Di finds a note saying something bad happened to the couple who lived there first. She tries to make friends with her next door neighbors and asks them about the previous couple but gets no answers. And the estate owner is becoming more and more suspicious as well. Di is determined to find out the truth.

Another good thriller by Daniel Hurst! Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Bookoutoure for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review. Publication date July 17, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for letting me read this arc!

Dionne, Christian and their son Kai move into a lovely new home but something doesn’t quite feel right from the start for Dionne and strange things start to happen and Dionne wants to get to the bottom of what has been going on in what should be her forever family home!

I was absolutely hooked to this fast-paced thriller, Daniel Hurst has a talent for keeping you guessing and not being able to put the book down!

I recommend this book if you love a fast paced thriller with shocking plot twists you didn’t see coming

This thriller wastes no time, diving straight into the action from the first page. It’s not your typical whodunnit... it’s more of a "what the hell is going on & how do I find out?" kind of read.

I was clueless about where the story was headed & then about the halfway mark, a sneaky suspicion set in... but even then, I couldn't fully piece it together.

Exactly what you want from a thriller: quick, addictive, and keeps you guessing until the end. I read it in 2 days!

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ – The Couple Before Us by Daniel Hurst

I was so graciously given an ARC of The Couple Before Us, and I’m really glad I had the chance to read it early. The storyline was gripping and full of twists that kept me turning the pages. Daniel Hurst delivers an intriguing plot with characters that leave you guessing.

That said, I did find the pacing a little uneven. It starts off strong and moves quickly—almost too quickly at times—before slowing down more than expected in the latter half. I think a more balanced flow could’ve made the suspense hit even harder.

Overall, a solid domestic thriller with an engaging premise, just a few pacing issues that kept it from being a full 4 stars for me. Still definitely worth the read!

"The Couple Before Us” by Daniel Hurst is a twisty 4-star read! Dionne, her husband Christian, and their son Kai move into a brand new estate, hoping the extra space will be perfect for the baby on the way. But when Di discovers an ominous note, she starts to suspect that the house may not be as new or as safe as it seems. Despite the increasingly dangerous situations she faces, Di is determined to uncover the truth.

In typical Daniel Hurst fashion, this is a fast-paced story packed with twists, maybe even a few too many. Some parts of the story were confusing at first, but as it progressed, the odd behavior began to make sense. At times, Di’s actions didn’t feel entirely believable for a pregnant mother. Still, I enjoyed the book and will definitely keep reading whatever Daniel Hurst writes next

Thanks to Bookouture, Daniel Hurst, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.