3 married couples in Dublin have a much anticipated night away for Frank's 48th Birthday. Partner swapping is suggested for one night only with no expectations or obligations. The story follows the consequences of that night and had me hooked. An immersive and entertaining read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Hooking me in from the first page. One idea can change the path of so many lives. Can you tell I love books that mess with your mind? This one will stay with me for a while and encourage me to think before I make rash decisions. Holy heck.

The synopsis of this sounded SO good but I felt it lacked. The concept was great but I don’t think it was written to its full capability.

It’s to do with 3 couples who go on a getaway together and one of them suggests swapping partners… as an experiment. Not to fall in love. What could possibly go wrong?

I just wanted more depth and oomph.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me access to this arc. !!

I didn’t request this book so was confused when it turned up on my Shelf however it is an intense read that I’m sure will appeal to many - it just wasn’t for me!

The story revolves around three couples -Shay & Eve, Frank & Lizzie and Conor & Beatrice.
It begins with their arrival at a country house for Frank’s birthday celebrations.
The perfect getaway weekend - an escape from the children, ageing parents and everyday reality.
The events of Frank’s birthday night end up with the couples playing a little game - one night, no obligations, the only rule - no falling in love.
The story then goes on to show how the couples are grappling with the aftermath.
It’s full of simmering tension and awkwardness, making it very real and relatable.
Nothing in life is ever simple and the journey spans years to allow the reader to find out the repercussions and how the life choices have played out.
Described as Normal People for married people loved how the author brought the characters to life - just one minor gripe I struggled to keep up with which spouse belonged to which couple.
A perfect summer read.
Thanks @laurenmackenzie @johnmurrays & @netgalley for the eARC

A quietly intense read, slightly reminiscent of Marian Keyes' Grown Ups. I was entirely hooked, read it in two sittings which is rare for me. The plot was messy and unpredictable and it was enjoyable to read about people nearing 50 still trying to figure it out rather than the 20s void which is my usual inclination. A little confusing to begin with but once you get to grips with the characters, it's a difficult one to put down.

This was a pretty intense read right from the beginning. There were characters I related to, characters I pitied and characters I loathed. Set in Dublin, it had a very suburban feel to it, the dreary backdrop of the weather set the scene perfectly for the high emotions running through each couple.

Affairs are started, secrets are kept, whispers in the school playground carry through closed doors. Each couple had their own issues but so did each character as an individual and you could see how they were led to make each decision and why.

It was kind of like watching an episode of the real housewives meets Big Brother; it was intimate in a way I wasn't expecting.

It took me a while to get into it and to decipher who was married to who, I had to go back and forth a few times. I think I was getting confused because the initial chapters at Harwood House had the couple's mixed with each other.

I feel like the ending could have given a bit more, it felt quite abrupt. I liked that the characters were older but it also didn't feel like there was much closure, especially with Eva and Shay.

Overall an interesting and emotional read.

This novel centres around three couples who have an interesting evening while away for a weekend together and propose to potentially swap but not to fall in love. I was intrigued to see how the storyline would progress. It flits between all 6 of the adults for the majority of the book. I wouldn't say that the story was predictable but it did get rather complicated. I did enjoy it though.

The Couples had such promise but for me, didn’t quite deliver.

The premise is delicious. Three couples in their 40s go for a weekend away without the kids. Things get out of control when one suggests they could swap partners for one night only, no consequences. What could possibly go wrong? (Lol)

The first part of the book is great - it is tense, horny, messy and a genuine page turner. Mackenzie builds character and connection in a way that feels very believable - I was really invested in the relationships.

The second part is more interested in the emotional fallout of that night. It is a lot more dramatic, less interesting and quite sad. I think this consideration is useful for readers who might pick this up thinking it is more light or sexy. Viewers of Parenthood or This Is Us might enjoy.

For me, I didn’t need the ending 12 years later and think the novel would be stronger without it.

I agree with other reviews that this would make a good mini series. And gorgeous cover!

Pick up this book up if: you’re looking for one part excitement and two part struggles of middle age.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

One weekend, 3 couples and a flippant comment that will have repercussions for months later. Friends for years, on a drunken night it's suggested that the women text the man they want to spend the night with, only one night with no ties but only 1 rule, no falling in love. But as life never goes to plan the families find it a struggle to return to the real world the night after.
To begin with I was quite confused with all the characters names and who was married to who but once I'd figured it out it turned out to be an interesting read

Thi was quite an emotional read. I loved the writing style. It was such a breath of fresh air. But moreover, I loved how authentically honest and raw the characters were portrayed.

I was the wrong reader for this book. I was initially excited to read a story about a group of 40-something-year-old couples (my age group) but there was too much drinking and sex for my taste. I know, I know, call me a prude! ;-) I appreciate that it was a fast-paced read and we got a sneak peek into the private lives of these three couples, but I found myself getting the characters all mixed up and not caring about a single one of them because I couldn't relate (again, maybe my life just isn't that exciting!)

Did not finish.

I'm sure others will enjoy this book, it just wasn't for me.

Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to review this book this is my honest opinion.

This is a quietly sad contemporary novel about relationship struggles and how one night's actions can have ramifications across entire lives. The characters are beautifully developed and complex and although the story isn't pacey it unfolds beautifully creating a quiet sadness about the inevitability of ageing and the changing nature of romantic and platonic relationships. Very readable, and would make a great series or film.

gripping, addictive and completely unpredictable. I devoured this book in just one sitting. This is unique and pulled me in quickly. Well-written and able to transport the reader.

I could do no better than the blurb of this book to sum it up without spoilers. I went in expecting a dark brown-up version of The Secret History but quickly realised that this wasn’t that book. There were parts I absolutely loved- the tension at parts made me hold my breath and I couldn’t seem to stop reading on a night. It would be remiss of me to say that it didn’t take me a long while to get to grips with the many characters and, because there were so many, struggle to route for just one. I could see this book being adapted for television- and I’d definitely watch it.

This was a really interesting story - what happens when you succumb to temptation and the ripples in the pond effects afterwards to friendships, children, family and marriages. Once I had got to grips with who was who and who was with who, the story seamlessly moved along. This would make a brilliant tv drama! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advance review copy.

The Couples by Lauren Mackenzie is a very accomplished and involving debut.
It's the tale of how a night of experimentation shatters the stable lives of 3 middle-aged couples as memories , confessions and ramifications emerge both in the immediate aftermath or in the passing of years.
The 6 close friends stay overnight in a guest house to celebrate the 48th birthday of one of their number,Frank. The heavy session in a nearby pub isn't unusual. the Ecstasy bought from a local dealer certainly is, followed by more heavy drinking during which Frank suggests they all swap partners. The next morning some of the group are in denial.others don't remember anything but what they all have in common is that their lives will never be the same again.
With all of the families lives revolving not just around their friendship but the school their children attend as well things get very sticky indeed.
I really enjoyed this book,not least the author's insight into her characters thoughts and the differing consequences of their seemingly ever-changing relationships. Some seem unfairly penalised,others like the quite awful Frank get away quite lightly,despite him being the instigator of so much.
A great story,and one that just screams out "Netflix mini-series".

I really enjoyed The Couples. The concept was great and the issues the characters were going through were very real. It was nice to read a novel where the characters weren't in their twenties figuring it out, it gave a fresh feel to the novel.

I'm all about a slow burn but at points you just wanted to knock some of the characters' heads together. I did feel that there could have a bit more context setting at the beginning but it absolutely did not take away from the story.

I'll definitely be recommending this one to friends.