I started the story not liking the way it was written, because when one chapter leaves me hanging it starts somewhere else in the next chapter. This is a story about a nosy neighbor obsessed with the new couple on the block and creating a lot of suspicion about them. I was annoyed at the pace of the story but by the second half of the story moved rather quickly as it tied up what took so long to get to, and the story finally made sense! I found some things unbelievable but thought interested the way the author wrote from differing points of view and helped the reader to see what was missing. I cannot say it was a shocking story, but very unrealistic, and farfetched. I just didn't like how the innocent couple was mistreated or hurt in the process.

This book started slowly but picked up in the second half with the storyline becoming clearer. I will look out for books by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

I have mixed feelings about this book. The beginning was great because I like a stay home mom turn into an amateur detective type of stories. But then it went down the hill. Having the same events described from two more perspectives was a mistake because it added very little new information to the story and I ended up skipping through it. I really did not care that much to know what was in the heads of Keren or Liam. It did not reveal anything new about them to change Jane's perspective of them. Moreover, the cat was let out of the bag earlier in the book, so there was no mystery left and no big surprises. Thus the end was a bit flat and I only read it to finish the book.

The Eastern European model / gold digger was quite a cliché character with other characters being not very likeable or little developed.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange of an honest review.

The New Couple had a very interesting concept. The first part of the book was very grappling. Jane's point of view as an outsider to that of the "New Couple's" was interesting to read. Part Two and Three were a bit boring. Even though these two parts contain the answer to the mystery it still felt a little dull to read. Parts 2 and 3 were direct answers to the mystery and we're repetitive.

It was a nice plot and the writing was easy too. Parts 2 and 3 took the fun of reading the mystery away. If part four had taken parts 2 and 3 's place and had been more elaborate it would have been a better read.

The New Couple starts as a slow burn, from the point of view of a woman who has new neighbors. But the new additions to the neighborhood make no effort to blend in, which leads her to think there must be something wrong with them.

Well, she's not wrong. There's a lot of suspense, mystery, and intrigue.

Close to the halfway mark, the pace picks up and it gets very interesting, with several unexpected plot twists. But, to be honest, we kind of find out everything around the same time, so I just kept reading, waiting for yet more twists that never came.

The characters seem real enough, with good traits and flaws, but I would've expected the reveal to be further on.

Rating: 3.5 stars

A great read! I really enjoyed the setting of the street and nosey neighbors, plus the interesting situation they find themselves in when one of the houses is put up for auction and a couple they weren't "expecting" moves in. I could picture the neighbors gossiping!

Very good story. Keeps you interested throughout the whole way. Liked the way that the story is written from the side of each main character of the book. Good ending, unexpected things through the book. Definitely recommend it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written book. The characters are likable, and with plenty of twists and turns coming just at the right time. I love thrillers that have alternating POVs, so that was a huge plus for me. Look forward to reading more from this author.

The New Couple
by Alison James
Pub Date: 27 Sep 2022
Great thriller with enough twists and turns to keep the reader invested.
The new couple down the street has got it all...after all, they literally won the house of their dreams fully furnished! But something is off. Instead of warmly accepting the welcoming visits from their neighborhood, they are closed off and brusk, hateful even. Yes, you can tell by their vehicles and lack of a moving crew they aren't used to such posh living, but something's not quite right. Their neighbors are determined to figure out the truth and that might be the downfall of the neighborhood.

The perfect marriage. The perfect house. The perfect secret…

When Stephanie Hamlin and her husband Richard win a house in a lottery draw they couldn't be more excited, they can finally move from their flat into this prestigious house in a very exclusive neighbourhood, with their nine month old daughter, Poppy but the couple that actually move into 12 Sycamore Gardens aren't Stephanie and Richard, and Poppy isn't their daughter...

This story is split into four parts and told from the perspectives of the three main characters. When 'Stephanie and Richard' first move in they seem to want to stay low key and not mix with the other residents, but their actions begin to raise the suspicions of one of their neighbours, Jane who is certain things aren't all they're supposed to be. In part one the story is a bit of a slow burn, introducing the residents in the community, by the end of part two things have started to ramp up and the pieces are falling into place, I was completely invested by this point and intrigued to know how it was all going to end. I thought the plot was unique, the characters were well crafted and realistic, I liked Jane but didn't care much for Keren, although I did feel a little sorry for her, and I didn't like Liam at all. There were a lot of secrets in this story, not just relating to the new couple, and some great twists along the way. This is my second read from this author and I couldn't put it down, I'll definitely be looking at reading more of her work. If you like a domestic thriller, laced with sinister events, then this is one for you.

I'd like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

The Child Between Us by Alison Ragsdale was another beautifully written book from start to finish. Alison writes her books from her heart and it will pull your heart...........So you will need tissues and lots of them. It's a heartbreaking story, that you will love and a great book for a holiday on the beach hiding behind your sunglasses. I ended up reading this in one sitting as I did not want to put this beautiful book down.

I highly recommend this book and all Alison's books.

Big thank Alison Ragsdale, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book to review.

The first half is told in Jane Headley’s POV. Jane, a teacher, and her husband, a professor, are empty nesters living in the established Sycamore Gardens at number 5. She gets herself involved with the “new couple” Richard & Stephanie Hamlin and daughter Poppy living at number 12. Jane delves into Richard’s past visiting his office where he’s an accountant, but things aren’t adding up. The second half is told by Keren and Liam. This is a bit predictable, but nonetheless I read it one sitting! Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy.

The upscale community has a new couple moving in to number 17. The couple “won” the million dollar house in a raffle for charity. The day they arrive to move in, friendly neighbor Jane quickly welcomes them to the neighborhood, despite her confusion about their appearance, lack of possessions and unfriendly behavior. As suspicions unfold over a few weeks, Jane wonders
“Who are these people?”

This story is told from the perspective of four different characters, each in separate chapters of the book.
This book was engaging and interesting. I’m giving it 4 stars, mostly because there wasn’t a climactic ending or thriller twist- just a good, old fashioned book about scam artists!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read an advanced copy, and give my review!

While I really did enjoy the promise of the original plot & the potential held, I'm disappointed to say it wasn't as captivating and thrilling as promised. The New Couple had some great qualities - great writing, some pretty decent suspense and mystery, and I really enjoyed the unveiling of secrets and some plot twists. However, I feel it just fell flat and left me unsatisfied. I found it easy to figure everything out before the conclusion and the "thrill" aspect didn't live up to the hype I had hoped for. Now, don't get me wrong, the ending was satisfying and tied up nicely, it just didn't give me everything I had hoped for. It did the job but was lack-luster on delivery unfortunately. I am intrigued to see what this author may have to offer in other titles so I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for James from now on.

This felt like a book of two halves.
To start with, the story is a slow-burn, where it builds the suspense and intrigue and then all of a sudden- yikes!
Once the twists and drama kicked off, I struggled to put it down and finished it in a matter of hours.
The characters were strong, interesting and on the whole likeable.
I just love thrillers that grab me straight away, and this took a few chapters to do that. But it is definitely worth a read for fans of domestic thrillers.

<b>Note:</b> I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley.

2.5 Stars

The perfect marriage. The perfect house. The perfect secret… As I step through the cherry-red door of my new home, I know I should feel like the luckiest woman alive. I have a handsome husband, a beautiful daughter and now the house of my dreams. And to everyone else my life looks perfect…

When the neighbours stop by to welcome us, I tell them my name is Stephanie Hamlin and, under the watchful gaze of my husband Richard, I introduce him and our curly haired little girl Poppy. I smile as wide as I can and desperately hope I can fit in to this exclusive place with its pretty communal gardens. Because I’ve risked everything to be here.

Behind closed doors I try to relax, to unwind in the huge clawfoot bath and forget about my complicated past. It’s hard being the new couple on the street when you’ve got secrets. Because the truth is, my charming husband isn’t really my husband. And I’m not Stephanie Hamlin…

The first part of the book was intriguing to read and I was trying to figure out exactly what was off about the new neighbors moving in. However, the second and thirds parts of the book (the majority of the book) was extremely repetitive. I understand what the author was trying to do by telling the story from different perspectives on the events that occurred but I do not think the author was able to execute that well for the reader not to get bored.

The new couple on the street is not quite who you think they are. Nor for that matter are some of the actual residents, the Russian supermodel, for example, as well as the mild-mannered, seemingly-perfect teaching professor.

Anyway, never mind them. The actual couple that the book is about is a decidedly dodgy lot. I find Keren's behavior as odious as Liam's and Lance's, especially considering she really seemed to know better, but only at times.

This was an enjoyable, quick read that is well worth a solid 3.5 stars.

A family win the house of their dreams. But the neighbours soon start to suspect that something isn't quite right between the couple...
The New Couple is a psychological thriller set in London.
In the first part of the book we see Jane Headley who is convinced that there is something odd about her lucky new neighbours. She starts to investigate but is warned off with threats. Parts 2 and 3 show the perspective of two other characters which makes the situation clear and shows the true danger.
From the start we get an uneasy feeling alongside Jane as she notices her neighbours' starange behaviour. The tension grows slowly then really ramps up when part 2 arrives. The secret is revealed and it was quite gripping to watch the drama unfold. I felt that the ending was a little underwhelming as it didn't match the anticipation I had developed.
The characters had flaws and vulnerabilities even though some committed evil acts. There is plenty of drama and personal relationships play a key role in the plot and character development.
The New Couple is very entertaining and I think the different viewpoints really helped to develop the tension.

I have been a fan of Alison James for a while now, and her books are always thrilling and addictive and very character driven.

This latest novel is completely gripping. The new couple move into the exclusive London street, but all is not what it seems. Neighbour Jane spots a few anomalies in their stories and decides to investigate a bit further.

The first half of the book is told from Jane’s perspective, and even though I thought she was a bit nosy I was interested to see what she would find.

The second half of the novel is then told from another perspective, I won’t say too much for fear of spoiling it, but once the pieces of the plot begin to come together it’s a rollercoaster of a ride, and I was completely engrossed in this very clever story.

As well as being a totally addictive read I thought this book had a very original and clever storyline. and I absolutely flew through the pages.

An unputdownable and engrossing read, I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a good suspenseful and twisty thriller.

Well that was a rollercoaster and a half, and I mean that in a good way. This was one heck of a good story, truly well written and had me captivated throughout not to mention sitting on the edge of my seat at times in anticipation of what might happen next.

The story is told in three parts and each of those parts is told from a different characters viewpoint which makes the story all the more interesting and entertaining, it puts different perspectives on the story too, making you wonder and guess at certain things even more so.

The character of Jane does give new meaning to the title of nosey neighbour though, no one likes a nosey neighbour but in this case I think we’d all be happy to have a neighbour like Jane on our street.

This is my second book I’ve read/listened too by this author Alison and I have to say she sure does know her stuff and how to write a good storyline. I’ll definitely be looking to read her other books in the future.